The Cast Of 'Black Nativity': Where Are They Now?
Based on the 1961 Langston Hughes penned musical, "Black Nativity" followed Langston, a street-wise teen (Jacob Latimore), and his single mother, Naima (Jennifer Hudson), in the city of Baltimore. Much to his dismay, Langston is informed that he’ll be traveling to New York City to spend Christmas with his estranged and extremely strict grandparents, Reverend Cornell (Forest Whitaker) and Aretha Cobbs (Angela Bassett). While Langston may dislike and rebel against the new rules set forth by his grandparents, he soon finds the true meaning of healing, faith and family.
The film was released ten years ago today. Here is where the cast is in 2023.
Angela Bassett as Aretha Cobbs
Angela Bassett's presence had graced diverse narratives, each character a testament to her unwavering dedication and range. This year, she received a second Oscar nomination for her role as Ramonda in the "Black Panther" sequel. In addition, since 2018, she has starred in "9-1-1" as Athena Grant. See her slaying a Mugler fashion show last mont in the clip above.
Forest Whitaker as Reverend Cornell Cobbs
Award-winning Whitaker continues to captivate audiences with his compelling performances. Recently, he has played Bumpy Johnson in the hit series "Godfather of Harlem."
Check him out above supporting Leslie Odom Jr. on Broadway in "Purlie Victorious."Nas as Isaiah
Nas combined music and acting in "Black Nativity." Although he only occasionally acts on the big screen, his last major role was 2018's "Monster." However, he has produced several projects. As for music, the year, he released two albums, "Magic 2" and "Magic 3." See last year's single with 21 Savage "One Mic, One Gun" in the clip above.
Jennifer Hudson as Naima Cobbs
Jennifer Hudson's vocal prowess and acting finesse have carried her to new heights. In the 2021, the Oscar winner earned critical acclaim portraying Aretha Franklin in the biopic "Respect." She is currently on the second season of the "The Jennifer Hudson Show" -- she just interviewed the legendary Mariah Carey last week.
Mary J. Blige as Angel
Mary J. Blige has effortlessly transcended boundaries between music and acting. In 2018, she earned Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Song for "Mudbound." In 2020, her voice role in "Trolls World Tour" added to her diverse repertoire, demonstrating her multifaceted talents across different artistic mediums. Last year, Blige released her album "Good Morning Gorgeous," which earned five Grammy nominations.
Earlier this year, she celebrated the 10-year anniversary of "A Mary Christmas" album, see above.Jacob Latimore as Langston
Jacob Latimore has continued to shine since "Black Nativity." Not only has he appeared in countless films from "Detroit" to " Texas Chainsaw Massacre," he has starred in "The Chi" as Emmett Washington since 2018. Season six of "The Chi" began airing in August.Kasi Lemmons (Director)
Kasi Lemmons, the visionary behind "Black Nativity," continued to shape narratives that resonated deeply with audiences. In 2019, she directed the Oscar-nominated "Harriet," last year, she directed the biopic "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody."
