Underappreciated Actress of Color #17: Essence Atkins

Can't talk True without talkin' Essence; the two did a show together, after all.  Essence Uhura Atkins (yes, that is her middle name, y'all) is the beautiful, sassy New Yorker who's been working Hollywood since childhood, and has being written out to show for it.

Essence is one of those good-looking, hard-working actresses who's been in a whole lotta shows, but not enough films.  I see her as a comedy diva, but I also see her as someone with great dramatic potential, capable of heading a big-budget film.

So...this hasn't happened why?

Underappreciated Actress of Color #16: Karina Lombard

Like many of ladies on here, Tahiti-born, Lakota Sioux-blooded Karina Lombard is doing okay; however, she deserves a little better, especially since her early life was kinda harsh.

A sexy, sensual, singing, multilingual goddess, Karina strikes me as the kind of woman who should most definitely be dominating the film industry.  Her taste in roles is open-minded, so her acting career so far has been quite diverse.  She's definitely got a following, which she probably earned mostly from her work on The L Word, so it's safe to she's in demand.

At the age of 41, she simply looks like a twenty-something-year-old with depth.  Put her in a film with a semi-original plot and halfway decent dialogue and I'm sure she'd instantly turn it into a success.

Underappreciated Actress of Color #15: Mamaengaroa

Uh-uh, y'all; the folks Down Under aren't exempt.  Maori-blooded Miss Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell (don't you just love her name?!) got her stellar, break-out role at the age of 16...by accident.  As Grace Heke in the acclaimed Once Were Warriors (depicted left), she brought tragedy and vulnerability to a violent tale of familial dysfunction and post-colonial cultural identity struggle.

And yet, even though she kept acting after that, I still can't find a decent publicity photo of the woman.  Pourquoi?  When she did what she did at 16, in 1994, in one of the most visceral and heart-wrenching films of that decade, why wasn't Hollywood blowing up her number?  You could say, "But, like, dude, she's, like, foreign or whatever."  Uh...does that's stop Hollywood from wooing and overpaying white actresses from Western Europe, Australia, and Canada?  I don't think so!

Underappreciated Actress of Color #14: Q'Orianka Kilcher

So not only does Hollywood tend to underappreciate its actresses of color, but sometimes sees fit to violate them as well (were her parents that desperate for her to have a film career?  And what was he thinking when he was asked to do love scenes with a 14-year-old?  Did he object at all or was he even grossed out?).  *Shudder*  Anyhoo, like any age-old cliche, the gods forbid an actress of indigenous American descent really grasp people's attention if she plays anything other than some stereotypical role.

Surveys says?  FAIL.

At 14, Q'Orianka showed depth, great emotion, ambition and potential (she was, after all, willing to roll around in the sack on camera...with that).  But half a decade after the-creepfest-that-shall-not-be-named, Hollywood still hasn't really tried to do much for Miss Thang here and that seriously offends me.  Look at that face, people.  Look at the grace and untapped ability.  This girl is a gold mine, especially if America wants to start doing films featuring Native American characters.

Underappreciated Actress of Color #13: Meagan Good

As you may have with Gabrielle Union (with whom she actually did a movie), you're probably wondering why our Lucky #13 is on my list.  That's an indication of not paying attention.  Meagan Good has been working steadily in Hollywood since childhood, and Hollywood has not been grateful whatsoever.  There are films I would have gladly gone to see simply because a beautiful young actress of color was in it, but then the trailer, with its transparent plot, atrocious dialogue, and overly made-up cast (of which the AoC was not the leading lady) sent me fleeing for the hills.

Meagan is a hard worker, willing to take roles and jobs in whatever form they may come.  She is fine, but that goes without saying (notice that she outranks even Gabrielle).  Not only is she fine, but she has substance, standards, and principles, which apparently is a huge fantasy killer to people who'd prefer her to just shut up and be pretty (yeah see, if you read the comments below you can see why men sometimes aren't the greatest allies for women--especially WoC--trying to be taken seriously in Hollywood).

Underappreciated Musician of Color #3: Masia One

I know, I know; it's becoming an addiction...but I LOVE THIS WOMAN!!!

Born in Singapore and raised in Canada, the illustrious Masia One is creative, daring, sultry, and gorgeous, but I'm not liking how she comes out with one bad-ass album after the other, goes on world tours, and just gets "mentioned" every now and again.  You ask me, if anyone should be getting to live the hip-hop rags-to-riches dream, it's women like Masia One.  Miss Thang here has earned her rims, hear me?

So anyhoo, hit her up and show her some love.  This woman more than deserves it.

Underappreciated Actress of Color #12: Freema Agyeman

If you've read my special edition post about Miss Sara Ramirez, then you've probably got a good idea what I'm about to say about Freema.  Yes, she's been on soaps, and on a Law & Order spin-off, and yes, she's won and award or two.  And yes, she's done well before reaching 30 (which she is right now).  However...yes, you guessed it: I think the TV & film industry could do much better by her.

My beef, of course, was her role as the rebound companion on Dr. Who, in which she played the poor black girl* mooning over the white guy hero who was still mooning over a white girl...so of course there was no room for Miss Gorgeous & Brilliant in that three-way.

Underappreciated Musician of Color #2: Skye Edwards

I know, I know--another musician...but are any of you familiar with Morcheeba?  Sexy, sultry songtress Skye Edwards was their original singer.  I first fell for her silky, hypnotic voice while watching a TV episode where "Never an Easy Way" was featured (interesting video, no?)

Skye is doing okay-ish.  With her voice, skill and resume, she should be doing much better than having just under 2,000 fans on Facebook and 194 followers on Twitter.  And I can't help but notice she has to remind people she sang in Morcheeba for almost a decade.  If you ask me, folks, no one should have to be "reminded" about that voice.

And look how fine she is, guys.  Look at that skin and fabulous hairdo.  Look at that face.

Article by Dr. Andrea Smith

Dr. Andrea Smith is a Cherokee woman, a co-founder of Women of All Red Nations (W.A.R.N.) and is active in the anti-sexual assault movement. This article appeared in the Winter 1991 issue of Women of Power. Other versions have appeared in various places. It is hoped that those of male gender reading this do not feel excused because it speaks only to “feminists” and white women. This version was written for a feminist publication; however, Ms. Smith did not intend to exclude anyone.

Dr. Smith is also the author of Conquest: Sexual Violence and American Indian Genocide.  In 2008, she was denied tenure at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Gee.  Wonder Why.

Underappreciated Actress of Color #11: Sara Ramirez

~Special Edition Post~

You're probably wondering why an actress who's scored a no doubt lucrative deal with Grey's Anatomy is on this list.  Quite frankly, I'm not too happy with how Hollywood's treated Sara and here's why: go to google and type in her name.  In the helpful hints list which pops up, you'll see "Sara Ramirez" as the first listing, followed by "Sara Ramirez Weight".  So for one, there's that.

Hollywood's perception highly influences viewer perception.  Sara (pronounced Sada, by the way) was the "gorgeous, curvy" wife of a main character who left her for a "stacked blonde" main character (before he was killed off).  After that, her character started dating women ('cause that's just what WoC do when one man decides he doesn't want us).

Now, I'm all for a healthy representation of lesbians/bisexual women--regardless of color.  And I applaud Sara's portrayal as a functional, professional, accomplished fleshed-out woman of color in relationships with women (she's yet to define herself as strictly gay).  I hope she continues and I hope the writers remain good to her.

Underappreciated Actress of Color #10: Danielle Nicolet

First of all--hello. The woman.is.fine. Once again, I first noticed her while she was playing the vampiress Tamika in the fifth season episode "Harm's Way" of Joss Whedon's Angel. Her role was perfect, her lines hilarious, her overall performance entertaining, especially in that flawless fight scene. So again...range. Ability. Willingness. Why hasn't she been a leading lady in several big budget films by now?

Uh...WTF?  The woman is--as of right now--34 years of age and yet her Wikipedia bio mostly reads "guest role here" and "small role there"--WTF?!??  And if you go to her IMDB page, you can see she's been trying.  She's been acting since 1990...and this is all Hollywood has to show for it.

Thank God the woman has a following.  It's the least we can do.

Underappreciated Actress of Color #9: Robinne Lee

Is this the face of an angel or what?

Robinne Lee's been trying for a while now, but I'm not quite sure what's keeping her down.  She had several wonderful pix to choose from--obviously, she's fine.  I browsed her IMDB page and for as long as she's been working, that list was just too short (Deliver Us from Eva [with Gabrielle], 13 Going on 30, and Hitch).  Not to mention, her official site is no longer functioning.

I've seen most of the things she's been in and I'm still saying... underappreciated.  And surprise, surprise--she played a vampire on Buffy!!!  See, Joss Whedon & Co. know where it's at with some of these actresses, guys!  Too bad their brilliant inventions keep getting canceled.

Underappreciated Actress of Color #8: Rachel True

One of the great things about Rachel India True is her acknowledgement of the importance her role in the The Craft is to girls of color in America.  When she mentioned how black and brown girls still come up to her and thank her for representing them, I fell in love.  That's a woman who gets it, y'all, and like all of the ladies I've listed, she's been on the grind.  In some ways, she was my "Fallon Bowman" of the silver screen.

Despite the undeniable popularity of The Craft, I don't think Rachel got her due.  She's fun, and gorgeous, and has been consistently willing to act in all kinds of films.  But once again, Hollywood deprives us.

Damn, she's fine.

Underappreciated Musician of Color #1: Fallon Bowman

~ Special Inaugural Post ~

Okay...I know she's not an actress but you've got to understand; Fallon Bowman was like a role model to me in high school.  I had the brown skin, loved the Goth...was an island, y'all!  I don't care if Kittie's music wasn't all that great.  There was a brown girl playing guitar and growling into the mic and that was all I needed, hear?

The South African-born, Indonesian-blooded, Canada-based guitarist has since branched out and done her own thing, which is wonderful.  And while her style of music may not be your cup of tea, all my underrepresented brown girls who skateboard, have been wearing dark nail polish since before it got popular (you know, back when everyone called us "freaks"?), pimp the evil black clothing, and listen to "questionable" music will understand.  And no, I'm not showing favoritism by posting two pix instead of one

Fallon 4-eva!

Underappreciated Actress of Color #7: Joy Bisco

Mm-mm, y'all (*shakes head*).  This is just unfair.  She's been trying, guys, and it's just not happening.  She was pulling a check in the soap opera world for a while, but we know how that often goes.

Talk about range, though; this fabulous Filipina can go from sweet to sassy in a heartbeat and break it down in between (buy/rent and check out that dance battle, guys!).

So...I think it should go without saying that after years of working her butt off in trying to land roles in film while working in soap opera hell (at least, I'm assuming it's hell), one of her most recent roles should not have been named "Exotic Woman."

Uh...hell no.  Hollywood needs to quit playin'!!!

Underappreciated Actress of Color #6: Kristy Wu

I really like Kristy.  I liked her as a Slayer, I dug her in Cry_Wolf, and I ADORED her in Face. 

Kristy is cute, Kristy has range, Kristy speaks more than one language, Kristy can dance, kick ass, and talk smack.  She's not bony.  She's got a very beautiful face.  Her looks and versatility, I think, are her two most recognizable assets.

I'm not sure what else to say about her, especially since there's not much info on her at this juncture.  After Buffy, I honestly hoped to see much more of her.

Underappreciated Actress of Color #5: Gabrielle Union

You're probably thinking, "But I know her!"  Well, yes.  And you're also probably thinking, "She's been in everything!"  Well, sort of.  So why she's in my running feature?

Gabrielle's been around a while but even she will tell you it doesn't mean much, especially if you're of color and especially if you're a black actress.  You're probably thinking, "She mostly plays the same characters...where's her range?"  Can't show it if you're not asked to, dears, and she has most certainly not been asked to.

Doesn't matter that she's open-minded when choosing roles.  Or that her being paired with a certain bit of Asian hotness no doubt helps draw extra interest to a certain TV show.  Doesn't matter how fine she is, either (isn't that ridiculous?).  So as usual, I ask, "What's a woman of color to do in Hollywood?"

Underappreciated Actress of Color #4: Dania Ramirez

This Dominican actress has been an X-Men villain and a Slayer; she's had a recurring role on the highly popular Heroes, she's worked with Spike Lee, and she's been on The Sopranos.  That's one hell of a resume.  You'd think she'd be doing all right, especially as fine as she is.  But where's the buzz?  Why no hooplah?  What does it say when you've had recurring roles on friggin' Heroes and Sopranos, but there's still no hooplah?

She's gorgeous.  And she can speak more than one language (and don't feed me the whole "accent works against her" nonsense.  She sounds fabulous, and has a gorgeous voice).  She too has a range, capable of grief, passion, sass, and perfect seriousness.  What more does she have to do, guys?

Underappreciated Actress of Color #3: Iyari Pérez Limón

Exactly what does this woman have to do get more roles?  I know I'm not the only one who fell for her when she went all slayer in the seventh season of Buffy.  Why didn't her career explode after that?  She's bi, so sex scenes with a woman isn't a problem.  She's bilingual.  She has an actual range, from humorous to romantic to dramatic to kicking ass, so...what's the problem again?

I mean, the woman auditioned for The L Word, where she did a very sexy, very clever ad lib in Spanish, and while her line made it into the show...she didn't?  WTF???

Hollywood, letting this one just sit by the wayside...FAIL.

(Yes...I updated her pic.  This one just had more...je ne sais quois, you know?)

Underappreciated Actress of Color #2: Michelle Krusiec

Oh, that's right.  I said it!!!  This chica is a bad-ass.  I love her.  She's shown range and a willingness to play roles where's she's not just some dithering pretty girl.  Of course, I--like many others--first fell for her when she played a closeted lesbian in Alice-my-Goddess-Wu's film Saving Face.

Now, when I saw what the writers did with in that unspeakable abomination What Happens in Vegas, my stomach honestly threatened to eat itself.  And since two women of color "fighting" over a white guy was definitely not written for our benefit, I'm not even going to mention that film she did with Michelle Yeoh.

I don't get it.  The woman is skilled.  She's driven, and willing.  I watched an interview on the Saving Face DVD in which talked about the role was like a Godsend because as an Asian actress in America (or basically, actress of color), you have to "wade through grime to get to the gold."  Uh...why?  Why does this one have to wade through anything?  Excuse me, but like the preceding Mademoiselle Harris, Krusiec (pronounced Kruzik) strikes me as one of those people a casting director simply says yes to once she reads that first line.  Feel me?

Underappreciated Actress of Color #1: Naomie Harris

~ Special Inaugural Post ~

You know, when an author sits down and writes a story, they often wonder, "What if it's made into a film?"  Who's going to play to so-and-so?  Would they do it justice?"

My female characters are usually of color and though I doubt anything of mine will ever be made into a film...I still wonder.  And when I wonder, I look up actresses of color.  And when I look them up, all I can think is, "God...she is so underappreciated."

So I'm kicking this running feature off with dark English dame Naomie Harris.  Yes, she's had roles, and has something of a following.  Yes, she's played a sea goddess and yes, she got to (chastely) kiss Cillian Murphy (*delightful shiver*).  Sure, she acted opposite an undeniably beautiful Korean pop star in Ninja Assassin, but still...I think the film industry could do better by this woman.  I mean...look at that face.  Not only is she fine, but she's shown quite a decent acting range and an interest in atypical films.  So what's the problem?

Extra, Extra...Read All About It

The Underappreciated Series

I'm actually disappointed that "underappreciated" is a real word.  Like "underprivileged", it's a passive term.  It implies that people are underappreciated..."just 'cause", and not because someone deliberately hinders their progress.  What's worse, just as "overprivileged" isn't in the dictionary, "overappreciated" isn't either.

Begun completely on a whim, the Underappreciated Series covers Actresses, Actors of Another Color, and Musicians of Color.  My goal is to provide each one with free coverage.  For those who are relatively unknown and/or up and coming, I hope to help them expand their fanbase.  I believe all online writers of color should provide our struggling artists with our support by providing as much free promotion as possible. So I run features about many actors, comedians, and musicians whom most people haven’t heard of, and then try to interview them, so as to advertise on their behalf.

At the Bar (Interviews by Moi)

I try to interview some of the artists I feature; it's truly a pleasure and honor to speak with them all.  This is where I expand the learning process about our artists, so we can better understand their struggles, their triumphs, and their goals.

The Musicians' Corner

At the Bar with Urith Myree of Domitory Effect
At the Bar with Stux Daemon of WRUST

At the Bar with Fallon Bowman

At the Bar with Masia One
At the Bar with Skye
At the Bar with Big Phony
Fallon Bowman Returns to the Bar
At the Bar with Jana Mashonee (pending)

The Audrey & Dre Collection

At the Bar with Hollie Hunt
At the Bar with Alex Chu
At the Bar with Andrew Chen
At the Bar with Destiny Aja
At the Bar with Gerald Chung
At the Bar with Audrey Kelley

The Scribblers' Union

At the Bar with Sam Cacas
At the Bar with Sharon Cullars
At the Bar with Dora Love 
At the Bar with Shiree McCarver
At the Bar with Lena Matthews 
At the Bar with Hayat Ali
At the Bar with Dennis R. Upkins
At the Bar with TJ Medel
At the Bar with Amaya Radjani

Into the Studio

At the Bar with Peter Jae

At the Bar with Tracy Oliver

At the Bar with Chrystee Pharris
At the Bar with Sujata Day

Mea Culpa

Quick and very important update--

Amazon.com sold out of my second book, Folklore, and Other Stories, and is waiting for another shipment.  Flattering enough as that is to me, buyers are unfortunately having to get either used copies or...they're very kindly buying discounted signed copies from me.  Problem is, with all the changing of emails and websites, etc., Amazon.com couldn't contact me to let me know books had been ordered.

So...if you ordered from me via Amazon, your books are coming to you NOW.  Also, I'm automatically refunding everyone's shipping charges as part of the mea culpa.

Sorry for the mix-up; I promise to be on top of things from here on out.  Merci!

Contact Moi

Licensing at the Bar

You can drink at the bar.

You can talk at the bar.

You can even take home drinks from this bar and share it with friends at other bars, but you always have to give credit to Yours Truly.

How to Comment When Drinking at the Bar

Let me tell you a few things about Moi.  I'm an African woman, born of African parents.  Though I was born and mostly raised in America, I consider myself African.  I'm heterosexual, cissexual, and I support gay and transgender rights.  I'm also an author who likes dark fashions and plots her next hairdo like a coup.  My main interests are writing, sociology, and psychology.

So you can guess what I tend to write about.

I moderate on this blog (after all, it is my blog), so you have two choices: you can stick around, behave yourself, and stay on topic in conversation, or...you can make sure the door does hit you in the ass on your way out.

Additional Reading

Why I Moderate the Way I Do