Waiting to Prevail: A Generation of Young Black Actresses Is Making a Move on Hollywood. Meet the New Dreamgirls

Samuels, Allison, Leland, John, Newsweek

A generation of young black actresses is making a move on Hollywood. Meet the new dreamgirls.

IN A PHOTO STUDIO SOUTH OF Hollywood, a false note hangs awkwardly in the air. Nia Long, Lisa Nicole Carson and Regina King have gathered here to celebrate a new black power in Hollwood--young, female, diva-glamorous--and now the CD player has a case of the wrong funk. The atmosphere is warm, the Versace hot, but the Marvin Gaye disc that the photographer has chosen breathes the laminated chill of good intentions. These are not the sisters of Marvin. Regina King. 26, so indomitable opposite Cuba Gooding Jr. in "Jerry Maguire," calls for some hip-hop flavor. "We want some Lil' Kim," she says. They get some. The speakers bump; the rapper grunts. The special guests on hand for the occasion-a couple of Wayans brothers have come and gone, but director John Singleton and others are still in the house-bop along in support. The party is now officially underway.

These actresses are the sisters of Lil' Kim, part of a growing cast of screen queens from the hip-hop generation. They are the class of Cooley High. And they are, as they say, representing. Not since the days of Dorothy Dandridge and Lena Horne have the movies sparkled with such a strong black and female presence. Jada Pinkett, 27, took the star cameo in "Scream 2," echoing Drew Barrymore's turn in the first installment. …

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Publication information: Article title: Waiting to Prevail: A Generation of Young Black Actresses Is Making a Move on Hollywood. Meet the New Dreamgirls. Contributors: Samuels, Allison - Author, Leland, John - Author. Magazine title: Newsweek. Volume: 131. Issue: 2 Publication date: January 12, 1998. Page number: 58+. © 2009 Newsweek, Inc. All rights reserved. Any reuse, distribution or alteration without express written permission of Newsweek is prohibited. For permission: www.newsweek.com. COPYRIGHT 1998 Gale Group.

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