John Salley on Black Men in Dresses: Harry Belafonte Wore a Dress in Sidney Poitier's Film (Part 15)

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Former NBA player John Salley dived into the controversy surrounding male actors wearing dresses. Salley discussed how Katt Williams had made a significant impact on the comedy stage, transforming it into a space for “battle rap.” He revealed how many other performers, including Harry Belafonte, had also worn dresses in comedic roles, reminding viewers of Belafonte's use of a dress as a disguise in Sidney Poitier's film, "Let's Do It Again." The discussion also led to the topic of representation in acting roles, with Salley arguing that authenticity can be brought in by hiring actors who identify with the roles they're playing, such as gay actors for gay characters. Despite this, he acknowledged the skill required in transforming convincingly into a completely different character, a hallmark of gifted actors.