Source From http://www.blackamericaweb.com
Yes, 2011 is upon us, and oh, do we wish we had a crystal ball to predict what’s going to happen this year. Who could have predicted that 2010 would bring us Antoine Dodson, T.I’s return to jail, Michael Vick’s amazing comeback and the tragic, year-end loss of Teena Marie?
We’re looking forward to good things in the New Year, so we’ve compiled a list of 11 people whose shrewd moves you’ll want to be up on in 2011. There are some familiar faces in new places, as well as some newcomers about to blow up. Don’t be the last to know who they are. check out our list.
1: OPRAH WINFREY
Oprah Winfrey does her last daytime show in September 2011, but she’s already got her post-“Oprah” show career together. The Oprah Winfrey Network debuted on Saturday, and it’s already getting buzz behind shows like “Master Class,” which kicked off with Jay-Z’s life lessons and keys to success. Everything Winfrey does is watched closely, but this year of transition should be particularly interesting.
2 and 3: NEW “IT” COUPLE JURNEE SMOLLETT AND JOSIAH BELL
Actress Jurnee Smollett may be best remembered by some as the curious child in “Eve’s Bayou,” but the actress is now 24 and starring on two shows: “The Defenders” and “Friday Night Lights.” Last year was already a pretty one for her career-wise, and she topped it off in October by marrying upcoming musician Josiah Bell. Bell is signed to Capitol Records and has a fresh sound that should make him a breakout star soon. Check him out at www.myspace.com/josiahbell.
4: WILLOW SMITH
The youngest musical signee to Jay-Z’ Roc Nation, Willow Smith has some pretty significant backers: Her label boss and her mom and dad, Jada and Will Smith. It looks like the nine-year-old has some pretty amazing skills too – her “Whip My Hair” was both catchy and age-appropriate. But she is just nine, though age didn’t stop the Olsen Twins or Raven Symone, all of whom started even younger. A full CD is in the works, so can Willow make the stretch from a hot single to a hot CD? We’ll see.
5: TYLER PERRY
What moves does Perry make in 2011? He got “For Colored Girls” onscreen, but didn’t get any major award nods, and many fans of the original play hated the adaptation. He went on “Oprah” and talked openly about being physically and sexually abused, and 200 men came on a follow-up show to share their own secret shame. So what’s next? His 2011 movie, “Madea’s Big Happy Family,” won’t do anything for his artistic credibility, but it will probably make money. Will Perry be happy with that or will he try to stretch again? We’re sure he’ll let us know this year.
6: NICOLE BEHARIE
She has only four film credits thus far, but folks are already calling her “the next Angela Bassett.” Nicole Beharie is best known so far as the star of 2008’s “American Velvet,” where she lit up the screen in her debut performance. The Juilliard grad is now on Broadway with Jeffrey Wright and Mos Def in “A Free Man of Color,” and Beharie is also starring in the indie film “My Last Day Without You,” due out this year. Sooner or later, someone will discover this up-and-coming talent and put her in a big movie. Just remember you heard it here first.
7: HALLE BERRY
Halle Berry makes her Broadway debut this fall in “The Mountaintop,” a play set in Martin Luther King’s hotel room at The Lorraine Hotel in Memphis the night he was assassinated, with Samuel ………. L. Jackson, her co-star in her film debut “Jungle Fever.” Her shark thriller “Dark Tide” is headed to theaters this year, she’s a Golden Globe nominee for “Frankie and Alice” – and could also be on the Oscar list. Berry will be working with the Wachowski brothers (directors of the “Matrix” trilogy) on “Cloud Atlas” with Tom Hanks and Natalie Portman, though that may be for a 2012 release. And, of course, there’s her romance with French actor Olivier Martinez, which will continue to keep the tabloids’ attention.
8: BEYONCE
It was Diddy who told you that he won’t stop, but Beyonce must have taken that mantra to heart, too. After a fairly inactive 2010, Beyonce is on the release schedule for 2011, though we don’t know when. You can figure that whatever B does, she’ll do it big given that she’s got the lead lane in the R&B female superstar singer sweepstakes thus far. No leaked music or announcements just yet, but trust that Mrs. Carter will be on point to shake things up in 2011.
9: “MOOZ-LUM” ACTORS
The highly-anticipated film “Mooz-Lum,” starring Nia Long, Roger Guenveur Smith and Evan Ross, takes a look at the experiences of black Muslims in America, a point of view rarely found in mainstream media. Even Ross plays an American Muslim whose father (Smith) is less than enthralled when his son questions the faith. The film should be in theatrical release this spring, and given the trailer, you should definitely be looking for it.
10: MICHAEL B. JORDAN
It will be easy to watch Michael B. Jordan in 2011 – he’s appearing on three shows. As Vince on “Friday Night Lights,” he’s been the breakout member of the last two seasons, along with his onscreen love Jurnee Smollett. He’s also appearing in recurring roles on “Parenthood” and “Lie to Me.” That just goes to show and prove the potential of that this former “Wire” star. The now 24-year-old actor, who played the doomed Wallace on the HBO show, is on his way up. Get on the bandwagon now.
11: J. COLE
All rap-centric eyes have been on Drake, but a young biracial brother from North Carolina may be the 2011 version of hip-hop’s next hot young gun. J. Cole is a protégé of Jay-Z (does every male with Roc Nation have to be named J?). The one-time bill collector and St. John’s graduate ended the year with “Friday Night Lights” (not to be confused with the TV show), a mixtape that showed his verbal prowess. His brand of hip-hop is not quite as emotional as Drake’s, but it’s just as intelligent. If you heard his breakout hit, “Who Dat,” then you know he’s got that flame. If not, consider yourself updated. Hit www.jcolemusic.com for
