Published Articles by Writer Diedre Johnson
Creating WakandaBlack Panther
By Diedre Johnson The jaw-dropping sets of Black Panther and the Afrocentric costumes played an essential role in the storytelling and the performances on screen The majestic waterfalls, captivating scenes of a technologically-advanced Country, and actors in traditional African garb … Continued
Compton, California, Is the Old Town Road for Black Urban CowboysBlack Girl Nerds
Book Review by Diedre Johnson for Black Girl Nerds New York Times reporter Walter Thompson-Hernandez’s The Compton Cowboys is both a skilled insider’s look at a community of cowboys in the most unlikely of places and a homage to … Continued
Dylan ReviewVariety
By Diedre Johnson This version of “Dylan,” Sidney Michaels’ ’60s Broadway play about poet Dylan Thomas’ celebrated but unhappy life, demonstrates just how good a production can be. The show has funny, moving portrayals, top-notch lighting, and costumes, and effortless … Continued
Black Panther costume illustrator Phillip Boutte Jr on sketching for the box office smash Mandy.com
Phillip Boutte Jr. is part of the team behind the tribal, yet tech, costumes we see in box office smash Black Panther. Boutte drew illustrations and collaborated with costume designer Ruth Carter to create the garments worn by heroes and villains alike in the fictional East African nation of Wakanda.
Remembering Carrie Fisher’s Epic Wishful Drinking Rehearsal PaStE Magazine
Remembering Carrie Fisher’s Epic Wishful Drinking Rehearsal By Diedre Johnson Among Carrie Fisher’s many talents was the ability to laugh at herself. According to reports, she had plans to do a sequel to her 2009 Broadway one-woman show, Wishful Drinking … Continued
Recently Published Stories
Creating WakandaBlack Panther
By Diedre Johnson The jaw-dropping sets of Black Panther and the Afrocentric costumes played an essential role in the storytelling and the performances on screen The majestic waterfalls, captivating scenes of a technologically-advanced... READ MORE
Zendaya – Establishing Her Brand Pop Icons Magazine
By Diedre Johnson On March 18, 2013, a 16-year-old Zendaya Stoermer Coleman stepped onto the ballroom floor of the 16th season of Dancing with the Stars. The youngest ever contestant at that time,... READ MORE
Juneteenth Movie DigestTribeca Film Festival
By Diedre Johnson Tribeca Festival continues to build equity, diversity, and inclusion, both behind the scenes and on the big screen. Championing a diverse range of filmmakers, actors, and creators Tribeca is working... READ MORE
The Story Behind Lily Collins’ Windfall Power LookNetflix
Windfall stylist and costume designer Megan Gray explains how she crafted this very specific outfit. By Diedre Johnson Let’s say you’re a costume designer, and you have to style one single look for... READ MORE
How Fox’s Prestige Series Our Kind of People Is Mired in MelodramaBlack Girl Nerds
Our Kind of People is Fox’s latest soap opera in the vein of the guilty pleasure of Empire, but it seems doubtful it will ever have that kind of impact. Here’s why. By Diedre Johnson... READ MORE
Inside Jonathan Majors’ Heartwarming Open Letter to Sidney PoitierNetflix
The Harder They Fall actor wrote a heartwarming tribute to the beloved movie idol. By Diedre Johnson On Thursday, Jan. 6, film legend Sir Sidney Poitier passed away at 94, leaving behind generations of fans... READ MORE
Learn to Speak Like a ‘Selling Sunset’ Agent with Our Real Estate GlossaryNetflix
Sorry, commission not included Is your escrow in retrograde? Is that even possible? Are you confusing comps with contingencies? Do you have zero ties to the real estate world, but for some reason... READ MORE
Inside the Complicated History of Black Westerns Netflix – Tudum
If you didn’t know them before, you likely know their names now: Nat Love (Jonathan Majors), Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi), Bass Reeves (Delroy Lindo), Jim Beckwourth (R.J. Cyler), Rufus Buck (Idris Elba), Cherokee... READ MORE