Tag Archives: OCD

Pablo Castelblanco to Star in Reba McEntire’s Untitled NBC Comedy Pilot

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Pablo Castelblanco is on the Reba-ound…

The Colombian actor has been cast in Reba McEntire’s untitled NBC comedy pilot.

Pablo CastelblancoCastelblanco is among a roster of new cast additions that Tokala Black Elk and Rex Linn.

The pilot follows Bobbie (McEntire) who inherits her father’s restaurant and is less than thrilled to discover that she has a new business partner in the half-sister she never knew she had.

Belissa Escobedo will star as Bobbie’s half-sister and Melissa Peterman will play a bartender at the tavern who wishes she was Bobbie’s sister.

Castelblanco will play Steve, the accountant for the tavern who does his work at the bar. He has OCD and doesn’t like change.

Castelblanco most recently starred as Gabriel Tovar, a series regular role, on ABC’s Hillary Swank-led drama Alaska Daily.

His additional credits include HBO’s Room 104, Netflix’s Dear White People and Scream Queens for Fox.

On the big screen, he was the lead of the independent feature Ganymede.

Lele Pons Opens Up About Her Struggle with OCD & More in New YouTube Series, “The Secret Life of Lele Pons”

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Lele Pons is getting up close and personal with her more than 40 million social media followers.

The 23-year-old Venezuelan internet celebrity, YouTuber, actress, singer, model and host has released her new YouTube series The Secret Life of Lele Pons, where she reveals her lifelong struggle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and other mental health conditions.

Lele-Pons

“It’s very personal and it took a while for me to actually to be super open because at first I was embarrassed about it,” Pons tells Billboard. “But over the time, I’ve learned to be strong.”

Launched in partnership with YouTube in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the five-part series documents Pons’ journey from childhood to present day, her therapy sessions, and how living with OCD has impacted her career as an influencer and musician.

“I’m kind of nervous about it, you know,” says Pons of launching the show. “It’s very personal and it took a while for me to actually to be super open because at first I was embarrassed about it. But over the time, I’ve learned to be strong. Now, I’m ready to let people in my life. This is my little secret and I’m basically telling them, ‘Here’s my secret, now take care of it.’ It’s the first time I show the world my vulnerable side. I owe it to my fans because they’ve been vulnerable with me.”

The Secret Life of Lele Pons airs a new episode every Tuesday on her YouTube channel.

Strand Releasing Acquires Rights to Joshua Diaz’s “Straight Up”

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Joshua Diaz is heading straight (up)to theaters…

Strand Releasing has acquired the American rights to James Sweeney’s feature film debut Straight Up, starring the Latino actor.

Joshua Diaz

Written, directed and starring Sweeney, the comedy follows Todd (Sweeney), a persnickety half-virgin diagnosed with OCD who thinks maybe he was socially conditioned to be gay. Rory (Katie Findlay) is a whip-smart aspiring actress with her own set of insecurities, sexual and otherwise. Over time, Rory’s stagnant career and Todd’s self-doubt begins to dismantle their odd couple routine, despite their unwillingness to let each other go.

“We’re thrilled to have James’ singular and humorous vision, his knack for snappy dialogue and smart visuals are inspired by period screwball comedies and create such a unique hybrid for modern cinema,” said Marcus Hu, of Strand Releasing.

“I am over the moon that Straight Up has found a home in Strand Releasing, and look forward to sharing shelf space with some of my favorite independent films,” said Sweeney.

Along with Diaz, who stars as Zane, the film also stars Randall Park, Betsy Brandt, Tracie Thoms, James Scully, Dana Drori and Brendan Scannell. 

The film is produced by David Carricoat Valparaiso Pictures, Ross Putman, and Sweeney.