90’s hitmaker and star of TV One’s ‘R&B Divas: LA’ Michel’le Toussaint (known mononymously as Michel’le) is finally getting her day via the highly anticipated biographical film ‘Surviving Compton:  Dre, Suge, and Michel’le.’

Airing tonight at 8/7c on Lifetime, the flick – intentionally premiering during Domestic Abuse Awareness Month – not only tells of Toussaint’s rise to fame, but primarily focuses on her highly publicized, tumultuous relationship with rap royal Dr. Dre before and during his time with legendary rap group N.W.A.  And, while Michel’le was never mentioned in the group’s blockbuster biopic, ‘Straight Outta Compton,’ released last year, she asserts her cinematic venture will highlight aspects of Dre’s life ‘Straight Outta Compton’ left out.

While we at TGJ HQ will definitely have our popcorn at the ready tonight when the film premieres, we’re curious to know…

(more…)

Upon its 2013 debut, comic genius Kevin Hart and the gang of BET’s ‘Real Husbands of Hollywood’ were ratings frontrunners for the network.  Opening to a whopping 4.14 million in January of that year, the show’s first two season’s ratings maintained a buoyancy that helped make it a leader among all cable shows in its time slot.

Fast forward three years and four seasons later, the funnyman probably won’t be finding much to laugh about when he takes a look at the series’ ratings for its season 5 (which premiered October 11, 2016).  Stats reveal this week brought with it the first time over its 5 seasons the show launched to less than 1 million viewers.

Troubling figures below:

(more…)

Welcome to Retro Rewind, the original TGJ feature carved out to take our readers on a journey into Entertainment’s glorious and occasionally controversial past.

Where our journey will take us today?

2010, the year in which Naomi Campbell was forced found herself embroiled in a deadly scandal involving war crimes, Nelson Mandela…and “dirty stones.”

Step into TGJ’s time machine below…

(more…)

Before ‘American Idol’ was considered the ‘juggernaut’ of singing competitions, its “granddaddy” – ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ – was the stage virtual unknowns took to if and when they wanted to be superstars.  Helping build the careers of music icons James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson to Lauryn Hill, Destiny’s Child, and more, the Apollo stage is etched in history for its contributions to R&B, rap, and music overall.

Airing as a television show from 1987 to 2008 (featuring music, comedy, dance, poetry, etc.), ‘Apollo’ welcomed comedian/actor/radio and television host Steve Harvey as its host from 1993-2000.  Now, some 16 years later, Harvey and the series are set to be reunited thanks to FOX:

(more…)

As several women step forward to claim Donald Trump sexually assaulted them, the First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama has stepped out to condemn his actions and the surfacing of  that tape.

Her condemnation of his actions comes 24 days before election day.

Here I am, out on the campaign trail in an election where we have consistently been hearing hurtful, hateful language about women — language that has been painful for so many of us, not just as women, but as parents trying to protect our children and raise them to be caring, respectful adults, and as citizens who think that our nation’s leaders should meet basic standards of human decency.

I can’t believe that I’m saying that a candidate for President of the United States has bragged about sexually assaulting women. I can’t stop thinking about this. It has shaken me to my core in a way that I couldn’t have predicted. I’d love nothing more to pretend that this isn’t happening.This is not something that we can ignore.

Watch her speech below…

(more…)

Chris Rock has picked up a $40 million check for a lucrative new deal he has signed with Netflix.

(more…)

Forget Fridays, all the action takes place Thursday nights on ABC.

Smash hit series ‘How To Get Away With Murder’ is back for a titillating third season.

The legal drama, which stars Emmy winner Viola Davis, follows a group of ambitious law students and their brilliant criminal defence professor. Last season brought with it a countless list of twists and the newest instalment promises a whole lot more. 

It all makes for a riveting watch. And like millions, we’re already hooked!

Peep the preview of episode 5 of season 3 – titled ‘It’s About Frank‘ – below… (more…)

Lee Daniels continues to build his ‘Empire’ over at FOX.

Armed with the success of the hit music drama, the famed director is birthing another named ‘STAR.’

As reported, the series rooted in the realm of music.

Queen Latifah stars in the title, which is set in Atlanta and tells the tale of three talented singers in search of a new start. With ambitions of superstardom, the show follows the group as they navigate the cut-throat music business on their road to success.

Set to hit screens in 2017, a special preview will air in December. Before then, peep an extended trailer below…

(more…)

Four months after Nick Jonas unveiled his highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘Last Year Was Complicated,’ the former boy band beau is still on the promo trail for the effort.  Joining forces with TIDAL, the singer/songwriter has released a trippy, psychedelia-inspired music video for the album’s opener ‘Voodoo.’

Set in New Orleans’ French Quarter, the kaleidoscopic visual is probably best enjoyed under the influence of drugs.

Think we’re joking?  See what we mean below:

(more…)

Thanks to Hurricane Matthew and a whirlwind of bad press surrounding ‘Birth of a Nation’ star Nate Parker and his refusal to apologize for his involvement in a 17-year-old rape case (that he was acquitted of), the historical film – which depicts the Nat Turner-led slave revolt of 1831 – bombed something fierce at the box office this past weekend.

Well, according to FOX executive Frank Rodriguez, that depends on how you define “bomb.”

For many-an-outlet the flick was deemed a flop because it was only able to drum up 7.1 million at the box office – an undoubtedly low sum considering FOX Searchlight acquired it during the Sundance Film Festival for a record-breaking $17.5 million deal.

Despite the expectations, Rodriguez asserts the studio is pleased with ‘Nation’s performance to date…

(more…)

The comedy world was dealt a blow this morning when fans of the iconic 90’s sitcom ‘Martin’ learned one of its stars, Tommy Ford [‘Tommy’], reportedly passed away due to complications from knee surgery.

Originally reported by ‘black-ish’ star and friend Anthony Anderson, news outlets began sharing the story in droves…until reporter Ryan Parker reached out to Ford’s agent for an official statement.  It was then Parker learned Ford was actually still alive…until newly refreshed reports confirmed the worst.

Sad news below:

(more…)

Gabrielle Union made headlines today when news of her lawsuit against BET hit the wire.

The timing of filing (and indeed the filing itself) shocked many, given that season 4 of her hit series ‘Being Mary Jane’ launches in January on…BET.

Per reports, Union is unhappy due to strategic plays she feels are being made to get more out of her – for less money.

As reported, her suit read:

“BET represented and assured Ms. Union before she agreed to perform in Being Mary Jane that it would never produce more than thirteen (13) episodes per season of the series. BET now wants to shoot twenty (20) episodes of the series back-to-back and cram all of the episodes into a single season in order to fraudulently extend the term of Ms. Union’s contract, with no additional consideration, and to deprive Ms. Union of her agreed-upon compensation for the next two seasons of ‘Being Mary Jane.’

Wasting no time, BET have clapped-back. Read their response below…

(more…)