Sanaa Lathan Talks New Movie “Contagion”, Defends Playing A Maid

39-year-old actress, Sanaa Lathan, has been all over our TV’s for years, with her starring roles in African-American romances like “Love and Basketball,” “Brown Sugar,” and “The Best Man.” Now she’s sprawled on the cover of Today’s Black Woman. The actress is promoting her new movie “Contagion,” which is set for release today, Friday September 9. This movie is different from what her fans are used to seeing her in. It is about a pandemic that begins with an international traveler reaching into a snack bowl and thus beginning the spread of a unique biological pathogen. Lathan plays the wife of Laurence Fishburne, who leaks the capacity of the virus over a social media. Although her role is small, it is a key portrayal of today’s society and the impact social networks have on society.

Also in a recent interview, Sanaa was questioned about her unusual character as a maid on the off-Broadway play Meet Vera Stark. Some view blacks playing maids in this time period as a demeaning role. The actress defended her role and other similar roles, like the ones in “The Help” by saying,

“I thought the way that ‘The Help’ was executed was beautiful and I was thoroughly entertained. It was empowering to those women.”

Sweet.  
Sources: Popsessive , Wave news papers , BET 
– @Ayo_Leslo