
- 336 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
National Book Club Conference ‘Book of the Year’ Award Winner
From her more than three hundred appearances for film and television, stage and cabaret, performing comedy or drama, as an unforgettable lead or a scene stealing supporting character, Jenifer Lewis has established herself as one of the most respected, admired, talented, and versatile entertainers working today.
This “Mega Diva” and costar of the hit sitcom black-ish bares her soul in this touching and poignant—and at times side-splittingly hilarious—memoir of a Midwestern girl with a dream, whose journey took her from poverty to the big screen, and along the way earned her many accolades.
With candor and warmth, Jenifer Lewis reveals the heart of a woman who lives life to the fullest. This multitalented “force of nature” landed her first Broadway role within eleven days of her graduation from college and later earned the title “Reigning Queen of High-Camp Cabaret.”
In the audaciously honest voice that her fans adore, Jenifer describes her transition to Hollywood, with guest roles on hits like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Friends. Her movie Jackie’s Back! became a cult favorite, and as the “Mama” to characters portrayed by Whitney Houston, Tupac Shakur, Taraji P. Henson, and many more, Jenifer cemented her status as the “Mother of Black Hollywood.”
When an undiagnosed mental illness stymies Jenifer’s career, culminating in a breakdown while filming The Temptations, her quest for wholeness becomes a harrowing and inspiring tale, including revelations of bipolar disorder and sex addiction.
Written with no-holds-barred honesty and illustrated with more than forty color photographs, this gripping memoir is filled with insights gained through a unique life that offers a universal message: “Love yourself so that love will not be a stranger when it comes.”
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Contents
- Prologue
- One: Black-ish to Greenish
- Two: Shoulders Back, Titties First
- Three: Donāt Tell Mama
- Four: Dick Diva
- Five: Love Versus Dreamgirls
- Six: āMaāam, Are You a Delegate?ā
- Seven: A Doll Named āKillerā
- Eight: Hollywood Not Swinging
- Nine: Kinloch
- Ten: āIt Aināt that Kind of Call, Motherfuckerā
- Eleven: Dismissing the Diva
- Twelve: Kicking Down Doors
- Thirteen: Jackieās Back!
- Fourteen: Mother Courage
- Fifteen: On the Back of a Two-Humped Camel
- A Letter to the Reader
- Acknowledgments
- Career Overview
- Photo Section
- About the Author
- Praise
- Copyright
- About the Publisher