Shakira to Take Part in Global Citizen’s “Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – The Concert”

Shakirais going global…

Global Citizen and the European Commission have joined forces for Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – The Concert, with the43-year-oldColombian singer-songwriter set to perform.

Shakira

Dwayne Johnson will host the event, which will take place on Saturday, June 27. 

The Concertwill be televised worldwide and digitally streamed special that will highlight the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on marginalized communities.

In addition to Shakira, The Concertwill feature performances from Jennifer HudsonChloe x HalleChristine and the QueensColdplayJ BalvinJustin Bieber and Quavo, Miley CyrusUsher and Yemi Alade

In addition, there will be appearances from Billy PorterCharlize TheronChris Rock, David BeckhamDerrick JohnsonDiane KrugerForest WhitakerHugh JackmanKen JeongKerry Washington,Nikolaj Coster-WaldauOlivia ColmanOpal TometiSalma Hayek PinaultAntoni Porowski and more.

“Global Citizens around the world are calling for systemic change, change that brings about justice for everyone, everywhere, regardless of where they were born or the colour of their skin,” said Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen. “If we are to end COVID-19 for all, we need our world leaders to commit the billions of dollars needed to develop and equitably deliver testing, treatments and vaccines. Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – The Concertwill bring the centuries-old concept of music as a motivator for change and unity, together with science and data, to honour the problem solvers – including doctors, scientists, lab workers, essential workers and human rights advocates – who are racing to not only create the cure for COVID-19, but also to ensure that it’s available for everyone who needs it.”

The Concertwill air on broadcasters across the globe including ARD,Canal+ GroupRTVE in Europe, Bell Media, CBCCitytv, and Global TV, in Canada, NBC and iHeartMedia in the U.S.,Grupo Globo in Brazil, MultiChoice Group and SABC in Africa, Fuji TV and Star India in Asia, and Channel Nine in Australia. 

The Concert will also be streamed on global platforms. 

The virtual broadcast will celebrate innovators, scientists, health workers, activists and organizations working to develop and distribute COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines to everyone, everywhere who need them.

The Concertfollows Global Goal: Unite for Our Future—The Summit, a global pledging moment where world leaders, corporations and philanthropists will announce new commitments to help develop equitable distribution of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines, as well as rebuild communities devastated by the pandemic. 

The Summit will feature panel discussions and interviews moderated by journalists Katie CouricMallika KapurMorgan RadfordIsha Sesay and Keir Simmons. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Miley Cyrus, Angelique Kidjo and Ken Jeong will join the conversation as well as experts including Brittany Packnett CunninghamMelinda GatesDr. Vin GuptaNAACP President Derrick Johnson, Executive Director of UN WomenPhumzile Mlambo-NgcukaEddie NdopuAbiola OkeKate Upton and Justin Verlander.

George Lopez to Take Part in Comedy Fundraiser for Feeding America

George Lopez is helping to feed America

The 59-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor will take part in the Byron Allen-driven comedy fundraiser for Feeding America.

George Lopez

The fundraiser will be held on Sunday, May 10 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET, with NBCbroadcasting the show. 

In addition to Lopez, the program will include participation from Sebastian Maniscalco, JB SmooveJim GaffiganJudd Apatow, Jack BlackCedric the EntertainerWhitney CummingsJim GaffiganBrad GarrettWhoopi GoldbergKevin James, Sarah Silverman and Kenan Thompson.

Others taking part include Kevin HartChris RockAdam SandlerEddie MurphyBilly Crystal, Marlon WayansHowie MandelTiffany HaddishBrad GarrettTaraji P. HensonLouie AndersonMargaret Cho, Kenan ThompsonMarc MaronJon LovitzCaroline RheaByron AllenBilly Gardell, Tim MeadowsJamie KennedyBill Engvalland Sheryl Underwood.

Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group television production division Entertainment Studios and Funny or Die will be producing the live-streaming comedy event.

The fundraiser will support the hunger-relief organization Feeding America

Additionally, the event will livestream on the Allen Media Group TV networks Comedy.TV and The Weather Channel, as well as on the free streaming service app Local Now.

Pre-recorded comedy segments will be featured during the three-hour event. Committed to appearing are Hart, Sandler, Murphy, Rock, etc.

Allen, founder/chair/CEO of Entertainment Studios/Allen Media Group, said the benefit will help hungry people who are straining the resources of the nation’s food banks during the pandemic shutdown. 

“Laughter is often the best medicine, and we are extremely motivated to bring attention to issues of food insecurity, and to assist in providing meals to families across the country who are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said Wednesday.

“The coronavirus pandemic and the economic downturn it has created is shining a light on the fragile nature of people’s household budgets,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks. “Millions more of our neighbors are turning to food banks for help and we cannot thank Byron Allen and Allen Media Group enough for their support to raise funds and awareness of our work.”

Andy Garcia to Star Opposite Kenan Thompson in NBC’s Comedy Pilot “The Kenan Show”

It’s a big first for Andy Garcia

The 62-year-old  Cuban actor and director will star opposite Kenan Thompson in NBC’s single-camera comedy pilot The Kenan Show (fka Saving Kenan), from Universal Television

Andy Garcia

This marks Garcia’s first television series regular role.

Written by Jackie Clarke and directed by Chris RockThe Kenan Show centers on a newly widowed dad (Thompson) determined to be everything for his kids while begrudgingly letting his persistent father-in-law, Percy (Garcia), a retired police officer, become more involved in their lives.

Thompson, Clarke and Rock executive produce with Lorne Michaelsand Andrew Singerfor Broadway Video.

This is a rare televisoin acting gig for Garcia whose biggest series commitment to date had been an arc on HBO’s Ballers. He received two Emmynominations for the HBO film For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story

In features, Garcia appeared in Mamma Mia: Here We Go AgainBook ClubThe Mule and Bentlast year. 

This spring, he’ll begin production on Brian Petsos’ film Big Gold Brick and will star in Words on Bathroom Walls directed by Thor Freudenthal

He also will be seen in Amazon’s anthology series Modern Romance.

Salma Hayek to Star in Sally Potter’s Latest, Still-Untitled Film

Salma Hayek is embracing the drama…

The 52-year-old Mexican actress has joined the impressive cast for The Party and Orlando writer-director Sally Potter’s latest film.

Salma Hayek

In addition to the Frida star, the cast for the untitled drama includes Javier BardemElle FanningChris Rock and Laura Linney.

Production is underway in Spain on the feature; it will also shoot on location in New York in January.

The untitled drama follows 24 turbulent hours in the life of father and daughter Leo (Bardem) and Molly (Fanning) as she grapples with the challenges of dealing with her father’s apparently chaotic mental state. As they weave their way around New York City, their ordinary but stressful day takes on a hallucinatory and epic quality as Leo is flowing in and out of several parallel lives; a passionate marriage with his childhood sweetheart Dolores (Hayek) in Mexico; a struggling career as a drummer in Manhattan with his more successful lover, Adam (Rock); and a life of solitude on a remote Greek island, where a chance encounter with two young tourists unmasks some uncomfortable truths.

HanWay Films Vice Chairman Peter Watson commented, “We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Sally Potter and to help her realise this mesmerising story of one man’s life distilled into a day in New York. We’re also particularly excited to be partnering under a worldwide deal with our colleagues at Bleecker Street who share our taste in cinema.”

Torres Lands Recurring Role on ABC’s “The Catch”

Gina Torres has landed The Catch of the day…

The 47-year-old Cuban American actress has landed a recurring role on the second season of the ABC drama series The Catch, from Shonda RhimesShondaLand and ABC Studios.

Gina Torres

As usual with ShondaLand shows, no details about Torres’ character have been revealed.

Executive produced by Rhimes, The Catch centers on Alice Vaughan (Mireille Enos), a private investigator for high-end clients. Torres joins T.R. Knight, who also was recently cast in a recurring role.

Torres just wrapped her starring role as Jessica Pearson on USA Network’s Suits in this week’s Season 6 summer finale, having been with the legal drama series since its launch.

At ABC and ABC Studios, Torres toplined the drama pilot The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez this past season and previously recurred on Revenge

Her other notable television roles include the shotgun-toting mercenary Zoe Washburne on Joss Whedon’s Firefly, (she also played the character in Whedon’s feature Serenity), the soul-eating Jasmine on Whedon’s Angel and a recurring gig on NBC’s Hannibal

Torres film work includes The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions and I Think I Love My Wife opposite Chris Rock.

Ferrera to Serve as a Presenter at This Year’s Primetime Emmy Awards

America Ferrera has a date with Emmy

The Television Academy has announced the second group of presenters for the 68th Emmy Awards, with the 32-year-old Honduran American actress making the list.

America Ferrera

In addition to Ferrera, who won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2007 for her starring role in Ugly Betty, the list includes Laverne Cox, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kit Harington, Matt LeBlanc, Joel McHale, Chris Rock, Jeffrey Tambor, Kerry Washington and Damon Wayans.

The 68th Emmy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will air at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT on Sunday, September 18 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Ferrera currently stars on NBC’s comedy series Superstore.

Trailer Released for Thorne’s Latest Film “Boo! A Madea Halloween”

Bella Thorne is Mad(ea) about Halloween

The official trailer has been released for Tyler Perry’s latest Madea installment, Boo! A Madea Halloween, which stars the 18-year-old half-Cuban American actress/singer.

Bella Thorne

What started as a joke in Chris Rock‘s Top Five prompted Perry to launch the latest installment in the Madea franchise (also the original title Rock created as a spoof).

During an appearance on The Tonight Show, Perry told host Jimmy Fallon that Lionsgate called him because they loved the idea.

“Dude, it’s a joke in Chris’ movie!” Perry said. “But then I came up with the concept, and it’s pretty damn funny.”

As per usual with Perry’s movies, he wrote, directed, produced and stars in Boo! 

The trailer opens with what appears to be a customary horror film, until Madea steps in and punches a clown. It’s Halloween, and she’s eager to make some money — even if it means keeping her eye on a group of rebellious teens (Thorne, Diamond White) who want nothing more than to hit the party around the corner.

The girls won’t be Madea’s only challenge, though. Throughout the trailer, she encounters ghosts, zombies and killers, among others.

“You see white people?” Joe whispers, prompting screams from the entire room.

Jimmy Tatro and Cassi Davis round out the film’s cast.

Boo! A Madea Halloween hits theatres this October.

Pitbull to Guest Star on Fox’s Hip Hop Drama “Empire”

Pitbull is in an Empire state of mind…

Fox has officially announced that the 34-year-old Cuban American rap superstar will guest star on its smash hip hop drama Empire.

Pitbull

The musician and actor will play himself and perform “No Doubt About It” with Jamal (Jussie Smollett), in an episode slated to air this fall.

Mariah Carey also is coming on board for Season 2.

Previously announced for Season 2 appearances are Marisa Tomei as recurring and guest stars Mariah Carey, Chris Rock, Kelly Rowland, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Adam Rodriguez, among others.

Empire Season 2 premieres Wednesday, September 23 at 9:00 pm on Fox.

Rodriguez to Appear on Fox’s Hip-Hop Drama “Empire”

Adam Rodriguez is about to (hip) hop into a hit series…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican/Cuban-American actor and former CSI: Miami star has joined the cast of the second season of Fox’s hip-hop drama Empire in a recurring role.

Adam Rodriguez

Rodriguez will play Laz Delgado, a smooth-talking concert promoter with expert hustler skills. Laz is a native New Yorker and former EMT who takes an interest in Cookie.

Rodriguez joins previously announced guest stars Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz and Ne-Yo.

As previously reported, Season Two premieres September 23 at 9:00 pm on Fox.

Best known for his role as Eric Delko on CSI: Miami, Rodriguezhas a recurring role on the medical drama The Night Shift and will next be seen in Magic Mike XXL opposite Channing Tatum and Joe Manganiello.

Dawson to Announce This Year’s Spirit Award Nominees

Rosario Dawson has the spirit, yes she does…

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban American actress, who has earned critical acclaim for her work in Chris Rock’s Top Five, has been tapped to announce this year’s 2015 Spirit Award nominees, according to Film Independent president Josh Welsh.

Rosario Dawson

The Sin City: A Dame To Kill For star will be joined by Mexican actor Diego Luna, who directed Dawson in his Cesar Chavez biopic Chavez.

They’ll announce the nominees at 10:00 am PT on Tuesday, November 25, at the W Hollywood.

Spirit Award winners will be announced on February 21 under Film Independent’s signature tent on the beach in Santa Monica.