Starz Releases First Trailer for “Step Up” Drama Series, Featuring Christina Milian in Role Originated by the Late Naya Rivera

Posted on September 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Milian is finding herself in high water…

Starz has released the official trailer for Season 3 of its popular drama series Step Up, which offers a first look at the 40-year-old Cuban American Grammy-nominated singer and actress as Collette Jones, the role originated by the late Naya Rivera.

Starz also announced the third season of the series, inspired by the Lionsgate film franchise, will launch on Tuesday, October 16.

In addition to Milian, Ne-Yo returns for Season 3 in his co-starring role as Sage Odom. The series also stars Faizon Love, Eric Graise, Terayle Hill, Enrique Murciano and Tricia Helfer.

The hit franchise follows the drama, scandalous romance, betrayals and rivalries told through the intersection of the worlds of music and dance within a highly sought-after performance empire.

Here’s the logline: “Welcome to High Water – a next level incubator for new artistic talent, where danger, corruption, suspicions, desires, resentments, and ambitions collide in and out of the halls of the headquarters. As the label’s talent roster grows, High Water founder and megastar Sage Odom (Ne-Yo) faces murder charges, financial ruin and powerful political enemies. His partner in business and in love, Collette Jones (Milian) struggles to maintain their image as she balances a nationwide tour and stepping out of her role as the woman behind the empire all while carrying a secret that threatens to ruin it all.

Caught in the maelstrom is a collective of talented young artists that have been mentored to become top selling rappers and dance superstars: Rigo (Terrence Green), Poppy (Kendra Willis), Tal (Keiynan Lonsdale), Davis (Carlito Olivero), Odalie (Jade Chynoweth) and mysterious newcomer Angel (Rebbi Rosie), who all find that living your dream has a price.”

Step Up is created and executive produced by Holly Sorensen. Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot, who served as producers on the original Step Up films, also executive produce through their Offspring Entertainment banner. Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, who both co-starred in the original Step Up film, also executive produce through Free Association production company and Everheart Productions, Inc., respectively.

Dawn Wilkinson serves as director and executive producer.

Starz had announced a new season of Step Up a little over a month after Rivera lost her life in a swimming accident in Lake Piru. She was 33.

The decision was made to recast her role along with the support of the cast, producers and Rivera’s family, after careful consideration of several factors, including the highly serialized nature of the show and the fact that her character is so central to the storytelling, according to Starz.

Step Up Season 3 will premiere October 16 at midnight on the Starz app, all StarzPlay streaming and on-demand platforms, and internationally on the StarzPlay premium streaming platform across all territories. On linear, it will debut on Starz at 10:00 pm ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada.

Enrique Murciano to Star in Starz’s Reimagined “Step Up” Series

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Murciano is steppin’ up…

The 47-year-old Cuban American actor has been cast in the new installment of Starz’s re-imagined Step Up series.

Murciano will serve as a series regular on the series, joining Christina Milian and Ne-Yo.

The series hails from creator and executive producer Holly Sorensen, Starz and Lionsgate Television. Starz will air the first two seasons of the series beginning on Friday, March 5 across all platforms.

Inspired by the Step Up Lionsgate film franchise that grossed over $600 million at the worldwide box office, the original series centers on Sage Odom (Ne-Yo) as the legendary founder of Atlanta’s famed High Water Performing Art School. Collette (Milian is the Queen of High Water and Sage Odom’s partner in art, business, and love. Collette built and nurtured Sage’s visionary academy from the ground up. Grinding her way to the top with grit and resourcefulness, Collette earned a new role, manager of Sage Odom and his tour, all this while hiding a dark secret. As this secret comes crashing down on Sage, High Water, and the tour, Collette is tempted by an opportunity to step out of her role as the woman behind the man, to become the powerful woman in front of the man.

Murciano plays “Cruz,” a man hoping to carve his face into the Mount Rushmore of high profile, celebrity lawyers and who will do whatever it takes to claw his way to the primetime status of Cochran, Dershowitz, and Geragos, finally joining the pantheon of litigation gods. The case that will get him there, Sage Odom’s murder accusation. As Cruz fights through the intrigue and conspiracy to save Sage’s life and career, he can’t help but think to the future, imagining himself sauntering down a red carpet like an urban cowboy in his sharply tailored Dries Van Noten.

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, who both co-starred in the original Step Up film, will executive produce through Free Association production company and Everheart Productions, Inc., respectively..

The series is inspired by the Lionsgate franchise spanning five films: Step Up, Step Up 2: The Streets, Step Up: 3D, Step Up: Revolution and Step Up: All In. The film series also inspired the live music and dance show Step Up Dubai, All In! at Motiongate Dubai theme park.

The new Step Up series will air on Starz in the U.S. and Canada and on its international streaming platform Starzplay across Europe, Latin America and Japan.

Murciano’s previous credits include Tell Me Your Secrets, Bloodline and Without a Trace.

Christina Milian to Star in New Installment of Starz’s Drama Series “Step Up” in Role Originated by Naya Rivera

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Milian is stepping in and stepping up…

The 39-year-old Cuban American Grammy-nominated singer and actress has been cast in the lead role originated by the late Naya Rivera in the new installment of Starz’s Step Up drama series.

Milian will portray Collette in the series, which hails from creator and executive producer Holly Sorensen, Starz and Lionsgate Television.

The series began filming in Atlanta this month. Starz will air the first two seasons of the series, which originally aired on YouTube with Rivera as Collette, beginning on Friday, March 5 across all platforms.

In addition to Milian, Ne-Yo returns in his co-starring role as Sage Odom, along with returning series regulars Faizon Love (Uncle Al), Jade Chynoweth (Odalie), Carlito Olivero (Davis), Terrence Green (Rigo), Eric Graise (King), and Kendra Oyesanya (Poppy) and previously announced Tricia Helfer (Erin) who joins the cast in a series regular role.

“I am so excited to join the Step Up family,” said Milian. “I know I have massive shoes to fill. Naya was incredible. I hope to honor Naya, her family, friends and fans with a great performance.”

Starz had announced a new season of Step Up a little over a month after Rivera lost her life in Lake Piru. She had gone missing on July 8, 2020, while swimming with her son at the Ventura County, CA lake. Her body was discovered five days later. She was 33.

The decision was made to recast her role along with the support of the cast, producers and Naya’s family, after careful consideration of several factors, including the highly serialized nature of the show and the fact that Naya’s character is so central to the storytelling, according to Starz.

“Naya’s death was a terrible loss to our world that we will, frankly, never stop mourning,” added creator and executive producer Sorensen. “It was almost impossible to consider there could be someone so graceful and loving who could both help us honor our loss, while also bringing a deep reservoir of talent to our show, in so many areas. Christina is an exceptional human and a dazzling performer and we are so happy she has joined our family.”

Inspired by the Step Up Lionsgate film franchise that grossed over $600 million at the worldwide box office, the original series centers on Sage Odom (Ne-Yo) as the legendary founder of Atlanta’s famed High Water Performing Art School. Collette is the Queen of High Water and Sage Odom’s partner in art, business, and love. Collette built and nurtured Sage’s visionary academy from the ground up. Grinding her way to the top with grit and resourcefulness, Collette earned a new role, manager of Sage Odom and his tour, all this while hiding a dark secret. As this secret comes crashing down on Sage, High Water, and the tour, Collette is tempted by an opportunity to step out of her role as the woman behind the man, to become the powerful woman in front of the man.

“There is no replacing Naya. Let’s get that straight. Her spirit lives on in our memories and every part of what this show is and will be,” said Ne-Yo. “Christina has big shoes to fill and she knows it, which speaks to her poise and respect as a person and an artist. I’m more than certain of her ability to bring an energy and light to this character that Naya’s fans as well as the rest of the world will love. We’ve welcomed Christina with absolute open arms and have rallied around her with love and support. I’m excited and can’t wait for the world to see this!”

The series is inspired by the Lionsgate franchise spanning five films: Step Up, Step Up 2: The Streets, Step Up: 3D, Step Up: Revolution and Step Up: All In. The film series also inspired the live music and dance show Step Up Dubai, All In! at Motiongate Dubai theme park.

The new Step Up series will air on Starz in the U.S. and Canada and on its international streaming platform Starzplay across Europe, Latin America and Japan.

Christina Milian to Star in an Alicia Keys-Produced Netflix Rom-Com

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Milian is returning to Netflix…

The 38-year-old Afro-Cuban American singer/actress will star in the Alicia Keys-produced untitled Netflix romantic comedy that explores the bonds of love and family.

Milian, who previously starred on the Netflix film Falling Inn Love and appeared on Netflix’s series Soundtrack, will star opposite Jay Pharoah, and Sinqua Walls will star in the film, which is being directed by Steven Tsuchida.

The script was co-written by Dana Schmalenberg and Rheeqrheeq Chainey. It centers around an aspiring pop star, Erica, who ends up as the entertainment at her ex-fiancé’s wedding after reluctantly taking a gig at a luxurious island resort while in the wake of a music career meltdown. She tries to keep their past relationship a secret from his bride-to-be Beverly, but Erica rediscovers her feelings for her ex, Jason, despite his brother Caleb’s attempts to keep them from falling back in love. The question soon becomes will Erica sing at Beverly’s wedding – or her own?

Filming will take place in Mauritius.

Milian, known for her hit singles “AM to PM,” “Dip It Low” and “Whatever U Want,” has previously starred in A Snow Globe Christmas and East Los High.

Christina Milian Joins Cast of Sony Crackle’s Drama Series “The Oath”

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Milian is taking The Oath…

The 36-year-old Cuban-American singer, songwriter and actresshas been cast as a series regular on the sophomore season of The Oath, Sony Crackle’s gritty drama from executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

Zulay Henao will recur during Season 2, which has begun production in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Created by Joe Halpin, The Oathexplores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies that are nearly impossible to join. Only a select few make the cut — but once inside, members will do what they must to protect each other from enemies on the outside and from within their own ranks.

Season 2, which was ordered in April, finds the Ravens trying to free themselves from their debt to the cartel. The season will examine themes of family and redemption, giving the characters a chance to reclaim their lives as their own, pushing them to find a new path and attempting to conquer their inner demons – all while trying to protect their own lives in the process.

Milian will play Christine Parks, a second-generation Raven — her father was one of the gang’s founders — and partner of Kraley (Andrew Howard). She grew up admiring her dad and wants to follow in his footsteps.

Milian’s previous credits include Grandfathered and East Los High.

Henao will recur as Carmen Velasquez, the older sister of Ricardo and daughter of Ignacio who, after living most of her life surrounded by violence, is trying to move the family toward a legitimate business.

Henao was a regular on OWN’s Tyler Perrydrama If Loving You Is Wrong.

Cast members also returning for Season 2 include Howard, Law, Ryan Kwanten— who’s also a producer — Cory Hardict, J.J. Soria, Elisabeth Röhm, Michael Malarkey, Isaac Keys, Kim Delaney, LaToya Tonodeo and Braulio Castillo.

Justice Strips Down to Her Skivvies for Her “Rocky Horror Picture Show” Song

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Victoria Justice is stripping down and camping it up for the cameras…

The 23-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer gets down to her underwear in a new sneak peek at her interpretation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show tune “Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me” from Fox‘s reboot of the gender-bending musical.

Wearing only a bra and slip, Justice belts out the campy tune while Dr. Frank-N-Furter‘s dopey monster, Rocky (Staz Nair), paws at her.

Justice takes on the role of the virginal Janet opposite vanilla fiancé Brad (Ryan McCartan) in the prime-time musical that will also star Orange is the New Black‘s Laverne Cox as Frank, as well as Adam Lambert, Christina Milian, Reeve Carney, Annaleigh Ashford and original Frank, Tim Curry, in a cameo.

Fox’s remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be broadcast on October 20.

Fox to Broadcast Justice’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” in October

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It will be a Rocky Halloween for Victoria Justice…

Fox will air its remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, starring the 23-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer, in October. A specific date was not announced.

A re-imagining of the original movie, the two-hour event follows sweethearts Janet Weiss (Justice) and Brad Majors (Ryan McCartan), who stumble upon the bizarre abode of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Laverne Cox), a sexually ambiguous, flirtatious alien mad scientist. She’s holding an annual Transylvanian science convention to showcase the birth of Rocky Horror – a fit, attractive man (Staz Nair) created solely to fulfill Frank’s desires.

The cast also includes Adam Lambert (Eddie), Reeve Carney (Riff Raff), Annaleigh Ashford (Columbia), Christina Milian (Magenta), Ivy Levan (Usherette), Ben Vereen (Dr. Everett Scott) and Tim Curry, the original Frank-N-Furter, as the show’s Criminologist Narrator.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is executive produced by original Rocky Horror EP Lou Adler, along with Gail Berman and Kenny Ortega.

Fox 21 Television Studios is the producer.

Milian to Star Opposite John Stamos in Fox’s Comedy Pilot “Grandpa”

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Milian is ready for an ancestral project…

The 33-year-old Afro-Cuban American singer and star of her own E! reality series has landed a lead role opposite John Stamos and Josh Peck in Fox’s single-camera comedy pilot Grandpa.

From ABC Studios and 20th Century Fox Television, the project centers on Jimmy (Stamos), a charismatic longtime bachelor whose life is upended when he discovers he’s a father — and a grandfather.

Peck plays Gerald, the son Jimmy didn’t know he had – a sweet unemployed techie who is himself the proud and surprisingly capable father of a two-year-old daughter, the product of a one-night stand with the sexy Vanessa (Milian), described as a hip, hot mess. Just when she seems to be warming up to Gerald at least, she meets Jimmy — and is instantly attracted to this older, cooler man, a complication that doesn’t bode well for Gerald.

Grandpa was written by Danny Chun.

Milian’s previous television acting credits include appearances on A Gifted Man, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Meet the Browns and Smallville.

Milian to Headline Her Own E! Reality Series

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

The cameras are rolling on Christina Milian’s life…

The 32-year-old Afro-Cuban American singer will headline her own reality series on E!

The series, with the working title Christina Milian, will shine a spotlight on the “Dip It Low” singer’s day-to-day life.

Since she was a teenager, Milian has lived life in the public eye. Hit songs, film roles and paparazzi focus have come, gone and come back again, but the one constant in her life has always been her family.

Whether from her passionate mother and business partner, her strong-willed sisters, her hip-hop producer fiancé or even her adorable 4-year old daughter; everyone has an opinion about the next move in Christina’s career and in her life…and they all are more than happy to voice it.

Drama, comedy and touching reality will all be on display in this fiery family docusoap, which is being produced by Banca Studio and G3 Productions in association with Lionsgate Television.

“E! continues to deliver for the pop culture fan through buzzy original programming, unparalleled entertainment news, and innovative digital initiatives,” said Suzanne Kolb, President, E! Entertainment.

Milian will serve as an executive producer on the series.

Milian Makes Cameo Appearance in Birdman’s “Tapout” Video

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

If you’ve missed Christina Milian on The Voice, don’t worry… She’ll be back for the live rounds soon. But in the meantime, check her out in her latest cameo…

The 31-year-old Afro-Cuban American singer appears in Birdman’s new video “Tapout.”

It’s the first single off of the Cash Money Records co-founder’s soon-to-be-released album Rich Gang: Flashy Lifestyle; and it features Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Mack Maine and Future,

Along with Birdman’s collaborators, the five-minute clip features appearances by Milian, Paris Hilton and Kimora Lee Simmons as thieves posing as waitresses in a glamorous cocktail party out to pull off a heist in the ritzy mansion event venue.

In classic cat burglar style, Hilton and Milian successfully manage to break into the safe where all the cash and jewels are stashed. As they are about to escape, the rich owner and the cops get on their trail, capturing Milian but not Hilton, who easily walks away with the loot, giving Milian a knowing wink, revealing that the capture is a clever distraction.

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