Smollett Joins Voices with Alicia Keys for Uplifting Ballad “Powerful”

It’s a powerful moment for Jussie Smollett

The 32-year-old Brazilian actor/singer and Alicia Keys turned up the heat on Empire this week with a duet of their uplifting ballad “Powerful.”

Jussie Smollett & Alicia Keys

Keys is guesting on the series as Skye Summers, a pop star and mentor to Smollett’s character Jamal Lyon.

The two got down to work on their collaboration in Wednesday night’s episode and, well, it all ends in a tender moment.

“Powerful,” a song about hope, change and a “colorful future, where skin don’t define any human,” appears on Empire: Original Soundtrack, Season 2, Vol. 1 (Deluxe).

The album was released last Friday and Fox shared the audio for “Powerful” on the day of release.

Fifth Harmony Named to Billboard’s 21 Under 21 List

Camila Cabello, Lauren Jauregui and Ally Brooke Hernandez are the Latinas on top…

The Latina singers and their fellow Fifth Harmony members have been named to Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list, the music magazine’s annual look at the hottest artists in all genres who can’t yet legally purchase.

Fifth Harmony

The ladies of Fifth Harmony come in at No. 2, up three spots from last year’s ranking.

After heavy touring in 2014, Fifth Harmony finally released the all-girl group’s debut album, Reflection, in 2015. The wait was totally “Worth It,” to quote the title of the smash third single off the album, featuring rapper Kid Ink. The tune climbed to No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the album cracked the top five of the Billboard 200, proving once again that these former The X Factor contestants are a real-deal girl group.

In September, the quintet quickened the pulses of Harmonizers — the name given to its legions of superfans — by announcing that work had begun on album No. 2.

“You’ll have music to soothe your soul soon, everything will be fine, we love you to death and we’re not going anywhere. I promise,” Jauregui told Billboard, looking ahead to another big year.

But the girls of Fifth Harmony aren’t the only ones returning to the 21 Under 21 list.

Becky G comes in at No. 12, dropping three spots from last year’s list.

The 18-year-old Mexican American singer/rapper and soon-to-be Power RangersYellow Ranger was one of the first artists to sing out against Donald Trump.

When Trump made his now-infamous anti-immigrant remarks in June 2015 campaign speech, he was challenged by the singer, rapper, and actress born Rebecca Marie Gomez. Becky G released “We Are Mexico” in the wake of Trump’s comments to show she’s proud of her Latin heritage.

Born in Inglewood, Calif., to parents of Mexican descent, Becky G has incorporated Latin sounds throughout her career, and in 2014, she rose to fame with the singles “Can’t Get Enough” (a Latin Rhythm Airplay chart-topper featuring Pitbull) and “Shower.”

As she continues to prep her debut album — a hotly tipped set she’s prefaced with the 2015 singles “Lovin’ So Hard” and “Break a Sweat” — she’s also found success on TV, playing Valentina Galindo on the Fox series Empire.

Meanwhile, Luis Coronel makes his debut on the list…

The 19-year-old Mexican American singer who is already famous throughout the Latin music world is getting ready to go global.

Born in Tucson, Coronel is prepping album No. 3, the follow-up to last year’s mega-selling Quiero ser tu dueño. That album reached No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart, making Coronel the youngest solo artist in 13 years to rule that particular tally.

With his next LP, the former YouTube star is looking to continue expanding his sound and giving his millions of “Coronelas,” or diehard fans, genre-defying music that incorporates different rhythms.

“We’re adding more instruments and more up-tempo sounds so that people can feel good and dance,” Coronel told Billboard in August, when he debuted the single “Nada Más Por Eso.” “I know that the fans are going to love it, they’re really going to enjoy it.”

Click here to see the complete 21 Under 21 list.

Becky G to Star as the Yellow Ranger in “Power Rangers” Film

Becky G is ready to show her range(r)

The 18-year-old Mexican American singer-songwriter, rap star and actress has joined the cast of Power Rangers, the Lionsgate and Saban Brands reboot of the popular franchise.

Becky G

Becky G, who has appeared on television in Play It Forward and Empire, will take on the role of the Yellow Ranger.

She joins Dacre Montgomery as Red Ranger, Ludi Lin as Black Ranger, R.J. Cyler as Blue Ranger and Naomi Scott as Pink Ranger.

Dean Israelite is directing the first in what the studio and Saban hopes will be a franchise based on the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television series, which mixed a group of young actors with climactic action footage culled from the Japanese television show Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger.

The new film centers on a new group of high school kids who mix their studies and social lives with the mission to save the world.

The film has a January 12, 2017, release date.

Rodriguez to Appear Opposite Gina Rodriguez on the CW’s “Jane the Virgin”

Adam Rodriguez is entering virgin territory…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican/Cuban-American actor has landed a guest-starring role on the CW’s Jane the Virgin.

Adam Rodriguez

Rodriguez, who will appear on several episodes of Empire this season,

will recur on network’s telenovela-based comedy as Jonathan, Jane’s (Gina Rodriguez) very critical writing professor who doesn’t believe in coddling students. Complications, naturally, ensue.

“In the writers room, we broke this arc with Adam in mind and we are all so thrilled to have him,” said Jane the Virgin showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman in a statement. “Wahooo!”

But Rodriguez, who recently starred on the big screen in Magic Mike XXL, has been tapped for another project this season…

He’s set to direct episode 12 of Scorpion’s sophomore season.

CBS Television Studios, which produces both series, has a longstanding relationship with the actor. He starred on CSI: Miami for 10 years, during which time he wrote and directed two episodes. He most recently starred in the studio’s summer legal drama Reckless.

Rodriguez’s other credits include Roswell, Ugly Betty and The Night Shift.

Jane the Virgin’s new season premieres Monday, October 12 at 9 pm ET on The CW.

Scorpion airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on CBS.

Fox Releases New Promo for Smollet’s “Empire”

It’s a whole new Empire (clip) for Jussie Smollett and his television family…

Fox has released a new 55-second promo, titled “Far From Grace,” offering a glimpse into season two of the hip-hop drama Empire, starring the 32-year-old Brazilian American actor/singer.

Jussie Smollett in Empire

The clip mainly shows Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson in their roles as Lucious and Cookie Lyon, but does show Smollett’s character throughout, including a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kiss.

Lucious, whose family is suspected to have put him behind bars as a means to take over Empire records, is shown living in prison throughout the trailer.

“Look at how much we’ve been through. I want my family together,” Lucious’ voice is heard saying over flashes of scenes from the new season.

“Lucious is a musical genius, but he’s lost his way,” Cookie says.

The new promo reveals Cookie visiting Lucious in prison, when her husband says to her, “It’s crazy how I can love you and hate you at the same moment.” She replies, “I call it torture.”

Empire, which is up for three Emmys, returns for season two on September 23 at 9:00 pm on Fox.

Justice Inks Talent Deal with Fox & 20th Century Fox Television

It looks like Victoria Justice’s next television appearance will be on Fox.

The 22-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer has signed a talent deal with Fox and 20th Century Fox Television.

Victoria Justice

As part of the pact, the studio and network will develop joint projects featuring roles specifically tailored for the former Nickelodeon star.

They will also be able to have Justice guest star on existing Fox/20th television series.

The network and studio have young female ensemble horror comedy Scream Queens, and Justice’s background as a recording artist would also make her a good fit for music-fueled projects like Empire and Urban Cowboy

Justice has toplined her own series both on the comedy and drama side with the Nickelodeon sitcom Victorious and MTV thriller Eye Candy.

“We’re thrilled to bring Victoria Justice into the fold as we develop our next round of fresh, young and vibrant material that can be tailored to her distinct point of view and considerable talent,” said Sharon Klein, 20th Century Fox Television’s EVP Casting. “She has an incredibly relevant fan base and major social media presence, making this a truly exciting partnership with unlimited options.”

Justice will next star in the indie romantic comedy Naomi + Ely’s No Kiss List, which will be released September 18 on iTunes.

She’ll also star in this fall’s high school comedy The Outskirts, opening wide November 6.

Her series credits also include Zoey 101 and iCarly

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.

Gomez Receives Four Teen Choice Award Nods in Second Wave of Nominations

Selena Gomez is still the teen choice

The second wave of Teen Choice Awards nominations have been revealed, with the 22-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress leading the pack of Latino nominees with four nods.

Selena Gomez

Gomez, who took home the Ultimate Choice award at last year’s show, is nominated in the Choice Summer Music Star category. She’s up against Demi Lovato, a two-time nominee this round, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna and Taylor Swift.

Additionally, Gomez is nominated for Choice Break-Up Song for her Justin Bieber-inspired single “The Heart Wants What It Wants,” Choice Party Song for “I Want You to Know,” her collaboration with Zedd, Choice Summer Song for her latest single “Good For You,” featuring A$AP Rocky.

Meanwhile, Empire star Jussie Smollett has earned three nominations. The 32-year-old Brazilian American actor/singer is up for Choice TV: Breakout Star, facing off against Jane the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez, a two-time nominee, as well as Empire co-star Bryshere “Yazz” GrayThe Flash’s Grant Gustin and Candice Patton, and Black-ish’s Yara Shahidi.

Other nominees include Fifth Harmony (3), Bruno Mars (2), Sofia Vergara (2), Tyler Posey (1), Bella Thorne (1), Michelle Rodriguez (1), Victor Espinoza (1) and Bella Twins (1).

The show will air live Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. on Fox. Voting for Wave Two is open via Facebook, InstagramTeenChoice.com and Twitter.

From now through July 24 at 12 p.m. PT, fans can vote once each day per category, per platform user ID, for the Wave Two nominees. Teen Choice Awards host(s), performers, presenters and additional nominees will be announced at a later date.

Here are the Wave Two nominees:

Movies

Choice Movie Villain (#ChoiceMovieVillain)
Rose Byrne, Spy
Vincent D’Onofrio, Jurassic World
Jason Statham, Furious 7
Donald Sutherland, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
Bella Thorne, The DUFF
Kate Winslet, Insurgent

Choice Movie Scene Stealer (#ChoiceMovieSceneStealer)
Adam DeVine, Pitch Perfect 2
Chris Evans, Avengers: Age of Ultron
Green Bay Packers, Pitch Perfect 2
Nicholas Hoult, Mad Max: Fury Road
Hailee Steinfeld, Pitch Perfect 2
Miles Teller, Insurgent

Choice Movie Breakout Star (#ChoiceMovieBreakoutStar)
Thomas Brodie-Sangster, The Maze Runner
Cara Delevingne, Paper Towns
Scott Eastwood, The Longest Ride
Taron Egerton, Kingsman: The Secret Service
Thomas Mann, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Elizabeth Olsen, Avengers: Age of Ultron 

Choice Movie Chemistry (#ChoiceMovieChemistry)
Jim Carrey & Jeff Daniels, Dumb and Dumber To
Vin Diesel, Tyrese Gibson, Dwayne Johnson, Ludacris, Michelle Rodriguez & Paul Walker, Furious 7
Anna Kendrick & Brittany Snow, Pitch Perfect 2
Thomas Mann & RJ Cyler, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Dylan O’Brien & Thomas Brodie-Sangster, The Maze Runner
Sofia Vergara & Reese Witherspoon, Hot Pursuit
 

Choice Movie Liplock (#ChoiceMovieLiplock)
Jennifer Lawrence & Liam Hemsworth, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
Blake Lively & Michiel Huisman, The Age of Adaline
Mae Whitman & Robbie Amell, The Duff
Rebel Wilson & Adam DeVine, Pitch Perfect 2
Reese Witherspoon & Sofia Vergara, Hot Pursuit
Shailene Woodley & Theo James, Insurgent

Choice Movie Hissy Fit (#ChoiceMovieHissyFit)
Lewis Black as “Anger,” Inside Out
Bryce Dallas Howard, Jurassic World
Anna Kendrick, Pitch Perfect 2
Melissa McCarthy, Spy
Reese Witherspoon, Hot Pursuit

Choice Summer Movie (#ChoiceSummerMovie)
Inside Out
Jurassic World
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Paper Towns
Spy
Terminator Genisys 

Choice Summer Movie Star: Male (#ChoiceSummerMovieStarMale)
Dwayne Johnson, San Andreas
Chris Pratt, Jurassic World
Paul Rudd, Ant-Man
Adam Sandler, Pixels
Channing Tatum, Magic Mike XXL
Nat Wolff, Paper Towns 

Choice Summer Movie Star: Female (#ChoiceSummerMovieStarFemale)
Emilia Clarke, Terminator Genisys
Cara Delevingne, Paper Towns
Bryce Dallas Howard, Jurassic World
Evangeline Lilly, Ant-Man
Melissa McCarthy, Spy
Amy Poehler as “Joy,” Inside Out

TELEVISION

Choice TV Villain (#ChoiceTVVillain)
“A,” Pretty Little Liars
Tom Cavanagh, The Flash
The Dread Doctors, Teen Wolf
Terrence Howard, Empire
Matt Nable, Arrow
Chris Wood, The Vampire Diaries 

Choice TV: Scene Stealer (#ChoiceTVSceneStealer)
Trai Byers, Empire
Kat Graham, The Vampire Diaries
Dylan O’Brien, Teen Wolf
Sasha Pieterse, Pretty Little Liars
Bella Thorne, Scream
Ashley Tisdale, Young & Hungry 

Choice TV: Breakout Star (#ChoiceTVBreakoutStar)
Bryshere “Yazz” Gray, Empire
Grant Gustin, The Flash
Candice Patton, The Flash
Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin
Yara Shahidi, Black-ish
Jussie Smollett, Empire

Choice TV: Breakout Show (#ChoiceTVBreakoutShow)
Becoming Us
Black-ish
Empire
iZombie
Jane the Virgin
Younger

Choice TV: Chemistry (#ChoiceTVChemistry)
Jensen Ackles & Misha Collins, Supernatural
Trai Byers, Bryshere “Yazz” Gray, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard and Jussie Smollett, Empire
Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Simon Helberg & Kunal Nayyar, The Big Bang Theory
Kat Graham & Ian Somerhalder, The Vampire Diaries
Grant Gustin & Candice Patton, The Flash
Ross Lynch & Laura Marano, Austin & Ally 

Choice TV: Liplock (#ChoiceTVLiplock)
Candice Accola & Paul Wesley, The Vampire Diaries
Nina Dobrev & Ian Somerhalder, The Vampire Diaries
Jennifer Morrison & Colin O’Donoghue, Once Upon a Time
Candice Patton & Grant Gustin, The Flash
Emily Bett Rickards & Stephen Amell, Arrow
Gina Rodriguez & Justin Baldoni, Jane the Virgin
 

Choice Summer TV Show (#ChoiceSummerTVShow)
Baby Daddy
Chasing Life
Faking It
Scream
So You Think You Can Dance
Teen Wolf 

Choice Summer TV Star: Male (#ChoiceSummerTVStarMale)
Tyler Blackburn, Pretty Little Liars
David Lambert, The Fosters
Ross Lynch, Teen Beach 2
Tyler Posey, Teen Wolf
Gregg Sulkin, Faking It
Mike Vogel, Under The Dome

Choice Summer TV Star: Female (#ChoiceSummerTVStarFemale)
Troian Bellisario, Pretty Little Liars
Ashley Benson, Pretty Little Liars
Willa Fitzgerald, Scream
Laura Marano, Austin & Ally
Maia Mitchell, Teen Beach 2
Italia Ricci, Chasing Life

Music

Choice International Artist (#ChoiceInternationalArtist)
2NE1
5 Seconds of Summer
Girls Generation
Little Mix
One Direction
Super Junior 

Choice Country Song (#ChoiceCountrySong)
Luke Bryan, “Kick the Dust Up”
Florida Georgia Line, “Sippin’ On Fire”
Hunter Hayes, “21”
Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time”
Megan & Liz, “That Ghost”
Carrie Underwood, “Little Toy Guns” 

Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song (#ChoiceRBHipHopSong)
Flo Rida featuring Robin Thicke & Verdine White, “I Don’t Like It, I Love It”
Rihanna, “Bitch Better Have My Money”
Rihanna & Kanye West & Paul McCartney, “FourFiveSeconds”
Silento, “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)”
The Weeknd, “Earned It”
Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth, “See You Again” 

Choice Rock Song (#ChoiceRockSong)
George Ezra, “Budapest”
Fall Out Boy, “Uma Thurman”
Hozier, “Take Me To Church”
Imagine Dragons , “I Bet My Life”
Twenty One Pilots, “Tear In My Heart”
X Ambassadors, “Renegades” 

Choice Love Song (#ChoiceLoveSong)
Fifth Harmony, “Sledgehammer”

Little Mix, “Black Magic”
Maroon 5, “Sugar”
One Direction, “Night Changes”
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
The Weeknd, “Earned It” 

Choice Break-Up Song (#ChoiceBreakupSong)
Selena Gomez, “The Heart Wants What It Wants”

Elle King, “Ex’s & Oh’s
Ed Sheeran, “Don’t”
Skrillex & Diplo with Justin Bieber, “Where Are You Now?”
Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood”
Meghan Trainor, “Lips Are Movin”

Choice Party Song (#ChoicePartySong)
One Direction, “No Control”
Rihanna, “B**** Better Have My Money”
Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
Walk The Moon, “Shut Up and Dance”
Zedd featuring Selena Gomez, “I Want You to Know”

Choice Music Breakout Artist (#ChoiceMusicBreakoutArtist)
Andy Grammer
Little Mix
Tove Lo
Rachel Patten
Meghan Trainor
The Weeknd 

Choice Music: Next Big Thing (#ChoiceMusicNextBigThing)
Clark Beckham
Kalin and Miles
Skate Maloley
Bea Miller
Neon Jungle
Spring King 

Choice Music: Collaboration (#ChoiceMusicCollaboration)
David Guetta featuring Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack, “Hey Mama”
Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Skrillex & Diplo with Justin Bieber, “Where Are You Now”
Britney Spears & Iggy Azalea, “Pretty Girls”
Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood”
Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth, “See You Again” 

Choice Song from a Movie or TV Show (#ChoiceMovieTVSong)
Ellie Goulding, “Love Me Like You Do” from Fifty Shades of Grey
Empire Cast featuring Jussie Smollett & Yazz, “You’re So Beautiful”
Jessie J, “Flashlight” from Pitch Perfect 2
Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, Garrett Clayton, Grace Phipps, John Deluca & Jordan Fisher, “Gotta Be Me” from Teen Beach Movie 2
Shawn Mendes, “Believe” from Descendants
Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth, “See You Again” from Furious 7 

Choice Summer Song (#ChoiceSummerSong)
Fifth Harmony featuring Kid Ink, “Worth It”
Selena Gomez featuring A$AP Rocky, “Good For You”
Demi Lovato, “Cool for the Summer”
Omi, “Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix Radio Edit)”
Rachel Platten, “Fight Song”
Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood” 

Choice Summer Music Star: Female (#ChoiceSummerMusicStarFemale)
Selena Gomez

Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Nicki Minaj
Rihanna
Taylor Swift 

Choice Summer Music Star: Male (#ChoiceSummerMusicStarMale)
Justin Bieber
Jason Derulo
Andy Grammer
Shawn Mendes
Ed Sheeran
The Weeknd 

Choice Summer Music Star: Group (#ChoiceSummerMusicStarGroup)
5 Seconds of Summer
Echosmith
Fifth Harmony
Little Mix
Maroon 5
One Direction 

Choice Summer Tour (#ChoiceSummerTour)
5 Seconds of Summer, Rock Out With Your Socks Out
Fall Out Boy & Wiz Khalifa, The Boys of Zummer Tour
Ariana Grande, The Honeymoon Tour
One Direction, On the Road Again Tour
Ed Sheeran, X World Tour
Taylor Swift, The 1989 World Tour

Sports

Choice Male Athlete (#ChoiceMaleAthlete)
American Pharoah & Victor Espinoza
Tom Brady
Stephen Curry
LeBron James
Cristiano Ronaldo
Jordan Spieth

Choice Female Athlete (#ChoiceFemaleAthlete)
The Bella Twins
Simone Biles
Danica Patrick
Ronda Rousey
Serena Williams
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team 

OTHER

Choice Selfie Taker (#ChoiceSelfieTaker)
Justin Bieber
Kylie Jenner
Kim Kardashian
One Direction
Rihanna
Nicole Scherzinger 

Choice Dancer (#ChoiceDancer)
Stephen “tWitch” Boss
Allison Holker
Derek Hough
Les Twins
Chloe Lukasiak
Maddie Ziegler 

Choice Model (#ChoiceModel)
Hailey Baldwin
Cara Delevingne
Gigi Hadid
Kendall Jenner
Karlie Kloss
Robyn Lawley

Smollet to Guest Star on WGN America’s Pre-Civil War Series “Underground”

Jussie Smollett  is going Underground

The 32-year-old Brazilian actor/singer and breakout Empire star will guest-star on two episodes of Underground, WGN America’s pre-Civil War straight-to-series drama about the Underground Railroad.

Jussie Smollett

The series from Sony Pictures Television and Tribune Studios follows a group of slaves who plan a daring escape from a Georgia plantation to cross 600 miles to freedom. They are aided along the way by a secret abolitionist couple running a station on the Underground Railroad, as they evade those tasked with bringing them back — dead or alive.

Smollett is Josey, a wild-eyed runaway who doesn’t trust anyone, not even those stationed along the way who would try to help him.

Smollet will appear alongside his sister, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, in the series. She’ll portray Rosalee, a timid house slave who finds strength within herself.

Underground is expected to premiere in 2016.

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.