Actress and newlywed, Terri J. Vaughn, recently finished production on her first film, a documentary, about the struggle to find quality roles as an African American woman in Hollywood. “Angels Can’t Help But Laugh” is the first of several films to be produced by Terri via her own production company, Nina Holiday Entertainment. In the film, Terri speaks with 25 Black actresses, including veterans like Sheryl Lee Ralph and Jasmine Guy, as well as up and comers like Meagan Good, Malinda Williams, and Essence Atkins. You can check out the trailer from the film below, as well as several other promotional clips posted on the official Angels Can’t Help But Laugh website.
Actress Terri J. Vaughn sits down with 25 of Hollywood’s African-American actresses to discuss how they deal with being in today’s entertainment industry. While media floods unrealistic ideas to the general public about these women, this documentary allows viewers a candid, unscripted exposure into the minds and hearts of these actresses. Ms. Vaughn sincerely removes these women from the characters we know, and reveals the essence of the real women. These actresses open up to talk about their fears, disappointments, successes, families and careers. They drop pretensions about this industry to unfold basic truths about life. This film is star-studded, yet without hair and make-up, one gets a glimpse of reality and the real people underneath the illusion; a rare thing in Hollywood. The state of “Black Hollywood” is in a serious quandary, and these women hold no tongues when discussing their plights and obvious issues that are often quieted. Yet in that same moment of seriousness, each actress is able to relish in the splendor she brings to our television and film screens.
I’ll be purchasing this documentary. I love having things like this in my collection. Essence Atkins, Meagan Good and Malinda Williams really touched me with their comments and I am glad Dawn Lewis and Terri touched on the “Strong Black Woman” mantra that is meant to make work houses out of us as women.
Bravo to you Stephanie for posting this.
Wow, I will definitely be supporting this documentary. Thanks Brown Sista for posting positive stories and news updates about underrated sistas in the industry that the other web sites and entertainment shows won’t.
-Very inspired by this, as a black women and aspiring musician.
Awesome! Thanks so much. I remember reading/seeing something about this. Kudos for Terri for doing the documentary. Can’t wait to view it! :brownsista:
Yes im supporting when it comes out. Alot of talented sister and no recognition that a shame.
Hollywood only want to offer movie roles to Halle Berry (overrated actress) and Beyonce Knowles (who to me is not that good of an actress). I am going to support and buy this DVD. These woman have some serious talent and are great actresses.
Queen Latifah and Jennifer Hudson are getting movie roles because one was nominated for an Oscar and the other one has an Oscar. That immediately separates them from the rest.
I really like Terri Vaughn. Yall remember her stint on “Soul Food” as Eva Hollings? And the “kiss”?? (Terry: “What the hell???) :) Scuse me yall but I miss Soul Food!! But anyway, I really feel like her support of her fellow brown sistas in Hollywood is genuine and not fake. I think if I knew her personnally, we would be cool!
Gon Lavita Alize Jenkins!! :)
I will be buying a few copies. I don’t know the actress name, but I like how she called people out on wanting to be on covers of magazines and being more famous(make more money and collect more awards-my thoughts)and not really having love for the craft. You have a few singers out there that are okay at acting taking away good roles from good actresses all in the name of fame and extending their entertaniment resumes and extending their money. I’ve heard poeple talk about crabs in a barrell mentality, but who does that really refer to when you have already become rich and famous from the talent and craft that you are relly good at? Do theses people really have love for the craft? If they did they would let the real actresses stand up and make us proud.
Oh my God Tasha Smith! Why in the world is Tasha not getting any roles. That lady is the bomb. Still do not understand why she did not get nominated for for a NACCP award? But I will watch this document because what Q said is so freakin true. Gabrielle Union should in that picture too. She has not been getting any work in lately…
Pamela Jai is my girl!!! She’s in this too.
This will be a great documentary, and will also go down in the book of history for black women. It is really pathetic to see that “certain” black women are getting roles for their looks and not their talent; and the talented/beautiful women mentioned above are not.
I’ll be supporting…
THIS IS AMAZING TO SEE AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN COME TOGETHER, DISCUSSING THE…TRUTH ABOUT GETTING ROLES IN HOLLYWOOD AND MORE. I SAW NO COMPETITION AMONGST THE LADIES, ONLY LOVE. I AM A BLACK MALE AND THAT MAKES ME STRONGER AND HAPPY TO CONTINUE WHAT I WANNA PERSUE.
I WISH THAT HOLLYWOOD WASN’T SO STEROTYPICAL. BUT THATS HOW HUMANITY IN AMERICA IS DEFINED..IF YOUR BLACK YOU SHOULD LOOK LIKE THIS, AND THIS IS WHAT BLACK PEOPLE DO. IF YOUR WHITE YOU LOOK LIKE THIS AND THIS IS HOW WHITE PEOPLE TALK. IF YOUR ASIAN YOU’LL LOOK LIKE THIS AND YOU DEF CAN’T DRIVE. ITS SAD THAT HOLLYWOOD IS STILL RACIST AND STEROTYPICAL.
WHEN WILL THEY MAKE HUGE ROLES FOR AN INDIAN OR BLACK WOMAN TO PORTRAY?
I COMMEND THESE WOMEN BECAUSE THEY ARE MAKING A CHANGE FOR THE WOMEN TO COME.
THANK YOU…
LONNIE JORDAN
This is the reason why I get so wired when I see Beyonce Knowles getting movie roles. She clearly is in it for the money, notoriety and to rake in awards and does not care about the craft.
These ladies are true actresses who have a passion for what they are doing but Hollywood will not even give them a chance. Some of these ladies are just as good as or better than Julia Roberts and Angela Jolie. I will be buying this DVD to support these hard working sisters who just want a chance to show off their true acting talents.
Thanks so much for posting this. I love to see black women comming together. It’s beautiful to see us support one another. I just purchased the DVD. Can’t wait to view it!
P.S. You’re doing an awesome job at shedding light on positive brown sista’s
@ adriana,
You know, can you ‘really’ say that’s why singers-turned-actresses like Beyonce are in it? We don’t really know….
Let me parallel that with what Regina King was saying. “We as Black women[actresses] need to seize opportunity”… Did she mean that Black actresses need to do all they can outside of acting as well? If that’s what she saying, could it go for singers too? :lol: Isn’t that what the likes of Ciara and Beyonce are doing as well? Seizing other opportunities, even if it’s another Black actresses opportunities??
Ya’ll don’t jump on me or anything. I’m just now fully listening to the clip. Just positing some things here.
At 2:47….who is she? I’m not familiar with her, but she’s talking sense. :smile: Who’s she speaking of? What actresses, I wonder? LOL.
I love Tisha and Tichina! :smile: Pam and Gina, FTW!!!!
When you really think about it, its just isnt right that there is Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Cameron Diaz, Julia Roberts, Demi Moore, Jody Foster, Scarlett Johanson, etc all at the top of their game, and all we have is one maybe two. I hate that black women feel that we have to replace someone else in order to fulfil our dreams. If one gets too much work she is supposedly taking from someone else. Arent we allowed to dream as well. Why cant we have many different desserving black women all working and getting paid well to do so. It is not our fault so why should we tear each other down because one is down and one is up. Making a difference and creating work for ourselves such as what Terri V., Vivica F., and Tyler P. are doing maybe the only way to tell our story. Kick that damn door down!
This documentary is so powerful and inspiring. I am in agreement with Kanyade when she stated, seizing the opportunity. The Hollywood power brokers always seem to cast certain actresses in every role and refuse to expand their mindset. However, Hollywood only knows one color – GREEN. When Beyonce is selected for a role, although her acting abilities are not the greatest, she has a fan base and her fan base will support her. That’s the strategy of placing singers & rappers in roles that would be better filled by qualified actresses/actors. Additionally, we have to look at ourselves. Why are we still dependent upon white media/powerbrokers to create films for us? We do not pool our resources together to purchase media outlets. We do not purchase theaters (Magic Johnson tried but his attempt to provide quality theaters in predominantly black areas were not substantially supported by blacks), we are not owners of radio/satellite stations, and we own no distribution companies for music or film. Are we becoming casting agents, directors, or producers (mostly music production)? Why are we unable to move as a collective unit to advance our race and not just as individuals?
I get the feeling there is going to be a black power movement(peaceful) in Hollywood Tyra talked about this recently also. It was very sisterly of these actresses to make time to share in this project with Terri J Vaughn. I was happy to see all of those sistas in one room talking without calling each other haters or being disrespectful to one another. :thumbsup:
I like what you’ve done with the site Stephanie. The gray makes it look grown and sexy :booty:
I agree whole heartly, don’t wait for HOLLYWOOD to come calling. First we must support our own and stop being so negative. There is power in words on every blog, but 70% hate on our own. We have to respect other and be proud ,they are taking action in what they believe in. Beyonce is using her fame and money to explore all avenue in life. Ciara is doing the exact same, don’t set limit on life.
I’d love to write some scripts for these starlets, but alas, writing a good script is barely just the beginning. There’s so much freakin’ red tape involved in getting a project going!
I wonder what sort of effect Oprah will have on the industry (aside from her Harpo production company) with her new television channel, OWN???
There is nothing wrong with seizing the opportunities or follwing your dreams, just be good/great at your craft. Some of these entertainers can get people in the seats in the theater because of their star power, but may bring the whole movie down because of their lackluster performances. All I am saying is that if you want to be respected as an actor work seriously on your craft. I hate it when entertainers want to used their first 4 or 5 movies as a learning experience. I will support movies like Cadillac Records because there are other deserving actors in the movie, but if you want my personal respect you will have to work very hard and improve in the craft. If you cannot improve please move on a let the real actors do their job.
there we go again with the same victimology mentality that black folks have, i mean seriously whats such a big deal if these women dont have roles in hollywood? i know a dozen and many more white actresses who dont have steady acting gigs in hollywood but these women dont go about whining and crying all the time like new-born babies
the entertainment business is a business like any other, peopole invest to make profits period
i want someone to give me an example of a black actress who is capable of making $30 million opening weekend at the box office
just one ! smh
Oliver, you make a good point.
White actresses have complained about not getting good roles also. I think the Gwyneth Paltrow did a documentary a few years ago called (something like) where is Debra Winger? it seems like lately only Disney movies or sci-fi are making the big money on opening weekend, regardless of the leads in the movie.
Sanaa Lathan “Aliens vs Predator”.
Thank you so much for posting this. I am going to purchase this. I love seeing films like these. This is a very positive thing that Terri is doing and I am very proud of her for putting this together. I haven’t seen a recent documentary with our current stars. It’s usually something that happened way before I was born. Nothing is wrong with that, but I’m just happy to see something positive with current talents and veterans of film. :)
BTW, a good website on Black actresses present and past is http://www.mahoganycafe.com/ .
@ Keyta, I concur with that website. I visit it often. I love to see how varied we are in the acting biz. :wink:
I love the fact that they are voicing their opinions. It is a sign of strength and unity. Why does this site constantly blame Beyonce’ for EVERYTHING. I have visited the site on several occasions and find it so interesting that no matter what the topic, some how, someone puts her name into it. Funny….Actually, so what if Halle and Beyonce’ are getting a few rolls. Isn’t that what the documentary is stating? They are Black and they are working. I mean you act as if Halle and Beyonce are in 5 movies a year. They are probably discriminated against as well. also, Garbrielle is in the upcoming “Caddilac Records” fil as well with Beyonce’. I am proud of all my sistas.
Beyonce acting is horrible and a lot of people would like to see real(black/or otherwise)actresses getting the roles. Should a person that is not qualify get the job because of their fame or should they get the job because they are talented? Beyonce repeated attempts at acting have note impressed me or others. And before you start on the rant about why black women are haters, try reading the reviews from white movie critics who have nothing vested in bashing her say about her acting. They also find her acting vapid, boring and lackluster. She and her father are jokes. And yes she is making money, but they are not respected.
KUDOS!!! To Terri I can’t wait to see this film I am an aspiring actress it’s always good to hear about the struggles from other actresses that I admire it makes me work even harder. I have been waiting for a film like this :)
I applaud Teri for doing this and the other sistas for participating and I will support her dvd. But, the larger point is the fact that these issues are not unique to Black Actresses. The fact is it’s tough for black women professionals in almost every field. Moreover, just as those in the documentary discuss the challenges in their profession while seeking support of their pursuits, I always wonder if they show the same support to other sistas facing similar challenges ie their lawyers, agents, accounts, etc.
The same holds true for all of us–in recognizing that it is still not a level playing field, we should all make the effort to support one another whenever possible.
Beyonce Knowles is not hired because of her lack of acting skills, she is hired because she is a cross-over singer with a built in fan base and has the looks that white America thinks a black woman should look like. The studio is using her to sell their movie because she has a hot career at the moment.
That is the only reason she is getting picked and does not have to audition for movie roles.
^^she has a hot career at the moment? honey, she’s had a hot career for 11yrs. it’s amazing to me how ya’ll blame her for everything. she’s not the only person who “can’t act” but is getting roles. does alicia keys ring a bell? i thought so……
Beyonce Knowles didn’t get hot until 2003 when Crazy In Love hit the air waves. What is funny is that people just don’t want to believe that Beyonce Knowles and Alicia Keys are hired to do movies simply because of their looks and they have a fan base that will lure folks to the theatres. Neither one have an ounce of acting talent. Even though Alicia seems a little more believable that Beyonce. Beyonce Knowles is the most overexposed and overrated black chick out right now. And movie producers are just using Beyonce to sell their movie. I am sure a lot of the “Actresses” in this documentary feel the same way. Don’t get mad because that is my opinion.