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There are two ways to earn your spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, according to Sheryl Lee Ralph.

“If I have the honor of a star, anybody can — if it’s something you’re really willing to put the work in for or if you have a sugar daddy or a sugar mama who just wants to give it to you. But —” the newest inductee pauses for laughter, always one for theatrics, “it probably won’t be that. More than likely, you’re going to have to do some work.”

Thankfully, she has a playbook for that too. Ralph is now best known for her Emmy-winning role as Barbara Howard in the ABC sitcom “Abbott Elementary,” produced by Warner Bros. Television. But she first stepped onto the famed lot nearly 50 years ago, auditioning to play a different Barbara H. in what she hoped would be her first professional acting...

Jamie Foxx once admitted being concerned about how Jay-Z would react to his and Beyoncé’s kissing scene in the 2006 musical drama Dreamgirls. The film follows the journey of three aspiring singers who catch the attention of a music executive who exploits both their careers and personal lives.

Jamie Foxx in Dreamgirls | Credit: Paramount Pictures

Foxx portrayed the role of the music executive, Curtis Taylor Jr., while the Single Ladies singer took on the role of Deena Jones, one of the singers in the group alongside Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose. However, Foxx later revealed that he feared his co-star’s husband might retaliate over their kissing scene.

Jamie Foxx feared Jay-Z’s reaction to his kissing scene with Beyoncé in Dreamgirls

The Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx had the opportunity to share the screen with the Grammy-winning singer Beyoncé in the 2006 musical drama, Dreamgirls. Foxx took on the role of a music executive,...

Quinta Brunson seemingly has a lot of pull in Hollywood, given that so many celebrities have made cameos or guest-starred in Abbott Elementary over the course of its three seasons. The ABC mockumentary sitcom, created by Brunson, follows the lives of the teachers at Willard R. Abbott Elementary School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Abbott Elementary has arguably helped revive the mockumentary trope and has been a massive success for ABC. Its achievements can be attributed to its hilarious and talented cast (including the various A-list celebrity cameos and renowned guest stars).

A cameo in Abbott Elementary is when a celebrity plays themselves, and a guest star is a major actor in a small role in the sitcom.

The main cast of Abbott Elementary also includes impressive and noteworthy stars. Tyler James Williams is famous for his role as Chris Rock in the CW sitcom Everybody Hates Chris; Lisa Ann Walter is...

It was such an honor to have interviewed Sheryl Lee Ralph. I’ve loved her since she stepped onto the Broadway stage to star as Deena Jones in “Dreamgirls.” Since then, Ralph’s star continues to shine even becoming the first black woman in 35 years to win an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy

The post “The Fabulous Four” Interview appeared first on Manny the Movie Guy.

An audience with Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph, a fan favorite as no-nonsense teacher Barbara Howard on Abbott Elementary, makes for an exhilarating education.

She commands your attention from the off.

Truth is, for me, she always has.

In my youth, on a trip with a girlfriend to New York, we purchased tickets way up in the Imperial Theatre’s balcony to see a show called Dreamgirls. That was my first lesson in Broadway. That was my first lesson in Broadway theatre magic. That was my first lesson in witnessing the artistry of Sheryl Lee Ralph, who glided seamlessly across the Imperial’s stage as Deena Jones.

“I’m the dream that’ll give you more and more,” I remember her cooing into a mic.

She gratefully acknowledges that while Dreamgirls gave her a pathway to a hard-won stardom — “Oh, my god it was brilliant,” she declares — she and her...

CBS Mornings welcomes actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and wedding dress designer Hayley Paige to the show on Thursday morning. Sheryl Lee Ralph, an American actress and singer, joins the show to discuss her current projects. Ralph is known for her performances on stage and screen, including her role as Deena Jones in the Broadway musical […]

CBS Mornings: Sheryl Lee Ralph, Hayley Paige...

"Is it just me or do we need some champagne?"...

Sheryl Lee Ralph has signed with CAA for representation.

An Emmy, Critics Choice and Independent Spirit Award winner, Ralph is currently seen starring in ABC’s hit comedy series “Abbott Elementary” opposite Quinta Brunson. In 2022, she won the Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, becoming the first black woman in 35 years to take home the trophy.

In 2023, she was nominated for her second Emmy Award, a Golden Globe and a Film Independent Spirit Award for her portrayal of straight-laced kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard, winning the Critics Choice Award for best supporting actor in a comedy series.

Ralph made her feature film debut at 20 years old, opposite Academy Award winner Sidney Poitier in “A Piece of the Action.” She has also appeared in “The Mighty Quinn” opposite Denzel Washington, “Mistress” with Robert De Niro, “The Distinguished Gentleman” with Eddie Murphy, “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit” opposite...

The Young Wife’s Kiersey Clemons has accomplished a lot in her young career. After going the big-budget adventure route in the Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and playing West in the DC Comics films Zack Snyder’s Justice League and The Flash, Ms. Clemons has teamed up with director Tayarisha Poe, best known for her debut Prime Video film, Selah and the Spades, for The Young Wife, which premiered at SXSW in 2022.

Here at FandomWire, we had the pleasure of interviewing Kiersey Clemons and Tayarisha Poe about The Young Wife, which hit theaters and VOD on May 31. We touched upon the inspiration for Ms. Poe’s new film, their journey as artists before and after the Covid-19 pandemic, and how that ties into their new film’s narrative.

Kiersey Clemons in The Young Wife (2024) | Image via Republic Pictures

SUGGESTEDThe Flash Actress Kiersey Clemons Slams James Gunn Movie:...

The Critics Choice Award for chutzpah goes to … the lady swathed in gold lamé, sporting a Mohawk fade hairstyle who, without so much as a by-your-leave, crashed past me and scooped up a bottle of Milagro Silver tequila that was part of the centerpiece on tables at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.

“Can I,” she asks, grabbing the booze.

Wasn’t my liquor.

The thing that made me jump up in my seat was that Mohawk Lady already had bottles under her arm.

Quick as a flash, she repeated the same move at neighboring tables.

By now she had a haul of five or six bottles. Crash! One of them fell to the ground, so she swiped a replacement.

Stirred the former crime reporter in me. Who was Mohawk Lady?

She’s an online critic, someone at another table tells me.

Later on I ask her directly but she mumbles,...

Exclusive: Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary), Timothy V. Murphy (Appaloosa) and Bruce Greenwood (The Fall of the House of Usher) have boarded The Fabulous Four, a new comedy from Bleecker Street, which has entered production in Georgia under an Interim Agreement from SAG-AFTRA.

Timothy V. Murphy and Bruce Greenwood

The actors join an ensemble that also includes Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler, and Megan Mullally, as previously announced. Ralph takes over the role of Sissy Spacek, who was attached as of last fall but was forced to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. Bleecker Street nabbed North American rights to the pic last October and will release the film in U.S. theaters in 2024. UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance arranged the financing and brokered the deal for U.S. rights, with Sierra/Affinity repping international sales.

Written and directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, the Cannes prize-winner best known for...

Who needs cheerleaders when you have Abbott Elementary‘s Sheryl Lee Ralph to get everyone pumped before the big game?

The recent Emmy winner performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” ahead of Super Bowl 57 on Sunday, broadcast live on Fox from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. With lyrics written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900, then put to music by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson in 1905, this hymn has long held an important place in the Black community.

More from TVLineTubi's Super Bowl Prank Ad Aimed to Position the Free Streamer as a 'Troublemaker' -- Did You Fall for It?...

This Black History Month, we wanted to learn about the personal histories of women we admire - so we asked changemakers to tell us about a Black woman in their life who has been crucial in shaping who they are today.

In this installment, Sheryl Lee Ralph talks about how her "strong, independent" mother carved her own successful path and empowered Ralph in the process. Ralph is currently starring as Barbara Howard on ABC's critically acclaimed comedy series "Abbott Elementary" - a role that led to her first Emmy win for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy. Last month, she won a Critics' Choice Award for the role, too. Ralph has had a career in entertainment spanning more than three decades, including her tenure as Deena Jones in the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls." She's also a passionate health advocate and founding director of The Diva Foundation.

My amazing mother, the Honorable Ivy Ralph,...

Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph will be singing what has become known as the Black national anthem at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show.

The actor made headlines in September after singing during her Emmys acceptance speech, where she won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as a teacher in Quinta Brunson’s hit mockumentary.

Now, Ralph will be showing off her vocal skills again at the biggest event in American football, with a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.

The hymn is often referred to as the Black national anthem. It was written by two brothers in the early 1900s in response to the struggles faced by African Americans following Reconstruction, and the Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation in the south until 1965.

The song has been performed numerous times over the years at the halftime show.

Ralph shared her excitement on Instagram,...

Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph will be singing what has become known as the Black national anthem at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show.

The actor made headlines in September after singing during her Emmys acceptance speech, where she won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as a teacher in Quinta Brunson’s hit mockumentary.

Now, Ralph will be showing off her vocal skills again at the biggest event in American football, with a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.

The hymn is often referred to as the Black national anthem. It was written by two brothers in the early 1900s in response to the struggles faced by African Americans following Reconstruction, and the Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation in the south until 1965.

The song has been performed numerous times over the years at the halftime show.

Ralph shared her excitement on Instagram,...

We may not know which teams are facing off at Super Bowl Lvii next month, but we do know who’s providing the musical entertainment — and isn’t that just as important?

The NFL on Tuesday announced that country crooner Chris Stapleton will sing the national anthem, an honor bestowed in previous years to the likes of Lady Gaga, Pink and Whitney Houston.

More from TVLineRihanna to Perform Super Bowl 57 Halftime Show in FebruaryAbbott Elementary's Sheryl Lee Ralph Dings Jimmy Kimmel for Controversial Emmys Stunt: 'Oh, the Disrespect...'Emmys 2022: Sheryl Lee Ralph Wins Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy...

Rihanna isn’t the only musical act to look forward to at this year’s Super Bowl.

“Abbott Elementary” star and Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph is officially booked as part of Super Bowl Lvii’s pregame entertainment.

Singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the multihyphenate performer will be joined on the program by country star Chris Stapleton singing the national anthem and singer, songwriter and producer Babyface singing “America the Beautiful.”

Also Read:

Rihanna to Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show, and ‘The Navy’ Is Freakin’ Out: ‘The Queen Is Back’

In addition to earning an Emmy for her performance as the devoted, veteran elementary school teacher Barbara Howard on “Abbott Elementary,” Ralph is also a Golden Globe nominee and Critics Choice winner. The ABC sitcom from Quinta Brunson brought the performer back into the spotlight after three decades of work across mediums – and the Super Bowl is hardly the...

Sheryl Lee Ralph is ending her banner year on a high note. The newly minted Emmy winner is releasing a Christmas album aptly titled "Sleigh," and we already know it's going to be filled with festive bangers. Ralph shared the news on Nov. 1 with "Today" show hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, who slipped in a brief mention of the project at the end of their interview.

"Mariah is freaking out," Hager said, of course referencing the Queen of Christmas Mariah Carey. They also offered a glimpse at the album artwork, which features the "Abbott Elementary" star looking gorgeous as ever in a red dress and matching lipstick.

Ralph again teased her forthcoming musical project that evening during a "Late Night With Seth Meyers" interview, confirming there's a bit of double entendre at play with the title. "S-l-e-i-g-h, but it all depends on how you say it, because we are going to slay,...

Jennifer Hudson has a fangirling moment on her talk show Tuesday.

Sheryl Lee Ralph makes an appearance on the latest episode of “The Jennifer Hudson Show” and reminisces about landing her Tony Award-nominated role as Deena Jones in the 1981 Broadway debut of the Dreamgirls musical.

Hudson, who nabbed an Academy Award for her performance as Effie White in the 2006 film adaptation, can’t believe it when Ralph then offers to give her a mini-masterclass on the musical’s choreography.

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jennifer Hudson. Photo Credit: Chris Millard/Warner Bros. Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jennifer Hudson. — Photo Credit: Chris Millard/Warner Bros.

Hudson gushes, “I’m really having a moment, because I wish I’d have been able to see that [version of the musical.] I was born the year that came out.”

The pair then don pink feather boas, with Ralph insisting: “Girl, now this is not any cheap boa so you know I’m keeping it.

Sheryl Lee Ralph's acceptance-speech song at this year's Emmys is still ringing in our ears. After taking home the outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series award for her role as Barbara Howard on Quinta Brunson's "Abbott Elementary," Ralph won the hearts of thousands of viewers with her empowering speech. With season two of the elementary-school series set to premiere on Sept. 21, we decided to take a look back at Ralph's best TV and movie roles, from "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" (1993) to her starring role as Dee on "Moesha" opposite Brandy.

Ralph began her acting career on stage and earned her first nomination for a Tony Award for best actress in a musical in 1982 for her role as Deena Jones in "Dreamgirls." After releasing her first and only album, "In the Evening," in 1984, Ralph continued to pursue acting, taking on roles alongside big names like Denzel Washington and Eddie Murphy.

In celebration of Sheryl Lee Ralph’s recent Emmy win, Beyoncé sent her a bouquet of flowers.

During last week’s ceremony on 12 September, the Abbott Elementary star won her first Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Find the full list of winners here.

Following the historic win, Ralph was surprised by a sweet floral delivery from the “Break My Soul” singer, with a card that read: “To the original Dreamgirl, sending you a beautiful congratulations. All my love, Beyoncé.”

In the video recording, shared on Instagram, the 65-year-old actor can be heard shrieking excitedly as she opens the card. “I don’t have a voice, but it’s wonderful,” she tells the camera.

“Everyone has their own special dream and all your dreams can come true. Just look in the mirror and love what’s in front of you. Thank you @beyonce don’t forget to dream girls!

Sheryl Lee Ralph continues to be praised by fans, including celebs, after winning her first major award during Monday night’s Emmys in which she took home the golden statuette for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in “Abbott Elementary”.

Beyoncé is the latest star to applaud the 65-year-old actress, who also gave a memorable acceptance speech for her big win.

Read More: 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards: The Complete Winners List

The “Break My Soul” singer sent Ralph a “beautiful” bouquet of flowers along with a heartfelt note. The two share something in common- they both previously took on the role of Deena Jones in “Dreamgirls”. Ralph originated the character in the ’80s Broadway musical while Beyoncé played the part in the 2006 film adaptation, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

Ralph’s son, Etienne Maurice, took to social media to share the moment his mother received the special delivery.

After over four decades in the industry, Sheryl Lee Ralph finally got her well-deserved flowers Monday night with her first-ever Emmy win. The "Abbott Elementary" star is the 2022 outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series winner for her role as no-nonsense veteran teacher Barbara Howard in Quinta Brunson's critically acclaimed, record-breaking ABC sitcom - an overdue feat that makes Ralph only the second Black woman in Emmys history to secure the category title (Jackée Harry was the first in 1987).

Ralph made her victory an even more show-stopping moment through her emotional acceptance speech on Sept. 12, tearfully singing "Endangered Species" by Dianne Reeves - a powerful anthem she said she's been turning to for years. "I am an endangered species," she belted out loudly and proudly to the audience. "But I sing no victim's song. I am a woman, I am an artist. And I know where my voice belongs." Indeed,...

After Sheryl Lee Ralph was announced as the Emmy Award winner for her role as Barbara Howard on "Abbott Elementary," she took to the stage and immediately began singing her face off — belting out the song "Endangered Species" by Dianne Reeves. As she held out a perfect note, completely enrapturing the audience, cheers erupted from the Emmy attendees, and probably everyone watching at home from their couches too. Thanks to the success and popularity of "Abbott Elementary," a world of people are learning about Ralph's undeniable talent for the very first time, but make no mistake, Ralph is not a newcomer.

"I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like, this is what striving looks like, and don't you ever, ever give up on you," she said in her acceptance speech. It's a fitting statement from a woman who landed her breakthrough role as Deena Jones...

Image Source: Getty / Chris Haston / NBC

Sheryl Lee Ralph took home the Emmy for best supporting actress in a comedy series at the ceremony on Sept. 12, and the legendary actor brought the house down with her emotional acceptance speech. When the award was first announced, Ralph stayed in her seat for a moment, shocked. When she eventually took the stage - helped by her castmates - she started to sing the song "Endangered Species" by Dianne Reeves. "I am an endangered species," she sang loudly and proudly. "But I sing no victim's song. I am a woman, I am an artist. And I know where my voice belongs."

Ralph then spoke, saying, "To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought that your dream wasn't, wouldn't, couldn't come true, I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like. This is what striving looks like,...

Sheryl Lee Ralph won the Emmy award for supporting comedy actress on Monday night. For playing Barbara Howard in “Abbott Elementary,” this was not only the veteran actor’s first-ever Emmy win, but her first nomination.

Ralph was clearly shocked to win the award, at first unable to stand when her name was called. After being lifted up by her husband and castmates, she took the stage to accept her award, which was presented by Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler.

In tears, she opened her speech by singing “Endangered Species” by Dianne Reeves: “I am an endangered species / But I sing no victim’s song / I am a woman I am an artist / And I know where my voice belongs.”

“To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream wasn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t come true, I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like,...

If you don’t recognize the name Sheryl Lee Ralph, we’re afraid that you’ve got some work to do. Currently part of the acclaimed ensemble for the ABC comedy “Abbott Elementary,” Ralph is simply a living legend. She originated the role of Deena Jones in the original Broadway production of “Dreamgirls”. She spent five seasons playing Brandy’s mom on the ’90s sitcom “Moesha.” She won an Independent Spirit Award for her performance in Charles Burnett’s classic film “To Sleep with Anger.” She was part of the original Broadway cast of Best Musical winner “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” She’s been working almost non-stop since she got her first television guest spot in, wait for it, 1977.

Continue reading Yep, Sheryl Lee Ralph Improvised “Sweet Baby Jesus, And The Grown One Too” On ‘Abbott Elementary’ [Interview] at The Playlist.

We’ve got questions, and you’ve (maybe) got answers! With another week of TV gone by, we’re lobbing queries left and right about lotsa shows including Celebrity Big Brother, 1883, 4400 and Peacemaker!

1 | In Inventing Anna (no spoilers), was the entire Manhattan magazine newsroom reading Vivian’s story as it was about to be published? Because that doesn’t actually happen.

More from TVLine1883 Recap: Back Where We BeganPeacemaker: Batman and Cyborg Were 'Scrubbed' Out of Finale, Actor ClaimsPerformer of the Week: Steve Agee

2 | Is it too much to ask that Celebrity Big Brother‘s houseguests actually understand...

by Patrick Ball

The scene is a packed movie theater in Oakland, California on Christmas Day, 2006. The film is Dreamgirls. We’re finishing up the iconic musical number “Listen”, a solid 75-80% into the movie. Beyoncé’s Deena Jones hits the last passionate note and the audience loses it, clapping and hollering, and a woman stands up and screams “You Go, Effie!” That was how powerful Jennifer Hudson’s Academy Award winning performance was, that this woman was ascribing every fabulous moment in the movie to her and her character, even when another character/actress was onscreen.

Hudson has had a bumpy road as a film actress since then, but is back in a big way in Respect, the long awaited Aretha Franklin biopic...

Harry Styles: “Dunkirk”

The former One Direction-er is one of the desperate British troops stuck on “the mole” in Christopher Nolan’s new World War II movie “Dunkirk.”

Lady Gaga: “A Star is Born”

Lady Gaga will star across Bradley Cooper in the upcoming film “A Star is Born,” about a singer who falls in love with an aging rock star. It’s a remake of the 1937 film, which has been remade twice: 1954 with Judy Garland and 1976 with Barbra Streisand. It’s slated for release in September 2018.

Beyonce Knowles: “Austin Powers,” “Dreamgirls”

Knowles made her film debut in “Austin Powers Goldmember” as Foxxy Cleopatra. In 2006, she starred as Deena Jones in “Dreamgirls,” for which she nominated for Best Original Song at the Golden Globes.

Jennifer Hudson: “Dreamgirls”

Hudson played across Knowles in “Dreamgirls” as Effie White. The performance landed the “American Idol” alum an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.