There is no shortage of interest in our nation’s celebrities. We all clamber for celeb gossip and celeb news. From music, stage, screen, sports and television, it’s hard not to click on the links to news of your favorite stars. Black entertainment news in particular is a hot market. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 45 million African Americans living in the U.S., making up 15 percent of the population. Black celebrity news is big business.
Film and Television
Some black entertainers are legendary in their popularity. Take Will Smith, for instance. Most of his films have grossed over $100 million making him one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood.
Black entertainers who paved the way include such greats as Oprah Winfrey and Denzel Washington. Winfrey’s television show ran for 25 seasons on more than 120 channels. With an audience of 10 million, Oprah was able to be a strong influence in the black community and the nation as a whole. Though the film industry has been slow to recognize it’s talented black actors and actresses, Denzel Washington has taken home two Oscars. In 1989 he won the Oscar for best supporting actor in the film Glory. In 2001 he won for best actor in the film Training Day. He is only the second African American in history (Sidney Poitier was the first in 1963 ) to win an Oscar. Actress Halle Berry also has broken ground in the Oscar race. She is the only black female to have won an Oscar. In 2002 she won best actress for her role in Monsters Ball.
Music
The music industry has no shortage of black entertainment news. Take Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z for example. Their combined net worth is closing in on 1 billion dollars. Beyonce is one of the most recognized and wealthy black female musical artists today. She has a net worth of $450 million. Jay-Z beat Elvis’s record with his 11th number one album. His net worth is estimated at $650 million.
While still growing, the black entertainment industry is one to keep abreast of as new talent is always waiting in the wings.