Last Friday, theGrio launched an all-new original podcast called Acting Up, which explores the depths of TV and film with Black Hollywood's brightest stars. Host Cortney Wills – Entertainment Director at theGrio – sits down for intimate conversations with some of our favorite celebrities, creators, directors, disrupters, and gatekeepers who are shaping the way Hollywood depicts our communities on-screen as well as how the industry is representing us off-screen.

While highlighting the interests and star power of Black America, the Acting Up podcast also operates as an audio-medium holding Hollywood accountable for its current state. Each week, the show examines those who are making waves in the entertainment industry and those who are still being silenced.

In honor of Women's History Month, Acting Up debuted the show with its first special guest, Kelly Rowland. For its inaugural episode, "Give Kelly Her Flowers," Wills sat down with her longtime friend for an intimate chat. They discussed how the singer-songwriter, executive producer, and actress has been juggling life with her new baby, her latest movie, and new album during such a crazy time.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by theGrio (@thegrio)

The two also discussed Kelly's future in Hollywood, the power of women, her latest quarantine hobbies, and predictions for this year's Grammy Awards, which were held this past Sunday.

Future episodes of the Acting Up podcast will feature guests such as Aunjanue Ellis, Lexi Underwood, Amber Ruffin and more.

For its most recent episode, Wills shares her take on the 2021 Oscar nominations and examines National Geographic’s upcoming series ‘Genius: Aretha’ with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and show runner, Suzan-Lori Parks and actor Courtney B. Vance, who plays in the series as well.

New episodes of Acting Up premiere every Thursday on all podcast-streaming platforms.

Thegrio