Support Black-led rom-coms! Acclaimed filmmaker Nina Lee says the success of 'You, Me & Tuscany' is crucial for her future projects and Hollywood diversity.
- March 26, 2026
AceShowbiz - Nina Lee, an acclaimed Black filmmaker, has called on audiences to support the new romantic comedy You, Me & Tuscany, emphasizing that its box office performance could significantly influence her career and opportunities in Hollywood.
On Wednesday, Lee took to X to share that several of her projects were currently stalled because studios were waiting to see how You, Me & Tuscany, starring Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey, performs at the box office before committing to purchase or develop more Black-led rom-coms.
Lee wrote, "PLEASE GO SEE THIS FILM. Met with a studio about my already shot rom-com and they won't buy it until they see how 'You, Me & Tuscany' does ... Met with an exec about a romance script I have, they won't buy it until they see how 'You, Me & Tuscany' does."
She urged fans once again to support the film, noting, "A film that has nothing to do with me could quite literally change my life. Plus, I've heard it's really great so I'm looking forward to supporting."
Lee’s message resonated widely, with over 2,000 users on X retweeting her plea and sharing ways to purchase tickets for You, Me & Tuscany. Her activism highlights ongoing challenges faced by women and people of color in Hollywood, particularly in securing funding and distribution for projects.
She also referenced TheWrap’s coverage of the 2025 ReFrame Report, which revealed a decline in hiring women for key roles in major Hollywood productions last year. Kirsten Schaffer, CEO of Women in Film (WIF), commented on the report’s findings, stating they indicate a "significant divestment in women-led projects," which narrows opportunities for women and gender-diverse creators across the industry.
Nina Lee herself has garnered recognition for her work, including her short film "Artistic," executive produced by Lena Waithe, which won the Audience Choice Award at the Chicago International Film Festival. Her call to action underscores the critical need for audiences to support Black-led romantic comedies to help open doors for more diverse storytelling.
You, Me & Tuscany, directed by Kat Coiro and written by Ryan Engle, features Halle Bailey as Anna, who pretends to be in a relationship with a charming Italian man to live in his Tuscan villa. The plot thickens when she unexpectedly falls for his handsome cousin, played by Regé-Jean Page. The cast also includes Marco Calvani, Lorenzo de Moor, Nia Vardalos, and Isabella Ferrari.
The film is scheduled for theatrical release by Universal Pictures on April 10, 2026. Enthusiasts and supporters are encouraged to watch the trailer and plan to see the film in theaters to help demonstrate strong audience demand for Black-led romantic comedies.
