Month: July 2019

By Justin Kroll

Chloe x Halle member Halle Bailey is ready to become part of Disney’s world.

The R&B singer has been tapped to play Ariel in Disney’s next live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.” Although director Rob Marshall has spent the last couple of months meeting with talent, insiders say Bailey has been a clear front runner from the beginning.

“After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” Marshall said in a statement.

Bailey is joining a cast that includes Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina, while Melissa McCarthy is in talks to play Ursula.

“The Little Mermaid” will incorporate original songs from the 1989 animated hit as well as new tunes from original composer Alan Menken and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda is also producing the film along with Marshall, Marc Platt and John DeLuca.

David Magee wrote the script with Jane Goldman writing a previous draft. Jessica Virtue and Allison Erlikhman are overseeing for the studio.

The original 1989 animated hit followed the mermaid princess Ariel as she sought to fall in love with a human prince on land. Menken wrote the film’s original music, including the songs “Under the Sea,” “Part of Your World” and “Kiss the Girl.”

The role marks Bailey’s feature film debut, following the formation of her music group Chloe x Halle with her sister Chloe in 2015. The pair first rose to fame by posting YouTube covers of Beyoncé before they were eventually discovered by the R&B superstar and her record label. Since their discovery, the duo has signed a record deal with Parkwood Entertainment and has opened for Beyoncé on her “Lemonade” tour.

She also stars in the Freeform series “Grown-ish.”

Original article was published here.

BY PAULA ROGO

Willow Smith recently opened up about the self-harm she endured soon after the success of “Whip My Hair,” admitting that the fame and attention was” not the life that” she wanted.

The 17-year-old first revealed to her mom, Jada, and grandma, Adrienne–during a May episode of their popular Red Table Talk–that she used to cut herself to deal with the demands of the music industry The episode was the first time Jada had heard of it.

Now, Willow admits that realizing her body was “a temple” helped her overcome the issue.

“I was like, ‘This is pointless — my body is a temple,’ and I completely stopped,” Willow told People. “It seemed literally psychotic after a certain point because I had learned to see myself as worthy.”

But when she first started cutting, Willow admits that it provided “a physical release of all the intangible pain that’s happening in your heart and in your mind.”

“I was super young, and I had a dream, but all I really wanted to do was sing and I didn’t equate that with all the business and the stress that ended up coming with it,” she said. “I was just like, ‘Whoa, this is not the life that I want’.”

As for Jada, she was shocked when Willow first revealed the pain she had endured, but admits that she is “proud” of her daughter.

“I was so proud of her at that moment, and especially for her to share publicly,” she said. “I was really proud.”

Original article was published here.

BY PAULA ROGO

Pharrell Williams surprised the high school graduates at the Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy with an amazing opportunity.

The Grammy-winning producer was a keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony this week. And during his speech, he promised the 114 graduates internships opportunities.

“So let me be clear, every member of the 2019 graduating class, is guaranteed an internship waiting for them, you, next summer,” Pharrell said in a video posted by Harlem’s Children’s Zone. “It’s one thing to be ‘woke,’ another to be awake, leaned in and engaged.”

The Promise Academy‘s k-12 charter schools promise their students the opportunity to go to college.

“The world is watching Harlem, but this renaissance will be different,” said Williams during his speech. “Believe it or not, with respect, it’s going to actually be better and the reason why is because the new Harlem Renaissance has education at its core.”

Original article was published here.

BY PAULA ROGO

Mary J. Blige has signed a first-look deal with Lionsgate to develop and produce TV shows through her newly-launched production house as she continues to expand her influence outside the music industry.

With her company, Blue Butterfly Productions, the Grammy winner and Oscar nominee can also create content for the studio’s different platforms, The Hollywood Reporter reports.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be working with Lionsgate,” Blige, who is headlining ESSENCE Fest next month, said in a statement. “They are incredible collaborators and have been natural partners from when we first started talking. I can’t wait to bring all of our projects to life.”

Blige has always shown an interest in acting, and currently stars on Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy and VH1’s Scream. She earned a best-supporting-actress Oscar nomination in 2017 for her role in Mudbound, and her song from the film, “Mighty River,” was also nominated for best original song.

Original article was published here.