Written by | Ray Cornelius
It was a full circle moment Saturday night for actress LisaRaye McCoy. She hosted a private screening of her independent film “Skinned” which kicked off TV One’s new season of programming. The two-hour drama marked her directorial debut and was filmed entirely in Atlanta, GA. Coincidentally, ATL is the same city where she starred in her first major film “The Players Club” in 1998.
LisaRaye McCoy
“Skinned” tackles the sensitive issues of skin bleaching and colorism within the African-American community. The story follows a young woman named Jolie (played by Jasmine Burke) who lightens her dark skin in order to feel more beautiful and get a man. However, she soon finds that life doesn’t get easier for her after her skin is lighter. She develops skin cancer and must confront her horrible past in order to save her future.
Racquel Bianca John, Brad James, Cycerli Ash, Tasia Grant and Jasmine Burke
The screening took place at Prince Place Cigar Bar & Bistro in the Buckhead district of Atlanta and was attended by a number of the film’s cast and crew including Jasmine Burke, Brad James, Tasia Grant, Cycerli Ash, Kerri J. Baldwin, Leah Monet Johnson, and Queen Blessing Itua. “Skinned” writers and creators Sharon Tomlinson and Clarice Kulah were also present along with McCoy’s co-director Avery O. Wilson and executive producer Lotten Yeaney.
LisaRaye with Ladell Hill and Stevie Baggs
Other celebrities in attendance included McCoy’s sister and hip hop star Da Brat, actors Clifton Powell and Vanessa Bell Calloway, reality star turned actress Lisa Wu, former NFL player Stevie Baggs, and media personalities Ebony Steele and Carol Blackmon. McCoy’s Players Club co-star Chrystale Wilson was also present along with motivational speaker Ona Brown, TV One’s Senior VP of Marketing Lori Hall and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, who applauded McCoy for bringing this film to the city.
Check out additonal photos from the screening below:
Cycerli Ash, Tasia Grant, LisaRaye McCoy and Jasmine Burke
LisaRaye with Ebony Steele/ Lisa Wu
A “Players Club” Reunion
LisaRaye McCoy and Chrystale Wilson
Brad James/LisaRaye with Jasmine Burke
LaRonda Sutton from the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment
LisaRaye with TV One’s Lori Hall
Valencia Joseph, Deanna Nowell, JaBarr Lasley-King and Carol Blackmon
Lotten Yeaney with her daughter/Lori A. Manns and Ona Brown
Kerri J. Baldwin, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Jasmine Burke and Tasia Grant
LisaRaye with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Jasmine Burke
Jasmine Burke getting a little emotional during post film speeches
“Skinned” Co-Director Avery O. Williams
LisaRaye, Jasmine Burke with Racquel Bianca John and Avery O. Wilson
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com