Naked Sports with Cari Champion

Gabrielle Union is a veteran in the game. We know her name, her beauty, and her work.  No one can deny her star power. We start this conversation with the question, what is the difference between being an entertainer vs an actor? Union eloquently explains the difference. Union then tells the “WHY” behind this role in her upcoming film, The Inspection.  As I said before we all know Union - the entertainer, but we are about to be introduced to Gabrielle the actress.  The Inspection is in theaters now! Connect @CariChampion @GabUnionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s not an agenda to tell black stories in our totality, it is simply innate.  Leroi’s creative objective is not necessarily to go outside of the box, but simply not to ignore everything that fills it. His resume speaks volumes, but he started as a stand-up comedian. He shares stories from those earlier years; meeting Chris Rock and how that relationship developed over time both personally and professionally.  Leroi breaks down the career trajectory of a comedian’s lifespan, and his process as a writer and as a Director/Jazz composer. LeRoi also shares his opinion on the unavoidable topic of his fellow Chi-town native, Kanye West. (Fortunately, we don’t end on that note). Creatives get your notepads ready, because there are some free nuggets of feedback courtesy of Mr. Leroi all throughout this episode. Connect: @CariChampion @AliLeroi Learn More: MrLeroi.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Buck is a crackling, satirical debut novel about a young man given a shot at stardom as the lone Black salesman at a mysterious, cult-like, and wildly successful startup where nothing is as it seems. New York Times Best Selling author Mateo Askaripour joins us on today’s episode to discuss his new success. READ: Black Buck The Novel LEARN MORE:  MATEO WRITES CONNECT: @CariChampion @AskMateo    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don Lemon is an American Television Journalist who is known for hosting on CNN. Despite the lack of support and his professors told him to consider an alternative major and direction, he moved from Louisiana to New York to pursue his career without a diploma and with only $200. Fast forward not only did he finish his degree at Brooklyn College, but he also became one of the most prominent names in journalism. In this episode, we discuss the trajectory of his career, his choice to move to the mornings, and what inspired his full transparency. Lemon is openly gay and has received various criticisms rooted in homophobia and race, but after coming out he gained the autonomy to be his true self. Read: Transparent By Don Lemon Connect: @CariChampion @DonLemonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filter? What filter? Michael Rapaport is from New York and this is just how he talks. From Dan Le Batard to Janet Jackson to NBA Hot Takes; we talk or Rapaport tells us how he really feels about these topics, especially his personal dispute with Durant. Some would say Rapaport is privileged because he hurls his opinions without hesitation. After listening, let us know what you think? Learn More: MichaelRapaportComedy.com Connect: @CariChampion @MichaelRapaportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Amanda Seales misunderstood or is she just an unfiltered unapologetic loud voice, and you have to be informed on the topics before you can understand her critiques?  Seales is a Comedian and Common Sense Specialist and the creator of Smart, Funny & Black Radio. She gained her notoriety after making the radical decision to move across the country from New York to California and within four months was cast in HBO’s Insecure as Tiffany Dubois, she also explains how this character came to life. As she continues to grow her online community and within the public eye, it’s not without a little backlash but we have a feeling, she won’t go quietly into the night…in fact, she might just get louder and louder and LOUDER. Get informed: AmandaSeales.com Join Amanda Seales on Tour: Smart, Funny & Black Tickets Connect: @CariChampion @AmandaSealesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What started as a personal testimony evolved into one of most acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights now on Broadway.  Michael R Jackson grew up in Detroit in a middle-class family, where he kept his sexuality and artistry to himself or rather how his truth would be expressed through art. After almost twenty years of writing what would become, "A Strange Loop", Jackson writes a musical that explores self-hatred and the conversations he would have with himself over the years.   The popularity of the musical," A Strange Loop" is without question with limited seats available and/or sold-out shows every night on Broadway! Audiences everywhere of all backgrounds are attracted to this once-hidden masterpiece. Jackson is proud and embraces this moment, but guarantees this is merely the beginning.   Learn More: A Strange Loop - The Musical Connect: @carichampion @TheLivingMJ Are you in a strange loop, let us know: @nakedwithcarichampion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kel Mitchel joins us today! He shares how he initially got the acting bug by transforming his class clown habits into art. Mitchell is an actor and stand-up comedian, best known for his work on the comedy sketch series, “All That” on Nickelodeon. Kel has been in front of the camera since he was fifteen, and although acting is what most know him for, Kel’s bigger calling has been to minister to the youth. GOD is indeed Kel’s leader in his career and writings. Now with two books available; “Bless Mode” and “Prank Day” wherever you get your books. Read: Bless Mode and  Prank Day Connect: @CariChampion @KelMitchell Stay up to date with new episodes: @NakedwithCariChampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode, we have, Obama, Jay Z, Eddie Murphy, and Denzel Washington joining us by way of Jay Pharoah. Pharoah is an Actor, Comedian, and Impressionist best known for his work on SNL. Comedy found Pharoah in his adolescence where he used it as a way to fit in and avoid getting bullied by his peers. We discuss his top comedic influences and how celebrities feel about impressions.  Watch the Trailer: Out of Office  Connect: @CariChampion @JayPharoah Watch the in-studio interview on YouTube - Wednesday, September 28th! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gina Prince Bythewood is a distinguished director dedicated to putting strong black characters in the forefront of her films. Which hasn’t always been easy, Bythewood shares with us the ongoing fight of her career to do exactly that.  One would say with the release of her new film, “The Woman King” now in theaters she is certainly winning, but she knows the fight continues.  Bythewood has been making films for the last twenty years, releasing her first feature, “Love and Basketball” in the year 2000.  One would also think that after such a masterpiece for the culture and film history she would have the support needed to make the films she wanted. Let’s just say that ignited the rage that fueled her to become the Director she is today. The Woman King is a historical epic that is based on an alternate history of The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states in Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries, starring the Academy Award-winning actress, Viola Davis.  This is an absolute much watch, not only for the amazing talent, but when you watch it, you’re signing up to join the fight towards making sure more films like this get made. Watch the Trailer and Get Your Tickets: TheWomanKing.movie Connect: @CariChampion @GPBmadeitSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.