Sesali Bowen's Recent Articles - Refinery29

23 Movies Every Black Woman Should See

10 Amazing Black Romance Movies

The Most Badass Black Female Movie Heroines

The Black Celebrity Power Couples We Want To Be Like

They say that love, by itself, is never enough to sustain a partnership. The older I get (and the more interest my student loans accrue), the more true I

by Sesali Bowen

Why Calling Little The New 13 Going On 30 Is On...

There are a lot of movies involving body switches and characters becoming their younger or older selves out there — Freaky Friday, 17 Again, 13 Going On

The Very Subtle Way Little Is Supporting Women Creators

Little is all about Black Girl Magic, literally. It was pitched by a then-10-year-old Black girl, Marsai Martin (Black-ish) — she’s also star and an

Where You've Seen The Cast Of Grown-ish Before

Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi) — the darling eldest child of Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) and Andre Johnson (Anthony Anderson) on ABC’s award-winning show

by Ariana Romero

Trap Glazed: We Made R. Kelly A Predator

Update: From January 3 to January 6, Lifetime aired a documentary called Surviving R. Kelly, which catapulted the controversial rapper and all the

by Sesali Bowen

Second Act Is Proof That Acting Is J.Lo's Best Skill

When we think about the juggernauts in entertainment, Jennifer Lopez is often overlooked. The Puerto Rican with New York roots should not be slept on. She

by Sesali Bowen

These Pop Culture Questions Need To Be Answered In 2019

This is the time of year people start making vows to leave a bunch of things behind when the clock strikes 12 on January 1. The New Year inspires fresh

by Sesali Bowen

The Biggest Celebrity Controversies Of 2018

The very meaning of controversy has been contested in 2018. With so much access to celebrities, the beginnings and ends of their relationships are only

by Sesali Bowen

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion Is Not Who You Think She Is

The Come Up is Refinery29’s series featuring rising female artists who are as badass and inspiring as their music is. Imagine having a little sister

by Sesali Bowen

Your Official Pop Culture Gift Guide — The Black Edition

2018 was a great year for Black pop culture. We got a new Beyoncé album (kind of). Wakanda Fever is at an all time high thanks to Black Panther. Cardi B

by Sesali Bowen

If Beale Street Could Talk, It Would Praise Black Women

I’m still not over the intensely tender experience that is watching Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk. In her review of the film, my

by Sesali Bowen

Trap Glazed: Why Black Women Need Female Rap More Than Ever

When I met Trina for the first time last year, I played it cool. I was meeting her in a semi-professional capacity and wanted to leave a good impression.

by Sesali Bowen

How Cardi B Kept Her Foot On Our Necks For All Of 2018

O.G. Cardi stans like myself are quick to remind her newer fans that she was a star way before Mona Scott Young tapped her to be on Love & Hip-Hop, which

by Sesali Bowen

A Fat Girl Weighs In On The Beauty & Pain Of Dumplin'

In the opening scene of Dumplin’, a young Willowdean “Will” Dickson cruises down a Texas road with her aunt Lucy (Hilliary Begley). They're in a

by Sesali Bowen

People Think Ariana Grande Is Using A Blaccent That I Don't ...

Today is only my second full day as a Mocha Grande — the official name for Black fans of Ariana Grande — and life is coming at me really fast.

by Sesali Bowen

The Grammys' Big 4 Are Full Of POC — But I'm Still Side...

Of all of the traditional award shows — Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, Tonys — the Grammys are by far the most interesting to watch. I’m definitely

by Sesali Bowen

The Golden Globes Film Nominations Are Dominated By People Of Color

Members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association have voted, and the Golden Globe nominations are officially here to honor the best of the best in this

by Sesali Bowen

Cardi B Posts First Photo Of Baby Kulture & The Internet Kan'...

Since giving birth to her first child with husband Offset in July — named Kulture Kiari Cephus — Cardi B has taken a page out of Beyoncé’s book and

by Sesali Bowen

Cardi B's Post-Breakup Glow-Up Is Coming & I Can't Wait

When I first heard the rumors that Cardi B and Offset were dating last year, I said a prayer to the trap gods and goddesses to bless their union. I

by Sesali Bowen

Your Big Guide To The Lil's Of 2019

Now that we’re well into December, you’re going to be reading a lot of pop culture guides and lists recapping the year we’ve had or preparing us for

by Sesali Bowen

Sandra Bland's Sisters On The Real Power Of Saying Her Name

Say Her Name: The Life & Death of Sandra Bland — directed by Kate Davis and David Heilbroner — first premiered at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.

by Sesali Bowen

From Kanye To Tekashi69: Every Shot Taken In Meek Mill's "Wh...

Meek Mill, ex-boyfriend of Nicki Minaj and connoisseur of the “outside voice,” just dropped his highly anticipated fourth studio album, Championships.

by Sesali Bowen

Trap Glazed: These Are The On Screen Dads That Black Girls Need

Included in the Black TV series and movies we’ve all enjoyed this year, Black dads have been right in the thick of it. In Starz’s smash series Power,

by Sesali Bowen

Is Checking Chris Brown Good For Rihanna?

They always come back. That’s my go-to morsel of wisdom for women who are attracted to men. For better or for worse, there is a high probability that a

by Sesali Bowen

Unraveling The Beautiful, Yet Complicated, Relationship Between O...

Earlier today, news broke that Vernita Lee, Oprah Winfrey's mother, passed away on Thanksgiving day. By the time the rest of the world found out Monday

by Sesali Bowen

Robin Hood Has Too Much Diversity — & Also Not Enough

Director Otto Bathurst has revisited Robin Hood — the fabled outlaw who steals from the rich and gives to the poor — and early critics are not

by Sesali Bowen

Trap Glazed: For Colored Girls We Tried To Cancel When Accountabi...

Half of the female rap duo City Girls may be in jail, but their show must go on. Last week, the group followed up their infectious mixtape, Period, with

by Sesali Bowen