PREMIERE WEEK: "QUEEN SUGAR" WITH VETERAN ACTOR DONDRE' WHITFIELD

ALL THINGS "SUGAR"

(New Orleans, LA.) --The 2-day premiere of "Queen Sugar" on THE OWN NETWORK left us breathless this week.  While we wait for its triumphant return NEXT WEDNESDAY, Varion Walton wraps up her special assignment report with cast member Dondre Whitfield. The veteran actor shares how media mogul, Oprah Winfrey is urging the world to "reimagine" television when it comes to a scripted drama series. Plus, Dondre tells us why he will always be endearing to the role of "Robert" on The CosbyShow.  Varion Walton also has the scoop on the role Dondre' beautiful wife and ctress Salli Richardson-Whitfield is playing in future episodes of "Queen Sugar!"

Queen Sugar-OWN Network

Queen Sugar -OWN Network

The 2-day premiere on OWN TV is leaving audiences on the edge of their seats as the Bordelon siblings, Nova (True Blood's Rutina Wesley), Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe), and Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner),  all children of Ernest (Veteran Actor Glynn Turman) - a sugar cane farmer and black landowner in St. Josephine Parish falls on hard times and failing health.  

The new drama, inspired by a novel written by Natalie Bazile slowly, methodically takes the viewer through three generations of Bordelons,  their plight, their fury and weaknesses when it comes to being a dysfunctional family.

Varion Walton got an opportunity to talk with Dondre Whitfield and other cast members this summer during her extensive coverage of The Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.    

Queem Sugar- OWN Network

Whitfield plays a love-interest of Charley who is nursing a broken heart after being publicly humilated in a sex scandal involving her husband and members of the fictional NBA team where he serves as team captain.

PRESS PLAY and check out Dondre' description of shooting his love scenes with his wife Salli on the other side of the camera. VISION/VOICE/VARION..."your source for ALL THINGS SUGAR!"

PREMIERE WEEK: "QUEEN SUGAR" WITH NEWCOMER NICK ASHE

PREMIERES THIS WEEK ON THE OWN NETWORK

(New Orleans, LA.)--It's this week's VISION/VOICE/VARION EXCLUSIVE!  Ahead of this week's big premiere on The Own Network, Varion Walton has the scoop on the brand new drama series that is intelligent, rare and intriguing. 

"Queen Sugar," the new drama series inspired by a novel by Natalie Baszile.  Created by famed writer/director Ava DuVernay, Queen Sugar is a warm,  beautifully written family drama about The Louisiana Bordelon family.  DeVernay and media mogul Oprah Winfrey are teaming up again following their success with the movie Selma, hoping to get viewers to "reimagine" television when it comes to a scripted drama series.

Queen Sugar on OWN TV  

Queen Sugar on OWN TV 

The 2-day premiere is leaving audiences on the edge of their seats as the Bordelon siblings, Nova (True Blood's Rutina Wesley), Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe), and Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner),  all children of Ernest (Veteran Actor Glynn Turman) - a sugar cane farmer and black landowner in St. Josephine Parish falls on hard times and failing health.  

The new television drama series slowly, methodically takes the viewer through three generations of Bordelons,  their plight, their fury and weaknesses when it comes to being a dysfunctional family.

In the novel written by Natalie Baszile, the character "Micah" is female. In The OWN NETWORK drama series, Micha is male and played by newcomer Nick Ashe. Varion Walton got an opportunity to talk with Ashe and  other cast members this summer during her coverage of The Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

Ashe, who is more of theater major talks exclusively with VARION WALTON about being given a shot to cut his acting chops on the small screen, all with two powerhouse females like Winfrey and DuVernay at the helm.

PRESS PLAY and check out what Nick had to say when asked about his schoolboy looks and being part of something he clearly defines as "something revolutionary" when it comes to seeing stories about black love and black families on the small screen.

SEPTEMBER "RULES" FOR ACTOR KOFI SIRIBOE

Kofi Siriboe Joins All-Star Cast of “Girl Trip

PHOTO CREDIT:  GETTY IMAGES

"VISION/VOICE/VARION" EXCLUSIVE 

(New Orleans, LA)--September will be a big month for rising star Kofi Siriboe.  In addition to being part of an exclusive VW Network SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT REPORT, the rising start has just been added to the All-Star cast of Universal Film “Girl Trip” starring Queen Latifah, Regina Hall and Jada Pinkett Smith.  Already deemed by Entertainment Weekly as a “sure to be a heartthrob,” industry insiders have the 22-year old actor as one of “the premiere sought-after talents in Hollywood.”

"I am extremely honored to be sharing the screen with award nominated and winning actresses like Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Regina Hall. This is both a dream and a childish crush come true. I look forward to embodying the vision that our director Malcolm D. Lee has for my character, says Siriboe.

PHOTO CREDIT: KENDALL ELAM

Siriboe made a big splash with Queen Latifah and the cast of “Girl Trip” during the 2016 Essence Music Festival.  He and the cast of “Queen Sugar” cheered on Oprah Winfrey as she gave more than 8-thousand fans a preview of her new drama series during an appearance at The Essence Music Festival at The Ernest Morial Convention Center in July.

PHOTO CREDIT:  GETTY IMAGES

Don't miss Varion’s Special Assignment Report in August as she talks in-depth about the case of  “Queen Sugar.” The drama series is the latest in what critics say is sure to be another rating winner Oprah Winfrey who teams up again with “Selma” Director Ava DuVernay.  The series premieres September 6^th & 7^th, and will air Wednesdays at 10/9c on THE OWN NETWORK. 

PHOTO CREDIT:  GETTY IMAGES 

Check out this Trailer of "QUEEN SUGAR"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py1GVEAVv4E

PHOTO CREDIT:  GETTY IMAGES 

VISION, VOICE, VARION....."REMEMBERING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR"

HONORING "THE DREAMER"

(Atlanta, GA.)--The Observance of "The Dreamer's" Birthday is almost in the history books,  but first Varion Walton gives us a look back at the week the nation called "King Holiday!"

LEE DANIELS' "THE BUTLER" IS EXTRAORDINARY!

 
 

VARION'S VIEW: "A MUST SEE!"

(Huntsville, Alabama)  It is premiere weekend and if you haven't see "THE BUTLER," yet, shame on you!  It is one of the most anticipated movies of the summer and it is "brilliantly and beautifully crafted!" Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey are "first rate" in their roles!  It is bold,  thought provoking, emotional and awe-inspiring!  From the opening frame to the closing credits, you feel the raw, colorful, explosive, emotional journey of our American history through the eyes of an ordinary middle class-family pushed through extraordinary challenges.

This movie has an impressive supporting cast with a slew of cameos, but it is Oprah fans who are in for a real treat. After more than a decade, the former "Daytime Diva," redeems herself on the silver screen as Gloria Gaines.  She nails the "southern, gentile demeanor" of this wife and mother during the turbulent times of the 60's.  Her scene at the dinner table where she literally slaps her militant son back into reality when it comes to "respecting your elders" is memorable.

Side note: I would love to know how much of Oprah's character's torrid, hot affair with Terrance Howard's womanizing character ended up on the editing room floor.  I also found it ironic that this movie which includes a scene from the election of President Barack Obama,  has one of the richest black women in the world portraying the wife of a White House servant.

Forest Whitaker comes full circle with his acting chops in his role as Cecil Gaines. This veteran actor cleverly shows us how even a "butler" in The White House had the potential to influence important legislation through seven Presidential administrations. The famed star is excellent in his portrayal of Cecil Gaines, a humble, "unsung hero" who has his own "spiritual awakening." The Butler truly is a vivid reminder of how one quiet voice can truly ignite a revolution!

I shall never forget the scene and message from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in the movie.  King reminds Gaines's son, who ashamed and often disrespectful to his father of the significance of the butler's role in the White House.  Dr. King reminds the most militant member of this iconic family that a role of a "domestic" is one of honor because it speaks directly to the domestics' "integrity, character and work ethic!"

Never before has a more edgy, candid portrayal of the "Freedom Riders" during the Civil Rights Era been placed on the silver screen. I'm still shivering from the coffee, lunch-room sit-in scene that literally sucks the wind out of every person sitting in the theater as it plays out in living color during a time when blacks and whites were still trying to find their place in this country. It is by far one of the most prolific scenes because it speaks to the sacrifice made during the movement. To see America's youth, many of them as young as 13 years old stand strong and defiant in the face of segregation.  I'm reminded of the "lessons learned" as a general assignment reporter in Birmingham researching this iconic era and learning first hand about the tremendous sacrifice of the "Freedom Riders," black and white!

"The Butler" is a real-life story that serves as "sobering reminder" of the "giant shoulders"we're all standing on in this country today. It is a bold slap across the face to those of us who have forgotten the struggle.  It brilliantly depicts how far we've come and how much more work that's left to be done!

I am proud to say in Huntsville, Alabama where I viewed the movie,  everyone in the theater--black and white,--young and old stood on their feet and applauded with approval at the closing credits.  Perhaps a people who have enjoyed the benefits of Cecil Gaines's sacrifice, leaving with a new found respect for the domestic who influence history in his own way.

Lee Daniels' -"The Butler" is an era-spanning, Oscar hopeful,  historical, Civil Rights drama that is worth your time.  See it two times, it's just that extraordinary!