Jemele Hill is Unbothered

Actress Wendy Raquel Robinson joins Jemele to discuss her lengthy career, and why she created the Amazing Grace Conservatory — an arts program whose alums include Issa Rae and Ashton Sanders. Wendy shares why it’s meaningful that her series The Game has been reprised on multiple networks and the evolution of her iconic role as Tasha Mack. Plus, Jemele shares her thoughts on Ed Reed’s very short te...

La La Anthony joins Jemele to discuss her blossoming acting career, which includes roles on hit series BMF and The Chi, and her new movie, You People, starring Eddie Murphy. La La also shares how she’s fostered a healthy friendship and co-parenting with her ex-husband and former NBA star Carmelo Anthony, how she has transformed into a passionate sports parent, and why she chose to her deeply invol...

Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner joins Jemele to discuss his new television series, The Accused, his recent Grammy nomination for spoken word poetry, and fatherhood. Malcolm shares how his role on The Accused stretched him as an actor, and why he’s always been drawn to spoken word poetry. Malcolm also discusses his life on The Cosby Show and whether he resents Bill Cosby, who has faced a staggering numb...

Actor Boris Kodjoe joins Jemele to discuss his upbringing in Germany, difficult transition to America, and how he dealt with the devastating end of his tennis career. Boris also shares his accidental journey into acting, and the origin story of how he met and courted his wife, Nicole Ari Parker. Plus, Jemele shared her thoughts on Tory Lanez’s conviction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...

Evangelist, author, filmmaker and businessman Bishop T.D. Jakes joins Jemele to discuss the origin story behind his ministry, why it was important for him to get involved in film and television and how he navigates teaching messages of unity during such a polarizing time. T.D., also shares what it means to be able to bring on-demand, spiritual content to Amazon, and the rise of his daughter Sarah...

Actor Naomi Ackie joins Jemele to discuss her upcoming blockbuster role as Whitney Houston in the biopic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody. Naomi shares how she prepared for the role vocally and emotionally, and what she how she learned about the pop icon from her extensive research. Naomi also discusses what it means for her to transition from supporting actress to lead role, how being involved with t...

Actor Naturi Naughton joins Jemele to reflect on her life-changing role as Tasha St. Patrick on hit television show, Power. Naturi shares how she landed the role, her thoughts on the show ending, and what it means seeing the numerous Power spin-offs. Naturi also discusses what it was like making her directorial debut, and life as a newlywed. Plus, Jemele has some words for the people trying to mak...

Actor, stand-up comedian and author Kel Mitchell joins Jemele to discuss his childhood acting career, and his wildly successful partnership with Kenan Thompson. Kel also discusses how a suicide attempt led him to deeply imbed himself in his faith and drew him toward the ministry. Kel also shares memories of his late friend, Coolio, and reveals some details to Good Burger 2, the sequel that’s in th...

Actor J. Alphonse Nicholson joins Jemele to discuss his groundbreaking, hit drama series, P-Valley. J. reveals how he landed the role of closeted gay rapper, Lil’ Murder, who has become one of the most complex and dynamic characters on television. J. discusses whether he had any reservations playing a gay man, the reception he’s received in the LGBTQ community, and how he’s chosen to address the h...

Actor Laurence Fishburne joins Jemele to discuss his powerful new documentary Cave of Adullam, which he executive produced for ESPN. Laurence takes a deep dive into some of his most iconic roles — Furious Styles, Ike Turner, and Morpheus. He also discloses the movie role he turned down that wound up launching Samuel L. Jackson into stardom and why he turned down What’s Love Got To Do With It befor...

Elie Mystal, justice correspondent for The Nation, joins Jemele to discuss the 2022 midterm election results. Elie shares why the media narrative of Republican dominance at the polls never materialized, gives his thoughts on why Stacey Abrams failed to win Georgia’s gubernatorial race, and where both Republicans and Democrats go from here in preparation for the 2024 presidential election. Elie als...

Political commentator Roland Martin joins Jemele to discuss what’s at stake in the midterm elections, and how the Democrats can better message to Black male voters. Roland explains his path into journalism, why he’s remained committed to the Black press throughout his career and what it has been like creating his own Black media empire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...

In a special live event, basketball superstar Dwyane Wade joins Jemele to discuss the Redeem Team, a Netflix documentary he executive produces about the 2008 men’s Olympic basketball team journey to reclaim America’s basketball dominance. Dwyane reflects on what it was like being a member of the national team that won only a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics, how he overcame injury to secure his p...

Political commentator Angela Rye turns the tables on Jemele and interviews her about her new memoir, Uphill. Jemele shares how she navigated her mother and father’s drug abuse growing up in Detroit, and the impact it had on both relationships. Jemele also discusses her storied career, her religious upbringing, and the difficulties she found as a Black woman navigating mostly white corporate spaces...

Writer and producer Attica Locke joins Jemele to discuss her new Netflix series, From Scratch, which she developed with her sister, Tembi. Attica shares what it was like working with her sister on a project that was based on her sister’s memoir, and explains why From Scratch was the hardest project she’s ever done. Attica also reflects on the legacy of the groundbreaking television drama Empire, a...

Director and producer Kenya Barris joins Jemele to discuss his Netflix adult animation project with Kid Cudi, Entergalatic, the significance of being tapped to remake the Wizard of Oz, and what he would have changed about the Coming to America sequel. He also shares why he isn’t afraid to reboot or remake classic films, why he thought his hit sitcom “Black-ish” ended too soon, and he gives his tho...

Actor Winston Duke joins Jemele and reveals how he navigates Hollywood as a larger man, the impact of his breakout performance as M’Baku in Black Panther and how the cast handled filming of Black Panther 2 without the late Chadwick Boseman. Winston also discusses how he feels about his character from Black Panther becoming a sex symbol and he shares a harrowing personal story about being racially...

R&B superstar Tank joins Jemele for her 200th episode! Tank discusses why his current album, “R&B Money” is his last, shares the details behind his severe hearing loss, and how it has impacted his career, mental and physical health. Tank also reveals what he’s most looking forward to in his post-singing career, which includes him becoming diving deeper into acting and venturing into stand-up comed...

Grammy-nominated singer Mumu Fresh joins Jemele to discuss her career as an independent artist, her journey into music, and she intertwines her activism with her music. She also shares how she handled the overwhelming reception to her highly-acclaimed performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Series, and how that performance impacted her career. She also reveals the origin of her name, and the role her famil...

Film director Gina Prince-Bythewood joins Jemele to discuss her new blockbuster movie, Woman King, which stars Viola Davis. Gina shares what it was like working with Viola Davis and the cast’s strict fitness regimen in preparing for their roles as warriors. Gina also discusses why she’d never do a sequel to Love and Basketball, and how a gutsy move as an intern changed the course of her career. Le...

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley joins Jemele to discuss winning her second national championship, becoming the highest-paid Black female coach in history, and why she’s been so vigilant about pushing for pay equity for women. Dawn also discusses being a trailblazer, WNBA superstar Brittney Griner’s imprisonment in Russia, and if she’d ever consider coaching in the NBA. Plus, Je...

Actor Sterling K. Brown joins Jemele to discuss his new movie, “Honk For Jesus,” a mockumentary in which he plays a megachurch pastor that’s fallen from grace. Sterling also reflects on the end of his highly-acclaimed television show and the widespread impact of his character Randall Pearson. He also shares entertaining stories about his marriage to actress Ryan Michelle Bathe, and explains how he...

Idris Elba joins Jemele to discuss his new movie, “Beast,” where he plays a doctor trying to protect his family from a ferocious lion. Idris also shares if he’s thought about leaving acting altogether to focus on producing and music, why he’s tired of the James Bond questions, and if it bothers him that he’s never received an Oscar nomination, despite stirring performances in several critically-ac...

Former NBA superstar and current basketball analyst Grant Hill joins Jemele to discuss his new memoir, “Game: An Autobiography,” which details his personal and professional journey. Grant opens up about his marriage to R&B star Tamia, including their origin story, how she helped him through a life-threatening injury, and how they’ve navigated a high-profile marriage for 20-plus years. Grant also s...

Dr. Roxane Gay joins Jemele to discuss her celebrated writing career, which includes her critically-acclaimed books, Bad Feminist and Hunger. Roxane also shares how she became an intense competitive Scrabble player, why she keeps a nemesis list (but won’t expand it), and what it was like getting married during the pandemic. Plus, Jemele reflects on her adventures in Las Vegas during Memorial Day w...