Christina Aguilera to Perform Whitney Houston Tribute at the American Music Awards

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Aguilera will be the queen of the night for a special tribute at this year’s American Music Awards…

The 36-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer will perform a 25th anniversary tribute to Whitney Houston and her iconic work as an actress and singer in the romantic thriller The Bodyguard (released November 25, 1992) at the 2017 AMAs on November 19.

Aguilera’s tribute will include songs from the movie’s Diamond-certified (and primarily Houston-performed) soundtrack.

“Whitney herself stated in 2001 that Christina Aguilera sang the best version of her song ‘Run to You,’” Houston’s estate offered in a press release. “It is with great appreciation and honor that she is returning to participate on the American Music Awards for a special tribute honoring the 25th anniversary of The Bodyguard. Whitney said that Christina is without a doubt one of the best voices she enjoyed in this generation of music.”

Aguilera expressed her deep gratitude for Houston and the opportunity to honor her, also via statement: “I am honored and humbled to be asked to participate in such a special tribute of a timeless soundtrack that has been a huge inspiration not only in my own personal life and career, but to countless aspiring singers — touching music lovers worldwide and influencing the history of music itself.

“To be honoring the one and only, Whitney Houston, is a blessing and I am grateful to celebrate the spirit of her songs and legend that lives on,” she continued. I feel eternally fortunate to have personally met her on and off the stage. My deep appreciation for her kindness to me while coming up in the business — her graciousness, generosity, humanity and beauty — lived up to everything I could have hoped for in meeting my idol and will forever be cherished in my memory of her.”

Houston won 22 AMAs throughout her illustrious music career. She died unexpectedly in February 2012.

The AMAs will air live beginning at 8:00 pm ET on ABC.

You can vote for the awards here.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” Ties Billboard Hot 100 Record for Most Weeks at No. 1

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It’s one sweet day for Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer and the 40-year-old Puerto Rican urban singer’s smash “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber, has notched a 16th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, matching Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men‘s “One Sweet Day” for the longest command in the chart’s 59-year history.

The song leads the list dated September 9) for a 16th week, the most weeks at No. 1 ever for a single, equaling the reign of “One Sweet Day,” which spent 16 weeks at No. 1 in 1995-96.

As “Despacito” moves into a first-place tie for the most weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, dating to the chart’s August 4, 1958, inception, here’s an updated look at the titles with the most time on top:

The Longest-Leading Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s
Weeks at No. 1, Title, Artist, Date Reached No. 1
16 (to date), “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber, May 27, 2017
16, “One Sweet Day,” Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men, Dec. 2, 1995
14, “Uptown Funk!,” Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, Jan. 17, 2015
14, “I Gotta Feeling,” The Black Eyed Peas, July 11, 2009
14, “We Belong Together,” Mariah Carey, June 4, 2005
14, “Candle in the Wind 1997″/”Something About the Way You Look Tonight,” Elton John, Oct. 11, 1997
14, “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix),” Los Del Rio, Aug. 3, 1996
14, “I’ll Make Love to You,” Boyz II Men, Aug. 27, 1994
14, “I Will Always Love You,” Whitney Houston, Nov. 28, 1992

“One Sweet Day” held the record for the Hot 100’s longest rule for 21 and a half years, establishing the longevity mark when it tallied its 15th week on top on the March 9, 1996-dated chart (passing Boyz II Men’s own “I’ll Make Love to You” and Whitney Houston‘s “I Will Always Love You,” both 14-week leaders). “One Sweet Day” added its final and, until this week unmatched, 16th week at No. 1 on March 16, 1996.

“Despacito” extends its record command on the Digital Song Sales chart to 17 weeks at No. 1, with 80,000 downloads sold (down 3 percent) in the week ending August 24, according to Nielsen Music; both the original version and Bieber remix were sale-priced for 69 cents in the iTunes Store during the tracking week (with the former on sale for 69 cents in the prior week, as well).

The single additionally leads the Streaming Songs chart for a record-extending 16th week, with 44.6 million U.S. streams (down 4 percent) in the week ending August 24.

On Radio Songs, “Despacito” holds at No. 5 after five prior weeks on top, drawing 105 million in all-format airplay audience (down 11 percent) in the week ending August 27.

“Despacito” tallies a 30th week atop the Hot Latin Songs chart and extends its reign on the Songs of the Summer survey to 13 weeks, having led the latter list each week since its annual return after Memorial Day; the summer champion and entire top 20 will be revealed next week.

Meanwhile, Cardi B‘s breakthrough hit “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” holds at its No. 3 Hot 100 high. It keeps at No. 2 on Streaming Songs (42 million, up 16 percent); reaches the Digital Song Sales top 10 (12-8; 36,000, up 25 percent); and bounds 28-20 on Radio Songs (50 million, up 21 percent).

The 24-year-old half-Dominican American hip hop artist’s smash single spends a second week at No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and takes over atop the all-genre audio subscription services-based On-Demand Streaming Songs chart (3-1; 16.9 million on-demand U.S. streams, up 15 percent).

Escarpeta Lands Recurring Role in Syfy’s Drama Series “The Magicians”

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a magical time for Arlen Escarpeta…

The 35-year-old Belizean actor has landed a recurring role on Syfy’s drama series The Magicians, from Universal Cable Productions.

Based on the bestselling novels from Lev Grossman, The Magicians centers on Quentin (Jason Ralph), a brilliant graduate student chosen to attend Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, a secret upstate New York university specializing in magic.

Escarpeta, who portrayed Bobby Brown in Lifetime’s Whitney Houston biopic, will play Prince Ess, a handsome, rugged, pelt-clad man, with a sort of frat bro air of entitlement and the ruler of Loria.

Escarpeta, a series regular on NBC’s American Dreams for three seasons, also appeared in the feature films Into The Storm and Final Destination 5.

DaCosta to Star in NBC’s “Chicago Fire” Spinoff “Chicago Med”

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Yaya DaCosta is ready to go on call…

The 32-year-old part-Brazilian American actress, who recently portrayed Whitney Houston in the Lifetime biopic about the late singer, is set to star in NBC’s Chicago Med, the proposed ensemble medical drama spinoff from Chicago Fire.

DaCosta and the other cast members of the potential spinoff will be introduced in Episode 19 of Chicago Fire this season.

DaCosta will play Maggie Seaver (formerly Emily Sexton), an attractive nurse who begins to date Chicago Fire‘s Kelly (Taylor Kinney), with whom she has a history dating back to high school.

Like with Chicago PD, which also started as a planted spinoff from Chicago Fire, the Chicago Med episode is conceived/written by Chicago Fire creators/executive producers Derek Haas and Michael Brandt, executive producer Matt Olmstead and executive producer Dick Wolf, whose company Wolf Films produces the Chicago Fire/Chicago PD franchise for Universal Television.

“There will be an event that brings Chicago Med within Chicago Fire,” NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt said at TCA last month.

DaCosta, who had been sought for pilots after following her breakout role as Whitney Houston, also appeared in Lee Daniels’ The Butler. She is with Gersh.

Lifetime Releases First Trailer for DaCosta’s “Whitney” Biopic

Posted on December 7, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Prepare to watch Yaya DaCosta as the Queen of the Night…

Lifetime has released the first official trailer for its Whitney Houston biopic Whitney, starring the 32-year-old part-Brazilian American actress as the late songstress.

Houston, one of the world’s best selling performers, sold more than 200 million albums sold worldwide and had a slew of diamond, multi-platinum certifications.

DaCosta, a runner-up on the CW’s America’s Top Model landed the role of Houston in June, with Belizean actor Arlen Escarpeta playing Houston’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown.

Meanwhile, Mark Rolston portrays Houston’s music biz mentor, Clive Davis, in a scene-stealing role.

Whitney marks the directorial debut of Angela Bassett.

Iglesias Lands 13th No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Songs chart with “Bailando”

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Lucky No. 13 for Enrique Iglesias…

The 39-year-old Spanish singer has landed his 13th No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Songs chart with “Bailando” (4-1).

The triumph extends his mark for the most chart-toppers among all male acts in the chart’s 38-year history.

It also enters Iglesias into a tie with Whitney Houston and Lady Gaga for the 10th-most No. 1s overall. Remixes from Gregor Salto, Catalyzt, and Mack and Jet Set Vega, among others, helped “Bailando” shake its way to the top.

Dating to the Dance Club Songs chart’s Aug. 28, 1976, inception as a national survey, here’s an updated look at the acts with the most No. 1s:

43, Madonna
22, Rihanna
21, Beyonce
19, Janet Jackson
17, Mariah Carey
16, Kristine W
15, Jennifer Lopez
15, Donna Summer
14, Katy Perry
13, Whitney Houston
13, Enrique Iglesias
13, Lady Gaga

Escarpeta & DaCosta Recreate Classic Whitney Houston-Bobby Brown Photo for Their Lifetime Biopic

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Arlen Escarpeta isn’t having any trouble being Bobby Brown….

Lifetime has released the first official photo for its upcoming Whitney Houston biopic featuring the 33-year-old Belizean actor as the R&B singer-songwriter and part-Brazilian actress Yaya DaCosta as the late Grammy-winning songstress.

In the picture, the two recreate a classic photo of Houston and Brown in their early days as a couple. Escarpeta, donning a black top and blue jeans, hugs Dacosta from behind. The actress sports a white tank top and flashes a big smile for the camera.

The biopic, titled I Will Always Love You: The Whitney Houston Story, is currently shooting in Los Angeles with Oscar nominee Angela Bassett serving as the director.

It’s scheduled to premiere early next year, three years after Houston accidentally drowned in the bathtub of a Los Angeles hotel room at the age of 48.

It will center on Houston’s life in the early-to-mid ’90s, when she skyrocketed to fame not only for her powerful singing voice but also for her appearance in 1992’s The Bodyguard, where she co-starred opposite Kevin Costner.

She contributed to the movie’s soundtrack, which later won a Grammy and is the biggest-selling soundtrack album in movie history.

It will also focus on the singer’s relationship with Brown, whom she met in 1989. The couple got married in 1992 and they welcomed their daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown the following year.

Escarpeta to Star as Bobby Brown in Lifetime’s Whitney Houston Biopic

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

There’s a new edition to Arlen Escarpeta’s acting resume.

The 33-year-old Belizean American actor has been cast in the highly anticipated role of Bobby Brown in Lifetime’s Whitney Houston biopic.

Escarpeta, whose credits include Into the Storm, Final Destinaton 5 and We Are Marshall, will star opposite Yaya DaCosta as Whitney in the film, now officially titled, I Will Always Love You: The Whitney Houston Story.

Helmed by Angela Bassett in her directorial debut, the biopic chronicles the tumultuous relationship between Houston and singer-songwriter Bobby Brown — from the time they first met at the very height of their celebrity through their courtship and rocky marriage, all during Whitney’s meteoric rise as a singer, actress and model.

As previously reported, actress Yolonda Ross (Go For Sisters) was cast as Whitney’s lifelong friend and rumored lover Robyn Crawford.

The television film is slated for a 2015 premiere.

DaCosta to Star in Lifetime’s “Whitney Houston” Biopic

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s one moment in time Yaya DaCosta will most likely never forget…

The 31-year-old part-Brazilian American actress has landed the lead role in Lifetime‘s Whitney Houston biopic, according to TVLine.

The made-for-television film, currently titled Whitney Houston, will focus on the late singer’s relationship with her ex-husband Bobby Brown from the time they met through the dissolution of their tumultuous marriage.

DaCosta, the runner-up in Cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model, has appeared on television in Ugly Betty, All My Childrenand House, as well as on film inThe Kids Are All Right, Tron: Legacyand Lee Daniels’ The Butler.

Whitney Houson is set to premiere in 2015, three years after the Grammy-winning singer was found dead in her hotel bathtub at age 48 due to an accidental drowning.

Angela Bassett, who starred opposite Houston in 1995’s Waiting to Exhale, will direct the film.

Good to Portray Whitney Houston in Biopic About the Late Singer?

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Meagan Good could be saving all her love for a plum role…

The 32-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress could portray Whitney Houston in a biopic about the late Grammy-winning singer.

Good, who most recently starred in the NBC drama Deception, is now linked to the project after telling the Los Angeles Times in an interview that the project was her dream job. She also said that she’d been discussing a potential film project with the singer before her tragic death.

According to The Wrap, record producer Clive Davis, who was also considered Whitney’s close friend, will shepherd the project.

At one point this year, Tyler Perry even expressed his interest in directing the project should the untitled Whitney Houston biopic come together.

Since Whitney’s sudden death in February 2012, a slew of stars have been rumored to be in consideration to portray her on the big screen, including Rihanna, Jennifer Hudson, Vivica A Fox and Jordin Sparks, who played Whitney’s on-screen daughter in her final movie Sparkle.

Good’s latest film Anchorman: The Legend Continues is currently playing in theaters.

She’ll next star in Think Like a Man Too.

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