By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
A Megamind Media feature film “They Took My Daughter,” starring Angelique Valentine, Vanessa Simmons, Darrin Dewitt Henson and Angela Simmons, is gaining high notice on Starz with its sharp focus on human trafficking.
Tasty Clips caught up with the creatives at a watch party held at Atlanta’s posh new 4 Elements as the film premiered on the streamer.
Valentine is no stranger to impactful roles, debuting in Tyler Perry’s “Acrimony” starring Taraji P. Henson and continuing in TV’s “All The Queen’s Men” and “P-Valley.”
“I think Nikole is brave and a risk taker,” she says of her emotionally tested character. “That’s what I admire the most about her. There are some vulnerable moments, for sure, that I had to tap into. I’ll be honest. Praying is the best way that I had to dive into her because sometimes he just has to take you there.”
The actress did her preparation and found that some lessons in the past came in handy during a particular scene in the club.
“I’ve done a little pole before this,” Valentine admitted. “If you couldn’t tell. It took a little time to get right because I had never done pole in front of the cameras and stuff. So, I did it! Ate it up! Anybody want to take pole dancing classes, I’m your girl.”
Celebrating the achievement at the lovely cocktail hour and preview were cast members Henson, Denicia Hamilton Chance and Dennis L.A. White; co-writers Lynette J. Blackwell and Scotty Mullen; actors Clifton Powell and Ray Gaskins, Tana Gilmore of “Love Match Atlanta,” Dr. Danielle Greene of Fabulous Smiles and more.
“I don’t think anybody in this room can say they haven’t heard something that has happened,” said Henson (“Soul Food” “The Family Business”) to the gathering regarding the movie’s theme. “This is very, very close to us because it happens even in Atlanta. This is one of the capitals that it does happen in. This film will bring an awareness of how important it is to communicate with family members.”
THE GREATEST WOMAN OF ALL TIME: Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa “T-Rex” Shields has given the ladies a dress code for her historic world championship showdown Aug, 15 live on DAZN from Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.
“Diamonds, glitter and sheer” is the call for the ESPN Fighter of the Year’s face off with Unified WBC & WBA Middleweight Champion Kaye Scott.in which she hopes to become just the second heavyweight champion, male or female, to win a world championship in a lower weight class in the last 120-plus years.
“I want to thank Kaye for taking this fight,” said Shields at the press conference besides partner Papoose of Wynn Records, “but because of you I have to lose 20 pounds. If you hadn’t taken this fight I wouldn’t have come back down to middleweight. I vacated those belts because no one wanted to fight me.”
“I won’t have on no hair. I won’t have no lip gloss or no make-up,” she added while looking pretty glam. “I am coming with the Queen Latifah Cleo braid straight to the back. I’m coming ripped up and I’m ready to go. I’m mean. I’m strong. I’m fast and accurate. Don’t think me losing this 20 pounds gonna … [turns to Kaye Scott]: the only thing you’re going to have on me on the fight is your breasts. They’re bigger than mine. That’s it.”
The Zeus Network will stream live undercard coverage beginning at 3 p.m. featuring a mix of professional and celebrity influencer bouts including one between recording artist, actor and TV host Ray J and actor Orlando Brown, whose grudge led to a slapping gone viral; and another between TV personalities Big Lex and Tesehki.
As Miriam Archibong of Route 30 Promotions put it: “August 15 isn’t just another fight. For the first time in Atlanta’s history, State Farm Arena will host a major boxing event headlined by two women. Great cities don’t wait for history, they create it.”
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE: Vocalist and keyboardist Avery Sunshine has been booked for two shows July 20 at Blue Note LA. She is featured on the just-released B. B. King tribute album “Lucille Talks Back 50th Anniversary” produced by Meshell Ndegeocello. Cory Henry, Ledisi, Ann Nesby, Eric Gales and more have been selected. Up next for Sunshine is a spot Aug. 1 in the inaugural Sunset Jazz Festival Savannah line-up with Brian Culbertson, Will Downing and Norman Brown at the new VyStar Pavillion. Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster and VyStar Pavilion.com.
“Every moment in the studio, every collaboration, and every story has led us to this album,” declares Grammy winning Gullah roots soul ensemble Ranky Tanky in a release about “This Village” out July 17. Give the single from the accomplished collective of Quiana Parler, Charlton Singleton, Clay Ross, Kevin Hamilton and Quentin E. Baxter a spin at your music source or at rankytanky.com.
At a sold-out finale of the “Sisters Singing Jazz Series” headlined by award-winning vocalist Nicole Henry, we found the Philadelphian in fine voice with a song selection which included classics popularized by Nina Simone, Maria Muldaur, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley (which earned her a Soul Train Award) and Nancy Wilson (who she once performed for and plans to honor in an upcoming album). For now, her delightful new single “Everything is Fine” is here. Listen up on YouTube and your favorite digital music sources.
TC ON TV: July 10 – “Reminders of Him” (Peacock): Tyriq Withers (“Him”) joins Maika Monroe, Bradley Whitford and Lauren Graham for this feature film adaptation of No. 1 New York Times bestseller about motherhood, forgiveness and the power of love to overcome even the worst mistake. “Today” (NBC): The cast of “The Odyssey”
July 11 – “Iyanu“ (Cartoon/HBO Max): The popular animated African fantasy series returns with a three-episode movie event “The War of Twin Princes.” “He Couldn’t Let Go” (Lifetime): Christina Milian (“Dexter: Original Sin”) stars as a woman whose quiet night at home turns into a terrifying fight for her own survival. With Gregg Wayans of that famous show biz family.
July 12 – “The Chi” (SHO/Paramount+): Folks on this show can’t keep a secret to save their lives. Luke James (Victor) will star as Elijah in the new Broadway musical “Wanted” based on the true story of twins Mary & Martha Clarke who in 1893 Texas, were Black women passing for white and on the run. He’ll join Ledisi in the show previewing at the James Earl Jones Theatre on Oct. 15, with a Nov. 8 opening night.
July 13 – “All American” (CW): The eighth and final season of the acclaimed sports drama picks up six months after the playoffs cliffhanger. “The Quiz with Balls” (Fox): Jay Pharoah hosts this game between the Harlem Globetrotters and Washington Generals
July 14 – “Comicview: Rooftop Series” (BET): Skeet Carter, Michael Turner & Dominique
July 15 – “Lucky” (AppleTV+): Based on the NY Times bestselling novel, this limited series about a multi-million-dollar heist gone sideways stars Anya Taylor-Joy as a con artist pursued by both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss. The cast includes Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, Clifton Collins Jr. and William Fichtner. “Ride or Die” (Prime Video): Olivia Spencer (“The Help”) is a woman who is forced on the run upon learning her best friend (Hannah Waddingham of “Ted Lasso” fame) is an international assassin. “The 2026 Espys” (ABC): Marcello Hernández of “Saturday Night Live” hosts what may prove to be a big night for “Knicks in Five” Jalen Brunson.
July 16 – “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC): Sheila E. vs. En Vogue; Lisa Lisa vs. Taylor Dayne
July 17 – “They Fight” (Hulu): From Black content studio Andscape through Disney comes this film about a returning reformed ex-con in Southeast D.C. chasing redemption in the one place he swore he’d never set foot in again — a crumbling boxing gym clinging to life under the watchful eye of his old mentor. With an outstanding ensemble featuring André Holland, Wendell Pierce, Samira Wiley, Anthony B. Jenkins, Toussaint Francois Battiste and Mykelti Williamson.
END QUOTE: “We have to pay attention to the lessons we learn, trust our intuition, and not be afraid to take risks. We must learn when to say yes to life and no to toxic people or situations. We want to remember that we create our reality. We cannot sit and wait for a miracle to come knocking on our door. We are the miracle. I’ve learned not to worry about age and simply think about what I want to do with my life and know that I can still do it. No matter what age I am, if I want to accomplish something, I’m going to give it a try. I have finally stopped worrying about what I’m going to do next, because it’s not important. We have today. Today is the present. And if we truly have faith, then we know that as long as we are breathing … it’s never too late.” – MARLA GIBBS (the entrepreneur and actress from “The Jeffersons” and “227” who turned 95 last week) from her memoir “It’s Never Too Late”
For 12 years, Bill Vaughan has kept Wave readers up to date with the latest news in entertainment. To contact Vaughan, visit his social media pages on Facebook and Instagram or @tasty_clips, on X @tastyclips, and on LinkedIn to William Vaughan.
