Tyler Perry‘s much-loved matriarch returns for ‘Boo 2! A Madea Halloween’ – due in theaters October 20th.
The flick arrives almost a year to the day of the original, which proved all sorts of profitable – generating $75 million at the box office on a $20 million budget.
So what’s the tea this time around?
Madea, Bam and Hattie venture to a haunted campground and the group must literally run for their lives when monsters, goblins and the bogeyman are unleashed.
With Kelly Rowland‘s stint on The Voice Australia wrapped, the R&B belle is back to work on her long-awaited fifth album.
It’s been four years since the star hatched her last LP ‘Talk A Good Game’ and fans have been growing impatient.
However, producers Da Internz have thrown out a bone of excitement after sharing this shot of themselves in the studio with Ms. Kelly.
The caption attached read:
Been in a real zone in the studio lately. It’s all about deep conversation and making all the music from scratch aka Johnny onda spot. Peace to the Queen of the chocolates for an unforgettable session @kellyrowland.
Da Internz boast an impressive resumé, which includes smashes such as Nicki Minaj’s ‘Anaconda’ and Rihanna’s ‘Birthday Cake.’
Here’s hoping they’ve baked something blazing for Kelly!
Major Lazer hitmaker Diplo majorly pissed off some of his fans after he took to Twitter to joke about recently unveiled accusations against R.Kelly for allegedly holding girls captive in a “sex cult.”
As the Kelly story, which the singer vehemently denies is true (we reported yesterday), made its round across the net, Diplo thought it a good time to proclaim:
Well, needless to say the joke wasn’t taken particularly well. Lighting a firestorm of angry tweets, the backlash was so quick Dip deleted the tweet.
Word on the curb was that Kim Zolciak‘s return to ‘The Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ was a done deal. But apparently said reports were premature. Because the reality star has revealed that she has just inked her contract for season 10 of the hit Bravo show.
Taking to Instagram, the outspoken mother of five confirmed speculation that she will be appearing but in a limited role.
Never short of catchphrases, Zolciak said she wouldn’t be carrying a peach because she’ll be continuing to carry her own spin-off show (‘Don’t Be Tardy’). As for how much folk can expect to see her on ‘Housewives’ (which is already taping) she wrote “#SeeUAtLeastHalfTheSeason.”
Janet Jackson has already had an action-packed year, having become a mother at 50 and divorcing her husband shortly after.
And there’s more activity taking place as we type.
Sources close to the singer have revealed that she’s been spotted in LA this week because she has officially moved back there.
Jackson, now 51, had been diving her time between London and Qatar when married. However, she is said to want to be closer to her own family on a full-time basis. The source said:
“Los Angeles has always been home for Janet and she is enjoying having her family so close. It’s especially important to her because she wants her son to have a close relationship with her mother and family. Everyone is so happy to have her back home [in L.A.]”
In other Ms. Jackson news, it’s been touted that she has already lost 65 pounds post-pregnancy and is eating clean and exercising rigorously ahead of her ‘State Of The World Tour’ – which launches on September 7th.
Additionally, firm word is that the Pop queen is – as we reported in May – negotiating a documentary deal that would focus on tour life and motherhood. Initial reports touted Netflix as her broadcast partner; the latest update doesn’t reveal who she’s talking to but excitingly confirm that there are active talks taking place.
Welcome to another edition of Meet the Makers, the TGJ original feature which pulls you behind Pop’s velvet rope and introduces you to the brains behind the scene’s operation.
Today, as his work with Beyonce makes him one of the most sought-after visionaries, we catch up with Chris Grant to find out how and why he became the star’s go-to guy.
TGJ: What were your creative influences growing up?
There are so many. I’d say the main ones were Michael, Janet, PRINCE, ‘Nsync and B2K. At the time I wanted to be an entertainer so those acts inspired me musically and visually.
I was born in the Bronx, New York. Once my family and I moved to West Palm Beach Florida I did every talent show and performed at every South Florida fair. It wasn’t long before people asked me if I taught at any dance studios or did private teaching and that’s how I got into it. Sean Green from Sean’s Dance Factory actually gave me my first opportunity and I was also in a dance group called Full Out and taught at a another dance studio called XCL owned by a beautiful lady named Miss Fisher.
TGJ: Fascinating! This led to creative directing?
Chris: Yeah it did. My grandmother spoiled me (laughs) she got me the computer I wanted which came with music and editing software, so I got into mixing music and adding live effects to my performances. People would go crazy over my mixes, choreography and show concepts and that’s when I became aware that creative directing became something I could possibly thrive in. As all of this was happening I auditioned and was selected to be on Diddy’s ‘Makin’ Da Band’ and made it to the Top 16 with the help of LaurieAnn Gibson.
TGJ: How did your meet Beyonce?
Chris: Frank Gatson spotted me on ‘Making da Band’ and we ran into each other shortly after IN New York. I’d admired his work for years without knowing it. I was extremely excited when he invited me to Miami and asked to see my work. So, I took two of my closest friends Mikey and Roben and showed him my version of ‘Single Ladies’. The official version was out at this point. I was flown to LA days later and asked to teach at Beyonce’s ‘I AM Tour’ auditions. She walks in and Frank asked me to perform my version of the song. When I was done she told me I was “unreal” and the rest is history.
How he’s helped to reshape her performance style in recent years?
There’s no pressure to, but there is definitely an effort to cover all bases and make sure we’re moving forward and not backwards. We recently revamped a lot of the older choreography and added dance breaks to make it more fun and up to date. It’s exciting because there’s a lot of ground to cover and it keeps things fresh. To be honest, we really create moves off of vibes which makes working with B as fun as it is. No egos, no over-thinking, just fun, artistry and creativity as a team.
As for talk that the industry’s standard for acts hoping to follow in Bey’s footsteps have been lowered in recent years?
We’re in a different time and that’s alright. The only way to be the best is to study the greats, rehearse and perfect your craft. Beyonce’ does that and understands it all. The secret to Bey’s success is the balance she has between having fun and turning up while committing to a message she’s passionate about and wants to convey.
So, what’s next for the gifted 20-something?
I’ve been listening to a lot of new artists I’m excited about, Victoria Monet is one of them. She’s really talented so I’d like to work with her. Professionally, I’d love to pursue acting, directing and exploring more of myself within entertainment. Personally, (laughs), I’m trying to buy a house man. I just want to be happy…more than anything.
Cardi B‘s rise to superstardom has seen her venture into Wendy Williams’ neck of the woods today with hopes doing so will support her new number ‘Bodak Yellow.’
Now far removed from her time on ‘Love & Hip Hop‘, the multi-hyphenate starlet hit the show for an interview which saw her spill details on her love life, career plans and her feelings towards her supposed enemy Karrueche Tran.
That isn’t all.
For, she also performed the aforementioned ‘Bodak’ live!
Naomi Campbell‘s career, impact and legacy lay at the heart of her recent conversation with ‘Fortune’, built to inspire women hoping to fare just as well as she has in their fields.
Ever honest, the supermodel spoke openly about her mission to encourage racial diversity within the world of beauty and why she rejected the offer to star in a movie telling the tale of Versace‘s brutal slaying twenty years ago.
Step into Campbell’s world and mind below…
Campbell’s bid to expose the industry’s efforts to erase women of colour from couture comes following her successful run as the star of the show ‘The Face’ and her time on the FOX series ‘Empire.’