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Where Are They Now? These Celebs Held Down The Culture In The '90's
Being in the public eye has its pros and cons, of course, but not to the degree that it has today. In modern society, you can be famous for being famous, and not even contributing much to the world. Dating a celebrity makes you a celebrity, and knowing any celebrity comes with a weird level of notoriety. But there was a time when this wasn't the case. A time where clout wasn't a thing, and rocking whatever God gave you was the norm (no shade to our Queens who've done a lil' enhancement, we love us all).
This rang true particularly in the '90's, when times were...different, or a true time to be alive. More importantly, this was a time when some of our faves graced our televisions, and truly represented for the Black and Brown community. We decided to follow up on a few who championed the culture during a time when society wasn't as progressive as it is today. Keep reading for celebs who held down the '90's. Where are they now?
Ananda Lewis
Ananda Lewis, who is now 47 (what?!!), is an American television host, carpenter, former model, and social activist. She was an MTV veejay from the late 1990s until 2001, when she left the network to host her own broadcast syndicated television talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show. She was a correspondent for The Insider from 2004 to 2005, but since, we haven't heard much from her professionally. She took a break to be a mom to her 9-year-old son, and enjoy the fruits of her labor.
But October 2020, Ananda announced to the world that she had stage 3 breast cancer. In an emotional video, she revealed she had been struggling with the disease for years:
"I am sharing this with you today because it is the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness month and I have been fighting to get cancer out of my body for almost two years. I need you to get your mammograms. Early detection, especially for breast cancer, changes your outcome. It can save your life."
Thankfully, Lewis said she's been able to stop the cancer from spreading throughout her body with natural and homeopathic remedies.
"That's good news, but it's not gone and I still have a lot of work to do."
Today, you can find Ananda on IG passing out healing advice and trying to keep us all fit and healthy.
Kellie Shanygne Williams
Kellie Shanygne Williams is best known for her role as Laura Winslow, the middle-born child of Carl and Harriette Winslow on the television series Family Matters which ran from 1989-1998. After Family Matters, she began acting in the ABC television show What About Joan, and had a few recurring roles on both, Moesha, The Parkers, and Eve. She was also on the Style Network program Clean House for six episodes in 2009, as a substitute host for Niecy Nash.
One of her most recent projects is holiday movie Christmas in Carolina, which her reunited her with fellow Family Matters co-star, Darius McCrary.
Today, Kellie lives a more lowkey lifestyle, as a mom of two, and wife to the CEO of of the IT firm Y-Tech.
Bumper Robinson
Bumper Robinson, 47, worked regularly in the 90's appearing in sitcoms such as A Different World,Living Single, Family Matters, and Sister, Sister. He starred in movies such as The Jacksons: An American Dream, which he says he still receives checks for today. Other than minor voice-overs, Robinson has left the front of the cameras to work behind the scenes, until re-emerging as a standout recurring character on The Game.
Today he dedicates his social media to social issues, and has recently played the role of Broadway on the Kenya Barris-created Netflix show, BlackAF.
On an episode of the hilariously epic Strong Black Legends Podcast, when asked what excites him most about passing the torch to the new era of Black television, he says:
"We own the perspective. There's a difference between being hired to be Black, and being able to be yourself. Black isn't a character. If you put Black people in front of a camera, we're Black, you know. That's obvious. But that doesn't give you the layers. And what I think we're experiencing now is being able to watch us share our layers. And that's invaluable."
Zelda Harris
Troy the boy! Zelda Harris, 36, is best known as Troy in Spike Lee's 1994 film, Crooklyn. The young actress' career also includes a memorable role in another Spike Lee movie, He Got Game. Harris took a self-imposed hiatus from showbiz and eventually went to Princeton University, graduating in 2007. She later revealed that she left the movie business because there were not many positive roles available for African-American women.
Today, Harris is known for being interactive with her fans on her social media, as she has transitioned from actress to singer. Additionally, in one of her posts, she got candid about her health struggles, revealing that she was frequently in pain following her battle with fibroids.
"This year has been incredible. But through it all, I was fighting pain and discomfort within my own body. After months of trying to use alternative medicine practices to heal, I made the decision to turn to traditional western medicine to get help with my fibroids. That was a HARD decision - and it left me feeling like less of a woman. I had to go through a lot of pain at that stage."
She continued:
"I learned some things this year. Believe your body when she tells you something's off. Believe others when they mention they feel off. Seek guidance and information from all helpful realms. Try not to carry shame about your body's ailments. Work not to carry shame for your body's ailments. And breathe. Breathe through the pain. Breathe through the fear."
Erika Alexander
OK, I'm going to go on record and say that Maxine Shaw is probably one of the greatest sitcoms characters in television history. But listen, Erika needs her flowers too because she is a whole legend out here. Erika Alexander, 51, became well known back in the day as the star of the hit show Living Single. She played the hell out of this role and won several awards for it, including two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. Besides starring in that series, in the 1980s, she was cast as Pam Tucker on The Cosby Show.
Needless to say, sis knows a few things about starring in classic television.
Currently, the star creates shows, directs films, and produces television content, and even has a few roles in major films such as most recently, Get Out and Starz's Run the World. She's also living her best single life, as she divorced in 2017 from her husband of 20 years, screenwriter, Tony Puryear.
We expect the see great things from her in the future, whether working with Charlemagne tha God on projects, or making headlines for getting a few "friends" ponytails together.
Reagan Gomez
Many of us recall Reagan Gomez as teenage Zaria on Robert Townsend's '90s sitcom, The Parent 'Hood. But Gomez is a teenager no more, as she has evolved into a beautiful wife and mother and kids who has completely revamped her career. In fact, these days she's actually more at home behind the camera. She did so because, like Zelda, she was noticing a ridiculous trend in available roles for Black women. She told ESSENCE:
"Writing is really important to me. I've been an actress for so long, so I'm used to reading those scripts. I'm used to having to audition for the Black girl who, you know, is dying in five minutes, or the sassy friend. I started writing to create content for roles that I could not audition for, and stories that I could not audition for. So this part of the process, the other side of the camera, is really just a godsend to me. And I think with everything that's happening in our country and in the world, we need stories like this to uplift our people, and especially Black women and marginalized women."
Recently, Reagan publicly paid tribute to her co-star and show mother, Suzzanne Douglas, who passed away at the top of the month. "This is a #SuzzanneDouglas stan account," she wrote on Twitter. Now, Gomez writes and directs Surviving and is creator of the Reaganomics Podcast.
Essence Atkins
Queen Essence Atkins, in addition to her role in Smart Guy, is known for starring in shows such as Marlon, and Half & Half. She is royalty to the culture as she so graciously is front row in any attempt to speak life into other Black women, which she so infamously did at Sherri Shepard's birthday brunch this year. Over time, we have seen Essence in a variety of shows and movies, most notably Deliver Us From Eva and Are We There Yet?
And now, she has been tapped to start in Viola Davis-produced show, Black Don't Crack, where she reunites with Smart Guy star, Tahj Mowry. Of the show, she wrote on Instagram:
"First day of shooting #blackdontcrack and my very first REEL! I'm having the best time this good Good Friday with @sherrieshepherd & @tishacampbellmartin. Thank you @abcnetwork for this amazing opportunity and @reginayhicks for your vision. So excited @juveeproductions @violadavis #juliustennon @larrywilmore @andrewtwang"
Today, Essence is a mom to her son that she gave birth to in 2011, with ex-husband, Jaime Mendez, whom she famously met on Match.com. So excited for her next chapter!
Karen Malina White
Karen Malina White, 56, is the fast-talking mouth piece, best known for her roles as Kaneesha Carter, in the film Lean on Me, Charmaine Brown on The Cosby Show (1990–1992), Nicolette Vandross on Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000), and the voice of Dijonay Jones on the Disney Channel's animated comedy The Proud Family.
Her voice and quick wit has gotten her far, affording her numerous opportunities which she can credit her career too. She was dating co-star Malcolm Jamaal Warner for seven years, before ending things in 2007. She currently is not married and has no children. Instead, she has opted to live her best life on her terms.
She has a few projects in the pipeline, as she is gearing up for the reboot of the The Proud Family, as well as a secret project that she hinted at on Instagram in a photo where she's rocking a short pixie cut. The photo was captioned:
"Natural Woman I said yes you can cut my hair for this role."
We can't wait to support!
Kim Wayans
The whole Wayans family (well, not all of them, but most), got in on the action of In Living Color back in the 90's, one of the sisters of the large family included. Kim Wayans, 58, was a skilled in impressions as well as original characters. She is best known for her four-year stint on the show, and Tonia Harris on In the House (1995–98). Wayans also was in many of the Wayans' productions, and a story editor on her brother Damon Wayans' sitcom My Wife and Kids.
Most recently, while promoting Lena Waithe's Boomerang, when asked what she would tell her younger self, she opened up about her career's journey:
" In my 20s, I was 16. So I was a late bloomer. I was still very much a child when I was in my 20s. I was very much a teenager in so many different ways. Trying to figure out my place in the industry was hard because things are changing now and doors are opening up now. But when I was coming up and looking for opportunities, they would put you in a box, and there are certain things that are asked of you to do as a Black actress, and it really wasn't all that thrilling, all that exciting. Trust your own voice."
Last year, she gave us alllll the nostalgia when she reprised her role as her popular character, Benita Butrell prior to the election. Love to see it!
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Featured image by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
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Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Blair Underwood Initially Turned Down 'Sex And The City' Because 'It Was About How Samantha Was Fascinated By Dating A Black Man’
Actor and heartthrob Blair Underwood is opening up about why he turned down Sex and the City the first time he was offered a role. Many fans of the HBO series may recall Blair's time on the show in which his character was dating Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). However, he was previously offered another role where his character would date Samantha (Kim Cattrall).
During his interview with AV Club, the Set It Off star revealed that he was uncomfortable with the initial offer due to the character's fascination with him being a Black man.
“I actually did say ‘no’ the first time,” he said. “The first time they had offered the role, to be honest with you, it was about how Samantha was fascinated by dating a Black man and wanted to know if, uh, all of the rumors were true about our anatomy! And I said, ‘Listen, I’m honored, thank you, but I just don’t want to play a character based on race, on curiosity about a Black man.'”
But that didn't stop them from reaching out again. This time he was offered to play Dr. Robert Leeds, the love interest to Miranda and he decided to go for it. "So they were nice enough to call about a year later, and I said, 'Well, is it gonna be about race?' And they said, 'No, no, no, we’re not even gonna mention race!' And I think it really did only come up maybe once," he recalled.
"It did five episodes, and I think Samantha mentioned it once, saying something about 'a Black doctor' that Miranda was dating. And that’s really been a consistent thing in my career: not wanting to be boxed as 'the Black guy.'
"I’ve had that conversation with many producers along the way, and they were so great. They said, 'No, he’s just a doctor who Miranda meets in the elevator, and they have a nice little fling.' And it was amazing."
Blair has had a wide-ranging career playing everything from a lawyer on L.A. Law to playing Madame CJ Walker's husband on Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame CJ Walker. And during his interview, he revealed another role that he initially turned down, Set It Off. The movie, which is considered a classic in Black culture, stars Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise. Blair's character, Keith, played a banker and love interest to Jada's character, Stony.
He explained why he said no at first and eventually accepted the offer. "I had initially said “no” to that. Because I was playing this historic, iconic African-American historical figure in Jackie Robinson, and the time, y’know, there was Boyz N The Hood, and Menace II Society was out there, and I’d finished playing this noble Negro… [Laughs]," he said.
"And I’m reading the script, and there’s a scene where Jada Pinkett’s character—Jada Pinkett-Smith now—was going to sell her body so she could make some money to send her brother to college. And I remember, honestly, I threw the script across the room. I was, like, “I don’t want to do this. I want to do something uplifting for the Black culture and Black characters, and I don’t know if I want to see this.”
After a conversation with the movie's director F. Gary Gray and the actor's manager encouraging him to finish reading the script, Blair had a change of heart. What he first thought about the movie turned out to be totally different.
"So I finished the script, and I saw that the character they were asking me to play was really the love story in the midst of all of this turmoil of all of these characters, the four ladies: Queen Latifah, Vivica Fox, Kimberly Elise, and Jada," he explained.
"It was so well-written, it was such a great platform for them. And to be able to play the love story and the storyline that gave Jada’s character a leg up and a way out of this world, something to hope for, to wish for, someone to love her… I said, 'You know what? I’d like to be a part of that.'
"And I’m so glad I did, because that film resonates to this day. People all the time come up to me and say that they love that movie. So I’m glad that I did it."