Lauren Sanchez Starring in the Vito Schnabel-Led Dark Comedy “The Trainer”

It’s training day for Lauren Sanchez.

The 52-year-old Mexican-American media personality, Emmy-winning journalist and actress, is starring in Vito Schnabel-led dark comedy The Trainer, which has wrapped filming in Los Angeles, New York and the Bahamas.

Lauren SánchezSanchez, who gained fame as an entertainment reporter and news anchor, is part of a cast that includes Paris Hilton, Finneas O’ConnellSandra Seacat and journalist Gayle King.

Written by Schnabel and Jeff Solomon, the film is based on the former’s original story. It unfolds over eight days of sleep-deprived chaos and follows Jack (Schnabel), a down-on-his-luck fitness expert living with his mother in Los Angeles, who takes a maniacal swing at fame and fortune, trying to realize his version of the American dream.

Tony Kaye directed the film boasting one of the most eclectic ensembles in recent memory, which also includes Julia FoxSteven Van ZandtTaylour PaigeStephen Dorff, John McEnroeGina GershonLuka SabbatGus Van SantLenny KravitzBeverly D’AngeloColleen CampGavin RossdaleSoo Joo ParkBrock O’HurnBella ThorneLaird Hamilton and Duke Nicholson.

Schnabel, Kaye and Jeremy Steckler are producing The Trainer, with George Paaswell serving as executive producer.

Sanchez has been seen on programs like The View, KTTV Fox 11’s Good Day LA, the Fox 11 Ten O’clock NewsExtra, Larry King Live, The Joy Behar Show and Showbiz Tonight. Past film credits include Ted 2White House DownCeleste & Jesse ForeverWe Bought a ZooFantastic Four and Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver SurferAkeelah and the BeeThe Longest YardThe Day After Tomorrow and Fight Club. She’s also been seen on series like RakeDirt and Girlfriends, among others.

Sanchez also notably founded aerial production company Black Ops Aviation and serves as Vice Chair of the Bezos Earth Fund.

Bella Thorne Starring in Dark Comedy “The Trainer”

There are several train(er)ing days for Bella Thorne.

The 24-year-old half-Cuban America actress/singer has been cast in the dark comedy The Trainer, directed by Tony Kaye from a script by star Vito Schnabel and Jeff Solomon.

Bella Thorne

Thorne is part of a roster of new cast additions that includes Soo Joo Park, Brock O’Hurn, Laird Hamilton and Duke Nicholson.

The film currently in production, after nearly a decade in development, is based on an original story by Schnabel.

Unfolding over eight days of sleep-deprived chaos, it follows Jack (Schnabel), a down-on-his-luck fitness expert living with his mother in Los Angeles, who takes a maniacal swing at fame and fortune, trying to realize his version of the American dream.

Julia Fox, Steven Van Zandt, Taylour Paige, Stephen Dorff, John McEnroe, Gina Gershon and Luka Sabbat are also set to star.

Character details are being kept under wraps.

Thorne can currently be seen opposite Melissa Leo in Peyfa’s thriller Measure of Revenge, and will next be seen in Graham and Parker Phillips’ thriller Rumble Through the Dark, with Aaron Eckhart.

She’s previously appeared in the films Chick FightRideMidnight SunAssassination NationThe BabysitterAmityville: The AwakeningBoo! A Madea Halloween, The DUFFAlexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, and Blended.

Her television credits include Paradise CityFamous in LoveShake It UpBig Love, My Own Worst Enemy and Dirty Sexy Money.

TLC to Debut Ochoa’s Series “Tyler Perry’s Too Close To Home” in August

Christian Ochoa is coming Home this August…

TLC has set August 22 for the premiere of its first scripted series, Tyler Perry’s Too Close To Home, featuring the Cuban-American actor in a recurring role.

Christian Ochoa

Too Close to Home tells the story of a young woman from a modest upbringing who discovers she may have a bright future in Washington D.C.’s fast-paced political scene. When Anna (Danielle Savre) leaves her trailer park home in Alabama in a cloud of dust, she cuts all ties with her family and buries every element of her checkered past. Her friends in Washington think she comes from a wealthy family and know nothing of her real upbringing. Suddenly, the real Anna is exposed when she causes a major political scandal and makes national headlines for her part in an affair with one of the nation’s most powerful players. With nowhere to turn, she’s forced to find sanctuary in the only place she has left – home.

In addition to Ochoa and Savre, the cast includes Brock O’Hurn, Kelly Sullivan, Brad Benedict and Brooke Anne Smith, Alpha Trivette, Trisha Rae Stahl, Robert Craighead, Annie Thrash, Curran Walters, Ashley Love-Mills, Nick Ballard, Charles Justo and Justin Gabriel.

Heather Locklear and Matt Battaglia join the cast as guest stars.

The eight-part drama will kick off with a two-hour premiere at 9:00 pm ET on Monday, August 22.

Ochoa’s other credits include appearances on Burn Notice and Scorpion.

Ochoa Lands Recurring Role on TLC’s Tyler Perry Drama “Too Close to Home”

Christian Ochoa is coming home…

The Cuban-American actor has landed a recurring role on TLC’s first scripted drama series, Too Close to Home, written, directed and produced by Tyler Perry.

Christian Ochoa

The eight-part drama follows Anna (Danielle Savre), a young woman who escaped her working-class upbringing in Alabama to start fresh in Washington, D.C. After making national headlines in a major political scandal involving one of the nation’s most powerful players, she is forced to return to her roots and face a past she thought she’d left behind. Seeking help and forgiveness from the same people she abandoned for a “better” life, Anna finds herself right back where she worked so hard to escape.

Production began this week at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, and the premiere is slated for later this summer.

Heather Locklear and Matt Battaglia join as guest stars. Cast in other leading roles are Brock O’Hurn, Kelly Sullivan, Brad Benedict and Brooke Anne Smith. Series regulars include Alpha Trivette, Trisha Rae Stahl, Robert Craighead, Annie Thrash and Curran Walters.

In addition to Ochoa, others set for recurring roles include Ashley Love-Mills, Nick Ballard, Charles Justo and Justin Gabriel.

“We are thrilled with this dynamic cast for our first-ever scripted project on TLC,” said Nancy Daniels, the cable net’s president and GM. “Tyler Perry has proven time and time again that his characters are at the crux of great storytelling. Too Close to Home is yet another example of that, and we know our viewers will be enthralled with how this story unfolds.”