The Re-Branding Of Taye Diggs

Taye Diggs was introduced to us in 1998 as the sexy, adorable male lead opposite to Angela Bassett’s Stella in “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” Before that he had a successful run on Broadway as Benjamin Coffin III, in “Rent.” Although he has been in many films including the Oscar winning, “Chicago” as Bandleader, when he tried to embark on being the lead in 2004 on the UPN show, “Kevin Hill,” the show was cancelled after only a few episodes. On “Kevin Hill” Diggs was an equal opportunity, exotic model chasing, playboy that unexpectedly found himself strapped with a baby to raise. Then there was the ABC drama “Day Break,” in 2006 where his love interest was Moon Bloodgood, a mixed race actress, this show was also cancelled after the first season. Many industry insiders have said that it is because Diggs left his base audience, Black women, and we did not want to see him on television week end and week out kissing a whole bunch of non-black girls.

Taye Diggs & Idina Menzel Welcome Baby Boy!

So the Hollywood Image Markers took note!! Present day, he plays the role of divorced Dr. Sam Bennett on ABC’s “Private Practice,” and all of his love interest including his ex-wife, Dr. Naomi Bennett played by Audra McDonald, have been black women. On last night’s episode of “Private Practice” Diggs’ character almost kissed Chandra Wilson’s, Dr. Miranda Bailey, who is the matriarch of “Grey’s Anatomy.” Dr. Bailey is not just the matriarch of “Grey’s” but she is the strong black, average looking, women that we all know and love.

We here at Hello Beautiful, have noticed the Re-branded of Taye Diggs. Those two characters even attepting to kiss sends the message that Diggs’ is not afraid of the quintessential ‘strong black women.’ Now, our theory will be confirmed if he shows up as a guest on “The Wendy Williams Show”, “The Monique Show” or “The Tyra Banks Show.”

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Take a look at Taye and his wife Idina:

http://cdn1.hellobeautiful.com/external/js/gallery/451717