Hey Cougars! March has arrived, which means it is time to celebrate Women’s History Month and the incredible achievements of women. This week’s topic is women in entertainment! Since the early 1900s, men have dominated television, and while women may have made appearances and had some leading roles, they have usually only been portrayed as the stereotypical housewife. Women are now making their mark both in front of, and behind the camera, decades later. So, take note, Cougars, and research, particularly these five young women who are reshaping the entertainment industry.
Yara Shahidi
Yara began her acting career at an early age, and while she appeared on many television shows with minor roles, she landed her first leading role on the 2012 family sitcom, “The First Family,” where she played Chloe Johnson. Although the show ended after two seasons, Yara’s career was just getting started. She rose to prominence after landing the role of Zoey Johnson on the 2014 hit sitcom, “Black-ish,” and just four years later she was given a spinoff show called “Grown-ish.” The show is still going strong, and Yara is proving why she is the face of young Hollywood.
Marsai Martin
Marsai Martin made history at the age of 13 by becoming the youngest African American producer and star of the 2019 film, “Little.” She made her acting debut in 2016 as the lead in the Amazon Studios original film “An American Girl Story-Melody 1963: Love Has to Win,” which was set during the civil rights movement. Martin made her TV debut as Diane Johnson on the hit sitcom “Black-ish,” where she co-starred with Yara Shahidi. Martin has received three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and a Young Artist Award since her television debut, and she is only getting started.
Tessa Thompson
Tessa Thompson continues to rule Hollywood and is one of the most talented actors of her generation, with an entire film discography on her resume. Thompson’s career began in 2005 when she debuted as Ariel in LAWSC’s production of “The Tempest.” Thompson’s career only took off from there, with roles on Netflix’s “Dear White People” in 2014 and as Diane Nash in Ava DuVernay’s Martin Luther King Jr biopic “Selma” the following year. She later starred in the Rocky sequel film, “Creed”. She made her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Valkyrie in 2017. Thompson has since starred in a slew of other popular films, and she is gearing up for a busy 2022.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis graduated from Juilliard School, so it is no surprise that she has taken Hollywood to a new level. She is the first African American actress to receive an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award, making her the first actress to achieve the acting triple crown. She starred in films such as “The Help” in 2011, and “Get on Up,” in 2014. Just one year later Davis became the first African American to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, for her role on “How to Get Away with Murder” and she is now set to play former First Lady, Michelle Obama.
There you have its Cougars! Those are 4 women you should know that are currently dominating the entertainment industry, happy Women’s History Month!
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