AWKWAFINA

Common Sense's Media's guide to this week's family movies and TV shows.

Asian-Amerian actress Awkwafina made headlines last year after critics blasted the “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” star for having a history of […]

“West Side Story’s” Ariana DeBose, “Licorice Pizza’s” Alana Haim and “Belfast’s” Caitriona Balfe are among the actors who will receive the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Virtuosos Award this year.

PEN America held one of New York’s first major indoor literary gatherings since the pandemic began last year, as hundreds met Tuesday night for the organization’s annual gala to honor writers, community servants, political dissidents and such prominent public figures as Walt Disney executive chair Robert A.

“I refuse to do accents.” Rapper and actress Awkwafina firmly stated the above during a 2017 interview with Vice when […] The post Awkwafina ‘open to the conversation’ about her history of AAVE use on-screen appeared first on TheGrio.

On what’s traditionally one of the sleepiest weekends at the movies, the Marvel film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” smashed the record for Labor Day openings with an estimated $71.4 million in ticket sales.

It's Simu Liu's time to take out baddies and be the hero as the titular “Shang-Chi” in Marvel Studios’ first Asian-led superhero flick.

The funny actor bought the modern three-bedroom and three-and-a-half-bathroom pad in 2019

Animated character Raya, voiced by Kelly Marie Tran, left, appears with Sisu the dragon in a scene from "Raya and the Last Dragon." (Disney+ via AP)Theaters reopening in New York City this weekend did not set the box office on fire. Walt Disney Animation's “ Raya and the Last Dragon ” earned an estimated $8.6 million from 2,045 locations in North America. AdWarner Bros. “Tom & Jerry,” which is available to stream free for HBO Max subscribers, brought in $6.6 million from 2,563 North American theaters in its second available weekend. Many areas in North America are not yet fully open, including Los Angeles, and most California counties, Washington D.C., and much of Canada.

(ABC/Paramount+/Amazon via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. MOVIES— Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall are back in Queens as Prince Akeem and Semmi in “Coming 2 America,” the sequel to the 1988 film, which is now coming straight to your living room Friday on Amazon Prime Video. Set to becoming the King of Zamunda, Murphy’s character returns to the U.S. to find a son he’s never met. Ad— A more family friendly streaming option this week is the Walt Disney Co.’s computer animated “Raya and the Last Dragon,” featuring the voices of “Star Wars’” Kelly Marie Tran as Raya and Awkwafina as a dragon. The big-voiced Grammy-winning singer self-produced “Baby, I’m Hollywood!” – which is a mix of soul music, piano ballads and funk sounds.

She’s only the second woman in the history of the Globes to win, and the first since Barbra Streisand won for “Yentl” in 1984. Its star, guerilla comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, also won best actor in a comedy. “The Queen's Gambit” won best limited series, and best actress in the category for Anya Taylor-Joy. “Schitt's Creek,” the Pop TV series that found a wider audience on Netflix, won best comedy series for its final season. Catherine O'Hara also took best actress in a comedy series.

This combination photo shows, from left, Awkwafina, Cynthia Erivo, Joaquin Phoenix, Kristen Wiig and Renee Zellweger, who are among the first presenters announced for the Golden Globes awards ceremony. (AP Photo)LOS ANGELES – “Barb and Star” are headed to the Golden Globes — actors Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo will be among the presenters at the upcoming ceremony. Wiig and Mumolo's latest film, “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” was released last week and some are already calling the campy film a cult classic. She’s won Golden Globes for her acting “Klute,” “Julia” and “Coming Home.”Norman Lear will be honored with the Carol Burnett Award, a counterpart to the DeMille Award that focuses on life achievement in television. Netflix dominated the nominations earlier this month, with its film “Mank” and its television series “The Crown” the leading nominees.

FILE - This photo from Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, show riders exit and enter a bus at the Fordham Metro-North in New York. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Friday launched a campaign that has celebrities including Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg, and Awkwafina making the announcements heard at subway stations, on trains, and buses. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)NEW YORK – Riders on New York City subways and buses are getting an earful, thanks to some famous hometown voices. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Friday launched a campaign that has celebrities including Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg and Awkwafina making the announcements heard at subway stations, on trains and buses. The MTA said the announcements will run for at least a month, and highlight the importance of mask-wearing and other coronavirus pandemic safety measures.

NEW YORK – During this year's Super Bowl, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reigned supreme on the field. Overall, this year's crop of Super Bowl ads focused on light humor that strove to entertain and connect. Bud Light Seltzer LemonadeBud Light used lemons as a metaphor for everything that went wrong in 2020 to introduce its new Seltzer Lemonade. Michelob was likely hoping to drive people to repeat views online with the celebrity lookalikes, but during the fast-moving Super Bowl the conceit was confusing. With its first-ever Super Bowl ad, Scott's was looking to keep that momentum going, but the overstuffed ad ended up being distracting.

The latest news on Super Bowl commercials. ___10 p.m.Smartphone-based stock market investment service Robinhood bought its Super Bowl spot in December after a successful year, unaware that it was about to make global headlines. Ad___9:45 p.m.Jeep starred iconic singer Bruce Springsteen in his first ever ad promoting the idea of unity. Most brands that have money to spend on Super Bowl ads are already household names, but the big game is also a chance for upstarts to make a big splash. ___7:15 p.m.General Motors used humor in a Super Bowl ad to promote its ambitious push to get more Americans to buy electric vehicles.

This photo provided by Cadillac shows a scene from Cadillac's 2021 Super Bowl NFL football spot. They aimed to connect to the estimated 100 million viewers who tune in to the Super Bowl broadcast each year. Perhaps the most striking effect: Virtually none of the ads featured people in masks, a public-health priority but also a grim reminder of the ongoing pandemic. AIMING TO ENTERTAINIn an effort to be light, advertisers stuffed -- and sometimes overstuffed — their ads with celebrities. “I like Springsteen and heartwarming ads like this generally, but this one feels too forced given the current political climate,” he said.

It might not have seemed likely early in the pandemic, but the 55th Super Bowl Sunday is upon us yet again. Amazon shows off a sexy new body for its Alexa assistant, Dan Levy apologizes for eating M&M's and Bud Light Seltzer Lemonade makes a downpour of lemons a metaphor for 2020's troubles. AdInspiration4 “ Join Us "In what is surely a first in Super Bowl history, an ad for Inspiration4, a SpaceX supported all-civilian space mission touts a chance for viewers to join the mission. Dan Levy of “Schitt’s Creek” apologizes to the M&M anthropomorphic characters that are Super Bowl mainstays and says he promises not to “eat any more of their friends." And E-Trade, famous for the talking baby ads it ran in the Super Bowl from 2008 until they “retired" in 2014, is back in the big game with an undisclosed ad.

NEW YORK – Super Bowl ads each year offer a snapshot of the American psyche. The chance to break into the psyche and (virtual) watercooler talk of an estimated 100 million viewers who will be watching the CBS broadcast of Super Bowl LV on Sunday. This year’s Super Bowl will showcase more than 20 first-time advertisers — more than double the 8 from last year if you exclude campaign ads, according to a tally by research firm iSpot. It’s a bellwether when a brand can afford the estimated $5.5 million cost-of-entry for a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl. In stark contrast to last year's Super Bowl, which featured campaign ads from both Donald Trump and Michael Bloomberg, politics is out of sight this year.

History was made Wednesday during the unveiling of the 2021 Golden Globe nominees. Regina King was nominated for "One Night in Miami," Chloe Zhao for "Nomadland" and Emerald Fennell for "Promising Young Woman." "Mank," a film centered around "Citizen Kane" co-writer Herman Mankiewicz, landed six nominations, the most of any film this year. In addition to Fincher's director nod, it secured nominations for best film, drama; best actor for Gary Oldman and best supporting actress for Amanda Seyfried; best score. Jack Fincher, the director's father who wrote the script before dying in 2003, also was nominated for best screenplay.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is embracing and championing diversity in a bigger way than ever before. The organization sent out a slew of invitations to potential voting members, including Zendaya, Awkwafina, Constance Wu, and John David Washington, to name a few. Notably, Booksmart director Olivia Wilde, as well as the film's stars, Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein, were invited as well. "The Academy is delighted to welcome these distinguished fellow travelers in the motion picture arts and sciences," Academy President David Rubin said in a statement released Wednesday. The Academy announced last month that the 93rd Academy Awards will be postponed until April 25 -- two months later than originally planned -- due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Cynthia Erivo, John David Washington, Eva Longoria, Zendaya and Awkwafina are among the 819 people who have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. If they accept, which most do, those in the new class will have voting privileges at this years Oscars. A handful of actors from this years best picture winner Parasite, including Jang Hye-Jin, Jo Yeo-Jeong, Park So-Dam and Lee Jung-Eun, were also invited to join. The Academy said that 49% of the new invitees are international and represent some 68 countries. It has since surpassed those goals and continues to infuse membership classes with both women and people from underrepresented communities.

"Today is the day I start learning metalwork so I can hand craft the Oscar that Jennifer Lopez deserves," actress Melanie Lynskey said after the announcement. "I imagine them sitting in a room wondering, "is there anyone ANYONE we can nominate instead of jennifer Lopez? "Wearing a nude glossy lip in honor of jennifer lopez and her stolen oscar nomination," wrote Vulture writer Hunter Harris. I imagine them sitting in a room wondering, "is there anyone ANYONE we can nominate instead of jennifer Lopez? https://t.co/VMfLmoR6LU Candice Frederick (@ReelTalker) January 13, 2020Some used the snub to call out the lack of diversity in Oscar nominations this year.

Awkwafina made history during the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards. The star of the hit indie family drama "The Farewell" became the first woman of Asian descent to win a Globe for best actress in a comedy or musical. "If anything, if I fall upon hard times, I can sell this," Awkwafina joked Sunday night, holding the award. Awkwafina poses with the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy at the 21st Annual InStyle And Warner Bros. Pictures Golden Globe After-Party in Beverly Hills, California on January 5, 2020. It was nominated for the best foreign film Golden Globe and has received numerous awards and critical acclaim.

It looks like the upcoming Little Mermaid live-action adaptation may have found its Sebastian! Daveed Diggs is in talks to help bring the lovable crab to life in the new Disney film, ET has learned. The GRAMMY and Tony winner would join Halle Bailey, who will playing Ariel, the mermaid who fantasizes about joining the human world. However, the role of Prince Eric hasn't been claimed yet. RELATED CONTENT: Watch 'Grown-ish' Cast React to Halle Bailey Getting Named Ariel 'Little Mermaid' Remake (Exclusive) Embed Code RestartHarry Styles Reveals Why He Passed on Playing Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid'13 Reasons Why' Star Christian Navarro Reveals He's Auditioning for Prince Eric in 'Little Mermaid' MovieAwkwafina Dances Around Rumors She's Joining 'Little Mermaid': 'I Would Be More Than Honored' (Exclusive)

On Tuesday, 13 Reasons Why star Christian Navarro revealed that he's up for the role of Prince Eric in the upcoming live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. These are references to both the casting of Halle Bailey in the lead and the return of his hit Netflix series. For months, the casting of the film has driven endless speculation -- and a lot of coy responses from would-be cast members. star Asher Angel revealed he'd also auditioned for the role of Prince Eric, and shared his enthusiasm to potentially be in the film. RELATED CONTENT:Awkwafina Dances Around Rumors She's Joining 'Little Mermaid': 'I Would Be More Than Honored' (Exclusive)Jacob Tremblay Plays Coy About Playing Flounder in 'The Little Mermaid' Remake (Exclusive)Harry Styles Reportedly Turns Down Role of Prince Eric in Live-Action 'The Little Mermaid'

Is Awkwafina the latest to join The Little Mermaid? Rumored to be playing the role of Scuttle in Disney's anticipated live-action adaptation of the 1989 classic, Awkwafina played coy about her involvement in the upcoming Little Mermaid adaptation, which will star Halle Bailey as Ariel. Original Little Mermaid composer Alan Menken will return to rework the songs from the 1989 film, alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda. On Saturday, Awkwafina shared a little more insight into the new Disney movie she was at D23 to promote. RELATED CONTENT:Harry Styles Reportedly Turns Down Role of Prince Eric in Live-Action 'The Little Mermaid'Halle Bailey Says Playing Ariel in 'Little Mermaid' Live-Action Is a 'Dream Come True' (Exclusive)Javier Bardem in Talks for Disney's Live-Action 'The Little Mermaid': Who He Would PlayMelissa McCarthy in Early Talks to Play Ursula in Live-Action 'Little Mermaid''Little Mermaid' Live-Action Film Casts Halle Bailey as Ariel

The music legend continues to impress fashionistas with her stylish wardrobe, but it was her unique hairstyle choice that turned heads this time. Dion covers the Harper's Bazaar Icons issue, donning a flashy short, bowl cut for the photo shoot. In another, Dion wears a dramatic striped and polka dot Marc Jacobs gown, and in the final photo she is seen in a chic black Alexander McQueen tuxedo high-low design. Just last month, Dion showed off her fabulous taste, attending a slew of Paris Fashion Week events in the most glamorous looks. RELATED CONTENT:Cline Dion's Team Responds to Report That Dancer Pepe Muoz Has Too Much Influence Over HerCeline Dion Wears 'Titanic'-Inspired Heart of the Ocean Necklace as She Debuts New LobCeline Dion Rocks 10 Epic Looks in Three Days

"So my first movie, Seth Rogan saw my Youtube video and hired me from there." Nora Lum, better known by her stage name Awkwafina, is riding the Hollywood wave. "When I first started, YouTube was known as Asian Hollywood," Awkwafina said. Reaching younger audiences requires a social media presence, Awkwafina said. "If you're going to be in the industry in 2019, social media is gonna be a big part of anything you do," she said.

Simu Liu of Marvel Studios' 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' at the San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H on July 20, in San Diego, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)(CNN) - Say hello to Simu Liu. "He'll be a household name soon enough," Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige told CNN after an announcement-packed panel. "All I've ever wanted to do when I was growing was make [my parents] proud," Liu said on stage at Comic-Con. "Our films play around the world and we want the films to reflect that world," he said.

NEW YORK - Ryan Murphy is adapting the Tony Award-nominated and LGBTQ-friendly musical "The Prom" for Netflix, with big names Meryl Streep, Ariana Grande, Nicole Kidman, James Corden, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key and Andrew Rannells set to star, Deadline reports. It is based on an original concept from Jack Viertel and a book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin. According to the report, Streep and Corden will play Dee Dee Allen and Barry Glickman, playwrights bruising from their dud production about Eleanor Roosevelt. "The Prom" was nominated for seven Tony Awards this year, including best musical as well as lead actress in a musical nods for Beth Leavel and Caitlin Kinnunen, who starred as Dee Dee and Emma respectively. "The Prom" is targeted for a fall 2020 release and is part of Murphy's multi-year creative deal with Netflix and will.