Vanessa Bell Calloway is a queen. She is unproblematic, ages like the best of wine (she's 67, whaaaaat!?), and is a gem to the culture. When she speaks up with that very distinguishable voice, we don't question. We just shut up and listen. Mostly because we've all basically grown up with her.
From What's Love Got to Do with It, all the way to Shameless, sis has been a household staple in many television shows and movies since I can remember--with one of her most notable, being her portrayal of Imani Izzi in the original production of Coming to America. Although small, her role was one of the most memorable, as even today, we're still hopping on one leg and barking like a dog a whole 33 years later. 33 years! *Randy Watson stomps*
But listen, as it turns out, Calloway originally auditioned for the role of Lisa McDowell.
coming to america veil GIFGiphyShe recently disclosed to PageSix that says she auditioned for the lead female role of Lisa (eventually played by Shari Headley), and believes her complexion played a role in not getting the part.
"When you have white people hiring black people in movies, sometimes a certain look is wanted. I just wasn't light enough, even though Eddie had the final say on who played Lisa. [But] I didn't want the part of Imani, I wanted to be Lisa — I had read the script and I wanted the bigger role."
She continued:
"That's something that we've always dealt with within our race: A lot of men were indoctrinated by having a white woman or light-skinned woman on their arm."
Well, tell us how you feel then, auntie!
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And according to the star, after much back and forth, her instincts led her to believe that the casting team "wanted a light-skinned girl," especially once production asked her to read for the part of Imani.
"At that point, I knew I was not going to get Lisa. So I went outside in the hallway, looked over the part with five minutes of preparation, went back in, and did the best I could."
Coming to America still
But don't misconstrue, Calloway is by no means bitter about their ultimate decision, she's just shedding more light on a very real issue. And she believes that despite her experience with colorism, the opportunity outweighed her emotions and she ultimately accepted.
"The real deal is, when you're in a situation like that, you wanna be a part of an Eddie Murphy movie. I wasn't gonna say no! I would've loved to have had the lead part, but I was very happy to be in the movie. I can't lie about that. I said, 'I'll make the best out of this and I'll be the best.' It was a smaller role but it was a glamorous part to play. And Shari did a great job."
Which turned out to be a great decision because the role's influence has proven to be legendary to black culture.
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Celebrities have rocked their best costumes as an ode to the role, with mega-spawn, Blue Ivy, famously dressing as the royal character in 2015. Blue Ivy! *Randy Watson stomps*
Danai Gurira attended Lupita Nyong'o's 2017 Coming to America-themed birthday party dressed as Imani as well.
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Calloway has been tapped to make an appearance in the sequel to the cult classic, which I'm sure will be just as scene-stealing as the original. The movie premieres on March 5 on Amazon Prime.
*hops on one leg and barks like a big dog*
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While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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The festival hosted panels that focused on mental health and the future of podcasting as well as many live shows. Good Moms, Bad Choices hosts, Erica and Milah, welcomed Dreka Gates and held a live dating show that was nothing short of hilarious. Naked Sports host Cari Champion sat down with Iman Shumpert and they discussed sports and dating.
Tank and J. Valentine surprised the audience with Jacquees, Cam had a live conversation with Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams, and Sarah closed out the festival with reality star Toya Johnson. Check out photos from the festival below:
(L-R) Shawn Bethea, Jay Barnett, Devi Brown, Charlamagne tha God and Amber Grimes
Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network
Jamilah Mapp, Dreka Gates and Erica Dickerson
Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network
Mandii B and Weezy WTF
Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network
Porsha Williams and Cam Newton
Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network
Iman Shumpert and Cari Champion
Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network
Tank, Jacquees and J. Valentine
Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network
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Feature image by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network