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Amanda Seales

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Amanda Seales
Seales in 2019
Born
Amanda Ingrid Seales

(1981-07-01) July 1, 1981 (age 43)
Inglewood, California, U.S.
EducationState University of New York, Purchase (BA)
Columbia University (MA)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
  • poet
  • media personality
  • activist
  • podcaster
  • author
Years active1992–present
Comedy career
Medium
GenresStand-up comedy
Websiteamandaseales.com

Amanda Ingrid Seales (born July 1, 1981), formerly known by the stage name Amanda Diva, is an American actress. From 2017 to 2021, she starred in the HBO comedy series Insecure. In 2019, HBO released her first stand-up comedy special I Be Knowin.[1] Then, in 2020, Seales launched Smart Funny & Black, a comedy gameshow that showcases Black culture, history, and experience.[2] Seales was also one of the co-hosts of the syndicated daytime talk show, The Real.[3]

Early life

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Amanda Ingrid Seales was born in Inglewood, California, on July 1, 1981. Her mother was born and raised in Mt. Moritz, Grenada. As a result, both she and her mother are dual citizens of the US and Grenada. Her father is a Black American from Roxbury, Boston.[4] Seales moved to Orlando, Florida, in 1989, where she later attended Dr. Phillips High School. She graduated from SUNY-Purchase, then earned a master's degree in American studies with a concentration in Hip hop from Columbia University.[5][6][7]

Career

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Film and television

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Seales's first film was a minor role as Katy in the 1993 movie Cop and a Half.[8] The next year Seales was featured on the Nickelodeon sitcom My Brother and Me (1994) as Deonne Wilburn. In 2002 she appeared on Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam.[9] Seales became publicly known as "VJ Amanda Diva" on MTV2 Sucker Free Countdown on Sundays.[5] In 2016 she appeared in a recurring role on the HBO series Insecure, as Tiffany DuBois.[10] Also in 2016, Seales began hosting her own show on truTV called Greatest Ever.[11][12]

On January 26, 2019, HBO debuted her first stand-up comedy special I Be Knowin'.[13] Bring the Funny is a comedy competition series that premiered on July 9, 2019, on NBC.[14] Seales hosts, alongside judges Kenan Thompson, Chrissy Teigen, and Jeff Foxworthy.[15]

Throughout 2019, Seales served as a frequent guest host for the syndicated daytime talk show The Real.[16] On January 6, 2020, Seales was promoted from guest co-host to permanent co-host.[17] She departed the series after six months of co-hosting, citing her dissatisfaction with the inability to openly speak on recent social issues as a reason.[18][19] In September 2020, Seales accused The Real of stealing ideas from her show Smart Funny & Black, saying The Real's segment "Black Lives Matter University" featured a logo that closely resembled Smart Funny & Black's emblem.[20]

In June 2020, Seales hosted the BET Awards 2020.[21]

In February 2022, Seales was cast in the three-part documentary series Everything's Gonna Be All White, airing on Showtime.[22]

Music

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In 2007, Seales replaced Natalie Stewart of the musical duo Floetry on tour with Marsha Ambrosius, and in December of that same year Seales (as Amanda Diva) released her first extended play (EP) Life Experience.[citation needed] In 2008, she was featured on the song "Manwomanboogie" on Q-Tip's Grammy-nominated album The Renaissance.[23] On March 3, 2009, Seales released Spandex, Rhymes & Soul.[24][25][26]

Podcast

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Seales hosts a weekly podcast titled Small Doses.[17][27]

Game show

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She created and hosts the touring variety game show, Smart Funny & Black, where her love of games and music, was used to serve as a safe space for the Black voice and celebrates the many contributions Black Americans have made to history and pop culture and more.[28]

Radio

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On April 18, 2022, Seales began co-hosting a new weekly radio show, Amanda Seales’ Smart Funny & Black Radio on SiriusXM, alongside Taj Rani and JeremiahLikeTheBible, featuring topics such as games, celebrity interviews and African-American culture.[29]

Bibliography

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Seales's book, 'Small Doses: Potent Truths for Everyday Use' was released in 2019. The book is an extension of her podcast of the same name. It is a volume of essays, axioms, original illustrations, and photos from her trademark "self-help from the hip” style of commentary.[30]

Controversies

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In 2019, Seales was involved in a controversy where many people mistakenly reported that she had accused former NFL player and neurosurgeon resident Myron Rolle of sexually harassing several women. Multiple people who were spreading that story have since admitted that Seales did not make those allegations herself.[31][32][33]

In the weeks preceding Rodney Reed's November 20, 2019, execution date, Seales publicly urged Texas Governor Greg Abbott to exonerate Reed or stay his execution. She later rescinded her support after learning more about his history.[34]

In February 2020, Seales drew controversy while on The Real when defending Jussie Smollett after he was arrested for faking a hate crime. While describing the accusations as alleged, she went on to defend the actor saying, "Even if it was a hoax for the sake of bringing attention to this, then I’m like, that’s low-key noble".[35] In 2022, Smollett was found guilty of orchestrating a fake hate crime and sentenced to 150 days in prison.[36]

In 2021, Seales was criticized for portraying Alpha Kappa Alpha, or "AKA," insignia on the series Insecure. Real-life members of the sorority responded negatively to Seales' character wearing the shield & letters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. which violates trademark laws.[37] Seales responded to the criticism in an Instagram video defending her portrayal.[38] It was later reported that the sorority plans to take legal action against Seales.[39]

In 2024, Seales drew controversy for claiming Whoopi Goldberg should not be defending Joe Biden and said that "no presidents were good".

Discography

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EPs

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List of extended plays, with selected details and year released
Title Album details
Life Experience
Spandex, Rhymes & Soul
  • Released: March 3, 2009[41]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Madame Monochrome
  • Released: April 27, 2011[42]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download

Mixtapes

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List of mixtapes, with selected details and year released
Title Album details
Foreplay
Technicolor Lover
  • Released: May 29, 2012[44]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download

Guest appearances

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List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album Artist(s)
"Manwomanboogie"[45] 2008 The Renaissance Q-Tip
"Get Right"[46] 2010 Rebel Without Applause Johnny Polygon
"Blvd Broad"[46]
"You Belong to Me"[47] Catch-Up
"Beautiful Things" LIFE Kenichiro Nishihara
"Proud 2 Be"[48] 2012 Crack on Steroids N.O.R.E., M-1

Music videos

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List of music videos, showing year released and director
Title Year Director(s)
"Neon"
(featuring Johnny Polygon) 		2009 Lyn-don McCray[49]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1993 Cop and a Half Katy
2006 Freedomland Angry Female Tenant
2011 Identical Poet #2
2016 Ladies Book Club Helena TV movie
2018 The Story of Our Times Shancy TV movie

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1994–95 My Brother and Me Deonne Wilburn Recurring Cast
2002–05 Def Poetry Jam Herself Episode: "Episode #2.5" & "#5.8"
2010 Undateable Herself Main Guest
2011 Independent Lens Herself Episode: "Deaf Jam"
2012 MTV's Hip Hop POV Herself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
Made Herself/Made Coach Episode: "Professional Actress: Rita"
2013 Big Evening Buzz Herself/Panelist Episode: "Dido"
Master of the Mix Herself/Host Main Host: Season 3
Big Morning Buzz Live Herself/Panelist Recurring Panelist
2015 The View Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Episode #18.85"
2015–17 Get Your Life Herself Main Cast
2016 Comedy Knockout Herself Episode: "That Ass, Tho"
2016–17 Greatest Ever Herself/Host Main Host
2016–21 Insecure Tiffany DuBois Recurring Cast
2017 Hood Adjacent with James Davis Herself Episode: "Black Twitter"
@midnight Herself Episode: "Episode #4.42" & "#4.136"
Gay of Thrones Herself Episode: "The Sores of Whores"
2017–20 The Real Herself/Co-Host Guest Co-Host: Season 4, Main Co-Host: Season 6
2018 Black-ish Barbara Recurring Cast: Season 4
Animals. Tia/Waitress 1 (voice) Episode: "Rats"
2018–19 Hip Hop Squares Herself/Panelist Recurring Panelist: Season 5-6
2019 Bring the Funny Herself/Host Main Host
Camp Confessions Herself Episode: "Amanda Seales Makes Love to Spirit"
2019–21 To Tell the Truth Herself/Panelist Guest Panelist: Season 4-5 & 7 [50]
2020 Cooked with Cannabis Herself Episode: "High Holidays"
Floored Herself/Guest Judge Episode: "Beware the Bears"
BET Awards Herself/Host Main Host
Hollywood Game Night Herself/Celebrity Player Episode: "Twitch & Shout"
Match Game Herself/Contestant Episode: "Episode #5.8"
2021 Fast Foodies Herself Episode: "Amanda Seales"
Finding Magic Mike Herself Episode: "A Talented Man"
2022 Real Husbands of Hollywood Herself Episode: "Wrestling While Black"
Everything's Gonna Be All White Herself Main Guest
Inventions That Changed History Herself Recurring Guest
Celebrity Game Face Herself/Contestant Episode: "Cedric The Entertainer Busts Kevin's Chops"
Wheel of Fortune Herself/Contestant Episode: "Amanda Seales, Snoop Dogg, Mark Duplass"
Mickey Mouse Funhouse Annie the Giant (voice) Recurring Cast: Season 1
Sherman's Showcase Faith Evans Episode: "Fashion!"
2022–23 25 Words or Less Herself/Contestant Recurring Contestant: Season 3-5
2022–24 Pictionary Herself/Team Captain Recurring Team Captain: Season 1, Guest Team Captain: Season 2
2023 See It Loud: The History of Black Television Herself Recurring Guest
The $100,000 Pyramid Herself/Celebrity Player Episode: "Will Sasso vs. Amanda Seales and Dulé Hill vs. Francia Raisa"
Name That Tune Herself/Contestant Episode: "Lightning & Glitter!"
Celebrity Squares Herself/Contestant Recurring Guest
Celebrity Jeopardy! Herself/Contestant Episode: "Quarter Final #9: Kyra Sedgwick, Mo Rocca and Amanda Seales"
Crimson Hearts Collide Kelsey Main Cast

Documentary

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Year Title
2007 Beef 4
2008 Big Pun: The Legacy
2014 Bottoms Up

References

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  1. ^ Williams, Janaya; Martin, Michel. "'Insecure' Star Amanda Seales Takes The Stand-Up Stage In HBO's 'I Be Knowin". npr.org. NPR. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  2. ^ Zaino III, Nick A. "With 'Smart, Funny & Black,' Amanda Seales has created a showcase for 'ebony excellence'". bostonglobe.com. Boston Globe. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  3. ^ All Music Amanda Seales Biography
  4. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Seales, Amanda. "imdb.com". IMDb.[unreliable source?]
  6. ^ "30 Movie and TV Stars who Graduated from Columbia". Columbia Magazine. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  7. ^ "Amanda Seales, Star of 'Insecure,' Discusses Black History Month and Why She Chose Columbia". Columbia University Neighbors. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  8. ^ Seales, Amanda. "imdb.com". IMDb.[unreliable source?]
  9. ^ "youtube.com". YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  10. ^ Seales, Amanda. "imdb.com". IMDb. Retrieved November 8, 2016.[unreliable source?]
  11. ^ "trutv.com".
  12. ^ "comedyhype.com". Archived from the original on May 11, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  13. ^ Ngangura, Tari (January 25, 2019). "Amanda Seales Be Knowin', and You Should Listen". Vulture. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  14. ^ Otterson, Joe (February 1, 2019). "NBC Orders Comedy Competition Series With Jeff Foxworthy Among Judges". Variety.
  15. ^ "Who Is Amanda Seales? 10 Facts About The 'Bring The Funny' Host". Talent Recap. July 15, 2019. Archived from the original on May 3, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  16. ^ Henderson, Cydney. "'The Real' has a new co-host: 'Insecure' star and comedian Amanda Seales". USA Today. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Petski, Denise (January 6, 2020). "Amanda Seales Joins 'The Real' As Permanent Co-Host". Deadline Hollywood.
  18. ^ Nakamura, Reid (June 3, 2020). "Amanda Seales to Exit 'The Real': 'I Cannot Speak to My People the Way They Need to Be Spoken To'". TheWrap. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  19. ^ Merrett, Robyn (August 4, 2020). "Amanda Seales Says She Left The Real Because It 'Felt Like a Betrayal to My People'". people.com. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  20. ^ Slater, Georgia (September 22, 2020). "Ex The Real Co-Host Amanda Seales Says Show Needs to Be Called Out for Allegedly Ripping Her Off". people.com. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  21. ^ "Amanda Seales to Host 2020 BET Awards". Billboard. June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  22. ^ Green, Kai (February 10, 2022). "Everything to Know About Showtime's Provocative New Docuseries, everything's gonna be all white". Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  23. ^ "vimeo.com".
  24. ^ "Amanda Diva – Spandex, Rhymes & Soul EP".
  25. ^ "Amanda Diva Gets in Touch With "Spandex, Rhymes, & Soul" On New EP [Free Download]". Djbooth. February 12, 2018.
  26. ^ "Amanda Diva – Spandex, Rhymes & Soul FreEP". March 3, 2009.
  27. ^ Wilstein, Matt (October 29, 2019). "Amanda Seales: 'I'm Expected To Make White People Uncomfortable'". The Daily Beast.
  28. ^ "Smart Funny & Black".
  29. ^ Hipes, Patrick (April 14, 2022). "Amanda Seales Secures New SiriusXM Show On Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud Radio". Deadline. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  30. ^ "UTA Agency, Amanda Seales Bio".[permanent dead link‍]
  31. ^ "Amanda Seales Admits Myron Rolle Never Did Anything Wrong to Her - BlackSportsOnline - Part 4". blacksportsonline.com. March 6, 2019.
  32. ^ Dill, Jason. "He quit the NFL to save lives. Now this former FSU star is accused of sexual harassment". www.miamiherald.com.
  33. ^ "Insecure's Amanda Seales Calls Out Ex NFLer Myron Rolle For Sexual Harassment". YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  34. ^ Greig, Jonathan (November 17, 2019). "Blavity News & Politics". Blavity News & Politics.
  35. ^ "'The Real' Co-Host Amanda Seales Defends Jussie Smollett: Even If Attack Was a 'Hoax,' It Was 'Noble' Thing to Do (Video)". The Wrap. February 12, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  36. ^ "Jussie Smollett sentenced for false police reports". March 11, 2022.
  37. ^ "Insecure's Amanda Seales Claps Back at Angry Fans After AKA Sorority Backlash: 'I'm Just Playing a Character'". October 26, 2021.
  38. ^ Alyce, Jasmine (October 26, 2021). "Amanda Seales and Issa Rae Clap Back After Debate Erupts Online Over 'Insecure' Character Tiffany Wearing Greek Letters". Atlanta Black Star. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  39. ^ "Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Director Planning to Take Action After AKA Logo Worn By Actress". Black Enterprise. October 28, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  40. ^ "Life Experience Ep, by Amanda Seales". Amanda Seales.
  41. ^ "Spandex Rhymes & Soul, by Amanda Seales". Amanda Seales.
  42. ^ "Madame Monochrome, by Amanda Seales". Amanda Seales.
  43. ^ "Foreplay Mixtape, by Amanda Seales". Amanda Seales.
  44. ^ "Technicolor Lover, by Amanda Seales". Amanda Seales.
  45. ^ "The Renaissance - Q-Tip - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  46. ^ a b "Rebel Without Applause by Johnny Polygon on Apple Music". iTunes. March 23, 2010.
  47. ^ "Johnny Polygon Catches Up With New Mixtape - OklahomaRock.com". oklahomarock.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  48. ^ "N.O.R.E. - Crack on Steroids Hosted by DJ Green Lantern". DatPiff. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  49. ^ ""Neon" Feat. Johnny Polygon Official Video!!!!". www.amandaseales.com. Amanda Seales. August 12, 2009. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  50. ^ Kari (April 12, 2022). "Amanda Seales, Kevin Nealon and Jaleel White Appear on 'To Tell the Truth' | Feeling the Vibe Magazine". Retrieved April 20, 2022.
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