EBONY Power Talks: Entertainment Powerhouses

EBONY Power Talks: Entertainment Powerhouses features Editor-in-Chief and Senior Vice President of Programming at EBONY, Marielle Bobo, in conversation with actress, Vivica A. Fox, and actor, Nicco Annan. With over three decades of experience between the two entertainers, they have witnessed the ebbs, flows, and evolution of Hollywood. “…the last 10 years, you’ve really seen major changes, and that’s because we are in more power positions. We’re writing, we’re directing, we have our own networks,” Fox shares.

Early in their careers, Fox and Annan experienced their individual challenges, from coming up just short of landing the role to being boxed into certain casting types. Through it all, they remained vigilant and dedicated to their craft, ready to grab their moment. “All you need is one, one person to believe in you, one person to open a door. Do the best with the one shot you are given,” Annan says while reflecting on his breakout role as Uncle Clifford in the hit drama series, P-Valley.

With more opportunities for diverse characters and roles on screen and behind the camera, Hollywood has seemingly entered a new season: an era forged by those who’ve come from the very bottom and have built ownership and credibility in the entertainment world. Fox credits production houses such as Tyler Perry Studios and Shondaland to name a few. We’ve come a long way for today’s Black entertainers to have the opportunity to show their talent and versatility. Looking ahead, there is always more to be done to break down barriers, “it’s been a beautiful change to see, but you have to challenge Hollywood. And that comes from us as actors, if you’re number one on the call sheet to demand that” Fox states.

Bobo, Fox, and Annan continue continue their conversation by exploring the changing the narratives around what defines success in Hollywood, broadening the scope of Black actors on screen, and giving flowers where they are due.

EBONY Power Talks: Entertainment Powerhouses is presented by Cadillac