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

Posted on June 26, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

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.

Sanchez, who gained fame as an entertainment reporter and news anchor, is part of a cast that includes Paris Hilton, Finneas O’Connell, Sandra 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 Fox, Steven Van Zandt, Taylour Paige, Stephen Dorff, John McEnroe, Gina Gershon, Luka Sabbat, Gus Van Sant, Lenny Kravitz, Beverly D’Angelo, Colleen Camp, Gavin Rossdale, Soo Joo Park, Brock O’Hurn, Bella Thorne, Laird 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 News, Extra, Larry King Live, The Joy Behar Show and Showbiz Tonight. Past film credits include Ted 2, White House Down, Celeste & Jesse Forever, We Bought a Zoo, Fantastic Four and Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Akeelah and the Bee, The Longest Yard, The Day After Tomorrow and Fight Club. She’s also been seen on series like Rake, Dirt 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”

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

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.

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 Fight, Ride, Midnight Sun, Assassination Nation, The Babysitter, Amityville: The Awakening, Boo! A Madea Halloween, The DUFF, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, and Blended.

Her television credits include Paradise City, Famous in Love, Shake It Up, Big Love, My Own Worst Enemy and Dirty Sexy Money.

Henri Esteve to Appear on Freeform’s “Grown-ish”

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Watch out, world, Henri Esteve is grownnow…

The 30-year-old Cuban-American actor has landed a recurring role on the upcoming third season of Grown-ish, Freeform’s popular comedy spinoff from ABC’s Black-ish.

Grown-ishis a contemporary take on the issues that students face in the world of higher education, and follows Zoey (Yara Shahidi) and her friends as they return to CalU with confidence and swagger. Learning from the ups and downs of their freshman year, they all think they’ve got their second year on lock, but quickly realize that they’re not as grown as they think.

The cast also includes Luka Sabbat, Trevor Jackson, Francia Raisa, Emily Arlook, Jordan Buhat, Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Deon Cole, and recently upped-to-series-regular Diggy Simmons.

Esteve will play Javier, a gorgeous grad student whom Ana (Raisa) interns with at Cal U. A well-educated Cuban Republican activist, Javi is able to cross party lines with his unwavering morals and his James Deanmystique. Despite having everything in common on paper, Ana will find that Javi challenges her in a way she never expected — both in the workplace and out.

Esteve had a recurring role on Amazon’s Homecomingand most recently appeared on the Syfy pilot(Future) Cult Classic. Hit other credits include appearances on Revengeand NCIS.

Season 3 of Grown-ish premieres at 8:00 pm ET Thursday, January 16, on Disney-owned Freeform.

New Season of Francia Raisa’s Freeform Series “Grown-ish” to Premiere in January

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Francia Raisa is heading back to college next semester…

Freeform has set a January premiere date for the new season of Grown-ish, which features the 31-year-old Mexican and Honduran American actress in the ensemble cast.

The Season 3 premiere of the Black-ish spinoff will serve as the lead-in for the network’s new comedy Everything’s Gonna Be Okayat 8:00 pm on Thursday, January 16.

The gang returns as confident, eager and seasoned upper-classmen, with Zoey and her girls (… and Vivek) moving into an off-campus home, ready to take on the school year. They quickly realize that they have been mistaken about the disillusionment of adulthood, with real-life problems coming for them, including student loans, work/ life balance and, of course, messy breakups. Plus, the season premiere picks up with some of the crew having to deal with the repercussions of their big mistakes before summer break.

From ABC Signature Studios,Grown-ishstars Yara Shahidi, Trevor Jackson, Raisa, Emily Arlook, Jordan Buhat, Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey,Luka Sabbatand Diggy Simmons.

The series will continue to explore important topics including college athletics, cultural appropriation, toxic masculinity, anxiety, burnout and more.

Francia Raisa’s “Grown-ish” to Premiere Second Half of Season 2 in June

Posted on March 30, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Francia Raisais heading to summer school…

Freeform has announced the midseason return of Grown-ish, starring the 30-year-old Mexican and Honduran American actress.

Grown-ish, a spinoff of Freeform corporate sibling ABC’s Black-ish, will kick off the second half of its Season 2 at 8:00 pm on Wednesday, June 5.

After the cliffhanger spring finale, Zoey (Yara Shahidi) and her friends find themselves at dramatic crossroads in their relationships, academics and adulthood. Topics explored in the new episodes will include cultural appropriation, mental health, academic scandal and more.

In addition to Raisa and Shahidi, the cast also includes Trevor Jackson, Emily Arlook, Jordan Buhat, Chloe Bailey,Halle Bailey, Luka Sabbat, Deon Coleand newly promoted series regular Diggy Simmons.

Freeform Renews Francia Raisa’s Comedy Series “grown-ish” for a Third Season

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Watch out world, Francia Raisa is still grown now…

Freeform has ordered a third season of its critically praised series grown-ish, starring the 30-year-old Mexican and Honduran American actress.

The renewal comes amid strong ratings for the spinoff of ABC’s Black-ish. Season to date, grown-ish ranks as the No. 1 comedy on cable among women 18-49 and females 12-34. The series also ranks among this season’s Top 3 cable comedies with women 18-34 (No. 2), adults 18-34 (No. 3) and persons 12-34 (No. 3).

Starring Yara Shahidi, Trevor Jackson, Raisa as Ana Torres , Emily Arlook, Jordan Buhat, Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Luka Sabbatand Deon Cole, grown-ish is a contemporary take on the issues that students face in the world of higher education.

Season 2 follows Zoey (Shahidi) and her friends as they return to CalU with confidence and swagger. Learning from the ups and downs of their freshman year, they all think they’ve got their second year on lock, but quickly realize that they’re not as grown as they think.

Grown-ish is produced by ABC Signature Studiosand executive produced by Kenya Barris.

Grown-ish airs Wednesdays at 8 PM on Freeform.

Freeform to Premiere Season 2 of Francia Raisa’s “Grown-ish” in January

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Francia Raisa is headed back to campus in January…

Freeform has announced that the second season of Grown-ish, starring the 30-year-old Mexican and Honduran American actress, will premiere on January 2 at 8:00 pm ET.

Following their freshman year, Zoey (Yara Shahidi) and her friends are returning for their second year at CalU, during which they’ll soon discover they still have a lot to learn.

Returning alongside Shahidi and Raisa, who portrays Zoey’s roommate Ana Torres, are Trevor Jackson, Emily Arlook, Jordan Buhat, Chloe and Halle Bailey, Luka Sabbat and Deon Cole.

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