About Cortney Wills

Cortney M. Wills is the Entertainment Director at TheGrio and host of our latest podcast initiative, Acting Up.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, the Medill alum began her career at Time Inc. and has since covered music, film, television, and pop culture for numerous publications including Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, MTV News, JET, and more.
Much of her work at TheGrio focuses on holding Hollywood accountable and examines how stories about our people, our culture, and our communities are being told on screens big and small.
She’s currently based in Los Angeles where she resides with her husband and children.

All Articles

June 18, 2019
Nikia Hammonds-Blakely was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 16 and she’s partnering with Know Your Girls to help other Black women.
ambitions
June 18, 2019
OWN is ready to premiere its sexy new series, ‘Ambitions’ starring Robin Givens and Essence Atkins and we’re pretty sure you’ll be hooked.
Dwayne Johnson
June 18, 2019
Dwayne Johnson delivered a touching speech when he was honored with the Icon Generation Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards.
Jada Pinkett Smith
June 18, 2019
Jada Pinkett Smith took home the top honor of the Trailblazer Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards, presented by Tiffany Haddish.
Essence Atkins
June 17, 2019
Find out who came out on top at the 2019 American Black Film Festival in Miami with this complete list of ‘Best of ABFF’ winners.
Kofi Siriboe`
June 16, 2019
‘Queen Sugar’ star, Kofi Siriboe, explains how the weight of his role on the hit OWN series took a toll on his own mental health.
Anthony Anderson
June 16, 2019
Netflix premiered its new film ‘BEATS’ at ABFF in Miami and in it, Anthony Anderson and Khalil Everage shine a light on the trauma of gun violence.
Niecy Nash
June 14, 2019
If it was up to actress Niecy Nash, she wouldn’t be 25 years in the game and still have to, […]
Dee Dee Kelly
June 13, 2019
Johnny Wright sits down with celebrity makeup artist DeeDee Kelly to find out how she turned her talents into the careero of her dreams.
Queen Sugar
June 12, 2019
Kofi Siriboe, Rutina Wesley, and Dawn-Lyen Gardner discuss the pain and healing viewers can expect on season 4 of ‘Queen Sugar’
June Ambrose
June 4, 2019
Costume designer, June Ambrose made an on-air mistake by asking if deceased designer, Kate Spade would be attending the CFDA Awards.
Nala/ Lion King
June 4, 2019
Check out the first trailer showing Beyonce voicing Nala in Disney’s upcoming live-action version of ‘The Lion King’ due out in July.
Serena Williams
June 4, 2019
Serena Williams just made history as the first athlete ever to make Forbes’ coveted list of World’s Richest Self-Made Women.
Cardi B/ Lil NAS X
June 4, 2019
Check out th eimpressive list of performers set to take the stage at the upcoming BET Awards including H.E.R., Lizzo, Lil NAS X, and Cardi B.
Tracy Morgan
June 4, 2019
Tracy Morgan, comedian and star of ‘The Last O.G.’ is set to host the 2019 ESPYs live from Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater on July 10.
Lala Anthony
June 4, 2019
Lala Anthony has been cast as David SIlver’s wife in the highly-anticipated revival of beloved 90’s series, ‘Beverly Hills 90210’
WACO
June 3, 2019
Beyonce, JAY-Z, Issa Rae, Jesse WIlliams, Lena Waithe, and more stars shine at the third annual WACo Wearable Art Gala in Santa Monica.
Letitia & John Boyega
May 30, 2019
A rundown of Black, british actors who have made a big impactin Hollywood despite criticism that they take roles from African Americans.
John Boyega
May 30, 2019
A recent episode of Spike Lee’s Netflix series ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ sparks debate about Black, British actors “taking” roles from African Americans.
Nicole Byer
May 30, 2019
Nicole Byer slams Netflix on social media after being left out of a promo shot ‘Nailed It!’ then changes her tune when the streamer corrects the issue.