Van Lathan is an American media personality who rose to fame in 2018 after he challenged rapper Kanye West’s controversial remarks on slavery during a TMZ Live interview. Since then, Lathan has become a prominent voice in the fields of culture, politics, and sports, hosting several podcasts, producing an Oscar-winning short film, and writing a book about his personal transformation. In this article, we will explore his life, career, and achievements in detail.
Early Life and Education
Van Lathan was born on April 16, 1980, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Terry and Christal Ellis. He has a younger sister named Ebony. He grew up in a middle-class family and attended McKinley High School, where he was popular and outspoken. He developed an interest in politics, writing, and entertainment from an early age.
Lathan graduated from Louisiana State University in 2003 with a degree in political science and a minor in creative writing. He moved to Los Angeles, California, shortly after to pursue his career goals.
Career at TMZ
Lathan began his career as a tour guide for the TMZ Celebrity Tour, a bus service that takes tourists to various Hollywood landmarks and celebrity hotspots. He was part of the team that created the concept of the tour, which covers a 30-mile radius around Beverly Hills and Sunset Boulevard. He impressed Harvey Levin, the founder, and host of TMZ, with his charisma and knowledge of celebrity gossip.
Lathan was promoted to co-host and senior producer of TMZ Live, a live version of the TMZ news program that covers entertainment, pop culture, and current affairs. He worked for TMZ for almost a decade, gaining popularity for his witty and candid commentary on various topics. He also interviewed celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Kevin Hart, and Tyrese Gibson.
Confrontation with Kanye West
Lathan’s most memorable moment at TMZ came on May 1, 2018, when he confronted Kanye West during a live interview. West made headlines for saying that 400 years of slavery was a choice for African Americans. He then asked the TMZ staff if they felt he was thinking and feeling free.
Lathan responded by telling West that his statement was misleading and irresponsible. He said that West had morphed into something that was not real and that he was hurt by his comments. He also said that people from his community who came from the 400 years of slavery had to deal with marginalization and oppression.
Lathan’s response went viral and earned him praise from many celebrities, activists, and fans. He later said that West apologized to him after the interview and that he did not hold any grudge against him. He also said that he wanted to have a dialogue with the West to understand his perspective.
Podcasts and Projects
After his encounter with West, Lathan’s profile rose significantly. He launched his own weekly podcast called Van Lathan’s The Red Pill in 2018, where he discussed various issues ranging from politics and sports to pop culture and hip-hop. He also invited guests such as Charlamagne tha God, Michael Rapaport, and Killer Mike to share their opinions.
In October 2019, Lathan was fired from TMZ after getting into a physical altercation with his co-host Michael Babcock over politics. He then joined The Ringer, a media company founded by Bill Simmons, where he co-hosted two podcasts: The Wire: Way Down in the Hole with Jemele Hill and Higher Learning with Rachel Lindsay.
Lathan also ventured into film production. He served as an executive producer of Two Distant Strangers (2020), a short film that depicts the repeated killing of a Black man by a white police officer in a time loop. The film won the Academy Award for Best Live-Action Short Film in 2021.
Lathan also wrote a book called Fat, Crazy, and Tired: Tales from the Trenches of Transformation (2022), where he chronicled his journey of losing over 100 pounds and overcoming depression. The book is a humorous and honest account of his struggles and successes in achieving physical and mental health.
Personal Life, Girlfriend & Wife
Lathan is not married but has been dating Khalika Abrams since 2017. Abrams is an entrepreneur who owns a beauty salon called Kolor Bar Salon in Los Angeles. She also has two children from her previous marriage.
Lathan is active on social media platforms such as Twitter (@vanlathan), Instagram (@vanlathan), and LinkedIn (Van Lathan). He has over 500k followers on Twitter and over 300k followers on Instagram. He often posts about his opinions, projects, and personal life.
Parents & Siblings
According to the web search results, Van Lathan’s parents are Terry and Christal Ellis. He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on April 16, 1980. He has a younger sister named Ebony Rage Lathan. He is not related to actress Sanaa Lathan, who shares his last name. Van Lathan is a media personality, podcaster, producer, and author who became famous for confronting Kanye West on TMZ Live in 2018. He is currently dating Khalika Abrams, an entrepreneur who owns a beauty salon in Los Angeles.
BIO/Wiki
| Name | Van Lathan |
| Aka | Van “Luscious Black” Lathan Jr |
| Born | April 16, 1980 (age 43 years) |
| Birthplace | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Terry and Christal Ellis |
| Siblings | Ebony (sister) |
| Education | Louisiana State University (B.A. in Political Science) |
| Occupation | Media personality, podcaster, producer, author |
| Known for | Confronting Kanye West on TMZ Live |
| Podcasts | Van Lathan’s The Red Pill, The Wire: Way Down in the Hole, Higher Learning |
| Films | Two Distant Strangers (executive producer) |
| Book | Fat, Crazy, and Tired: Tales from the Trenches of Transformation |
| Wife | Khalika Abrams (girlfriend) |
| Children | None |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
Facts About Van Lathan
- He is a fan of comic books and superheroes. He has a tattoo of Spider-Man on his arm and a collection of action figures in his home.
- He is a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and has participated in several protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
- Van is a sports enthusiast and follows teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, the New Orleans Saints, and the LSU Tigers.
- Van Lathan is a music lover and enjoys listening to artists such as Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Beyoncé.
- He is a friend of rapper T.I. and has appeared on his podcast ExpediTIously several times.
- He is a vegan and has adopted a plant-based diet for health and ethical reasons.
- Van Lathan is a fan of horror movies and has cited The Exorcist, The Shining, and The Conjuring as some of his favorites.
- He is a fan of Game of Thrones and has expressed his disappointment with the final season of the show.
- Van Lathan is a fan of The Wire and has ranked Stringer Bell as his favorite character from the series.
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