Page 31 - ARUBA TODAY

PEOPLE & ARTS Monday 18 deceMber 2017
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2017 Breakthrough: Bianca Lawson of ‘Queen Sugar’

By NICOLE EVATT be on a set where you feel her research. The actress
Associated Press so safe, so taken care of.” watched documenta-
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Now Lawson has had a steady ries, poured through mov-
more than ever, “Queen stream of television roles ing audio from Narcotics
Sugar” actress Bianca Law- in shows like “The Vampire Anonymous meetings, vis-
son is thankful to work on Dairies,” ‘’Teen Wolf” and ited chat boards and talk-
a nurturing, female-led set “Pretty Little Liars,” but said ed to people in her life that
helmed by Ava DuVernay her most recent work on have been affected by ad-
and Oprah Winfrey. the OWN family drama has diction.
“It’s a gift because now felt like a breakthrough mo- “My whole life I’ve been
you’re hearing about all the ment in her career. waiting to play a part like
stories,” said Lawson, refer- “People are seeing me in this, quite honestly. ... To
encing the barrage of sex- a new light, in a different work with these directors
ual harassment allegations way,” she said during a re- and to work with Ava, I
rocking the entertainment cent interview. could cry talking about
industry. “It’s like, wow, it’s Before tackling the role her,’” said Lawson, tearing
this prevalent? It makes of Darla, a recovering up. “This material and this
you even more grateful to drug addict, Lawson did environment, it’s really like
2017 Breakthrough: Singer

SZA is sizzling in music industry

By MESFIN FEKADU
AP Music Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Yes, SZA In this Nov. 27, 2017 photo, actress Bianca Lawson poses for a
is easily in the running for portrait in Los Angeles.
best new act of 2017. But Associated Press
her uber-successful year re-
ally puts her in the running a once-in-a-lifetime experi- Lawson is overwhelmed
for female artist of the year: ence.” by fan reactions and how
She’s had multiple songs It may seem like Lawson Darla is resonating with
chart in the Top 40 in a was destined for stardom. audiences. Her work also
year when male acts over- Her parents, Denise Gordy moved Winfrey, a “Queen
whelming dominated, and and Richard Lawson, are Sugar” executive pro-
she’s the most nominated actors and her stepmoth- ducer, who pulled Lawson
woman at the upcoming er is Tina Knowles, mak- aside after her first day on
Grammy Awards with five. ing Beyoncé and Solange set.
“It’s wild. It’s awesome. In this Dec. 4, 2017 photo, singer SZA poses for a portrait in New Knowles her step-sisters. “She took my hand and she
... Like, I’m in awe. Like, in York to promote her latest album, “Ctrl.” But the 38-year-old said her was like ‘amazing work.’
full blown awe,” said SZA, Associated Press parents initially resisted her Can you imagine? ... She
competing for honors like braving the snow to attend ever for you. Like, I’ll cre- Hollywood dreams. was like, ‘I can tell you love
best new artist and best ur- her Cleveland concert on ate more content for you. “They were just like, you Darla. I can tell because I
ban contemporary album. Wednesday night. I’ll try to give you uplifting know, be a kid, go to can tell in your work,’” Law-
SZA, born Solona Rowe and “It’s too overwhelming. I things. I’ll tell you the truth school,” she recalled. “But I son beamed. “End scene!
signed to Top Dawg Enter- didn’t even know what to because, like, you deserve begged them. I wore them What else do you need in
tainment along with Ken- say,” she said of her suc- it,” she said.q down!” life?”q
drick Lamar, won critical cesses. “It almost felt like,
praise six months ago with ‘Be quiet because you
the release of her major- don’t even know how this is
label debut, “Ctrl,” earning happening to you. So you
a rapid fan base online for need to just thank the Lord
her honest lyrics and vo- and move forward.’”
cal delivery. This month she SZA is even stretching
performed her platinum outside of her R&B back-
hit songs, “Love Galore” ground: Her collaboration
featuring Travis Scott and with Maroon 5, the upbeat
“The Weekend” — named pop smash “What Lovers
the No. 1 song of the year Do,” is spending yet an-
by The Associated Press — other week in the Top 10 on
on “Saturday Night Live.” the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
She’s co-written hits for Ri- The 28-year-old, who was
hanna and Beyonce, re- born in St. Louis and grew
cently picked up two Soul up in New Jersey, said she’s
Train Awards and is nomi- most thankful for her fever-
nated for four honors at the ish fans who continue to
NAACP Awards. support her music and art-
Even LeBron James and istry.
J.R. Smith are supporters, “I’m down to do what- 523-0300