Jennifer Lopez has found a new rival and potential foe in Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Why?

Well, after Lopez announced plans to portray the drug dealer Griselda Blanco in a HBO TV movie, Catherine has revealed that she intends to release exactly the same movie…playing exactly the same role.

Zeta’s version is named ‘Cocaine Godmother’ and will premiere in 2018 via Lifetime while Lopez’ story is yet to nab a release date.

Unfamiliar with Blanco’s story?

Living in Queens with her three sons, Blanco quickly became embroiled with local drug runners and masterminded the use of beautiful women, the elderly and children as drug mules and created false-bottom suitcases to smuggle cocaine from Colombia.

In the wake of her newfound wealth, her sons abandoned school and entered the family business instead. She then moved to Miami to expand her empire. However, the move also led to the death of her second husband, giving her the nickname, The Black Widow. Her willingness to use violence against her competition pushed her rivals to make repeated unsuccessful attempts to kill her.

Who do you think will soar higher in the role?

In 2015, Taylor Swift assembled a group of Pop culture’s brightest stars to take aim at Katy Perry by way of her brilliant ‘Bad Blood’ visual.

In 2017, no longer willing to keep mum on the matter, Katy responded with the cut ‘Swish Swish’ with help from her sister-in-song Nicki Minaj.

Today, Swift’s pal Ruby Rose has taken to social media to diss the cut.

“Purposeful poop” to “bomb a petit” to a sloppy mess of writing over the top of Funkagenda..stop trying to make ‘Wit..I mean “fetch” happen.

— Ruby Rose (@RubyRose) May 19, 2017

I just think with everything going on in the world to go from rebranding as political activist only to ditch it and go low.. is.. a bummer.

— Ruby Rose (@RubyRose) May 19, 2017

@jamescochranee Wasn’t around sweetheart but my bully experiences came from one of the people involved in that song and it’s obviously not T.

— Ruby Rose (@RubyRose) May 19, 2017

Man she’s harsh.

Yet to hear the single?

Click here!

Your thoughts?

Rita Ora may be readying new single ‘Your Song’ for release later this month, but she’s not vacating the TV the arena. Quite the contrary, in fact.

For, the former ‘X Factor’ judge ‘Voice UK’ coach, and ‘America’s Next Top Model’ host has booked a new gig – this time at ABC.

The network may have just nabbed the rights to ‘American Idol,’ but before then they announced a summer singing competition named ‘Boy Band.’ 

Well, according to Variety, Ora has been tapped to host the show which aims to piece together America’s next big boyband from a pool of contestants.

Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter has signed on as a judge alongside Spice Girls singer Emma Bunton.

So how will the format differ to Idol and the plethora of shows in the same space?

First and foremost hopefuls will battle for spots in a band with a recording contract at Hollywood Records. Viewers voting live at home will influence the sway of affairs by picking their five favorite potential members.

As for the judges, they will be called “architects” and will serve as mentors too.

‘Boy Band’ airs this summer on ABC.

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On the surface, this is giving ‘Making The Band’ meets ‘The Voice’ with sprinkles of several other shows already on offer.

That said, it does sound interesting. What’s more, sometimes the best shows are amalgamations of many others rather than an outright new concept.

In any case, we’re willing to give this a chance. Are you?

Your thoughts?

After ample speculation, it is official – Katy Perry has signed on a judge on the revived ‘American Idol.’

Confirmation came moments ago at the ABC Upfronts, whereby the network outlined their plans for the 2017/2018 television season.

The acquisition of Perry’s services will stand as quite the coup for ABC who secured the rights to air the new incarnation of the talent show after a fierce bidding war with its original network FOX as well as NBC.

It marks the latest in a string of announcements pertaining to Perry, who this week alone has unveiled 4th album ‘Witness’ and an accompanying tour.

We are ecstatic to welcome @katyperry as a judge on ABC's #AmericanIdol! #KatyOnIdol #Idol pic.twitter.com/b46z7jXLEY

— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) May 16, 2017

Do you think ‘Idol’ is a wise move on her part? Let us know below…

Your thoughts? 

Following weeks of speculation, it is finally confirmed – ’Scandal’ will be bowing out after its 7th season.

The news was broken at ahead of the ABC Upfronts moments ago by the network’s Entertainment President Channing Dungey.

Speaking to congregated press, he said:

“Shonda has decided the series needs to come to a close, and while this is definitely a bittersweet moment for all of us gladiators, I have no doubt what she has in store for the final season will be as powerful as what’s come before, and we will be sure to honor that every step of the way.”

Rhimes, creator and executive producer of the politic drama, chimed in adding:

“Deciding how to end a show is easy. Deciding when to finish is quite simple when the end date is years away. But actually going through with it? Actually standing up to say: ‘This is it?’ Not so much. So, next year we are going all out. Leaving nothing on the table. Creating this world in celebration. We are going to handle the end the way we like to handle the important things in our ‘Scandal’ family: all together, white hats on, gladiators running full speed over a cliff.” [Source]

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As a consistent ratings performer, confirmation of the show’s end will come as a blow to its millions of fans. And while we count ourselves among that mass, we do feel ’Scandal’ has reached a respectable ceiling as far as believability goes. Hence, it’s best for it to go out on a high rather than linger on and drag.

Kudos to Kerry Washington, the cast, crew, writers, and all involved. It’s been a hell of a ride.

Your thoughts?

Fifth Harmony‘s Normani Kordei continues to crush the competition on the current season of ‘Dancing With The Stars.’

Competing alongside Val Chmerkovskiy, the 20-year-old has been amassing major momentum with her flaw-free showings.

And week 9 was no different.

Tackling the Viennese Waltz (to Rihanna’s ‘ANTI’ hit ‘Desperado’) and a 2nd Jazz number, Kordei earned high scores – the latter of which being the top score.

Watch ‘Mani werk it all the way out below…

She came, she slayed, she conquered.

Word on the curb is that new 5H material is due in a matter of weeks, so this is all lining up rather handsomely.

Your thoughts?

In 2010, the attorney Phaedra Parks waltzed into America’s homes by way of the hit series ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.’

Shortly after, the esteemed mother of two found herself in hot water when a former friend named Angela Stanton penned a book detailing what she claims was criminal activity engaged in by Parks, her husband Apollo Nida and Nida‘s brother.

Fortunately for Parks, it wasn’t long before the book and the interviews launched to support it were buried beneath Park’s rising star and on-camera storylines served up by she and her fellow ‘Housewives.’

Alas, her feuding with her co-star Kandi Burruss and the firestorm it has created has prompted viewers to take a fresh look into Stanton’s allegations.

What a new generation of ‘Housewives’ viewers has discovered?

Angela Stanton explaining EXACTLY what kind of car stealing scheme she, Apollo and Phaedra were involved in. THIS. IS. INSANE!!!! ???? pic.twitter.com/ltbMjAxoty

— Mikey Alexander (@Sublime00) May 15, 2017

Parks has always denied these allegations. Alas, despite blasting the show’s decision to overlook tall tales told by her nemesis Kenya Moore, fans of the series took to Twitter to share remarks like the ones below…

Watch that Angela Stanton interview from years ago and boy oh boy! That Phaedra is one smooth criminal

— Uwa (@its_flankiee) May 10, 2017

Just finished the reunion ?? what’s this book talkin bout ?? Phaedra look hella bad https://t.co/3iOUy6oXNv

— Solay (@cirquesolay) May 9, 2017

@cirquesolay her past criminal activities with this chick Angela who ended up being locked up for their ish & Phaedra cut her off..so she wrote this book

— Auntie Simone (@SimoneRaiis) May 9, 2017

Phaedra is so devious. I bet she was the ringleader behind all of Apollo’s criminal activity.

— Laura (@Ljjoyce15) May 8, 2017

@Kandi @Cotyhh Phaedra is the devil. She has profited from criminal activity and she has evaded conviction. LOCK HER UP

— Louise Hicks (@lillyrhicks) May 8, 2017

Your thoughts?

After doing her part to save ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ from complete ratings ruin, the influencer Kylie Jenner steps into her own light this year with the birth of her own TV series ‘Life of Kylie.’

In it, fans are given access into the celebrity’s world as she builds an empire fuelled by the fame of her older sister Kim Kardashian, father Caitlyn Jenner and mother Kris Jenner.

E! ordered eight episodes from the Bunim/Murray production outfit which built the series with help from Ryan Seacrest Productions.

Waiting below? A first look delivered by NBC during its recent upfront presentation in New York City.

Keep it locked on TGJ for ‘Kylie’s release date.

#NowPlaying: Monica – Teen People Interview.

Will you be watching?

Aaron Hernandez, the athlete who murdered Odin Llyod, stunned the world when he committed suicide during time as an inmate at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center.

Tonight, as his family faces claim the murder and suicide were ignited by his supposed desire to conceal his alleged (and potentially baseless) dalliances with men, his fiancee’ will make her to Dr. Phil to bare all.

What she shared may surprise you.

He was very positive, so excited to come home. I spoke to him the night before and he was so, “Daddy’s going to be home,” and “I can’t wait to sleep in the bed with you guys, and I can’t wait to just hold you and love you.” There was no indication at all of such events.

‘I remember him saying “Babe I’ve got to go, they’re shutting the doors” and I honestly don’t think we said I love you to each other and that was it.

I just know that the feedback I was getting from our last talk had nothing to do with any suicidal thoughts.

I felt like we were looking so bright. We were going up a ladder to a positive direction.

Catch the interview in full when it airs in two parts on Monday and Tuesday.

Your thoughts?

Jason Blum, one of the minds behind the hit movie ‘Get Out‘ has teamed up with the charismatic creative Dee Rees to create a lesbian horror movie inspired by the release.

In a New York Times-penned piece named  ‘The Scarily Profitable Hits of Jason Blum‘, the publication reveals:

Rees, it emerged, was a serious horror fan. She told Blum about two recent movies that she especially admired, “Hush” and “Creep,” and Blum said that as it happened they were also Blumhouse projects. Rees said she had an idea for her own low-budget horror picture — one location, tiny cast — set in a small town not unlike the one where she has lived for the last year. Blum listened carefully. “You’ve got me and my wife, two black lesbians, and when we first moved in, we fought every day over all these little things: ‘Why is this over there? Did you move that?’ ”

A few weeks after Blum met Rees, I called her to see if anything had come of their impromptu pitch meeting. Something had, Rees said. They’d met for lunch and talked about a deal. She told me what was most surprising wasn’t that she was suddenly developing a horror movie centred on the domestic lives of black lesbians in rural America but that Blum had followed up at all. “I can’t tell you how rare it is that people mean what they say in this business,” she said. “He’s just letting me make the best possible version of what I want to make.”

The creatives are yet to unlock details on the black lesbian horror project set in rural America but Rees, who is to thank for the movie ‘Mudbound‘, did say this about its plot.

Maybe it was a ghost. Or maybe it was some other force — like us not wanting to be there or fitting in. 

 
Unfamiliar with Rees?
Watch the interview below…

Your thoughts?

Katy Perry is reportedly in advanced talks to join the revived ‘American Idol.’

According to TMZ, the ‘Bon Appétit’ belter is “very interested” in a judging role on ABC‘s incarnation of the singing show. So much so that she’s said to be willing to map out her upcoming tour around Idol’s taping schedule.

The only (major) detail being hashed out presently is money.

Although, with ABC losing out to NBC‘s no holds barred approach to snagging talent they were interested in (see: both Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson joining ‘The Voice’), Perry appears to be in a great position at the negotiation table.

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This actually makes an abundance of sense.

For Katy, Idol – regardless of the naysayers – will command an audience sizeable enough to be beneficial to her career. It’ll also line her pockets handsomely at a time when it’s uncertain what the returns would be from her music and touring efforts (see: current underperformance).

Meanwhile, for the show, Perry lends a heightened degree of star-power right out of the gate.

Make…it…happen!

Your thoughts?

Hankering for a new Shonda Rhimes legal drama?

You’re in luck!

Soaring towards ABC as part of its 2017/2018 is ‘For the People’, a ‘Law & Order’ style series packed with scandal, murder, crime, corruption, lies, and deception.

You’d like to see a teaser?

Press play…

A premiere date for the series, which follows the lives of new lawyers battling the aforementioned evils within the New York City judicial system, is yet to be set.

Want more from Shondaland?

Click here to learn about ‘Scandal’s forthcoming final season and here for details on its sister series ‘How To Get Away with Murder’.

Your thoughts?