Growing up, she took part in gymnastics and dance and also indulged in performing arts and athletics. Omar Epps plays Quincy McCall, Thank you for subscribing! Your email address will not be published. Percy: But that was also kind of radical, because when I watch it now Im like, this dude he was being set up to play in the NBA, and he actually ends up leaving college to go play for the Lakers. And theres a competition to their relationship, too, around it. Sanaa Lathan is opening up about her miserable experience working on Love & Basketball considered one of the best sports rom-coms ever. The other challenge was the actress had never played basketball prior to the film. Tamani: But my father was a lawyer, and I was expected to follow in his footsteps. First, she dated Shemar Moore, an American actor and former fashion model, from 1985, and they got married from 1991 to 1996. But, going back to the theater, I was with my girls, I was with my friends we were excited to see it. A Love and Basketball film without Sanaa Lathan seems almost unimaginable. And at the time, I wouldnt even have articulated it like that; I just knew that I was way more than sad. I would always get to the last step and they would throw in another basketball player, she said. Im just curious how youve both grown together, you and Love & Basketball. When the movie was released a few months later, the New York Times critic Elvis Mitchell voiced quibbles but largely admired it and especially Lathan. Is this just our lot? Lathan later dated high-profile men, including: Jessica Tarlov: husband, family, nationality, books, Fox News. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! Not easybut possible. Sanaa Lathan is an American actress and voice actress who is best known for the characters that she has played in several films such asThe Best Man Holiday (2013),Love & Basketball (2000),Brown Sugar (2002), andAlien vs. Tamani: For Monica, its like with her choosing herself over Quincy. Unfortunately, no. I couldnt even entertain the question without the fear of judgment in my ear: Have you lost your mind? Co-starring Omar Epps It took me there. Epps, now 41, and Lathan, now 43, led the romantic drama as childhood sweethearts Quincy McCall and Monica Wright, respectively. Official Sites And I was already feeling like, I have to, because you know, when you get to that low point, its like, I cant stay here. I can laugh about it now, said Lathan. Sanaa Lathan stars in the iconic indie as Monica Wright, a determined young woman who dreams of playing pro basketball. Its not the only thing. And we all have to balance that, I think, with our careers and our work. Monica Wright (played by Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (played by Omar Epps) are sometimes friends, enemies, lovers, and competitors. The entertainment industry has continued to be among the best paying industries. Other things in my life at the time just the misery, too [laughs] was making me feel like that. You gonna try to work on where you want to go? No, its very powerful. Sanaa McCoy Lathan [1] (born September 19, 1971) [1] is an American actress. She is the daughter of actress Eleanor McCoy and film director Stan Lathan. Her career began after she appeared in the shows In the House, Family Matters, NYPD Blue, and Moesha. Love & Basketball (2000) Official Trailer - Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps Basketball Movie HD. Impossible. Tamani: Yes. Still, during an appearance on Strong Black Leads Surviving The No, the actress revealed that her break-out role almost didnt happen. In a new interview with CBS Locals DJ Sixsmith, Lathan dishes on what it was really like for her working on the project as a young actress who had to prove herself worthy of the starring role. The free parts. As one of my prophets, Roger Ebert, famously said, Ill see you at the movies., [music: Love and Happiness by Al green]. I felt empowered. Co-stars have been best friends for a long time And each scene unfolds the movie opens up and the kids are there, and she walks over and wants to play ball with her neighbors. Then a bright star came into view. Because its easy for other people to look at you and say, oh, how good youve done or how successful you are, and it looks all good from the outside. OK. Trending :Joanna Gaines || Pat Sajak || Brandi Love || Kamala Harris || Elizabeth Warren ||. But for me, Monica Wright will always be a shining example of whats possible when we have the courage to stand alone in the truth of ourselves. And Im just gonna ask you to do that for ten seconds, and Ill chime back in. [laughs] When you say that, its like, its so not true, though. Percy: And you wrote about that in your really just beautiful essay for Time magazine, called Love & Basketball Was More Than a Movie. [laughs] But I was starting to awaken to the reality that not being connected to what I loved came at a cost, a huge cost, really happiness. The 49-year-old said she thought hard about quitting and even was suggested to by several people in my life, including some of my representation said, Just drop out. Lathan revealed that the stress of chasing her acting dreams was getting to her, but at the advice of a close confidant in her inner circle, the actress realized there were other options. They would always do a basketball audition for me, which was just the worst. Her lovely essay for Time magazine, which inspired this conversation, is called: Love & Basketball Was More Than a Movie. Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. SANAA LATHAN is a well-established American actress. Find those wherever you like to listen, or visit us at onbeing.org to find out more. And shes going through such a difficult period in her life that ultimately helps her to understand what it is thats missing. I was living in Cambridge, Mass., nearing the end of my first year at Harvard Law School, but I had no desire to be a lawyer. Shes the author of the books All the Things We Never Knew and Calling My Name. And she said to me, she was like, do you love acting? and I said, Yes. And shes like, Are you having fun learning basketball? And I thought about it and was like, Yeah. She was like, Are you getting a good workout when youre playing basketball. I said, Yeah. She was like, Then just do it for that. Stop worrying about getting the job. Throughout the movie, its song after song. But nobody ever emphasizes it,to most kids, I think. Yes, she dated and married Shemar Moore, an American actor and former. Parental pressure is something that the writer Liara Tamani knows very well. The same year saw her do back-to-back turns in The Best Man and The Wood films. I was lost in ittrapped inside an impossible cloud of other peoples opinions and expectations. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Talking about her persona life, she is yet unmarried and is single at the moment. She is also known for lending her voice to the character ofDonna Tubbs inThe Cleveland Show (2009-2013) andFamily Guy. Liara Tamani: That I was completely lost. She wanted a basketball player who could act the role. When she was growing up, she felt that she needed to become a lawyer, just like her father she even went to Harvard and started law school; then saw Love & Basketball, and the movie completely changed her life. This is our last episode of This Movie Changed Me, and I want to say thank you. But you cannot be successful if you are absolutely miserable. 15 Photos That Prove Sanaa Lathan Ages Backwards. They were giving the basketball players acting coaches.. WebSanaa Lathan. Gina Prince-Bythewoods Love & Basketball tells the story of two talented athletes who weave in and out of each others lives as they pursue big dreams. Thank you for subscribing! Through her social media, Sanaa has done endorsement work for several brands such as . Percy: So it sounds like when you went to see it for the first time, you went really to have this lovely, celebratory experience with your girlfriends. WebLove & Basketball (2000) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. As an actor, she does this for me in every role that she takes on even when the movies arent very good, shes still fantastic. Fifteen years ago on Tuesday, Love & Basketball debuted in theaters. Sitting in the Harvard Square movie theater, between two of my girls from class, I watched Monica Wright roll up on her new neighbor and his friends playing basketball and ask if she could join. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 10, 2021. ^ "Succession actress Sanaa Lathans On The Come Up to debut at TIFF". Toronto Star, July 13, 2022. ^ Rowles, Dustin (November 21, 2014). " 'Imagine' Gets the Star-Studded 'We Are The World' Treatment for UNICEF". Pajiba. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021. Predator, Love & Basketball, Brown Sugar and The Family That Preys. Im gonna keep playing.. So she goes to Europe, and shes so lonely. The hardest challenge was getting the job, which I think weirdly prepared me for Monica, said Lathan. She wanted a basketball player who could act the role. Required fields are marked *. She was quite young when both her parents separated from each other and she used to part her time between Beverly Hills and New York. Were gonna do what you need, she says, No. Thats freedom. Shes always been a sensitive director of actors, but she also knows how to move the camera. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Percy: It is, and when its also coupled and I dont know if this was your experience, but for me it was also coupled with how to be a woman. (My partner-in-cinema, A.O. When she would go in for basketball auditions, she said it would go horribly. Tamani: You cannot. If she wins, he calls off his wedding to his girlfriend (Tyra Banks). Percy: Yeah, and one of the things that the movie shows, which honestly Im your same age, and so I saw the movie and had this very all I focused on was the love story, at the time. They dated from 1985 till 1996. Thats freedom. The On Being Project Im so curious if thats something that strikes you. Our families are important. Her brother Tendaji Lathan is a well-known DJ. Its about figuring out who you are and who you want to be at the core. And she does this through the character of Monica. But then I also taught yoga. [laughs] I dont enjoy the marketing aspect. Its funny, because Im like, Where do you get this from? They were giving the basketball player acting coaches. Actress Sanaa Lathan is a show stopper and head turner that has fans swooning over a pic of her in a nearly nude swimsuit. | They include: Meena Harris: biological father, husband, children, net worth. Copyright 2023. Viewing Party! The two have been together for a long time, having dated for a while before getting married, and are a perfect power couple. I dont think Id ever, before that point, I really dont think Id ever seen a character like her on the screen. As she is so gorgeous, she has dated a long list of handsome fellow till now with some of whom she had created abuzz in the American media as well. Im always encouraging her to do what she loves and to explore herself and to think about what she wants or think about what she enjoys. Thats the thing, because Monica has to stand alone in herself many a time, when people dont believe in her. Were Sanaa Lathan and Regina Hall in a relationship? The siblings are Tendaji Lathan, Colette Lathan, Lilane Lathan, and Arielle Lathan. What song would we cue up right here for you? I never got in trouble. The "Love and Basketball" star. She holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College and lives in Houston. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our cookie and, Sanaa Lathan Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Clare McConnell Height, Weight, Age, Boyfriend, Family, Jorma Tommila Height, Weight, Age, Wife, Family, Aksel Hennie Height, Weight, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Lucia Lachkovi Javorekov Height, Weight, Age, Boyfriend, Bio, Veronika Rajek Height, Weight, Age, Net Worth, Boyfriend, Family, A. R. Ameen Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Toby Smiles Height, Weight, Age, Disability, Family. Tamani: Oof, yes. I love the film Love & Basketball. And its one of the reasons why, no matter what the dialogue is, she just brings such depth to it. Sanaa also goes to the gym and works out with celebrity trainer Mike T atForce Fitness Inc. in Los Angeles. Her mother is Eleanor McCoy, an actress and dancer well known for performing on Broadway with Eartha Kitt. Sanaas recognition happened in 1998 with her role as the mother of Wesley Snipes' title character in Blade. Tamani: Just Love & Happiness, because that is what its about. And of course, she and Quincy have their drama to get through. I was living in Cambridge, in my first year at Harvard Law School, but I did not want to be a lawyer. The On Being Project is located on Dakota land. We had other Black love movies at the time, like Love Jones and even Brown Sugar. Didnt curse, drink or smoke. Although she was born in a family of parents in the entertainment industry, Sanaa Lathan did not have a passion for acting until her father coaxed her. Percy: And thats one of the things that even watching this movie now I struggle with, and Im so glad that the message that comes out of it is that you are beautiful, if youre wearing your hair up in a ponytail and youre wearing a basketball uniform you dont have to be made up. Percy: Exactly. Here I am, nobody knows me really, and she has to hire me. [laughs]. Selena tells the true story of the iconic Tejano singer, played by Jennifer Lopez, who broke barriers in music and fashion until her untimely death at age 23. In order to maintain a calm and level-headed state of mind, she practicesTranscendental Meditation for 20 minutes on a daily basis. Tamani: Some of my favorite scenes I definitely love the first-kiss scene when theyre kids, [laughs] when Quincy decides to ask Monica to be his girlfriend, and then they count to five well, he counts to five on his hand while they kiss. I got the job and I think Gina finally got to the point where she had to hire somebody. Shes feminine simply by being who she is. And thats a part of her recognizing her worth and recognizing the importance of her dreams, part of knowing where she wants to go and how important it is for her to get there a huge part of her character that Gina Prince-Bythewood wrote. Unlike Monicaa ball player at heart, who knows exactly what she wantsmy heroine hates basketball and has no idea what to do with her life after graduation. Lathans net worth is $5 million as of 2022. Percy: Liara Tamani is a writer and proud Harvard Law School dropout. Watch on. But youve also become so many other things as part of your identity, including a writer. You always feel it. So many of us suffer from different insecurities or different fears. Its funny, when youre growing up, people dont emphasize to you, Hey you, and only you, can create the life you want for yourself. And watching Monica up on the screen, it kind of made me realize that. Were gonna give you all the details you need to follow along. Tamani: It rings that way. August 25, 2021. But I hated this sanitized, diminished version of myself. Its a beautiful thing. But unlike a lot of relationships that I normally see between men and women, where its kind of expected that the woman would just say, OK, no, honey, were gonna follow your career. However, that was very difficult to do, so while they worked hard to find basketball players who could possibly play Monica, they kept Sanaa around because they liked her reading of the part. And really it wasnt even hiding its at the center of the movie. And the thing that struck me is that both sets of parents we have Monicas parents, and then we have Quincys parents, so Omar Epps, who plays Quincy both parents are trying to put their own insecurities and their own fears and shame in the expectations that they set for their kids. Though most people who watch Love and Basketball see it as the role that made Sanaa Lathan a star, looking back at it now, 19 years after the films release, the Her first name Sanaa is pronounced as Sa-NAA just as Sinatra would be pronounced with missing tra. Writer Liara Tamani first saw the movie in 2000 when she was a reluctant student at Harvard Law School. Yes. Now I write books for young adults. [laughs], Percy: No, I really do care a lot. [laughs], But theres something about the struggle and the pain that you were going through that you describe back in your freshman year that was necessary to your own I hate using the word journey now, because it sounds so silly when people use it, but it was it was really necessary , Percy: And I think about, for Monica, breaking up with Quincy, the person that she loved the most in her life outside of her family, going and playing basketball in the womens league in Europe, because at the time this is the other thing that blew my mind at the time, the WNBA didnt exist . I was miserable. Tamani: But its hard when it gets embedded in you, in a sense, when your early self is constructed around it. You say, At the end of the movie, Monicas running onto the court in a Los Angeles Sparks uniform with Quincy cheering her on from the sidelines. I wasnt thinking about any of that. But the freedom and aliveness that came with being more at home in myself kept me pushing forward. Get into your joy. The actress said, as soon as I switched to that energy and started having fun in the process, I got the job., In 2019, the Nappily Ever After star spoke about her experience while shooting the beloved film, expressing that she felt miserable and had often believed that she got the job because I think [director] finally got to the point where she had to hire somebody. She added, Its almost like she hired me because she couldnt find somebody else. A young, brown-skinned girl wearing an L.A. Lakers cap and a cant-tell-me-nothing attitude. Some of the richest actresses like Sanaa Lathan have a classy lifestyle. She says Monicas dedication was a revelation to her. Sanaa has appeared in numerous films and television series, taking great acting and voicing roles. I just took the movie in, the first time I saw it. Love & Basketball (2000) Official Trailer - Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps Basketball Movie HD. You can play. But then, when they see shes a girl she takes off her hat and she has long hair theyre like, Oh, girls cant ball, whatever. Sanaa in Swahili means work of art and beauty. WebActress Sanaa Lathan confessed recently that Love and Basketball made her miserable. Percy: because this movies set in the mid-90s. You can stream or buy Love & Basketball; heres a guide. Adewale dated the gorgeous Lathan from the year 2007 till 2008. Terrell Owens, an American Football wide receiver (2006), Steve Rifkind, an American music entrepreneur (2009-2010), French Montana, an American rapper (2013), Do Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps have a child together? (The WNBA didnt exist yet.). Sommerville is 6-foot-10 center who is ranked the No. Tamani: It formed right at the end, and she added it right at the end. Prince-Bythewood, who started out writing for TV, developed the script for Love & Basketball at the Sundance labs. But I hated this sanitized, diminished version of myself. And he was spot on when he wrote that when it came to its writer-director, the film was the first step, however unsteady, of an intriguing new talent.. And even though Im so very conscious of that, she still has people-pleaser in her. Predator, Love & Basketball, Brown Sugar and The Family That Preys. I taught dance, which was, whoo! Id gone to law school because my father was a lawyer and expected me to become one, too. | I love that. I worked in marketing. Tendaji Lathan, Colette Lathan, Lilane Lathan, Arielle Lathan. For me, I cant go any further without just talking about Sanaa Lathan, who I absolutely love. I got this. And I soon found out and soon realized that she really wasnt wanting to hire me.. She realized watching it that this wasnt what was right for her that she had to listen to herself, to listen to what her body was telling her, and to change her career. How can I shape my life according to what I love, even more? Tamani: Yes. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. What is Sanaa Lathan doing now? It Changed My Whole Life.. The actress is also known for dating high-profile men and one woman and remained single to date. | In the end, he wins, but he chooses Monica instead, and the movie closes with her playing for the WNBA, with the name Wright-McCall on the back of her jersey. She has her career, and she has her family, and she has her man supporting her. Percy: Theres such intention behind it, because Gina chooses that song at the beginning as this kind of entryway into this childhood, this suburban childhood that these kids are experiencing. Lathan has bagged accolades throughout her career due to her outstanding movies and TV shows roles. [laughs] And I thought that was a perfect song. And so, for me, becoming a lawyer equaled guaranteed success. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital She couldnt get my stage reading out of her head. And now, re-watching it preparing to talk to you, I realized that, as you said so beautifully, Gina Prince-Bythewood, she was telling us, This is actually what the story is about. And I remember, with Love & Basketball, Love and Happiness by Al Green playing even before the first shot was up on the screen. Like Selena the person, writer Shea Serrano is also a Mexican American from Texas. I distinctly remember at the end, after seeing that, I felt like, literally when she turned around and looked at Quincy and their child, I almost felt like she was reaching through the screen, asking me, So what you bout to do? [laughs] Like, I got here, so what you bout to do? Its drama; its the movie. Warning, Ladies: If You Give These to Omar Epps, Hell Throw Them Out, Who Is Bubba Watson's Wife? Catch Sanaa in The Twilight Zone, streaming now on CBS All Access. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Sanaa Lathan's net worth is $5 million as of 2022. It was a big deal for her and nobody knows me then really. Following the recognition, she appeared in Life film in 1999, together with co-stars Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy. The film followed the two childhood besties through four quarters of their adolescence as they fall in love (and out, and in again) all while warding off naysayers and combating family struggles to chase their shared dreams of going pro. And we also produce other podcasts you might enjoy, like On Being with Krista Tippett, Poetry Unbound, and Becoming Wise. Sanaa attended Beverly Hills High School for her basic education before joining Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics. Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan in 'Love & Basketball'. I was uncomfortable inside her sad, confused and anxious. But what was I supposed to do, drop out and find myself? Yoga and dance are a huge part of my life now. Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan in 'Love & Basketball'. And I was like, I cant live like this. Actress: Alien vs. Magazines, Or create a free account to access more articles. They gave me an assistant coach for the LA Sparks and she had me training five hours a day before I got the job.. People talk about Harvard like its the pinnacle thing you can achieve. Sanaa Lathan On Filming Love & Basketball: I Was Miserable Deriving from a dance background, the 47-year-old thespian had no prior basketball experience It feels so right that we end this podcast by talking about a movie that I love dearly, Love & Basketball, with the wonderful writer Liara Tamani. Its almost like she hired me because she couldnt find somebody else. Featured Image by Gage Skidmore / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0. How evident were her talents? She likes the sweet-salty taste of the end product. And it was my first time being in that place, a place I didnt know really how to name, but I felt a deep darkness. I also grew up in the church, and that was my experience, as well. It has been a joy for our team to make this for all of you. Sitting there in that darkened theater, I didnt even have a dream. Tamani: Its at the center of the movie, this girl who is going after her dreams. All About Angie Watson, The Best Drama Movies on Netflix to Stream Now, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Friendship Timeline, The Cast of 'The Super Mario Bros Movie': All About the Voice Actors, *NSYNC Remembers U.S. The accolades include: The actress has been in various relationships throughout her life.
Bj's And Guys Menlo, Kansas,
Articles H