ANANDA LEWIS JOINS THE CAST OF THE FIRST BLACK JESUS MOVIE

LOS ANGELES- March 5, 2006- Ananda Lewis, a native of San Diego, California, has become one of America’s premier broadcasters on television as well as radio. Ananda Lewis launched her broadcast career hosting "Teen Summit" on BET, which earned her a 1996 Cable Ace nomination and NAACP Image Award for her interview with Hillary Rodham-Clinton. Later Ms. Lewis became a tremendous icon as the host of several MTV shows, such as the hugely popular “Total Request Live.” Thereafter, the amazingly beautiful Ananda Lewis was named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People,” in 2000. After establishing herself in the industry, she hosted her own syndicated talk show titled "The Ananda Lewis Show," during the 2001-2002 season. Now Ms. Lewis has hosted shows with major networks such as A&E, ABC, FOX, The WB, and currently CBS’s “the Insider.” In addition, Ananda Lewis is highly recognized for co-hosting the top Los Angeles morning radio show, "The John Salley Block Party," on 100.3 The Beat KKBT-FM.

Ananda Lewis has gracefully joined the cast of the world’s most controversial, biopic film, “Color of the Cross.” Currently in production, this film is scheduled for theatrical release in Fall of 2006. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, which released “The Passion of the Christ” on domestic home video, has acquired the domestic home video rights of “Color of the Cross” for seven figures including a P & A commitment for theatrical release. As activist and History major, Ananda Lewis immediately jumped at the opportunity to enrich the lives of the world by participating in this year’s highly anticipated film.

“Color of the Cross,” an independent, politically charged religious biopic, based on the last 48 hours of Christ’s life, stands to be the most controversial depiction of Jesus to date. The film is unique in two distinct ways: The first dramatic film in Hollywood history ever to depict Christ as a black man. Secondly, it is the first Christian based film to inject race as a possible factor in the Crucifixion of Christ. This racial perspective to the conventional biblical story is sure to challenge Conservative Christian beliefs. With Hollywood leading the way in 2006, with such films as Ron Howard’s the “Da Vinci Code”, “The End Of The Spear”, “The Celestine Prophesies”, Abel Ferrara’s “Mary” and New Line’s recent acquisition of “The Nativity””, there appears to be a religious movement sweeping the nation. While these films seem to challenge conventional religious beliefs, “Color of the Cross” places Race front and center in this growing religious discourse that is sure to become a hot political debate. According to Producer, Kenneth Halsband, “When you see the black man on the cross, you are immediately reminiscent of the 1960’s… Our film hopes to heal those wounds.”

The film is a Nu-Lite Entertainment production, and producers are Dr. Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray, Jessie Levostre, Kenneth Halsband, Executive Producers Lila Aviv, Paul Noe, Eddy Lahens, Marc Porterfield, Michele Gonda and Co-producer Marcello Thedford. (For more information on “Color of the Cross” visit: www.colorofthecross.com or call 323.468.5380.)

CONTACT: Krystal Collazo
PHONE: (786) 417- 3628
EMAIL: krystal.collazo@nu-liteentertainment.biz