Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe

This week, Lena talks to Cree Summer - the beautiful face behind film and TV roles like Freddie Brooks on A Different World, but also the golden voice behind hundreds of animated characters, from Penny on Inspector Gadget to Susie Carmichael on Rugrats. Cree tells Lena about how she overcame the stigma of voice acting to get cast in onscreen roles, the excitement of guest starring on iconic TV shows like Living Single and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, voicing the first Black Disney princess in Atlantis: The Lost Empire -- and agreeing on the one woman in Hollywood they'd do anything for. Cree is beloved in Hollywood, and beloved by Lena -- and you'll fall in love with her too after hearing this conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Loretta Devine’s voice and performances are nothing short of iconic. From being one of the original Dreamgirls on Broadway to Waiting to Exhale, The Preacher’s Wife, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Carmichael Show, Loretta’s career has spanned stage, film, and television with a rare mix of power, humor, and grace. In this conversation, Lena shines a light on Loretta’s triumphs and heartbreaks – from the grueling years of Broadway that prepared her for Hollywood, to the sting of being overlooked, to the joy of working hard and getting it right. Loretta also reflects on what it means to be a great actress and how to keep evolving in an industry that often tells women they’re done.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vivica A. Fox has lit up the screen for decades, starring in some of the biggest blockbuster films of all time like Independence Day, Set It Off, and Kill Bill, to household-name TV shows like Days of Our Lives and Curb Your Enthusiasm. But in this conversation with Lena, she opens up about everything -- from an audition fashion misstep she'll never forget, working alongside some of Hollywood's biggest names, and being memorialized in one of the most memorable Oscar speeches. Vivica candidly traverses her four-decade-long career with laughter and humility, reflecting on her on-set memories with these fellow luminaries and how she learned from her star-power surroundings to carve her own path toward a legendary career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A milestone episode this week -- Lena welcomes her first male guest in the history of Legacy Talk! And it's a fitting one, as Robert Townsend has worked with just about everyone in Black Hollywood. As a comedian, actor, writer, and director, known for projects from The Parent 'Hood to The Five Heartbeats, his work is kind, hopeful, and even "fatherly," by Lena's description -- but also so significant. Lena and Robert discuss a lot in this special conversation -- everything from casting overqualified people for roles, to how Eddie Murphy created his own genre of comedy, and how Robert has always been a little bit ahead of his time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this supersized episode, Lena reunites with someone who has known her and watched her grow for a long time -- the incredible, inspirational director and filmmaker Ava DuVernay, known for films from Selma to Middle of Nowhere to 13th. The two old friends have a lot to catch up on, from how Ava learned to work magic on a shoestring budget, Lena's memories of seeing the world premiere of Selma (and how that film changed Ava's life), the power of reaching a global audience, and how Ava discovered the privilege of learning and evolving her perspective on the world while making documentaries. Throughout the conversation, it's clear that both Lena and Ava share a deep reverence for history -- and the stories we can find to tell from our pasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Lena welcomes pioneering writer and producer Yvette Lee Bowser– the creative force behind Living Single, For Your Love, and Half and Half. Yvette shares how a bold phone call to an old acquaintance changed her career trajectory from aspiring lawyer to one of television’s most influential storytellers. They discuss her early days writing for A Different World, the real life inspiration behind the character Maxine Shaw, collaborating with Kenya Barris on Black-ish and Justin Simien on Dear White People, and what it truly takes to be a great television writer. Yvette reflects on fighting to get your stories told and inspiring others to claim their place on the screen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Lena sits down with one of culture's most beloved: Taraji P. Henson – the genuis behind classic roles such as Cookie Lyon, Katherine Johnson, or Yvette from Baby Boy. In this episode, Taraji reflects on a career defined by vulnerability, authenticity, and a refusal to let fear lead. Listen as the two of them discuss the lasting legacy of Hustle & Flow, the cultural impact of her roles in Empire and Hidden Figures, and stepping into the shoes of Shug Avery in The Color Purple. Taraji reminds us what it means to lead with grace, not judgment — and through each role, she reminds us of our own strength, our own greatness, and that we, too, can weather anything.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legacy Talk is back for season 2, with an all-new lineup of Black Hollywood legends sitting down with Lena Waithe. Kicking it off is actress and singer Tisha Campbell, who is best known for her work on Martin, but has a full body of work that spans decades. Tisha and Lena delve into how Tisha almost quit acting before her first big break, her longtime friendship with Tichina Arnold, Lena's abiding love for the show Blossom, and of course, the Martin Lawrence of it all. Bring in the tissues -- there are some tears ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the final episode of Season 1 of Legacy Talk, Lena speaks with the influence behind many of the women who have been on the show already: the inimitable Debbie Allen. Debbie says she's not a workaholic, but she certainly has amassed quite a list of credits and accolades, including Emmy awards, Tony nominations, and a trailblazing Golden Globe win. In this conversation, she shares with Lena some of the best advice she's received over her storied career -- including a meaningful moment with Bob Fosse -- and Lena brings Debbie to tears by reflecting on the lasting impact that Debbie's role in the TV movie Polly had on her life and career.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Lena is talking to the mother of Black Hollywood herself -- the one and only Jenifer Lewis, star of screen and stage. Of course the conversation has to start with the Broadway production of Dreamgirls, where Jenifer originated the role of Effie that was ultimately taken over by Jennifer Holliday, but the two hit all the highlights of Jenifer's incredible career, from A Different World to Black-ish to her unforgettable performance as Tina Turner's mother in What's Love Got To Do With It. There is singing, there is impersonation, there is laughter, there are behind-the-scenes tidbits involving Tupac Shakur and Whitney Houston -- it's a can't-miss conversation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jada Pinkett Smith is a true multi-hyphenate: a prolific actress on TV and film, a business maven, a talented musician, and an Emmy-winning talk show host. But her star first started to rise when she was cast on A Different World, where her character, Lena James, was named for Lena Horne -- just like Lena Waithe was. These two Lenas catch up this week on the importance of physicality in acting, some of Jada's most influential co-stars from over the years, and how she navigated filming some of her most intimate scenes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lena welcomes Mara Brock Akil this week, the legendary TV producer and writer behind shows like Girlfriends, The Game, and Being Mary Jane, among many others. She tells Lena about the exploration of classism in her storytelling and the complexities of her most notable characters, the importance of living and working in beautiful places, and the crucial role of mentors throughout her career. They also dig into one of the most unique dynamics in show business: the personalities and alchemy of a writer's room.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Lena is asking the hard questions of Gina Prince-Bythewood -- the incredible director whose name is synonymous with her first feature film, Love & Basketball. Fun fact -- Lena was also Gina's assistant back in the day! Neither Gina nor Lena ever gets sick of talking about Love & Basketball, but the two also touch on the importance of positive self-talk, the alchemy of a good soundtrack, and the women Gina partners with project after project, both behind the scenes and on screen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheryl Lee Ralph grew up in the 1960s. She knows what it is like to have limits placed upon her because of the color of her skin. And yet -- she has pursued her life dream. From Dreamgirls to Moesha to Abbott Elementary, she has brought some of the most powerful Black women on stage and screen to life. On the first episode of Legacy Talk, Lena and Sheryl delve into where Sheryl takes inspiration for her characters, the impact of the AIDS crisis on her work, why Sister Act 2 was a successful sequel, and the changes she's seen throughout her four decade career in Hollywood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emmy-winning writer, actor and producer Lena Waithe (Master of None, The Chi) presents Legacy Talk, a series of conversations celebrating the brilliance and artistry of some of the most iconic Black women in entertainment. Join Lena as she sits down with powerhouses like Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jada Pinkett Smith, Debbie Allen, and more, as they explore how these legends shaped the industry and inspired a generation. They’ll dive into their creative process, how they prepared for their roles, and the legacy they continue to build.  Informative, inspiring and unforgettable– lock into your legacy with Legacy Talk. Coming November 12th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.