Black Power'Daddy's Little Girls' star
Gabrielle Union told me that it's a great time to be Black in Hollywood. "Aint it though," she said laughing. With the abundance of Black actors being celebrated for their work in film and the increase in diversity with Black characters on television, the 34-year-old actress believes that helped her land her forthcoming show 'Footballers Wives,' an American version of the British hit show, with ABC/Touchstone.
"The more that we excel and succeed as a community the more it breeds more work for everybody. So on the heels of the success of all of our brothers and sisters on 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Lost' and all the other shows, I was blessed enough to get a deal on ABC and Touchstone," the Omaha, Nebraska-bred talent said.
Dispelling the myth that Black women can't get along, Union said she celebrates her fellow thespians and their accomplishments. "Every time
Kerry Washington wins,
Sanaa Lathan wins,
Joy Bryant wins and
Halle Berry wins; we all win! It's about encouraging each other, supporting each other having and having faith in one another because it breads more work," she closed.
The Fabulous LifeSinger and stage actor
Norwood Young is reality television's newest star. The Hollywood personality's claim to fame has been his singing career, but most recognize him for his flamboyant fashions, immaculate mansion and his notorious 17 statues of Michelangelo's David in his front yard. Young's ostentatious lifestyle has been introduced to the masses on E! Entertainment's 'High Maintenance 90210.'
Having sung and toured with the jazz collective Pieces of a Dream (he sang on the disc 'Bout Dat Time') and starred in Broadway productions like 'Don't Get God Started' and 'Dreamgirls' you'd think Young was accustomed to the spotlight. However his recent turn on reality television has introduced him to a whole new audience.
"The feeling of being one of TV's newest stars, overall, is great," said Young. The Ewing Township, New Jersey native did admit that all of the attention hasn't been good though. "[It's] hurtful sometimes because you put yourself up for such heavy scrutiny," he added.
Fans are so intrigued by Young's lifestyle and of course those statues in the front yard that his house has nearly become a tourist attraction. "I do experience the occasional crazy fan! I get the ones who ring the bell to meet me, Brian the butler or even my assistant Jordan. Then I got a couple of visits from supposed animal rights folk who wanted to come in and discuss with me what the contents of the pink and blue color was that my two Maltese have," laughed Young, who pointed out: "Its food color by the way!"
Young, who recently released his latest CD, 'Just Norwood,' hopes the glimpse into his life provides a different image of an African-American man for viewers to see. "The main reason for doing it was to create an additional and more diversified fan base and also to show people that we all did not have to struggle or grow up in the projects. So many middle class young kids are trying to 'play' thug and gangsta and ending up in trouble because that's the only thing that is portrayed. It's also cool to go to school, pursue your talents and dreams and achieve your finery," he offered.
Part of Young's life now consists of giving posh parties, where everyone from
Tichina Arnold and
Kym Whitley to
Jackee Harry and
Ananda Lewis can be seen hobnobbing. 'High Maintenance 90210' showcased one such party that was thrown to celebrate the release of Young's CD (It's available at www.JustNorwoodMusic.com). "Listeners can expect to be very 'satisfied' when they hear this new CD," he said the release. "Those who are 30-years-old and above will appreciate that it's real music! No trickery with technology. Real vocals and real lyrics. For the younger listeners, it will teach them where real music began. It's without a doubt a 'recall or make new memories' CD!"
Read Page 2 of the BV Buzz
