E-mail a friendJuly 19, 2005
Professor Anita Hill weighs in on the looming battle over the new Supreme Court nominee. Terrence Howard and Taryn Manning discuss the underlying motivation of their characters in the new film, Hustle & Flow.
Anita Hill
Anita Hill
As a young law professor, Anita Hill found herself at the center of a media storm during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Since, she's earned a reputation as an authority on race and gender issues, particularly in the workplace. The Yale law school graduate is professor of women's studies at Brandeis University. She's also written articles for The New York Times and Newsweek. In her book, Speaking Truth to Power, Hill shares how her decision to speak changed her life.
Terrence Howard
Terrence Howard
With a chemical engineering degree, Terrence Howard didn't initially set his sights on Hollywood. Raised in Cleveland, he started on the small screen and has since appeared in more than 30 films, including Dead Presidents, The Best Man, Mr. Holland's Opus, Ray and Crash. His TV credits include Sparks, Lackawanna Blues and ABC's Muhammad Ali biopic. Howard triumphed this year at Sundance with his lead role in the festival's hottest film, Hustle & Flow. He's also a self-taught musician and plays the piano and guitar.
Taryn Manning
Taryn Manning
Multitalented Taryn Manning is a triple threat. She began her artistic life as a dancer. After getting small parts in such TV shows as The Practice, Boston Public and NYPD Blue, Manning graduated to film, playing complex characters in Crazy/Beautiful, 8 Mile and Cold Mountain. She displays her versatility in the Sundance favorite, Hustle & Flow. As part of the pop duo Boomkat, which she started with her older brother, Manning's first album contained a single that hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.