And really it wasnt even hiding its at the center of the movie. Didnt curse, drink or smoke. An American actor and former fashion model, Shemar is one of Lathan's boyfriend. Id been trying to become a lawyer for so long that I had no idea what I wanted for my future. 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. Epps is one of Sanna's boyfriend who by profession is a actor, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. I had to go through so much to get the part and in all the basketball scenes, [they] surrounded me with real ballplayers, said Lathan. I was miserable. Sanaa completed her schooling from theManhattan Center for Science and Mathematics. Fifteen years ago on Tuesday, Love & Basketball debuted in theaters. Gabrielle Union and Sanaa Lathan Reunite 15 Years After Love & Basketball and Haven't Aged a DaySee the Pics! As one of my prophets, Roger Ebert, famously said, Ill see you at the movies., [music: Love and Happiness by Al green]. And Im just gonna ask you to do that for ten seconds, and Ill chime back in. 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. 50 years old (as of 2022) Zodiac sign: Virgo; Place of birth: New York City, New York, Love & Basketball as Monica Wright (2000) The Smoker as Roxanne (2000) Brown Sugar as Tuko.co.ke shared an interesting article about Kourtney Pogue's nationality, net worth, career, and Justin Turner's relationship. And the fact that she was female and that she was Black and I wasnt using words like representation or feminism back then, but its like, you feel the energy just the same. She cant play! So there was a lot of crying, a lot of crying behind the scenes for me.. Sanaa made her theatrical film debut asCarolyn Brody in Drive in 1997. The boys grudgingly let her play, and she schools them. 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. And, depending on how things pan out, it might be the top recruiting class in the nation. Thank you for subscribing! And then one night, I sat down at my drafting table and started writing. In 2018, her net worth was estimated at$4 million. Despite being in many relationships, Lathan is still single. And of course she should choose herself, if somebodys asking you that. Become TUKO.co.ke ambassador get a branded T-shirt, hoodie or water bottle at our TUKO Shop! Sanaa Lathan makes her like "Love & Basketball," "Succession" and "A Raisin In The Sun." Along the way to becoming a writer, I worked in marketing, which I guess I have to incorporate it for my writing, but I dont enjoy it. Percy: Liara Tamani is a writer and proud Harvard Law School dropout. 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. | It was her baby and it was her first time directing. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Sanaa Lathan's net worth is $5 million as of 2022. WebLove & Basketball Sanaa Lathan was: 28 Played: Monica Wright Fri, Apr 21 2000 The Best Man Sanaa Lathan was: 28 Played: Robin Fri, Oct 22 1999 The Wood Sanaa Sometimes its hard to remove that from you, even as an adult. I felt seen this girl who is like, shes gonna fight for what she wants, under any circumstances. Other things in my life at the time just the misery, too [laughs] was making me feel like that. I would always get to the last step and then they would throw in another basketball player. Percy: I love that. And every time, I ask myself, How can I be more free? Lathans net worth is $5 million as of 2022. Love & Basketball (2000) Official Trailer - Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps Basketball Movie HD. She wanted a basketball player who could act the role. Actress and comedian, Hall is the first lady partner of Lathan. Watch on. Love & Basketball pays homage to idea that anything boys can do, girls can do better, and it and ends with Quincy and Monica engaging in a final game of double or nothing with very high stakes: She challenges him to one-on-one. My latest is the love story of two high school basketball players. What kind of fool drops out of Harvard Law School? And of course, she and Quincy have their drama to get through. Predator. The siblings are Tendaji Lathan, Colette Lathan, Lilane Lathan, and Arielle Lathan. And that was a beautiful and inspiring thing. Tamani: Yeah, because you can certainly lose the connection to yourself, when things get out of whack, for sure. Her mother is Eleanor McCoy, an actress and dancer well known for performing on Broadway with Eartha Kitt. I had a dance background, but I had never picked up a basketball. [music: Love and Happiness by Al Green]. Thats freedom. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! Tamani: It rings that way. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Is this just our lot? 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. 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. She obtained abachelorsdegreeinEnglish from theUniversity of California, Berkeley. The same year saw her do back-to-back turns in The Best Man and The Wood films. Here's everything you need to know, Jesus Ortiz Paz's parents, net worth, wife, and daughter, 20 female celebrities with black hair to follow in 2023, Germany hopes to help climate with discount travel card, 'Super Mario' is year's first film to pass $1 bn globally, Muigai Wa Njoroge's 2 Beautiful Wives Steal Show at Hubby's Event, JPMorgan to buy First Republic after regulators seize control. This podcast is produced by On Being Studios, which is located on Dakota Land. Yoga and dance are a huge part of my life now. As she has dated a lady, so she definitely is not straight in terms of her sexuality. Sign up to receive The Atlanta Black Star Newsletter in your inbox. Well, I feel like we cant talk about our favorite scenes without talking about the end scene. Sanaa Lathan was born on September 19, 1971, which makes her 29 years old at the time that Love and Basketball was released in 2000. 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. As always, if you havent seen the movie, dont worry. With The Old Guard, she became the first Black woman to direct a big comic-book movie. It was the basketball.. Sanaa Lathan has bagged significant roles in TV series. Not easybut possible. And I was starting to get this terrifying sense that if I stayed in law school, I could get trapped in her the rest of my life. Sanaa Lathan is an American actress. Percy: because this movies set in the mid-90s. She was recognized off-Broadway and on the Los Angeles stage. Co-starring Omar Epps It rings that way, yes. 'We Are Perpetual Foreigners.' Filming & Production The romantic drama starred Omar Epps as hotshot basketball player Quincy McCall and Sanaa Lathan as his feisty girlfriend Monica Wright, who loves the sport as much as he does. Sanaa pursued studies at the University of The free parts. I want her to be free. Yes. Work is not the only thing. Thank you for subscribing! She wanted a basketball player who could act the role. But a few days later, Monica gets a letter from USC. Sanaa Lathan (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images North America) *Sanaa Lathan has revealed that she almost turned down the role of Monica in 2000s But I hated this sanitized, diminished version of myself. PAY ATTENTION: Help us change more lives, join TUKO.co.kes Patreon programme. She likes to eat her salty popcorn by mixing it with some Raisinets (chocolate-covered raisins). I hope you are, too. And I had to try on many things. 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. Text RICKEY to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. And that says a lot about, I think, where I was, [laughs] just thinking about the love story. So it is very important to me that my daughter not have that fear. To maintain this lifestyle, they work hard to get good money from the roles their play. Percy: So Im curious, as we end our conversation Im sure youve seen this movie many more times since that first time. Your email address will not be published. We publish narratives intentionally and specifically to enlighten and transform the world. I also grew up in the church, and that was my experience, as well. Very few of us actually have that. Omar Epps plays Quincy McCall, WebLove & Basketball (2000) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Sanaa also goes to the gym and works out with celebrity trainer Mike T atForce Fitness Inc. in Los Angeles. 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. And I soon found out and soon realized that she really wasnt wanting to hire me. The 49-year-old said she Tamani: Its at the center of the movie, this girl who is going after her dreams. I couldnt even entertain the question without the fear of judgment in my ear: Have you lost your mind? The On Being Project It Changed My Whole Life.. Sanaa McCoy Lathan was born on September 19, 1971, in New York City, New York, the U.S. Percy: So how did you go from watching this movie, realizing I cant keep doing this; I cant go down the path to be a lawyer, and then dropping out of Harvard? Percy: One of the reasons why its so sincere. Tendaji Lathan, Colette Lathan, Lilane Lathan, Arielle Lathan. Growing up, she took part in gymnastics and dance and also indulged in performing arts and athletics. What song would we cue up right here for you? | She is the daughter of Stan However, she got through it all by totally mastering Monica when it came to the actual acting. Menu. A young, brown-skinned girl wearing an L.A. Lakers cap and a cant-tell-me-nothing attitude. New Line Cinema/Everett Collection. However, she has read the holy scriptures of several religions like The Bible, Quran, Hindu scriptures. And really from a young age, I was a high achiever, and I was really very attached to that part of my identity. There wasnt a lot of joy, and there wasnt a lot of trust in me. Percy: Youre a parent too. Was sanaa lathan ever married? How can I shape my life according to what I love, even more? She gets to the point where she makes this decision with me, but I felt like the default., Fans were shocked to hear this news, but also voiced that they were happy the actress didnt give up including one Instagram user who wrote, I am so glad you did not give up! Truth always rings. It was a situation where Gina [Prince-Bythewood], the director, did not want an actress who could play basketball. Im gonna be the first girl in the NBA, she says. There was a lot of crying behind the scenes for me.. 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. 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. It was a big deal for her. She has her career, and she has her family, and she has her man supporting her. Predator, Love & Basketball, Brown Sugar and The Family That Preys. But I hated this sanitized, diminished version of myself. Release Dates Actress Sanaa Lathan is a show stopper and head turner that has fans swooning over a pic of her in a nearly nude swimsuit. Parental pressure is something that the writer Liara Tamani knows very well. Finally I demanded that if you want me to continue, youll have to get me a basketball coach. Its not the only thing. The two have been together for a long time, having dated for a while before getting married, and are a perfect power couple. Percy: Harvard, no less. I just took the movie in, the first time I saw it. What would be the perfect song to cue up for freedom? Later, she went to the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in English. How evident were her talents? Scroll up and hear her tell it via the clip above. People talk about Harvard like its the pinnacle thing you can achieve. But be prepared to leave it belonging a little more to yourself. But its hard. I didnt know what I wanted my future to look like. Official Sites Tamani: It formed right at the end, and she added it right at the end. 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. Sanaa Lathan, the daughter of Actress Eleanor McCoy and Director Stan Lathan, was raised in both New York City and Los Angeles. Trending :Joanna Gaines || Pat Sajak || Brandi Love || Kamala Harris || Elizabeth Warren ||. With many theaters closed and the industry on effective hold, audiences have been streaming and often yawning the hours away. The two dated during the, Did Sanaa Lathan have a baby with Denzel Washington? I had no idea what I wanted to be. Shes worked steadily since, honing her craft and affirming her talent with movies like Beyond the Lights (2014) and the limited series Shots Fired (2017). Its almost like she hired me because she couldnt find somebody else. Finally, however, she listened to her father's advice, and today she is one of the well-doing black actresses in America. 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. 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 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.. In the films most memorable scene, Quincy challenged Monica to a steamy game of one-on-one strip basketball. the two were co-stars in the 2003s. [laughs] And I learned that the consequences of not obeying had severe consequences hell, essentially. No, Im gonna be in the NBA. 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. Of course, we are going to be directing them and trying to direct them, according to our fears and insecurities. As a voice actress, she made her TV show debut as Donna Tubbs inThe Cleveland Show in 2009. You always feel it. (Yes, teenage boys worshipped his game, on and off the court.). Tamani: Yes. Shes like a sister to me. Thats hard., They also surrounded me in all of the basketball scenes with real ball players, she added. But her vision of herself as a ball player holds strong. Id gone to law school because my father was a lawyer and expected me to become one, too. If I had been an actress who hadnt really done a lot, just a couple of acting classes, I would have probably been terrified. Tzi Ma Talks, How Black Filmmakers Are Reclaiming Their History Onscreen. 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. While the basketball players were being taught to act in the hopes of filling the role, Sanaa, for some time, was left on her own to learn basketball. Tamani: You cannot. They want her! Love & Basketball, written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, is a movie that gets better and better with each viewing. Monica Wright (played by Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (played by Omar Epps) are sometimes friends, enemies, lovers, and competitors. Then a bright star came into view. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Writer Liara Tamani first saw the movie in 2000 when she was a reluctant student at Harvard Law School. Tamani: I would say, now that Im a writer, I have an appreciation for Gina Prince-Bythewood as an artist, as a storyteller. 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. Now I write books for young adults. At times, I felt alone and scared. Impossible. 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. Liara Tamani is the author of the acclaimed Calling My Name, which was a 2018 PEN America Literary Award Finalist and SCBWI Golden Kite Finalist, and All the Things We Never Knew, which was a 2020 Kirkus Best YA Book of the Year. I can laugh about it now, she said. 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. And I think about yourself and what you had to go through in order to really understand your identity as a writer. | 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. Liara Tamani is the author of the upcoming novel All The Things We Never Knew (Greenwillow/HarperCollins). The other challenge was the actress had never played basketball prior to the film. 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. She went straight to 7th grade after she completed her 5th grade. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. But the gray gloominess that hung over New England was becoming hard to distinguish from the gloom I felt in myself. So its amazing to think about that. Her brother Tendaji Lathan is a well-known DJ. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! She gets to the point where she knows it, she makes this decision with me, but yet, I was like the default. Tamani: For Monica, its like with her choosing herself over Quincy. She is a big user of coconut oil and uses it on her hair, her skin, as a makeup remover, and for cooking. Sanaas father is Stan Lathan. She continued, It was really hard to keep kind of investing and trying to prove myself and keep kind of being shot down. It was a message I really needed to hear at that time. I felt empowered. Percy: No, those are your words! 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. Yes, the two were in a relationship in 2005. Prince-Bythewood, who started out writing for TV, developed the script for Love & Basketball at the Sundance labs. Co-starring Omar Epps and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the story centers on a young Black couple navigating the challenging worlds of romance and athletics. Sanaa Lathan On Filming Love & Basketball: I Was Miserable Deriving from a dance background, the 47-year-old thespian had no prior basketball experience And I look at, you know, if I get a no, then it wasnt a match for me. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What was the trajectory in your mind, and the steps that led you to ultimately embracing your identity as a writer? You have reached your limit of free articles. The On Being Project is located on Dakota land. And then what you experienced was really personal. One of my all time favorites! This site uses cookies to serve you better. 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. Watch on. Tamani: Its funny; because I grew up in the church, and so I grew up in kind of a strict religious household, I was introduced to fear very early. Percy: Exactly. I wasnt thinking about any of that. So she goes to Europe, and shes so lonely. 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. They were like, OK, cool. In order to maintain a calm and level-headed state of mind, she practicesTranscendental Meditation for 20 minutes on a daily basis. Find those wherever you like to listen, or visit us at onbeing.org to find out more. We went on to do Disappearing Acts and Shots Fired and I love her. [laughs]. Percy: And you wrote about that in your really just beautiful essay for Time magazine, called Love & Basketball Was More Than a Movie. No. So many of us suffer from different insecurities or different fears. 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. Sanaa Lathan Monica Wright: Omar Epps Quincy Sanaa was 5 years oldwhen she met the legendary singer-songwriter. 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. Sanaa Lathan is opening up about her miserable experience working on Love & Basketball considered one of the best sports rom-coms ever. They would always do a basketball audition for me, which was just the worst. 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. Flash-forward to later in the movie: shes a high school senior (played by Sanaa Lathan), sitting at the dining table, listening to her dad urge her to consider options besides playing basketball.
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