Danell Leyva to Receive The Vanguard Award at the OUTshine Film Festival

Danell Leyva is officially a vanguard

The 31-year-old Cuban–American former-gymnast-turned-actor and Clocked star will receive The Vanguard Award at the OUTshine Film Festival, where the drama marking the feature debut of writer-director Noah Salzman will make its East Coast premiere on April 26th.

The prize recognizes notable individuals in entertainment for their contributions in helping to tell LGBTQ+ stories, as well as exemplifying outstanding leadership and support of community equality, representation and education.

Also starring Germain Arroyo, Marisa Davila, Armand Fields and Brandon HudsonClocked tells the story of Adolfo Rivera (Arroyo), an 18-year-old Puerto Rican boxer from a conservative Catholic family in Miami, Florida. Adolfo may be remarkably talented in the ring, but his family’s dreams for his profession are far different from what Adolfo has in mind. And Adolfo is secretly saving his winnings for the biggest fight of his life: self-acceptance in his desire to transition into a woman.

Leyva stars as Ramon Rivera.

His other credits include Love, Victor series and Lexi.

Paramount+ Releases First Trailer for Marisa Davila’s “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies” Series

Marisa Davila is a (pink) lady…

Paramount+ has released the first teaser trailer for its upcoming series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, starring the Latina actress.

Marisa DavilaThe musical comedy is set to premiere on April 6.

Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies takes place four years before the original Grease; in 1954 before rock ‘n’ roll ruled, before the T-Birds were the coolest in the school, four fed-up, outcasts dare to have fun on their own terms, sparking a moral panic that will change Rydell High forever.

In addition to Davila, who plays Jane, the prequel series also stars Cheyenne Isabel Wells as Olivia, Ari Notartomaso as Cynthia, Tricia Fukuhara as Nancy, Shanel Bailey as Hazel, Madison Thompson as Susan, Johnathan Nieves as Richie, Jason Schmidt as Buddy, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper as Wally and Jackie Hoffman as Asst. Principal McGee.

“Our characters will get to experience from a different lens and how those experiences overlap with others with a marginalized identity,” says Notartomaso. “I think we have the opportunity to represent another struggle that overlaps with things we’re dealing with today like racism.”

Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is written and executive produced by creator Annabel Oakes, who also serves as showrunner.

The series will feature new original music, written and executive produced by Justin Tranter, a Grammy-nominated songwriter. Jamal Sims, whose work has appeared in When the Beat Drops, 13 The Musical, and RuPaul’s Drag Race, will choreograph the musical numbers for the series. Alethea Jones will direct the first episode and produce.

Marisa Davila to Star in the Prequel Musical Series “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies”

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Marisa Davila is tickled pink

The Latina actress has been cast in Paramount+’s prequel series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies as principal photography gets underway in Vancouver, Canada.

Marisa DavilaIn addition to Davila, who stars as Jane, the project also stars Cheyenne Isabel Wells as Olivia, Ari Notartomaso as Cynthia, Tricia Fukuhara as Nancy, Shanel Bailey as Hazel, Madison Thompson as Susan, Johnathan Nieves as Richie, Jason Schmidt as Buddy, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper as Wally and Jackie Hoffman as Asst. Principal McGee.

The musical series takes place in 1954, four years before the original Grease, before rock ‘n’ roll ruled and before the T-Birds were the coolest in the school. It follows four fed-up outcasts who dare to have fun on their own terms, sparking a moral panic that will change Rydell High forever.

Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is written and executive produced by creator Annabel Oakes, who also serves as showrunner.

Alethea Jones will direct the pilot plus two more episodes and will executive produce.

Choreography by Jamal Sims and music by Grammy nominee and executive music producer Justin Tranter.

The series will feature new original music, written and executive produced by Tranter, a Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer known for albums by Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga’s and The Chicks. Sims, whose work has appeared in When the Beat Drops, 13 The Musical and RuPaul’s Drag Racewill choreograph the musical numbers for the series.

“We are thrilled to unveil our new original series that will introduce an incredible cast of young stars in the making and electrifying musical numbers you will fall in love with,” said Nicole Clemens, President, Paramount Television Studios & Paramount+ Original Scripted Series. “Annabel and Alethea have managed to brilliantly capture the spirit of the iconic beloved classic film which like Rise of the Pink Ladies, is both set in the past but relevant to the present.”