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CNN Live Today
Interview with Elayne Fluker
Aired March 25, 2002 - 14:38 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It took 74 years for an African- American to win the best actress Oscar, but it happened last night. Halle Berry is the winner. Question then, what does her victory signal? Is it possibly a change in Hollywood or more?
From "Essence" magazine, the arts and entertainment editor, Elayne Fluker, is our guest now. Elayne, good afternoon to you.
ELAYNE FLUKER, "ESSENCE" MAGAZINE: Good afternoon, Bill. Thanks for having me.
HEMMER: You are most welcome. What did you think when Halle got the big award last night?
FLUKER: I was so excited. It was great to see an African- American win this award. And Halle was definitely deserving. I don't know if you saw "Monster's Ball," but she was amazing in that role.
HEMMER: I have not seen it. I apologize for that. I do want to see it, Elayne, and I will seen it at some point. Just been kind of busy, lately.
Nonetheless, though, what do you think this portends right now, for Hollywood, and possibly beyond?
FLUKER: I think it means a lot for Hollywood, especially for African-American actors and actresses. With Halle winning and with Denzel winning, it will really open the doors, as Halle said in her acceptance speech. This will open the doors for many nameless and faceless African-American actors and actresses who are coming along.
HEMMER: Elayne, did you hear what Denzel Washington said afterwards? He was asked by a newspaper reporter about what it means for a black actor to win, dating back to Sidney Poitier. He said well, don't write it that way. Just say it was an actor and not a black actor. Curious to get your gauge on that.
FLUKER: Well, I think that's an important point that he's making, because the role that he had and the role that Halle had were just great roles for actors in general. And that's really what the focus needs to be on. Of course, it was history because it was the first time since 1964, when Sidney Poitier won, that a lead actor won who is African-American, and the first time ever for Halle. So it is significant. But you want to really focus on the role and the work that they've done.
HEMMER: I heard a black critic earlier today also say something. He said we should not focus necessarily on their race, because at one point, when does it stop? When do you award the first Asian-American, when do you award the first Indian-American? What are your thought on that?
FLUKER: Well, we will focus on race for a while, because there hasn't been an Asian lead actor winner, or a Puerto Rican or Hispanic lead actor winners. So there will be some focus on it, but eventually, down the line -- I don't know if it will be during our lifetime, I certainly hope so. But down the line there won't be a focus on that. It will strictly be about the work itself.
HEMMER: What do you think this says about the Academy? Anything?
FLUKER: I think the Academy is recognizing just the work. I don't know if it has been because people were African-American that they didn't get the awards. I don't want to believe that. I think these roles were just undeniable. And there's the fact, also, that "Monster's Ball" was produced by Lee Daniels, who's also African- American, and then "Training Day" with Denzel was directed by an African-American, Antoine Fuqua, just speaks volumes to the work that's been done.
HEMMER: Hey, Elayne, I don't know if you've had time to take this in just yet. Are you hearing reaction from your readers about this? And if so, what are they saying?
FLUKER: I've been hearing more immediate reactions from friends and coworkers, and everyone is just so excited that Halle won this role. I mean, speaking as a woman, and then as an African-American woman, it really just says such great things about taking risks, about not giving up, about keeping -- making sure you move forward with your goals. Because when Halle had the car accident -- you remember that, of course -- so many of these people were speculating whether or not here career would be over. An she just kept moving and pushing forward. And look what she's gotten out of it.
HEMMER: She's moving big time now, isn't she?
FLUKER: Exactly.
HEMMER: And to think, they thought she was too pretty for that role.
FLUKER: I know, and she actually had to fight for it. Isn't that something -- fight because you're too pretty.
HEMMER: That's right. Hey, Elayne, thanks, OK?
FLUKER: Thank you. Thank you so much for having "Essence" here.
HEMMER: Elayne Fluker, our guest here in New York City.
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