Well, now, let me tell y’all a bit about Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. You might’ve heard of her, or maybe you ain’t. She’s a mighty fine actress, real talented. Now, she’s the kind of person you might see in one of them big Hollywood movies or maybe in a TV show that everyone talks about. But I’m here to tell you, she didn’t just come outta nowhere, no sir. She worked hard to get where she is today, and it didn’t all come easy. Let me tell you how she got her start.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, born in San Francisco, California, but raised in McComb, Mississippi. Now, Mississippi, that’s a place with a lot of history, and not always the good kind. But it shaped Aunjanue into the strong, smart woman she is today. She didn’t have it easy growing up, but she stuck with it. She went on to graduate from Brown University, and from there, she didn’t stop—no ma’am. She went all the way to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she really learned her craft. It wasn’t just about acting, though; it was about finding herself, and she did that in a big way.
Aunjanue made her mark in the theater world first. She didn’t start with big ol’ movies or TV shows. She went to the Off-Broadway scene and worked her way up. Now, some people might get discouraged working on the small stage, but not Aunjanue. She kept going, and one thing led to another, and before long, she was getting roles in films and TV shows. And let me tell you, she’s been in some big ones!
You might know her from that big movie called King Richard where she starred alongside Will Smith. You know, the movie about Venus and Serena Williams’ daddy, Richard Williams. Well, Aunjanue was in that movie, and let me tell you, she was nominated for an Oscar for her performance. That’s no small feat! She played the role of Oracene Price, the mother of the famous tennis players. If you ask me, she brought so much heart to that role—it was powerful, you could feel it in your bones. And because of that, she got all kinds of nominations, including an Oscar nod!
But it don’t stop there. Aunjanue’s been in a whole lotta other things, too. She’s been in movies like Men of Honor, Undercover Brother, and Ray, which was about the famous singer Ray Charles. She didn’t just do movies, though. She also appeared in TV shows like True Blood and Lovecraft Country, and let me tell you, people loved her. She got nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for both of them shows—now that’s something to be proud of!
But what really sets Aunjanue apart from a lotta folks in the business is the kind of roles she takes. She don’t just do the same ol’ thing that you see in Hollywood. Nah, she chooses roles that make you think, that make you feel something deep inside. She’s been in shows and movies that deal with real issues, like race and history, and she doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff. She’s been in films like Nickel Boys, which is based on a book by Colson Whitehead, and it’s all about what it was like growing up in the South. It’s not easy stuff to watch, but it’s real, and Aunjanue brings so much truth to those characters.
Now, don’t go thinking Aunjanue’s just another pretty face. She’s got smarts and grit. She didn’t just get these roles by luck—she worked for them. She studied, she auditioned, and she kept pushing, even when things got tough. She’s a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and she’s been involved in all kinds of things, always striving to do better, always aiming higher. She knows what she wants, and she goes after it. And that’s something to admire, don’t you think?
It’s also important to mention that Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is one of those folks who’s using her platform for good. She’s out there, working on stories that matter. She’s not afraid to tell the stories that need to be told, the ones that make people uncomfortable but also help them understand. Her work in When They See Us, about the Central Park Five, really shook people up. And I think that’s part of what makes Aunjanue special—she uses her talent not just to entertain, but to make a difference.
So, next time you see Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor’s name on a movie or TV show, just remember—this lady’s come a long way, and she’s got the talent to back it up. She didn’t just walk into Hollywood; she earned her spot. And if you ask me, she’s just gettin’ started. I’m excited to see where she goes from here, and you should be, too!
Tags：[Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, King Richard, Nickel Boys, Oscar nominee, actress, Hollywood, true blood, Ray, Lovecraft Country, Colson Whitehead, Emmy nominee, Primetime Emmy, Delta Sigma Theta, acting career, Black actress, television, film]
