By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
Fashion designer of the stars Sergio Hudson left the comfort of his Los Angeles home and studio last weekend to return to his South Carolina roots for the opening of a new exhibit at the Columbia Museum of Art sure to become a major tourist attraction through next June.
Titled “Focused on the Fit,” it consists of many of his early designs along with some signature outfits including ones for global superstar Beyoncé, good friend and muse Keke Palmer, original “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Lisa Wu and more.
“When I was 5 years old, I said this is what I’m going to do,” the Ridgeway native told a packed afternoon gathering of admirers while waxing about his growth in the field from doing weddings at age 8 to going to an Atlanta design school after the 12th grade.
“I always tell people fashion is like a wayward partner’s house,” Hudson said. “You’re in love with it and you can’t let go. It’s one of those things that is in you, and you can’t get rid of it. I think that’s what sustained me and kept me going.”
He recalled his then daring leap of faith to move to L.A., and the challenges faced in his first undersized studio.
“We would have to cut the fabric because at night mice would come in and they would leave whatever they left over the silk and everything. It was an episode. [Though rarely], it does rain in L.A. The water would come through a lot. I never complained about it because I always knew it was temporary.”
Hudson considers the fact that they were able to work from there as akin to a badge of honor.
“I made the pattern for Kamala Harris’ dress from that place,” he revealed. “We made Michelle Obama’s from that place. So, it is a part of the journey. It was tough, tough, tough. Anybody who knows me knows I pushed myself to be positive. Even though it isn’t a part of my nature, I learned to be a positive person.”
“Existing, thriving and trying to open doors is my mission now … and I have to be open on that.”
HIGH ART: A stunning new graphic novel biography, “Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound” is getting noticed and in high demand. It chronicles the trumpeter’s life from his childhood in Illinois to mastering jazz improvisation throughout the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. These formative experiences led him to redefine the form again and again, culminating into the psychedelic frontiers of afro futurism throughout the ‘70s and beyond.
Featuring narration adapted from Davis’ own words and a shifting palette of visual styles that mirrors his famously varied oeuvre, cartoonist Dave Chisholm takes readers on a meticulously researched 150-page odyssey charting this dynamic figure’s musical evolution.
Z2 Comics is releasing the work in standard and deluxe hardcover editions with a variety of extras including illustrated art prints, new art, signed copies, T-shirts, a 3D sculpture, and a set of accordion-style postcards with original paintings from Davis.
FESTIVAL FILE: Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Holdovers”), Greta Lee (“Past Lives”) and Charles Melton (“May December”) will receive Virtuosos Awards at the 39th Santa Barbara International Film Festival Feb. 7–17. Mark Ruffalo will also be honored with the American Riviera Award.
CLIPPETTES: George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic (whose “Dr. Funkenstein” is certainly on Trader Joe’s playlist) is at The Novo with Fishbone on Nov. 24; as Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe jams at The Venice West …
Media Take Out is reporting exclusively that Beyoncé and Lady Gaga are teaming for a big screen remake of 1991’s “Thelma and Louise” …
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias headlines Toyota Arena on Nov. 25; while Sexyy Redd’s Hood Hottest Princess Tour comes to The Wiltern (also Nov. 26 at the Palladium), as Chika is at The Echo …
Amid a run for the U.S. Senate seat out of Michigan, lawyer-turned-actor Hill Harper has elected not to return for a seventh season on ABC’s “The Good Doctor” …
Jazz Is Dead presents a live performance by aja monet at Lodge Room Nov. 29 …
Eva Longoria, America Ferrera, Yara Shahidi and others will receive 2023 WIF Honors from Women In Film on Nov. 30 at the Dolby Ballroom, Ovation Hollywood …
The highly anticipated “Luther Vandross Classic Christmas,” a never-before-released three track EP with songs written and produced by the singer, is now available courtesy of the estate and Primary Wave Music.
TASTY QUIP: “BET asked your girl to host this year’s Soul Train Awards and you know it’s about to be lit. Grown, sexy, real cute or whatever — unlike any other because I’m doing it my way.” – KEKE PALMER on the event also showing on VH1/MTV2/LOGO/BET Her Nov. 26 with Janelle Monae, T-Pain, Marsha Ambrosius, Coco Jones, October London and SWV
TC ON TV: Nov. 24 – “Cypher” (Hulu): Tierra Whack rose to fame rapping on a Philadelphia Street for a YouTube channel at the age of 15. Stunning viewers with her slick poetry, the video rapidly drew thousands of views. Years later, her ascendance has gone global while gaining exalted praise from stars like Erykah Badu. This concept flips documentation as a seemingly innocuous fan interaction begins a swirl of increasingly unsettling events.
Nov. 25 – “Byron Allen Presents theGrio Awards” (CBS): Co-hosted by Sheryl Underwood and Roy Wood Jr., with performances by Boyz II Men, Jennifer Hudson, Patti LaBelle and Smokey Robinson. The esteemed honorees include Mariah Carey, Don Cheadle, Misty Copeland, Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett-Helaire, Tamron Hall, Kevin Hart, Steve Harvey, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Eddie Murphy, Rev. Al Sharpton and Denzel Washington.
Nov. 26 – “Faraway Downs” (Hulu): Prolific filmmaker Baz Luhrman (“Elvis,” The Get Down”) visualizes an Outback-set dramatic period series starring native Aussies Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Bryan Brown. “CBS Sunday Morning” (CBS): Chaka Khan is profiled. “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” (ABC): An eighth edition from resorts in Florida and Hawaii with all-new musical performances from Andra Day and Adam Blackstone, Robin Thicke, Mickey Guyton (who also duets with Michael Bolton), and more with special appearances by Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine and DJ Khaled. “A Biltmore Christmas” (Hallmark): Being among the sets during a snowy visit to the historic Biltmore Estate makes this must-see TV in this camp. The time-spanning holiday movie features “Star Trek” franchise alums Jonathan Frakes and Robert Picardo.
Nov. 28 – “South To Black Power” (HBO/MAX): On the eve of last year’s midterm elections, Charles M. Blow, New York Times columnist and best-selling author of “The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto,” sets off across the country on a personal journey to test his theory on Black Liberation, which involves a daring strategy for Black Americans to move to the southern states to control southern legislatures and gain greater political power. Directed by award-winning filmmakers Sam Pollard (“MLK/FBI,” “Maynard”) and Llewellyn M. Smith (“Poisoned Water”).
Nov. 29 – “American Symphony” (Netflix): There is Oscar buzz surrounding this intimate look at musician Jon Batiste, who on the heels of winning Grammy’s album of the year, was faced with his biggest challenge upon learning his life partner, best-selling author Suleika Jaouad’s long dormant cancer has returned. “91st Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (NBC/Peacock): Chloe Bailey, Adam Blackstone, Cher, David Foster, Darlene Love, Seth MacFarlane, Barry Manilow, Katharine McPhee and more. “Christmas at Graceland” (NBC/Peacock): John Legend, Post Malone, Kane Brown, Alanis Morrisette, The War and Treaty, Lainey Wilson and more.
Nov. 30 – “The Christmas Ringer” (BET+): With Tyler Lepley (“P-Valley”) and singers Chrisette Michele, Kelly Price, Trenyce, and Tamika Scott (of Xscape). “Bookie” (MAX): Sebastian Maniscalco, Omar J. Dorsey, Vanessa Ferlito and Jorge Garcia star in this darkly funny comedy set in the world of sports gambling. “Family Switch” (Netflix): A body swapping comedy boasting a cast of Jennifer Garner, Ed Helms, Rita Moreno, Xosha Rocquemore and Bashir Salahuddin. “The Golden Bachelor” (ABC): Gary picks his queen in this finale. “Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays” (Food/MAX): A series of four all-new specials featuring Selena Gomez and all-star chef guests Eric Adjepong, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Michael Symon.
END QUOTE: “I now understand that life, and living it, is more about being present. I’m now aware that the not-so-happy memories lie in wait; but the hope and the joy also lie in wait.” – VIOLA DAVIS
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at tastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
