“The pseudonym Ellen Tha Great was bestowed upon me at an early age by my best friend & Grammy-winning songwriter Janet Sewell-Ulepic. The name is meant to ignite and inspire the Greatness that Resides Within.”
Ellen J. Wanjiru is a multi-hyphenate creative with a fervent passion for film, music, art, dance, and Black culture. She wears many creative hats including being a poet, writer, podcaster, film critic, celebrity interviewer, web series host, and content creator. Diving deeper into her portfolio, Ellen has crafted original content that champions mental wellness. Her creation, "My Imaginary Therapist," ingeniously showcases Ellen's versatility as she assumes both therapist and patient roles. Ellen has published poems, reviews, articles, and videos in respected outlets such as FirstWriter Magazine, Freestyle Vision Magazine, bAwesome.com, EllenThaGreat.com, Literati Magazine and Changeupmag.com.
Ellen's notable achievements include her role as a media correspondent at Blackfilm.com, a prominent digital media outlet. Her contributions enriched the platform's content offerings while also showcasing her talent as the host of the weekly web series 'Rewind with Ellen.' Through this series, Ellen expertly navigated the complexities of cinema, offering insightful analyses of characters, plots, narratives, and cinematography, thereby deepening the audience's appreciation for the art of film. Notably, she represented Blackfilm.com at the 2022 Oscars as an invited guest of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Ellen's diverse range of talents and her deep appreciation for the arts and culture make her a dynamic force in the creative landscape.
Celebrity interviews include:
Idris Elba (Concrete Cowboy), Regina King (The Harder They Fall), Tyler Perry (A Madea Homecoming), Kevin Hart (Fatherhood), Octavia Spencer, Melissa McCarthy (Thunder Force), Ava DuVernay (Colin in Black & White), Samuel L. Jackson, (The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey), Walter Mosley (The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey), Mahershala Ali ( Swan Song), Marlon Wayans (Respect), Jessica Williams (LOVE LIFE), William Jackson Harper (LOVE LIFE), Jeffrey Wright, Jennifer Hudson (Monster), Skyh Alvester Black (All The Queen's Men), Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman, Michael Potts (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), Deborah Joy Winans (Don't Waste Your Pretty), Christina Milian (Resort to Love), Sinqua Walls and Jay Pharoah (Resort to Love), Kofi Siriboe, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing (Really Love), Director Angel Kristi Williams & Screenwriter Felicia Pride (Really Love), Sam Richardson (Werewolves Within), Mario Van Peebles (The Story of a Three Day Pass), Paula Patton (Sacrifice), Vernon Davis (Acting & Producing After the NFL), Cliff "Method Man" Smith, Lorraine Toussaint, Jharrel Jerome (Concrete Cowboy), Gary Dourdan (Redemption Day), Skylan Brooks (Archenemy), Asjha Cooper (Black as Night), Director Marcus A Clarke (Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali), Macy Gray (PHOBIAS), Kelley Kali, Angelique Molina (I'm Fine Thanks For Asking).
