Perhaps the problem isn’t that I’m being too delulu? Perhaps the issue is that I’m not being delulu enough?
I started off 2024 determined to have the mindset of The Clark Sisters. As the legendary gospel singers once said “Name It, Claim It. It’s Yours.”
Or, perhaps, as Victoria Monét said in the much more vulgar manifestation anthem (sorry, aunties and grandparents who read this) “Moment,” which eventually yielded her a fine man and an adorable Grammy-nominated baby…
Life is but a dream that you manifested slowly
So fuck a fantasy, this your motherfuckin' moment
- Victoria Monét
If you watched the Grammys last weekend, you might recall that Monét went home with three awards, including Best New Artist. Prior to the awards show, she told Variety she’d been envisioning herself holding multiple Grammys (not just one) to prepare for the big night. (See above.)
I have been determined not to fall into the same spiral that I did last year. I do not want the state of the news industry to send me into another tail spin of depression. That’s much easier some weeks than others. This week it felt like quite a few doors were shut, but I am remembering that I am a relatively tiny being. All I’ve ever really needed was a small crawlspace anyway…
Recent Work
Costume designer Mercedes Cook on creating historic and contemporary looks for film & TV for The Boom
This was such a fun look at the work of a costume designer. In this episode, Mercedes Cook walked us through her role in Nat Geo’s MLK/X and the work she did to bring the iconic civil rights leaders to the small screen for the limited series.
I’d also really recommend this week’s episode of the show with on screen and voice Gary Anthony Williams. We discussed his work on Laurence Fishburne’s Disney show ‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,’ his portrayal of Uncle Ruckus on ‘The Boondocks’ and more.
Current Favs.
Victoria Monét’s Grammy Moment: The Singer on Nearly Quitting Music, Working While Giving Birth and Finally Seizing the Spotlight by Steven J. Horowitz for Variety
All hail, our manifestation queen.
Everyone’s a sellout now by Rebecca Jennings for Vox
I’ve struggled with the idea of being a “brand” a lot in recent years, especially while trying to sell larger projects. What does it signal to writers when social media followings garner more interest than the quality of the work? And what happens to those among us who aren’t interested in becoming influencers?
Issa Rae and Hollywood’s Unkept Promises by Andrew R. Chow for Time
Reading this made me think of all of the creators who have had to navigate having their dreams halted or cancelled altogether because of industry politics…
Hoorae is no longer involved with the adaptation of the New York Times podcast Nice White Parents, or of Brit Bennett’s best-selling novel The Vanishing Half. Hoorae developed Tre Cnt, a wrestling series with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, but HBO passed on it, McKay says. WarnerMedia also canceled Sweet Life: Los Angeles, a reality TV show Rae produced, after two seasons.
Keke Palmer Is “Your Cousin, Your Auntie, Your Inner Best Friend.” She’s Also Human. by Kaitlyn McNab for Teen Vogue
Always, always, always read Kaitlyn McNab.
Keke Palmer is not easily broken, but she is not shatterproof. The cracks are there, like curvatures in twinkling stained glass
YSL Corner
The time has come, friends. I’ve been covering this trial for more than two years and, sadly, I just can’t commit to weekly coverage moving forward. I have exhausted all possible avenues at present to get paid for it and they’ve all fallen through. While I do really want to continue to provide regular coverage, it’s truly time for me to refocus on work that can yield an income.
I’ll continue to stay tuned into the trial and taking notes behind the scenes for any future projects, I just won’t post a weekly recap anymore. Instead, I’ll go back to posting a brief roundup of news from the case in this biweekly newsletter. And, of course, I’ll be in the courtroom for any major testimonies that publications want to support me in covering. This was a really difficult, frustrating decision and I hope you all understand I don’t make it flippantly.
The only appointed defense attorney in this trial has asked the judge to allow her to withdraw. She says the length and scope of the case has made it impossible for her to take on any other work and has created a financial hardship. Angela D’Williams, who represents Rodalius Ryan, sounded the alarm about the low pay and attempted to withdraw last year, too.
Prosecutors called Detective Belknap back to the stand this week hoping to have him provide context for jurors regarding testimony they’ve heard in the case so far. Their goal has been to create doubt about the honesty of Trontavious Stephens during his time on the stand and to also emphasize that, from their perspective, Young Thug was not just rapping about gang culture as an effort to promote his music.