Angie B News

Merry Christmas from Courtside

2010-12-27T18:36:00.000-08:00

Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance took their twins, Bronwyn and Slater (they'll be 5 next month), to the Lakers vs. Heat game on Christmas Day. Angela went dressy casual in a gray blazer, cropped drawstring pants, and wedge heels. Definitely the flyest mom I've ever seen!

Ang isnt happy about the Lakers' loss to the Heat. 80-96

2011 promises to be a great year for Angela Bassett. She's got 3 films set to release and a television series in the works with ABC. We've been waiting for the Acting Queen's big return and without further ado; here is what we can expect next year in Angie B News:

Jumping the Broom - May 6, 2011

A wedding comedy that follows two African-American families from two different socio-economic backgrounds as they come together for a weekend wedding in Martha's vineyard. Paula Patton and Laz Alonso play the lead couple. Angela plays Patton's mother, a heiress and pillar of the Washington elite. This would be a different type of matriarch; uppity and bougie. Should be interesting! Jumping the Broom also marks the first reunion of Angela and Loretta Devine, who plays Alonso's mother, since 1995's Waiting to Exhale. Expect some intense scenes between these two as they fight for the HBIC title come Spring!

Green Lantern - June 17, 2011

Green Lantern is the first comic book action themed film for Angela and if rumors are true, this wont be the last. Angie B plays Amanda "The Wall" Waller, a character famous for her intimidating, steely demeanor and fearless leadership of a group of supervillains. The Wall is usually the villain in DC comics but she has been known to switch sides if it benefits her. She has no superpowers but instead is a highly intelligent, government specialist who is so bad ass, shes even shaken up Batman from time to time. Angela's Waller character has many connections in the DC universe and could easily be intertwined in follow up films.

This Means War - TBA

Angela Bassett has decided to join the cast of Fox's new film 'This Means War'. Produced by Will Smith and starring Chris Pine, Tom Hardy and Reese Witherspoon.

The film centers on two best friends who happen to be international spies. But when they fall in love with the same woman, they declare war on each other.

Bassett will play the boss of Pine and Hardy's characters, a woman who has dedicated her life to the spy business and has no life outside the CIA.

Source: [BVonMovies.com]

Angie's TV pilot, One Police Plaza, will most likely begin production after the holidays, during the first quarter of 2011 to premiere with ABC's fall lineup. To stay up to date on all AB news, make sure to follow us on twitter: [@AngieBNews]

Also look out for the release of Of Boys & Men with Robert Townsend on DVD, January 25, 2011. [Amazon.com]

Happy New Year, BassettHounds!

Thanksgiving fit for a Queen

2010-11-24T18:28:00.000-08:00

One thing for sure about Angela Bassett; she is a thankful person. She's a woman who, during the My Black is Beautiful panel discussion back in 2008 proclaimed, "My Black is Grateful." It's one of the reasons why when receiving an award Angela, in all her humility, is the first to mention her fellow nominees or her co-stars that she worked with during filming. As gracious as Angela is, the Thanksgiving holiday must be especially meaningful.

This year Angela and Courtney are sending out holiday cards and called up one of their good friends Matthew Jordan Smith, who happens to be a celebrity photographer, to photograph them for the occasion. Matthew even graced us with a blog about the all day shoot:

Photo by: Matthew Jordan Smith
Bringing ideas to life can be a challenge but it is also a lot of fun. A month ago I got a call from two good friends who wanted me to photograph them for a holiday card. They had no idea of what they wanted and asked if I had any cool idea's. I jumped at the opportunity and my girlfriend and I talked about ideas. After we decided on the idea to present she put a pdf presentation together to send them and they loved it right away.

My friends are Angela Bassett and her husband Courtney Vance and my idea was to bring old famous paintings to life but with a modern twist. I told them my idea would take a full day of shooting and after working through our schedule we finally made it happen today. The day started by shooting at my place at 8:30 a.m. and working until noon, then the entire crew changed locations and went to their house and worked until 8:00 p.m. this evening. It was a very long day but an extremely fun day for everyone involved. I am so excited about the images I can't wait to edit. That said it's time for me to start the editing process now.

Source: [MatthewJordanSmith.blogspot.com]

Photo by: Terrell Mullin

Terrell Mullin, was Angela's make up artist for the shoot and he found time to tweet this last night:

@Kalefe: On set with the stunning Angela Bassett ,,, can u say Drop Dead Gorgeous !!!!

This Thanksgiving, remember Angela is coming back with a vengeance in 2011 (two films and a series strong). So when someone asks you what you're thankful for, turn to them and say, "the Queen is back." Happy Thanksgiving, BassettHounds!

Angela Bassett's Back...and so are we!

2010-11-18T00:03:00.000-08:00

We, here at Angie B News, are coming out of blogging hiatus and with good reason. It's been over a year since Angela Bassett finished the final season of ER and even longer since we last updated you with any Angie B News, but we all go through our slumps and only something big can bring us out of it. Remember Bernadine in Waiting to Exhale, sulking around her house before she took a cigarette and gasoline to the BMW? Yes, of course you do.

Plenty has happened this past year: two of the BassettHounds met and talked with the Queen herself and let's just say we're even more in awe of her in person.

Simonique and Natacia with Angela (Jan 2010)

Angela filmed two movies that kept her busy through summer, the Green Lantern and Jumping the Broom, respectively (more on those later). We've even stayed current and opened a new twitter and facebook page for Angie B fans to connect but, like I said, only something big could bring us out of the blogging slump that we always experience every time Angela takes a break from us. Courtney and the twins have had her all to themselves for the past year but now we get to have a little bit of Angie, for one hour each week, in fact.

Angela Bassett to star in ABC's cop drama, "One Police Plaza"

Actress Angela Bassett has signed on to star in a cop drama for ABC.

Bassett is set to star in "One Police Plaza," an hour-long in development from "Criminal Minds"/ "Grey's Anatomy" exec producer Mark Gordon.

Should the drama go forward, Bassett would star as the first-ever female New York police commissioner. Project had already been set up at the Alphabet net (Daily Variety, Nov. 2), but the deal with Bassett has just now been finalized.

Crime novelist Linda Fairstein and Kenneth Solarz ("CSI: NY") are writing and exec producing the show. Gordon will also exec produce with his production partner Deb Spera.

"One Police Plaza" -- the name of the NYPD's headquarters, near City Hall -- would rep the first series role for Bassett since the final season of "ER," where she played chief of emergency medicine Dr. Catherine Banfield.

Source: [Variety.com]

I'm personally very proud of Angela for making the huge commitment to a television series. As the leading lady of One Police Plaza, Angela is going to be carrying her own series and in some ways the success of the show is dependent on her. Angela Bassett will be to One Police Plaza what Glenn Close is to Damages, what Kyra Sedgwick is to The Closer, or what, I hate to say it, Holly Hunter was to Saving Grace.

Ultimately, this a project worthy of her talent, worthy of her return; blog worthy, even.

Angie B's Upcoming Appearances

2009-04-16T21:51:00.000-07:00

Angie is making plenty of appearances in the coming months before beginning production in Chicago on her directorial debut with "United States," the independent film shes co-producing with husband, Courtney B. Vance. The Court Court man is also keeping busy with film and TV projects including the new ABC pilot, FlashForward, and the Harrison Ford vehicle, Crowley, shooting this month in Oregon.

Important AB Dates:
April 21 [Amazon.com]
Notorious DVD Release

April 26 (Hollywood)
Mother's Day WordTheatre

April 26 TV Land Awards
TV Land Prime 8pm

April 28 [Amazon.com]
Nothing But the Truth DVD Release

April 28 (Chicago)
Depaul University honors Angela Bassett

May 30 (Chicago)
My Black is Beautiful Tour

Summer 2009 (Chicago)
Directing "United States"

Celebrating Series Finale of ER!

2009-03-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

The final episode of ER is airing this Thursday, April 2nd. With a 1 hour retrospective starting at 8pm and a 2 hour series finale at 9m on NBC. I'm looking forward to a happy ending for Cate and Russell Banfield. They deserve it and the abandoned baby boy is too adorable.

Angela yesterday in Los Angeles at the ER Wrap Party! Check out more photos from the celebration at Social night club here.

Sight Seeing:
Angela and Courtney were in Chicago last weekend lunching and laughing at a local restaurant. They were in town scouting for locations to film the Percival Everett adaptation of Erasure this summer. The film, titled "United States", will be their first film under Bassett/Vance Productions and marks Angela's directorial debut.

Cookie Johnson introduces her brand of jeans, CJ Denim, with friends Pauletta Washington and Angela Bassett.

What should Angela's next move be? Check out the new AB poll to the right and let us know! -->

The BassettHounds: Our Hair Inspiration

2009-03-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Simonique's Inspiration: "The Short Cut"

Whether its spiky, curly, or pixie cut; a short hairstyle does wonders for defining the face. This style is fun, flirty, and fiesty. When we see Angela with a fresh cut we cant help but notice her high cheekbones, almond eyes, and plump lips. The short hairstyle perfectly flaunts Angela's distinct facial features and all while giving new meaning to the word, "fierce."

Natacia's Inspiration: "The Long Mane"

Whether its bone straight, big and curly, or pulled back in a formal updo; a long hairstyle provides plenty of options. A lengthy hairdo (plus lots of volume) makes a bold statement and still gives Angela the freedom to change her look when playing a character. The fuller, longer style also complements Angela's intense persona onscreen, making her even more intriguing to watch, and who isn't inspired by that?

Amanda's Inspiration: "The Natural Look"

Whether its in twisties, pressed out, or curled under; a natural hairstyle brings out the genuine, no-frills side of us. This do is classic and effortless. A natural style gives Angela an understated simplicity to her look and makes her seem all the more relatable. When we see her sporting her natural locks, we know we're getting "the real Angela Bassett."

Angie Promotes Notorious in London and Berlin!

2009-02-12T01:22:00.000-08:00

Angela Bassett gets righteous in England:

In an interview with Guardian Daily's Hannah Pool, Ang tells it like it is, takes us to church, and reminds us why we love her so.

"Even though we're free on paper and in laws, I'm not going to allow you to enslave me on film for the world to see. It becomes a bigger thing than me just being a movie star. Its about educating minds."

Listen and download the entire interview here! The interview starts 22:37 minutes in...

Jawn Murray of BlackVoices.com talks to Angie about Movies, Motherhood & Making New Moves:

You are directing your first film. Tell me about that.

The film is based on a book by Percival Everett called 'Erasure.' I always thought that I had a third eye, but it's frightening and I always wonder if I can pull it off. That's what's exciting; you don't want to get too comfortable. It's still a challenge. That's what this movie was starting out. You don't know how it's gonna turn out, you just know that it's gonna pan out. This is something that keeps you alive, wakes you up and keeps you guessing. It's a good story. I've had opportunities in the past to direct smaller, independent movies and television shows. I never want to do it just for the heck of it. As much time and attention as I play a character, imagine doing that for all of the characters, all the sets, all the lighting, all the music and all of the executives who are not creative. I cannot go through all of that if I'm not passionate about it and don't mind talking about it all the time and don't mind having that conversation over and over again. I hadn't found that script.

You are working on 'E.R.' now, which is your return to TV. Why did you decide to take on a TV acting part?

Times have changed. There used to be such a separation between TV and film acting. Now you have people moving back and forth between the two. It's no longer like film actors are better that television actors or stage actors are better than television actors. I'm glad that 'ER' is an ensemble show because with a one hour episode in drama seems to never end and it's three, four or six months before it finally comes to an end. I can't imagine doing a two hander or a show that really stars one person because your life is not your own all year long except for maybe five weeks and if it's a drama it's so emotional because you're doing that 16 hours a day nonstop. It's like trying to hold on to a moving train; it never slows down. Even on the weekends, you work on Friday night until four in the morning, you have Sunday and then Monday morning you hit it again. You're doing one scene and trying to memorize the next scene and it'Angela Bassetts like the only thing you know for sure is your name. I would think that it could get to be too much where you fake it unless you have a photographic memory. That ain't me.

How do you and your husband balance both being working actors and having children?

When the kids came along, he finished 'Law & Order' so he was home. Our lives are blessed, but it's not to the point where I know my next projects for the next five years. It's still very much like the life of most actors. You're doing this one; it comes to an end, what's the next one? It's worked out that we've both been there and he's been there. It was great that I did 'E.R.' and he was asked to come on as my husband. It was supposed to be for three episodes and then it got stretched to maybe five because it's working so it's been extended. So far it's working out. At the end of this, he just got a new pilot so he'll start with that. The ebb and flow of this life has worked out. I think the hardest part for me is that I work 15 minutes from home, but if you're on location for a film, you go away and it's so tough. I was talking to another actress who came back to the show, Alex Kingston, and she went to to do a TV show for five months and her child stayed in . She came home every six weeks or once a month for a couple of days. I was like, 'Let's not even talk about it because I can't imagine.' I'm 15 minutes from work, but their schedule is their schedule. On Monday, I have to be there at 6:00 am which means I have to get up at five, but they're not up at 5:00 am. They're not up until 7:00 am. I have to do a 12 to a 16 hour day and when I get home at 8:00 pm, they're sleep because they go to bed at 7:30. Then, on Fridays we might work until 3:00 in the morning so that's the hard part. I'm in the house with them- the husband and the children- and I haven't seen you all day or I haven't seen you for two days.

Read the full interview at [BlackVoices.com]

For Your Information:

Make sure to catch the NAACP Image Awards tonight at 8PM on FOX! Ang is nominated for two awards and you know shes walking away with at least one.

Plus Gospel Hill is now available on DVD! Both Amazon.com and Walmart have the award winning film starring Angela, Danny Glover, Nia Long, Samuel L. Jackson, and Giancarlo Esposito in stock.

The release date for Nothing But the Truth is postponed since the distribution company for the film went bankrupt in January but, the political thriller is available for free download here!

Alonzo Bodden: He's Got Jokes!

Check out this comedy clip 0:27 seconds in!

Quick AB News: TV Dates!

2009-01-25T18:01:00.000-08:00

Be on the look out for Angie B on TV next month!

Gospel Hill Feb. 10
Available on DVD [Amazon.com]

The BET Honors Awards Feb. 9 BET 9PM
Angela will be presenting an award to Judith Jamison

The 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards Feb. 12 FOX 8PM
Angela is nominated for two awards

ER Thursdays NBC 10pm
Angela Bassett stars every week! Series finale is April 2nd.

Angela Bassett Brought Sister Along to See Obama Sworn In!

2009-01-21T11:04:00.000-08:00

YES WE CAN!!!

YES WE DID!!!

Angela and Sister D'Nette in attendance at Tuesday's HISTORICAL inauguration of our 44th President- Barack Obama!!

Tickets: Pricey. Expression on their faces: Priceless ! Only ones missing--The Bassetthounds lol. Words can't even come close to describing what it means to have such an honor bestowed on a more worthy man in OUR lifetime!

Along with her little sis, Angie attended Barack Obama's inauguration with friends Samuel L. Jackson and Denzel Washington, while Oprah snapped pictures of the three leading black actors in D.C. Angela B also was witness to the "We Are One" concert at the Lincoln center with fellow actors Marisa Tomei and Forest Whitaker backstage.

Angie B: Carnivore or Vegan?

2009-01-19T21:47:00.000-08:00

Its been a long and arduous debate for us BassettHounds on the true identity of Angela Bassett's eating habits. Some of us say she is a vegetarian who likes raw food over meat. Where did we get this idea? In every one of the many interviews we read while BassettHounding, she is always quoted as snacking on items like grapes, broccoli sticks, and tofu. Does that sound like a carnivore to you? No, I thought not, but then some of us BassettHounds refer to Angela's upbringing in the fried bacon and meat lovin' south and her previous films when attempting to prove her meat eating habits. In the film Mr. 3000 starring the late Bernie Mac, Angela no less than devours a nice big slab of steak. Now unless they started making vegan steaks, Angela is a carnivore, right? No. We finally decided to look at the facts of the matter:

Fact 1: Angela Bassett's skin says it all. Glowing, flawless, not one hint of greasy meat stains in sight.

Fact 2: Much like fact 1, Angela takes real good care of herself. Poisoning her body with yummy Big Mac's doesnt fit well with the queen's desire to keep her shape.

Fact 3: And this is a good one...Angela Bassett herself said in one informative interview this week that she "loves vegan choices, raw food choices" and she'll eat whatever shes has to in order to get in shape "for any one particular role."

If I sound saddened by this newly found Angie B News, its because I am. My money was on her being a meat eating carnivore seeing as shes from the deep south and well...Angela was getting down on that steak in Mr. 3000. But looking back, it was probably because she hadnt eaten meat in so long. :) The only good news on this front is that Angie wont judge us if we get in to some good ol' bacon and eggs now and again. She says, "I try to eat healthy, but I won't get on other people's nerves about it. If you want to eat bacon, I'm OK with that."

So for those of you who were still wondering, our queen Angela Bassett is in fact a vegan. A raw food, celery stick munching, vegan.

Read more on Angie's favorite LA hotspots for facials, spas, outings with the twins, and restaurants where she frequently doesnt eat meat. [LATimes.com]

Angela Attends Notorious Premiere

2009-01-07T19:10:00.000-08:00

With one week to go before “Notorious” opens in movie theaters, the premiere was held at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York.

Angela, working the polka dots, attends the premiere with fellow cast mates and the who's who in the music industry, showing their love and

support for the late Notorious B.I.G. As the film release approaches, we are sure Angela will be doing more press, so stay tuned! For now, here are various interviews of Angela talking about her role in the film.

What attracted her to the role? Watch rollingoutTELEVISION
Want more insight on her use of Ms. Wallace’s Accent? Watch Access Hollywood
Who does Angela think Christopher Wallace was? Watch BlackFilm.Com
Why does Angela think rap music is so important to today’s youth? Watch ArtisanNewsService

Angela Promotes Notorious in New York

2008-12-23T13:00:00.000-08:00

Notorious B.I.G. - Nobody Is Invincible

In preparation for the theatrical release of Notorious the cast including Angela traveled to New York last week for promotions. Above is a scene from the film between Angela Bassett and Jamal Woodard. Below are photos of Angie posing during a press junket and an interview and clip with Voletta Wallace.

One of the most challenging aspects of playing Wallace was getting down the Jamaican accent, Bassett said. "It took awhile," the actress admitted. "Some of it, I had to work on it, get it later."
"Certain parts of the script, I taped my voice, and I guess that's how she got my accent," Wallace said. "They sent me tapes, I sent her tapes. And I was on the set every day. So there was not a time when she said, 'Oh, Mrs. Wallace, how was that?' She didn't have to do that. We had lunch together a lot. We had breakfast one morning. We'd just chat, woman to woman, mother to mother. We had a nice rapport together."
Bassett says having Wallace watch her every day made her a little nervous, but she was also reassured. "It can be a little intimidating, because you hope you're getting it right," she said. "You hope you're meeting their standards. We all have a way of seeing ourselves, the truth of it as we wish it were. Some of us are real honest with ourselves. Some of us embellish it. Mrs. Wallace is a straight shooter. Any question I had, I could go right to her. Lean into it. It was like girlfriends.
Visit MTV.com for more clips and the full interview!

Nothing But the Truth: Movie Trailer and Poster

2008-12-07T11:19:00.000-08:00

The power couple star in another project together! Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance play a Newspaper Editor in Chief and a CIA Director respectively in Rod Lurie's Nothing But the Truth. They both play the people in charge but on opposite sides of the issue. Be sure to catch this drama thats getting plenty of Oscar buzz in theaters on January 9th!

In Related AB News...

Rod Lurie Does the Right Thing

It’s not often in Hollywood that a director makes decisions based on his conscience as opposed to his wallet, but kudos to Rod Lurie for making the right choice.

Lurie, whose latest film “Nothing But the Truth” comes out Dec. 19, says that he purposely asked Oscar nominee Angela Bassett to be in this story about a D.C. reporter who serves time protecting her source to make the film more realistic.

“She’s really one of the world’s great actors,” Lurie said. “I’ll tell you this. I’ll be very truthful with you–maybe to my detriment. I wanted to cast a black actor in that role or some significant role because I wanted to have real-world diversity, but also what’s realistic is that in the Washington, D.C. prison it’s 95 percent African American. I thought it would be uncouth to have a movie where every African American is a guard or a prisioner. ”

Plus, even though newspapers aren’t the most diverse environment these days Lurie felt it would look unrealistic to not have an African American represented in a D.C. newsroom.

“I don’t personally know of any African American female editors, but I thought that it would be very cool to sort of fictionally, at least, break that barrier. Angela was very game with that, too. I think that’s another reason why she did it. I don’t know what her exact fee was but it wasn’t the Angela Bassett fee.”

The role was originally cast with Edie Falco of “The Sopranos” but she had scheduling conflicts. Joining Bassett in this project are the film’s star Kate Beckinsale, Bassett’s current “ER” costar Noah Wylie, her real-life husband Courtney B. Vance and Vera Farmiga.

Lurie, by the way, who also directed “Resurrecting the Champ” with Samuel L. Jackson, indicated he’d love to do a film on one of his old high school classmates from Hawaii. His name is Barack Obama.

Angela Shopping in Beverly Hills

2008-11-13T17:29:00.000-08:00

Angela Bassett was caught by the paparazzi yesterday, shopping in Beverly Hills. She was working a Fendi bag and looking completely flawless. Be sure to catch her tonight in a special episode of ER on NBC!

Angela's Derriere?

I think the French are BassettHounds as well or maybe just fans of her behind! This soon to be released french film, A Christmas Tale, shows a dysfunctional family that lost a son in the past. When their other son comes home with a new girlfriend with some extra junk in the trunk, they say she looks like Angela Bassett through out the rest of the film! Below you can watch a clip from the movie including the Angela's derriere joke and an explanation from the director, Arnaud Desplechin!

I couldn't resist asking about something you reference twice in the film: Angela Bassett's ass. What inspired specifically hers for a recurring joke?

I mean, we are speaking about such an amazing lady. You have to be brave when you write such a line because you are trying to make a good joke, and in French, maybe no one will laugh because no one knows her. I'm an absolute fan of Angela Bassett. I think she's a great, great actress. In the biopics, she is so moving. She's very rare. It's something that doesn't happen that much, to see an actress inventing a new way of showing "woman" onscreen, and a new way of being beautiful. You remember this great film, a science fiction movie: "Strange Days"? Her beauty was new and shocking. Plus, I love her butt in "Vampire in Brooklyn," have you seen this film? Great film. Great butt. And her performance as Tina Turner? Beautiful legs, too.

Angela and Courtney Together on Small Screen

2008-11-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

Check out an interview from this husband and wife acting team and find out how they like working together, and why Courtney will not run his lines with Angela.

Last week was the introduction of Courtney’s character, Russell Banfield. There is obviously some tension between the couple and it looks like this week's episode, "Heal Thyself," is going to shed some light on this situation. Angela’s character, Dr. Cate Banfield, rescues a three-year-old girl from drowning in a lake, which triggers flashbacks to their son having a stroke. He is taken to County where they come in contact with Dr. Greene (Anthony Edwards). What seems to make Russell more upset than his son; is Cate acting like a doctor rather than a mother. Tune in BassettHounds to see how this story unfolds.

Here are some clips and well as behind the scenes footage from the upcoming episode "Heal Thyself" which airs this Thursday at 10/9c on NBC.

Angela's Beauty Secrets?

2008-11-03T14:15:00.000-08:00

"Angela Bassett personifies the kind of woman who buys Olay products. She has ageless beauty and an aura of sophistication but she's also very likable and real, a very rare combination," said Brenda Blonski, senior vice president/group creative director at Burrell who handles Procter & Gamble's African-American marketing.

We all know Angela seems to get better with age, so is this her secret? Angela became the official spokesperson for Olay in 2005 and is still going strong with a new print ad for Quench body lotion. You can check out this ad in magazines such as Essence and Ebony. Below you can also see the commercial ads for Olay Definity and Olay Definity Eye Illuminator.

Angela and the Twins in Costume for Halloween!

2008-10-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

Angela Bassett is the animal wrangler this Halloween season while her twins keep her busy as the animals. Slater is the cutest giraffe in the safari and Bronwyn is the fiercest flamingo!

Check out this months issue of EBONY Magazine. Angela's on the back cover looking lovely in lavender and modeling for Olay! Have fun BassettHounding!

Angela and Courtney Photos and More!

2008-10-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Photos of Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance from the episode "Heal Thyself"! Their very first TV appearance together is set to air on NBC November 6th! The couple, who celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary in Chicago filming another episode of ER, are producing a film called Erasure together. The film will star Courtney as a frustrated writer and marks Angela's directorial debut. Its still a mystery if she will star also or when production will begin but we will keep you updated, BassettHounds!

This is the official theatrical trailer for the movie Notorious. It looks like theres plenty that we dont know about the Notorious B.I.G. that they'll be revealing in the film. Including his affairs and unclaimed daughter, plus his friend that went to jail for him. I've got high hopes for this production...

One question though: wheres the Jamaican accent, Angela? That was the high point of my excitement for this film! Check for it in theaters, 1-16-09!

Angie B is on Tonight!

2008-10-23T10:35:00.000-07:00

Angela honors the late Sonja Davis at the Diamond in the Raw Stuntwomen Luncheon...

Sonja Davis stunt doubled for many leading African American actresses in Hollywood, included Angela Bassett. Sonja Davis opened the doors for many stuntwomen to follow in her career path. Her untimely death was a major loss to the stunt community and to the entertainment industry. Tragically, Ms. Davis succumbed to traumatic head injuries from a high fall on the set of “Vampire in Brooklyn.” Ms. Bassett payed tribute to the legacy of Sonja Davis by presenting The Gone But Not Forgotten Award to her loved ones. OBAMA 08!

Who wears short shorts?
The Queen wears short shorts! I know I'm cheesy but I love these photos! Angela shows off her American pride (and those amazing legs) in Italian Vogue! OBAMA 08!

Angela Bassett is urging you to vote early! As part of a campaign to get Black Americans in the polls early, celebrities (including Brandy, LisaRaye, and Angela) have recorded PSAs in hopes of "avoiding voter suppression and confusion at the polls." Read more at [CNSNews.com]

Listen or Download Angela's PSA recording here!
You know Angela's voting for...OBAMA 08!

Catch Angie B on these shows Tonight!

Watch the preview of the movie Notorious on the BET Hip Hop Awards 8pm BET
(if you like spoilers: one of the lines in the clip is Angela as Biggie's mom asking "What kind of grown [expletive] man calls himself Puffy?")

ER 15.4 Parental Guidance- Dr. Banfield's morning workouts come in handy when she has to defend herself from a robber 10pm NBC

ER Video: Angela Bassett's First Episode

2008-10-04T12:52:00.000-07:00

Angela Bassett's premiere episode on ER airs this coming Thursday, October 9! Lets show our support and tune in, BassettHounds!

Plus: Maura Tierney talks about working with Angela on ER!

More AB News:

Angela talks ER, working with her husband, not working with Mekhi Phifer, and growing up in Florida at [TampaBay.com]

Angie B will appear on The View this Thursday also talking with the ladies about her new TV gig! Be sure to catch that interview [ABC.com]

Its rumored that Angie B is signed on to another 2009 movie project called Mama Black Widow. According to Wikipedia.org, Angela says playing the lead character, Mama Tilson, would "be the role of a lifetime. You don't find stories of this caliber very often mainly because studios are afraid of them." We'll let you know if we hear more! Keep BassettHounding!

Notorious Trailer and More AB News!

2008-09-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

Other BassettHound-Worthy Media

Angela Bassett proves shes an Obama Girl in Denver at [Youtube.com]
Invisible Woman shows us another side of "Meeting the Browns" at [Invisible Cinema]
Rappers get respectful while driving Ms. Bassett at [Youtube.com]

Paging Dr. Bassett

2008-09-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

(ER's Season 15 Cast )

Actually it will be Dr. Cate Banfield, but nevertheless we all know where the BassettHounds will be Thursday nights thanks to the new addition to the long running TV series ER. For its 15th and final season, Angela will join the cast as ‘The boss, the queen and the chief of the ER’ as she puts it, but the BassettHounds already knew that would be the case.

With this being Angela's first full time TV series role, we are excited but still wanted to know what to expect. ER Executive Producer David Zabel says, "Angela's got such huge energy, so much passion, force and strength, For years we've said, 'Wouldn't it be great for Angela Bassett to come in and kick asses?' And so far, she's exceeded my expectations more than my expectations have ever been exceeded before."

To add another first, Courtney will join his wife on set as her on screen husband Russell Banfield. Although the two have worked together on two other projects including a stage play, this is the first time they will appear on screen together. Personally, this is a cherry on top to be able to see the chemistry these two will have on screen.

Tune in Thursday nights to NBC and watch as the acting queen takes over the ER. You can catch up on ER and find more information about season 15 including a scan of Angela's TV Guide feature at [ERheadquarters.com]

The BassettHounds Tribute Bernie Mac

2008-08-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

Personally Bernie Mac was my all-time favorite comedian. His sense of ironic humor, comedic timing, and the use of the word muthaf*cka always kept me laughing. I'm sure hes doing the same in heaven. Forever in our hearts, we'll miss you Bernie. This is for you...

Gospel Hill Trailer

2008-06-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

Wayne Barrow and Diddy talk "Notorious"

2008-05-09T10:14:00.000-07:00

In this clip the producer of Notorious, Wayne Barrow, answers questions from fans via the set in NYC. Of course I had to ask a question about Angie B and Wayne actually gets right to it in the beginning of the video. He also tells us about how he met B.I.G. and how Voletta Wallace always had Angela Bassett in mind to play her in the film.

Go and ask Wayne a question too at his blog: [NotoriousBlog.net]

Diddy is impressed...

Next we've got Diddy (more appropriately, Puff Daddy) telling MTV how impressed he is with Derek Luke, who plays Puff in the movie. Diddy (who is also a producer for the film) reveals that the movie will put emphasis on Biggie's mom and her influence on the real Biggie Smalls. Which translates to us BassettHounds as more Angela! Read more...

"It's rare that you get a movie made about you when you're still relevant, but [they] took on the challenge," Combs said of the cast, adding that he was especially impressed with actor Derek Luke, who is playing Diddy. "People asked me years ago who you'd want to play me, and I said Derek Luke ... so it was just destined. I got to see him do his thing, and it was scary for me. I had to leave, 'cause he was acting just like me."

But as much as the film is about music, about the story of one man's journey from Brooklyn to the penthouse, it's more about Biggie's mother, Combs asserted. Voletta Wallace, who lives in the New Jersey house her son owned, will be played in the film by Oscar nominee Angela Bassett.

"It's not my movie," Combs said. "A lot of people don't know this, but it's not my movie. It's Miss Wallace's movie. It's from a mother's perspective. I'm just there as support."
[MTV.com]

"Notorious" is scheduled for a January 16th, 2009 release!

AB Movie Photos: Notorious and Gospel Hill!

2008-05-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to [BuzzFoto.com] for snapping these pics of Angela Bassett shooting a scene in "Notorious" on Monday. Angela plays Voletta Wallace who is attending her son's funeral.

Wayne Barrow, producer of Notorious, provided this video of the cast and crew of the film!

About 1:47 in the video you can check out Angie B on the set of Notorious with Voletta Wallace herself!

Gospel Hill

Gospel Hill is still waiting to be released in the US later this year but the film's production company, 6 Sales, has some exclusive photos of Angela and the cast at their site: [6sales.es] You can see more photos of Angela and the cast (including Nia Long, Samuel L. Jackson, Danny Glover, Julia Stiles, and Giancarlo Esposito) and a seriously gripping teaser clip from the movie via their website.

Angela Bassett in Gospel Hill

In other Angie B News... Despite growing controversy, Danny Glover plans to shoot and direct the historic biopic Toussaint, in Venezuela this summer/fall 2008 using nearly $20 million from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Don Cheadle and Angela Bassett are to star as Toussaint and Suzanne L'Ouverture. [source]

Angela joins TV's ER

2008-04-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

Angela Bassett, who gained critical acclaim for her portrayal of Tina Turner, will become a regular in the upcoming final series of the long-running show, ER.

The Hollywood Reporter says Bassett will "play a nurse with a troubled past whose arrival causes a storm" and "promises to shake County General's ER to the core".

Bassett's character will make her entrance in episode two (of the 19 episodes planned for the final season), returning to Chicago after working in Indonesia as a tsunami relief worker.

Executive producer John Wells said: "Angela is a wonderfully talented actress whom I've long hoped to work with."

Source:[HollywoodReporter.com]

From Simonique: Angela's done TV before but its been a TV movie here (The Rosa Parks Story) or a guest star role there (Alias). ER is AB history, it marks the very first time Angela is to be a regular cast member in an entire season on a television show. BassettHounds, you know what that means: our Thursday nights are booked! (smile)

Angela has a solid example of success in television right at home with her husband, Courtney B. Vance, who was a regular on Law & Order: Criminal Intent for 5 seasons.

Right now ER stars Mekhi Phifer and airs every Thursday at 10pm. And according to her character's description, it sounds like Angie is going to bring the drama, like we know she can, every week with Mekhi and the cast. Visit [NBC.com] for more ER!

In other Angie B News...
Filming for The Notorious B.I.G. Movie is reportedly wrapping this month in NYC. Heres what Angela had to say about playing Biggie's Mama in the movie:

What did you think when Voletta Wallace asked you to portray her in 'Notorious'?

Angela Bassett: I was yeah mortified (laughs). No it was a great complement, a great complement and scary because you want to do it justice and she has this accent that she doesn't think she has (laughs). To work on that is so it's scary, and unreal.

How familiar were you with Biggie Smalls?

Angela Bassett: A little bit not, I saw documentaries and 'I love it when you call me big papa'. I was into that song but not the whole discography but that's alright because [his mother] said she wasn't familiar with all he was doing, all that was his world out there.

Plan to see Angela in "Notorious" come January 16th, 2009

Beanie Sigel's Love Letter to Angela

2008-04-10T15:48:00.000-07:00

Broad Street Bully Beanie Sigel shows Angela Bassett some Thug Passion:

By the time this reaches you, I pray it finds you in the best of health–physically, spiritually and mentally. It’s been a while since I’ve seen your beautiful face, and although we haven’t met, I feel as though I’ve known you forever. So allow me to apologize if I’ve affected you by addressing you so personally in the opening of my letter. That merely wasn’t my intent.

I’d like to thank you for being by my side in times of hardship. Some unfortunate events that occured in my life forces me to reside in a residential facility a few years back. You see, while inside the barbed-wire stockade, I found relief in your beautiful face and bright smile, which gave space and lit up the dim gray walls it was posted on in the small cell I was confined in.

I’d often find myself staring at your picture and letting my imagination run free, falling asleep escaping the concrete walls that barricade me. I’d dream that I took you on the perfect date, out of this world. We’d take a magic carpet ride through the sky, then go roller-skating around the rings of Saturn. We’d sit on on the edge of a crescent moon and pitch stars into the Milky Way. There I would propose to you and offer the sun as an engagement ring. We would make love on a bed of clouds, fall fast asleep, then slowly drift back to Earth.

In closing, it’d be real special to have the chance to meet you. I know love wouldn’t have anything to do with it, and I’m sure that your groove is intact. :) It’d be a dream come true.

Until I close my eyes and we meet again, stay as beautiful as you are.

Soft words from a hardened heart,

Beanie Sigel

P.S. To Whom It May Concern: If this letter does not meet its intended destination, please send it to heaven, because it was meant for an angel.

Simonique's 2 Cents:

I thought this was actually a really sweet letter (if only a little cliche) that Beanie felt compelled to write after being inspired by Angela in a positive way. Its no different from D.L. Hughley who confesses his love for Angie whenever he has the chance. I didnt find it weird or surprising in the least bit, Angela is a stunner you know. Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker, and Rick Fox would definitely agree, all 3 men showed to support Ang at her Star ceremony last month.

Although Wow Jones speculated at his site, that either Beanie or Angela's publicist came up with this to promote their respective projects. I have to say, (as a PR major and BassettHound) in the 20 plus years Angela has been a working actress in Hollywood she has never fabricated stories for a PR gain. Beanie Sigel just really loves him some Angie B! And hes not the only one!

Personal/Candid Angela B Interview

2008-03-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

Its only once in a blue moon when I get to read an Angela Bassett interview that really leaves me a little bit wiser about the acting Queen. Angie's always got something profound and enlightening to say, but its hard to find an interviewer who asks the right questions that really get "the queen to speak."

Chris Yandek is one of those interviewers that are seemingly born inquisitive. He is a journalist way too young to be so good at what he does and way too talented not be on some Entertainment show informing us of the latest celebrity news. When I read his recent interview with our girl, Ang, I was more than awed by his ability to pose questions that not only made her think but were questions that us BassettHounds would love to know. From her new Star, to her new movie, from politics to plastic surgery. I've never heard an AB interview quite like this one. So of course I was happy to chat with Chris about the interview that he says he'll never forget with a woman who we all can admire. Here is his commentary on how the interview came to be:

Chris Yandek on Preparing for Angie B!

I am 22 years old and have been interviewing people since I was 15. It's been 7.5 years and over 500 interviews by now, but Angela Bassett left me something I will never forget.

On Thursday March 20th I was sitting at a computer in one of my classes at the University of Florida. I am a junior majoring in Telecommunications of course. I had received an email from one of my favorite publicists. She told me tomorrow she was running a media tour with Angela Bassett for her latest movie Meet The Browns and asked me if I'd like one of the interview times. I wrote back and said absolutely. Trying hard not to cheer I left my class and thought about the interview.

The evening before the interview I prepared and thought about the social issues I could talk about with her the following morning. I had never been scared or intimidated to ask somebody about anything. I knew I had to include talk of black churches in America, talk about Obama's campaign, and talked about her aging gracefully. As I tell her in the interview, she looks damn good and way younger than her age of 49. Finally at around midnight I did a news search and found out she had just gotten her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I had my interview direction and knew I would make the most of my time.

The next morning I sat up as I always do and waited for the call. She arrived early and asked again where the interview was going. I promised I'd get it out there and she accepted that. We did a quick sound check and the interview started at around 10:20 AM EST my time and 7:20 AM PST her time. The difference between this and other interviews is that it felt more personal. I felt like she was a friend I knew and someone I respected. I could also tell she valued my originality and my ability to not ask the same things she's heard over and over again. It was more a conversation with a friend and I wasn't afraid of her and she was very comfortable with me.

I think it's important to talk about a star's movie, project, but they also enjoy talking about personal and social issues as well. I always have believed it's important to get some things that are new and real out of every interview subject. It's how I try to stand out as a media personality besides being compelling.

As the interview ended I said my goodbye and I was shaking a little bit. The legends of the business leave you with something you never forget. I encourage anyone who is a fan of hers or entertainment in general to check it out. There aren't many like her. I look forward to the day when I can meet my fellow Floridian in person and tell her thanks for an amazing interview and story that I will carry with me the rest of my life. If only every interview could be as personal, inspiring, and real as that one, but I give my all in everything I do.

Chris

You can listen to the entire interview via Chris's site [CYInterview.com]

Angela Receives Her Star

2008-03-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

The Bassetthounds are always boasting of Angela's radiance on and off screen. Therefore we were more than proud on March 20th as Angela's star shined through when she received the 2,358th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"Who would have thought that a little girl in pigtails from St. Petersburg, Florida, would grow up to find herself gazing at a star with her name on it, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? This day is so, so special to me."

Along with this being a well deserved honor, the praise she received from Forest Whitaker, Rick Fox and Laurence Fishburne (who opened with a leap of happiness) caused Angela to become emotional on her big day. “Do you ever have one of those days? When you wake up and the sun wasn't quite shining but then it bursts through the clouds and its glorious. When you smile out at people and every face you see smiles back at you? All you can say is hallelujah!"

Forest Whitaker described Angela as "a powerful artist, a beautiful person, a mother, a wife, a friend who illuminates my life".

The twins were in attendance on their Mom's big day and nearly stole the show!

Giving thanks to fans, artists, friends and family including Courtney, Bronwyn and Slater who were there to share the unveiling, Angela expressed how honored and humbled she was. "I would like to thank all of you fans who have supported me in a steadfast, loving and respectful manner always. I am a fan of you."

We at Angie B News can only echo what was expressed by Laurence Fishburne, "Thanks for sharing your gift with the world."

Congratulations Angela!

TV Appearances

2008-03-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

Angela and Rick Fox will be counting down videos and doing interviews while promoting “Meet The Browns” this week. They will be making appearances on BET's 106 & Park, hosting VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown, and tomorrow Angela will be on ABC's The View, promoting her newest film.

BET's 106 & Park- Monday, March 17th, 6PM PST (re airs 11AM PST)
The View- Tuesday, March 18th, 10AM PST
VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown- Saturday, March 22nd

Check local listings for times (TVGuide.com) and set those VCR's and DVR's!

Angela: Living Legend

2008-03-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

Alongside Sheryl Lee Ralph, Della Reese and Alfre Woodard, Angela was honored at an annual community event which was held at the El Segundo Branch of Los Angeles Public Library System. This is the 29th Annual African-American Living Legends event where organizers pay tribute to African-American individuals and groups whose work have contributed to America’s culture and to the African-American community.

Pete Allman with a Living Legend

Pete Allman of News Blaze had the opportunity to speak to the ladies honored and had this to say of Angela.

After the ceremony, I spoke with Angela Bassett, a truly talented, warm and giving person.

"God surprisingly empowered my conscience that points me in a ...decent direction, every step of the way. God gives us our own free will. It's up to us to be passionate about learning through His words. He knows our complete potential... man will be disruptive. It is the 'I Am' that gives us the power."

Bassett paid homage to the library system and the power of books in her life "...I was able to travel, daydream and imagine," she told the audience. "I know we have the Internet, but I'm a tactile person. I like to touch and hold a book."

With a solemn pause, she added, "Being in the library also taught me how to sit down somewhere and be quiet."

Meet The Browns Premiere

2008-03-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

Angela looked gorgeous walking down the red carpet at the premiere of “Meet The Browns” which was held at the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles.

Angela Talks With Tavis Smiley

2008-03-13T18:07:00.000-07:00

Angela was recently a guest on the Tavis Smiley show discussing how being raised by a single mother helped her relate to her character in “Meet the Browns,” how motherhood has changed her acting choices, and even her upcoming role as Voletta Wallace. Below you can read parts of the interview, but you can check out the full transcript, a video clip and listen to the interview at the Tavis Smiley website.

Tavis: To the point that you made earlier, so many of your fans know you first and foremost as an actor who can pull off a serious role of drama in anything you do. Is that a good thing?

Bassett: Yeah, sometimes, especially in straight life where my friends say, "You have to do a comedy." They think I'm awfully funny. But it's like it's so - it's difficult. It's easier, I think, to make people cry than it is to make them laugh.

Tavis: Do you think so? Why do you say that?

Bassett: I don't know. I get so - what's funny to one, certain things that pull the heart. A child that doesn't eat, or going through a difficult time, or a mother who loses a son, or whatever the case might be. A father dreams for his son and they don't pan out, that sort of thing. That's universal. But what's funny to you and what's funny to me? It can be very different.

Tavis: Has being a mother in any way changed your acting, changed your acting choices, changed your priorities about acting...

Bassett: It hasn't changed my choices, because I've always been picky or discerning or choosy or whatever the case may be. I'm always looking for what's the message, what's the point, what's the purpose, what's the greater good, what's the (makes noise). That sort of thing. Even whether it's comedy or whether it's drama, just there's got to be a reason for it.

Tavis: You had a list a moment ago, Angela, of four or five things right quick, you ran this list of things that you are looking for when you're trying to figure out whether or not it's the right role for you to play. That's a pretty heady list. I raise that only because I wonder whether or not you don't see stuff often enough that matches up with what you're trying to find.

Bassett: It comes along. For an actor, it don't come along as often as we would like it to, but then at times it does. For instance, this past year it's been just a slate of things coming one after the other, which has been really nice. And this movie, the last, and now going to do "Notorious B.I.G." playing Voletta Wallace, the mother of Biggie Smalls. So it comes, it makes its way to me, yeah.

Tavis: We were having a conversation here on the set the other day between tapings talking about the number of African Americans who have either won or been nominated for Academy Awards and really what the trajectory of their career was after the win or after the nomination. Has your career thought it was going to go after receiving one of those heady nominations?

Bassett: Well I always try to look back to the beginning of the career, when there was nothing, when there was no one to guide me through it or whatever, so the entire career has been more than I ever dreamt of or ever imagined, so that's the great thing. And of course early on, before they could put your face and your name together, your face and name recognition, you just go in and work back to back to back. But once you ascend and you have more recognition, greater parts, bigger everything, then it has - it's not as - it doesn't come as back-to-back as it did.

Tavis: Exactly. Especially now with two babies.

Bassett: Yeah. And as I said, actors, we're never satisfied. You're always going "When is the next job?"

Tavis: Yeah, you still love it, though.

Bassett: Unless you're winding up in every other picture. Then it's too much of you.

Tavis: Angela Bassett is overexposed.

Bassett: So as long as it's good, as long as it's good work, I think.

Tavis: Speaking of good work, it's hard to find an actor in this town better than Angela Bassett, and she stars in "Meet the Browns," Tyler Perry's new project, at a theater near you, as they say. Angela, nice to see you.

Bassett: Thank you, you too.

New Meet The Browns Trailer

2008-02-28T14:16:00.000-08:00

Here is the new extended Meet The Browns trailer that is set to Mary J. Blige “Come To Me.” The more they give us, the more excited we are for this film to come out. It has been a while since our drama queen has been the leading lady, and Meet The Browns does not look like it is going to disappoint. March 21st can't get here fast enough!

Angela at 39th NAACP Image Awards

2008-02-19T12:46:00.000-08:00

Angela presented outstanding actor at the 39th NAACP Image Awards alongside costar of the upcoming film "Meet the Browns", Rick Fox.

Angela was looking gorgeous as always, which maybe the reason D.L. Hughley decided to confess his love for her. Check out the video.

Exclusive New Movie Photos!

2008-02-15T10:53:00.000-08:00

Gospel Hill

Movie Poster for the Giancarlo Esposito flick, "Gospel Hill"!

Gospel Hill is already a success overseas where they've screened the film in Berlin. More news on this movie coming!

Of Boys and Men

Angela with Jasmyne Cannick at the Pan African Film Festival premiere for "Of Boy and Men"

Angela Bassett in the car scene from Robert Townsend's "Of Boys and Men"

Meet the Browns

This is definitely the best MTB poster yet! Meet the Browns on March 21st, 2008!

Angela in MTB Movie Trailer!

2008-01-23T10:53:00.000-08:00

Angela Bassett is the leading lady of Tyler Perry's newest film, "Meet the Browns", sure to be a classic for all the BassettHounds. Here is the official movie trailer for the film that features our Angie B. We cant say this enough: "Meet the Browns" hits theaters March 21st, 2008. All 3 of us can say we know where we'll be that friday. Keep Hounding!

More Angie B Videos
Interview:
Angie celebrated her MLK day in Cleveland!
Angela and Courtney B. Vance on Morris Cerullo's Helpline!

Angie's New Role

2008-01-15T19:14:00.000-08:00

BLACKVOICES.COM just revealed the very first cast member to officially sign on to the upcoming Biggie Smalls movie. We are still waiting for confirmation of this latest bit of Angie B News but we'll share what we know so far:

Sources close to the forthcoming biopic, 'Notorious,' the life story of late rapper The Notorious B.I.G. (real name: Christopher Wallace), tell me that Oscar-nominated actress Angela Bassett ('What's Love Got To Do With It') has been cast to play the late rapper's mother Voletta Wallace. Bassett, who'll next star in 'Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns,' is apparently the first officially person cast in the George Tillman Jr.-directed feature film.

What the BassettHounds Have to Say:

"I'm more of a Tupac fan myself but this'll be worth seeing just to hear Angela speaking with Voletta's Jamaican accent! I trust Angela and her choices. If she signed on to this project then it must have something going for it." -Simonique

"Why not? After Katherine, Betty, Tina, and Rosa, let's just add Voletta to the list. I don't think [Angela] is going to have a problem with the accent. I am just glad to see she is constantly working now. Although, the twins do need their momma around." -Amanda

"I can see why they would cast [Angela] as Big's mom because it follows a pattern of women that she has played in the past. I think she can definitely convey all the many emotions that his mother has felt - the love, tenderness, hurt, pain and anger of it all." -Natacia

This is the "teaser poster" for Meet the Browns via Lionsgate.com The movie trailer will be coming soon so keep checking back!

Angie snagging up the trendiest toys for her two kiddies at the celebrity giveaway hotspot, "The Boom Boom Room"! Go visit Mommy Needs a Cocktail to see more pictures of Angie shopping for the twins.

Whats That Got to Do WIth It?

2007-12-02T05:57:00.000-08:00

Random Angie B News!

I'm getting more and more excited about "Meet the Browns" the movie and heres the source of my excitement:

Two New Movie Stills of Angela Bassett in MTB

*Ever since I've seen these pictures I've been trying to get that wavy haired look Angie's got in this movie. But my version isnt as well done. Anybody know the secret to Angela's waves? Email me!*

Tyler Perry disclosed (via his email updates at tylerperry.com) that he'll be releasing the movie trailer for "Meet the Browns" very soon. So I'll be posting the trailer as soon as its available.

Heres a radio interview Angela did just last month in Memphis while filming "Nothing But the Truth"

In anticipation of the release of "Of Boys & Men" next month herea a picture of Angela on the set of the film last March 2007:

"Meet the Browns" Movie Poster / Angela & Courtney Set to Tell 'Truth'

2007-11-16T12:56:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a fellow BassettHound named Aaron, we've got the first look at the official "Meet the Browns" Movie Poster! According to Aaron, you can find the poster in the back of the program when you see Tyler Perry's currently touring play, "Whats Done in the Dark". They're playing in Chicago now.

You can expect to "Meet the Browns" next year, March 21st 2008. Lionsgate, the distribution company behind all of Tyler Perry's films, stated recently that they'll be releasing Tyler's latest movies (including 'Browns') internationally instead of soley in the States thanks to the success of "Why Did I Get Married".

Quick AB Newsflash: The Bible Experience (The Old Testament Version) is now available on CD or MP3 format. I bought The New Testament version via Amazon.com but any mainstream online store will get you The Bible Experience.
To listen to a clip of Angela Bassett as Esther go to [Zondervan.com] Thanks to Jean at Zondervan!

Angela isnt the only one set to tell the "Truth"
According to CommercialAppeal.com, Courtney "Brown Eyes" Vance is also making an appearance in the upcoming film "Nothing But the Truth" along with his wife of 10 years. This marks the very first feature film the couple have collorborated on (excluding 1995's Panther). We have yet to find out which character Courtney is playing in the film but if Angela is "playing" the boss of a major newspaper then it wouldnt be a stretch if Courtney were her partner in deligating.

Excerpts from "Cast and Costume" by Barbara Bradley

A cap sleeve black dress Angela Bassett wears in "Nothing But the Truth" spotlights her toned arms, lending a subtle physical authority to her role as editor of the fictitious Washington newspaper, The Capital Sun-Times. Was that intentional?

"If you have to show something, it's better than your belly button," said Bassett, smiling, as she waited between scenes shot recently in The Commercial Appeal newsroom on Union Avenue.

But no. The Ellen Tracy belted dress was chosen for its sophistication, which may also account for Bassett's four-inch, stack heels, perhaps the tallest that ever traversed the real newsroom's ink-stained carpet.

Print journalists, never known for sartorial chic, may smile at the stylish duds worn by actors who portray them. (Actors get more beauty help too. At one point, Bassett snapped her fingers and someone rushed over and buffed her arms.) But so many considerations influence costume selection, it's a wonder actors ever emerge from their dressing rooms at all.

The cast includes Kate Beckinsale as the ill-fated reporter; Noah Wyle as a lawyer for the newspaper; Vera Farmiga as the outed agent; and Alan Alda as a high profile, smooth-talking attorney defending Beckinsale's character. Rounding out the stellar cast are Matt Dillon, David Schwimmer and Bassett's real-life husband Courtney B. Vance.

"I get to weigh in with my idea of the character," said Bassett. "I do have power suits, (for Bonnie Benjamin, the editor she portrays), but I felt she shouldn't be mannish. She's strong enough to express her feminine side."

Sometimes actors get to keep the clothes they wear in the film, said Bassett, which can make choosing what is right for the character painful. "Angela loves that!" said Bassett, breaking into a wide smile as she recalled a proposed outfit she had felt it necessary to discard. "But that is going," she told herself. "It's not Bonnie. Bonnie wouldn't wear that."

Read the entire article at [CommercialAppeal.com]

Doesnt it look like celebrity stylist, Philip Bloch, just told a naughty joke?

New Movie: "Nothing But the Truth"

2007-10-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

Nope, we're not joking, Angie is attached to her 5th feature film this year (can you hear the joy in my voice?). Its a political thriller with an ensemble cast titled "Nothing But the Truth." Rod Lurie wrote and directs the film about a female newspaper reporter who outs a CIA agent and is imprisoned for refusing to reveal her source. Angela will play Bonnie Brillstein, filming for "Nothing But the Truth" began last wednesday (Oct. 10th) and the movie is set to hit theaters September 19th 2008. We'll keep you updated on Angela's role in this movie and for more details visit [Hollywood.com].

According to Beliefnet.com Angela is the 6th Most Powerful Christian in Hollywood!

She's played such iconic women as Rosa Parks, Betty Shabazz (Malcolm X's wife), and Tina Turner, and voiced Queen Esther in the audio "The Bible Experience." Along the way, Angela Bassett has picked up a Golden Globe and been nominated for an Oscar, an Emmy, and many other major awards. Like Denzel Washington, Bassett is a longtime worshipper at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ. Though she rarely speaks to the media about her faith, Bassett recently told the L.A. Times, "When you realize that every breath is a gift from God. When you realize how small you are, but how much he loved you. That he, Jesus, would die, the son of God himself on earth, then you...you just weep." She added, "Loving God is like my being black. I just am. [No one says] 'You know what? I'm gonna be blacker today!' It's my culture. It's not something I put on or take off or show more. You just communicate that in the way you live your life."

Check out the other 11 Powerful Christians in Hollywood at [Beliefnet.com]

Angie & Courtney Sitting in a Tree...

2007-10-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

K-I-S-S-I-N-G
First comes love then comes marriage...

Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance celebrate their 10th year wedding anniversary today. It was 10 years ago today Angela was dressed in a white Escada gown and Courtney in a tux and they were saying their vows in the late Lou Rawls' home in front of family and friends. Angela and Courtney Vance have become that inspiring power couple, the couple to model your own relationship after. The BassettHounds know "the best is yet to come" for this two-some and after 10 years we dont imagine these two asking "Why Did I Get Married?" but maybe "Why Didnt We Get Married Sooner?"

Happy Anniversary Angela and Courtney Vance!

The Bassett Body/ Our Friend Fred

2007-09-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

The Bassett Body

We all know Angela Bassett is amazing at what she does. She can act like a beaten down singer, a mad ex-wife, a civil rights leader. Shoot she could act like a 10 year old with a mild case of amnesia if she wanted to. But never mind all that, have you seen her body?

If you havent, Stella lost her groove, go watch how she got it back. If you have, you've probably thought to yourself, "how do I get a body like that?" Well Chasity Johnson of Blackdoctor.org tells us exactly how to get the toned arms, the six-pack abs, and the defined legs that are better known as "The Bassett Body." Isuggest you continue reading but dont be surprised if you feel the urge to head to the gym afterwards:

According to Harley Pasternak, author and former personal trainer of Bassett, he keeps his clients, including Halle Berry and Eve, fit on his patented 5-Factor Diet. The 5-Factor Diet consists of working out 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week and eating 5 meals a day.

Eating five meals a day raises your metabolism and provides a steady stream of vital nutrients, including protein, which helps your body develop a toned and fit physique. Pasternak encourages his clients to eat foods that include low fat, quality protein(chicken, turkey, fish, and shellfish), moderate carbohydrates, fiber and healthy fats(like omega-3 found in salmon), and drink sugar free beverages.

Now that we’ve covered how to eat like Bassett, let’s move on to working out like her and getting that fab body. Paternak suggests working out 5 days a week for 25 minutes a day, incorporating strength training and cardio in 5-minute intervals. Bassett’s extraordinary physique is extremely toned and sculpted. You can’t achieve a look like this without incorporating some kind of weight training in your workout routine.

To get those killer Bassett legs while satisfying the cardio portion of Paternak’s 5-Factor Diet, try walking. Don’t forget to always stretch thoroughly before you start exercising. When walking be sure to stand erect and tall. Do not lean forward or backwards, this places unnecessary strain on your muscles. Use the heel to toe technique. Start out by walking for 15 minutes a day 3x a week, during your first week. Try to walk on the same days every week for consistency. Every week add 5 minutes until you get to 30 minutes a day. It is fine to stay at 30 minutes a day, but if you feel up for it you can add additional increments of 5 until you reach a time limit you are comfortable with.

Now you have the tools to getting that Bassett Body, but don’t forget it takes more than knowledge it takes motivation. Bassett told writer Cheryl Johnson fear is her biggest motivator to stay fit. She credits the physicality of the roles she plays as a motivating factor to keeping in shape. Fear may not be your motivation, but whatever it is keep it in mind during your quest for the Bassett Body. It’s what will keep you moving and take you closer and closer to your goal.

If you want more AB workout tips visit [BlackVoices.com]

Our Friend Fred

Fredrick Johnson is a friend of The BassettHounds and a friend to Angela and Courtney, but hes also the head honcho of his business Affluent Techonolgy that caters to celebrities' computer-based needs. If you're famous and you think a "Megabyte" is what a shark does when he smells food, then Fred is your guy!

Angela Bassett and her husband Courtney B. Vance are one of Hollywood's power couples, but to Frederick Johnson, they're also a small business -- and an opportunity.

He started Affluent Technology in late 2004 as a spin-off from his day job as president and CIO of Ross-Tek, a 10-year-old solution provider based in Cleveland, Ohio. Growing up, his parents worked for Don King's boxing promotion company and he had some access to boxers and other VIPs. A few years ago, he sought to find a way to meld his IT background with his celebrity connections. Affluent Technology was born.

For example, Affluent Technology has helped the Oscar-nominated ("What's Love Got to Do With It") Bassett and "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" star Vance with their personal IT needs as well as the needs of their production company Bassett/Vance Productions.

"Courtney and Angela are independent, successful celebrities. But they also have a company, a staff. We're responsible for the assessment, procurement and implementation of the [technology]: mobile devices, servers," Johnson said.

The couple is moving into a new home and Johnson is working with the builders to ensure their personal and professional IT needs can be met efficiently and economically, Johnson said. "We introduced Windows Home Server so they could have better segementation of the work stuff and the personal things like photos, music and household-related data," he said.

Fred has plenty more tips on how to win star business at [CRN.com]

In Random News... Danny Glover's Toussaint film is rescheduled to shoot Spring 2008. I guess all the protesting worked. [source]

Sidewalks TV

2007-09-26T16:52:00.000-07:00

Here is a cool interview for 'Friends' from Sidewalk TV. I'm sure most of you, including ME missed this rare treat. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Queen Angela!

2007-08-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Ms. Angela Bassett!
You are the epitome of a "phenomanal woman"!
Continue to inspire.

Our Queen Angie B is 49 today and The 3 BassettHounds wish her all the best in this audio clip! To the other BassettHounds- Its Angie's birthday but lets celebrate like its ours! We're thinking an AB movie marathon is in order!

Much Love,
Simonique~Natacia~Amanda

'Public School' Influences the Bassett/Vance Move

2007-08-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

From the LA Times: Actors Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance have lived in their L.A. home for 10 years -- ever since they got married. But the recent parents have different needs these days, so they have listed their home in gated Fremont Place near Hancock Park at close to $6 million.The compound they are selling has a 5,000-square-foot main house, built in 1940, with five bedrooms and six bathrooms. It has such features as a hair salon, a gourmet kitchen, an elegant foyer, a master-bedroom suite and parklike grounds. The couple added a detached 2,500-square-foot building that has an office, gym and guest quarters.The house is rich in original details and is described in the Multiple Listing Service as "a perfect blend of traditional elegance and sophistication."It wasn't size or style that prompted Bassett, 48, and Vance, 47, to list the house but schools. The couple last year became parents of twins through a surrogate. Many children who live in their gated community attend private schools, and the pair would like theirs to attend public schools when the time comes.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time for...TACIA NOTES!
It is a rarity for celebrity couples to enroll their children into public schools, but that seems to be the 'move' that Courtney and Angela are taking. Surprised? Don't be. I'm sure the couple is wanting their children to have as much of a normal life as possible (well, everyone doesn't have Angela and Courtney as their mom and dad, huh?). Way to go, Angela and Courtney! Oh, and let me just add, did anyone else catch that there is a hair salon in this house?!? :O Don't think I need to comment more on that. Just wish I had an extra 6 mil in my back pocket.

"Heres Something While You Wait"

2007-08-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you BassettHounds can tell, but there has been a gap in "AB News" for a couple of weeks now. Its not because Angela's slowing down though, shes just as busy as ever. Ang is filming two more movies this year, shes picking up and moving to what I call a fairytale castle (she calls it a home), and sources close to the Bassett-Vance clan say they're planning a family vacation.

With all that going on with Angela you'd think we'd have something to report. Nope! We're still in "AB News" limbo, but heres something while you wait: a collection of random Angela Bassett photos from this year. Until we're out of limbo: Keep Hounding!

Bronwyn and Slater with their parents making another public appearance

Robert Townsend and Angela Bassett (Of Boys & Men costars) at a film-making Q & A in Chicago.

Angela and Courtney appear here with Fred Johnson (far left) their friend and technology consultant.

Angela and Courtney went to the former mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Young's birthday bash last April. Angie is wearing the earrings that Oprah gave to her as a gift during The Legends Ball!

Angela Bassett on the set of "Gospel Hill" with costar Christy Johnson

Angela donated her "Jeans for Justice" benefiting the YWCA

I like this picture because it looks like a movie poster! Click on it to see ALL of Angela! :D

Whats That Got to Do With It?
In Random News...

COURTNEY IS WORKING AGAIN! Ever since the Bassett-Vance twins were born (Jan. 2006) Courtney B. Vance has been on an acting hiatus. Enjoying his time with his wife and new babies, yet keeping his talents from us, the television audience. But the hiatus is at an end with Courtney's newest guest star role in "State of Mind." A new Lifetime show starring Lili Taylor and Theresa Randle.

I just happened to be flipping through channels last Sunday when I see Angela's Courtney all kissed up on a white woman. I thought, "he really must not have seen Waiting to Exhale" but then I realized his kissing another woman means hes working again (because thats got to be acting, Courtney knows what hes got) and that made it all okay.

"State of Mind" is a really intriguing, intelligently funny program and Courtney looks like he'll be a regular. So check Mr. Vance out SUNDAYS at 9PM on LIFETIME and just remember hes acting.

In preparation for Angela's 49th birthday (in ten days) we've got a new poll up on the site for you to vote on. Angela's turning 49 on August 16th, BassettHounds, what should she do to celebrate? GO AND VOTE!

Angela on Set of "Meet the Browns"

2007-07-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

*Thanks to LadyGlen for providing these pictures to the BassettHounds. She visited the "Meet the Browns" set in Chicago looking to hear from Jennifer Hudson until a member of the crew told her, "Shes not here. Thats just a rumor." Instead Lady Glen got to eat lunch with the crew and see Angela Bassett and Irma P. Hall who were "very friendly and sweet." Heres what Glen said about our Angela:

Angela was very nice. She was very professional...sort of in a zone...serious. After she filmed her scenes, she relaxed, waved to us all and let us snap a few pictures. She jumped in a white van and pulled off during the lunch break.

That sounds like Angie alright. No-nonsense when shes working and in character, but when the cameras are off shes her laid back self!! Thanks again to Glen for the exclusive. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

2007-07-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

Today is a very special day for our Head Bassetthound. To the creator of Angie B News!, the person who scouted us out to join her in making such a wonderful tribute site, the Bassetthounds want to wish Simonique a very happy and blessed 19th birthday!

Love,

Natacia and Amanda
Co-Head Bassetthounds

Angela and Courtney are Movin' Out!

2007-07-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

Do any of you BassettHounds have $6 million extra dollars in your pocket and looking to move? Guess what? The Power Couple is selling their lovely house in Hancock Park!

SELLERS: Courtney Vance and Angela Bassett
LOCATION: Fremont Place, Los Angeles, CA
PRICE: $5,999,000
SIZE: 4,828 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
DESCRIPTION: Spectacular Celebrity estate in Fremont Place. This home has the perfect blend of traditional elegance & sophistication! 5 Bds, 6 Bas on a 26,595 corner lot replete w/ 2,500 sq. ft. separate 2 room office/guest + bath & full gym w/ hair salon complete this extraordinary compound. Rich w/ orig details, this fabulous home has a gourmet kitchen that opens to family room, formal liv & din room, elegant foyer, master ste w/ incredible bath & closets & park-like grounds. Included is 24/7 security of Fremont Pl.

Read the full story at [RealEstalker]

Filming News: Meet the Browns

2007-07-12T08:48:00.000-07:00

Fox & Hound
by Stella Foster

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Fabulous actress/ author Angela Bassett and handsome former L.A. Lakers star Rick Fox, ex-hubby of singer/actress Vanessa Williams, will be hitting town this weekend to start filming scenes for the new Tyler Perry movie "Meet the Browns." Bassett portrays a single mom raising three kids in the projects with a son who is a high school basketball star. Fox plays a high school basketball coach who becomes her love interest. Perry will also be in town next week, and filming will be done near Clybourn, Diversey and near 63rd & Cottage Grove. The cast and crew will be in Chicago one week and resume production in Atlanta.

*Only Angela could pull off filming two movies at the same time!

Photos: Gospel Hill Filming

2007-07-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

Angela Bassett, Danny Glover, Julia Stiles, Nia Long, and Giancarlo Esposito all on the set of "Gospel Hill"
Filming for "Gospel Hill" is more than half way completed. They'll continue filming in various locations including South Carolina until the end of July and release is set for April 2008.

Blogging about "Gospel Hill"

Ms. Rhonda blogs about her experience as an extra at [Myspace]

Andrew blogs on his role as a featured extra at [Media Mensch]

Fort Mills Times reports on how "Gospel Hill" shook up their town [source]

Celebrate Your Freedom!

2007-07-04T20:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday America!

Have a Firecracker of an Independence Day, BassettHounds!

We hope Ms. Angela Bassett is enjoying the fireworks in South Carolina. Shes out of town, filming "Gospel Hill", which makes it a good thing we can celebrate July 4th in any of the 50 United States of America!

"Celebrate your Freedom and Stay BassettHounds"

Black Issues Interview

2007-07-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

IF YOU WERE TO ASK ANGELA BASSETT AND COURTNEY B. VANCE "What's love got to do with it?" they'd answer, with heartfelt enthusiasm, "Everything." In Friends: A Love Story (Kimani Press, February 2007), the celebrities describe their first date and their courtship, which laid the foundations of their marriage of almost a decade.

During the 1980s and later, when the two actors were navigating their individual careers, they first met at Yale Drama School and bumped into each other at house parties and social events in Los Angeles. Neither had an idea they'd ever develop a unique bond. And suddenly, their hearts met, so to speak. Each separately endured romantic missteps, family tragedies and personal insights before coming together as a couple and committed life partners.

Below, Vance and Bassett discuss the collaboration on their first book, their 18-month-old twins, Slater Josiah and Bronwyn Golden, and the strength of their relationship.

Black Issues Book Review: Congratulations on the book and the additions to your family. How do you describe your new book?

Angela Bassett: Well, it's an autobiographical love story. A story that discusses love of self, love of each other and love of the craft of acting ... (And the love of God, Courtney adds.) It's told in a "he says, she says" way.

BIBR: You've had a successful marriage for quite a few years now. Can you describe the process that you and Angela developed for negotiating projects you're both involved in. Which of you gets the last word when you can't decide?

Courtney B. Vance: Our relationship, first and foremost, is based in faith, therefore our goal is to respect and support each other. Now with children in our lives, they are our first priority when reviewing potential projects, and how it will affect them. Then we weigh each project on its own merit; and finally we both try never to be working on projects at the same time, projects that would keep us apart and out of town.

Angela has a Disney animated project she's working on, and after five years of flying back and forth between Los Angeles and New York doing Law & Order: Criminal Intent, I am very content, right now, managing these changes in our household, preparing for our book tour and enjoying my time home being "Daddy" Our marriage is strong because we negotiate with each other and make decisions jointly; this creates a nurturing environment where we can both flourish.

With this project, Angela and I remained strong and united in the telling of our story; in fact, the process actually brought us closer together.

BIBR: You both have busy schedules, do you have any time for reading?

C.B.V.: More than anything right now, we are focusing on preparing the household for these children to grow up in. Because we began our family late in life, our house is not geared toward "little feet" running around. So we have begun the process of re-orienting our house to accommodate these precious jewels! It is a wonderful but time-consuming process, and one that takes complete concentration.

But our years together have prepared us for the task! And oh, yes, what books are we reading right now? What else--children's and parenting books! Angela is reading the books, and I am surfing the Web, looking for good schools. You know the old adage, "Preparation precedes blessings!"

BIBR: Are there any plans to write another book, perhaps a children's book:

A.B.: We've have been asked about writing a children's book. And we've given it some thought. So yes, there's quite a possibility. I've actually thought that one could be based on a little ditty I sing to the kids. "We're sitting in a chair, sitting in a chair, looking out of the window, what's over there, where are we going.... ?" [Angela laughs]. It [the book project] definitely has to be about something that excites children's imaginations and stimulates their curiosities.

Also check out this video interview: [Coffee with Angela and Courtney]

Chicago Exclusives!!

2007-06-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

These Chicago newspaper articles were provided to AB News! by a BassettHound by the name of Zachary Smith He was able to attend Angela and Courtney's Chicago book tour/signings last April. Heres what he told Angie B News!:

I'm elated to inform you that I was able to see my favorite actress in the world Ms. Angela Bassett as well as her husband superstar actor Mr. Courtney B. Vance this past weekend in Chicago.

At the book signing Saturday they peformed an excellent skit and took questions from those who attended. They both are very classy and down to earth individuals. Also I'm glad their Christians and that they just don't take any roles offered to them.

I was able to a picture with them which was a blessing because the owner prevented everyone after me to pose and take pictures with them. I'm glad I was able to because having a picture taken with Ms. Bassett is a chance of a lifetime.

Thanks for all of your help.

Sincerely,

Zachary Smith

Casting News: Meet the Browns

2007-06-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

Blackfilm.com has revealed exclusive casting news:

NBA player Rick Fox and Actress Jenifer Lewis have joined Angela Bassett and Tyler Perry in the cast of Perry's newest film, "Meet the Browns." Lewis will reprise her role in "Madea's Family Reunion" as the snobby wedding planner, Milay Jenay Lori. Rumors are still circulating that Jennifer Hudson will also co-star in "Meet the Browns." Although Fox and Hudson's roles in the film havent been disclosed yet, my educated guess is Fox will play Angela's love interest and Hudson will play one of Angela's 3 children. And if Lewis' character is reprising her role then a wedding/marriage is most likely underway.

Its still a mystery if Rick Fox aka Vanessa Williams' ex-hubby has any acting chops although he does have a recurring role on the FX show 'Dirt' with Courtney Cox. I hope he can act -- act real well too because Angela will make him look like a fish way far out of water if he cant bring it. I'm just happy to see Angela and Jenifer Lewis working together again since 1993's "Whats Love Got to Do With It." For those of you who read Angie's book, Friends: A Love Story, you know that Ang and Jenifer were roomates in the early 90s when Angela was just starting her career in Hollywood. They were actually roomates when they both got roles in "Whats Love" (Angela as Tina Turner, Jenifer as Tina's mama).

"Meet the Browns" starts filming next month in Atlanta and will be in theaters Feb. 2008!

Angela Bassett will face-off with the all-mighty Madea in "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns," an upcoming feature film adaptation of his popular stage play.

The actress will play the role of Brenda, a single mother who travels with her family from their home in inner-city Chicago to Georgia for the funeral of her father, whom she never met. There, she is introduced to her crazy relatives, the Browns, and also manages to find romance along the way.

Perry will again suit up as the characters of Madea and Uncle Joe in the film, which is due in theaters early next year via Lionsgate. He has played big screen versions of the characters in the films “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” and “Madea’s Family Reunion.”

Bassett, an Oscar nominee for her role as Tina Turner in the 1993 biopic “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” was last seen in Lionsgate's "Akeelah and the Bee" and the Walt Disney Co.'s "Meet the Robinsons."

Perry’s latest directorial outing, “Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?" is due in theaters Nov. 16 with stars Jill Scott, Janet Jackson, Sharon Leal, Malik Yoba, Michael Jai White and Richard T. Jones.

In other "Meet The Browns" news, Wilson Morales' Blackfilm.com is reporting that former LA Lakers forward Rick Fox and Jenifer Lewis will be joining the cast. There's no word yet on what role Fox will play.

Lewis will reprise the role that she played in "Madea's Family Reunion" as Milay Jenay Lori.

Whats That Got to Do With It?

2007-06-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

Random Angela Bassett News!

Its long over-due but better late than never right? Ms. Angela is one of the 19 celebrities set to recieve their Star on the Walk of Fame in 2008. Next year is definitely going to be Angie's year, with 4 films coming out and her very own star. If you need more on this, heres the story.

Tyler Perry confirms Angela Bassett will star in 'Meet the Browns'!!
The first day of filming for 'Gospel Hill' went off without a hitch earlier this week. First-time director and co-star, Giancarlo Esposito got right into the rythm of being a director on Monday's shoot. Even with the South Carolina heat and residents looking on, reporters observing every detail, and Julia Stiles having difficulty with one scene. Heres the story!

Unfortunately I have some more to report: This whole 'Angela Bassett turned down Monster's Ball' thing will NOT go away. Its been 5 years since that whole controversy was formed from one little old Newsweek article and today silly folks are still talking about it as if Angela was hating on Halle. I usually let them do their ill-informed jabbing without any words in response from me, but Invisible Woman over at Invisible Cinema pushed ALL my buttons in one of her posts yesterday:

Casting Trivia...

-That Angela Bassett turned down Halle Berry's Oscar winning role in "Monster's Ball" and then had the audacity to be pissed that Halle won (she probably thought that legacy should have been hers) and talked greasy about Halle , saying that "it's amazing what happens when someone decides to show their body?" Sour grapes, girl. By the way, has anyone seen Angela lately?

Now of course I couldnt let that go:

Simonique- Its sad that you can report such falsities freely as you're doing. Angela Bassett did turn down the lead role in Monsters Ball but that was the only correct statement you posted about her.
She was nothing but happy when Halle won the Oscar, they were even at the ceremony hugging and saying "I love you, girl." I personally think Angela should've been the first black woman to win the Best Actress Oscar since she has more talent in her pinky finger than half of Hollywood. Angela never 'talked greasy' about Halle, she only said that Monsters Ball wasnt the role for her and that she is in total support of Halle.

Sour grapes are for people who have no talent or potential in their field. In Angela's case, shes just wading her time until something of substance comes her way. People with her talent can do that, people with none can only strip.

Simonique
a pissed off BassettHound

I think I made my point well enough yesterday because Ms. Invisible Woman herself created a post in response. Continue the debate here: Angela Bassett Stans Stand Up!

Caption This!

2007-06-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

I know I'm ready for another "Caption Me" post. Heres some pictures of Angela Bassett that need you to caption them. Have fun!

#1 There is one woman that is not like the others. She is sexier, she is smiling, and...she is sexier. Can you find her?

#2 Courtney- "I must not have seen Waiting to Exhale"

#3 "Tina Turner was never this ripped"

#4

The Fast and the Furious meets How Stella Got her Groove Back

2008--The Year of Angela Bassett Films??

2007-06-08T20:12:00.000-07:00

Gospel Hill

The people of South Carolina are buzzing about the Hollywood film thats setting up shop right in their local towns. Gospel Hill directors have been scouting locations in and around the Charlotte area for production that plans to start filming later this month. Heres the story:

Dorene Watts is executing a Hollywood assignment.

Watts, Rock Hill's MLK Task Force liaison, is looking for individuals with knowledge of and experience in the civil rights movement for the feature movie Gospel Hill.

The $6 million film, starring Danny Glover, Angela Bassett and Julia Stiles, will be shot in York County this summer. Written and directed by Giancarlo Esposito, the movie tells the story of a former civil rights activist and a local sheriff revisiting the grave of another activist 30 years after his death. It is the first feature film produced by Deco Entertainment.

Originally attracted to the area to take advantage of state tax credits for filmmakers, Watts said the group soon learned about the Friendship Nine's lunch counter sit-in at a Main Street five-and-dime store 46 years ago, and it wet their appetite.

"Once they got here and found out all the history here, they wanted to know more," Watts said. "It's become a grass-roots effort to learn about it."

Anyone interested in working as an unpaid extra in “Gospel Hill” is invited to attend one of two casting calls in either Charlotte or Rock Hill.

The first casting call is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the Talent Link training studio at 3010 Monroe Rd., Suite 205. Then, on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., there will be a casting call at Freedom Temple Ministries at 215 E. Main Street in Rock Hill.

Potential extras are asked to bring a pen and a current photo or 8x10 headshot with a resume stapled to the back. Those without photos can have a Polaroid photo taken for $2.

For more information, contact Talent Link at (704) 335-0027.

Toussaint

Danny Glover continues to feel pressure from Venezuela and Haiti due to his historical epic, Toussaint. Unfortunately the pressure doesnt stop there, Americans have also started showing their disapproval of Glover and his friendly ties to Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez. Heres the story:

Actor Danny Glover has agreed to make two movies financially backed by the Venezuelan government, but U.S. officials are calling the deal "tainted."

The Venezuelan National Assembly is giving the national production company, La Villa del Cine, $19.7 million to make the two films. The first, which Glover will direct, is about Francois Dominique Toussaint-Louverture, a Haitian independence leader (Angela is set to play his wife in the upcoming film). The second is a film adaptation of the Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel, "The General in His Labyrinth," about Simon Bolivar.

Both movies will be filmed in Venezuela.

"I think that [Glover is] just a pawn in Hugo Chavez's propaganda machine," Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.) told Cybercast News Service. "It's sad. What I don't get is why a well-known American, let alone any American, would be part of a propaganda machine with Hugo Chavez, and that's clearly what he's doing.

"They'll live in this country and enjoy the freedoms that we all enjoy," Mack said. "We have men and women around the world fighting for and defending our freedom, yet they'll go and support a communist dictator in Venezuela."

The films, Mack added, "are just part of that overall plan to try to paint the West or the United States in a bad light."

Mack noted that Glover has "long been a supporter of Chavez's radical left-wing policies. He is also a member of the board of the television network TeleSur, a Chavez-funded network that has teamed up with Al-Jazeera to spread anti-democratic messages across Latin America."

The congressman lashed out at Glover for turning "to an avowed enemy of the United States - and someone who in his own right has snuffed out dissent and free speech - for movie financing smacks of radicalism and opportunism run amuck," Mack said. "That's [$19.7 million] he could spend on helping the people of his country get out of poverty."

Glover, 60, has supported Chavez's political revolution since he was first elected in 1998, and backed the 2006 creation of Villa del Cine the anti-US Chavez regime said would go up against "the Hollywood film dictatorship."

Venezuelan Culture Minister Francisco Sesto defended the joint film project with Glover, saying in a published letter of his own: "The funds earmarked for this movie will be invested exclusively in Venezuela ... creating jobs and providing excellent experience for our national film industry."

He also called it "naive" to think the movie industry would be out of 18 million dollars, since the money did not come from Villa del Cine's operating funds but were part of an "additional credit."

Meet the Browns

Tyler Perry has just disclosed the official synopsis for his film adaptation of his play, Meet the Browns. The story-line proves to be very far from the stage plays' plot, instead of gearing all the focus on the wacky Brown family the attention is mainly given to Angela's character, the down-on-her-luck, single mother, Brenda.

We're not totally sure if Angela will be playing the main character (one source says shes signed on to do the film for sure, another source says nothings official yet). The good news is this most recent source says Angela will be starring in Meet the Browns alongside Dreamgirl diva, Jennifer Hudson.

No matter what the outcome, the new story-line and focus for Meet the Browns makes this role ideal for Angela. She'd be leading her own film again and she'd be able bring all the drama she can muster up to the role! Its perfect and heres the story:

Tyler Perry's reuniting with Lionsgate for the fifth time with Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns. Perry will play Madea and Uncle Joe in the film which is based on his stage play.

Production is expected to begin on Meet the Browns this summer in Atlanta. Lionsgate plans to release the film in early 2008.

The Official Synopsis

A single mother living in inner city Chicago, Brenda has been struggling for years to make ends meet and keep her three kids off the street.

But when she's laid off with no warning, she starts losing hope for the first time - until a letter arrives announcing the death of a father she's never met.

Desperate for any kind of help, Brenda takes her family to Georgia for the funeral. But nothing could have prepared her for the Browns, her father's fun-loving, crass Southern clan. In a small-town world full of long afternoons and country fairs, Brenda struggles to get to know the family she never knew existed...and finds a brand new romance that just might change her life.

All four of these movies (including the Robert Townsend flick, Of Boys & Men) plan to hit theaters next year. It looks like 2008 is going to be Angela's comeback year. BassettHounds stay tuned, we'll keep you updated!

Random Angie B Interview!

2007-06-02T00:30:00.000-07:00

Check out this pretty humorous interview with Angela Bassett at the ceremony for Forest Whitaker's Star on the Walk of Fame.

But dont forget to tune into BET this Sunday. Angela and Courtney B. will be talking about what they know best-- marriage, on the newest season of Meet the Faith. If you're not in church (or sleeping) tomorrow morninng grab the remote at 11 AM!

Angela, Courtney, and host of Meet the Faith Ian Smith during the filming of the show (Feb. 28th 2007). I had to add this picture because PDA between these two is rare but great to see. Notice how Ang and Court are all over each other! To check out more pics of Ang and Court on Meet the Faith visit [A Hot Mess]

Film Updates: Gospel Hill & Toussaint

2007-05-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

Gospel Hill is a political drama starring Danny Glover and Angela Bassett as husband and wife with conflicting desires. This contemporary story follows a former sheriff of a southern town dealing with past sins, and a former civil rights worker withdrawn since the martyrdom of his brother thirty years before. Their final confrontation comes when a corporation descends on the town, echoing a struggle some thirty years old.

Gospel Hill also stars Julia Stiles, Simon Baker, The RZA, and Nia Long. Filming will begin June 11th, 2007 in So. Carolina and will be backed by Fox Studios. The full cast has been revealed thanks to Gospel Hill writer, Jefferey P. Gordon. View more details on this film at DangStoryco.com

The Controversy over 'Toussaint'

Toussaint has barely begun production yet the film is getting heat from two seperate countries:

(Article from Monterary Harold)
Danny Glover is thrilled now that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has promised him $18 million to make a film about 18th-century Haitian freedom fighter Toussaint L'Ouverture. But the move is drawing fire from critics in Venezuela and Haiti.

Haitian President Rene Preval believes Glover should film "Toussaint" in the country where the story took place — not in Venezuela.

"The entire world should be proud of our patrimony," Preval tells us. "We had the first successful revolt against slavery in this hemisphere. It's our contribution to humanity. If Danny Glover can bring it to the screen, we will be happy. But I hope he will shoot it here."

Haitian-born Wyclef Jean agrees that Glover owes it to the struggling nation, a land with nothing like Venezuela's oil wealth, to film there.

"We want it shot in Haiti," the music star tells us. "If a portion of the movie is not shot in Haiti. ... I would definitely feel disappointed."

"You can't film in Haiti," Glover told us when we last spoke to him about his dream project. "It doesn't have the infrastructure, unfortunately."

Glover has spoken with Don Cheadle, Mos Def, Wesley Snipes and Angela Bassett about starring in the film — a marquee of American names that angers some Haitians.

But Glover argues, "It's a $30 million film and you have to bring people in (with stars)." He adds, however, "We haven't started casting yet. I'm sure there will be many Haitian actors in this."

Meanwhile, Venezuelan filmmakers are asking why Chavez is lavishing their country's funds on a Hollywood star.

"Eighteen million could fund five years of local cinema in Venezuela," director Jose Novoa told Variety. "And the film's not even about Venezuela."

Director Jonathan Jakubowicz says, "With so much poverty in our country, I can't deny that it infuriates and hurts me deeply."

Danny Glover is still planning to shoot Toussaint in the Venezuelan city, Caracas, October-December 2007.

High Tea, Anyone?

2007-05-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

Angela was honored at Victoria Rowell's 3rd Annual RFCPP (Rowell Foster Children's Positive Plan) High Tea at Noon Sunday!

You can only wear hats like these at High Tea!

The Bassett-Vance couple are at High Tea with Pauletta Washington, Victoria Rowell, and Anthony Anderson.

FACT SHEET
High Tea @ Noon
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Hosted by the Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan

WHO: Victoria Rowell, actress, child advocate and spokesperson
WHAT: High Tea @ Noon, a charity event hosted by RFCPP. The event is supported by the
corporate, business, entertainment and foundation community. The event is sponsored
by ING Foundation. All proceeds will benefit RFCPP.
• Oscar-nominee Angela Bassett will be honored with the Agatha Award, named after
Victoria’s primary foster mother, Agatha C. Wooten Armstead.
• A hat auction will feature the designs of Patricia Underwood.
• A dress auction will feature the work of fashion designer Kai Milla.
• Recording artist Patti Austin will be the musical guest.
WHEN: Sunday, May 20, 2007
WHERE: The Beverly Hills Hotel

About the Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan (RFCPP)

RFCPP is an organization that provides structure, support and encouragement for foster youth through a variety of enrichment programs. RFCPP has awarded full scholarships for fine arts, sports and summer camps and offer job placement for emancipated foster youth. Companies that have provided jobs for RFCPP foster youth include E! Entertainment, Paramount Studios and Viacom. The charity is endorsed by United Parcel Service (UPS), the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the United States Conference of Mayors and American for the Arts.

Visit www.rowellfosterchildren.org

The Vances Enjoying Disney World

2007-05-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

Bronwyn Golden and Slater Josiah (15 months) with their parents.
The whole Bassett-Vance family took a ride on Cinderella's Carousel at Magic Kingdom in Orlando. Those two are so adorable....O and the twins are cute too. ;-)

In Random News...
(Whats that Got to do With it?)

Angela's new film, Gospel Hill has found more cast members and support from Fox! [source]
Angela will be judging Female Filmmakers with Jennifer Lopez! [source]
Angela and Courtney to appear on BET's Meet the Faith, June 3rd! [source]
Angela Bassett nominated for BET Awards Best Actress [source]

Photos of the Week!

2007-05-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since we've had a photo of the week here at Angie B News! And for that I apologize, but its well worth the wait with these pictures. This is Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance getting into the Bahama spirit at a Disco Concert for the opening of The Cove Atlantis Resort!

Happy Mothers Day, BassettHounds!

Kaimilla Resort Fashion Show

2007-05-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

We all know Angela Bassett loves fashion shows. Here she is, joined with Legend Cicely Tyson, at Kaimilla Resort's 2007 Fashion Show at the Cove Atlantis Resort. Ofcourse she was in the front row. She also was in the Bahamas to help celebrate icon Stevie Wonder's 60th birthday. "Happy Birthday to Ya" Stevie!

Escada and Young

2007-05-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

The stars stepped out on the red carpet for the opening of the newly renovated Escada store in Beverly Hills Thursday, May 3rd, including our very own escada Veteran!

Sunday, May 6th, Former UN Ambassador Andrew Young celebrated his 75th birthday at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. The "who's who" on hand for the Mardi Gras-style celebration included Angela Bassett and husband Courtney B Vance, Jane Fonda, Chris Tucker, Maya Angelou, and Evander Holyfield. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the former Atlanta Mayor's nonprofit foundation. (ajc.com)

Click the link below for more pictures of the Marti Gra style Birthday Bash!

http://http://lpe.ajc.com/gallery/view/metro/0507/0506ayoung/

Vances Continue Book Tour in Chicago

2007-04-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

Angela and Courtney have reportedly taken a break from promoting their book, Friends: A Love Story to do other work. But they're continuing their booksignings in Chicago this weekend (April 28th & 29th)!

They'll be at Desiree Sanders' Afrocentric Bookstore Saturday and Sunday at 6pm with 'a love story' on their mind. If you happen to live anywhere close to the Windy City heres the address:

4655 S. King Drive
Be there with a copy of Friends this weekend!
If you need anymore information call the bookstore at: (773) 924-3966

Gospel Hill: New Angela Bassett Film!

2007-04-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

Angie will be playing Ava Malcom in the upcoming film, Gospel Hill. Ava is a married woman fighting for local civil rights while her husband has turned his back on the movement. The film is going into pre-production next month and is still casting main characters. Gospel Hill plans to start shooting in So. Carolina in early June 2007.

Gospel Hill Synopsis from DangStoryCo.com:

Gospel Hill takes place in a small southern town where years ago a local civil rights leader, Peter Malcom, was assassinated. In the years since then his brother, John Malcom (Danny Glover), has drifted into seclusion, turning his back on the movement. Meanwhile, his wife (Angela Bassett) has continued to fight for what is right. Battling the local doctor (Giancarlo Esposito), who is spearheading a movement to displace much of the town's African American community to make way for a large development.

The man who was sheriff at the time of the assassination, Jack Herrod (Tom Bower), has remained in town although not as sheriff. He has fallen onto hard times and ill health. His two sons have stayed as well trying to eke out livings. The younger as a landscaper, Joel (Terrence Howard), working primarily for the doctor and the older, Carl, as an iconoclastic lawyer, who is having an affair with the doctors' wife (Vanessa Williams).

When a young school teacher, Rosie, moves to town she not only begins dating the Joel, but also joins John Malcoms wife in fighting the development. This sets in motion events that will draw all the parties together. Forcing them to make a choice about what is right and wrong and come face to face with the ghosts of their past.

The Cast So Far...

The Actors in Talks...

Copying the Queen's Style...

2007-04-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

Catherine Bell in Rome or Angela Bassett in Hollywood?

Who Rocked it Better?

The dress' designer, Tracy Reece or the Queen, Angela Bassett?
Go and vote on who rocked this black & white dress better at [Urban-Hoopla]

When did She Wear it Better?

Angela with DL Hughley at The Brass Awards last night.

Forest Gets Star on the Walk of Fame

2007-04-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

(from L-R) Victoria Rowell, Keisha Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Kerry Washington, and in the center, Forest Whitaker (star of The Last King of Scotland)

Angela and Courtney at Fertility Gala

2007-04-16T13:59:00.002-07:00

Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance attended the American Fertility Association's Illuminations Gala and presented an award to Dr. David Smotrich.

Everything Great comes in Twos

2007-04-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

Angela Bassett's got two kids, two spouses (Angie and I got married last August 25th...okkk thats a joke!), two decades of movies on her resume, and two movies filming this summer:

Shakespeare's Henry IV
The first feature film adaptation of Shakespeare's most political play. Directed by Shawn Tolleson
Co-produced by Drew Brody
Starring Martin Sheen as King Henry IV, Angela Bassett, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Alexander Siddig.
Begins filming summer 2007.

Meet the Browns
The newest Tyler Perry film about a family forced to come together after their grandfathers' death. Described by Angela as a "city mouse-country mouse story."
Directed by Tyler Perry
Starring Angela Bassett and possibly Deelishis as Angie's daughter

Scheduled to begin filming July 2007

I bring this post up because its going to be quite interesting to see how Angela balances the filming of both of these movies in the short 3 months of summer. I think she'll do it easily and with the grace shes always had. I'm just happy to finally see Angela onscreen like she needs to be and in the range of roles that will show off her talent. Yay, the Queen is back on her throne!

Toussaint
Historical action epic based on the life of Toussaint Louverture, who led a successful slave rebellion in the 18th century that sparked the Haitian Revolution
Directed by Danny Glover
Written by Joslyn Barnes and Vijay Balakrishnan
Starring Don Cheadle, Wesley Snipes, Angela Bassett, Mos Def, and Chiwetel Ejiofor
Begins filming October thru December 2007

Photo of Week

2007-04-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

Angela was at the Distinctive Assets gift lounge during the 20th annual Kid's Choice Awards this past week. Angie was photographed checking out the latest from Baby Phat to Dippin' Dots, but here Angie takes a sip of her drink as the BassettHounds Photo of the Week.

Flashback: To shine a better light on the pics of the week from a couple weeks ago, we decided to show Angela in the same outfit but on a different scene.

Instead of getting off of what looked like a long flight, which caused a debate between the BassettHounds, here is Angela at work. Although she only got rid of the glasses, fixed up her hair and put on some makeup, it is still the same Angela ;-)

Angela is doing a interview at the V-studios with Ryan Cameron at V103 Atlanta. This is a look that all the BassettHounds can agree on.

Tyler Perry "Meet" Angela Bassett...

2007-04-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

...Angela Bassett this is Tyler Perry.

We all know of the self-made millionare, Tyler Perry. I started going to his plays when I was 16 years old and I still cant get enough of his natural nitch for comedy. Perry started out as a playwright. Producing, directing and starring in his own plays, like I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Madea's Family Reunion, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and more recently Madea Goes to Jail. After his success on stage he claimed the movie screen with three box office smashes. Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea's Family Reunion, and Daddy's Little Girls were Perry's first films to hit theaters with a bang. But with Angela Bassett's help they wont be the last.

Perry is writing another adaptation of one of his plays and Bassett has announced she'll be a star in the project. The newest film is called Meet the Browns and Perry plans to start filming this July. According to Bassett the story is "sort of a city mouse-country mouse story," she says. "I’m the city mouse. I’m the sympathetic one."
*If my hunch is right, then this is the movie Deelishis said she would be playing Angela's daughter in. Either way this is exciting and I am seriously looking forward to more news on this film!

Here is a summary of the stage play:
MEET THE BROWNS is a family comedy that, despite the absurdity and uproarious antics, provides familiar themes that many viewers should be able to identify with. When Ol' Pop Brown dies at 107 years old, the family is hard-pressed to to meet the expense of the funeral. Eldest son L.B. and his wife Sarah--Pop's caretakers for 11 years--just aren't able to swing it with the $400 Pop left behind. Luckily there's Mi-Lay, their uppity relative who nonetheless takes care of the bill. As the family arrives for the funeral, the audience gets to know their quirks and eccentricities, and through all the arguments, infidelities and scatological humor, love still prevails.

Our Favorite Bloggers

2007-04-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

Whats That Got to Do With It?
(Random News!)
Check out our favorite Bloggers blogging about the Queen, Angela Bassett!

A bachelor contemplates 'The Prison Advantage' at [The Bachelor Blog]
Coco Larue tells us why a healthy obsession is always a good one at [Thursday Nite Fever]
Ms. Chi Chi shares pictures of Angela and Courtney being silly at [Platform/Launch/Action]
It happens to the best of us: Check out the Fashion Disaster of the Day at [A Socialite's Life]
Cindy Rhodes interviews Ang and Court on [Sidewalks TV]
Ted Dawson uses Angie as artistic inspiration at [Three Men in a Tub]

Just because randomness is a beautiful thing, heres some pictures of Angela out and about this year:

*Photos provided by Tacia

Pics of the Week

2007-03-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

Go see Angela in her first wide release animated role as Mildred, the orphanage caretaker, in Meet the Robinsons. In theaters today!

The pics of the week are at the premiere of the movie that Angela and Courtney attended on March 25th at the El Capitan Theatre.

7 Days

2007-03-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

‘True love is possible’

At the age of 48 Angela Bassett is pushing back the boundaries for older women in Hollywood in more ways than one. Not only is she still one of the most successful and in-demand actresses in Tinseltown, she also became a first-time mum just three years short of her 50th birthday.

And it’s clear that despite all her film successes - including an Oscar nomination for the Ike and Tina Turner biopic ‘What’s Love Got To Do With it’ - it’s being mum to one-year-olds Bronwyn Golden and Josiah Slater that brings a megawatt smile to her face. “Having the twins has completely changed my priorities,” she says. “Work is still important but there are different priorities at different times in your life and right now mine are for my babies.”

The twins arrived after she and husband actor Courtney B Vance used a surrogate mother. Now the hard-working star says her stellar career revolves around her two little ones. “I’ve been offered lots of lead roles, but I’ll only consider them if they fit in with my time with the children. I just want to be with them,” she reasons. The stunning star also insists that being an older mum has made her feel sexier and more confident than ever.

“There is definitely a confidence that comes in your 40s,” she says. “It’s just not something you have to work so hard at.” Known for her feisty independent roles in hard-hitting dramas such as ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’, ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ and ‘Malcolm X’, Angela admits the twins have not only brought out her softer side off screen, but also in her choice of movie roles.

That’s why she leapt at the chance to appear in the new family animation ‘Meet The Robinsons’. The story follows Lewis, a little boy genius who, in his quest to find the parents he never knew, finds himself travelling into the future and suddenly sharing his life with the mysterious but fun-loving Robinson family who help unleash his powerful potential.

In the movie, which also features Tom Selleck, Angela lends her distinctive voice to the character of Mildred, the patient and kind caretaker at the orphanage that has always been home to Lewis. Playing such an endearing character brought out all her maternal instincts, the actress says.

“I absolutely loved the story,” Angela beams. “And as a new mom I found it especially appealing because it’s about a little boy looking for a family and about the many ways to make family. “Mildred’s ambition, her dream, her occupation and her greatest commitment is to finding each and every one of her orphanage kids a loving family - one who will see them for who they are and love and appreciate their own special uniqueness,” she continues.

“She loves all the kids, but has a special place in her heart for Lewis. She understands how different he is, how he marches to the beat of his own drummer. I think she sees a little Albert Einstein in the making.” Having never done an animated movie before, Angela says she was captivated by the process of bringing Lewis and the Robinson family to life.

“It’s been one of the biggest thrills in my career to lend my voice and see these characters in all their animated glory,” she enthuses. “Mildred has a fantastic look, so endearing and cute with her little eyeglasses and hairdo. I loved it.

To me, it’s amazing what the animators have come up with on this film.”

Angela admits she also liked the fact that working on animation wasn’t as time-consuming as her normal roles. “This was very easy to do,” she explains. “It’s different than working on screen. Those films take forever - years to complete. “So with two young ones at home, I really appreciated a different way of working.”

And though the film is animated, Angela was able to draw on her own experiences of growing to help her relate to orphan boy Lewis. Born in New York, she and her younger sister were raised by their mother Betty, who later divorced their father. The star then spent much of her childhood living with her Auntie Golden in Harlem and, though times were tough, Angela’s mother always stressed the importance of education and following your dreams.

“She instilled in me a sense of independence, so I was always the self-check kid - the one you don’t have to worry about,” Angela says. “But the only thing with that is when you do the slightest thing wrong, you really go off. “That was me and my mom,” she adds with a laugh.

Those difficult early years are a far cry from Angela’s idyllic home life now. The star and her husband of ten years, whom she met at Yale Drama School, are so devoted to one another, they recently wrote a book about their relationship: ‘Friends: A Love Story’. “We just wanted to show that true love is possible and a good old-fashioned love story is one that should be told,” Angela smiles.

“We hope it serves as a guide for other people in their relationships.” Happy in love and at work after finding a new direction in family films, Angela admits she couldn’t be more blessed. And though she has several projects lined up including the new film ‘Toussaint’ with Don Cheadle and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, the actress knows what’s really important in her life, and love has everything to do with it. “Having the children makes you notice all kids and you think how beautiful they are, and dying for affection, and brilliant, and just how important that is.”

PROFILE

Real name: Angela Evelyn Bassett
Birthdate: August 16, 1958
Significant other: Husband of ten years Courtney B Vance
Career high: An Oscar-nominated performance in ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’
Career low: ‘The Jacksons: An American Dream’, the forgettable 1992 Jackson family biopic
Famous for: Her spot-on portrayal of Tina Turner in ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’, even though she had never seen the singer perform
Words of Wisdom: “I really believe that what I do as an actress is my God-given talent. This is my calling. Not my career.”

Angela Bassett on her Animated Self, Mildred

2007-03-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

Read the full article here!

It might surprise people who stick around for the credits of "Meet the Robinsons" -- the movie the studio hopes will establish the technological leap that is Disney Digital 3D -- that the voice of Mildred, the frumpy, matronly caretaker at the orphanage, belongs to the anything-but-matronly Angela Bassett, a sophisticated beauty whose figure is the antithesis to Mildred's eggish shape.

"I guess they did give me a pretty big butt," says Bassett, in Detroit last week to talk up "Meet the Robinsons," which opens Friday. "But at least they don't have her stick it out at the audience with the 3D. She does preserve some dignity."

Bassett, the mother of 14-month-old twins with her actor-husband, Detroit native Courtney Vance, did not take the "Robinsons" job because she wanted to make a movie that her children could see -- the motivation for many actors.

"I've done a lot of movies I'll be proud for kids to watch when they're old enough," says Bassett, who won acclaim as singer Tina Turner in "What's Love Got to Do With It"; Betty Shabazz in "Malcolm X" and "Panther"; and civil rights icon Rosa Parks in the TV movie "The Story of Rosa Parks."

Bassett says she took this role for the same reasons she selects all of her movies.

"For one, it was a character I had never played before, which is always important to me, to keep me sharp. But it was also the desire to be part of a well-written movie that has something really positive to say about families and about all the different ways there can be to make a family," says Bassett. Her daughter Bronwyn and son Slater were delivered by a surrogate mother.

Bassett, who saw the finished film just a couple of weeks ago, says she was knocked out by the presentation. "It just transports you, it takes you somewhere brand new," she says.

"But you know, the best part was that after about half an hour, it just became natural to me, and then I concentrated more on the story, and that was what I really loved, the story of this boy who finds a family all his own.

*Angela in the studio with "Meet the Robinsons" director, Stephen Anderson

"At the end, I was really tearing up, and I've done a lot of heavy drama on stage, I'm a real tough customer. At least I thought I was. But here I was crying, and I knew the story, I knew what happened. It didn't matter. It was all brand new."

*Read more about Angela in Meet the Robinsons in another article here!

Angela Meets Mildred

2007-03-28T12:21:00.001-07:00

"I'm amazed with how they make you come to life"

Thanks to g6publish.videodome.com , check out a 60 second clip on Angela talking about her experience 'meeting' her character, Mildred.

Click the pictures to watch clip

Whats That Got to Do With it?(Random News!)
View clips of recent Angela Bassett interviews!

Angie on the Today Show (Looking fab over 40) [source]
Angie and First Lady Laura Bush for Breast Cancer Awareness [source]
Angie on Hour of Power, Christian Television [source]
Angie and Courtney on Praise the Lord [source]
Angie and Courtney in The Dog House (be prepared, this is a very painful 'interview') [source]

Meet the Robinsons Premiere

2007-03-25T23:35:00.000-07:00

Angela and Courtney attended the Meet the Robinsons premiere at the El Capitan Theater on Sunday (without the twins:-()

USA Today reported:
Bassett talked about her twins, Slater and his sister, Bronwyn. They are just 1, a little too young to appreciate the film. But they have started responding to Baby Einstein videos and are starting "to make alphabet noises," she said."

Angie and Court still look like they were having fun. I guess they can have a break every now and then.

Meet the Robinsons Clip

2007-03-25T23:04:00.000-07:00

Check out animated Angie in Meet the Robinsons

Chicago Sun Times

2007-03-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

Family Matters

Angela Bassett's innate charm and sweetness spills over into 'Robinsons' role

Angela Bassett doesn't walk into a room. She makes an entrance. Evoking all the starlet glamor of Hollywood's Golden Age, Bassett looks like a movie star: beautifully coiffed hair, impeccable makeup, a breezy black-and-white print dress hidden beneath a fingertip-length fur coat. The sparkle in her deep brown eyes is matched by the glare from her bazillion-carat diamond engagement ring. Her smile could melt a glacier.

Bassett settles in for a chat in a sun-kissed room at the Ritz-Carlton, a sumptuous setting for the velvety-voiced 48-year-old actress who, sorry ladies, doesn't look a day over 35.

She's in town promoting her latest film, the Disney animated feature "Meet the Robinsons." The movie (screening in 3D at select theaters) tells the story of 12-year-old Lewis, a sweet and precocious little boy who is raised in an orphanage from birth. Lewis is also a genius, taking college courses and inventing all sorts of gadgets that usually end up exploding. Undaunted, he continues sketching his dream machines until, one day, he invents a "memory scanner" -- a time-replay gizmo he hopes will return him to the rainy night when his mother left him on the doorstep of the orphanage -- run by the kindly Mildred (voiced by Bassett) -- and therefore allow him to re-create the family he has never known.

Bassett beams when she recalls the first time she saw her animated counterpart on the big screen.

"Oh, I thought she was just so sweet and warm, very matronly," Bassett says. "She dressed kind of nice. I loved [her] cute little sweater ensemble."

Animation voiceovers can be a lucrative though somewhat lonely project for actors. In most instances, the actor is alone in a recording booth armed with only those pages of the script that pertain to their character. The lines are out of context, and the actor has no idea who they're speaking to or who is responding to them, except for the film's director, in this case Stephen J. Anderson.

"At first, it really is sort of like being in a vacuum," Bassett says. "You don't know if you're getting it right. So I'd just look at the director and say, 'Was that right? Did you get what you wanted?' With Stephen there, it made my job so much easier. And it was great that halfway through the process I got to meet with the animators. It gave me an opportunity to see what they were doing, and it gave them an opportunity to see me, to see how I moved, my expressions. As much as I was working in an isolated [recording booth] setup, the animators were also isolated in that they had no real idea what I looked like and sounded like. Looking back, I wasn't so much playing off another actor, but rather the animators. And vice versa. That was a unique experience."

What was most special, Bassett says, was the revelation that Anderson was closer to the material than she or anyone knew at first.

"What was really touching and helped me a lot was discovering that [Stephen] was himself adopted at a very young age," she says. "I could only imagine how special a project this film must have been for him. He could tell that story because of his own life experience. He was Lewis. He had been living with those characters in his mind all these years, so he knew exactly where he wanted each of us to go with [our characters]."

Born in New York City, Bassett and her sister, D'nette, were raised by their divorced mother, Betty, who instilled in her daughters the strength and determination to succeed, much like the way Mildred (and various other adult characters in "Robinsons") encourages Lewis to "keep moving forward."

"I was a latchkey kid," Bassett explains. "Our mom was working all the time. So we had a lot of responsibility thrust upon us at an early age to do the right thing. She laid down the law, put the rules down and you followed them. [Laughs] You know, let that foot hit the front porch when the streetlights come on. She constantly told us to listen to our teachers and learn. She held me and my sister to a high standard and, yes, sometimes it seemed so unfair, especially when we saw other kids in the neighborhood getting away with a lot of stuff, and maybe not trying so hard in school. But she was so loving, even in all of that.

"She wanted us to achieve more than she had achieved in life. Having graduated only from high school and not really being pushed academically, college wasn't an option for her. She headed straight to New York to join the work force. So it was really important to her that we got a college education."

Bassett attended Yale, where she received her degree in African-American Studies, then a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama.

Her acting career began in earnest in 1985, when she starred in the film "Doubletake," followed a year later by the television series "F/X." Moviegoers first saw her in her Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe-winning performance as Tina Turner in the 1993 film "What's Love Got to Do With It." She also starred as Dr. Betty Shabazz, the widow of the slain Civil Rights leader in "Malcolm X" (1992), as a hugely successful stockbroker who finds romance under the Jamaican sun in "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" (1998) and as a detached mother in last year's "Akeelah and the Bee." Her recent small-screen work includes CIA director Hayden Chase in the now defunct "Alias," and her Emmy-nominated role as Rosa Parks in the made-for-TV film "The Rosa Parks Story."

Yale was not only an educational journey, it also was the place where she met the love of her life, fellow student Courtney B. Vance ("Law and Order: Criminal Intent"), also a graduate of the university's prestigious drama school. Their long, intense courtship resulted in a 1997 marriage. The couple recently wrote a book, Friends: A Love Story ( (Harlequin), he-said/she said autobiographies detailing their their life journeys. Last year they became the parents of twins by a surrogate. Daughter Bronwyn Golden and son Slater Josiah have taught Bassett to look at life in a whole new way.

"I'm sure I'll do and say a lot of the things my mother did," Bassett says, laughing, "no matter how much I always said I never would. Of course, I want to instill in them the work ethic, the love of books and school, but I also have the opportunity to expose them to so much more than I was. I look at them and I just see the little kid in me, in everyone. I think any time you look at a child it makes you see the child in all of us."

Even at the tender age of 1, Bassett's children have taught her one very important thing about herself.

"I have a little patience, [laughs] and I have a lot of patience," she says. "Lord knows I have a whole lotta patience these days."

'I'd want to know who my biological mother was'

The subjects of adoption and searching for one's birth mother may not be the expected stuff of animated features, but director Stephen J. Anderson has turned the topic into a sweet, funny and emotional children's film that reaches out to all kids -- and to all parents, biological or otherwise.

I posed the question to actress Angela Bassett, voice star of the film: If you had been adopted as a child, would you seek out your birth mother?

"Wow, that's a tough question," Bassett said. "Interestingly, my sister adopted a boy and a girl. My nephew never had an interest in seeking out his birth mother. But my niece went looking for her with great determination. She bought books on how to do it, she used the Internet, of course, and she did ultimately find her.

"And it really turned out so beautifully. We spent Thanksgiving with her birth mother and maternal great-grandmother. [Pauses] Just the whole idea of family -- that we're all a family -- is so beautiful and so powerful. My sister is totally OK with all of it.

"Would I? Hmmm. I think I'd be very curious because I'm a curious type of individual. So, yes, I guess I would want to know who my biological mother was. But, you know, I wonder how great that curiosity would be if my adoptive parents were so phenomenal and I was completely satisfied and knew that my birth mother only wanted what was best for me. That she gave me up out of a profound love for me."

In the movie, Lewis (voiced by Daniel Hansen and Jordan Fry) comes to realize just that: His mother didn't give him up because she didn't love him; she gave him up because she did.

"It's a film that goes so deep and yet speaks to children so beautifully," Bassett said. "I hope children will walk away from it believing in themselves, no matter how many obstacles life throws their way. And believing that we are all family, all one humanity. "

San Francisco Chronicle

2007-03-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

Animated Bassett

Angela Bassett is feeling a bit better now that her flight has landed. However, munching on grapes and viewing the Chicago skyline from the window of her downtown hotel suite, she admits over the phone, "I was very ornery this morning."

The reason: As she began a cross-country tour to promote "Meet the Robinsons," the star of Disney's new animated feature had to leave her 14-month-old twins, Bronwyn and Slater, behind.

"They don't understand where you were and why you weren't there," says Bassett, 48. "They have their little personalities and attitudes, so when I get to go home, I'm ecstatic seeing them, yet it takes time to get back in."

Bassett's nurturing qualities have served her well in "Meet the Robinsons." She provides the voice for Mildred, the kindly caretaker of the orphanage where ingenious boy inventor Lewis spends the first 12 years of his life before he begins time-traveling adventures with the zany Robinson family. The young hero must overcome the nefarious villain Bowler Hat Guy, who rules the Evil Future, in the quest to find his family and move into the future to make a better world. It's up to Bassett's character to buoy the kid's spirit during the lonely early years, when adopting families keep passing him over for other orphans.

"This was an easy role to get into," Bassett says. "I thought about this special boy who wants so much to be a part of a family and is just looking for acceptance. That really tugs at your heart. Mildred sees his uniqueness and has this desire to keep his little spirit hopeful."

"Meet the Robinsons" is Bassett's first animated feature, though she did voice an elephant on an earlier short-lived Disney project .

"I worked on a live-action thing called 'Whisper' years ago that never saw the light of day," she says, laughing. "They followed elephants for a year, then put voices to that. It was a very interesting concept. I was the mother elephant. I was Whisper's mama. I guess I must have maternal bones in my body."

Like Lewis, who persists in his dream, Bassett rates perseverance as one of her key attributes. She galvanized audiences in 1993 with her Oscar-nominated performance as Tina Turner in "What's Love Got to Do With It," and subsequently starred in vehicles including "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" (1998) and "Akeelah and the Bee," her third film with Laurence Fishburne. But Bassett has also turned to theater to find the kinds of challenging roles sometimes missing in Hollywood movies. Last year, she appeared with Fishburne in a critically successful Los Angeles production of August Wilson's "Fences."

"It is frustrating," Basset says of the dearth of good film roles for mature actresses. "And it is also the nature of an actor be frustrated in that, even if you're working: Where's the next job? Your career course goes through its cycles, its ups and downs. Gender and race and age, all those things come into play and intersect at some point. Those are things you have no control over, yet they color the landscape. There have been great highs and a few disappointments, but all in all it's been a fabulous journey."

Bassett recounts that journey in "Friends: A Love Story," an autobiography she co-authored with her husband, actor Courtney B. Vance.

"It's about the transformative power of love, of yourself first, love of community, love of your craft, love of God, love of your children," she says. "I talk about various experience trials, positive or negative, that went into making me who I am."

The book, published on Valentine's Day, describes Bassett's experiences growing up poor in St. Petersburg, Fla.; the mentor who encouraged her, at age 15, to apply to Yale University (she got in); and dealing with an excruciating spinal cyst that impeded her progress at school. Bassett also writes about discovering firsthand just how dramatic family dynamics can be. Attending the funeral of her father, she recalls, "I was literally tapped on the shoulder and introduced to a sister I never knew I had.

"Here's a sister you didn't have a clue about, you never heard a word about it. For me as an actress, I thought that was so interesting. So human. It's, 'Oh my God, we're just so fragile and crazy, the things we do, and the places our lives take some of us.' My younger sister, of course, who is not an actress, was very upset."

Bassett says she's looking forward to returning to the stage more frequently, including a possible Shakespeare production at Minneapolis' Guthrie Theater. She also hopes to team with Danny Glover on "Toussaint, " in which she'll play the wife of a rebel slave leader.

"Even at this point in the journey, I'm still enthused about the acting, about what's around the next corner," she says. "I get crazy when I lose a role, and I'm ecstatic when I win one. From the beginning, I've always had a resilience, which is useful in this business, since so much of it is out of your hands. What is in your hands is how you develop your character and what you bring when you show up on the set."