Poetic Justiceturns 30 today!The second film from legendary directorJohn Singleton,Poetic Justicefeatured a powerhouse cast withJanet Jackson(in her first feature film role), Tupac Shakur,Regina Kingand Joe Torry at the helm. Though the film premiered to mixed reviews, it’s since developed a cult following mostly because of the chemistry between the leads.See what some of the stars ofPoetic Justicelooks like today.
Poetic Justiceturns 30 today!
The second film from legendary directorJohn Singleton,Poetic Justicefeatured a powerhouse cast withJanet Jackson(in her first feature film role), Tupac Shakur,Regina Kingand Joe Torry at the helm. Though the film premiered to mixed reviews, it’s since developed a cult following mostly because of the chemistry between the leads.
See what some of the stars ofPoetic Justicelooks like today.
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Janet Jackson: Justice
Janet Jackson.Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock; Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock; Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Playing the titular character, Janet Jackson portrayed the lyrical and bereft Justice, who was grieving the loss of her boyfriend after he was killed at the start of the film.
Known mostly for her sultry vocals and killer dance moves, Jackson snagged Best Original Song Oscar and Golden Globe nominations forPoetic Justice’stheme song, “Again.”
The multi-hyphenate, now 57, added another line to her résumé when she became mom to sonEissa Al Manain 2017.
She’s currently on her 10th concert tour, Together Again.
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Tupac Shakur: Lucky
Tupac Shakur.Eli Reed/Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock; Ron Galella/WireImage
Eli Reed/Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock; Ron Galella/WireImage
One of the best hip-hop artists of all time, Tupac starred as Janet Jackson’s antagonist and love interest in the 1993 film.
Prior to joiningPoetic Justice, he had appeared in another cult classic, playing Bishop in 1992’sJuice.Shakur would go on to expand his film résumé with movies such asAbove the Rim, Gang RelatedandBullet.
On the music side, Tupac became an easy favorite among hip-hop fans with chart-topping hits such asDear Mama, Keep Ya Head UpandCalifornia Lovethat were both hardcore, yet soulful.
His murder has remained unsolved, thoughpolice recently searched a house in suburban Las Vegas for evidencetied to the 1996 homicide.
03of 10Regina King: IeshaRegina King.Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett; Rich Fury/GettyPlaying Justice’s BFF Iesha wasRegina King, whose quest to go on a road trip from L.A. to Oakland sets off the entire story.King’s career spans nearly four decades. The 52-year-old has appeared in classic after classic — from playing Brenda Jenkins in227to Sam Fuller inMiss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous.She’s been inJerry Maguireopposite Tom Cruise andA Cinderella Storyopposite Hilary Duff.And she’s got some serious hardware to show for her undeniable talents: in 2019, she won both the Golden Globe and Academy Award for her supporting role inIf Beale Street Could Talk;she has four Primetime Emmys — two for outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or movie forAmerican Crimeand two for lead roles inSeven SecondsandWatchmen.In 2020, she got behind the camera and scored a Director’s Guild nomination for her work on the critically acclaimedOne Night in Miami.
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Regina King: Iesha
Regina King.Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett; Rich Fury/Getty
Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett; Rich Fury/Getty
Playing Justice’s BFF Iesha wasRegina King, whose quest to go on a road trip from L.A. to Oakland sets off the entire story.
King’s career spans nearly four decades. The 52-year-old has appeared in classic after classic — from playing Brenda Jenkins in227to Sam Fuller inMiss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous.She’s been inJerry Maguireopposite Tom Cruise andA Cinderella Storyopposite Hilary Duff.
And she’s got some serious hardware to show for her undeniable talents: in 2019, she won both the Golden Globe and Academy Award for her supporting role inIf Beale Street Could Talk;she has four Primetime Emmys — two for outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or movie forAmerican Crimeand two for lead roles inSeven SecondsandWatchmen.
In 2020, she got behind the camera and scored a Director’s Guild nomination for her work on the critically acclaimedOne Night in Miami.
04of 10Joe Torry: ChicagoJoe Torry.Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett; Earl Gibson III/ShutterstockJoe Torry played King’s love interest, Chicago, in the film.SincePoetic Justice,he’s continued to act, making appearances inER, Girlfriends, and NCIS, among others. These days, the 57-year-old gets his creative juices flowing as a touring comedian,per his Instagram page.
04of 10
Joe Torry: Chicago
Joe Torry.Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett; Earl Gibson III/Shutterstock
Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett; Earl Gibson III/Shutterstock
Joe Torry played King’s love interest, Chicago, in the film.
SincePoetic Justice,he’s continued to act, making appearances inER, Girlfriends, and NCIS, among others. These days, the 57-year-old gets his creative juices flowing as a touring comedian,per his Instagram page.
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Q-Tip: Markell
Q-Tip.Columbia Pictures; David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
Columbia Pictures; David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
We know him mostly as the smooth lyricist from A Tribe Called Quest, but Q-Tip dabbled in the world of acting, playing Janet Jackson’s boyfriend at the beginning ofPoetic Justice. He also starred in 2001’sPrison Song,which he co-wrote.
06of 10Khandi Alexander: SimoneKhandi Alexander.Columbia Pictures; Leon Bennett/GettyShe had a minor role inPoetic Justice,but Alexander’s career is anything but.She appeared inThere’s Something About Mary,CSI: Crime Scene Investigationas well asNYPD Blue.However, most people will recognize the 65-year-old for playing either Jackie Robbins onER;Olivia Pope’s sinister mother, Maya Lewis onScandal;or her long-running stint as medical examiner Alexx Woods onCSI: Miami.
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Khandi Alexander: Simone
Khandi Alexander.Columbia Pictures; Leon Bennett/Getty
Columbia Pictures; Leon Bennett/Getty
She had a minor role inPoetic Justice,but Alexander’s career is anything but.
She appeared inThere’s Something About Mary,CSI: Crime Scene Investigationas well asNYPD Blue.However, most people will recognize the 65-year-old for playing either Jackie Robbins onER;Olivia Pope’s sinister mother, Maya Lewis onScandal;or her long-running stint as medical examiner Alexx Woods onCSI: Miami.
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Tyra Ferrell: Jessie
Tyra Ferrell.Columbia Pictures; Tibrina Hobson/Getty
Columbia Pictures; Tibrina Hobson/Getty
These days, it appears Ferrell has briefly stepped away from the spotlight. The 61-year-old’s last credit was in 2020’sA New York Christmas Wedding,per IMDb.
08of 10Yvette Wilson: ColetteYvette Wilson.Columbia Pictures; Frederick M. Brown/GettyAlso making a brief appearance was actress Yvette Wilson, mostly known for her role as Andell inMoeshaandThe Parkers.Wilson died of cervical cancer in 2012. She was 48 years old.
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Yvette Wilson: Colette
Yvette Wilson.Columbia Pictures; Frederick M. Brown/Getty
Columbia Pictures; Frederick M. Brown/Getty
Also making a brief appearance was actress Yvette Wilson, mostly known for her role as Andell inMoeshaandThe Parkers.
Wilson died of cervical cancer in 2012. She was 48 years old.
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Maya Angelou: Aunt June
Maya Angelous.Fotos International/Getty; Ken Charnock/Getty
Fotos International/Getty; Ken Charnock/Getty
Offering some words of wisdom throughout the film was Maya Angelou’s Aunt June.
Dr. Maya Angeloudied in 2014. She was 86 years old.
10of 10Jenifer Lewis: AnnieJenifer Lewis.Columbia Pictures; Alberto E. Rodriguez/GettyWith a career that spans decades, Jenifer Lewis is one of the most beloved actresses in Hollywood. Her résumé boasts hits the likes ofBlack-ish, In Living Color, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Mickey Mouse Fun Houseand many more.Though she did a killer job playing Tupac’s mother inPoetic Justice,she told Jalopnikit almost didn’t happen. Days prior to filming, the actress’s car was stolen, and while police were able to retrieve it, the thieves had broken one of her windows which made auditioning a hassle, given that it was raining the day she had to go in.“I said, ‘I’m not going because my window is broken in my car and I’m just not going,’ " she recalled telling her agent.Adding to her misery was the fact that the audition was also far away, and John Singleton was still relatively new in the film world, she explained to the outlet. At her agent’s behest, Lewis, now 66, drove in the pouring rain and auditioned anyway.“I walked in and John Singleton was there — adorable,” she said. “I read [for the part] and then I said, ‘Little boy, just give me the f—— job would ya?’ " she joked. And the rest was history.
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Jenifer Lewis: Annie
Jenifer Lewis.Columbia Pictures; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
Columbia Pictures; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
With a career that spans decades, Jenifer Lewis is one of the most beloved actresses in Hollywood. Her résumé boasts hits the likes ofBlack-ish, In Living Color, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Mickey Mouse Fun Houseand many more.
Though she did a killer job playing Tupac’s mother inPoetic Justice,she told Jalopnikit almost didn’t happen. Days prior to filming, the actress’s car was stolen, and while police were able to retrieve it, the thieves had broken one of her windows which made auditioning a hassle, given that it was raining the day she had to go in.
“I said, ‘I’m not going because my window is broken in my car and I’m just not going,’ " she recalled telling her agent.
Adding to her misery was the fact that the audition was also far away, and John Singleton was still relatively new in the film world, she explained to the outlet. At her agent’s behest, Lewis, now 66, drove in the pouring rain and auditioned anyway.
“I walked in and John Singleton was there — adorable,” she said. “I read [for the part] and then I said, ‘Little boy, just give me the f—— job would ya?’ " she joked. And the rest was history.
source: people.com
