Securing Presidential Bags: Viola Davis Will Play Michelle Obama In Upcoming Movie
After last night's Golden Globes, black magic was on full display. From Daniel Kaluuya winning for his monstrous portrayal of Chairman Fred Hampton (Judas and the Black Messiah), to Chadwick Boseman taking home the hardware for 'Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama', we couldn't get enough. Pair that with the Viola Davis handing out looks with her full Cameroon-print slayage, and the edges of me were taketh, m'kay?!
Well, according to Variety, Auntie Viola has sooo much more magic coming our way, as she is tapped to portray Michelle Obama in the upcoming Showtime anthology series, 'The First Lady'.
The First Lady will peel back the curtain on the personal and political lives of First Ladies from throughout history, with season one focusing on Eleanor Roosevelt (Gillian Anderson), Betty Ford (Michelle Pfeiffer), and O. T. Fagbenle as Barack Obama.
Showtime released a statement of the series stating:
"Throughout our history, presidents' spouses have wielded remarkable influence, not only on the nation's leaders but on the country itself. [The First Lady] fits perfectly within the Showtime wheelhouse of drama and politics, revealing how much personal relationships impact both domestic and global events. Having Viola Davis play Michelle Obama is a dream come true, and we couldn't be luckier to have her extraordinary talent to help launch this series."
Well, come thru, praise!
Davis is coming off of the high of being nominated for the 'Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama' category for her role in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, an award that suprisingly (but not surprisingly) went to Andra Day for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in The United States vs. Billie Holiday.
And listen, although Davis had the opportunity to be one of the most decorated actresses in history, she is more than happy to pass the baton to Day (or any other black woman for that matter) tweeting prior to the show:
"The journey of a Black artist is littered with obstacles in creating, developing and being acknowledged for our work. #TimesUpGlobes. If we continue to keep silent, the younger generation of artists will have the exact same load to carry. No more excuses."
And to speak out, in a full circle moment, she decided to make her statement heard by wearing her standout Cameroonian gear.
The dress, made by fashion designer, Claude Kameni, did what it came to do, too honey! And Davis, who skipped the glamorized theatrics of the big night, and instead opted to set her sights directly on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, (of which not a single member of the 87-strong governing body is Black, and hence the statement on Twitter and her outfit choice).
Which basically means, if anyone should be portraying our forever First Lady, it's that fierce, frontline boss of a woman named, Viola Davis.
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Forever indebted and enamored by her magic!
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Featured image by Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com
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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.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
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Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
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Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy