On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with Nicole Avant and Alanna Brown to discuss their  riveting film 'Trees of Peace'. Based on a true story, the heart-wrenching project is centered on four women who forge an unbreakable bond while in hiding during the genocide in Rwanda. The ladies discuss the story's message of determination and resilience as well as what it took to bring the idea to fruition after more than eight years. They'll also examine the ways Nicole Avant was able to use her expertise and influence to help this first time filmmaker full of raw talent take it across the finish line. 

On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with Nicole Avant and Alanna Brown to discuss their  riveting film 'Trees of Peace'. Based on a true story, the heart-wrenching project is centered on four women who forge an unbreakable bond while in hiding during the genocide in Rwanda. The ladies discuss the story's message of determination and resilience as well as what it took to bring the idea to fruition after more than eight years. They'll also examine the ways Nicole Avant was able to use her expertise and influence to help this first time filmmaker full of raw talent take it across the finish line.

Acting up is smart, relevant and dedicated to supporting Black Excellence in Hollywood. Hosted by Cortney Wills, TheGrio’s Entertainment Director and pop culture junkie, covering music, TV and film since 2005, she guides us through one-on-one conversations with icons, celebrities, actors, producers, directors, and all the Black people who keep this industry thriving. 

Acting up is smart, relevant and dedicated to supporting Black Excellence in Hollywood. Hosted by Cortney Wills, TheGrio&rsquo;s Entertainment Director and pop culture junkie, covering music, TV and film since 2005, she guides us through one-on-one conversations with icons, celebrities, actors, producers, directors, and all the Black people who keep this industry thriving.

Acting Up

"Acting Up” features intimate conversations with the creatives, executives, and decision-makers who are truly moving the needle when it comes to representation in Hollywood and beyond. In each episode, theGrio’s Entertainment Director Cortney Wills gets real with actors, writers, producers, directors, executives, and insiders who shape how our communities are represented on screens big and small. Through poignant commentary and in-depth interviews, she explores how Hollywood continues to influence so many aspects of our lives, from beauty standards to political participation, from how the rest of the world sees Black America to how they see themselves.

"Acting Up” features intimate conversations with the creatives, executives, and decision-makers who are truly moving the needle when it comes to representation in Hollywood and beyond. In each episode, theGrio’s Entertainment Director Cortney Wills gets real with actors, writers, producers, directors, executives, and insiders who shape how our communities are represented on screens big and small. Through poignant commentary and in-depth interviews, she explores how Hollywood continues to influence so many aspects of our lives, from beauty standards to political participation, from how the rest of the world sees Black America to how they see themselves.

Acting Up with Cortney Wills

Trees of Peace

As we head into Oscars weekend, Black Hollywood has much to be proud of in 2024.  Danielle Brooks, Sterling K. Brown, Colman Domingo, Jeffrey Wright, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph all earned nominations.  On this episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills chats with Best Supporting Actress nominee Da’Vine Joy Randolph about her role as Mary Lamb in “The Holdovers.”   Da’Vine also shares the wisdom she gained on a path through Yale, to roles in “The Idol” and “Dolemite is My Name” and as the voice of Mama Luna from “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” and Sheila B in “Trolls World Tour.” The Academy Awards airs Sunday, March 10th, at 7 p.m. ET/4p.m. PT

Music courtesy of Transitions Music Corporation

As we head into Oscars weekend, Black Hollywood has much to be proud of in 2024.  Danielle Brooks, Sterling K. Brown, Colman Domingo, Jeffrey Wright, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph all earned nominations.  On this episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills chats with Best Supporting Actress nominee Da’Vine Joy Randolph about her role as Mary Lamb in “The Holdovers.”   Da’Vine also shares the wisdom she gained on a path through Yale, to roles in “The Idol” and “Dolemite is My Name” and as the voice of Mama Luna from “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” and Sheila B in “Trolls World Tour.” The Academy Awards airs Sunday, March 10th, at 7 p.m. ET/4p.m. PT
Music courtesy of Transitions Music Corporation

It Comes Down to Choice, with Da'Vine Joy Randolph

Marker 03

Marker 06

Guest + Talent Chemistry Moment

Guest + Talent Chemistry audiogram

Cortney sits down with filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper to discuss her new documentary, James Brown: SAY IT LOUD. The pair speak about James Brown’s role in the Black Power Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Brown’s iconic song “Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud,” slavery’s influence on Black entertainment, the history of hip-hop, r&b, soul, and rock musicians sampling James Brown, and funk music's impact on contemporary genres.  Cortney and Deborah also have a nuanced conversation about how to discuss artists with complicated pasts.

Acting Up is all about Black Hollywood, who's making noise, who's making a difference, and how they're moving the needle regarding representation. 

Cortney Wills has forged deep connections with creatives, actors, directors, producers, writers, executives, and the real decision-makers who shape how our community is represented onscreen, giving Acting Up access to the inner workings of Hollywood.

Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

Music Courtesy of: Transitions Music Corporation, Black Ice Publishing, Reach Global Songs

Media Clips Courtesy of: A + E Networks

Cortney sits down with filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper to discuss her new documentary, James Brown: SAY IT LOUD. The pair speak about James Brown’s role in the Black Power Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Brown’s iconic song “Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud,” slavery’s influence on Black entertainment, the history of hip-hop, r&amp;b, soul, and rock musicians sampling James Brown, and funk music's impact on contemporary genres.  Cortney and Deborah also have a nuanced conversation about how to discuss artists with complicated pasts.
Acting Up is all about Black Hollywood, who's making noise, who's making a difference, and how they're moving the needle regarding representation. 
Cortney Wills has forged deep connections with creatives, actors, directors, producers, writers, executives, and the real decision-makers who shape how our community is represented onscreen, giving Acting Up access to the inner workings of Hollywood.
<a href="https://linktr.ee/thegrioblackpodcastnetwork">Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network</a>
Music Courtesy of: Transitions Music Corporation, Black Ice Publishing, Reach Global Songs
Media Clips Courtesy of: A + E Networks

Say It Loud: The Influential and Complicated Legacy of James Brown

In the season 3 debut, Cortney sits down with actress Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor about her new film, Origin, written and directed by Ava DuVernay. Cortney and Aunjanue have an honest conversation about the origins of hate and inhumanity on and off the screen, including why she believes Origin is not getting a fair shake in Hollywood despite the film's crucial global message.

The Oscar-nominated actress shares what it took to bring Isabel Wilkerson’s story to life while illuminating the weighty themes of her award-winning book “Caste: The Origin of our Discontents.” Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor also weighs in on her own experience with pay inequality in Hollywood.

Acting Up is all about Black Hollywood, who's making noise, who's making a difference, and how they're moving the needle regarding representation. 

Cortney Wills has forged deep connections with creatives, actors, directors, producers, writers, executives, and the real decision-makers who shape how our community is represented onscreen, giving Acting Up access to the inner workings of Hollywood.

Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

In the season 3 debut, Cortney sits down with actress Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor about her new film, Origin, written and directed by Ava DuVernay. Cortney and Aunjanue have an honest conversation about the origins of hate and inhumanity on and off the screen, including why she believes Origin is not getting a fair shake in Hollywood despite the film's crucial global message.
The Oscar-nominated actress shares what it took to bring Isabel Wilkerson’s story to life while illuminating the weighty themes of her award-winning book “Caste: The Origin of our Discontents.” Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor also weighs in on her own experience with pay inequality in Hollywood.
Acting Up is all about Black Hollywood, who's making noise, who's making a difference, and how they're moving the needle regarding representation. 
Cortney Wills has forged deep connections with creatives, actors, directors, producers, writers, executives, and the real decision-makers who shape how our community is represented onscreen, giving Acting Up access to the inner workings of Hollywood.
<a href="https://linktr.ee/thegrioblackpodcastnetwork">Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network</a>

Trees of Peace

In 1 playlist(s)

Acting Up with Cortney Wills

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips