• Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your legacy
  • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence

Follow Us

Skip to content
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence
  • Celebrity
    • Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • Beauty News
  • Hair
    • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Lifestyle News
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Netflix’s Jingle Jangle Gift Guide
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your Legacy
  • News
    • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Essence 50th Anniversary
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
Home · News

Octavia Spencer to Play God in New Film

Plus: Martin Luther King Jr's niece takes a job at FOX news, 50 Cent's two-year-old lands a modeling contract, Jada Pinkett-Smith to leave Gotham, and more!

By Jolie A. Doggett · March 9, 2015October 27, 2020
01
Octavia Spencer to Play God in New Film

Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer is getting ready to take on the biggest role in the universe. Spencer is tapped to play God in the screen adaptation of William P. Young’s The Shack, which follows a man whose daughter is kidnapped and murdered. God (Spencer) helps guide the man to finding his daughter’s killer. [Flavorwire]

Getty Images
02
Jada Pinkett-Smith Not Returning to ‘Gotham’

Sassy gangster boss Fish Mooney may have seen her last days in Gotham. Jada Pinkett-Smith, who portrays Mooney on the show, says she’s not sure if she’s coming back for season two. “I don’t think so, no. I signed for a year and the year is up,” Pinkett Smith said. “But there are some great things coming ahead on Gotham, believe you me. There’s a lot of good stuff coming.” Pinkett-Smith is open to a cameo appearance, though. Fish Mooney may not be gone forever. “She could show up anywhere,” Pinkett-Smith said. “You never know!” [Entertainment Weekly]

Getty Images
03
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Niece Joins FOX News

Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has joined the conservative FOX news as their latest contributor. “Alveda has brilliantly carried the legacy of the King family to the next generation and has been a source of inspiration for many Americans,” said Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes. “Her passion and mission for social change will be a valuable contribution to our network.” [News One]

Getty Images
04
50 Cent’s Son Lands $700,000 Modeling Contract

50 Cent’s 2-year-old son Sire Jackson is already a working man. The toddler has just landed a $700,000 modeling contract with Kidz Safe, the children’s brand from 50 Cent’s audio company. But this little cutie won’t be able to spend his big bucks any time soon. “Already he’s making his own money! I was ready to say, ‘This is your college fund,'” 50 said on The Angie Martinez Show. “The money goes into a trust. He can’t even touch it until he turns 18.” [Necole Bitchie]

Instagram
05
Simone Biles Breaks Record at The American Cup

Gymnast Simone Biles continues to set records and make history.

In her first event since winning gold at the world championships in China last year, Biles completed a nearly flawless routine on the uneven bars at the A&T American Cup and set a new women’s record of 4.47 points. 

Don’t worry, there were no bees on the podium to interrupt her championship win this time. The 17-year-old will compete for her third straight world title in Glasgow, Scotland in October. [Hello Beautiful]

Getty Images
06
Willow and Jaden Smith on Being Inspired by Dad

Willow and Jaden Smith definitely have minds of their own (just look at their social media accounts). But they both are heavily inspired by their famous father, Will Smith, as they grow in music and in life. “He’s taught me a lot about driving and just about life. And I love his songs,” Jaden said. “My dad is awesome. I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it wasn’t for all of the things he’s taught me.” [Billboard]

Getty Images

Read More

Lifestyle
Shop These Valentine's Day Gifts By Black-Owned Brands
News
My VP Looks Like Me: These Inauguration Day Tribute Photos W...
Black Celeb Couples
Black Love: Barack and Michelle Obama's Love Through the Years
Entertainment
‘Bridgerton’ Is Getting A Second Season
Health & Wellness
Tiffany Haddish Unveils Her Slimmed Down Figure After 30-Day...
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2021 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now