Touchdown.

Urban actress Lauren London has scored in role in BET hit ‘The Game’ – and will be joining the show’s sixth season as a series regular.

London— whose acting gigs also include Madea’s Big Happy Family and Single Ladies – will play Kiera, a former child star who is currently appearing on a Cosby Show-esque sitcom.

According to TV Line, the show’s producers are also on the hunt for an actor to play an all-star running back. It is believed that both roles are intended to fill the void left by departing cast members Tia Mowry and Pooch Hall (Melanie and Derwin).

The Game returns next year, with regulars Wendy Raquel Robinson, Coby Bell, Hosea Chanchez, Brandy Norwood and Barry A. Floyd.

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Interesting. However, one has to wonder where this leaves Pooch Hall, who has still been teasing involvement in the show – despite it being confirmed that he’s no longer returning.

Your thoughts?

Rihanna‘s last acting gig may have helped ‘Battleship’ sink something vicious at the US office. However, the so-so performance of that film hasn’t quelled the star’s movie ambitions.

For according to The Hollywood Reporter, the ‘S&M’ “singer” has signed on to star in Dreamworks’ new animated adventure ‘Happy Smekday!’

In ‘Smekday!’a friendly alien race invades Earth and uses it as a hideout from their mortal enemy. When one lowly alien accidentally notifies the enemies of his whereabouts, he is forced to go on the run with a teenage girl, embarking on a comical road trip across a postapocalyptic America and learning what it really means to be human.

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Kudos to “brand RiRi” for continuing to branch out. For, there’s only so long she can keep getting away with singing like that. Hence, it makes an abundance of sense to branch out while the going is good.

Your thoughts?

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After weeks of anticipation, Oprah Winfrey‘s tell all interview with The Kardashians aired last night her ‘OWN’.

Discussing everything from Kris Jenner’s role as their “momager”, Kim‘s short lived marriage to Kris Humphries and their ever growing brand, the interview-though insightful- may be a tad frustrating for any hoping Winfrey would dig up any ‘dirt’ on the family.

Not sure what we mean?

Peep the heartwarming convo above…

Your thoughts?

This evening, Oprah Winfrey‘s long awaited interview with ‘The Kardashians’ will air on OWN.

However, before the anticipated conversation airs, the mogul shocked the world of radio by joining our friends over at Kempire Radio.

Defending her decision to interview the family, leaving her groundbreaking talk show and plans for the future, the clip makes for interesting listening.

Get into it above…

Your thoughts?

A decade ago, accurate-or at least favorable representations of Latin Americans were an all too welcome Pop culture commonplace.

If it wasn’t ‘Taina‘ gracing our screens on Paramount’s Nickelodeon it was the fiery sounds of Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin, figureheads for what has now be known as ‘The Latin Explosion‘.

Today, the story isn’t quite the same.

For, while the likes of Pitbull continue to fly the flag for Latin American music overseas, the demographic remains both mis- and underrepresented on the small screen.

Until now.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydu_7jtoaiI]

Starring 3LW front woman Adrienne Bailon and 106 & Park host Julissa Bermudez, That Grape Juice is pleased to welcome the Style Network‘s  ‘Empire Girls’.

Friends for over a decade, the ‘Girls’ landed the show following requests by friends to allow cameras into their lives.

Bermudez told us:

I had fears about being on Reality TV- because it really puts you out there, but so many funny crazy things would happen to us and our friends would be like “where are the cameras?!”

However, if you were hoping for the table tossing, cat fighting that plagues a number of today’s shows, think again. According to Bailon, “Empire Girls is feel good TV, it focuses on us being strong independent women with real goals and aspirations“.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGktdKLSN6o]

She went onto admit:

Of course there’s going to be drama, but it’s all real. None of it’s exaggerated for the cameras.

We’re both Latina, I was born in the New York and Julie was born in the Dominican Republic, but we both represent a huge demographic in the US, and that’s the second or third generation Latin American woman- and the show reflects that. 

Both of them declaring:

It won’t endorse the stereotypes.

Our story is about inspiration, it’s about hard work, determination and progress and you’ll definitely see that with both of us trying to each our seperate goals.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCDDAi1ytdI]

Catch the ‘Empire Girls’ every Sunday only on The Style Network, (9-10pm. ET)

Your thoughts?

As earlier reported, VH1 is set to unleash Hollywood Exes on the masses on June 27th.

And so as to whet appetites for the show, which follows the lives of the exes of Eddie Murphy, Prince,  R. Kelly and more, the network have released a sizzling new trailer. Check it out below.

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Steve Jobs had Apple, Richard Branson has Virgin and The Kardashians… well- they have themselves.

Fronting their own E! fueled brand of wealth and opportunity, The Kardashians are easily one of the world’s bankable businesses, the brainchild of the subtle Svengali Kris Jenner.

Now, in a bid to boost ratings for her growing OWN, Oprah Winfrey has called on the family for an exclusive tell all interview set to air June 17th.

Get into the preview above…

Your thoughts?

Urban Hollywood is in mourning today following tragic passing of actress Yvette Wilson – aged just 48.

Wilson, who made her name playing Andell on sitcoms ‘Moesha’ and ‘The Parkers’ had been battling cervical cancer, sadly succumbing early this morning.

Her passing sees her join the unfortunate list of  ‘Moesha’ talent’s whose lives were cut short entirely too soon. Lamont Bentley – who played Hakeem – died following a car crash in 2005, while Merlin Santana -who played recurring character Ohagi – was shot dead in 2002.

Our sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to Wilson’s family during this trying time.

Your thoughts?

While NeNe Leakes made a name for herself in the Urban diaspora by way of Bravo hit ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’, it was her stint on season 11 of Celebrity Apprentice which saw the mainstream mass sit up and pay attention.

One the most pertinent reasons? Her epic duels with TV host and fellow contestant Star Jones. See what we mean below!

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For the ladies at VH1’s ‘Basketball Wives‘, the last year has been ‘intense’ to say the least.

Coming under fire for what many saw as gratuitous violence, bullying and a general lack of decorum, today saw the ‘wives’ face even more drama.

For, in what will shock many of its viewers, VH1 has reportedly given Jennifer Williams, Kesha Nicols and Royce Reed their marching orders in a bid to rid the show of ‘dead weight’.

Reports indicate that Royce‘s dismissal stems from her inability to address her ‘off screen’ drama on camera due to a gagging order placed on her the father of her son.

This, coupled with her cast mates refusal to film with  led to producers coming to this decision.

Williams, who like  Reed has starred in the show since its genesis, was allegedly given the boot after being seen as a liability by producers, after threatening to sue recurring cast mate Nia Crooks for slapping her on camera and openly criticizing the show during press rounds.

Until they are replaced, the show’s current line up consists of attempted mogul Shaunie O’ Neal, one time homey hopper Evelyn Lozada, the cantankerous Tami Roman and failed television host Suzie Ketcham.

VH1 are yet to release a statement confirming the dismissals.

Until they do, peep the middle aged bullies  ladies in action below…

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Contrary to popular belief, the UK boasts its own thriving Urban scene. It’s one rich in rising talent, as showcased in hot new web series ‘Venus vs Mars’.

Written and produced by Talented & Young, the show centres of the life and love of lead character Venus, interweaving her “drama” with that of her equally troubled friends.

So what are you waiting for? Hit ‘Play’ to watch episode 4 of  what is shaping up to be a great show!

Your thoughts?

 

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It’s finally here.

Last night, much to the dismay of many a Michael Jackson fan, Oprah Winfrey interviewed his daughter Paris.

In the conversation, which was surprisingly candid, the ladies discuss everything from Paris’ unique childhood, her thoughts on her father’s passing and her hopes for the future.

Watch above.

Your thoughts?

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