Tag Archives: Courtney Love

Martinez to Star in Lifetime’s Original Movie About the Menendez Brothers

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Benito Martinez has landed a father of a role…

The 45-year-old Mexican American actor is set to star in Lifetime’s original movie about Lyle and Erik Menendez’s infamous double-murder case.

Benito Martinez

Based on the true story, the movie explores the inner lives and motivation behind the murders of entertainment executive Jose Menendez and his wife Kitty at the hands of their sons Lyle and Erik in 1989. In the months that followed the killings, Lyle and Erik spent their inheritance lavishly, adding to investigators’ suspicions that they were involved in the parents’ deaths. After months of guilt consumed Erik, he confessed to the murders to his psychologist, leading to the eventual arrests of him and older brother Lyle.

Their Los Angeles trial became a national sensation as the public devoured court testimony and the brothers testified that the murders were driven by a lifetime of sexual abuse by their father. After a mistrial and deadlocked jury, the brothers were later re-tried and convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole. Erik and Lyle remain incarcerated today, serving their time in separate prisons nearly 30 years since murdering their parents.

Martinez will portray Jose Menendez, while Nico Tortorella (Younger) and Myko Olivier will play brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, respectively. They join previously announced Courtney Love, who plays mother Kitty Menendez.

Martinez’s credits include American Crime, Sons of Anarchy, Supernatural and Saving Grace.

Smollet’s “Empire” Soundtrack Reaches No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart

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Jussie Smollett is a chart-topper…

The 31-year-old Brazilian actor/singer and the stars of Fox‘s Empire have reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, as the breakout hit series’ soundtrack debuts atop the list.

Jussie Smollett

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

The Empire soundtrack was released March 10 through Columbia Records and bows at the top spot with 130,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending March 15, according to Nielsen Music.

Empire Soundtrack

It’s the first television soundtrack to debut at No. 1 since 2010, when three different Glee albums arrived atop the list.

Empire features contributions from its newcomer cast, like Smollett, as well as hitmakers like Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Estelle, Rita Ora, Juicy J and Courtney Love (all of which have guest-starred on the show).

Empire earned 17,000 units from track equivalent albums (thanks to the strong performance of the set’s multiple Billboard Hot 100 hit singles like “You’re So Beautiful” and “Conqueror“), while it tallied another 3,000 units from streaming equivalent albums.

Also helping matters: During release week, Smollett performed on TV’s The Ellen DeGeneres Show (March 9) and on Fox’s American Idol three days later (joined by fellow cast member Yazz).

Fox to Premiere “Empire,” Featuring de la Fuente, in January

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Rafael de la Fuente is expanding his Hollywood empire…

Fox has announced plans to unveil its new drama series Empire, starring the 28-year-old Venezuelan actor and singer, on January 7, with limited commercial interruption, following the season premiere of American Idol.

Rafael de la Fuente

Empire centers on Lucious Lyon (portrayed by Terrence Howard), a charismatic music superstar who is about to take his company Empire Entertainment public. Taraij P. Henson stars as Lucious’ ex-wife Cookie, and she’s still looking for a share of his success.

de la Fuente portrays Michael Sanchez on the series, which also stars Gabourey Sidibe and guest stars Courtney Love. Timbaland will serve as the song producer and songwriter, creating new tunes for the show and curating old ones.

Idol will air Wednesday, January 7 from 8:00 – 9:00 pm ET and Thursday, January 8 from 8:00 -10:00 pm ET.

Empire will debut that Wednesday from 9:00 – 10:00 pm ET.

The drama hails from Lee Daniels, Danny Strong and Brian Grazer. Empire is from Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television.

de la Fuente’s other television credits include Every With Way, Grachi, Aurora and Mas sabe el diablo.

Michele to Guest-Star on FX’s “Sons of Anarchy”

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Lea Michele is preparing for a world of anarchy…

The 27-year-old part-Spanish actress and Glee star has landed a one-episode guest-starring role on FX‘s Sons of Anarchy, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Lea Michele

Michele announced the news Monday via her Twitter account, writing: “I’ll be appearing on an episode of my favorite show @SonsofAnarchy! Thank you so much @Harparbar & @sutterink #SOAFX.”

Michele will guest-star in the sixth episode of the final season of the Kurt Sutter drama, portraying Gertie, an empathetic truck-stop waitress and single mother who connects with Gemma (Katey Sagal) during a difficult time.

Michele’s episode is scheduled to air on October 14 on FX.

The casting keeps Michele with the 20th Century Fox family, with the studio producing both Glee and Sons of Anarchy.

Michele joins a season-seven cast that also includes Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson, among others.

Sons of Anarchy will return Tuesday, September 9, at 10:00 pm ET on FX, with live post-show Anarchy Afterword airing immediately after.

Glee returns in 2015 with its abbreviated sixth and final season. An exact date has not yet been announced.

Richie Joins Style.com as Official Style Map Contributor

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Nicole Richie is sharing her worldview online…

The 31-year-old part-Mexican American television personality, fashionista and Fashion Star celebrity mentor has officially joined Style.com as a contributor.

Nicole Richie

Richie will offer local coverage of fashion, street style, nightlife, arts and culture for the Fairchild Fashion Media-owned portal as part of its site initiative called Style Map, which adds a roster of 60 boldfaced “man on the street” contributors for a more casual perspective on what makes style and culture tick worldwide.

The feature uses the “tastemaker-curated, city-guide” style of content popular on websites like Forbes.com and upscale mom’s guide ElizabethStreet.com. Each of its 60 Style Map contributors will have complete control over their own blog posts.

One of Richie’s first posts: a 186-word homage to Pressed Juicery, the growing natural beverage chain that was launched by her “close friends” in 2010.

In addition to Richie, other Style Map contributors include New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler, Courtney Love, actress Rose Byrne and Star Trek Into Darkness actor Zachary Quinto.

“We’re providing the framework,” Style.com editor-in-chief Dirk Standen tells The Hollywood Reporter. “We’ve provided guidelines and obviously we will give people feedback and sort of advise them on what we think works. But we’re not going to be editing their words. This is meant to be about them. We have to give up a little bit of control, in a way.”