Tag Archives: Taraji P. Henson

Sofia Carson Teams Up with Diane Warren on “Applause,” Official Single for Female Empowerment Film “Tell It Like a Woman”

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Sofia Carson is ready to tell it like a woman…

The 29-year-old Colombian American actress/singer has teamed up with superstar songwriter and 13-time Oscar nominee Diane Warren on “Applause,” the official song for the star-studded female-powered feature Tell It Like A Woman.

Sofia Carson“Applause,”  performed by Carson, will be released later this year as a single through Disney Music Group label Hollywood Records. An accompanying music video was directed by Catherine Hardwicke, starring Carson.

Warren’s song is described as “the defining sound of the film and intended to serve as a hymn for female empowerment.” The filmmakers say they’ll be embarking on an Oscar campaign for the track.

Tell It Like A Woman is comprised of seven segments, making a feature length film. The segments are directed by female directors from different parts of the world, shot in Italy, India, Japan, and the U.S.. Genres include drama, comedy, docudrama and animation.

Tell It Like A Women’s filmmakers and actors include Taraji P. Henson, Jennifer Hudson, Pauletta Washington, Cara Delevingne, Catherine Hardwicke, Margherita Buy, Marcia Gay Harden, Eva Longoria, Leonor Varela, Jacqueline Fernandez, Anne Watanabe and Mipo O.

The intertwining segments comprise: Unspoken, directed by Maria Sole Tognazzi and starring Buy; Lagonegro, directed by Lucia Puenzo and starring Longoria; Elbows Deep, directed by Hardwicke and starring Delevingne, Harden and Jasmine Luv; Sharing A Ride, directed by Leena Yadav and starring Fernandez and Anjali Lama; A Week In My Life, directed by Mipo O and starring Watanabe; and Pepcy & Kim, directed by Henson and starring Hudson and Washington.

The project is the result of a collaboration with We Do It Together, a non-profit film production company that advocates for gender equality, founded by producer Chiara Tilesi. Producers are Tilesi, Andrea Iervolino, Lucas Akoskin and Monika Bacardi.

 

Samuel Goldwyn Films has closed a deal with Italian outfit Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment to acquire U.S. distribution rights to the project.

Samuel Goldwyn Films plans to release the movie in theaters this winter and says it is lining up an awards campaign.

Clayton Cardenas to Star in & Executive Produce Alessandro Camon’s Drama “Time Alone”

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Clayton Cardenas is getting a little time alone…

The Latino actor, who currently appears on Mayans M.C., will star opposite Taraji P. Henson in Alessandro Camon’s drama Time Alone, based on his play.

Clayton CardenasThe film will begin production in Los Angeles in July.

In the project, Cardenas will play Gabriel, a young man convicted of killing a gang rival. His journey intersects with Anna (Henson), the mother of a police officer murdered in the line of duty, as they both end up in the world’s most lonely places: a solitary confinement prison cell, and the silent house of a grieving mother.

Cardenas was originally slated to play Gabriel onstage when the Belle Rêve production premiered at Los Angeles Theatre Center, before scheduling complications arose. Time Alone went on to receive the Stage Raw Award and Critics Award for Best Play, along with other nominations.

Emanuel Morretti’s Motus Studios will finance and produce the film with Oakhurst Entertainment’s Jai Khanna and Marina Grasic.

Cardenas’ manager Marni Rosenzweig will also produce for The Rosenzweig Group, alongside Escape Artists’ Todd Black, TPH Entertainment and Suzanne Warren, with Cardenas executive-producing alongside Jason Tamasco and Zak Kristofek of Traction.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Clayton on a film that means so much to both of us, and to everyone involved,” said Camon. “Clayton’s powerful work in Mayans M.C brought his talent to a wide audience, but I’m a believer from the early days. He has the heart of a warrior and the soul of a poet.”

Said Cardenas: “From the moment I auditioned for the role in 2017, I had a gut instinct I would be portraying this character. To see it go from the theater stages to film feels fully aligned with what I ultimately envisioned for this project. I am truly honored to be working with my costar Taraji, whose body of work I’ve always admired, and to bring life to the words of Alessandro, who I am deeply in awe of. These two are the type of artists I continue to strive to work with to leave a dent in the universe.”

Added Rosenzweig: “Alessandro Camon wrote a beautiful play that has resonated with me for years. I’m thrilled to be a part of bringing his words back to life in a new medium.”

Cardenas is best known for his role as Angel Reyes on FX’s biker drama Mayans M.C., which recently returned for its fourth season. The actor also has appeared on such series as American Crime, Law & Order: SVU, Snowfall and S.W.A.T. In addition to acting, he is a spoken-word poet and painter whose large-scale canvas work has caught the attention of collectors across the country.

Justina Machado to Appear in First-Ever The Muppets Halloween Television Special

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It’ll be a Haunted Halloween for Justina Machado.

The 49-year-old Puerto Rican actress will appear in the first Halloween television special featuring The Muppets.

Justina Machado

Muppets Haunted Mansion will premiere on Friday, October 8, exclusively on Disney+.

Starring in the special alongside the Muppets are Will Arnett (as The Ghost Host), Yvette Nicole Brown (The Hearse Driver), Darren Criss (The Caretaker) and Taraji P. Henson (The Bride).

In Muppets Haunted Mansion, the Great Gonzo – world-famous daredevil artiste, has done it all, seen it all and survived it all. But on Halloween night, the fearless Gonzo takes on the greatest challenge of his life by spending one very daring night in the most grim grinning place on Earth: the Haunted Mansion.

In addition to Machado, Muppets Haunted Mansion will also feature appearances from Chrissy Metz, Alfonso Ribeiro, Edward Asner, Jeannie Mai, Danny Trejo, Sasheer Zamata, Craig Robinson, Skai Jackson, Pat Sajak, Geoff Keighley, Kim Irvine and John Stamos as himself.

The Muppets Haunted Mansion EP will be released on October 8 from Walt Disney Records, and will include three new original songs: “Rest in Peace,” “Life Hereafter,” and “Tie the Knot Tango,” plus a cover of the 1970s classic, “Dancing in the Moonlight.”

Bad Bunny to Perform at This Year’s American Music Awards

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Bad Bunny is bringing his latest hit to the American Music Awards…

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer has been added to the performers list for the annual awards show, which will take place on November 22.

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny will offer the world premiere performance of his insta-smash hit single, “Dakiti,”alongside Jhay Cortez. The single recently debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.

He performed “I Like It,” his chart-topping collaboration with Cardi B and J Balvin, on the AMAs two years ago.

Bad Bunny joins a lineup of recently added performers that includes Shawn Mendes, Megan Thee Stallion and Lil Baby. The stars join the previously announced BTS and Dua Lipa.

It’s fitting that the AMAs are highlighting performances by Latin and rap/hip-hop stars. The AMAs this year are increasing their number of Latin categories from one to four and the number of rap/hip-hop categories from three to four.

The AMAs, which debuted in 1974, bills itself as the world’s largest fan-voted awards show. Taraji P. Henson is set to host this year’s show, which will broadcast live from The Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles for the 14th consecutive year.

The show is set to air on Sunday November 22 at 8:00 pm ET/PT on ABC. It will reportedly be seen in more than 200 countries and territories around the world.

George Lopez to Take Part in Comedy Fundraiser for Feeding America

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George Lopez is helping to feed America…

The 59-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor will take part in the Byron Allen-driven comedy fundraiser for Feeding America.

George Lopez

The fundraiser will be held on Sunday, May 10 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET, with NBCbroadcasting the show. 

In addition to Lopez, the program will include participation from Sebastian Maniscalco, JB Smoove, Jim Gaffigan, Judd Apatow, Jack Black, Cedric the Entertainer, Whitney Cummings, Jim Gaffigan, Brad Garrett, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin James, Sarah Silverman and Kenan Thompson.

Others taking part include Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Marlon Wayans, Howie Mandel, Tiffany Haddish, Brad Garrett, Taraji P. Henson, Louie Anderson, Margaret Cho, Kenan Thompson, Marc Maron, Jon Lovitz, Caroline Rhea, Byron Allen, Billy Gardell, Tim Meadows, Jamie Kennedy, Bill Engvalland Sheryl Underwood.

Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group television production division Entertainment Studios and Funny or Die will be producing the live-streaming comedy event.

The fundraiser will support the hunger-relief organization Feeding America. 

Additionally, the event will livestream on the Allen Media Group TV networks Comedy.TV and The Weather Channel, as well as on the free streaming service app Local Now.

Pre-recorded comedy segments will be featured during the three-hour event. Committed to appearing are Hart, Sandler, Murphy, Rock, etc.

Allen, founder/chair/CEO of Entertainment Studios/Allen Media Group, said the benefit will help hungry people who are straining the resources of the nation’s food banks during the pandemic shutdown. 

“Laughter is often the best medicine, and we are extremely motivated to bring attention to issues of food insecurity, and to assist in providing meals to families across the country who are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said Wednesday.

“The coronavirus pandemic and the economic downturn it has created is shining a light on the fragile nature of people’s household budgets,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks. “Millions more of our neighbors are turning to food banks for help and we cannot thank Byron Allen and Allen Media Group enough for their support to raise funds and awareness of our work.”

Scotty Tovar Lands Recurring Role on Fox’s “Empire”

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Scotty Tovar is exploring anEmpire…

The Latino actor has signed on for a recurring role on Fox’s hit musical family drama Empire.

Scotty Tovar

Tovar will portray Carlito, a young rap star on the rise, who believes he’s the savior of hip-hop and acts as such.

Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, hails from Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox Television.

Tovar recently guest-starred on Amazon’s Too Old To Die Young and Animal Kingdom and he recurred on Freeform’s The Fosters.

Lin-Manuel Miranda to Perform at This Year’s Tony Awards

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Lin-Manuel Miranda is making his triumphant return to the Tony Awards…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican composer, playwright, actor and singer will perform on Sunday’s Tonycast, almost one year after his hit Broadway musical Hamilton swept the awards.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

The casts of Bandstand, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Falsettos, Groundhog Day The Musical, Hello, Dolly!, Miss Saigon, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 and War Paint will perform during 71st Annual Tony Awards, which CBS will broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall from 8:00 to 11:00 PM.

There’s still no word on what Miranda will perform.

There will be additional performances by The Radio City Rockettes and Tony Award winners Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple) and Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton).

There will be additional appearances by Scott Bakula, Sara Bareilles, Orlando Bloom, Rachel Bloom, Glenn Close, Stephen Colbert, Brian d’Arcy James, Cynthia Erivo, Tina Fey, Sutton Foster, Josh Gad, Whoopi Goldberg, Jonathan Groff, Mark Hamill, Taraji P. Henson, Christopher Jackson, Allison Janney, Scarlett Johansson, Anna Kendrick, Keegan-Michael Key, Nick Kroll, John Legend, John Lithgow, Patina Miller, John Mulaney, David Oyelowo, Chazz Palminteri, Sarah Paulson, Lea Salonga, Tom Sturridge, Tommy Tune, Olivia Wilde, and 2017 Tony nominees Sally Field, Josh Groban, Bette Midler and Ben Platt.

Although Midler will appear as a presenter in one of the acting categories, she is not scheduled to participate in the Hello, Dolly! segment, which will be led by co-star Hyde Pierce. The blockbuster production’s offer to present the title song, or another of Dolly’s show-stoppers, live via remote from the Shubert Theatre was declined by the Tony producers.

The ceremony will be hosted by Tony and Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey.

The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

First Trailer Released Featuring Longoria on Fox’s “Empire”

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Here’s a first look inside Eva Longoria’s Empire…

Empire is back from its winter hiatus and the battle between Lucious and Cookie explodes into their biggest war yet.

Eva Longoria

After the hit Fox series’ return Wednesday night, a teaser was unveiled that features the first look at the characters played by the 42-year-old Mexican American actress and Desperate Housewives star, Demi Moore and Nia Long.

The second half of Season 3 finds Lucious (Terrence Howard) announcing his new music project, Inferno, and putting everyone on notice – especially Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), who then vows to knock him off his throne for good.

Longoria guest stars as Charlotte Frost, the formidable director of Nevada’s all-powerful state gaming commission. Charlotte has the power to make or break Lucious’ dreams of expanding Empire’s reach to Las Vegas, and beneath her alluring façade lies a force of darkness and corruption. Her episode is slated to air this spring.

Additional actors and musicians who will appear on Empire this spring include Rumer Willis, Taye Diggs and Phylicia Rashad.

Longoria to Appear on Fox’s Drama Series “Empire”

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Eva Longoria is heading to a new empire…

The 41-year-old Mexican American actress will guest star on Fox’s hit drama series Empire.

Eva Longoria

The former Desperate Housewives star will play Charlotte Frost, the formidable director of the all-powerful state gaming commission. Charlotte has the power to make-or-break Lucious’ (Terrence Howard) dreams of expanding Empire’s reach to Las Vegas and beneath her alluring facade, lies a force of darkness and corruption. Her episode is slated to air this spring.

The second half of Season 3 picks up on March 22 when the battle between Lucious (Howard) and Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) explodes into their biggest war yet. After launching a deadly missile at Angelo, Lucious announces his new music project, Inferno, and puts everyone on notice – especially Cookie, who then vows to knock him off his throne for good.

Longoria joins previously announced actors and musicians who appear on Empire this spring, including Taye Diggs, Phylicia Rashad, Rumer Willis and Nia Long. 

Golden Globe-nominated for her role as Gabrielle Solis in Desperate Housewives, Longoria stars in the in the upcoming feature film Lowriders, slated for release on May 12. She’s also featured in the British miniseries Decline and Fall, opposite UK comedy star Jack Whitehall, which premieres this spring.