Acting Up

Actor and producer David Oyelowo joins Cortney to talk about his latest passion project, Lawmen: Bass Reeves. The project is a Western television miniseries based on the life of the first African American Deputy U.S. Marshal, Bass Reeves. David and Cortney talk about the hurdles of getting the project made, why Black Westerns are important narratives to tell, and the complexities of playing a Black member of law enforcement in the 19th Century. Cortney also does a dive into Beyonce's latest album “Cowboy Carter,” and analyzes how the record may be particularly impactful during this year's election cycle. Acting Up is all about Black Hollywood, who's making noise, who's making a difference, and how they're moving the needle regarding representation.  Cortney Wills has forged deep connections with creatives, actors, directors, producers, writers, executives, and the real decision-makers who shape how our community is represented onscreen, giving Acting Up access to the inner workings of Hollywood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we head into Oscars weekend, Black Hollywood has much to be proud of in 2024.  Danielle Brooks, Sterling K. Brown, Colman Domingo, Jeffrey Wright, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph all earned nominations.  On this episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills chats with Best Supporting Actress nominee Da'Vine Joy Randolph about her role as Mary Lamb in “The Holdovers.”   Da'Vine also shares the wisdom she gained on a path through Yale, to roles in “The Idol” and “Dolemite is My Name” and as the voice of Mama Luna from “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” and Sheila B in “Trolls World Tour.” The Academy Awards airs Sunday, March 10th, at 7 p.m. ET/4p.m. PT Music courtesy of Transitions Music CorporationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney sits down with filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper to discuss her new documentary, James Brown: SAY IT LOUD. The pair speak about James Brown's role in the Black Power Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Brown's iconic song “Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud,” slavery's influence on Black entertainment, the history of hip-hop, r&b, soul, and rock musicians sampling James Brown, and funk music's impact on contemporary genres.  Cortney and Deborah also have a nuanced conversation about how to discuss artists with complicated pasts. Acting Up is all about Black Hollywood, who's making noise, who's making a difference, and how they're moving the needle regarding representation.  Cortney Wills has forged deep connections with creatives, actors, directors, producers, writers, executives, and the real decision-makers who shape how our community is represented onscreen, giving Acting Up access to the inner workings of Hollywood.   Music Courtesy of: Transitions Music Corporation, Black Ice Publishing, Reach Global Songs Media Clips Courtesy of: A + E NetworksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the season 3 debut, Cortney sits down with actress Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor about her new film, Origin, written and directed by Ava DuVernay. Cortney and Aunjanue have an honest conversation about the origins of hate and inhumanity on and off the screen, including why she believes Origin is not getting a fair shake in Hollywood despite the film's crucial global message. The Oscar-nominated actress shares what it took to bring Isabel Wilkerson's story to life while illuminating the weighty themes of her award-winning book “Caste: The Origin of our Discontents.” Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor also weighs in on her own experience with pay inequality in Hollywood. Acting Up is all about Black Hollywood, who's making noise, who's making a difference, and how they're moving the needle regarding representation.  Cortney Wills has forged deep connections with creatives, actors, directors, producers, writers, executives, and the real decision-makers who shape how our community is represented onscreen, giving Acting Up access to the inner workings of Hollywood.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills is joined by Eboni K. Williams, who responds to the backlash she received after a recent episode of “theGrio with Eboni K. Williams” examined the trend of white women seeking their MRS degrees in college. The ladies take a deep dive into the nerves she struck when she advised Black women undergrads who desire marriage to prioritize finding a man while they still can. The former RHONY cast member and host of “Equal Justice with Judge Eboni K. Williams” also opens up about her journey to motherhood and how her own experiences have shaped her outlook on marriage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills takes us back to Wakanda and dives in to the highly anticipated film ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'. She sits down with actress Lupita Nyong'o to find out how her character Nakia's journey through grief compared to her own experience mourning the late Chadwick Boseman. She also talks to the film's co-writer and director, Ryan Coogler to find out how he continued the story after losing his hero and managed to invite a whole new demographic to the MCU. He also explains how he navigating art imitating life and what parts of the script Chadwick Boseman was excited about before he passed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with Nicole Avant and Alanna Brown to discuss their  riveting film 'Trees of Peace'. Based on a true story, the heart-wrenching project is centered on four women who forge an unbreakable bond while in hiding during the genocide in Rwanda. The ladies discuss the story's message of determination and resilience as well as what it took to bring the idea to fruition after more than eight years. They'll also examine the ways Nicole Avant was able to use her expertise and influence to help this first time filmmaker full of raw talent take it across the finish line. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this weeks episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills is joined by Michael Harriot to discuss ‘TILL' the new film that highlights the life and work of Mamie Till-Mobley, a mother who galvanized the Civil Rights Movement after her 14-year-old son Emmet Till was lynched in 1955.  Starring Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall, Frankie Faison, Haley Bennett, and Whoopi Goldberg and directed and co-written by Chinonye Chukwu, Cortney and Michael confront the fact that the film is hugely important and deeply heartbreaking. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with Michelle Buteau. The stand-up comedian, actress, and author who has made her mark on screens big and small gets real about what it's like to juggle her booming career and life as a mom of twins and a wife and takes us behind the scenes of her gig as a host of the hilarious and relatable podcast, Adulting. She also dishes details on her upcoming Netflix project, 'Survival of the Thickest' and how she continues to find the funny during the tumultuous times we're living through. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills welcomes Yvonne Orji back to the podcast to hear all about her new comedy special “A Whole Me” debuting on HBO on October 1. Hear how the pandemic helped this beauty become the  best version of herself as well as who's inspiring her comedy these days. The ladies also dive into life after “Insecure” and what's next for this talented woman who is working hard to amplify other voices, just directed her first short, and is developing more projects from The Continent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this weeks episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills dives into the haunting true story of “The Silent Twins” the new film from Focus Features starring Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrence, who took on the roles of two sisters who were traumatized by relentless racism and created their own language and their own worlds to escape it. The actresses discuss their roles as June and Jennifer Gibbons and their roles as producers on the project directed by Agnieszka Smoczynska, who spoke candidly about her approach to telling this story about Black girls as a Polish woman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw to get the inside scoop on her latest project, the binge-worthy Apple TV+ series “Surface.” The ladies discuss Gugu's journey through Hollywood and why this was the perfect project for her to star in and executive produce. Her co-star, Stephan James drops in to reveal why he lived playing the “colorless” role and how he perfected his brooding, mysterious  character in this sexy, psychological thriller. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills welcomes Nicole Beharie back to the podcast to discuss her roles in two new films. The actress reveals what it took to play a pastor in the hilarious "Honk For Jesus Save Your Soul" alongside Sterling K. Brown and Regina Hall before diving into the drama/thriller "Breaking" where she stars as a real-life hero of sorts in the tragic true story of Brian Brown-Easley alongside John Boyega and the late, great Michael K. Williams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with actress Nathalie Emmanuel to get all the details about her starring role in the thrilling horror flick “The Invitation” and what it means for Black women to break into the genre. The “Game of Thrones” alum also speaks on the impact her groundbreaking role of Missandei had on the show and the community and what she thinks about HBO's newest “Game of Thrones” spinoff, “House of the Dragon.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this weeks episode of Acting Up, Charlamagne Tha God weighs in on the news that Angela Yee is leaving The Breakfast Club to launch her own show “Way Up with Angela Yee” and explains why women have the most powerful voices in media. He also takes us through his road to becoming a mental health advocate, how his father influenced that journey, and what we can expect from his late night show, “Comedy Central's Hell of a Week with Charlamagne Tha God.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins. The actress, producer, and proud Howard alum reveals what led to her latest project as the host of her own podcast, Trials to Triumphs on OWN, and how her life has changed since tying the knot. She also reveals the ways that her role on 'Dear White People' helped carve out her path in Hollywood and how the end of the beloved series prompted a return to her roots as a content creator.  They'll also get into what the TV buff is watching right now and where she still sees room for improvement when it comes to representing Black women onscreen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills continues her conversation with actress, comedian, and podcast host, Amanda Seales. The ladies discuss the ‘Insecure' alum's latest standup tour “Black Outside Tour” and share their fears and frustrations in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned, coping with COVID, and how the current social climate has become particularly challenging for comedians, especially when you're “Smart, Funny, and Black”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills is kicking off Season 2 of Acting Up with actress, comedian, and podcast host, Amanda Seales. The ladies discuss the ‘Insecure' alum's latest standup tour “Black Outside Tour” and share their fears and frustrations in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned, coping with COVID, and how the current social climate has become particularly challenging for comedians, especially when you're “Smart, Funny, and Black”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with Jeff and Nicole Friday, the couple who founded the African American Film Festival in 1996, creating a space for Black creators to build community, share their art, and foster new talent. Now in its 26th year, ABFF remains one of the most beloved film festivals of the year and has given rise to countless creators from Ryan Coogler to Issa Rae. The group will discuss what it was like to bring the event back to Miami after the COVID-19 pandemic and what we all have to look forward to from this year's star-studded lineup. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with NY Times best-selling author, speaker, and podcast host Luvvie Ajayi Jones to discuss her latest book “Rising Troublemaker,” an incredibly necessary fear-fighting manual for teens at a time when they need it most. The ladies will also discuss the importance of taking control of our mental health, why therapy should be free for all marginalized people, and how content on big and small screens can help shape the way young people see the world and themselves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with actor, writer, director, songwriter, and producer, O-T Fagbenle to discuss how he took on the role of Barack Obama in ‘The First Lady’ and what went into cultivating his career as a multi-hyphenate artist in Hollywood. We also dive in to his turn in ‘We Crashed’ and analyze his beloved ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ character, while pondering what’s next on his long list of upcoming projects including collabs with some equally impressive siblings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with Courtney Lilly, showrunner and executive producer of Black-ish to discuss the impact the Emmy/nominated series had on the culture throughout its eight-season run. They will reflect on their favorite moments and what it took to create the series that kept us laughing, crying, and rooting for the Johnson family year after year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this weeks episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with Will Packer to find out what we can expect from the 94th annual Academy Awards and what went into producing Hollywood’s biggest night. They’ll get into this year’s nominees and discuss what an Oscar win really means for Black creators in 2022. They’ll also tackle the ways the Academy is continuing to make strides toward a more inclusive event and how Will Packer plans to use his secret weapon, Regina Hall. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this weeks episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with ‘Bel-Air’ stars Coco Jones and Cassandra Freeman to find out how they managed to breathe new life into beloved ‘Fresh Prince’ characters, Hilary Banks and Aunt Viv on Peacock’s deliciously dramatic reboot. The ladies take us along on their journeys through Hollywood and describe how they have combated colorism in their own careers and the ways this new iteration of an old favorite is making big strides in representation onscreen and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with Samuel L. Jackson and Dominique Fishback to discuss their roles in the new limited series from Apple TV+, ‘The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey.’ Jackson executive produced and starred in the series based on the book by Walter Mosley and reveals what went into his breathtaking portrayal of a man struggling with dementia. Fishback is equally impressive in the project and during this intimate conversation, she gets real about taking control of her characters and her career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a special bonus episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with Babatunde Akinloye, Bruce W. Smith, Michael Yates and Marlon West; four men behind some of Disney’s most beloved projects, like Princess and the Frog, The Proud Family, Soul and Encanto and broke down what it takes to tell diverse stories that reflect our community in animation and discusses their journeys as black creators at Disney. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this weeks episode, Cortney Wills sits down with Director, Sacha Jenkins to discuss his latest project “Everything’s Gonna be All White.” The 3-part docuseries that debuted on Showtime on February 11 pulls no punches while diving into the history of racism in this country. The provocative project features insights from Jemele Hill, Tamika Mallory, Amanda Seales, and Nell Irvin Painter as well as hip hop veterans from Roxanne Shante to Havoc to Styles P among others who all help to paint a picture that some folks just don’t want to see. Find out how Jenkins feels about the backlash and what he hopes audiences will take away.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode, Cortney Wills sits down with National Geographic Explorer and Storyteller, Tara Roberts. The ladies discuss “Into the Depths,” NatGeo’s new podcast that follows Tara as she chronicles Black divers, marine archaeologists, and historians on a quest to examine slave ship wrecks and uncover the little-known truths about the Middle Passage. They’ll also dive deep into the astounding discovery of The Clotilda, the last known slave ship to arrive from Africa in 1860, and examine how what lies beneath the surface stands to change so much about how we understand our history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Will takes a deep dive into Descendant, the award-winning documentary that debuted at Sundance Film Festival and revealed the riveting true story of The Clotilda, the last known slave ship to arrive from Africa in 1860. The people it carried to the U.S. arrived 40 years after the slave trade was outlawed, and they established a community called Africatown. The film follows their descendants, who kept the truth about their ancestors alive through oral history passed down generations, truths that have finally been legitimized since the ship’s wreckage was discovered in 2018. Director, Margaret Brown takes us along on her journey for truth and historian Dr. Kern Jackson offers his take on the implications of this monumental discovery and decades-long cover up, and the role Zora Neale Hurston played in this true story that’s stranger than fiction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills dives into HBO’s ‘The Gilded Age’ with one of its stars, Audra McDonald to discuss how the show is exploring the often-overlooked experiences of the Black elite in the 1890s. The pair will highlight the little-known plight of the people who went North after slavery and how they built careers, accumulated wealth, and cultivated communities that were thriving in the North while Jim Crow was busy wreaking havoc in the South. Cortney also sits down with one of the show’s executive producers and historical consultant, Erica Dunbar, who illuminated the real history that informs this groundbreaking project that reminds us that the Black experience consists of much more than we’ve been told and Black wealth is nothing new. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with her friend and fellow entertainment journalist, Gerrick Kennedy who just released his highly anticipated book "Didn't We Almost Have It All: In Defense of Whitney Houston" on February 1. The remarkable project from the music expert and lifelong fan invites us to examine a life we felt quite entitled to with a different lens and contextualizes some of her biggest moments, greatest successes, and most devastating losses, almost ten years after her tragic death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills is joined by Tonya Lewis Lee and Paula Eiselt, to discuss their unmissable new documentary ‘Aftershock’ after debuting it at the Sundance Film Festival. The ladies discuss the U.S maternal health crisis, the racism at the root of it, and real solutions to address it. They also open up their own experiences with childbirth as they examine the many factors that make birthing while Black a very dangerous mission.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with Tabitha Jackson, Director of the Sundance Film Festival to discuss her journey to the top as a Black woman and how she came to the tough decision to take the annual event virtual in light of the omicron variant. They’ll also dive into several of the must-see projects from creators of color and dish details on amazing performances from folks like John Boyega, and the late Michael K. Williams, who takes his final bow in ‘892.’See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with Tasha Smith to discuss her work as a director, executive producer on shows like ‘BMF’ and ‘Our Kind of People’ as well as her 20-year career as an acting force for the likes of Mary J. Blige, Andra Day, and countless others. The ladies dive into what it takes to create great projects and what happens when offerings from our people aren’t as impressive as we’d like, as well as the particular challenge that comes with criticizing Black art. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this weeks episode, Cortney Wills sits down with Neil Phillips, Chief Diversity Officer for the HFPA to find out how the disgraced organization behind the Golden Globes is attempting to reform and rebuild after a humiliating year of public scrutiny and being boycotted by Hollywood. She’ll also be joined by award-winning journalist, Kelley Carter, to discuss her reasons for joining the group after it was criticized for having no Black members. In this candid conversation, they’ll examine what work has been done and ponder the public’s response ahead of the 2022 Golden Globes ceremony. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills reflects on some of her favorite conversations of 2021 and revisits a few highlights from Acting Up guests like Erika Alexander, Little Marvin, Natasha Rothwell, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this weeks episode, Cortney Wills sits down with the woman behind some of the best kids content ever made, Kerri Grant. The Peabody Award winner and eight-time Emmy nominee discusses her journey, and her work on shows like ‘The Backyardigans,’ ‘Doc McStuffins,’ and ‘ Elena of Avalon’ among others. They’ll also dive in to her latest project, Netflix’s ‘Ada Twist, Scientist’ from Higher Ground Productions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with ‘Attica’ directors Stanley Nelson, Jr. and Traci A. Curry to discuss the riveting documentary that uncovers terrible truths about the deadliest prison uprising in our nation’s history. They also get real about how little has changed in the 50 years since the harrowing events and why prison reform remains one of our community’s most urgent issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills dives into two new shows that highlight what it means to be a Black woman navigating friendship, love, and life in NYC. ‘Harlem’ star Jerrie Johnson reveals how she cultivated her groundbreaking character “Tye” for the Amazon Prime series from Tracy Oliver and tackled issues like “superwoman syndrome” and Reproductive health. Cortney also sits down with Nicole Ari Parker, who is bringing some much-needed melanin to the Sex and the City franchise with a big role in HBO Max’s highly anticipated limited series ‘And Just Like That’ to talk about the ways age-ism affects Black women in Hollywood and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with Natasha Rothwell to discuss the final season of Insecure, her directorial debut, and how she went from the writers' room to the call sheet, snagging a leading role on the groundbreaking series. They’ll also get real about representation and get into what’s next for the actress, writer, producer, and director.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with comedian, actor, and producer Aida Rodriguez to discuss her work, her hustle, her heritage and HBO Max special, Fighting Words. The ladies also get real about Afro- Latinx identity, colorism, and how the comedy game has changed amid the collective trauma our communities have faced. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with actor Jonathan Majors to discuss his starring role as Nat Love in “The Harder They Fall,” how he and costars like Regina King, Lakeith Stanfield, Zazie Beats, Idris Elba, and Delroy Lindo rose to the challenge of filming the action-packed Western during the pandemic, and how his own heroes inspired him to pursue his passions onscreen and off. He also weighs in on his Lovecraft Country, his meteoric rise, and his journey through Hollywood. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actress Christina Elmore sits down with Cortney Wills to discuss her journey through Hollywood and motherhood; how her real life compares to her character Condola’s epic arc on the final season of Insecure, and what she really thinks of Lawrence. She’ll also shares her experience on another groundbreaking series, Twenties, and what it has been like to work alongside trailblazers like Lena Waithe and Issa Rae. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with Grammy-nominated, Tony Award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose to discuss how she navigates her ever-evolving career, her commitment to Black women, and her new gig as the host of season 3 of the award-winning podcast Being Seen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with actress Shalita Grant to discuss her breakout role in season 3 of “YOU” on Netflix, how she overcame a challenging childhood and cultivated a killer career on her own terms, and how she’s fighting back against the damage done to her hair while on set with her own natural hair care line, Four Naturals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with actress and activist, Jenifer Lewis to discuss “Finding Kendrick Johnson,” the riveting documentary she executive produced and narrated, streaming now on Amazon Prime. Jenifer reveals her reasons for lending her voice and her platform to the project she calls “the most important work she has ever done” and why she hopes the Biden administration will step up to get justice for the 17-year-old boy who was found dead in his Georgia high school’s gym in 2013. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with creator and showrunner of ‘BMF’ Randy Huggins to find out how he crafter the hit STARZ drama series based on the true story of Detroit’s most infamous kingpins. He also discusses what went into casting Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory to portray his own father; how he deals with 50 Cent and his wild ways; and the impact of this larger-than-life story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills sits down with actor and director, Desean Terry to discuss his role as a Black journalist on “The Morning Show.” The two examine how the star-studded series tackles issues of race, sexual orientation, and trauma and examines the gray areas of consent, sexual misconduct, and cancel culture. They also take a deep look at the different ways Black professionals navigate predominately white workplaces and the resulting effects of imposter syndrome. Desean also reveals his reasons for inspiring and uplifting LA youth through theater. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills is joined by beloved actress, writer, producer, and activist Erika Alexander who opens up about forging her own path, her passion for sci-fi, and why Black people are the original futurists. She’ll also dish details about the launch of her history-making Concrete Park Bangers collection that just dropped on Curio. She’ll be joined by Curio’s COO, Rikin Mantri who helps explain why NFTs could be the future of storytelling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills dives into the life of Pauli Murray, the activist, author, priest, lawyer, and revolutionary who coined the term “Jane Crow” and led a life every American should celebrate. She’ll be joined by Julie Cohen and Talleah Bridges-McMahon two of the women behind the unmissable documentary, ‘My Name is Pauli Murray’ in theaters now and available on Amazon Prime Video on October 1. In this candid conversation, the group discusses the fascinating work and monumental contributions of Pauli Murray as well as what it took to get this story told, what happens when the stories of Black lives are helmed by white women, what goes into getting it right, and what impact they hope it will have. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortney Wills weighs in on the 2021 Primetime Emmy nominations and highlights the 37 Black creators who nabbed nods including several Acting Up guests including Aunjanue Ellis, Courtney B. Vance, Amber Ruffin, O. T. Fagbenle, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.