PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Michelle Obama writes college letter for ‘Black-ish’ star
“Black-ish” star Yara Shahidi had lots of fans and supporters as she applied for college. She also had a letter of recommendation — and some encouragement — from Michelle Obama.
Shahidi tells W magazine that the former first lady gave her a “go get ’em, tiger” back rub before Shahidi took her Advanced Placement exams. She says Obama is “very amazing and such a supporter, which is something very surreal to say.”
Obama and Shahidi appeared on stage together in Washington in October for an International Day of the Girl event hosted by Glamour Magazine.
Kaluuya responds to Jackson’s casting critique
Daniel Kaluuya, star of the horror hit “Get Out,” has responded to Samuel L. Jackson’s suggestion that a black American actor ought to have played his part.
Jackson last week told radio station Hot 97 that he thought too many roles were going to British black actors. Jackson said an “American brother” would have benefited “Get Out,” a thriller about race and an interracial couple.
In an interview posted Monday by GQ, Kaluuya disagreed with his stance. The 27-year-old British actor said he’s had to wrestle with people calling him “too black.”
‘Mad Men’ star Brie and Franco get married
Dave Franco and former “Mad Men” star Alison Brie have gotten married. Franco’s publicist has confirmed a People magazine report that the pair wed. No details were released on where or when the ceremony took place.
Franco and Brie announced their engagement in August 2015 after three years of dating.