On the eve of what could be her inaugural Academy Award win for the stunning portrayal of civil rights pioneer Harriet Tubman, Emmy/Tony/Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo‘s building buzz for assuming the role of another pivotal figure in Black History:  Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.

Ahead of the late 2020 premiere of the musical monarch’s biographical feature film starring Academy and Grammy award-winner Jennifer Hudson (click here to see the teaser), National Geographic announced ‘Genius: Aretha’ –  an eight-part series dedicated to the late musical icon.

Premiering over four consecutive nights beginning Memorial Day 2020, the anthology installment comes as the first-ever authorized limited series about the diva.  According to NG it will “explore Franklin’s musical genius and incomparable career — and the immeasurable impact and lasting influence she has had on music and culture around the world.”

With secured music rights to the legend’s catalog, the flick will see Erivo flex her acting and musical muscles in ways viewers have yet to see.  Look inside for a glimpse of what’s to come:

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Tomorrow night brings with it the penultimate episode of ‘Power.’

And the anticipation is off the Richter!

That Grape Juice was on-hand at the Lexus Uptown Hollywood Honors this week and caught up with a number of names from the STARZ smash.

TGJ’s Shar Jossell chopped it up with the likes of Joseph Sikora, Naturi Naughton, and Larenz Tate, who opened up about the end of an era and touched on the eagerly awaited spin-off’s – one of which features rapper Method Man.

Check out the interview above and let us know if you’re buzzed about the expansion of the ‘Power’ universe!

Your thoughts?

Welcome to Retro Rewind, the TGJ original feature carved out to celebrate the best of TV and Film.

Today, we revisit the thriller ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley.’

In it, Matt Damon plays a struggling New Yorker keen to rise in social ranks who finds his fortune turned upside down when he is approached by a man who mistakenly believes he went to Princeton with his son.

The gentleman, believing Ripley is his son’s friend, pays him a sizeable amount of money to fly to Italy to pers
uade him to come home. A twisted tale of lust, sex, betrayal, stolen identity and murder ensues once he arrives.

Hit the play button below to see Matt Damon, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow in dramatic action…

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Missy Elliott has joined the cast of Camila Cabello’s ‘Cinderella’ story.

Full story below…

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With the world still processing the tragedy that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant, daughter Gigi, and seven others, details of the NBA star’s anticipated memorial have been announced.

Full story below…

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A guest on Friday morning’s episode of NBC’s ‘Today with Hoda and Jenna’ (February 7), media mogul Oprah Winfrey burst into tears when quizzed on how her best friend, Gayle King, was holding up after the enduring backlash she faced over her recent interview with Lisa Leslie (click here for more on that).

During the sit-down with the WNBA legend, King repeatedly questioned Leslie about her thoughts on the impact Kobe Bryant‘s sexual assault allegations would have on his legacy.   The line of interrogation rubbed many viewers the wrong way, including celebrities who have taken to their respective social media handles to defend Bryant’s honor (click here to read more on that).

Just a day after responding to the hoop-la herself (click here to watch), Gayle’s bestie (Winfrey) has hit the press to carry on in her stead.

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Snoop Dogg is not a fan of Oprah Winfrey. 

The Hip-Hop icon has taken aim at the media mogul and her friend Gayle King – accusing them of disproportionately targeting black male figures while ignoring the controversy of others (such as Harvey Weinstein).

Moments ago, Snoop slammed Winfrey and Gayle (who made headlines this week for what many have deemed to be ill-advised comments about recently deceased NBA star Kobe Bryant).

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Despite their efforts to fight for the rights of sexual abuse victims for several decades, Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King now find themselves accused of turning a blind eye to crimes committed by powerful figures they once called friends.

Much of the criticism comes from spectators who feel that the powerful women are targeting black men accused of rape in an effort to sink their legacies.

The latest man they say has been targeted by the pair? The late Kobe Bryant.

Gayle’s response to the conspiracy theory?

Find out below…

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Amirah Vann of ‘How To Get Away With Murder‘ is making her way to the ‘Star Trek’ universe.

Full story below…

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When it comes to Emmy and Academy Award winner Viola Davis, ‘booked and busy’ is quite the understatement.

As fans of hit drama ‘How To Get Away with Murder’ prepare themselves for the show’s May 14th finale, its leading star already has her sights set for Showtime as a recent announcement’s revealed she’s teaming with the premium cable network for the forthcoming venture, ‘First Ladies.’

Details inside:

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The respected and highly revered journalist Gayle King is facing serious criticism after she chose to revisit Kobe Bryant‘s alleged rape of a young woman in an interview with Lisa Leslie.

Full story below..

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Jamie Foxx‘s outstanding performance in the movie ‘Just Mercy‘ hasn’t gone unnoticed by the American Black Film Festival.

Find out how the prestigious organisation is to honour the brilliant actor below…

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