Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe is a love letter to Black women in entertainment. Emmy-Award winning writer, actor, and producer Lena Waithe sits down with trailbl...
This week, Lena is talking to the mother of Black Hollywood herself -- the one and only Jenifer Lewis, star of screen and stage. Of course the conversation has to start with the Broadway production of Dreamgirls, where Jenifer originated the role of Effie that was ultimately taken over by Jennifer Holliday, but the two hit all the highlights of Jenifer's incredible career, from A Different World to Black-ish to her unforgettable performance as Tina Turner's mother in What's Love Got To Do With It. There is singing, there is impersonation, there is laughter, there are behind-the-scenes tidbits involving Tupac Shakur and Whitney Houston -- it's a can't-miss conversation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Building a Legacy with Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith is a true multi-hyphenate: a prolific actress on TV and film, a business maven, a talented musician, and an Emmy-winning talk show host. But her star first started to rise when she was cast on A Different World, where her character, Lena James, was named for Lena Horne -- just like Lena Waithe was. These two Lenas catch up this week on the importance of physicality in acting, some of Jada's most influential co-stars from over the years, and how she navigated filming some of her most intimate scenes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Building a Legacy with Mara Brock Akil
Lena welcomes Mara Brock Akil this week, the legendary TV producer and writer behind shows like Girlfriends, The Game, and Being Mary Jane, among many others. She tells Lena about the exploration of classism in her storytelling and the complexities of her most notable characters, the importance of living and working in beautiful places, and the crucial role of mentors throughout her career. They also dig into one of the most unique dynamics in show business: the personalities and alchemy of a writer's room.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Building a Legacy with Gina Prince-Bythewood
This week, Lena is asking the hard questions of Gina Prince-Bythewood -- the incredible director whose name is synonymous with her first feature film, Love & Basketball. Fun fact -- Lena was also Gina's assistant back in the day! Neither Gina nor Lena ever gets sick of talking about Love & Basketball, but the two also touch on the importance of positive self-talk, the alchemy of a good soundtrack, and the women Gina partners with project after project, both behind the scenes and on screen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Building a Legacy with Sheryl Lee Ralph
Sheryl Lee Ralph grew up in the 1960s. She knows what it is like to have limits placed upon her because of the color of her skin. And yet -- she has pursued her life dream. From Dreamgirls to Moesha to Abbott Elementary, she has brought some of the most powerful Black women on stage and screen to life. On the first episode of Legacy Talk, Lena and Sheryl delve into where Sheryl takes inspiration for her characters, the impact of the AIDS crisis on her work, why Sister Act 2 was a successful sequel, and the changes she's seen throughout her four decade career in Hollywood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe is a love letter to Black women in entertainment. Emmy-Award winning writer, actor, and producer Lena Waithe sits down with trailblazers like Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jenifer Lewis, Debbie Allen, and more, to discuss their creative process, their journey, and how they became the incredible women they are today. Legacy Talk is more than just a series of interviews; it’s a documentation of the stories and experiences of women who shifted narratives, broken barriers, and inspired a generation.Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe, from Hillman Grad and Lemonada Media, drops November 12 on all platforms. And if you want to see all the magic unfold, catch the full episodes on YouTube.