Rita Ora may be readying new single ‘Your Song’ for release later this month, but she’s not vacating the TV the arena. Quite the contrary, in fact.

For, the former ‘X Factor’ judge ‘Voice UK’ coach, and ‘America’s Next Top Model’ host has booked a new gig – this time at ABC.

The network may have just nabbed the rights to ‘American Idol,’ but before then they announced a summer singing competition named ‘Boy Band.’ 

Well, according to Variety, Ora has been tapped to host the show which aims to piece together America’s next big boyband from a pool of contestants.

Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter has signed on as a judge alongside Spice Girls singer Emma Bunton.

So how will the format differ to Idol and the plethora of shows in the same space?

First and foremost hopefuls will battle for spots in a band with a recording contract at Hollywood Records. Viewers voting live at home will influence the sway of affairs by picking their five favorite potential members.

As for the judges, they will be called “architects” and will serve as mentors too.

‘Boy Band’ airs this summer on ABC.

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On the surface, this is giving ‘Making The Band’ meets ‘The Voice’ with sprinkles of several other shows already on offer.

That said, it does sound interesting. What’s more, sometimes the best shows are amalgamations of many others rather than an outright new concept.

In any case, we’re willing to give this a chance. Are you?

Your thoughts?

After ample speculation, it is official – Katy Perry has signed on a judge on the revived ‘American Idol.’

Confirmation came moments ago at the ABC Upfronts, whereby the network outlined their plans for the 2017/2018 television season.

The acquisition of Perry’s services will stand as quite the coup for ABC who secured the rights to air the new incarnation of the talent show after a fierce bidding war with its original network FOX as well as NBC.

It marks the latest in a string of announcements pertaining to Perry, who this week alone has unveiled 4th album ‘Witness’ and an accompanying tour.

Do you think ‘Idol’ is a wise move on her part? Let us know below…

Your thoughts? 


Following weeks of speculation, it is finally confirmed – ’Scandal’ will be bowing out after its 7th season.

The news was broken at ahead of the ABC Upfronts moments ago by the network’s Entertainment President Channing Dungey.

Speaking to congregated press, he said:

“Shonda has decided the series needs to come to a close, and while this is definitely a bittersweet moment for all of us gladiators, I have no doubt what she has in store for the final season will be as powerful as what’s come before, and we will be sure to honor that every step of the way.”

Rhimes, creator and executive producer of the politic drama, chimed in adding:

“Deciding how to end a show is easy. Deciding when to finish is quite simple when the end date is years away. But actually going through with it? Actually standing up to say: ‘This is it?’ Not so much. So, next year we are going all out. Leaving nothing on the table. Creating this world in celebration. We are going to handle the end the way we like to handle the important things in our ‘Scandal’ family: all together, white hats on, gladiators running full speed over a cliff.” [Source]

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As a consistent ratings performer, confirmation of the show’s end will come as a blow to its millions of fans. And while we count ourselves among that mass, we do feel ’Scandal’ has reached a respectable ceiling as far as believability goes. Hence, it’s best for it to go out on a high rather than linger on and drag.

Kudos to Kerry Washington, the cast, crew, writers, and all involved. It’s been a hell of a ride.

Your thoughts?

Remy Ma wants Nicki Minaj to know that she is no longer interested in discussing their feud.

How? By discussing their feud.

Praised for her scathing ‘SHether‘, Ma took to radio hours ago to declare that she is finished with the fighting and is unsure why Minaj, who impacted the Billboard Hot 100 with her response ‘No Frauds’, is still upset about it.

Remy’s point of view below…

On a positive tip, Ma continues to impress viewers of ‘The Real’ with her regular stints on the show and is said to be hard at work on her first solo album since the release of her ill-fated collaborative set ‘Plato o Plamo’ which she released with Fat Joe.

Your thoughts?

PETA has a bone (or feather) to pick with Rihanna.

Horrified when they spotted her sporting a fur coat at last week’s Dior Cruise show, the aggressive animal rights activist group penned an opened letter to the ‘Take a Bow‘ belle with hopes it will force her to part ways with said coat.

It reads…

Dear Rihanna,

We saw the numerous comments from fans who were disappointed to see you wearing fur at the Dior event last week. Like us, they wish you would please retire your furs and instead choose a look that kills but doesn’t actually kill anyone.

Please accept this faux fur as a gift from PETA. In addition, we’d like to request that you please consider donating your furs to us. Every fur item causes a tremendous amount of pain and suffering to the foxes, minks, and coyotes who are beaten, electrocuted, gassed, and often skinned alive by the fur industry—and fur production takes a toll on humans as well. In the U.S. alone, fur farms are directly responsible for nearly 1,000 tons of phosphorous entering our rivers and streams each year, not to mention the toxic soup of chemicals used to keep animal skins from decomposing, which are hazardous to workers and the surrounding environment.

Your donated furs would go to good use: In the past, we’ve sent furs to Syrian refugees and to homeless shelters, which has an impact on “as many lives as possible in a positive way,” as you said so eloquently in your Harvard Humanitarian Award acceptance speech.

Warm regards,

Andrew Bernstein

PETA

She is yet to respond to their demand or criticism of her outfit.

#NowWatching: ‘Redlining: The Origin of American Ghettos’.

What do you think Rihanna should do?

Offering a more adept and artistic brand of R&B than a number of her Reality TV-ready peers, Ledisi returns to her genre’s courts with a brand new number named ‘High.’

I’ve been thinking about time / I’ve been thinking about space / I know I might sound crazy but I’m tryin’ to get down in a real good space. Finally, I’m feeling real good.

The moving song appears on her next studio album and will receive live renditions when the singer hits the road to rock fans as part of Maxwell’s forthcoming tour!

Listen below…

I’ve been thinking ’bout time
I’ve been thinking ’bout space
I know I might sound crazy
But I’m tryna get down in a real good space
I just wanna be safe
I just wanna feel good every morning, every single day
Every morning that I wake
I’ve been looking for a place
Where the sun shines all the time
Good loving in my soul is what I crave
I ain’t worried ’bout the hate (uh-uh)
Last year was a good year for your girl
I’ve been keeping up with the pace
So don’t be coming with the bull
Had a good year, now you starting to see my face
Ain’t worried ’bout the fate

Can you relate?

 

Live in London?

Love Tinashe?

You’re in luck. For following positive developments in her relationship with Sony Music Entertainment‘s British arm, the entertainer has announced the arrival of a brand new live show in the city!

Her new set ‘Joyride’ will impact the world on August 11th 2017.

Yet to take a spin on her ‘NightRide’?

Tracklist:

1. Lucid Dreaming
2. C’est La Vie
3. Sunburn
4. Binaural Test (interlude)
5. Sacrifices
6. Company
7. Soul Glitch
8. You Don’t Know Me
9. Spacetime
10. High Speed Chase (interlude)
11. Ride Of Your Life
12. Party Favors
13. You Can Stay Here Tonight (interlude)
14. Touch Pass
15. Ghetto Boy

Listen here!

Your thoughts?


Fifth Harmony
‘s Normani Kordei continues to crush the competition on the current season of ‘Dancing With The Stars.’

Competing alongside Val Chmerkovskiy, the 20-year-old has been amassing major momentum with her flaw-free showings.

And week 9 was no different.

Tackling the Viennese Waltz (to Rihanna’s ‘ANTI’ hit ‘Desperado’) and a 2nd Jazz number, Kordei earned high scores – the latter of which being the top score.

Watch ‘Mani werk it all the way out below…

She came, she slayed, she conquered.

Word on the curb is that new 5H material is due in a matter of weeks, so this is all lining up rather handsomely.

Your thoughts?

In 2010, the attorney Phaedra Parks waltzed into America’s homes by way of the hit series ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.’

Shortly after, the esteemed mother of two found herself in hot water when a former friend named Angela Stanton penned a book detailing what she claims was criminal activity engaged in by Parks, her husband Apollo Nida and Nida‘s brother.

Fortunately for Parks, it wasn’t long before the book and the interviews launched to support it were buried beneath Park’s rising star and on-camera storylines served up by she and her fellow ‘Housewives.’

Alas, her feuding with her co-star Kandi Burruss and the firestorm it has created has prompted viewers to take a fresh look into Stanton’s allegations.

What a new generation of ‘Housewives’ viewers has discovered?

 

Parks has always denied these allegations. Alas, despite blasting the show’s decision to overlook tall tales told by her nemesis Kenya Moore, fans of the series took to Twitter to share remarks like the ones below…

 

Your thoughts?

After doing her part to save ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ from complete ratings ruin, the influencer Kylie Jenner steps into her own light this year with the birth of her own TV series ‘Life of Kylie.’

In it, fans are given access into the celebrity’s world as she builds an empire fuelled by the fame of her older sister Kim Kardashian, father Caitlyn Jenner and mother Kris Jenner.

E! ordered eight episodes from the Bunim/Murray production outfit which built the series with help from Ryan Seacrest Productions.

Waiting below? A first look delivered by NBC during its recent upfront presentation in New York City.

Keep it locked on TGJ for ‘Kylie’s release date.

#NowPlaying: Monica – Teen People Interview.

Will you be watching?

Photo credit: KRISTINA BUMPHREY/STARPIX/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Jennifer Lopez was the picture of perfection at today’s NBC Upfronts.  Stunning with a long sleeve, off-shoulder number, the multitalented ‘Louboutins’ singer strutted the blue carpet in a fierce pair of nude Christian Louboutins to dish on her forthcoming NBC venture, ‘World of Dance.’

But, before she kicks off her search for America’s next best dancer on May 30th, Lopez was quizzed on her thoughts about official news her former judging gig – ‘American Idol’ – is making its return to airwaves.  Find out what she said below:

(more…)

Mary J. Blige is bringing ‘The Strength Of A Woman’ to a city near you!

Fresh from releasing her hit R&B album of the same name, the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul has announced its accompanying tour.

Aptly christened ‘The Strength Of A Woman Tour,’ the US trek kicks off in Chicago on July 7th and climaxes in September in Oakland. Lala Hathaway will serve as special guest.

Peep the announcement video below, where dates also await…

7/30/17 – Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
8/1/17 – Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom Hill
8/2/17 – Cleveland, OH Hard Rock Live
8/4/17 – Buffalo, NY Shea’s Performing Arts Center
8/5/17 – Indianapolis, IN Murat Theater
8/6/17 – Nashville, TN Nashville Municipal Auditorium
8/8/17 – Atlanta, GA Wolf Creek Amphitheater
8/10/17 – Raleigh, NC Red Hat Amphitheatre
8/13/17 – Baltimore, MD Pier Six Pavilion
8/18/17 – Brooklyn, NY Ford Amphitheatre at Coney Island Boardwalk*
8/19/17 – New York City, NY Theater at Madison Square Gardens*
8/22/17 – Miami, FL Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theatre
8/23/17 – Jacksonville, FL Daily’s Place
8/25/17 – Houston, TX Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
8/26/17 – Dallas, TX Music Hall at Fair Park
8/30/17 – Phoenix, AZ Comerica Theatre
9/1/17 – Las Vegas, NV The Pearl
9/2/17 – Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
9/6/17 – Denver, CO Bellco Theater
9/8/17 – Reno, NV Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort
9/9/17 – Oakland, CA The Paramount Theatre

[Tickets go on-sale May 19th. Click here for more tea]

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We’ll most definitely be in the house, as MJB shows up and shows out each and every time.

Your thoughts?

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