{blackbabes} ‘Love In The Time Of Corona’: Freeform Sets Leslie Odom Jr., Nicolette Robinson, Tommy Dorfman, Rainey Qualley And 4 More For Limited Series Event

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The ensemble for Freeform's forthcoming COVID-19 drama Love in the Time of Corona has been set. Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton), Nicolette Robinson (The Affair), Tommy Dorfman (13 Reasons Why), Rainey Qualley (Mad Men), Gil Bellows (Patriot), Rya Kihlstedt (One Mississippi), Ava Bellows (This Too Shall Pass) and L. Scott Caldwell (Lost) have joined the four-part limited series that follows four interwoven stories about the hopeful search for love and connection during this time of quarantine. Virtual production starts today in Los Angeles.

The series comes from executive producers Joanna Johnson (Good Trouble, The Fosters), Christine Sacani (Good Trouble, The Fosters), Anonymous Content's Robyn Meisinger. Love in the Time of Corona will be filmed using remote technologies and shot in the talents' actual homes.

Odom Jr. and Robinson, who are a real-life couple, will portray James and Sade, a couple who have been living somewhat separate lives. He has a busy career that keeps him on the road and she is at home raising their daughter. Once the pandemic puts them under one roof, their time together leads them to reevaluate their relationship and their priorities. They also serve as executive producers on the project.

Dorfman stars as Oscar, a successful nonbinary stylist, while Qualley plays Elle, an aspiring singer-songwriter. With the uncertainty of the pandemic, Oscar and Elle's mostly platonic friendship becomes increasingly complicated as Oscar's latest online date progresses toward relationship territory just as Elle's neighborly crush starts to blossom.

Bellows will play Paul, while his real-life wife Kihlstedt will portray Sarah. Their daughter Bellows will play Sophie. After quietly separating months earlier, Paul and Sarah reluctantly decide to quarantine together when their sweet yet intense daughter, Sophie, returns home from college. But when Sophie's high school sweetheart suddenly breaks up with her, Paul and Sarah struggle to continue their "happy couple" ruse for their daughter's sake.

Caldwell will step into the role of Nanda, a headstrong woman determined to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband, Charles who is unable to come home from a rehab facility when COVID-19 causes them to go into lockdown. Charlie Robinson is set to guest star as Charles.

Love in the Time of Corona is set to debut on Freeform in August.

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{blackbabes} Complete 2020 BET Awards Winners List: Big Night For Roddy Ricch, Chris Brown

 

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The virtually-produced 2020 BET Awards on Sunday delivered a host of big names and surprises.

At the top of the show, Public Enemy joined forces with Nas, Questlove, Black Thought, YG and Rhapsody Team for a searing 2020 update of the P.E. classic "Fight the Power."

And that was just the beginning. Alicia Keys performed a haunting rendition of "Beautiful Way to Die." John Legend inspired with a powerful performance of "Never Break." Megan Thee Stallion strutted her way through "Girls in the Hood." Jennifer Hudson channeled Aretha Franklin in a performance that was followed by a new trailer for Respect. Lil Wayne paid tribute to Kobe Bryant. The multi-talented Wayne Brady honored the Little Richard. Michelle Obama even put in an appearance, presenting the 2020 Humanitarian Award to Beyoncé.

Drake led this year's BET Awards field with six nominations, but took home only one statue. Megan Thee Stallion and Roddy Ricch each had five nominations. Megan Thee Stallion took home Best Female Hip-Hop Artist while Ricch was the biggest winner of the night, with three statues.

Below is the list of nominees and winners.

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
H.E.R.
Jhene Aiko
Kehlani
Lizzo – WINNER
Summer Walker

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Anderson .Paak
Chris Brown – WINNER
Jacquees
Khalid
The Weeknd
Usher

Best Group
Chloe x Halle
City Girls
EarthGang
Griselda
JACKBOYS
Migos – WINNER

Best Collaboration
Chris Brown Ft. Drake, "No Guidance" – WINNER
DJ Khaled ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend, "Higher"
Future ft. Drake, "Life Is Good"
H.E.R. ft. YG, "Slide"
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign, "Hot Girl Summer"
Wale ft. Jeremih, "On Chill"

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
DaBaby – WINNER
Drake
Future
Lil Baby
Roddy Ricch
Travis Scott

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Doja Cat
Lizzo
Megan Thee Stallion – WINNER
Nicki Minaj
Saweetie

Video of the Year
Chris Brown Ft. Drake, "No Guidance"
DaBaby, "Bop"
DJ Khaled ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend, "Higher" – WINNER
Doja Cat, "Say So"
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign, "Hot Girl Summer"
Roddy Ricch, "The Box"

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Cole Bennett
Dave Meyers
Director X
Eif Rivera
Teyana "Spike Tee" Taylor – WINNER

Best New Artist
DaniLeigh
Lil Nas X
Pop Smoke
Roddy Ricch – WINNER
Summer Walker
YBN Cordae

Album of the Year
Cuz I Love You, Lizzo
Fever, Megan Thee Stallion
Homecoming: The Live Album, Beyoncé
I Used to Know Her, H.E.R.
Kirk, DaBaby
Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial, Roddy Ricch – WINNER

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational
Fred Hammond, "Alright"
John P. Kee ft. Zacardi Cortez, "I Made It Out"
Kanye West, "Follow God"
Kirk Franklin, "Just for Me" – WINNER
PJ Morton ft. Le'Andria Johnson & Mary Mary, "All In His Pain"
The Clark Sisters, "Victory"

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Cynthia Erivo
Issa Rae – WINNER
Regina King
Tracee Ellis Ross
Zendaya

Best Actor
Billy Porter
Eddie Murphy
Forest Whitaker
Jamie Foxx
Michael B. Jordan – WINNER
Omari Hardwick

Young Stars Award
Alex Hibbert
Asante Blackk
Jahi Di'Allo Winston
Marsai Martin – WINNER
Miles Brown
Storm Reid

Best Movie
Bad Boys for Life
Dolemite Is My Name
Harriet
Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé
Just Mercy
Queen & Slim – WINNER

Sportswoman of the Year
Ajeé Wilson
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Simone Biles – WINNER

Sportsman of the Year
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Kawhi Leonard
LeBron James – WINNER
Odell Beckham Jr.
Patrick Mahomes II
Stephen Curry

BET HER Award
Alicia Keys, "Underdog"
Beyoncé ft. Blue Ivy, WizKid & Saint Jhn, "Brown Skin Girl" – WINNER
Ciara ft. Lupita Nyong'o, Ester Dean, City Girls & La La, "Melanin"
Layton Greene, "I Choose"
Lizzo ft. Missy Elliott, "Tempo"
Rapsody ft. PJ Morgan, "Afeni"

Viewer's Choice Award
Chris Brown Ft. Drake, "No Guidance"
DaBaby, "Bop"
Future ft. Drake, "Life Is Good"
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Nicki Minaj, "Hot Girl Summer"
Roddy Ricch, "The Box"
The Weeknd, "Heartless"

Best International Act
Burna Boy (Nigeria) – WINNER
Innoss'B (DRC)
Sho Madjozi (S. Africa)
Dave (U.K.)
Stormzy (U.K.)
Ninho (France)
S.Pri Noir (France)

Viewer's Choice: Best New International Act
Rema (Nigeria)
SHA SHA (Zimbabwe) – WINNER
Celeste (U.K.)
Young T & Bugsey (U.K.)
Hatik (France)
Stacy (France)

 

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{blackbabes} ‘Respect’ Trailer: Jennifer Hudson Pays Homage To Aretha Franklin And Disturbs The Peace In Musical Biopic

 

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Video: https://youtu.be/PBfVR_u_lGQ

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{blackbabes} Disney+ Will Debut ‘Black Is King’, Beyoncé’s New Visual Album, In July – Teaser Video Out

 

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Teaser: https://youtu.be/LT5xoUAy8AY

Beyoncé's Parkwood Entertainment, in association with Disney+, has issued the teaser video for the visual album Black Is King.

Black is King will premiere globally on Disney+ on July 31 and is written, directed and executive produced by Beyoncé. View the teaser video here.

The visual album from Beyoncé reimagines the lessons of The Lion King and arrives shortly after the one year anniversary of that film's debut.

The voyages of Black families throughout time are honored in a tale about a young king's transcendent journey through betrayal, love, and self-identity. His ancestors help guide him toward his destiny, and with his father's teachings and guidance from his childhood love, he earns the virtues needed to reclaim his home and throne.

Based on the music of The Lion King: The Gift, and starring the album's featured artists and some special guest appearances, Black Is King will also offer videos for My Power, Mood 4 Eva, and Brown Skin Girl.

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{blackbabes} Venus Williams joins World TeamTennis; season starts in July

 

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Venus Williams has signed up to play World TeamTennis for the 15th time, the league announced Thursday.

She will be a member of the Washington Kastles, one of nine teams that will gather at a resort in West Virginia for a three-week season starting July 12. Matches normally are played at various sites around the country, but WTT decided to bring everyone to one location because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Williams, who turned 40 last week, announced in 2011 that she had been diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, a condition that can cause exhaustion and joint pain. Williams has since spoken about how she turned to a plant-based diet and learned other ways to get by.

The American is a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, with five titles at Wimbledon and two at the U.S. Open. She also has paired up with her younger sister Serena to win 14 Grand Slam trophies in doubles.

Up to 500 spectators will be allowed to attend each match at a 2,500-seat outdoor court at The Greenbrier. A maximum of 250 people - 200 fans and 50 staffers - can be at any matches that will be moved to an indoor court if it rains.

All fans will be required to wear face masks and pass a temperature check.

Other players who have committed to participating include 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens and twins Mike and Bob Bryan, who have won 16 Grand Slam doubles titles together.

WTT is increasing total prize money to $5 million this year, $1.5 million more than for its 2019 season.

All tennis events sanctioned by the ATP, WTA and International Tennis Federation have been suspended since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic and are on hold until a planned return in August.

But WTT is not affiliated with those tours - no ATP or WTA ranking points are awarded for matches - and does not need to abide by their decisions about when it is OK to compete.

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{blackbabes} Beyoncé To Be Honored For Humanitarian Work At BET Awards; Kobe Bryant & Little Richard Tributes Also Set

 

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Beyoncé Knowles-Carter will be honored with the Humanitarian Award at Sunday's 20th Annual BET Awards, the network said today. The show also will pay tribute to NBC star Kobe Bryant and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Little Richard. Lil' Wayne will pay tribute to Bryant and Wayne Brady will honor Little Richard. The BET Awards airs Sunday from 8-11 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS.

Beyoncé will be honored for her 2017 BeyGOOD initiative' Formation Scholars scholarship program for young women "who are unafraid to think outside the box." That year, she partnered with UNICEF to create 'BeyGood4Burundi, a multi-year partnership to bring safe water and sanitation to the small, landlocked East African country of Burundi. In 2018 she created the Homecoming Scholars Award Program, following her historic performance at Coachella, which benefited students at eight HBCU colleges and universities.

In response to the pandemic, Beyoncé teamed up with her mother, Ms. Tina Knowles Lawson, for the #IDIDMYPART mobile testing initiative to encourage residents in Houston in Black and brown communities, disproportionately affected by COVID-19, to know their status. She has also donated to support organizations on the ground helping to meet basic health and mental needs in vulnerable communities, affected by the crisis. For Juneteenth, following the release of her latest song, "Black Parade," Beyoncé announced the creation of BeyGOOD's Black Business Fund, administered by the National Urban League, to support Black-owned small business

The BET Awards also will honor Nicolas Johnson, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, and D-Nice as the 2020 Shine A Light Honorees, which recognizes exceptional resilience, ingenuity and creativity in the face of adversity. Assa Traoré, a French anti-racist activist, has been selected as the 2020 BET International Global Good recipient, which recognizes global celebrities and public figures who use their platform for social responsibility and goodness while demonstrating a commitment to the welfare of the global Black community.

Previously announced celebrities include Congresswoman Maxine Waters, along with leading entertainmenrs Billy Porter, Courtney B. Vance, Debbie Allen, Deon Cole, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, La La Anthony, Lena Waithe, Lizzo, Michael B. Jordan, Misty Copeland, Naomi Campbell, Omari Hardwick, Quavo, Quincy Jones, Rapsody, Regina Hall, Samuel L. Jackson, Saweetie, Sterling K. Brown, Viola Davis, and Whoopi Goldberg will reflect on the current state of the community with a spotlight on Social Justice as well as the Network's 40th anniversary with a special appearance by BET founder Robert L. Johnson.

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{blackbabes} Ruth Wilson, Cush Jumbo & Rosamund Pike In Negotiations To Star In Take That Movie ‘Greatest Days’, Sierra/Affinity Launches Sales — Cannes

 

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Ruth Wilson (The Affair), Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight), and Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) are in negotiations to star in Greatest Days, the film adaptation of the hit stage musical The Band, about record-breaking UK pop group Take That.

Sierra/Affinity has come on board to handle international sales on the film and will be introducing it for the first time at this week's Cannes virtual market. Domestic rights of the film are being handled by CAA Media Finance.

Inspired by the songs of Take That, one of the world's biggest pop acts, the feel-good film has been developed with the support of Universal Music Group so will include a number of Take That songs. The story focuses on five schoolgirls who have the night of their lives at a concert from their favorite boy band. 25 years later their lives have changed in a myriad of ways as they reunite to reminisce about their past and discover their future.

Hit songs which will be featured in the film include "Patience," "Back For Good," "A Million Love Songs," "Relight My Fire," and "Could It Be Magic." The group, which has sold more than 45 million records worldwide with 12 number 1 UK hits, is also in talks to pen an original song for the feel-good movie.

The film is being directed by Coky Giedroyc (How To Build A Girl), is written by Tim Firth (Calendar Girls), and choreographed by Drew McOnie. Danny Perkins (Carol) and Kate Solomon (United 93) will produce via their Elysian Film Group banner alongside Damian Jones (The Iron Lady) and his DJ Films banner. Take That, David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers will executive produce the project.

The group Take That said: "Greatest Days is a film dedicated to all those who have supported us throughout the years. It puts a mirror on our audience – it's a celebration of our music but it's literally all about the fans and their friendships. Our fans have been on a 30-year journey with us and we have an incredibly strong bond with them, so seeing that they will be represented on screen by such a strong, talented cast is incredibly exciting."

Elysian Film Group's Danny Perkins and Kate Solomon added: "It is testament to the quality of the project that it is attracting such an amazing cast and we're delighted to be working with Sierra/Affinity to share the film with the international community at the virtual Cannes market. Take That is one of the world's biggest musical acts whose music resonates with millions of people worldwide and we're so fortunate to be working with them. Greatest Days is a joyous screen spectacle which will bring audiences together in the future."

Wilson is repped by CAA, Troika, Untitled Entertainment, Relevant and Jackoway and Austen. Jumbo is represented by Curtis Brown Group, ICM, Anonymous Content and Multitude Media. Pike is represented by CAA, Magnolia Entertainment, United Agents and Prosper PR.

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{blackbabes} Beyoncé celebrates Juneteenth by flying to The Hamptons

 

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Beyoncé celebrated Juneteenth by dropping her single "Black Friday" and immediately jetting off with her husband Jay-Z and three children to The Hamptons.

The new song's opening lines are "I'm going back to the South, I'm going back where my roots ain't watered down" — but in reality, Queen Bey opted for staying above the Mason-Dixon line as she and her family flew into the tony enclave of East Hampton.

Proceeds from the song will benefit Black-owned small businesses — and included links to dozens of Black-owned businesses, according to a post on her website. The site also included a message to fans that read, "Happy Juneteenth. Being Black is your activism. Black excellence is a form of protest. Black joy is your right."

Also in the Hamptons this summer is Rihanna — who dropped $415,000 to rent a waterfront mansion for just one month — as well as Beyoncé neighbors Jennifer Lopez, Sean Combs, Steven Spielberg, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kelly Ripa and Sarah Jessica Parker.

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{blackbabes} Audio: Black Parade - Beyonce

 

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Audio: https://youtu.be/4EHbf5QUjNE

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{blackbabes} Dare To Dream | Venus Williams' first Wimbledon title

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Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKAI6efsgUA&feature=youtu.be

 

 

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{blackbabes} Beyonce And Jay-Z Sued Over Allegedly Uncredited Contribution To 2018 Song “Black Effect”

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Beyonce and Jay-Z face a copyright infringement lawsuit in Los Angeles for allegedly using a monologue voiced by an uncredited Jamaican choreographer for their 2018 track "Black Effect" without permission, according to court papers obtained today.

In the suit, filed late Tuesday in federal court, dancer Lenora Stines alleges she spoke on tape of her feelings about "unconditional love" at the request of the celebrity couple. She contends she was told her thoughts would be used only in a promotional video.

A representative for the performers could not immediately be reached for comment.

Stines says she was asked in March 2018 to help hire dancers for a video to publicize the forthcoming Everything Is Love album and tour.

Beyonce and Jay-Z then asked if she would record her musings for the clip, Stines alleges.

Stines describes herself in the complaint as "extremely well-respected and highly regarded in the island of Jamaica, and throughout the world for her artistry and wisdom."

When she inquired into the terms of an agreement she was asked to sign before recording her monologue, she alleges she was told that the agreement "was just a standard document that everyone had to sign." She was then told not to worry because the agreement was "only going to be utilized so that her voice could be used in the video," the suit alleges.

Stines says that when she asked if she could take a screen shot of the agreement to send to her attorney son, she was "explicitly told that she could not send a picture of the agreement to anyone to review."

When Everything Is Love was issued in June 2018, the plaintiff felt "shock, horror and chagrin" to discover her vocals were used in the song "Black Effect," leaving her feeling "violated," the suit alleges.

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{blackbabes} 23-time major champ Serena Williams says she'll play US Open

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NEW YORK (AP) -- Serena Williams is planning to play in the 2020 U.S. Open.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion said in a video shown during the U.S. Tennis Association's tournament presentation Wednesday that she ''cannot wait to return'' to New York for the major championship she has won six times.

The 38-year-old American was the runner-up in Flushing Meadows each of the past two years.

The U.S. Open normally is the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of each season. It will be held without spectators from Aug. 31 to Sept. 13, making it be the second major of 2020, following the Australian Open, which concluded in early February.

The French Open was postponed from May because of the coronavirus pandemic and is now scheduled to run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 11. Wimbledon was canceled altogether for the first time since World War II in 1945.

 

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{blackbabes} Bette Midler, Kaitlyn Dever, Dan Levy, Sarah Paulson & Issa Rae To Star In HBO Quarantine Special ‘Coastal Elites’ From Paul Rudnick & Jay Roach

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HBO has set Coastal Elites, a comic satire special centered around five characters from New York to Los Angeles coping with politics and the pandemic. Bette Midler (Hello Dolly, The Rose), Kaitlyn Dever (Unbelievable), Dan Levy (Schitt's Creek), Sarah Paulson (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Game Change) and Issa Rae (Insecure) star in the special from Paul Rudnick (Addams Family Values, In & Out) and Jay Roach (Bombshell, All The Way, Game Change). It's slated for premiere in September.

Produced entirely under quarantine, the special, written by Rudnick and directed by Roach, "tells stories of breaking down and breaking through in the summer of 2020 that are funny, searing, poignant and now," according to HBO.

Exploring our current world of deeply divided politics and the universal pursuit of human connection during a pandemic, Coastal Elites features a series of confessionals from five main characters, played by Midler, Dever, Levy, Paulson and Rae.

Rudnick and Roach executive produce with Tony winner Jeffrey Seller (Broadway's Hamilton, In the Heights), Flody Suarez (Rise, 8 Simple Rules), Scott Chaloff, and Michelle Graham (Bombshell).

"Paul Rudnick and Jay Roach bring their razor-sharp perspective and wit to HBO," said Casey Bloys, President, HBO Programming. "We are thrilled to partner with them in telling this story, which is uniquely resonant for these times."

A specific air date will be announced in the coming weeks.

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{blackbabes} Not fade away: Venus Williams still dreaming at 40

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Los Angeles (AFP) - When Venus Williams first stepped onto a tennis court in Oakland for her professional debut in 1994, the Rolling Stones were playing a concert next door at a neighbouring stadium.

Twenty-six years later, Williams, like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, is in no mood to simply fade away.

The trailblazing American star celebrates her 40th birthday on Wednesday with the tennis season on pause amid the coronavirus crisis which has decimated the calendar.

The former world number one, however, says there is no prospect of her quietly drawing a line under a career which has yielded seven Grand Slam singles titles, four Olympic gold medals and dozens of tournament wins.

So, despite the march of time and a recent record of futility -- her last singles title came in a WTA Tour event in Taiwan in 2016 - Williams won't be hanging up her racquet just yet.

"You always have to have dreams, so I keep having them," Williams told the Tennis Majors website in an interview earlier this month, revealing that she still wants to challenge for the French and Australian Opens, the two Grand Slams that have eluded her.

"I would like to win Roland Garros. I was not far from it. The same goes for the Australian Open: I was unlucky, I always missed it a little," Williams said.

Dreams of completing a career "Golden Slam" are likely to remain elusive though.

While sister Serena has kept pocketing Grand Slams regularly, it is 12 years since Venus won her last Slam, when she triumphed at the 2008 Wimbledon Championships.

And Venus though knows that the clock is ticking.

"I probably won't be playing as long as what I have already played," she says. "We'll see how I feel. I still love winning as much, but when it's over, it's over."

- Highs and lows -

Williams has never been big on admitting defeat however, a hallmark of her early days under the tutelage of father Richard Williams, who drummed into his daughters the maxim that "the ball is never out" -- an exhortation to chase down every ball.

When Williams does finally call it quits, tennis will bid farewell to one of the greatest players in its history.

And even though advances in sports science are increasingly stretching the boundaries of longevity for modern athletes, few players today are likely to match her achievement of a professional career that has spanned four different decades.

By now the broad brushstrokes of Williams career are part of tennis lore: the upbringing in the gritty Los Angeles suburb of Compton, the rivalry with younger sister Serena, who has 23 Grand Slam titles to Venus's seven, the successful comeback after being diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, an auto-immune disease whose symptoms include joint pain and fatigue.

"I've had great moments, I've been on the top, I've been on the bottom, I've been down and out - I've done it all and I've been equally as happy during all of it," Williams says.

The final years of Williams career have coincided with the emergence of a young crop of African-American tennis players, including Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Taylor Townsend and Coco Gauff.

Former US professional turned broadcaster Pam Shriver believes Williams has helped African-American women "to feel there's a pathway for them to the top of the tennis world."

In recent weeks, Williams has spoken out about the tumultuous protests which erupted in the wake of the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd by police in Minneapolis on May 25.

Williams wrote in a long Instagram post that Floyd's death and other incidents had shown that "racism that still pervades America."

"This just scratches the surface of the hideous face of racism in America," she said.

"Speaking up about racism in the past was unpopular. It was shunned. No one believed you.

"Until you have walked in these shoes, as an African American, it is impossible to understand the challenges you face in the country, in this world."

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{blackbabes} Tessa Thompson & Marwan Kenzari To Star In Fencing Thriller ‘Balestra’; Mister Smith, EC & CAA To Launch Sales — Cannes

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Westworld and Creed star Tessa Thompson is to star with Marwan Kenzari (Aladdin) in psychological thriller Balestra, which Mister Smith, Endeavor Content and CAA Media Finance will be shopping during next week's Cannes virtual market.

Thompson will also executive-produce the film, which will be directed by Nicole Dorsey (Black Conflux).

Balestra follows disgraced competitive fencer Joanna Bathory (Thompson), who is desperately hoping for an Olympic comeback. Pressured by her husband and coach Rafe, she receives a prototype device allowing her to extend her training into her sleeping hours. By day she's on the piste, and by night she's lucid dreaming. But reality begins to blur when she encounters a stranger named Elliot (Kenzari) and gets caught in her own web of subconscious desires and unfulfilling reality.

The film is being produced by Pierre Even (The Hummingbird Project). Also serving as executive producers will be Aron Eli Coleite (Locke & Key) and Automatik's Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Fred Berger and Rian Cahill, producers of Honey Boy and Bad Education.

Screenplay was written by Imran Zaidi based on an original story by Aron Eli Coleite. Director of photography will be Christophe Collette and production designer is Jean-François Campeau. Currently in pre-production, start of principal photography will be dated between talent's current commitments.

Mister Smith is handling international sales while Endeavor Content and CAA Media Finance will rep domestic.

Tessa Thompson commented: "Like the sport that Balestra explores, the conception of this piece is sharp and riveting – its is a fascinating look at the price of winning, and what trouble dreams can become when our sense of self worth, reality and identity are tethered too tightly to them. To embark on this journey, both in front of the lens and behind it, with Nicole Dorsey and this phenomenal team is a dream to me – a most beautiful one."

Dorsey added: "To be working alongside the incredibly gifted and perceptive Tessa Thompson on this psychological thriller, ripe with themes of obsession, desire, prestige and fluctuating realities is quite literally a director's filmic dream."

Thompson is represented by WME, Mosaic, and Jackoway Austen, Tyerman, Wertheimer, Mandelbaum, Morris, Bernstein, Trattner & Klein. Kenzari is represented by ICM Partners and Nummer19 Management. Dorsey is repped by CAA, Grandview, and Morris, Yorn, Barnes, Levine, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner & Gellma. Zaidi is represented by UTA and Grandview. Coleite is repped by Grandview and Jackoway, Austen Tyerman ,Wertheimer.

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{blackbabes} HBO Max Lands Kay Oyegun Spec With Tika Sumpter Starring, Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society Producing

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HBO Max has won a spec auction for The Ancestor, a psychological thriller script by Kay Oyegun that will be developed as a star vehicle for Tika Sumpter, produced by Michael B. Jordan and Alana Mayo's Outlier Society. I've heard the deal was high six figures.

Several suitors were in the mix for the spec which Oyegun wrote from a story she hatched with Sumpter, who'll play an African American female med student who finds herself in a timely psychological thriller premise in the tradition of Get Out. Sumpter has co-starred in the Ride Along films and played the future First Lady Michelle Robinson Obama in Southside With You. She most recently co-starred in Sonic The Hedgehog.

Oyegun is the This Is Us writer/producer who just made an overall deal at 20th Century Fox Television who wrote the Angela Davis movie at Lionsgate, BPI at Warner Bros and has the comedy Assisted Living and an adaptation of the Angie Thomas book The Come Up at Paramount, and the Tomi Adeyemi novel adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone at 20th Century Studios.

Pic will be produced Mayo, Jordan and Khaliah Neal of Outlier Society as well as Oyegun and Sumpter. Emily Gerson Saines will be exec producer.

Sumpter is repped by WME, Brookside Artist Management and Hansen Jacobson. Oyegun is repped by Underground and attorney Allison Binder. Outlier Society is WME, and attorney Greg Slewett.

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{blackbabes} Beyonce Demands Louisville Attorney General “Bring Justice To Breonna Taylor” In Open Letter

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Beyonce Knowles-Carter penned and open letter to Louisville Attorney General Daniel Cameron demanding justice for Breonna Taylor, who was killed in her own home after Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers entered her apartment.

"It has now been over three months since members of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) killed Breonna Taylor," Beyonce wrote in the letter, which is posted on her personal website. She went on to describe how plainclothes officers "forced their way into her apartment, where she was asleep and unarmed" before officers fired over twenty shots into Taylor's home striking her at least eight times. She continued, "While 'Breonna's Law' passed in Louisville and federal legislation has been introduced that [it] will also ban no-knock warrants, these small steps in the right direction are painful reminders that there has still been no justice for Breonna Taylor or her family."

"Three months have passed and the LMPD's investigations have created more questions than answers" she stated. She went on to say that within the same three months, zero arrests have been made and Taylor's family still waits for justice.

She mentions, "The LMPD's investigation was turned over to your office, and yet all of the officers involved in the shooting remain employed by the LMPD. Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Officers Myles Cosgrove and Brett Hankison must be held accountable for their actions."

That said, Beyonce points out that Cameron's office has the "power and responsibility to bring justice to Breonna Taylor and demonstrate the value of a Black woman's life." She urged his office to bring criminal charges to the aforementioned officers, commit to transparency in the investigation and prosecution of the officers' criminal misconduct and "investigate LMPD's response to Taylor's murder as well as the pervasive practices that result in the repeated deaths of unarmed Black citizens."

"Don't let this case fall into the pattern of no action after a terrible tragedy," she writes. "With every death of a Black person at the hands of the police, there are two real tragedies: the death itself, and the inaction and delays that follow it. This is your chance to end that pattern. Take swift and decisive action in charging the officers. The next month can't look like the last three."

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{blackbabes} Gabrielle Union Romantic Comedy ‘The Perfect Find’ Lands At Netflix; Numa Perrier Attached To Direct

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We hear that the Gabrielle Union AGC Studios movie The Perfect Find has landed at Netflix and that Jezebel filmmaker Numa Perrier is attached to direct the feature adaptation of the Tia Williams bestseller.

Previously announced, Union stars and will also produce The Perfect Find via her production company I'll Have Another, which AGC is financing and producing. The Bring It On and Breaking In star plays Jenna Jones, a woman hopeful that her new job in beauty journalism will rep a fresh start in her life. She soon learns that her new boss, Darcy, is her frenemy. Jenna starts a relationship with the company's videographer, Eric, and things get complicated when she learns he's Darcy's son.

Leigh Davenport adapted Williams' book. Jeff Morrone, Tommy Oliver and Codie Elaine Oliver of Confluential Films are also producing. AGC's Stuart Ford and Glendon Palmer are EPs along with I'll Have Another's Holly Shakoor Fleischer.

Perrier's coming-of-age drama Jezebel, which she also co-starred in, made its world premiere last year at SXSW. The pic was acquired by Ava DuVernay's ARRAY Releasing and streamed on Netflix earlier this year. Perrier has directed episodes of such series as Queen Sugar and has served as EP on such Black&Sexy TV series Rider, Sexless and Becoming Nia. Perrier's acting credits include Showtime's SMILF, Jerico and General Hospital.

Perrier is repped by UTA and Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman.

 

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{blackbabes} Coronavirus shutdown may help Serena's Grand Slam quest: coach

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MUMBAI (Reuters) - Serena Williams is as motivated as ever to add to her 23 Grand Slam singles titles and the COVID-19 shutdown could end up helping her in that quest, the American's long-time coach Patrick Mouratoglou has told Reuters.

Williams, who turns 39 in September, has reached four Grand Slam finals since giving birth to daughter Olympia in 2017 but failed to win any of them and remains one major title short of Margaret Court's record of 24.

The tennis season came to a halt in March when world sport went into lockdown due to the novel coronavirus outbreak and the hiatus will continue at least until the end of July.

Frenchman Mouratoglou said Williams had been able to recharge during the break and that her appetite for titles had not waned.

"First of all it was good for Serena because she had time to rest and her body needed rest," he told Reuters by telephone.

"Second, her motivation hasn't changed. She's still as motivated as before to win more Grand Slams."

Mouratoglou, who has been working with the American since 2012, said experienced players like Williams, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic were best equipped to hit the ground running when tennis restarts.

"For someone like her, and probably the same for Roger or Rafa or Novak, they have so much experience that being out of competition for a few months doesn't affect their game so much," said Mouratoglou.

"And we've seen the best, someone like Roger for example, coming back from six months injury and winning a Grand Slam straightaway (in 2017). So, only those guys can do that. So for Serena, it'll be fine."

Mouratoglou was less sure about how well other players would cope given the lack of clarity over the sport's return.

There are concerns professional tennis may not be able to return at all this year given the amount of international travel required to get players to tournaments.

"I think that for all the players it's extremely challenging because it's a situation that is completely new," said Mouratoglou, whose Ultimate Tennis Showdown league kicks off at his academy in Nice from Saturday.

"A tennis player always has a short-term goal with the next tournament coming up. And this is their motivation. This didn't happen during this period and they don't even know when the next tournament is.

"So they have to find other ways to feed their motivation, which is a bit challenging."

 

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{blackbabes} Keke Palmer To Star In ‘Alice’ From Writer, Director Krystin Ver Linden & Steel Springs Pictures

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Keke Palmer has signed on to executive produce and star as the title character in Alice, written by Krystin Ver Linden, who will also direct the feature, marking her directorial debut. The character-driven thriller is inspired by the true events of a woman of servitude in 1800s Georgia, who escapes the 55 acre confines of her captor to discover the shocking reality that exists beyond the tree line… it's 1973.

John Wick and Spotlight EP Peter Lawson is producing the project with executive producers Jose Agustin Valdes and Luisa Fernanda Espinosa of Steel Springs Pictures, which is fully financing the project.

"So many films that depict this time in our history are rooted in victimization of the black female lead," said Palmer, a co-host of Good Morning America's third hour Strahan, Sara and Keke. "This story is the opposite and that's what attracted me to Krystin's perspective. It tackles the harsh realities of slavery and white supremacy while also offering inspiration and vindication through the story of Alice's journey. I don't want anyone to leave the theater feeling debilitated, I want them to feel empowered."

Linden also wrote the script Love in Vain, a biopic about blues music pioneer Robert Johnson, which was recently picked up by Paramount with Oscar-winning Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse helmer Peter Ramsey attached to direct.

"Keke is a prodigious talent and the perfect choice to step into the title role of Alice," said Linden. "This is such an important and emotional project, and when we saw Keke's passion and vision for this woman and her story, we knew she was the one. With Krystin at the helm, we look forward to seeing her transform into this phenomenal character and bring her riveting story to life."

Filming is slated to begin this August in Georgia.

Added Lawson, "Keke is a prodigious talent and the perfect choice to step into the title role of Alice. This is such an important and emotional project, and when we saw Keke's passion and vision for this woman and her story, we knew she was the one. With Krystin at the helm, we look forward to seeing her transform into this phenomenal character and bring her riveting story to life."

Palmer, who has a long list of film and TV credits, was most recently seen alongside Jennifer Lopez in the critically acclaimed Hustlers and on Quibi's Singled Out reboot which was recently picked up for a second season. She's repped by 3 Arts Entertainment.

Peter Lawson and Steel Springs Pictures are repped by Lichter Grossman Adler & Goodman. Linden is repped by Verve and Hansen Jacobson.

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