Blackness isn't a trend or a wave to ride until the mainstream gets bored with melanin, and the proof is in the trophies. For the past few years, Black film and television have been dominating the award shows, proving that all of the Hollywood critics who said people of color are not marketable were dead ass wrong.
Recently, the full list of this year's Emmy's nominations was announced, and just know that over here, we're rooting for everybody black. While Game of Thrones made history with a recording breaking 32 nominations, Queen Bey stole the show in the way that true Black girl royalty always does. The nomination announcement revealed that the behind-the-scenes documentary of her wildly popular Coachella performance, Homecoming, racked up a total of six awards.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Disney
Bey has been nominated for four Emmys before, and although she's never taken home a trophy, it's looking like this may just be her year. The announcement comes just on the heels of the live-action Lion King release, where she stars as Nala, and her soundtrack single "Spirit". Thanks to her multi-million dollar collaboration projects with Netflix and Disney, Beyoncé might just win an Emmy, Oscar, and Grammy in the same damn year.
Along with Beyonce, there were a few other stars that dominated this year's Emmy nominations, including but not limited to Viola Davis, Sterling K. Brown, and the cast of When They See Us, who racked up a total of 16 awards. Here's our black AF list of all of the Emmy nominations that were announced today:
Netflix special, including Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded), Outstanding Music Direction, Outstanding Directing, Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Production Design, and Outstanding Costumes For Variety
"Homecoming" (Netflix)
Netflix
Best Drama Series
"Pose" (FX)
"This Is Us" (NBC)
Limited Series
"When They See Us" (Netflix)
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown ("This Is Us", NBC)
Billy Porter ("Pose", FX)
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Viola Davis ("How to Get Away With Murder", ABC)
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson ("Black-ish", ABC)
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Don Cheadle ("Black Monday", Showtime)
Mahershala Ali ("True Detective", AMC)
Jharrel Jerome ("When They See Us", Netflix)
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Niecy Nash ("When They See Us", Netflix)
Competition Program
"Nailed It" (Netflix)
"RuPaul's Drag Race" (VH1)
"The Voice" (NBC)
Variety Talk Show
"The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" (Comedy Central)
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Marsha Stephanie Blake ("When They See Us", Netflix)
Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Asante Blackk ("When They See Us", Netflix)
Michael K. Williams ("When They See Us", Netflix)
Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Laverne Cox ("Orange Is the New Black", Netflix)
Writing for a Limited Series or TV Movie
"When They See Us," Part Four," Netflix (Ava DuVernay, Michael Starrbury)
Featured image by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Disney
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What made it even more special? We were back in the place where we first fell in love, now creating new memories in the same sun-drenched paradise. From booze cruises, pickleball matches, and wellness shots, to alluring late-night jacuzzi rendezvous, soul karaoke, and far too much champagne mixed with tequila, to really good jerk chicken and repeat-visit-worthy Asian cuisine, bae and I had a time.
Couples Negril And Couples Swept Away: Twins On The West Coast Of Jamaica
And it’s fitting that we visited in June (which is considered low season—a time when there are less travelers and better deals) because these sister resorts are like Gemini twins that embody two distinct sides of the same spirit.
Set between Negril and Hanover, Couples Negril is the social butterfly, full of energy and artistic flair; Couples Swept Away is the introspective dreamer, grounded in nature, wellness, and tranquility.
While they’re quite opposite in vibe, they’re united by a shared history and reflect the classic Gemini duality: light and shadow, play and peace, expression and reflection.
Bae’s Favorite: Chic, Modern, And Cozy At Couples Negril
Couples Negril Suite
Courtesy, Couples Negril
Bae’s favorite was Couples Negril—which has more than 230 rooms and spans 18 acres—for its mix of entertainment, modern minimalist vibes, and a diverse crowd of couples. He especially loved Otaheite Restaurant with its low-lit red velvet love seats and dishes meshing luxury with traditional island flavors (like the merlot stewed rabbit served with coconut polenta and the filet mignon with the jerk glaze.) And he lives for hearing me sing, so the piano bar was our jam.
We also spent lots of time at the beach bar, one of five on the property, snacking on fish tacos and sipping margaritas just steps from our suite.
We saved the rum for the included catamaran cruise (book ahead!), which came with endless punch and views of Negril’s West End—a fave spot of ours. Couples Negril made the all-inclusive life feel surprisingly easy and fun.
The property also features a treehouse spa, two pools, four jacuzzis, an au naturale beach (whew, chile!), and sports facilities. Everything was easy to access—the layout felt cozy and well-organized, making it simple to move between activities and amenities. At this resort, you can really have some grown-and-sexy fun without it feeling like a raunchy spring break episode of Couples Gone Wild.
My Favorite: Private, Classic Charm, & Nature Mystique At Couples Swept Away
Couple's Swept Away Suite
Courtesy, Couples Swept Away
While I loved Couples, once we stepped over to Couples Swept Away, the lush nature set on 19 acres won me over. This twin, which has 312 suites, 7 restaurants, 8 bars, 3 pools, 5 jacuzzis, and a spa, leans into intimacy and seclusion, and I felt like we had more privacy and room to explore–just the two of us—at this property. The rooms are rustic-luxurious, dressed in island cedar, with classic shutters and expansive verandahs that have hammocks where you can enjoy bright flora, the sounds of exotic birds, and the sea views.
The absence of TVs—along with its tropical fantasy allure— meant a 10 out of 10 experience for me. This resort invites couples to breathe deeper, slow down, and truly get to the core of intimacy, all within the hum of nature.
There were hidden enclaves with dipping pools, jacuzzis, open-air cafés, and quiet corners where you can sit by ponds filled with fish and bird watch (or have a little sneaky link with bae!)
One of my favorite stand-out amenities at this resort: the 10-acre fitness complex just a short walk across the road from the main property where I’d have my early-morning me-time while bae slept in. It has 10 tennis courts, squash and racquetball courts, a fully equipped gym, and a wide range of wellness and fitness classes are held there. I also enjoyed turmeric and ginger shots at the wellness bar.
Other standouts for food and nightlife included Lemon Grass (where you can enjoy Asian-inspired food and listen to the live music coming from downstairs), the chic Patois Bar (which was the late-night hotspot overlooking one of the pools and serving your usual bar fare like burgers and quesadillas—felt like we were at a Miami nightclub), and the Aura Bar (where bae sang with a quintet of other slightly drunken men and where we did the cliche but super-lit millennial couple thing: danced the night away to Top 40 hip-hop, salsa, and rock classics).
The Patois Bar
Courtesy, Couples Swept Away
Baecation Tip: Just be sure your partner packs a few linen or dress pants, loafers or soft dress shoes, and a few button-down shirts for the restaurants that require reservations. Also book your table and all-inclusive excursions in advance (or on the first day you arrive at the resort).
All in all, this resort-hop wasn’t the stifling, prison-in-paradise all-inclusive experience I remembered from the Jamaica family vacations of my youth. It also wasn’t the stereotypical AI disaster of bland food, lackluster customer service, and senior citizen activities that many complain about on social nowadays.
Both resorts offered a fresh take on luxury, great food, and good vibes—all without losing the intimacy we craved. All-inclusives might not be our every trip vibe, but for this chapter? It was exactly what we needed, and we look forward to making repeat bookings at both Couples Negril and Couples Swept Away in the future.
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