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Compiled by the writers of blackfilm.com
Faces of Tomorrow: Ones to Watch 2006
July 31, 2006
There’s always a new crop of individuals who are ready for stardom
and this year is no exception. Following in the path of previous blackfilm.com's
faces of tomorrow honorees like Terrence Howard, Tyler Perry, Anthony
Mackie, and Kerry Washington, this year's list represents a talent pool
whose body of work in this year alone we think has the potential for
greatness in the future. In no particular order, we present to you the
ones to watch for in 2006:
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Keke Palmer
After a small turn in “Barbershop 2 – Back in Business”,
Keke got a number of minor roles on TV shows like ER and Cold Case, and
that led to her get cast opposite William H. Macy in the critically acclaimed
film, “The Wool Cap”. Her performance not only won an NAACP
Image award, but also a Screen Actors Guild nomination for Best Lead Actress.
This young starlet turned in an amazing performance this year as the lead
in “Akeelah and the Bee” with Laurence Fishburne and Angela
Bassett and a good supporting role n in “Madea’s Family Reunion” with
Tyler Perry. Keke is also a singer/songwriter/dancer who just inked a deal
with Atlantic Records. |
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 Sanaa Hamri
Every so often, we get a director switching gears from the music video
world to the film industry, but it’s mostly men. Sanaa Hamri,
who’s directed videos from Prince to Mariah Carey, has broken
the ranks when she helmed her first feature, “Something New” that
starred Sanaa Lathan. Her next feature will be “Dreams of a
Dying Heart” for Focus Features.
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 Alicia Keys
It’s not so new these days when rappers and singers trade in their
lyrics for a script. The question is whether or not they have the chops
to be taken serious and get good roles. Based on word-of mouth test screenings,
Alicia Keys makes one hell of an entrance in her debut film, “Smokin’ Aces”,
that the role parlayed her to get cast opposite Scarlett Johansson in
next year’s The Nanny Diaries. This Grammy-winning singer will
also star in a remake of the 1958 film Bell Book and Candle. In addition,
this musician-actress had a song on the soundtrack from “Ali” and “Glory
Road”
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 Jennifer Hudson
When casting began for Dreamgirls, outside of Beyonce, it was a race
to see who would play the lead role of Effie. While many names were
tossed around, the producers went with someone new. Jennifer Hudson
was a finalist on the third season of American Idol, so you know
this girl has the musical chops. In February 2006, Hudson was named
ShoWest "Female Star of Tomorrow," ShoWest is the largest
annual convention for the motion picture industry. After a small
preview was shown at the Cannes Film Festival, folks are already
talking Oscars noms for her and the cast.
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 Yaya DaCosta
As a runner-up from America’s Top Model, one may have thought that
Ya Ya DaCosta would have faded into obscurity, because she kept a relatively
low profile since her season ended. But talent prevail and she came out
of left field as the lead female in this year’s “Take the
Lead” opposite Antonio Banderas. Currently filming “Shanghai
Hotel” with Hill Harper, look for “Take the Lead” when
it hits DVD stores on August 29th.
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 Evan Ross
With Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends), we knew that the offspring of legendary
diva Diana Ross were talented and when her baby son Evan was featured
opposite rapper T.I. in “ATL”, it was a breakout role
worth reckoning. Since then, Evan has been cast opposite Academy
Award nominee Terrence Howard, Kimberly Elise, and Bernie Mac in
the film “Pride”. “ATL” is currently out
on DVD.
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 Mehcad Brooks
While many fans were disappointed on how Brooks’ character was
writtern out from TV’s Desperate Housewives, folks will be happy
to know that Brooks has landed a part in Spike Lee’s next film,
Selling Time. Selling Time is about a man who sells parts of his life,
as he tries to relive and change his worst day ever. Never underestimate
the allure of a damaged past begging for mending. Brooks was part of
the ensemble film, Glory Road”.
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 Paula Patton
Paula first made her film debut in “Hitch” and in just a
short time, has landed some bigger roles included playing the girlfriend
to Andre Benjamin’s character in the long-awaited film, “Idlewild” and
in the Fall will be featured opposite Denzel Washngton in “Déjà Vu”.
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 Jaden Smith
The youngest member of this year’s list has found a smooth way
to get into the film business. Having a lead role opposite your father,
Will Smith, is the best way to learn the game. Sources say Jaden steals
your heart away in “The Pursuit of Happyness”. Prior to his
film career, Jaden played “Reggie” in a couple of TV episodes
of “All of Us”.
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 Eva Pigford
Pigford won America’s Top Model and has quickly emerged on numerous
covers on magazines. Pigford is also an actress and will be seen in the
indie film, “Premium” with Hill Harper and Zoe Saldana, “Crossover” with
Anthony Mackie and Wayne Brady, and “Blackout” with Jeffrey
Wright.
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 Columbus Short
Besides acting, Short is a accomplished dancer, having been nominated
for American Choreography Award in 2004. Short will be seen in the
college theme film, “Accepted” and will be the lead of Sylvain
White’s film, Steppin’, opposite singer Ne-Yo.
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 Sylvain White
White directed the horror film, “I’ll Always Know What You
Did Last Summer”, which hits video stores later this summer and
will have his next film, “Steppin’” in theaters next
January. After the death of his younger brother, a troubled 19-year-old
street (Columbus Short) dancer from Los Angeles is able to bypass juvenile
hall by enrolling in the historically black, Truth University in Atlanta,
Georgia. But his efforts to get an education and woo the girl (Meagan
Good) he likes are sidelined when he is courted by the top two campus
fraternities, both of which want and need his fierce street-style dance
moves to win the highly coveted national step show competition.
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 Michael Pena
Believe it or not, if you look at Pena’s film bio on
www.IMDB.com, you will see that this guy has been acting since 1994 and
has a long list of credits, including a supporting turn in TV’s
The Shield, but it was until he made such an emotional impact in the
Academy Award winning film, ‘Crash”, that his face was recognized.
Since then he’s been in “Million Dollar Baby”, and
will star opposite Nicholas Cage in Oliver Stone’s 9/11 film, “World
Trade Center”. Pena will star opposite Mark Walhberg in Antoine
Fuqua’s film, ‘Shooter”.
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 Rochelle Aytes
No one can forget a beautiful face, especially when you get slapped by
Blair Underwood in “Madea’s Family Reunion”, yet
Rochelle stood out amongst the many talented people in the film as
a face to watch in the coming years. Having done many espidosic work
for numerous shows, Aytes will be Tyler Perry’s muse for his
TV show, House of Payne.
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 Dorian
Missick
Missick is another actor who’s been working since 1990 yet hasn’t
had that role that put his name in people’s minds. Well, hopefully,
with the work he’s lined up so far, that will change. Having been
featured in “The Manchurian Candidate” with Denzel Washington,
and playing the son of Samuel L. Jackson in “Freedomland” ,
and working with Morgan Freeman in “Lucky Number Slevin” has
given Missick the exposure to be cast as the lead in Pete Chatmon’s
film, Premium”, opposite Zoe Saldana. In the film, Missick plays
Reginald "Cool" Coolidge, a struggling actor who’s fed
up with taking stereotypical African American roles and waiting for his
big break in a legitimate production.
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 Laz
Alonso
Although Laz has been working in the film for a number of years going
through thru the indie circuit, he started to elevate his position
when he cast opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in last year’s Jarhead,
and was featured in “The Tenants” this year with Snoop
Doog. His next project is the ensemble film, “Flip the Script” which
features Robin Givens and Mel Jackson. This Fall, the Washington
D.C will be seen in the thriller Captivity, along with Elisha Cuthbert”
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If there are any folks you think we may missed out on, send your comments
to Wilson@blackfilm.com
Faces
of Tomorrow 2003
Faces
of Tomorrow 2004
Shining
Stars 2005
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