Force Of Nature: Actress Lupita Nyong'o By Thomas Whiteside For InStyle Magazine April 2016

"Whether she's dodging the supposed Oscar curse, urging Hollywood to step up its diversity, or raising awareness around endangered elephants, actress and Broadway star Lupita Nyong'o remains true to her fearless mantra: Fail Better." -Logan Hill


This marks Lupita's first cover for InStyle Magazine after her stunning editorial that came out after her breakout role in 12 Years A Slave.

Force Of Nature

Actress Lupita Nyong’o by Thomas Whiteside for InStyle Magazine April 2016.

Photographer: Thomas Whiteside

Styling by Melissa Rubini

Hair Styling by Larry Sims

Makeup by Nick Barose

InStyle Magazine October 2013: Actress Danai Gurira

Right now, InStyle magazine has me smiling again with another beautiful editorial featuring one of my favorites and this time it's actress Danai Gurira. "The Walking Dead" star has been on a role lately and getting the recognition that she deserves.  I've got to give it to them because lately they have been consistent with editorials featuring celebrities of African descent in their magazine. Not that I need to be validated by them, but it's great to see these women beautifully represented and not ignored as if they don't exist.

Danai was photographed for this editorial by Jan Welters and styled by Joanne Blades in sculptural and modern contemporary pieces.

Photos: Jan Welters
Styling: Joanne Blades
Makeup: Kara Yoshimoto Bua
Hair: Cori Bardo

ESSENCE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2013: Actresses Viola Davis and Danai Gurira Wow!

I feel like I've been down this path before writing about some of my favorite magazine issues, either way, it's something that I love to do. I've got to celebrate our beauty whenever I find it.

Actress Viola Davis looks beautiful on the cover of the October issue of Essence Magazine and the inside of the issue is chock full of several goodies for the eyes, complete with outstanding editorials that beg to be read.

Lets get back to Viola...all I can think of is, wow!!! She nailed this cover which was photographed by Nino Muñoz. The jewel colors look so elegant and radiant against her richly hued skin.

It pays to subscribe to your favorite magazines and my digital issue arrived in time. 

I almost died and went to beauty heaven when I clicked on the editorial featuring another beauty that I admire, actress, Danai Gurira.

They're right when the titled this: "Nobdy Can Danai" 

"Only fools attempt to deny our true beauty."

Danai rocked what appears to be sumptuous leathers with just the right amount of styling by, Jason Rembert, without the overkill as in  previous editorials that I've seen. Her beauty was captured by Gomillion and Leupold.

"It's all about self-love and the right to walk in this world the way we were created."

~ Actress Danai Gurira

Photos/Viola Davis: Nino Muñoz

Styling: Robert Behar

Photos/Danai Gurira: Gomillion and Leupold

Styling: Jason Rembert

I know that I didn't photograph these photos, but if you're going to take them, at least credit the source where you got them from.

Actress Danai Gurira Name One Of Peoples Magazine's Most Beautiful

When People Magazine released the details of its annual “Most Beautiful” issue I didn't care to search for the entire list because I was elated that Danai Gurira was selected among those chosen as most beautiful. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is on the cover this years issue and it seems that several bloggers failed to mention that actress/playwright Danai Gurira of the hit series 'The Walking Dead' was also among those chosen to appear in the issue.

Danai's Peoples Magazine Photo

It seems like folks only concentrated on the popular celebrities: Kerry Washington, Kelly Rowland, Halle Berry and Gabrielle Union and overlooked Danai's stunning photo. I've been a fan of this beautiful woman ever since I saw her in the movie, "The Visitor" and she's just as beautiful and talented as the rest of them.

"I feel most beautiful when I'm totally in my own skin."

— The Walking Dead's Danai Gurira

She's one of our Tumblr favorites and I've noticed that on Tumblr we seem to celebrate many of the overlooked and obscured beauties/celebrities that others don't talk about unless they're embroiled in some kind of turmoil.


I don't know what happened why certain individuals in the media stopped promoting and celebrating all women and now only choose to concentrate on those they deem as more popular. This crap irks the hell out of me and I don't support brands or people that practice this nonsense.  We've got some talented men and women out there who are super talented, but are getting overlooked because those who think they are influential don't promote them and they follow suit by doing the same exact things. That popularity crap is so high school and not progressive at all. Congratulations to all of you who made the list.

 Photos: Peoples Magazine/Peggy Sirota

Le Look Du Jour: Actresses Viola Davis and Danai Gurira At The 19th Annual ELLE Women In Hollywood Event

My two favorite beauties: Viola Davis and Danai Gurira attend the recently held 19th Annual ELLE Women In Hollywood Event. Both ladies look equally stunning and beautiful in Calvin Klein. It seems like now that Danai is in the spotlight certain individuals are now taking an interest in her when they had the opportunity to promote her way before the mainstream media did.

Photos: Getty Images