
Samuel L. Jackson celebrates wife LaTanya's Broadway success
Samuel L. Jackson recently threw a sparkling celebration in honour of his wife, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, following her Tony Award nomination.
The star-studded cocktail party, thrown by Samuel L. Jackson, took place at the chic Whitby Hotel in New York City drawing an impressive crowd of friends and industry heavyweights.
These included director Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee, and Sotheby's real estate expert Spencer Means, according to Page Six.
LaTanya, 75, was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her compelling performance as Claudine Jasper in the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Purpose .
The play explores the complex dynamics of the Jasper family as they confront issues of faith, political legacy, and familial duty. It has garnered six Tony nominations in total, highlighting its critical acclaim.
Samuel L. Jackson, 76, took to the microphone to praise his wife's extraordinary talent and their nearly 45-year marriage.
He fondly reflected on how LaTanya inspires him and helps make him a better person.
The atmosphere was warm and lively, with LaTanya playfully interrupting his speech, joking, 'See, he had to make it about him!'
This witty exchange highlighted her ongoing theme about wives flourishing alongside their accomplished husband.
The couple's daughter, Zoe, also joined the celebration, delivering a brief but heartfelt tribute before passing the mic to her mother.
Among the guests were celebrated actress Angela Bassett and her daughter Bronwyn, fashion journalist and Purpose playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.
LaTanya Richardson Jackson's journey to this nomination is nothing short of remarkable. She previously earned a Tony nod in 2014 for her role in A Raisin in the Sun .
Despite her success, LaTanya remains humble.
She once revealed she didn't initially tell Samuel L. Jackson about the nomination because she was caught up in other matters.
She joked that she has '500 jobs' and that the nomination felt like 'hitting the lottery' in a fiercely competitive Broadway season.
The Jacksons exemplify a partnership built on mutual respect and support, inspiring not only in Hollywood but globally.
Samuel L. Jackson's heartfelt Instagram post congratulating LaTanya echoed this sentiment: 'WHEN DIAMONDS MEET, TONYS HAPPEN' — a fitting tribute to a powerhouse couple.
As the 2025 Tony Awards approach on 8 June, all eyes will be on LaTanya Richardson Jackson.
This celebration was a testament to passion, purpose, and the power of partnership. Cheers to LaTanya — a true star shining bright on the Broadway stage and beyond.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The South African
15 hours ago
- The South African
Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus dazzle Paris with golden duet
Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus set Paris alight with their surprise duet during the Cowboy Carter tour. On the night of 19 June, fans at Stade de France witnessed music history. Beyoncé invited Miley Cyrus to join her on stage. The two icons performed II Most Wanted , their Grammy-winning hit from Beyoncé's 2024 Cowboy Carter album. The crowd erupted as it was the first time the duo sang the song live together, according to Vogue . Beyoncé told the audience, 'I love you all so much. I'm incredibly thrilled because I wanted to do something truly special for you. Let's hear it for Ms Miley Cyrus—I'm so thankful to share the stage with you'. The energy in the stadium soared. Both stars embraced the night's theme: gold, glitz, and glamour. Beyoncé wore a fringed golden bodysuit with a scoop neck, sparkling baubles, and a bold belt. She paired it with heeled cowboy boots. Miley Cyrus matched her in a crystal-encrusted catsuit and stiletto boots. The message was clear: go bold or go home. Miley Cyrus shared her gratitude on Instagram after the show. She wrote, '@beyonce to be beside such a humble, gracious, legendary DIVA was a dream come true. Thank you for the opportunity to perform in Paris together & sing our song about friendship. To have learned from you and loved you my whole life, and then stand together in matching gold looks, is more than I could have imagined. As the finale to this trip supporting Something Beautiful , to close on something as beautiful as a stadium full of people singing II Most Wanted with us was the ultimate fireworks. Thank you, B. I'll be your shotgun rider for life. Big gratitude to the Cowboy Carter tour crew, you all were incredible for making this happen. Forever and always'. Beyoncé responded with warmth. On stage, she said, 'I want you to give it up for the icon—I'm the biggest fan. I love you, I'm so grateful to watch you and to sing with you, Miss Miley Cyrus'. Their mutual respect was clear. Tina Knowles, Beyoncé's mother, also praised the moment, saying, 'I adored this segment of the show tonight!' The Cowboy Carter tour has become a fashion spectacle. Designers like Mugler, Burberry, Roberto Cavalli, and Schiaparelli have all contributed to Beyoncé's wardrobe. Her looks blend cowgirl flair with high fashion. Even her daughter, Blue Ivy, has joined the stage in dazzling rodeo-inspired outfits. The Grammy-winning duet, the fashion, and the friendship between these two superstars resonate globally. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Lizzo opens up about body positivity, weight loss and the stigma surrounding medication
Breaking the stigma: Lizzo discusses weight loss, Ozempic, and body positivity. Image: Instagram / lizzobeeating Let's face it, conversations about weight loss are rarely simple. They're wrapped in layers of judgement, societal expectations, and let's not forget, shame. In a world where appearance often feels like currency, being open about weight loss, especially as a celebrity, is no small feat. The Grammy-winning artist and outspoken advocate for body positivity has always done things her way, unapologetically. But when she recently opened up about trying Ozempic, a medication often used for weight loss, her honesty sparked a bigger conversation, one about self-care, stigma and the many paths we take toward health. After months of public speculation and online trolling about her weight loss, Lizzo finally addressed the chatter head-on and revealed that yes, she did try Ozempic at the start of her journey. During a recent appearance on Trisha Paytas' Just Trish podcast, Lizzo revealed that she had tried Ozempic early in her weight loss journey in 2023 but quickly realised it wasn't for her in the long term. 'I tried everything,' she explained. 'Ozempic works because you eat less food, yeah? So if you eat right, it makes you feel full. But if you can just do that on your own and get mind over matter, it's the same thing.' Fake food While Ozempic didn't turn out to be the solution for Lizzo, she credited a major shift in her diet as the true catalyst for her transformation. For years, Lizzo followed a plant-based diet, consuming vegan foods exclusively from 2020 to 2023. However, she quickly realised that not all vegan options are created equal. 'When I was vegan, I was consuming a lot of fake meats, bread and rice,' Lizzo said. 'I had to eat a lot of it to stay full, but I was consuming 3,000 to 5,000 calories a day.' The turning point came when she transitioned to eating whole, natural foods like chicken, fish and beef. This change not only left her feeling fuller for longer but also helped her avoid the hidden calories and 'fake sugars' often found in processed vegan products. 'Some foods, even if they're small, are packed with fake sugar that leaves you still feeling hungry,' she explained. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Lizzo opens up about her weight loss journey and the truth behind Ozempic. Image: Instagram 'When I started eating real foods, it was different. I wasn't expanding my stomach with things that weren't actually filling me up.' Body shaming Addressing the stigma around weight loss medications, one of the most powerful moments in the podcast came when Lizzo addressed the judgement that often comes with taking weight loss medication: 'It's not easy. It's a drug to help somebody with something they're struggling with,' she explained. 'I think people ... it's their way of being fatphobic when you're telling someone they're cheating.' That hits hard. For many people, especially women living in larger bodies, the pressure to justify every step of their health journey is intense. Whether you're gaining or losing, you're judged. Whether you go natural or get help, you're judged. And that judgement often has nothing to do with health and everything to do with deep-rooted societal biases. Lizzo has always been vocal about her commitment to body positivity, even as she worked toward her weight loss goals. Reflecting on her journey, she admitted, 'I feel like I worked really, really hard, and it was intentional with what I did with my body.' When she receives compliments on her transformation, she doesn't shy away from them. Harmful narratives 'I really receive it because I need to receive that,' she said. 'I don't take it in any weird way because I tried to do this.' The shame and judgement surrounding weight loss choices, especially for women, needs to stop. These harmful narratives only reinforce unrealistic expectations and discourage people from seeking the help they need. The Grammy-winning artist and outspoken advocate for body positivity has always done things her way, unapologetically Image: Instagram As Lizzo herself said, "It's about helping yourself with something you're struggling with.' And that's nothing to feel guilty about. Her experience reminds us to be honest with ourselves, whether it's about diet, exercise routine or what's not working, honesty is the first step toward meaningful change. Try what works for you: From medication to lifestyle shifts, your journey doesn't need to look like anyone else's. Ditch the shame and let go of the fear of judgement.

IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
WATCH: Doja Cat speaks out after fan reportedly ‘manhandled' her
Doja Cat has expressed discomfort over a fan grabbing and hugging her, but he says she started it by saying she liked his shirt which he gave to the South African-born star. Image: Doja Cat Instagram Doja Cat has found herself at the centre of controversy after a fan reportedly touched her without consent. Fans eagerly awaiting new music from the Grammy-winning artist are now grappling with the complexities of boundary respect in their interactions with her. The incident became the talk of social media after a TikTok video featuring the rapper and a fan named Pablo Tamayo began circulating. In the clip, Tamayo enthusiastically took off his shirt and offered it to Cat, who appeared visibly pleased. 'When Doja Cat likes your shirt, you give her your shirt,' he captioned the video, capturing a moment that many would consider light-hearted enthusiasm. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading However, the mood shifted when Cat took to X to express her discomfort about the situation. In a series of since-deleted posts, she bluntly called out the fan for what she termed "manhandling', asserting that his actions crossed a line. 'Bottom line is I'll smile at you but it doesn't mean I f#ck with you and don't touch me and manhandle me when you don't even f#cken know me. iykyk,' she stated. Cat elaborated on her feelings, explaining, 'I honestly think I need to stand up for myself at the moment sometimes,' further noting that Tamayo had invaded her personal space without knowing her name, a move she described as 'crazy.' Despite her discomfort, she acknowledged his pleasant scent but reiterated her unease regarding his proximity and contact. 'I threw that musty ass shirt away btw,' she added. Doja cat posted and deleted this and I'm gagging so bad like what 😭 — NATE (@NATERERUN) June 14, 2025 The fallout from the incident prompted Tamayo to clarify his intentions in a follow-up. Speaking out from his perspective, he expressed regret if his actions made Cat uncomfortable and reassured fans of his admiration for her. 'I just wanna clear this up because it hurts,' he began. 'I love her… she's the one at this event that's being so nice. She pointed out my shirt and said, 'I like that.'' He admitted he should have been more cautious: 'I understand, guys if I was being too nice or whatever. I will take full accountability. I'm gay! I would never want to make her feel uncomfortable.' Born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, Cat's career skyrocketed in 2018 with her viral hit "Mooo!" Since then, she has enjoyed a tumultuous yet successful journey in the music industry, marked by both accolades and controversies. Known for her candid nature, Cat has often embraced an assertive online presence, at times courting criticism for her remarks and associations.