To great degree, multi-talented actress/music star Queen Latifah’s involvement in bringing the life story of Bessie Smith to screen has been 20 years in the making.

But, while two decades of blockbuster films, talk shows, a Grammy win, and an Academy Award nomination got in the way of her full pursuit of the project, the Queen’s scope has now placed its focus on revamping the film.

With schooling on the life of the legendary blues singer in tow, Latifah teams with Academy Award winner/comedienne Mo’nique to portray the songstress in the HBO biopic ‘Bessie.’

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That Grape Juice was on hand at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Empire’ last night!

Like the 10 million that tuned in to the FOX show and took to social media to voice their approval, we’re already hooked.

Keen to find out what the rest of the series will have on offer, we chatted it up with lead stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson (who play Luscious and Cookie Lyon) , as well as co-stars Jussie Smollett (Jamal) and Trai Byers (Andre).

Peep the gold carpet action above and watch out for a diva-fied cameo from Naomi Campbell!

Your thoughts?

Fox have scored a touchdown with their freshman series ‘Empire’.

The Lee Daniels directed drama, which stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, premiered last night and delivered mega ratings.

Find out how the music series fared below…

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With the piercing lens on civil rights seemingly at its height yet again some 50 years later, the release of ‘Selma’ – a film depicting the historic Martin Luther King Jr.-led voting-rights march from Selma, Alabama to the state capitol of Montgomery in 1965, couldn’t come at a more opportune time.

That Grape Juice was privy to an advanced screening of the Ava Duvernay film and now offer to you, courtesy of our resident editor Richard Pittman, a review of the movie that we can tell in earnest will be done a great disservice if not decorated with the award golds it so rightly deserves.

It all awaits below:

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‘OWN’s hit TV series ‘The Have & Have Nots’ continues to soar on a ratings front this year, recently reaching a brand new viewership peak when it returned for a second season this week.

Fantastic news below…

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Tonight brings with it the much-anticipated premiere of FOX’s new primetime show, ‘Empire’.

Produced by Lee Daniels and led by Oscar nominees Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, the series is a musical drama aptly centered on the running of a family empire.

Armed with a strong supporting cast, which includes the likes of Naomi Campbell, Raven Symone, and Gabourey Sidibe, the show also benefits from the fact that hitmaker Timbaland signed on to create all of the music featured.

Having watched the first episode ahead of this evening’s debut, we’re super buzzed about what’s to come and here are five reasons why…

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‘The Cosby Show‘ star Phylicia Rashad has spoken out in defence of onscreen husband Bill Cosby this week, blasting those who claim to have been sexually assaulted by the star.

Her words below…

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BET hit ‘Being Mary Jane’ bolts back onto the small screen on February 3rd.

Led by Gabrielle Union, the show – now in its second season – promises to bring the drama for its latest outing.

Already buzzed? Or need convincing? Whichever way you sway, the newly released sneak peek of season 2 / episode 1 is sure to titillate.

Check it out below…

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Congratulations are in order for Tamera Mowry-Housely.

The actress and host of daytime talker The Real has announced that she is pregnant.

Married to Fox News correspondent Adam Housely since 2011, the child will be the couple’s second following the birth of their son two-year-old Aden.

Though revealed initially on social media, the real must-see moment came when the 36-year-old shared the news with her fellow ‘Real’ hosts Tamar Braxton, Loni Love, Adrienne Bailon, and Jeannie Mai. 

Check out the footage below…

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Thirty three years after Sylvester Stallone first portrayed the iconic character, ‘Rambo‘ is to make a return to the big screen!

Details on its comeback below…

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Three years before she booted Mathew Knowles from her management camp, ‘Speechless’ singer Beyonce faced claims she had agreed to “whiten” her skin as part of a lucrative deal with the French cosmetics company ‘L’Oreal.’

This year, as he prepares to release take her story to the big screen, Knowles has finally spoken out about the drama she faced when the rumour hit the net.

Telling all in a recent interview with the ‘Wall Street Journal’, Knowles also revealed how a deal he signed in 2003 saw he and Beyonce tied to business moves made by her competitor Mary J. Blige.

Hit the 12 minute mark below…

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Guess which rising star shared this pic of himself in NYC hours ago, sharing the pic with all 42,000 of his ‘Instagram‘ followers.

Hint: 2013 saw this fashion forward character star in music videos released by British acts Katy B and Angel, after inking a deal with Tandy Anderson‘s ‘Select Model Management.’ 

Don’t know who it is?

All will be revealed, below…

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