Jemele Hill is Unbothered

Dr. Bernice King, daughter of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., joins Jemele to discuss the work and legacy of her late father and mother, Coretta Scott King. She also shares how she feels about people who sanitize and twist her father’s teachings, some of the growing pains she experienced being attached to such a massive legacy, and why she decided to follow a path to ministry...

Actress Kyla Pratt joins Jemele to discuss the reprisal of her classic role as Penny Proud in the reboot of the iconic cartoon, The Proud Family. Kyla reflects on her multi-decade acting career, shares how she handled childhood stardom, and what it was like for her transitioning into adulthood. Kyla also reveals how she’s balanced motherhood and an acting career, and how she landed a role on the H...

RZA joins Jemele to detail his transformation from rapper, producer and creator of the Wu-Tang Clan into composer, actor and artist. He discusses how the Wu-Tang Clan developed such a strong white fan base, his memories of Old Dirty Bastard, and why he returned to rapping after a long break with his new project, Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theatre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....

Sonya Curry, mother of NBA superstar Stephen Curry, joins Jemele to discuss her new memoir, Fierce Love. Curry explains why she decided to open up about her faith journey, the ups and downs of raising three children as a young mother, and how she has been impacted by the public scrutiny of her impending divorce from former NBA player, Dell Curry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

CNN anchor and senior political correspondent Abby Phillip joins Jemele to discuss the toxic political climate, and whether America’s democracy is fixable. Abby also shares how she went from being a pre-med student at Harvard to political journalist, what it was like covering the White House, and how she prepped to moderate CNN's presidential debate in January 2020. Plus, Jemele gives her thoughts...

Author, journalist and culture critic Danyel Smith joins Jemele to discuss her new book, “Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop,” in which she weaves her own personal history in with compelling stories about iconic black women in pop such as Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Aretha Franklin. Danyel shares how she approached researching the book, why she chose to disclose an a...

Multi-talented star Coco Jones joins Jemele to discuss what she wanted to bring to her role as Hilary Banks on the hit show Bel-Air, and why she didn’t initially believe she could play Hilary. Coco also reveals what prompted her to record a YouTube video in which she shared the reasons her acting career didn’t kick into high gear following her Disney stardom, and how tricky navigating Hollywood ca...

Actor Cassandra Freeman joins Jemele to discuss her role as Vivian Banks, also known as Aunt Viv, on the hit television series Bel-Air. Cassandra shares what she wanted to bring to the dramatic version of Aunt Viv, and how she felt about the audience’s initial reaction to the show being reimagined. Cassandra also opens up some difficulties she experienced during her pregnancy, and the challenges b...

World-renown DJ D-Nice joins Jemele to discuss what it meant to perform at this year’s Academy Awards, and how it aligned with the broader vision he’s always had for his career. D-Nice also shares what inspired him to start Club Quarantine, the social media phenomenon that exploded during the height of the quarantine and amplified his profile. He explains why he never commercialized Club Quarantin...

Sydney Carter, a player development coach and assistant recruiting coordinator for Texas A&M’s women’s basketball team, joins Jemele to discuss the game-day outfit that turned her into a viral star. Sydney discusses how she handled the criticism as well as the sudden fame. She also shares her basketball origin story, and what it was like playing overseas in Latvia and Israel. Plus, Jemele has some...

The multi-talented Sheryl Lee Ralph joins Jemele to discuss her role as Barbara Howard on the hit television show, Abbott Elementary. She also discusses her close relationship with Abbott Elementary creator and star, Quinta Brunson, and why this comedy has become such a smash success. Sheryl also shares her memories of the late Sidney Poitier, and how she’s successfully navigated Hollywood in her...

Aunjanue Ellis joins Jemele to discuss her Mississippi roots, and what led her to an acting career. Aunjanue also discusses what it means to be nominated for an Oscar for her outstanding performance in King Richard. She also shares why she chooses her roles with such intentionality, and why she waged a campaign to pressure the state of Mississippi into removing the confederate emblem from the Miss...

Amber Ruffin joins Jemele to discuss how she puts together her hit show, The Amber Ruffin Show, and why she chose not to have a talk show that included celebrity guests. Amber also discusses what it was like growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, how she got into comedy, and where she believes her career would be had she not been rejected as a Saturday Night Live cast member. Plus, Jemele shares her thoug...

Social media star Tabitha Brown joins Jemele to discuss her unique path to stardom, which started with a viral social media video about a vegan sandwich from Whole Foods. Tabitha discusses the many ups and downs she experienced as she struggled to make a career in the entertainment business. She also shares why she’s resonated with millions on social media, how becoming vegan saved her life, and h...

U.S. Congresswoman Cori Bush joins Jemele to discuss why securing voting rights is crucial to American democracy, and why she’s unwilling to abandon her activist mentality despite being in politics. Cori also explains how her humble beginnings, and being involved in the Ferguson protests led her to politics. Plus, Jemele also shares her thoughts on the hip-hop themed Super Bowl halftime show. Lear...

Rising star Storm Reid joins Jemele to discuss her already-prolific acting career, which includes starring roles in the blockbusters A Wrinkle in Time, and Suicide Squad. Storm also discusses her role in the hit HBO series Euphoria, her close relationship with Zendaya, and the auntie community she’s formed with Oprah Winfrey and Ava Duvernay. Storm also shares her insights on Generation Z, and why...

Novelist Yaa Gyasi joins Jemele to discuss her award-winning novel Homegoing and her highly-acclaimed follow-up project, Transcendent Kingdom. Yaa also shares how her passion for writing began, her creative process and how she established and maintained her close connection with her Ghanaian roots. Plus, Jemele shares her thoughts on polarizing podcast personality Joe Rogan. Learn more about your...

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay joins Jemele to discuss her new book, “Miss Me With That,” a collection of wide-ranging personal essays that cover pivotal moments in Rachel’s life. Rachel opens up about the fallout from her interview with former Bachelor host Chris Harrison and why she decided to step away from the Bachelor franchise. Rachel also discusses the criticism she’s received for being...

Actress Nicole Ari Parker joins Jemele to discuss her role in the Sex and the City reboot, including the significance of the show adding several women of color to the cast. Nicole also discusses her starring role in the upcoming movie Safe Space, which was directed by her husband, Boris Kodjoe. She shares what it was like working with him, and reminisces about how the two met on the television dra...

Hip hop legend M.C. Lyte joins Jemele to discuss her groundbreaking hip hop career, how attending an African-centered school growing up gave her a sense of self-awareness and made her stronger in her identity, and how the poetry she wrote became the foundation for many of her lyrics. Lyte also relives what it was like recording the remix and shooting the video for the iconic song, “I Wanna Be Down...

The View’s Sunny Hostin joins Jemele to discuss the The View’s legacy, what it means to celebrate the show’s 25-year anniversary, their search for a new co-host and what advice she would give the newest cast member. Sunny also shares what it was like being a child prodigy and starting high school at age 12, and how her family feels about her not using her real name in her television career. Learn...

Wellness coach and actress A.J. Johnson joins Jemele to discuss her new show, “Life Therapy,” how she went from being a pre-med student to an actress, and how the death of her parents fueled her to further her passion for health and wellness. A.J., also reflects on her friendship with director John Singleton, her iconic role as Sharane in House Party, and she explains why she wasn’t part of the Ho...

Actress and singer Andra Day joins Jemele to discuss her award-winning, groundbreaking role as Billie Holiday in the critically-acclaimed movie, The United States vs Billie Holiday. Andra explains her extensive preparation, which included losing 40 pounds, speaking with recovering addicts and picking up smoking. Andra also shares why she’s chosen to be abstinent and the story of how music icon Ste...

Actress Holly Robinson Peete joins Jemele to discuss her storied acting career, including an idea she has for a 21 Jump Street reboot. Holly also offers her thoughts on the recent tragedy involving actor Alec Baldwin and how it will impact the television and film industry going forward. Plus, she also opens up about what she’s learned from her son, RJ, who has autism, and details how their family’...

Comedian and actor Amanda Seales joins Jemele to discuss why she created her groundbreaking variety show, “Smart, Funny, and Black,” and where she hopes take the show next. Amanda also talks about the controversy involving her character, Tiffany Dubois, on the HBO hit show Insecure, which resulted in a “beef” with the black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. Plus, Amanda shares what it meant for her as...