Jemele Hill is Unbothered

Talk show host and actor Sherri Shepherd joins Jemele to discuss the success of her talk show, Sherri, what it means that her show has been renewed for two additional seasons, and the popularity of her podcast with dear friend Kym Whitley, Two Funny Mamas. Sherri also shares why stand-up comedy remains her first love, and the lasting lessons she learned from her time as co-host on The View. Plus, Sherri is candid about the impact of having been divorced multiple times and why she doesn’t want to get married again.

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Scholar-activist Dr. Yaba Blay joins Jemele to discuss her social justice work, and academic background. Dr. Blay shares her thoughts on the significant changes in the social justice climate since George Floyd’s murder in 2020, her book, One Drop: Shifting the Lens, and what it means to be an ally versus an accomplice. Dr. Blay also explains how growing up in New Orleans shaped her, and web series, Professional Black Girl. Plus, Jemele shares her thought on the recent rash of gun violence where strangers were injured or murdered because of acts of snap aggression.

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Award-winning author Leila Mottley joins Jemele to discuss her highly-acclaimed, New York Times best-selling novel, Nightcrawling, which was published in 2022 when she was 20 years old. Leila shares how she came up with the idea to write a fiction novel about a Black Oakland teenager whose life is derailed by poverty, sex trafficking and corrupt police. She also discusses why it was important to center the experiences of a young, vulnerable Black girl in her debut novel, how she felt when Oprah chose her novel for her book club, and how she’s navigating her new life as a famous author. Plus, Jemele shares her thoughts on the firings of Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon.

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Filmmaker Malcolm D. Lee joins Jemele to take a deep dive into his Best Man series, including his latest iteration The Best Man: The Final Chapters. Malcolm discusses the incredible reception the final chapter of the Best Man franchise received, and why he’s ending the series, despite its overwhelming success. Malcolm takes Jemele through the journey of getting the Best Man made, including how he wrote the screenplay in his parents basement. Malcolm also shares how his cousin, critically-acclaimed director Spike Lee, influenced his career, along with the success of ensemble cast movies Soul Food & Waiting to Exhale.

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Singer and actor Chloe Bailey joins Jemele to discuss her debut solo album, In Pieces, and her current starring roles in two major film projects. Chloe shares what it was like being the centerpiece of the Peacock hit movie, Praise This. Chloe also discusses her provocative performance in the Donald Glover-executive produced thriller, Swarm, including her reaction to her sex scene with Damson Idris going viral. Chloe also gets emotional as she gives insight to some of the personal choices she made on her new album, reveals the constructive criticism her mentor, Beyonce, gave her about the album and she clears up whether her and her sister, Halle, plan to record another album together.

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Salli Richardson-Whitfield joins Jemele to discuss her career longevity, and how she navigated Hollywood during a time when there were limited roles for Black actresses. Salli also explains why she pivoted to directing, and shares if she intends to fully return to acting. Salli also discusses what it’s like directing the HBO hit series, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, starring John C. Reilly and Adrien Brody. Jemele also gives her thoughts on Donald Trump’s indictment.

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Media personality Bomani Jones joins Jemele to discuss the second season of his hit HBO show Game Theory with Bomani Jones, his pivot from being an economist to cultural commentator, and how he handled not completing his PhD. Bomani also shares how being raised by academics shaped his cultural viewpoint. Plus, Jemele gives her thoughts on Jonathan Majors recent arrest.

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Ahead of WrestleMania 39, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair joins Jemele to discuss her meteoric rise in professional wrestling, her journey from being one of the top collegiate track athletes into pro wrestling, and what it means for her to be the longest reigning Black world champion. Bianca is candid about her battle with eating disorders, and how she reclaimed her mental health. She also shares why she doesn’t want her marriage to fellow professional wrestler Montez Ford, to become a part of her or her husband's WWE storyline.

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Media personality and popular Peloton fitness instructor Ally Love joins Jemele to discuss the traumatic childhood incident that shaped her perspective on life, how she went from being a trained dancer who danced with Beyonce to a Peloton instructor, and her new Netflix competitive dance show, Dance 100. Ally also shares if writing a book is on her radar, and recalls some of her memorable interactions with Peloton fans. Also, Jemele shares a traumatic story from her own childhood that changed her life forever.

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Actor Grace Byers joins Jemele to discuss the latest season of her hit Amazon Prime series, Harlem, and the complexities of her character, Quinn. Grace shares what she’s learned about herself during her pregnancy, what it was like growing up in the Cayman Islands with a deaf mother and how the bullying Grace experienced as a child inspired her to write children’s books. Grace also discusses the legacy of the show Empire, which she starred on for three seasons. Plus, Jemele gives her thoughts on the four Americans who were kidnapped in Mexico.

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