One of the benefits of being at HBCU is being able to point at examples of black excellence to see whats possible. Its not just that, she saw all the families moving in and it made her realize the complications with her mother. She needed more space for pre-med classes. Amara understands that it takes time to manage everything. Peyton Alex Smith shined with the emotional material as he portrayed a son . She finds a close circle of friends and leans on them for support, offering her support in return when they need it. Damons adoptive mother who wants Damon to have a pro baseball career way more than Damon himself does quickly finds a silver lining when Damon is caught practicing with the Lions, theorizing that the MLB will want him evenmore if they think Damons considering playing for a college team instead of getting drafted. Rebecca Iannucci / Enemies Contents 1 Biography 2 Throughout All American 3 Throughout All American: Homecoming 4 Personality 5 Physical Appearance 6 Appearances 7 Notes and Trivia 8 Gallery 9 References Biography Laura Baker. Simone has played a big role inAll American season 3 after her marriage to Jordan Baker, but the season went the extra mile to set upAll American: Homecoming. His new lookwas truly unexpected but that wasn't the craziest thing to happen in the episode. Thought you could hang, Thea taunts, when Simone asks if all of her warm-ups are typically that intense. All Americanseason 3 has continued the story of Spencer James and the Baker family, but it is also where The CW included clear setup for the forthcoming spinoff centered around Simone Hicks. Tina finally apologized sincerely. Billy's Mom 2 episodes, 2019-2021 Guy Nardulli . I just want people to feel seen. Wendy is described as a smart and confident former lawyer from Chicago who comes to Beverly Hills to check on Laura. JR admits to thinking Damon is his biological brother. She doesnt get what Simone is trying to do. Coopers love for movies began by watching Toy Story and Lion King on repeat as a child, but it wasn't until The Avengers that he took an invested interest in movies and the filmmaking process, leading him to discover the world of film journalism. Simone arrives just in time and takes a seat, though Cam makes fun of her. When they arrive, the room is empty except for a few male students playing video games, Keisha, and Nate. The court time is booked solid by Thea, leading to Simone confronting her. You're not even going to see a marriage counselor. Simone made a big choice during her trip to LA on. Because at that age, that was what stuck with me.. Their foundation has always been friendship, and a lot of times you need that before love in the first place. I felt for Keisha when her dad said that her mom would be disappointed in her. Simone searches for Keisha but doesnt find her. And she didnt really understand what I meant when I was saying that. She finds a new family she hopes to keep at Bringston. Simone was a student at Beverly Hills High School and upon graduating, moved to Atlanta to attend Bringston University. The significance of Jordan in Simone's life is getting her to this point of being able to celebrate herself and making decisions for herself. Damon and Coach Marcus Turner will have their hands full rebuilding the baseball program's reputation, and there's a good chance the former coach could re-enter the picture too. As they playfully bicker, Thea and her friend walk in, which annoys Simone. She mumbles that she needs to be a Bringston girl and wear her big-girl pants. She confronts Melinda about her problem but Nate calls out Simone. I was super emotional. New Romance Brewing on Superman, Fox News 8 pm Viewership Down Sharply Since Tucker Carlson's Ouster, Stephen Amell Doesn't Think He's Done Playing Green Arrow, Severance Season 2 Faces Delay Amid Backstage Drama (Report). You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Taja Simpson got a main role on Tyler Perry's The Oval so she was no longer available. The students dance around the bonfire to the DJed music. The All American spinoff sees Simone go to Bringston University for a chance to attend a Historic Black College University, where she's attempting to make it back on the tennis team. As the party rages on, Nate is drunk while Simone tries to leave, only to unload her problems on Nate instead. Simone thanks both of them. To me, Jordan holds that significance because he always saw her for who she was supposed to be and wanted to be. Keisha demands his last name, and he gracefully introduces himself as Cam Watkins. Youre kind of directed to be this person, be that person. The CW's young adult sports drama series has risen in popularity in recent years, thanks in part tothe audience it found once it beganstreaming on Netflix. A successful journalist-turned-journalism professor, Amara is Simone's aunt and the most popular professor on campus. Peyton Alex Smith has the biggest role as Damon Sims, an elite high school baseball prospect with a chance at the MLB. Simone was a student at Beverly Hills High School and upon graduating, moved to Atlanta to attend Bringston University. Simone immediately jumps to defense mode, correcting Wilinda for misgendering Nate. Leila Faisal 78 Episodes 2023. Dr. Neema Fiskell 2 episodes, 2020 Taja V. Simpson . The Professor wants to expand their minds and discuss the most infamous books. And while his. She and Jordan have a friendship throughout season 2 until he confesses his love for her in the finale, and they subsequently start dating. To be a leader, he should be vulnerable and let others know that Damon Sims has fears. It was later known that her mother had died in a car accident and her father was busy living his life in New York. Prior to booking the role of Hicks, she auditioned for All American two times: first for Kia, who plays Spencers ex-girlfriend, and then Rochelle, who was Spencers quasi-manager. Tina: it's a shame the adopted mom and Shay couldn't stay for dinner.Simone: She has a name. The 50 greatest TV and movie detectives of all time. They either arent interested in HBCU sports or dont want the scandal drama. This is years of working with this person, depending on him and supporting each other through the emotional trials of acting. He stops her to clarify that Dane wasnt his best anything. | Simone Hicks has fallen in love with Bringston University in the backdoor pilot for All American: Homecoming. It's going to be interesting in terms of Damon, Thea, and Simone, because at the end of the day in terms of Damon and Simone, my biggest hope is that as the season progresses and hopefully we get a season 2 they navigate truth and learn or grow. He was an ass and the way he treated her when she was pregnant wasnt cool. Black excellence! Apparently, the JP Keating actor Elvis Nolasco was inadvertently replaced but for a justifiable reason. Amara knows her mom wouldnt hold her to it, but Keisha also doesnt want to disappoint her father. She recalled how she felt auditioning for and booking a recurring role on an ABC show and how her heart sank when she got a call from a director that they had gone in a different direction. In a One Tree Hill-esquemanner,Jordan and Simone got married. Simone calls Melinda a Karen and threatens to handle it if Nathaniel wont. At dinner with Amara, the teens talk happily. Gender Damon is also there, looking at a pro baseball pitcher Hank Dawson. You are building a family here on and off the field, so don't let drama in one part of your life affect the other. All American: Homecoming: Directed by Michael Schultz. Damon teases Simone for talking to herself, leading to witty banter between them. Simone is overjoyed and hugs her, though Loni warns her to be ready. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Simone wants to get back to practicing, so Thea reminds her that real practice starts tomorrow and since the NCAA limits coaches hours, shell be running the drills, and her opinion does matter. In the seventh episode of season 3, it is revealed that Simone and Jordan got married in Las Vegas over the summer, unbeknownst to anyone other than Spencer and Olivia, who were in attendance. While she initially wasn't consideringattending the school, her time at Bringston made a big impact on Simone. Their moms arent that different, as she and Tina are at odds because her mom refuses to accept her choices. This led to him being replaced last minute but one can stillbe hopeful for his come backas nothing bad actually happened between him and the creators of the show as previously assumed. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. She prayed: If Im meant to act again, please just let it come to me in a different kind of way. 1 Barty Upset In Australian Quarterfinals By Muchova, Also Read -Joey King And Netflix To Reunite For 'Uglies', A Dystopian Story Obsessed With 'beauty'. Keisha nods and ends the call then tells Simone to get ready. Because of her past experiences, Simone's social skills and understanding of social demands is limited. I hope that we just continue to create stories that represent Black people in all of our forms, in all the ways that we exist from being brown-skinned with straight hair, being brown-skinned with natural curly hair, being dark-skinned with short hair. He promises to mind his business next time. How are you able to represent people that come from where you come from? Keisha plans to call Damon and his cute roommate to hang out, so Nate reminds Keisha of her vow of celibacy after the Lisa breakup. Once hes gone, Simone apologizes to Amara for worrying her. Maya said she grew up in a lower-middle-class family, raised by a single mother while maintaining a relationship with her father. Relationships Like, Mom, whats up? It's Shanelle. Damon's mom was a class act, though. It was nerve wracking for us because we're not going to working together as much anymore. Thats not to say that South-Central L.A. didnt have its gems. His pitch has been way off lately. Here's everything you need to know about what happened to Layla's dad. Spencer JamesKeisha McCallaOlivia Baker Damon SimsNathanielJessie RaymondCam WatkinsOrlando Johnson Like many parents, he saw dancing and choreography as a fun hobby, not a professional career. New episodes of All American air Mondays at 8/7c on The CW and the franchise is expanding via All American: Homecoming, a Simone-centric spinoff that was ordered to series at the network last month. It was like a 45-minute-to-an-hour drive just to get to auditions, depending on the circumstance. No. Tryouts are intense as Thea drills Simone to hit ten returns in a row and refuses to move on until she does. That made me be like, OK, I will never believe anything in Hollywood until I see it. Its a running joke that I have with the producers at Homecoming. Im like, Im not on Homecoming until it comes out Feb. 21. Laura Nowak is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Amara knows the days have been tough but the blessing is around the corner. This is news to Simone, but Amara assures everyone its okay. Occupation When her father came back to meet her, Layla had a hard time accepting him and his shady much younger girlfriend. She performed in The Lion King on Broadway when she was just 7 or 8 years old, she said, and has loved creating art ever since those early roles. Maya, who hails from South Los Angeles, recalls reading the Los Angeles Times on her grandfathers lap, training at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and watching child actors on her television. After class, Simone gives Loni her clearance note from President Allen, making it in time for Queen of the Court. Black women are judged on everything the moment they set foot on a court, Thea says, and Simone cant get psyched out so easily if she wants to be a serious contender. Though she was recognised as the "it girl" in her school, at home she was nothing but a lonely girl who had a record of suicide attempts. All Damon had to do was walk him around and silence. Nate tells her to let it go which Keisha agrees with, though Simone still wants to try. She grabs a blanket from the couch and then runs into Damon - literally. Simone runs to the elevators as Thea passes. Twelve hours earlier, in Beverly Hills, California, Simone says bye to her boyfriend Jordan, her son who she gave up for adoption Shay, and Beverly Hills. What did she do that her soon-to-be-ex-husband can't forgive? Did JR ever like baseball, or was it something he did only to get his dad's attention? All American Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. Its tough, but we got to start somewhere. JR doesnt think thats the case as they both could be jumping to conclusions. Simone then finds Thea and apologizes as she wanted to celebrate with her friends. They begin to flirt until Simone interjects, but they claim their relationship isnt a thing. Monet Mazur. She wants to start a new life in pursuit of her tennis dreams. He's such a cute baby. Tina appeared jealous that Simone was so close to baby Shay and his adoptive family. Offers may be subject to change without notice. The pair sit on a bench and Damon asks if she and Cam are friends. She learns the Queen of the Court is tomorrow, but her physical still isnt done. At least, if Im reading their dance-floor makeout sesh correctly, that is. The next day, Damon meets Simone, only to learn Thea has canceled. He gave her the nudge she needed to tell her father the truth. She calls Simone out for not scheduling the time sooner or showing Coach Loni her dedication. She had always wanted to go to school outside California, but her mother, like any cautious parent, dissuaded her. It's no secret that Las Vegas special episodes always make up for excitement and simultaneously, worries because of the city's reputation. Greta Onieogou. Read on for EW's interview with Maya about returning to All American, that emotional scene with Damon, the big breakup, and more. The network confirmed on Monday that it's moving forward with a potential spinoff of the football drama, to be focused on Geffri Maya . On this team, things wont be handed to her, it has to be earned. Amara knows Simone will find her footing and her people. Yes, The CW series recast the role of JP. Simone admits she made a mistake by projecting her birthday wishes onto Thea, instead of listening to her wishes. Simone's mom is, like, a lot. He asks how shes feeling, but she doesnt know yet. She encourages him to face his fear and handle his business.[2]. Keisha interrupts to steal Simone for a party. I would just be like, Why cant I go there? The one where EW follows up with the cast. All of this tough love seems to resonate with Simone, who seems more certain about applying to Bringston and pursuing tennis by the end of the episode. At the moment, Simone is working on herself, but I am curious what can you say about how she'll navigate Damon and Thea's budding relationship? There are already story threads thatAll American season 3 sets up for Simone's spinoff too. Corte offers Simone a job working with the alumni office. Growing pains are hard, especially when you're going up against your family. He and Simone crossed paths several times, and that is sure to continue once they both begin attending the school. That tennis match seems to rattle Simone for much of the weekend, even as she starts to consider applying to Bringston instead of just visiting for fun. Keisha just got a call from the residential department, and theres an issue with Simones campus housing. She greets Jordan happily when she sees him on the call with Simone. At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, she became the first female U.S. gymnast to win four gold medals at a single Games, and she was the first gymnast to win three consecutive world all-around titles (2013-15). Simone figures out how to close their presentation tomorrow. Jock Zonfrillo Dies: 'MasterChef Australia' Judge And Acclaimed, Damar Hamlin's Charity Sponsor, the Giving Back Fund, Embroiled, Even Without Barry, 'Barry' Is Delighted with Its Own Misery, Jock Zonfrillo, 'MasterChef Australia' Judge, Dies at 46, Editor's Choice: I Purchased This TikTok-Viral Walking Pad and I, TVLine is a part of Penske Media Corporation. He chuckles that hes saving her. I can fully, wholeheartedly be myself, and with me being myself, my Black experience is enough. entertainment, news presenter | 4.8K views, 28 likes, 13 loves, 80 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from GBN Grenada Broadcasting Network: GBN News 28th April 2023 Anchor: Kenroy Baptiste. Physical Characteristics That is such a tough spot for an adoptee to be in. She knew that she loved talking and exchanging stories with new people, but something was still gnawing at her. There was lots of resentment between Tina Hicks and her sister Amara and her daughter Simone. Even through her tough breakup, Simone still wins her tennis match. They train together and he finally reaches 95 MPH while she gets her hits in. Thea praises Simone, and they shake hands. to spread her wings led 17-year-old Maya to decide to attend college across the country. Now Hollywood is not only in reach, but Maya is blazing a path there that is uniquely her own and that amplifies the presence of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) on screen. Keisha invites Simone to do her project with Damon at her dad's house, promising they will get actual schoolwork done. When do you think we'll see Keisha perform again? 2023 TV Fanatic Since she's thrown herself into choreographing dance competitions and dancing in them, Keisha started avoiding her father. TVLine has also learned that Anna Lore, who has thus far appeared in two All American episodes as Laylas rehab pal Carrie, will recur throughout the rest of Season 3, sharing a bond with Layla that the rest of the gang just cant compete with.. It was officially picked up by The CW in 2021, with the official description teasing a story centered around Simone and a high-profile baseball player as they attend an HBCU. The match is even set, but Thea ultimately wins. Amara encourages her to pursue her dance dream instead of her father's dream of medicine. All American season 3 sets up the spinoff for Simone Hicks (Geffri Maya) with a backdoor pilot for All American: Homecoming. Simone likely talked to the coach about attending Bringston University and inquiring about whether or not there would be a spot for her on the school's competitive team. Eye Color The baseball team also had to deal with JR's absence, which was half the reason for Damon's tantrum. She wouldnt have made it the past few days without them. To celebrate Simone's move, Amara gives her a gift basket. Keisha knows its all about jealousy. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Keisha is making gift bags for Thea as its her birthday soon. There are already hints of a possible romance between her and Damon in this backdoor pilot, so the future of Simone and Jordan (and their looming real marriage ceremony) might not be too good. He joined Screen Rant in late 2016 following a year-long stint with MCU Exchange, which came after first developing an MCU blog of his own. He asks about Keisha but Simone tells Cam to leave her alone. She wraps it up so they can go party, much to Nates glee. Shes sure theyll find something. I remember being extremely emotional and just channeling loss and [what] it means to lose something.