‘The Real’ is readying a month’s worth of sassy guest hosts.

Indeed, since the dramatic departure of Tamar Braxton last year, the FOX talkshow has welcomed a lengthy list of ladies to fill in her vacant seat.

Word on the curb is that many of the visitors are in actuality testing out for a more full-time role on the show. Although, the validity of that remains to be seen.

What is certain though is that producers have lined up an array of engaging names for April through May.

Included are Joseline Hernandez (who we loved during her initial stint), radio personality Angela Yee, rapper Remy Ma, Mel B. The latter is especially interesting given the messy divorce she’s currently living out publicly.

Peep the full calendar below…

Your thoughts?

Just as rumors about the reboot of juggernaut reality singing competition series, ‘American Idol,’ were laid to rest last week, the show’s network home – FOX – has announced its intent to revive another historic talent show:  ‘Showtime at the Apollo.’

As we reported here in October 2016, Steve Harvey (the series’ host from 1993-2000) joined FOX for an ‘Apollo’ special.  Fast forward months later, that venture was so well received the network has opted to restore it to a weekly, hourlong showing.  Set to kick off later this year, tuck inside for all the details:

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Nicki Minaj is keeping the content a’coming.

Despite the video for ‘No Frauds’ featuring Drake and Lil Wayne being due imminently, the rapper has surprised fans with a teaser for solo effort ‘Regret In Your Tears.’

Lensed by Mert & Marcus, the visual looks like a highly stylized affair.

Peep the newly unwrapped preview below…

I’m feeling super generous today. Who’s ready for the #RegretInYourTears? VIDEO shot by the legendary, ICONIC #MertAndMarcus ☺️? pic.twitter.com/8yL7lvWhya

— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) April 18, 2017

Onika is really being fervent with this flood of the media arena. We’re not complaining, but are keen to see what the end game is. Is she creating buzz? Are these even “singles” in the traditional sense? Time holds the answer.

Your thoughts?

Kendrick Lamar is already on-course for a colossal opening on the charts with latest album ‘DAMN,’ and gifts himself streaming points with the arrival of the video for ‘DNA.’

Continuing the cinematic appeal established by preceding release ‘Humble,’ the clip was was directed by Nabil and features Don Cheadle.

More than just a cameo, the award-winning actor turns in a spirited performance after being introduced interrogating K.Dot.

What are you waiting for? Check out the visual for ‘DNA’ below…

Sure this wasn’t as instant as ‘Humble,’ but continued to kudos to Kendrick for pushing his creative output to exciting heights. Kudos.

Your thoughts?

As a core member of the ‘Power’ cast, Naturi Naughton‘s career is glowing – and so is she.

The former 3LW member recently announced that she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Ben.

And despite being 6 months along, she paid a visit to The Wendy Williams Show today to discuss her pending arrival and season 4 of her hit Starz show.

The 32-year-old even brought along a treat in the form of a sneak peek of season 4 of the increasingly popular series.

Check out the interview and the preview below…

Great interview.

We’re elated for Naturi – for the wins in both her private and professional life.

More power to her. No pun intended.

Your thoughts?

Jennifer Hudson may have an Oscar to her name and an omnipresence in the acting arena, but she still has music on the mind.

Fresh from a successful stint on The Voice UK, the songbird has returned to the studio to work on her fourth studio album.

Having already served up a taste in the form of promo single ‘Remember Me,’ J.Hud stopped by Sway’s Universe to open up about the project.

Refreshingly candid, the powerhouse revealed that she finally understands herself as an artist – rather than just a voice.

She went on to elaborate that her approach this go round is to not merely be a vessel for a producer’s vision, but to relay her own views.

Peep the informative sit-down below…

Exciting.

As keen appreciators of Jennifer’s talent, we’ve been awaiting that definitive body of work that really showcases her as the caliber of artist she can be.

Listening to articulate her goal with this LP piques our interest.

Fingers crossed the finished project delivers.

Your thoughts?

Drake has discovered that his $7.7 million mansion was burgled this month.

On April 3rd, a member of the rapper’s entourage entered the YOLO Estate and received the shock of his life when he found a woman dressed in the ‘Passionfruit’ purveyor’s clothes standing in one of his six rooms.

When confronted, the trespasser- who is yet to be named- claimed that she had permission to be in the property and admitted that she had helped herself to some of the beverages in the hit maker’s fridge.

It wasn’t long before the LAPD was called who, after stepping into the strange scene, charged her with a felony burglary and taken into custody.

The house is now available to purchase for $20 million.

Your thoughts?

Beyonce has got her legal team in ‘Formation’ in a bid to squash a lawsuit levelled against her for the 2016 hit.

The superstar singer, who is heavily pregnant with twins, was sued by a relative of deceased New Orleans comedian Messy Mya (real name Anthony Barre) back in February. She wasn’t the only name listed on the suit – pretty much everyone connected with the track and its video were served papers.

So what was the issue?

In the ‘Formation’ visual, Mya’s voice is heard twice – first at the start of the clip (“What happened at the New Orleans”) and later on (“B*tch, I’m back by popular demand.”)

The suit, filed by his sister Angel Barre, claims the samples infringe the rights in two works of Barre’s performance art, ‘A 27 Piece Huh?’ and ‘Booking the Hoes from New Wildin.’ Angel seeks royalties, damages and an order that her brother be credited as a writer, composer, producer and artist on the ‘Lemonade’ lead single.

Bey’s team say not so fast. 

Her attorney Mary Ellen Roy makes an important point clear from the onset about the production company that produced the video – Pretty Bird:

“[W]hile beyond the scope of this motion, Pretty Bird licensed the YouTube Videos from Mr. Barré’s family before plaintiff Angel Barré had herself appointed as the administrator of the Estate of Anthony Barré weeks after the Music Video’s premiere — presumably for the purpose of bringing this action.”

Roy goes on to stress that Barre’s sister has grossly overstated the use of her brother’s work in the clip and its subsequent use during live performances. She notes that the claim erroneously includes ‘Super Bowl 50,’ during which Beyonce performed the song but didn’t even use the clip of his voice.

As for the use of Mya’s speech in the video and live performances on the ‘Formation World Tour,’ Bey’s motion to dismiss hits back with the fact that just 6-10 seconds were used on each occasion. Hence, it ultimately falls under the protection of Fair Use. And if it didn’t, that wouldn’t matter as the proper licences were secured by the production company ahead of time.

**********

Sounds like Bey a strong case. But time will tell how it all plays out.

Your thoughts?

Spinning towards ABC from Shonda Rhimes‘ Shondaland is ‘Still Star Crossed‘, the epic new drama starring the British actress Lashana Lynch!

Its due date? May 29th.

What it’s all about?

Following the deaths of Romeo & Juliet, their respective families engage in a bloody war which threatens to destroy the city in which they live.

How its prince plans to solve the matter?

Press play below to find out…

‘Scream Queens’ star Lucien Laviscount portrays Romeo alongside Clara Rugaard who plays Juliet.

Lashana, who hails from London, plays Rosaline, Juliet’s cousin.

Check out the show’s full list of leading cast members below…

• Lashana Lynch as Rosaline
• Wade Briggs as Benvolio Montague
• Sterling Sulieman as Prince Escalus
• Ebonée Noel as Livia, Rosaline’s sister
• Zuleikha Robinson as Lady Giuliana Capulet
• Anthony Head as Lord Silvestro Capulet
• Grant Bowler as Damiano Montague
• Torrance Coombs as Count Paris
• Dan Hildebrand as Friar Lawrence
• Medalion Rahimi as Princess Isabella
• Susan Wooldridge as The Nurse

Your thoughts?

Drake is far from impressed with the service he received at The Madison Club.

Located in La Quinta, California, the club is actually a private residential community and was handpicked by the rapper as his resting spot of choice during his time at Coachella.

He now says said choice was a big mistake.

The business, undoubtedly shaken by the backlash they received shortly after Drake’s review, answered with…

We are trying to get this issue fixed as soon as possible. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority and for you to experience such a thing is embarrassing for us as we do not tolerate racial discrimination.

Have you ever been faced with racism in a professional setting?

Let us know below…

Another day, another drama for Chris Brown.

According to TMZ, the R&B bad boy is embroiled in another claim of abuse – this time by a photographer.

Per the report, Brown made a paid appearance at Tampa’s Aja Channelside nightclub. Management asserts that their in-house photographer was snapping pics when the singer and his crew arrived in the early hours of the morning. C. Breezy’s team told him to stop.

However, when the same camera man tried to take what he maintains were crowd shots from nearby Chris, the singer spotted him and chaos ensued.

The pap claims Chris hurdled over a couch and punched him in the face while he was cornered.

And there’s footage.

In the cellphone clip below, Chris can be seen in red and his bodyguard in yellow. Someone is clearly getting their Evander Holyfield on in the corner.

By the time police were called, Brown has bounced. The alleged victim shared the snaps below and maintains that he’ll be pressing charges.

Peep the alleged aftermath…

The incident comes on the heels of an expose on Brown’s alleged drug use, violent tendencies, and erratic behavior.

Your thoughts?

Lady Gaga may have just prescribed ‘The Cure’ for the Pop charts, but she’s also hard at work on a brand new movie.

As reported, Mother Monster has landed the lead role in Bradley Cooper’s remake of ‘A Star Is Born.’ 

Filming for the Warner Bros production is currently underway and Gaga took to social media to share the first look. Peep the pic above and the caption below:

I am so excited to star in my first movie alongside someone I’m so lucky to call my friend. I always wanted to be an actress on the big screen. The story of “A Star is Born” is so special and I’m so grateful to Bradley for making my dream come true. Can’t wait for you to meet Ally. She has her first scene in 5….⏰

In Gaga’s version of the classic, the female role, originally portrayed as a movie star on the rise, has been re-imagined as a small-time nightclub singer who eventually achieves global stardom.

Intriguingly, this borrows a page out of a recent Bollywood remake – which went on to be become a huge success.

There will be a major soundtrack component to the project – reportedly doubling as an album. Much like ‘The Bodyguard’ and ‘Dreamgirls.’

‘A Star Is Born’ hits theaters in 2018.

Your thoughts?