Where Are They Now? 10 Black Actresses Who Should Have Blown Up Big…

May 31st, 2012 - By Victoria Uwumarogie

We’ve talked so much about underrated actresses in the past, but the ladies on this list are women who had huge breakthrough roles in some of our favorite movies. And while it was easy for us to see them having all the luck and reaching superstardom in Hollywood (or at least black Hollywood), things haven’t been that easy. We’re still hoping they’ll become household names sooner or later. Check out 9 black actresses and the movies that put them on our radar and help us figure out why they aren’t as big as the Gabrielles, Tarajis, Nias and more. Where are they now?

Source: ifrymineinbutter.com

Tracy Camilla Johns

My hair idol! And also the heroine in one of my favorite films of all time. Tracy Camila Johns was dope as the sexually liberated Nola Darling in Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It. She knew what she wanted, and the number of men she wanted it with, and scoffed at the idea of monogamy and being a one-man woman (how do you like that!?). But after she breaking through in one of Spike’s first feature films, she kept the momentum going for a second, and then fizzled out. Johns went on to have a tiny role in Mo Better Blues, was the scandalous girlfriend of G in New Jack City, and had a small role in an early Air Jordan commercial, but after ’91, that was it. *sad face*

Tracy Camilla Johns in “New Jack City”

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  • Muzical Lyric

    jesika reynold (holiday heart)

  • Sassynhot

    Yes, #10 Ariyan Johnson – I so remember that movie. Saw it once many years ago on a cable channel and it was GOOOD. These ladies were holding it down for real and we should be seeing more of their work, instead we have some mediocre people taking up space on the big and small screen. Whyyy???

  • http://www.facebook.com/regina.sanders5 Regina Sanders

    How can you forget Taral Hicks as Jane in “A Bronx Tale”?

  • http://www.facebook.com/regina.sanders5 Regina Sanders

    How can anyone forget Taral Hicks in “A Bronx Tale” as Jane? That was historic!

  • Jay_Dub1

    I REALLY appreciated this article. I was thinking about some of these actresses myself wondering “Whatever happened to…??” I say add Tyra Farell to this list. She played Ricky and Doughboy’s mom in “Boyz in the Hood” and was also in “Jungle Fever”. It’s like Hollywood says there can’t be more than two or three popular black actresses getting work at any given time in one Hollywood season. Then again, if it’s hard for Angela Bassett to get work then i’m not surprised at not seeing most of these actresses on screen. I hate that N’Bushe and Theresa Randle don’t work more.
    Oh…and shout outs to all the “Just Another Girl on the I.R.T” fans. I also remember watching that movie near endlessly when i was in college. At one point, the video went for approximately 2-3 weeks without being returned to Blockbuster.

  • Constatine Mayer

    taral hicks was in BRONX TALE.
    how the hell did the writer forget that?
    beam me up now.

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  • nueva

    these girls are average.

  • http://www.facebook.com/kaseyshauntaylamb Kasey Shauntay Lamb

    I think Theresa Randel’s best role was along side Westley Snipes in Sugar Hill. How you miss that one??

  • Vince

    Fresh, now that was one great movie, everyone played their roles.

  • Veronica Johnson

    What about Alysia Rogers. She’s the girl that plays Ricky’s baby mother in Boyz N Hood and she played Damita in Class Act as Kid from KidnPlay girlfriend. I liked her.

  • http://www.facebook.com/CieraLuv Ciera J. Hardin

    Nicole Beharie!!!!! She was in “American Violet”, a brilliant movie :) )) That girl can A-C-T!!!

  • Tae

    Don’t forget Tasha Scott from the movie Troop Beverly Hills, and the t.v. shows South Central and The Parent ‘Hood. Just sayin’.

  • kesh89

    Theresa Randle was also in Sugar Hill and did a great job! I was shocked that Ariyan was mentioned I loved Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.!!! I seen it when I was younger and ordered it from Amazon a couple years ago I think every teenage girl should see it. It tells a good story.

  • J-P3

    Cynda Williams co-starred in the movie “Caught Up”, with Bokeem Woodbine, and Clifton Powell!!!

  • pashunfruit

    I love love love Taral Hicks….I thought & still think she is SSSOOOOOO beautiful. I know a lot of ppl may give the side eye but Belly is one of my favorite movies!!!

  • Malika

    So we’re just going to ignore Sharon Warren wearing that HORRIBLE blonde wig with her nappy roots showing through? *side eye*

    • Ladybug94

      But she has very pretty eyes.

    • http://twitter.com/felicia0328 Felicia Ward

      OMG yes!!! I was like “Lawd, isn’t SOMEONE gonna say SOMETHING”???!!! Lol.

    • nola

      Ooh! Yes, I feel you on that one.

    • Chanda

      one of Mary J Blige’s old wigs.

      • lisalr68

        That’s a bad Sista though. She OWNED that role!!

    • chrismorale

      preach

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1438551270 Jessica Lucinda Williams

      LMAO!!! That is just all the way wrong. She know she can do better than that!!

  • Madame

    Gorgeous Woman! I would love to see them in more films, tv roles something..

  • Jozie

    Black actresses can always find work as judges on the Law & Order shows!  LOL

  • http://twitter.com/tysandsnyc tyrese sanders

    I LOVED THERESSA FROM GURL 6!  And Taral could never do me wrong after playing the ish outta that role in Belly!  Love those gurls.  Need them in the 2012/2013!

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