HomeOn The StandsCicely Tyson Graces The Cover of TIME Magazine & Talks About Why...
On The Stands

Cicely Tyson Graces The Cover of TIME Magazine & Talks About Why She Loves Acting

Andrew Shade
By Andrew Shade

-

0

The living legend Cicely Tyson is featured on the cover of TIME magazines 2019 Optimists issue after being chosen for the honor by filmmaker and guest editor, Ava DuVernay. The cover captures the timeless beauty of the 94-year old.rnrn

Dress: B Michael Couture; Hair & Makeup: Armond Hambrick; Earrings: TAFFIN by James de Givenchy
rnrnThe stunning feature follows the honorary Academy Award Tyson received for her long-spanning career excellence back in November 2018 for which she chose DuVernay to present to her.rnrnIn Tyson’s interview with TIME for the cover, she discusses why she loves acting and how she faces the challenges of the field.rn

What do you love about acting?

rn

The thing about acting for me and why I became so enraptured by it was because it allowed me, [someone] who was so shy, to express my emotions through another individual. It wasn’t me — it was someone else. That’s how I got hooked on acting. It’s an education in and of and by itself. I do a tremendous amount of research because I have to know who this person is in order to let you know who she is. If I don’t feel that I have captured the essence of this woman, I cannot do that.

rn

How do you face the challenges of your profession?

rn

My mother always said, when I went out to get a job I didn’t get and came home so beaten, “Let me tell you something: what is for you, you will get. What is not for you, you will never get.” That’s the way my career has gone. I once turned down a movie that everybody thought I was crazy to do, because it wasn’t the kind of woman I wanted to project. Another actress did it, and she got a nomination for an Oscar. But what happened to me, a week after I turned it down, I got the call to do [The Autobiography of Miss] Jane Pittman. So you know, what’s for you, you’ll get. What’s not for you, you’ll never get.

rnRead the entire interview to find out how the legendary actress got into acting, how the art has changed her, and more!

Previous article
Dominique Morisseau’s Pipeline Will Air On PBS Feb 8th
Next article
Nicolette Robinson, Leslie Odom Jr., & Cynthia Erivo Sign On to Produce Witness Uganda
Andrew Shade
Andrew Shade
Drew Shade is a visionary creative force at the intersection of Black theatre, media, and culture. As the Founder and Creative Director of Broadway Black, Off-Book: The Podcast, and The Antonyo Awards, he champions artistic excellence and amplifies the voices of Black theatre artists with intention, heart, and unapologetic pride. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Playbill, Deadline, The Observer, and Apple TV’s Dear…, and he's collaborated with brands and institutions such as NBC, BET, Audible, Universal Pictures, SheaMoisture, The Public Theater, Signature Theatre, National Black Theatre, and more. He has also served as a cultural consultant and curator for countless Broadway productions for over a decade — establishing himself as a trusted voice and tastemaker in theatre and media. In addition to his work behind the scenes, Shade is a performer and creative artist in his own right, with credits including Classical Theatre of Harlem’s The First Noel at The Apollo, The Preacher’s Wife musical at The Alliance Theatre, and a Sondheim tribute concert at Carnegie Hall led by Tituss Burgess. He’s also lent his voice to campaigns for Google and continues to explore visual storytelling through photography — from red carpets to press coverage. Rooted in joy, justice, and the belief that Black theatre is both legacy and revolution, Shade continues to build platforms and shine light where it’s long been overdue — so Black artists are seen, heard, and celebrated on their own terms. “Have a belief in yourself that is bigger than anyone’s disbelief.” – August Wilson

RELATED ARTICLES

- Advertisment -

Must Read