Tag Archives: BET

Laz Alonso to Star in BET’s “The Bobby Brown Story” Miniseries

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Laz Alonso is reliving some music history…

The 43-year-old Afro-Cuban American actor  will star in BET’s The Bobby Brown Story, a two-part miniseries starring Woody McClain as the veteran R&B singer.

Laz Alonso

In addition to Alonso and McClain, the miniseries will also star Mekhi Phifer, Lil Rel Howery, T.K. Carter, Lance Gross, Alyssa Goss and Sandi McCree.

The New Edition Story broke BET ratings records when it aired in January 2017, and The Bobby Brown Story picks up where it left off following Brown’s successful solo run.

McClain is reprising his role as Brown, one of the genre’s original “bad boys” whose life epitomizes the meaning of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. His hits may have kept him at the top of the charts, but his antics kept him on the front page.

Alonso (The Mysteries of Laura) is Louil Silas Jr, an MCA producer-executive who helps make Bobby a solo star.

Phifer plays Tommy Brown, Bobby’s brother. Howery is Brian Irvine, Bobby’s business manager. Carter plays Herbert “Pops” Brown, Bobby’s father. Gross is set as Steven Sealy, a childhood friend of Bobby’s who is killed in a gunfight after hanging with him at a hometown bar. Goss plays Bobby’s current wife, Alicia Etheridge, and McCree will reprise her New Edition Story as Bobby’s mother Carole Brown.

The Bobby Brown Story is directed by Spike Lee protégé Kiel Adrian Scott.

Production is currently underway in Atlanta.

BET plans a two-night September premiere for The Bobby Brown Story.

BET to Air Second Half of Vidal’s “Being Mary Jane” in July

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If you’re Jane-sing for more Lisa Vidal, don’t despair…

BET has set the premiere date for the 10-episode second half of fourth season of Being Mary Jane’s fourth season, starring Gabrielle Union and the 51-year-old Puerto Rican actress.

Lisa Vidal

The Viacom-owned cable network will premiere the first of the remaining 10 episodes on July 18.

In the midseason finale airing this week, Mary Jane (Union) is all smiles as she approaches her 40th birthday. With a weekend getaway planned to Martha’s Vineyard, things seem to be looking up. But a brief romantic encounter with her old nemesis and now boss, Justin (Michael Ealy), has Mary Jane cloudy about what to do in her relationship and at her job. Meanwhile, Kara (Vidal) gets caught in the crossfire of Mary Jane’s ambition.

Anthony Signs Exclusive Production Partnership with ITV America

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La La Anthony is looking to bring new content to television…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican actress and reality television star has signed an exclusive production partnership with reality producer ITV America.

La La Anthony

The deal would allow Anthony to create and produce projects in the urban, music and pop culture space via her LaLaLand label, under the ITV America banner.

Anthony is already developing a hip-hop docuseries that takes an inside look at the business side of New York City’s hip-hop scene with Timbaland and Leftfield Entertainment/ITVA prodco Leftfield Pictures. They also are in development on several other projects that include documentaries and scripted series, as well as true-crime and live-event series.

“I’m beyond excited to be partnering with Leftfield and ITV America,” Anthony said. “I have a long history of working with David George, and I truly feel this company will help bring my ideas to life.”

Added Leftfield Entertainment CEO David George: “I’ve known La La a long time, as a friend and colleague, and she is one of the hardest-working, most driven and connected people in our business. We’re thrilled to be deepening our relationship with La La and to take her inspiring voice and entrepreneurial fierceness to multiple genres and platforms.”

Anthony’s TV credits include the hit Starz series Power, BET’s The New Edition Story and A&E’s Unforgettable. Her film credits include Think Like a Man, Think Like a Man Too, Baggage Claim, Chi-Raq and the upcoming Earnest Dickerson film Double Play. Anthony is also a twice-published, New York Times best-selling author and recently made her Broadway producing debut with the Tony-nominated play Eclipsed, which featured Broadway’s first all-female, all-black cast.

Fat Joe Earns His First-Ever Soul Train Music Award Nominations

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Fat Joe has some new Soul to celebrate…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American rapper has earned his first-ever Soul Train Music Award nominations.

Fat Joe

Fat Joe, whose real name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena, is nominated in the Best Collaboration category for his single “All the Way Up,” featuring Remy Ma, French Montana and Infared.

Fat Joe’s second nomination comes in the Rhythm & Bars Award category, which was formerly known as the Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year, for the infectious track, which has been certified platinum.

But Fat Joe isn’t the only Latino nominee…

Maxwell, who was named Best New Artist at the Soul Train Music Awards nearly 20 years ago, has picked up a nod in the Best R&B/Soul Male Artist.

The 43-year-old half-Puerto Rican R&B singer, a five-time STMA winner, last picked up the Best R&B/Soul Male Artist award in 2009.

Meanwhile, Mariah Carey picked up a nod in The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award category for co-writing the single, “Don’t,” performed by Bryson Tiller.

Erykah Badu will return as host for the 2016 Soul Train Music Awards, landing at Las Vegas’ Orleans Arena next month.

2016 hip-hop MVP Drake leads the pack with 12 nominations, including a pair of nods for the Video of the Year Award for his viral smash “Hotline Bling” and his guest spot on Rihanna‘s earworm “Work.” Beyonce follows with eight nominations for her work on the visual album Lemonade.

Filming for the Soul Train Music Awards will take place on November 6 before it airs on Centric and BET at 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 27.

Here’s the full list of nominees:

Best New Artist
Anderson .Paak
Andra Day
Bryson Tiller
Chance The Rapper
Ro James
Tory Lanez

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
Anthony Hamilton
Bryson Tiller
Maxwell
The Weeknd
Usher

Centric Certified Award
After 7
Anderson .Paak
Bilal
Lalah Hathaway
Musiq Soulchild

Video Of The Year
Beyoncé – Formation
Beyoncé – Sorry
Drake – Hotline Bling
Kanye West – Fade
Rihanna Ft. Drake – Work

Best Gospel/ Inspirational Song
Donnie Mcclurkin – I Need You
Hezekiah Walker – Better
Kirk Franklin – 123 Victory
Tamela Mann – God Provides
Travis Greene – Made A Way

Album/Mixtape of the Year
Beyoncé – Lemonade
Bryson Tiller – T R A P S O U L
Dj Khaled – Major Key
Drake – Views
Kanye West – The Life Of Pablo
Rihanna – Anti

Rhythm & Bars Award (Formerly Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year)
Chance The Rapper Ft. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz – No Problem
Dj Khaled Ft. Drake – For Free
Drake – Controlla
Drake Ft. Wizkid & Kyla – One Dance
Fat Joe & Remy Ma Ft. French Montana & Infared – All The Way Up

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist
Alicia Keys
Beyoncé
Fantasia
Jill Scott
Rihanna

Song of the Year
Adele – Hello
Beyoncé – Formation
Bryson Tiller – Don’t
Drake – Controlla
Rihanna Ft. Drake – Work

The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award
Hello – Written By: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, Gregory Allen Kurstin (Adele)
Rise Up – Written By: Andra Day, Jennifer Decilveo (Andra Day)
Formation – Written By: Michael L. Williams Ii, Beyoncé Knowles, Khalif Brown, Aaquil Brown, Asheton Hogan, (Beyoncé)
Don’t – Written By: Johntá M. Austin, Mariah Carey, Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Tavoris Javon Hollins, Isom Brandon Stewart, Bryson Dejuan Tiller (Bryson Tiller)
Needed Me – Written By: Nicholas Valentino Audino, Rachel Derrus, Adam King Feeney, Robyn R. Fenty, Brittany Talia Hazzard, Charles Hinshaw Jr., Lewis Beresford Hughes, Dijon Isaiah Mcfarlane, Khaled Rohaim, Te Whiti Te Rangitepaia Mataa Warbick (Rihanna)

Best Dance Performance
Beyoncé – Formation
Drake – Hotline Bling
Kanye West (Dance Performance Ft. Teyana Taylor) – Fade
Rihanna Ft. Drake – Work
Usher Ft. Young Thug – No Limit

Best Collaboration 
Beyoncé Ft. Kendrick Lamar – Freedom
Chance The Rapper Ft. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz – No Problem
Dj Khaled Ft. Drake – For Free
Fat Joe & Remy Ma Ft. French Montana & Infared – All The Way Up
Rihanna Ft. Drake – Work

 

Anthony to Star in BET’s Three-Part Miniseries “New Edition: The Movie”

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La La Anthony has a new addition to her resume…

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican television personality and actress has been added to the cast of BET’s three-part miniseries New Edition: The Movie.

La La Anthony

Anthony, who starred in Think Like a Man and Think Like a Man Too, joins new additions to the cast that include Yvette Nicole Brown, Monica Calhoun, Lisa Nicole Carson and Sandi McCree. They’ve have signed on to play the mothers of the iconic 1980s R&B/pop group.

Anthony will play Flo DeVoe, mother of the young Ronnie DeVoe, Brown will play Michael Bivins’ mother Shirley Bivins, Calhoun is Ralph Tresvant’s mother Patricia Tresvant, Carson will play Ricky Bell’s mother Mae Bell and McCree is Bobby Brown’s mother Carole Brown.

They join previously cast Bryshere Y. Gray, Elijah Kelley, Luke James, Keith Powers, and newcomers Algee Smith and Woody McClain.

Written by Abdul Williams, the miniseries follows the group from their humble beginnings as kids in Boston to global megastardom – weathering the highs and lows of controversy, personnel changes, and the ultimate cost of fame.

Santiago-Hudson to Star in BET’s Pilot “The Yard”

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Ruben Santiago-Hudson is ready for a little Yard work…

The 59-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor has been cast in BET’s two-hour scripted pilot The Yard.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson

The project centers on Eva, the newly elected President of the fictional college Georgia A&M. Upon her arrival, Eva finds a bold, brazen and diverse freshman class that promises to keep her hands full.

In addition to Santiago-Hudson and Rose, the cast includes Sean Blakemore and Jasmine Guy.

Rob Hardy will direct the pilot.

Santiago-Hudson, who has won national awards for his work as an actor, playwright and director, starred in the film Selma, as well as the television programs Public Morals and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Bailon’s “The Real” Renewed Through 2017-2018 Season

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Adrienne Bailon is staying Real throughout the country…

Daytime syndicated talker The Real, featuring the 32-year-old Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian American singer, actress, dancer and television personality as one of the panelists, has been cleared for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons on television stations covering more than 95% of the country. That includes Fox Television stations as part of a deal announced in October.

The Real

The Daytime Emmy-nominated series is posting ratings growth in its second season and has a strong social media presence, ranking second in daytime to Ellen in total social action and with more than 447 million YouTube views to date.

“The Real has carved out an impressive home in the daytime space,” said Ken Werner, President of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution of the show that features fellow hosts Tamera Mowry-Housley, Jeannie Mai, Tamar Braxton and Loni Love. “The uniqueness of the series is not in its format, but rather in its hosts, whose individuals voices are distinctive and fun and collectively have created a unique destination for conversations that cannot be found elsewhere. Growing in their second season is a great achievement and is a leading indicator of continued success and growth in the years ahead.”

Along with Fox, station groups renewing the show include Sinclair, Hearst, Tribune, Media General, Nexstar, Cox, Gray, Weigel, Sunbeam, Scripps, Raycom, Tegna, Northwest, Meredith, Marshall, Mission, Cordillera, Entravision, Mckinnon and News Press.

The series also will continue to air weeknights on BET at 1:00 am ET/10:00 pm PT.

Serricchio to Star Opposite Brandy in BET’s Comedy Series “Zoe Ever After”

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Ignacio Serricchio is ready for a memorable ever after…

The 33-year-old Argentine actor.has been cast in BET Networks’ comedy series Zoe Ever After, starring and co-executive produced by Brandy Norwood.

Ignacio Serricchio

Zoe Ever After centers on Zoe Moon (Norwood), a newly single mom stepping out of the shadow of her famous boxer ex-husband Gemini Moon (Dorian Missick) while trying to balance dating, motherhood, a complicated relationship with her ex and finally fulfilling her career dream of starting a cosmetics line.

Serricchio, best known for his role as Diego Alcazar on General Hospital and as Alejandro “Alex” Chavez on The Young and the Restless, will portray sexy contractor Miguel.

His other credits include the film The Wedding Ringer, as well as appearances on Witches of East End, Bones and Covert Affairs.

Production is underway in Atlanta for premiere in January.

Carey Hires New PR Representation & Management Team

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Mariah Carey has new representation…

A day after the 45-year-old half Venezuelan singer and her longtime publicist Cindi Berger parted ways, Carey announced her new PR and management team.

Mariah Carey

Chris Chambers of the Chambers Group, who’s worked with Lil Wayne, Drake and many other artists over his long career, will her as her PR agent. Her fifth set of managers since 2013: TV producers Brian Sher and Stella Bulochnikov.

Carey’s new managers have worked together on several projects, most recently E!’s Christian Milian Turned Up and VH1’s T.I.’s Family Hustle and Tiny & Shekinah’s Weave Trip. Sher, who has worked as T.I.’s agent since 2004 and his co-manager since 2009, has been credited with helping to rebrand the rapper’s image via the television shows.

Sher began his career as a production assistant before beginning his career in ICM’s mailroom. He rose to the role of agent in 2000 and left in 2008 to form Category 5 Entertainment, where he begin working with T.I., Michael Vick (executive producing The Michael Vick Project for BET) and partnered with Kelsey Grammer in Grammnet NH.

Bulochnikov is a producer and writer who’s worked with Sher on Boss, T.I. & Tiny and Larry the Cable Guy’s Star-Studded Christmas Extravaganza.  She has a long history as a producer with Viacom shows dating back to 2001, including VH1 Divas, I Love the ‘80s and ‘90s, and several Paris Hilton Specials.

The moves come ahead of several big projects for the singer, who has stumbled in recent months with the poor sales of Me. I Am Mariah … The Elusive Chanteuse, the lowest-selling non-holiday studio album of her career and several wobbly live performances. On May 6, she begins a Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace, the same venue where Celine Dion will return on Aug. 27 after a year-long hiatus. Also expected later this year is a newly repackaged greatest-hits set called #1’s, the first release in her new deal with Epic Records, to accompany her Vegas show. She also has a Christmas movie on the horizon, according to Deadline.

Among other chart feats, Carey holds the record for total time spent at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, 79 weeks total, and also holds the record for longest-running Hot 100 No. 1 single (for 1995’s “One Sweet Day” with Boyz II Men, 16 weeks at No. 1), although she hasn’t had a Top 10 single since 2009’s “Obsessed.”

Carey had three management teams in 2013 alone, beginning with a Randy Jackson/Irving Azoff partnership, then Bruce Eskowitz of Red Light Management and then Jermaine Dupri, who produced some of her biggest hits including “We Belong Together.” Dupri gradually gave way to Kevin Liles, who semi-officially took the reins in August of 2014 but recently dropped out.

The news was first reported by Page Six and confirmed to Billboard by Chambers Group.