I can laugh about it now, said Lathan. Shes the author of the books All the Things We Never Knew and Calling My Name. No, in life, in real life for most of us, its just putting one foot in front of the other and taking one step and then another toward the things you love, in the direction of the things you love. But I knew I could do the role, she said. But for me, Monica Wright will always be a shining example of whats possible when we have the courage to stand alone in the truth of ourselves. The story of April Bowlby, PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Kenyas #1 news app. The first time that I saw it, I was in college, and I was so struck by the relationship at the center of the movie the love story. An American music entrepreneur, Steve started dating the gorgeous Lathan in 2009 and broke up in early 2010. Percy: Liara Tamani is a writer and proud Harvard Law School dropout. It feels so right that we end this podcast by talking about a movie that I love dearly, Love & Basketball, with the wonderful writer Liara Tamani. I got the job and I think Gina [Prince-Bythewood] finally got to the point where she had to hire somebody. I would always get to the last step and they would throw in another basketball player, she said. Ryan Garcia's kids, wife, baby mamas, and his dating life. Just Drop Out: Sanaa Lathan Reveals She Almost Quit While WebShemar Moore and Sanaa Lathan were married in 1991 the couple filed for divorce in 1996. Tamani: Yes. And we all have to balance that, I think, with our careers and our work. We publish narratives intentionally and specifically to enlighten and transform the world. Im Lily Percy, and welcome to our last episode together. Its not the only thing. She became famous as a voice actress from 2009 to 2013. Tamani: Yes. Sanaa Lathan stars in the iconic indie as Monica Wright, a determined young woman who dreams of playing pro basketball. Im gonna keep playing.. And I was just at that point where this motivated me to start doing that. Magazines, Digital But, going back to the theater, I was with my girls, I was with my friends we were excited to see it. She cant play! So there was a lot of crying, a lot of crying behind the scenes for me.. Despite being in many relationships, Lathan is still single. Omar Epps, Sanaa Lathan Reunite for Love and Basketball No, Im gonna be in the NBA. And, as expected, people called me crazy. When have we seen that since? Im gonna be the first girl in the NBA, she says. We bonded quickly thereafter. The romantic drama starred Omar Epps as hotshot basketball player Quincy McCall and Sanaa Lathan as his feisty girlfriend Monica Wright, who loves the sport as much as he does. Its funny, because Im like, Where do you get this from? [laughs] But I was starting to awaken to the reality that not being connected to what I loved came at a cost, a huge cost, really happiness. Love & Basketball | Moviepedia | Fandom Was sanaa lathan ever married? I had no idea what I wanted to be. Sanaa has become an icon and appeared in other top films such as: Alessandra Brawn: family, dating, net worth, Will Arnett relationship. It was like she was showing me parts of myself Id forgotten about, ignored or maybe never knew were there. The accolades include: The actress has been in various relationships throughout her life. Co-starring Omar Epps and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the story centers on a young Black couple navigating the challenging worlds of romance and athletics. When she would go in for basketball auditions, she said it would go horribly. Sanaa made her theatrical film debut asCarolyn Brody in Drive in 1997. Tamani: No, its very unrealistic. She has her career, and she has her family, and she has her man supporting her. This podcast is produced by On Being Studios, which is located on Dakota Land. She is a big user of coconut oil and uses it on her hair, her skin, as a makeup remover, and for cooking. It was a big deal for her, and nobody knows me then, really. Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. Tamani: For Monica, its like with her choosing herself over Quincy. I think everybody will probably have to I dont know, its not gonna be that stark. Its just going in the direction of things you love, youll discover things about yourself. I cant live here. If she wins, he calls off his wedding to his girlfriend (Tyra Banks). Percy: I think its the connection to yourself that youre describing, right? Epps, now 41, and Lathan, now 43, led the romantic drama as childhood sweethearts Quincy McCall and Monica Wright, respectively. Ball better than you, Monica snaps back. Percy: But that was also kind of radical, because when I watch it now Im like, this dude he was being set up to play in the NBA, and he actually ends up leaving college to go play for the Lakers. Tamani: I would say, now that Im a writer, I have an appreciation for Gina Prince-Bythewood as an artist, as a storyteller. Love & Basketball pays homage to idea that anything boys can do, girls can do better, and it and ends with Quincy and Monica engaging in a final game of double or nothing with very high stakes: She challenges him to one-on-one. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital So, its really about switching it in your head. And I had to try on many things. But I hated this sanitized, diminished version of myself. But then the song Candy Girl plays, New Editions [sings] Candy Girlwhen shes schooling them like, she schools them. Though most people who watch Love and Basketball see it as the role that made Sanaa Lathan a star, looking back at it now, 19 years after the films release, the Ive spent a whole lifetime, really, trying to break free from fear. Tamani: Its at the center of the movie, this girl who is going after her dreams. Im just curious, what are the scenes or lines that stand out to you, even after all these years, after 20-something years of watching this movie? Prince-Bythewood: We'd go back and forth on the lot. And Sanaa looked great in the movie and she could do things really well, like dribbling [two] basketballs at the same time. Lathan: That two-ball scene that I'm in -- one of my bones to pick with Gina is that she put it in a silhouette. And because of that people don't think it's really me. First, she dated Shemar Moore, an American actor and former fashion model, from 1985, and they got married from 1991 to 1996. I got this. [laughs]. Thats freedom. Percy: So Im curious, as we end our conversation Im sure youve seen this movie many more times since that first time. Moreover, she earned a Master's Degree in Drama at Yale University. Work is not the only thing. Sanaa Lathan is opening up about her miserable experience working on Love & Basketballconsidered one of the best sports rom-coms ever. Shes always been a sensitive director of actors, but she also knows how to move the camera. However, that was very difficult to do, so while they worked hard to find basketball players who could possibly play Monica, they kept Sanaa around because they liked her reading of the part. Made straight As. Co-starring Omar Epps and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the story centers on a young Black couple navigating the challenging worlds of romance and athletics. Its a very powerful scene, indeed. Worrying about your happiness instead of the expectations and opinions of others. I never got in trouble. Tuko.co.ke shared an interesting article about Kourtney Pogue's nationality, net worth, career, and Justin Turner's relationship. Its like: Me, or basketball, which is what he was asking her at the time. Percy: And shes new to the neighborhood; they just moved there. When she did, she said she felt like she was somewhat unwanted, which is why filming, for her, wasnt as enjoyable as people might have thought it was. Tamani: And thats a part of her strength. In order to maintain a calm and level-headed state of mind, she practicesTranscendental Meditation for 20 minutes on a daily basis. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. As she is so gorgeous, she has dated a long list of handsome fellow till now with some of whom she had created abuzz in the American media as well. And my first year of law school, its like youre out of college, and youre at that point where youre like, OK, this is not playtime anymore, [laughs] I felt like. Theres still a chance! she yells, defending her dream. Because its easy for other people to look at you and say, oh, how good youve done or how successful you are, and it looks all good from the outside. Along the way to becoming a writer, I worked in marketing, which I guess I have to incorporate it for my writing, but I dont enjoy it. I played basketball in high school even though it wasnt my thing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! That mastery had led me to the most prestigious law school in the country. Tamani: But its hard when it gets embedded in you, in a sense, when your early self is constructed around it. I couldnt even entertain the question without the fear of judgment in my ear: Have you lost your mind? But the gray gloominess that hung over New England was becoming hard to distinguish from the gloom I felt in myself. Later, she went to the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in English. Its funny, when youre growing up, people dont emphasize to you, Hey you, and only you, can create the life you want for yourself. And watching Monica up on the screen, it kind of made me realize that. Im Lily Percy. That scene, to this day, its so groundbreaking and unexpected. Gabrielle Union and Sanaa Lathan Reunite 15 Years After Love the two were co-stars in the 2003s. They were giving the basketball players acting coaches.. Im still working to be free, still learning how to live outside of fear as I shape my professional space as an author. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. She wanted a basketball player who could act the role. And it not only has to do with work or even her relationship in general, but I think its relevant to every part of our humanity, what we believe and what we value. An American Football wide receiver, Owens is one of Lathan's boyfriend. Percy: It is, and when its also coupled and I dont know if this was your experience, but for me it was also coupled with how to be a woman. She holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College and lives in Houston. The two dated in the year 2006. And it was my first time being in that place, a place I didnt know really how to name, but I felt a deep darkness. Sanaa prefers to stick to a vegan diet (along with some fish) and tries to stick to 1200 calories a day. Fifteen years ago on Tuesday, Love & Basketball debuted in theaters. You say, At the end of the movie, Monicas running onto the court in a Los Angeles Sparks uniform with Quincy cheering her on from the sidelines. Thats hard., They also surrounded me in all of the basketball scenes with real ball players, she added. She tries to take regular breaks from social media. She was quite young when both her parents separated from each other and she used to part her time between Beverly Hills and New York. Moreover, she is well best known for her Tony Award-nominated performance in the film A Raisin. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 10, 2021. ^ "Succession actress Sanaa Lathans On The Come Up to debut at TIFF". Toronto Star, July 13, 2022. ^ Rowles, Dustin (November 21, 2014). " 'Imagine' Gets the Star-Studded 'We Are The World' Treatment for UNICEF". Pajiba. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021. [laughs] And I learned that the consequences of not obeying had severe consequences hell, essentially. No, she concentrated on building her career first and creating a future for other young black actors. Sitting in the Harvard Square movie theater, between two of my girls from class, I watched Monica Wright roll up on her new neighbor and his friends playing basketball and ask if she could join. And that was a beautiful and inspiring thing. As one of my prophets, Roger Ebert, famously said, Ill see you at the movies., [music: Love and Happiness by Al green]. [laughs] Its funny now, but it wasnt, then. Tamani: Exactly. So thank the goddess for Gina Prince-Bythewood, whose Netflix action-adventure The Old Guard with its mysteries, kinetic action, tight set pieces and pensive superheroes has delivered the transporting pleasures we need. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. And without having the bravery to at least move in that direction, that discovery doesnt take place. Scott, is on vacation.) Tamani: Yeah, because you can certainly lose the connection to yourself, when things get out of whack, for sure. Percy: Oh, I so relate to that. Released in 2000, it stars Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps as childhood friends turned young adults bound by feelings for each other and a shared passion for basketball. Although she was born in a family of parents in the entertainment industry, Sanaa Lathan did not have a passion for acting until her father coaxed her. They gave me an assistant coach for the LA Sparks and she had me training five hours a day before I got the job.. Sommerville is 6-foot-10 center who is ranked the No. Lathan later dated high-profile men, including: Jessica Tarlov: husband, family, nationality, books, Fox News. I worked for an interior design company. I was miserable. It was the basketball.. August 25, 2021. And of course she should choose herself, if somebodys asking you that. And I absolutely love love, love, love that that film begs that question, that it asks that question of me. She also runs her own foundation The actress And I was starting to get this terrifying sense that if I stayed in law school, I could get trapped in her the rest of my life.. The two were co-casts and dated during the filming of Love & Basketball. You say: Id become a master at taming, hiding and cutting out the parts of myself that werent compatible with the person other people wanted me to be: the rebellious, curious and sexy parts; the questioning and fearless parts. Text RICKEY to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. April 16, 2020 11:41 AM EDT. She wanted a basketball player who could act the role. Sanaa Lathan Monica Wright: Omar Epps Quincy And every time, I ask myself, How can I be more free? Love & Basketball (2000 The 49-year-old said she thought hard about quitting and even was suggested to by several people in my life, including some of my representation said, Just drop out. Lathan revealed that the stress of chasing her acting dreams was getting to her, but at the advice of a close confidant in her inner circle, the actress realized there were other options. Love & Basketball, written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, is a movie that gets better and better with each viewing. You always feel it. Check out this article to know more about her age, height, net worth, children, marriage and career. There was a lot of crying behind the scenes for me.. Monica Wright (played by Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (played by Omar Epps) are sometimes friends, enemies, lovers, and competitors. The two have been together for a long time, having dated for a while before getting married, and are a perfect power couple. Watch Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan in the famously steamy scene from their 2000 romance film. And I was starting to get this terrifying sense that if I stayed in law school, I could get trapped in her the rest of my life. The team behind This Movie Changed Me is: Gautam Srikishan, Chris Heagle, Eddie Gonzalez, Lilian Vo, Christiane Wartell, Tony Liu, and Kristin Lin. Percy: I know. It was a big deal for her. And so, for me, becoming a lawyer equaled guaranteed success. In 2018, her net worth was estimated at$4 million. So its amazing to think about that. Predator. It could be a plaything, oh, deciding youre gonna study this or this. Fifteen years ago on Tuesday, Love & Basketball debuted in theaters. Monica may know what she wants in life, but getting it isnt easy. I taught dance, which was, whoo! Percy: So how did you go from watching this movie, realizing I cant keep doing this; I cant go down the path to be a lawyer, and then dropping out of Harvard? The siblings are Tendaji Lathan, Colette Lathan, Lilane Lathan, and Arielle Lathan. So I wasnt worried about that. Percy: Harvard, no less. I just took the movie in, the first time I saw it. Sanaa was 5 years oldwhen she met the legendary singer-songwriter. She already had more than 30 plays under her belt, and that gave her some of the confidence she needed to get through it all. Sanaa also goes to the gym and works out with celebrity trainer Mike T atForce Fitness Inc. in Los Angeles. At times, I felt alone and scared. Of course, we are going to be directing them and trying to direct them, according to our fears and insecurities. Like Selena the person, writer Shea Serrano is also a Mexican American from Texas. Finally I demanded, If you want me to continue, youre going to have to get me a basketball coach because I hear youre giving these basketball players acting coaches, and they did.. Does Sanaa Lathan have a husband? The actress is also known for dating high-profile men and one woman and remained single to date. It wasnt in vain, all these different things. [music: Love and Happiness by Al Green]. Sanaa Lathan She ended up training five hours a day for a while before actually getting the job. Sanaa Lathan Shares Why Shooting 'Love And But nobody ever emphasizes it,to most kids, I think. And so along the way to getting to writing, I also discovered other parts of myself. Viewing Party! Lets All Watch Love & Basketball - New York Times Percy: Poetic Justice, I remember going with my girlfriends to see that. Percy: Theres such intention behind it, because Gina chooses that song at the beginning as this kind of entryway into this childhood, this suburban childhood that these kids are experiencing. I did what I was told. Tamani: You cannot. Percy: So it sounds like when you went to see it for the first time, you went really to have this lovely, celebratory experience with your girlfriends. And so seeing Monica, who from the very beginning of the movie, she knows what she wants, and she is strong and aggressive, and she is about going after it no matter what anybody else has to say about it. Whos about to do that? It was her baby, and it was her first time directing. Viewing Party! Liara Tamani: That I was completely lost. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And theres a competition to their relationship, too, around it. WebSanaa Lathan is currently 51 according to her birthdate September 19, 1971 Sun Sign Virgo Born Place New York City, New York, United States Residence Los Angeles, California, United States Nationality Education Sanaa completed her schooling from the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics. Sanaa believes more in spirituality than religion. Gina Prince-Bythewoods Love & Basketball tells the story of two talented athletes who weave in and out of each others lives as they pursue big dreams. She is the daughter of Stan I can laugh about it now, she said. Man, girls cant play no ball! huffs her neighbor, Quincy. Sanaa Lathan Says Filming Love And Basketball Was Miserable [laughs]. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Sanaa Lathan's net worth is $5 million as of 2022. That mastery had led me to the most prestigious law school in the country. [laughs] And I thought that was a perfect song. Sanaa Lathan was born on September 19, 1971, which makes her 29 years old at the time that Love and Basketball was released in 2000. I dont think Id ever, before that point, I really dont think Id ever seen a character like her on the screen. But I really started to look out into my future at that point and see misery. Gabrielle Union and Sanaa Lathan Reunite 15 Years After Love & Basketball and Haven't Aged a DaySee the Pics! Tamani: It was a long path, because I didnt even know I wanted to be a writer, when I was in law school. Thats already stressful enough, without the added pressures that their parents bring. Gina [Prince-Bythewood] really wanted, and the producers, they really wanted a basketball player who could act as opposed to an actress who they could teach to play basketball, she told LAs KCAL, the CBS affiliate. Special thanks to Grace J. Kim, who created the beautiful artwork for all of our episodes this season. Lily Percy, host: Hello, fellow movie fans. She was hugely inspirational in that way, to see such a strong woman, a strong girl. WebMonica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) have wanted to be professional basketball stars since they were kids. Become TUKO.co.ke ambassador get a branded T-shirt, hoodie or water bottle at our TUKO Shop! Sanaa completed her schooling from theManhattan Center for Science and Mathematics. I was lost in ittrapped inside an impossible cloud of other peoples opinions and expectations. It Changed My Whole Life.. Love Sanaa Lathan is opening up about her miserable experience working on Love & Basketball considered one of the best sports rom-coms ever.