BEYONCE, PLEASE STOP

So, I decided to make this post after reading this. Beyonce should be 31,834,289th on the list, after a ring-tailed lemur. Naomie Harris and Thandie Newton, should be #1 and #2 respectively.

Before Beyonce's foray into "acting" most of the hate for her came from the fact that she was so ubiquitous. I for one, think she's awesome. She writes, sings, she works incredibly hard, and we've never seen paparazzi shots of her vagina or bald head.

People (many women sadly) love to hate other ladies without an obvious blemish. And we love to uplift the under-dogs. Believe me, I'm rooting for Britney too.

Beyonce gets props from me, however, for being the first woman to win a song-writer of the year award, for embracing the gay cult that her Single Ladies video has cemented for her, for her all-woman band, and for bringing it hard for every single performance she's ever done, including the one where she fell down several steps and still got back up and finished the number *cough*ashleysimpson*cough*.

She's a professional in every sense of the word. And as a woman, regardless of how I feel about her Etta James song remake, I am so very proud of her achievements, Houston accent and all.

Now, that said. I really, really, wish she'd stop acting in movies until she gets some training from a coach, on the stage, or in a sitcom.

You know the way Hollywood works. Black rappers and singers are hired far more often than black actors in movies, because they are already somewhat recognizable to the mainstream public. I think the producers believe they'll be an easier sell. So, actors who have been toiling in the trenches for years, like Sanaa Lathan, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Taraji P. Henson, and Viola Davis and many others, aren't even considered for large roles in Hollywood over the likes of Alicia Keys, will.i.am, and Beyonce.

I've said before that I don't blame them for getting theirs, but dammit...I kinda' do.

I respect how Will Smith and Queen Latifah did it, for example. They toiled on sitcoms, sharpening their craft and timing. Both started small building their cred and chops before taking on larger roles. In other words, they earned their keep.

...And the one rapper who actually started out as an actor isn't getting near enough roles either, Mos Def.

WTF. HOLLYWOOD.

If you really want to be actors, rappers/singers please, do what Will and Queen did. EARN those stripes. Otherwise all you do (besides cut another check) is make yourself and craft of acting in the hands of black people look awful and take roles from those very capable actors who have earned their stripes and then some.

If you want to get involved? Produce a project and then hire those actors you've admired to be in it. Take that as an opportunity to learn from them.

As for Beyonce. As much as I love her work ethic and girl-power jams, I despise her "acting" and I hate even more the system that continues to hire/praise her without due. NO that Dreamgirls' performance was not Oscar-worthy.

STAY AWAY FROM EARTHA KITT, please. I beg you. I've admired that woman for years. I can't take the idea of Beyonce playing her when we have perfectly capable actors who have been waiting many years for their break. You've already had yours. If you wanna act? Do it the Will/Queen way.


P.S. I've got some things to say about Halle Berry too. As proud as I am of her successes in this industry, I really wish she'd produce projects for other actors, as well. Let another up-and-coming sister take on Nappily Ever After... Because God knows, Hollywood thinks she's the only female black actor on the face of the planet (Storm. REALLY???? *YES I'm still bitter!*) Walk the talk. ...Unless that Academy Awards speech was complete B.S.

P.P.S. Wolverine was aiight but where was that shot of baby Storm from the first trailer??!!


P.P.P.S Obsessed is like the blaxploitation The Hand The Rocks The Cradle/Fatal Attraction, I'm guessing. Nope. Didn't see it. I think there are two reasons it was #1. Stereotypes on parade and girlfights. Both of which suck. We need more Charlies' Angels (without Charlie) and fewer Bride Wars, pleasethanx.