“Glee” Cast to Reunite for Special Tribute to Naya Rivera’s Character Santana Lopez at GLAAD Media Awards

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Naya Rivera will be the focus of a special tribute at this year’s GLAAD Media Awards…

Glee cast members Jacob Artist, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Vanessa Lengies, Jane Lynch, Kevin McHale, Heather Morris, Matthew Morrison, Alex Newell, Amber Riley, Harry Shum Jr., Becca Tobin, and Jenna Ushkowitz will reunite at the virtual edition of the awards show on April 8 for a special tribute to the legacy of the Santana Lopez, the character portrayed by the late half-Puerto Rican actress/singer and Glee star, who drowned last July while on an outing with her son on California’s Lake Piru.

The tribute will honor the 10-year anniversary of Santana’s coming out as lesbian in the musical comedy. Glee is a GLAAD Media Award winning series and the reunion will spotlight Santana’s impact on LGBTQ teens and Latinx LGBTQ representation on television. Demi Lovato, who played Santana’s girlfriend on Glee, will introduce the special tribute.

The GLAAD Media Awards will be hosted by Niecy Nash and stream on YouTube on April 8 at 8:00 pm ET. The event will also stream on Hulu on April 8 starting at 10:00 pm ET, and will be available to stream on-demand on the streamer until the end of June.

Thorne Joins the Voice Cast of the Animated Film “Underdogs”

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s okay to call Bella Thorne an underdog…

The 17-year-old half-Cuban American actress/singer and former Disney Channel star has joined the voice cast of the animated film Underdogs.

From The Weinstein Co., the Argentine-Spanish family flick from director Juan J. Campanella tracks a shy but talented foosball player who defends his town and his girl from a nefarious soccer player with the help of his foosball table figurines, who come magically to life.

The film is undergoing a Hollywood revision and Ariana Grande, Nicholas Hoult, Matthew Morrison, Katie Holmes, John Leguizamo, Eugenio Derbez, Taran Killam, Bobby Moynihan, and Chazz Palminteri are currently recording English-language dialogue with some script retooling for the domestic audience.

Thorne will voice the younger version of love interest Laura, also played by Grande and Holmes.

Thorne is known for Disney Channel’s Shake It Up and her recurring roles on Dirty Sexy Money and Big Love and was recently seen in theaters in Disney’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. She also guest-starred on CBS’ CSI.

She joins Underdogs after starring in another Weinstein Co. release, the Blumhouse/Dimension-produced Amityville: The Awakening.

Underdogs is set to open in theaters on April 10, 2015.

Leguizamo Joins Voice Cast of the Animated Film “Underdogs”

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

John Leguizamo is an underdog…

The 50-year-old Colombian actor/comedian has landed a voice-acting role in Underdogs, an animated family film being produced by the Weinstein Company.

Leguizamo joins a cast that includes Ariana Grande, Katie Holmes, Matthew Morrison, Nicholas Hoult, and Saturday Night Live‘s Taran Killam and Bobby Moynihan.

The plot involves a childhood foosball rivalry that turns into a magical adventure.

Underdogs, directed by Oscar-winner Juan Jose Campanella, will hit theaters on April 10, 2015.

Michele at the Center of the Sixth and Final Season of an Ohio-Based “Glee”

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Lea Michele’s heading back to the beginning…

The 27-year-old part-Spanish actress and Glee star will be returning to Ohio for the Fox musical dramedy’s sixth and final season.

The truncated season will revolve around Michele’s character Rachel Berry, who returns to Lima after a “humiliating failure” as a television actress.

The former New Directions star will head back home to figure out what she wants to do next and, after discovering that Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) has disbanded the glee club, undertakes the task of reinstating and leading the group that helped launch her career.

Meanwhile, Blaine (Darren Criss), Sam (Chord Overstreet) and Will (Matthew Morrison) have all found new and surprising gigs in Ohio.

Fox notes that other McKinley High alums will also return for Glee‘s final run.

Michele, Criss, Overstreet, Lynch and Morrison will all return as series regulars and be joined by Chris Colfer (Kurt), Dot-Marie Jones (Coach Beiste), Kevin McHale (Artie) and Amber Riley (Mercedes).

Naya Rivera will return with a reduced role. Max Adler has also booked a major recurring role in the final season, reprising his role as Dave Karofsky.

Co-creator Ryan Murphy told The Hollywood Reporter at the Emmys on Monday that he doesn’t currently know what the final scene of the series will be. “I did. I don’t anymore, but I think it will be emotional,” he said.

Murphy told reporters in April that the final season would feature a time jump and focus more on the original castmembers, shifting the focus from its previous relocated home in New York.

“The final season is really its own story and its own location, and while the New York stuff will be alive, the final season is not New York-centric at all,” Murphy said. “It really [will be] a lovely, fitting season that … dwells on the original people that were on the show and what happens to them and how they give back. That really is the last season. … We’ll revisit some of the new kids that came and went. There’s a return of the Jane-Matt characters in a big way. It’s really interesting, a very sweet, satisfying ending to the story.”

Murphy’s original vision for the end of the series featured Rachel and Finn’s (the late Cory Monteith) “star-crossed lovers getting together and having a happy ending and them both getting their dreams.” He added, “The fact that that can’t be is a big pain in all of our hearts.”

Glee‘s final season returns midseason on Fox. An exact premiere date has not yet been determined.

Rivera to Perform “Valerie” on the 100th Episode of “Glee”

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Naya Rivera is preparing to reinterpret one of her most memorable Glee performances…

The 27-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer will offer a new take on her acclaimed performance of Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson’s version of “Valerie” for the Fox musical dramedy’s 100th episode.

In the second season episode entitled “Special Education,” Rivera sang lead on the track by The Zutons during the New Directions’ performance at the 2010 Western Ohio Sectional Championship.

Rivera also performed the track in the Glee: The 3D Concert Movie, which was released in 2011.

This time around, she’ll perform the song alongside Heather Morris (Brittany).

In addition, Rivera will also perform Britney Spears’ “Toxic” with Morris and Diana Agron (Quinn), and “Be Okay” with Lea Michele.

The music in the two-part episode was chosen by the show’s fans, who were asked to pick 10 of the show’s 30 most beloved performances to be remixed and featured on the series’ landmark episode.

Set to air on March 18 and 25 at 8 p.m., the 100th episode will center on Jane Lynch‘s principal Sue Sylvester, who after years of disdain for the New Directions and Matthew Morrison‘s Will Schuester, finally succeeds in ending the glee club in Lima.

Many original castmembers — Morris (Brittany), Harry Shum Jr. (Mike), Mark Salling (Puck), Dancing With the Stars winner Amber Riley (Mercedes), Agron (Quinn) as well as Kristin Chenoweth (April) and Gwyneth Paltrow (Holly Holliday) — will return to say their final goodbyes to Will and each other in the emotional episode.

To honor the milestone, Columbia Records will release Glee: The Music Celebrating 100 Episodes, which will include brand-new versions of Glee favorites from the original cast — including Journey‘s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Pink‘s “Raise Your Glass” and the original song “Loser Like Me.”

The album will be released on March 25.

Here’s the complete 100th Glee tracklist:

1. “Keep Holding On”* featuring Mark Salling (Puck)
2. “Valerie”* featuring Naya Rivera (Santana) and Morris (Brittany)
3. “Defying Gravity”* featuring Lea Michele( Rachel), Chris Colfer (Kurt) and Riley (Mercedes)
4. “Raise Your Glass”* featuring Morrison (Will) and Chenoweth (April)
5. “Toxic”* featuring Rivera (Santana), Morris (Brittany) and Agron (Quinn)
6. “Happy” featuring Paltrow (Holly), Chenoweth (April), Morrison (Will), Darren Criss(Blaine) and Riley (Mercedes)
7. “Party All the Time” featuring Paltrow (Holly)
8. “Total Eclipse of the Heart”* featuring Morrison (Will) and Chenoweth (April)
9. “Loser Like Me”* featuring Criss (Blaine), Kevin McHale (Artie), Chord Overstreet(Sam) and Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina)
10. “Be Okay” featuring Michele (Rachel) and Rivera (Santana)
11. “I Am Changing” featuring Riley (Mercedes) and Colfer (Kurt)
12. “Just Give Me a Reason” featuring Agron (Quinn) and Salling (Puck)
13. “Don’t Stop Believin’”* featuring Michele (Rachel), Criss (Blaine), Colfer (Kurt), Morrison (Will), McHale (Artie) and Ushkowitz (Tina)

* Season-five version

Glee returns from its midseason break on February 25 in its new night and time on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Fox.

Michele Filming Official Music Video for First Solo Album’s Lead Single

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

She may have starred in numerous musical numbers as Glee’s beloved Rachel Berry over the last five years… But Lea Michele is now getting ready to star in her own special clip.

The 27-year-old part-Spanish American singer and one of the stars of Fox’s hot dramedy is filming her first-ever music video as a solo artist. And, she’s shared behind-the-scenes images from her shoot.

“So excited shooting my very first music video today for the first album single,” she tweeted.

Michele has been working on her debut studio album, which is due out sometime next year.

Just one day before her music video shoot, Michele shared some more behind-the-scenes photos from rehearsals for her first live performance of her single.

The songs on the upcoming album will include a song called “You’re Mine,” which Michele said was a tribute to her late boyfriend and co-star, Cory Monteith, who died in July at the age of 31.

“It makes me so happy, this song,” she told E! Online. “It makes me think so much of Cory. It was ours. When I think if him, I play this.”

Michele is the latest Glee star to branch out on their own musically. Naya Rivera released her first single, “Sorry,” in September. And Matthew Morrison has released two albums since Glee launched and will release a special holiday EP, A Classic Christmas, this week.

Jenner Featured in New Trailer for the “Glee” Beatles-Themed Episode

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Blake Jenner is experiencing a case of Beatlemania…

The 21-year-old half-Cuban American actor/singer and his fellow Glee cast mates appear in the latest trailer for Fox’s hit musical dramedy, as they prepare to celebrate the music of the Beatles.

In the trailer, Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) tells the New Directions members at McKinley High that they’ll be embarking on a two-week assignment tackling the music of the Fab Four.

Glee‘s Season 5 premiere is slated for September 26 at 9:00 pm ET on Fox.

Pitbull to Perform on “The Real Change Project: Artists for Education” Special

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Pitbull will be singing for real change…

The 32-year-old Cuban American rap superstar will appear in the upcoming one-hour television charity special, The Real Change Project: Artists for Education, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The special is set to air at 7:00 pm on April 23 on CBS and other syndicated networks, two weeks before National Teacher Appreciation Week.

Miley Cyrus, Lady Antebellum, LMFAO‘s Redfoo and SkyBlu, Jason Mraz, Quincy Jones and Glee‘s Matthew Morrison will also take the stage.

The Real Change, produced in association with Adopt a Classroom, combines celebrities with philanthropy and includes musical performances, interviews and more.

The special will see the musicians — who will sponsor classrooms — go back to their hometown schools, introduce the teachers who inspired them and surprise deserving students and organizations.

“Teachers are often the unsung heroes, while actors, musicians and pro athletes get all the praise. I’m willing to bet, though, that each one of us has had at least one teacher who changed our lives forever,” said Liam Murphy, founder and CEO of Real Change Productions. “The goal of our show is to not only honor these teachers but to also inspire Americans to adopt a classroom and support those who are shaping the minds of tomorrow by providing the supplies that enable them to keep making a difference today.”

Adopt a Classroom is a group that empowers teachers with the resources they need for their classes and increases their students’ chances for success. Teachers can participate by registering on the LiveRealChange.com website. Once they are selected, teachers can use the funds to improve their classrooms.

Rivera Returning to “Glee” Next Season

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Naya Rivera’s headed back to school…

Even though she graduated from William McKinley High School, the 25-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer/actress will be returning to Fox’s Glee next season.

Following the hit musical dramedy’s last season, which saw several of the show’s seniors graduate, series co-creator Ryan Murphy extended an open invitation to all 15 regulars, including Rivera, to return for Season 4. And, it looks like virtually all accepted the offer and are set to return, although not everyone will be in every episode.

Along with Rivera, other returning Glee stars include Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Darren Criss, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz, Jayma Mays, Dianna Agron, Mark Salling, Harry Shum Jr. and Heather Morris.

Each actor’s workload will vary as the show works to accommodate the large cast and make room for new characters, including American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez. Glee has already booked Kate Hudson and Sarah Jessica Parker for multi-episode arcs.

In addition to storylines reasons, some cast members may have reduced presence on the show as they pursue other projects, including features, theater and music.

First Look: Ricky Martin’s Sexy (And I Know It) Glee Appearance

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Naya Rivera helped make this week’s Michael Jackson tribute episode one of Glee’s smoothest events… But things are about to get muy caliente when Ricky Martin mambos his way to McKinley High as part of the hit dramedy’s Spanish-themed edition.

In next week’s episode, the 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actor will guest star as David Martinez, a teacher at a night school that Matthew Morrison’s character attends when his abilities as a Spanish teacher are questioned.

Martin’s musically inclined character will help the New Directions kids complete a sizzling Spanish singing assignment given to them by Will (Morrison).

As he blends in musical performance with Rachel and her friends, David becomes a potential rival for Will’s position at McKinley High.

In a video preview for the episode, Martin calls his Glee experience “one of the favorite moments of my career.”

During that same episode, Sue has big news to announce as she decides to have a child, but people doubt her motherly instinct. Meanwhile, Rachel spills the beans to Kurt and Mercedes on Finn’s marriage proposal, and Mercedes has love complications of her own.

“The Spanish Teacher” will air Tuesday, February 7 at 8/7c on FOX.

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