Sanaa Lathan is black. So thank the goddess for Gina Prince-Bythewood, whose Netflix action-adventure The Old Guard with its mysteries, kinetic action, tight set pieces and pensive superheroes has delivered the transporting pleasures we need. Tamani: But its hard when it gets embedded in you, in a sense, when your early self is constructed around it. Shes feminine simply by being who she is. What was the trajectory in your mind, and the steps that led you to ultimately embracing your identity as a writer? But up on the big screen, Monica isnt letting her dad, her fear or anyone else tell her what to do. Through her fathers encouragement to perfect on acting on the Los Angeles stage, Sanaa bagged television roles in episodes of shows such as In the House, Family Matters, NYPD Blue, and Moesha. Sanaa McCoy Lathan is an American actress and voice actress, best known for her performance in A Raisin in the Sun for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. On top of that, Quincy will be playing there, too. [laughs]. 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. Sometimes its hard to remove that from you, even as an adult. We bonded quickly thereafter. She misses the Indian food in London, England. But be prepared to leave it belonging a little more to yourself. She gets to the point where she knows it, she makes this decision with me, but yet, I was like the default. Later, she went to the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in English. The actress is also known for dating high-profile men and one woman and remained single to date. And that says a lot about, I think, where I was, [laughs] just thinking about the love story. You can stream or buy Love & Basketball; heres a guide. Released in 2000, it stars Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps as childhood friends turned young adults bound by feelings for each other and a shared passion for basketball. Its just going in the direction of things you love, youll discover things about yourself. Percy: Poetic Justice, I remember going with my girlfriends to see that. She tries to take regular breaks from social media. 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. That mastery had led me to the most prestigious law school in the country. I can laugh about it now, said Lathan. Youre gonna be my cheerleader, Quincy replies before Monica beats him to the basket. The first time that I saw it, I was in college, and I was so struck by the relationship at the center of the movie the love story. Whos about to do that? Warning, Ladies: If You Give These to Omar Epps, Hell Throw Them Out, Who Is Bubba Watson's Wife? Tuko.co.ke shared an interesting article about Kourtney Pogue's nationality, net worth, career, and Justin Turner's relationship. I cant my future cannot be here. Thats how I felt. She wanted a basketball player who could act the role. Shes like a sister to me. Predator, Love & Basketball, Brown Sugar and The Family That Preys. They gave me an assistant coach for the LA Sparks and she had me training five hours a day before I got the job.. But a few days later, Monica gets a letter from USC. As always, if you havent seen the movie, dont worry. Text RICKEY to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Tamani: Yeah what I was not ready for was the gem hiding inside of that romance. In the past, she started a foundation called the. You gonna try to work on where you want to go? No, its very powerful. Id been trying to become a lawyer for so long that I had no idea what I wanted for my future. Was sanaa lathan ever married? And, depending on how things pan out, it might be the top recruiting class in the nation. 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. So, its really about switching it in your head. If I had been an actress who hadnt really done a lot, just a couple of acting classes, I would have probably been terrified. All Rights Reserved. Made straight As. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. And then what you experienced was really personal. Comments will be open until 12 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday so please swing by, we need everyone off the bench. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. I got the job and I think Gina [Prince-Bythewood] finally got to the point where she had to hire somebody. [music: Love and Happiness by Al Green]. | By the end of shooting, we were cool and very close, she said. For me, I cant go any further without just talking about Sanaa Lathan, who I absolutely love. Tamani: No, its very unrealistic. Allegra Edwards bio: height, husband, family, movies and TV shows. But as a baller herself she balled, growing up she was sharing her own truth with that movie, which is a beautiful . Monica wanted to play for the Los Angeles Lakers I love that. [laughs] And I thought that was a perfect song. Im just curious how youve both grown together, you and Love & Basketball. 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And she does this through the character of Monica. Im still working to be free, still learning how to live outside of fear as I shape my professional space as an author. Ive worked really hard, Percy: Is it like, Do we all have this, as women? 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. Yes. WebLove & Basketball (2000) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood Writing Credits ( WGA) Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification Produced by Music by Terence Blanchard Cinematography by Reynaldo Villalobos Film Editing by Terilyn A. Shropshire Casting By Aisha Coley And my first year of law school, its like youre out of college, and youre at that point where youre like, OK, this is not playtime anymore, [laughs] I felt like. Lathan has bagged accolades throughout her career due to her outstanding movies and TV shows roles. Im just curious, what are the scenes or lines that stand out to you, even after all these years, after 20-something years of watching this movie? Wisdom Practices and Digital Retreats (Coming in 2023). 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. April 16, 2020 11:41 AM EDT. Finally, however, she listened to her father's advice, and today she is one of the well-doing black actresses in America. While Monica and Quincy are falling in love, theyre also trying to navigate the pressures that come with trying to make a career out of something that they love, basketball. WebActress Sanaa Lathan confessed recently that Love and Basketball made her miserable. The boys grudgingly let her play, and she schools them. Lily Percy, host: Hello, fellow movie fans. Anyone can read what you share. | No, in life, in real life for most of us, its just putting one foot in front of the other and taking one step and then another toward the things you love, in the direction of the things you love. You talk about how you were feeling at that time, when you first encountered Monica. Magazines, Or create a free account to access more articles. My latest is the love story of two high school basketball players. After finishing my first year of law school, I didnt go back. The role for me was easy. Sanaa McCoy Lathan was born on September 19, 1971, in New York City, New York, the U.S. Despite being in many relationships, Lathan is still single. When he first saw the movie in 1997, he was captivated by all the things it got right about his world the accents, dialogue, and intimate moments. And like you said, when she went on to play overseas, its probably not just Q, Quincy she was missing, its her friends and family from home. Liara Tamani is the author of the upcoming novel All The Things We Never Knew (Greenwillow/HarperCollins). So she goes to Europe, and shes so lonely. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. On the 20th anniversary of Love & Basketball, you may revisit the movie craving romanceand trust, the chemistry between Monica and Quincy is there. Percy: And shes new to the neighborhood; they just moved there. Percy: You write about it in that same essay for Time. Love & Basketball, written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, is a movie that gets better and better with each viewing. Its funny, because Im like, Where do you get this from? So you have to start defining that for yourself. 15 Photos That Prove Sanaa Lathan Ages Backwards. Sanaa made her theatrical film debut asCarolyn Brody in Drive in 1997. They were giving the basketball player acting coaches. 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. And really, this could go on forever, because much like yourself, I love the movie. I was lost in ittrapped inside an impossible cloud of other peoples opinions and expectations. Prince-Bythewood, who started out writing for TV, developed the script for Love & Basketball at the Sundance labs. And of course, she and Quincy have their drama to get through. I dont know!, Tamani: But I think its part of the human condition. This is our last episode of This Movie Changed Me, and I want to say thank you. Shes always been a sensitive director of actors, but she also knows how to move the camera. I wasnt Sanaa Lathan, I was just some actress and I could feel them being like, Why did this bh get the part? I know that we have the scene where Monica is made over by her sister, and she goes to prom, and her mom for the first time tells her that shes beautiful. While playing at USC and then overseas, she encounters more haters and difficulties. Its not the only thing. She has a bachelors degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley and a drama masters degree from the Yale University School of Drama. Sanaa Lathans age is 50 years old as of todays date 18th January 2022 having been born on 19 September 1971. 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. I love that scene. Sanaa Lathan stars in the iconic indie as Monica Wright, a determined young woman who dreams of playing pro basketball. But the familiar songs; I think of, when you say Poetic Justice, the braids, the hairstyles you know. WebShemar Moore and Sanaa Lathan were married in 1991 the couple filed for divorce in 1996. Ive spent a whole lifetime, really, trying to break free from fear. Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. But nobody ever emphasizes it,to most kids, I think. 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. She is primarily famous for being married to a professional baseball player, Justin Turner. Thats the thing, because Monica has to stand alone in herself many a time, when people dont believe in her. Adults like to tell kids what they expect them to do or what they think is right or what they think is good, instead of encouraging them to look on the inside of themselves or to figure out what they love. 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. I just took the movie in, the first time I saw it. Is this just our lot? | In August 2021, during an interview, Sanaa revealed that she had stopped drinking 3 years ago. An American Football wide receiver, Owens is one of Lathan's boyfriend. Omar Epps plays Quincy McCall, The whole song theyre very, very intentional with the music, and it was a beautiful thing to experience, for sure. It took me out of my misery, and it just swept over me, the feeling of love, and made me just so ready to take it all in. And I was on the verge of dropping out of the audition process. It was her baby and it was her first time directing. It took a while for that talent to take another big step, though not for a lack of trying, and it was eight years before her second feature, The Secret Life of Bees, put Prince-Bythewood back in our sights. Tamani: It rings that way. That Blonde Though: Sanaa Lathan Wows Fans with Stunning Selfies of the Many Hairstyles Shes Rocked Since Her 2017 Big Chop, Dont Say Anything to Your Agents, I Wasnt Suppose to Tell You: Fans In Stitches After Regina Hall Reveals Sanaa Lathan Once Told Her She Landed a Role Only to Learn It Actually Went to Regina King, I Had to Curse Out the Camera Crew: Sanaa Lathan Reveals How Method Mans Superstar Status Left Members of On the Come Up Production In Awe. Scott, is on vacation.) But youve also become so many other things as part of your identity, including a writer. 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. I also grew up in the church, and that was my experience, as well. In 2018, her net worth was estimated at$4 million. There was a lot of crying behind the scenes for me.. You say: Id become a master at taming, hiding and cutting out the parts of myself that werent compatible with the person other people wanted me to be: the rebellious, curious and sexy parts; the questioning and fearless parts. It was a big deal for her and nobody knows me then really. It has been a joy for our team to make this for all of you. One of my all time favorites! Its important to be able to stand in the truth of yourself and to be able to fight for that, even when its unpopular or other people disagree with you. I went on a winding path through the sports and entertainment industries and the interior design field. I was miserable [laughs]. Watch Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan in the famously steamy scene from their 2000 romance film. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. WebLove & Basketball (2000) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. And its one of the reasons why, no matter what the dialogue is, she just brings such depth to it. It might have crossed my mind to yank my head away from my mother as a child, but I wouldnt have dared. When have we seen that since? 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.. I would always get to the last step and they would throw in another basketball player, she said. Percy: because this movies set in the mid-90s. Sanaa Lathan On Filming Love & Basketball: I Was Miserable Deriving from a dance background, the 47-year-old thespian had no prior basketball experience Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. So many of us suffer from different insecurities or different fears. Tamani: Its at the center of the movie, this girl who is going after her dreams. Looking up at this strong-willed girl who knew exactly who she was and what she wanted in life, a light flicked on inside me. And every time I watch the film I watched it last week just to get ready again for this interview. With The Old Guard, she became the first Black woman to direct a big comic-book movie. As she has dated a lady, so she definitely is not straight in terms of her sexuality. But you cannot be successful if you are absolutely miserable. Tamani: Yeah, because you can certainly lose the connection to yourself, when things get out of whack, for sure. Sanaa attended Beverly Hills High School for her basic education before joining Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics. At times, I felt alone and scared. The "Love and Basketball" star. It Changed My Whole Life very appropriate title. It was her baby and it was her first time directing. And that was a beautiful and inspiring thing. Tamani: But my father was a lawyer, and I was expected to follow in his footsteps. An American actor and former fashion model, Shemar is one of Lathan's boyfriend. I worked in marketing. 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. 51 years old: Family Name : Lathan: Birth Country : United States: Birth Sign : Virgo : Height : 5 Feet 7 Inch: Name: Sanaa Lathan: Alien vs. Shes living a life of her own, one she created. It felt like being united with a huge piece of my identity. And along the way, the things that I tried on, I still incorporate them in my life. The On Being Project I worked for an interior design company. She cant play! So there was a lot of crying, a lot of crying behind the scenes for me.. They were like, OK, cool. Pay attention: Become TUKO.co.ke ambassador get a branded T-shirt, hoodie or water bottle at our TUKO Shop! You always feel it. Does Sanaa Lathan have kids? Now I write books for young adults. All of which is to say its time to revisit Love & Basketball, Prince-Bythewoods debut feature and first screen triumph. Definitely, looking back, Im grateful to be able to see her intention. Tamani: You cannot. But even with that, the overall message of the movie is that she falls in love, and she is loved, just for who she is, not because of this kind of way of showcasing femininity. No way Monica would let that happen to her. Lets All Watch Love & Basketball, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/23/movies/love-basketball-sanaa-lathan-omar-epps.html. That song played, and I was like, ooh. I was very lucky I did a staged reading of the script when she was still working on the script. Producers of the film also wanted a real basketball player to play the female lead.
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