5 days ago
10 Scenes From Black Hollywood's Rising Stars!
These young Black actors (30 and younger) are the future of Hollywood! They have been KILLING it onstage and onscreen, and I just wanted to give them their flowers. 💐 🌹🌻 🌷
Here are 10 noteworthy scenes from each actor that blew me away!
Miles Caton in Sinners
While the internet is still unpacking Sinners, I'm just trying to wrap my head around the fact that this was Miles Caton's very first role. Of course, I had to choose the juke joint scene, where Sammie is singing "I Lied to You." Think of how powerful your voice must be to command the scene while so much activity surrounds you. Sammie is the centerpiece, physically, metaphorically, and emotionally, tying together the movie's core themes! Amidst dancers who each represent a different point in time, it's the job of breakout star Miles Caton to fuse his blues with other genres and styles. And that's exactly what he does because, through it all, we never lose the trail of Sammie's voice. Miles is fearless but not forceful in his delivery, offering brilliant notes and subtle movements. His voice is perfectly cultured, textured, and layered. It reminds me of the good ole '90s gospel I grew up listening to (shoutout to his mom, gospel singer Timiney Figueroa). He has one of those voices that makes you say, "Oh my, my, my, my, my!" If you know, you know. 🙌
Hailey Kilgore in Raising Kanan
Jukebox is such a relatable character that it was hard to imagine the evolution into the villain we see from the OG Power series, but Hailey Kilgore is pulling it off! It's also worth mentioning how aligned her mannerisms are with Anika Noni Rose's version of Jukebox. Hailey plays the version of Juke that precedes Anika's version, but she's doing it so well that it often feels like the same actor in both series. I was lucky enough to actually meet Hailey Kilgore in real life and watch her perform on Broadway. So seeing how sweet she is and watching her transform into this coldhearted (I'm talking colder than Tommy Egan, y'all), soulless Jukebox lets me know SHE CAN ACK! Not act, but ACKKKKKK! After Juke's first kill, we see the last bit of innocence and selflessness fade; after all, the only reason she's in this predicament is to save a friend. That's the beloved Jukebox we've sided with, been loyal to, admired, and adored. But as she buckles her seatbelt in a bit of shock, not to be mistaken with fear, the adrenaline settles and she smirks ever so slightly, resting in a blank stare of death. Hailey allowed us to see that there is nothing behind the eyes of Juke, who has just dropped her first body. Like Kanan says, she's dead inside, and the Juke we knew is gone. Seasons prior to this, we'd hear her sing throwback hits to perfection (seriously, Hailey Kilgore's voice is unmatched. I don't think I've loved a singing voice this much since Whitney Houston). We'd feel passion between Juke and her love interests, we'd see her loyalty to her family, and respect for the game. We even saw Jukebox, the dreamer, but her life's experiences turned her into a savage! Hailey Kilgore gives us doses of that ruthlessness little by little until there's no holding back! She's made it so Juke is not to be liked, but feared, and whew, what a remarkable trajectory it has been so far. Hailey Kilgore's artistry in this series is not to be missed!
Asante Blackk in When They See Us
Asante Blackk plays Kevin Richardson in the limited series When They See Us. Based on the true story of the Central Park 5, this is not a series you can watch more than once, but I did go back for the sake of this post... Asante Blackk's performance stuck with me from my very first viewing. Kevin's involuntary head nods and stuttering between the disturbing lines of a forced confession were chilling! And with the camera angle brilliantly placed across from Kevin, viewers were inadvertently on the opposite side of the table as if to be involved in the interrogation. It. Is. Hard. To. Watch... In direct view of the bruises on Kevin's face, Asante Blackk nailed the innocence that his characterization required. The fatigue in his eyes and the cracking in his voice as he begged his sister to take him home made this a performance I will never forget, and I'm even more speechless now that I'm a mom of a young Black boy!
Jharrel Jerome in When They See Us
I also chose Jharrel Jerome from When They See Us. It's hard to choose one scene from this series, especially highlighting Jharrel Jerome! I was in tears the whole first half of Part 4, and will simply never be the same after Jharrel's performance! WOW!As Korey is brutally beaten by authorities and inmates, the trauma just builds and builds, leading to an explosive cry for help in the chaplain's office! But before that dramatic turn, Jharrel Jerome portrays how the criminal system toughened Korey Wise through trauma. When Korey is transferred from Rikers to Attica, there is a shift in his body movement. Once slumped shoulders turn upright, palms that once gripped up his prison uniform now join together in a fist-like motion as he walks through the pale walls of Attica! His youthful copper curls are now concealed with a du-rag, and there is rhythm in his movement, as opposed to his arms that once moved through space freely and delicately! It's utterly heartbreaking, but man, look how Jharrel Jerome absolutely nails the corruption of the justice system with small details and smart onscreen choices!
Storm Reid in Euphoria
When I mention Euphoria, you can probably guess which scene I'm about to highlight, so let's jump right into it: Rue's breakdown scene! And it's not lost on me that the main character in this scene is obviously Rue, which makes Storm Reid's performance as Gia so iconic. There is a lot of monologue for Zendaya as Rue, but for Storm Reid, she must speak with her tears!After Rue tries to kick down the door, banging her head against it, and tearing the house apart, Gia is found helplessly curled up on a daybed, protecting herself from being hurt by Rue both physically and emotionally. Later, they're in the car taking Rue to the hospital, and suddenly the scene slows down so much that we catch a single tear roll down Gia's face. Her eyes connect to Rue's, feeling her sister's pain, hearing her, hating her brutally honest words, but still hopeful for change. She uses this body language to show the complexities of addiction and how it affects loved ones. And there's something to be said about Gia's reaction versus Leslie's. As the younger sister, there is so much more disappointment layered through it all because she's counting on her big sis to get well. It's heartbreaking to see addiction through the eyes of a younger sibling who is absorbing all the chaos, but for Storm Reid to match Zendaya's intensity without words, without actually uttering a line, is just legendary. Do you realize how much Gia is saying without saying anything?
Lovie Simone in Forever
Body language is everything in a scene like this, where a teen is having an uncomfortable conversation with a parent. So let's get into the body language because by now, I'm sure you can see how I do not miss details!!!!Shelly starts off seated, straight-on, with her arms folded, and legs wide open. There's some accusatory energy coming from her side of the living room. Keisha, on the other hand, is sitting sort of slanted, almost leaning over, as if taking a ready-to-defend approach. She has one foot over the other while she is fidgeting with her nails. All of this nonverbal communication is important because Shelly does not comfort her daughter at all in this scene. Her focus is justice! All the things Keisha does to soothe herself show how great of an actress Lovie Simone is because it explains Keisha and Shelly's relationship without having much of a backstory. A mature, straight-A student is trying to balance everything while on the road to Howard, and the extra layer of context that Lovie provides—the fact that Keisha spends a lot of time alone while her mother works—doesn't make us judge Shelly, but it does help us see the sacrifices being made. It shows the complexities of how far she is being stretched as a mom. (FYI, Shelly and Keisha come to an understanding in a later scene, and I actually love how the resolution is paced.)From Greenleaf to Selah and the Spades, Raising Kanan, and now Forever, Lovie Simone manages to capture the hearts of viewers no matter what she's in and proves time and again that she's a worthy leading lady! SHE IS A STAR!
Kelvin Harrison Jr. in Waves
The fight scene in Waves starts with Tyler confronting his dad (and knocking him down). He then drives to a party, drunk and eager to confront his ex-girlfriend, Alexis. The camera follows him through the large house, painting a melodramatic feel with harsh blue and red color schemes; it's dark. Still in pursuit of Alexis, he stops at the bathroom, and in true A24 style, there's a hyperfocus on his hands and his reflection in the mirror. He is faced with pressure; he's a wrestler, and he's wrestling expectations, which result in him fatally punching screen goes black for seven seconds. Yes, I counted because it felt like an eternity. And then for another 30 seconds, the sound is cut, not even music playing in the background. The camera zooms in on Kelvin's face, drool, sweat, blood, tears, the whole Academy Award special! There is so much pressure leading up to this moment, and it comes out in a scream from one of the partygoers. And at that moment, Tyler breaks from the shock of having murdered his ex-girlfriend and immediately switches to panic. It's too precise not to be mentioned. It's too authentic not to be praised. If you want drama, Kelvin Harrison Jr. will bring the drama. If you want an aspiring singer, an all-star athletic teen, a Disney villain, a trusted coworker and friend, a French composer, a Civil Rights leader, you gotta call Kelvin Harrison Jr. because there is no role he cannot authentically pull off! Kelvin has RANGE! 👏👏👏👏👏
Lyric Ross in This Is Us
Once Deja was introduced as an addition to the Pearson family, the tears kept flowing in countless scenes, especially with Sterling K. Brown (Randall) as her scene partner. After Beth and Randall find Deja and her mom sleeping in the car, post-eviction, the conversation she has with Randall in her old bedroom really shows how maturing at a young age catches up to you. Deja says, 'At the end of the day, everyone sleeps,' right after describing her thoughts about the number of beds she has slept in. She continues to make the connection between her foster care experiences and the concept that everyone has something they're dealing with. Lyric Ross pulls us into Deja's world in such a rhythmic, slow-paced way. She doesn't rush these lines, which I think adds so much power to their statements and understanding Deja's worldview. Her turbulent life experiences are in direct contrast to her calm demeanor and how she explains her thoughts, saying to Randall, 'I'm really tired.' There is no emphasis on these words, and there doesn't need to be. Lyric Ross places us in the nucleus of Deja's mind. We are tired for her. Stretched. Stressed. Confused. Tired. I remember thinking, How does she do that? Appear meek and assertive? Soft-spoken and self-aware? Innocent and mature all at the same time? This is complexity. Deja is an emotionally complex character, and Lyric's portrayal of her is both elegant and raw!
Ayo Edebiri in The Bear
Sydney's quirkiness is beloved by fans of The Bear, but her usual high-spirited demeanor came to a concerning halt for most of Season 3! In episode 10, she's at the party, sees an article on the refrigerator, and starts to feel overwhelmed. When she grabs her coat to go outside, she doesn't quite make it to the fresh air but instead has a panic attack! Carmy has been minimizing Sydney's efforts, pushing her past her limit, and putting her in a box, so Ayo Edebiri is given just a tiny space to portray the walls closing in on Sydney! Her hands are shaking, eyes glossed with terror, with only a bit of light on her face as her fingertips press into her forehead, and her sharp emotions define every thought and decision. Sydney is painfully and simultaneously fighting back tears and fighting for air. This performance is worthy of mention because of how Ayo Edebiri has connected with viewers throughout the series and even more so in this moment. So many TV shows hold back when displaying stress, fear, and overwhelm, as mental health is such a taboo subject on TV. Without warning, Ayo Edebiri pulls us in emotionally, in such a way that causes me to reflect on my own stressors and triggers. It's a serious conversation, and I would just like to give Ayo Edebiri her flowers for her honest portrayal of battling relationships, career-based decisions, and mental health!
Myles Frost in MJ the Musical
I'll end on a more upbeat note. Last but not least is Myles Frost, who played Michael Jackson on Broadway. In the first number, which was also the first scene, "Beat It," I was amazed by the similarities between young Myles Frost and The King of Pop. He stepped in MJ's shoes, capturing the humility in his voice, effortlessly floating across the stage in the electrifying, world-renowned signature moves we all love. The scene took place in the rehearsal studio, and his first line was, "Don't stop. Looking great, everybody. Keep going." My aunt and I looked at each other like How is he even real? If you didn't see Myles Frost as Michael Jackson in MJ The Musical, then you truly missed out on an important moment in theater. When he won the 2022 Tony Award, he made history as the youngest winner of the Best Leading Actor in a Musical category. I'm telling my kids I saw Michael Jackson perform live. Idc. Idc. That's how believable, accurate, and remarkable his performance was. A time was had, and I look forward to many more performances by Michael Jackson, I mean Myles Frost. 😉
There are so many young Black actors deserving of accolades. Who are some of your faves? Tell me in the comments! I wanna know which scenes blew you away...
