The Wizard of Oz couldn’t deliver the amount of courage needed to be Alexandra Shipp at this very moment.

Aboard the highly anticipated Lifetime biopic ‘Aaliyah:  Princess of R&B,’ the Phoenix-bred beauty takes on the role of one of the genre’s most beloved entities while combatting an army of naysayers – including the ‘One In a Million’ singer’s own family.  Chronicling her rise to fame and the controversies that clouded some of it, the movie, helmed by ‘Queen of All Media’ Wendy Williams, is set to explore (like never before) the life of R&B’s fallen angel.

As the film is being greeted with mix reviews from fans and critics alike before its official arrival tonight at 8/7c, Shipp tells That Grape Juice how she’s handling the skeptics, the challenges that came with singing Aaliyah’s music, and so much more.

Sail on down below the jump to see more from our exclusive chat with Miss Shipp.  As ever, it’s a must read:

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When?

This is the question routinely thrown into the air during discussion about Rihanna‘s eighth studio album.

Initially due last year, the set has been marred by multiple delays, which the 26-year-old recently blamed on being a perfectionist (the hilarity).

But according to a new report by DJ Skee, ol’ RiRi could be pulling a rouse and readying a roll-out much sooner than thought.

Details below…

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Altruism below…

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Cheryl Cole must have felt in a charitable mood tonight.

Because, after years of lip-syncing, she donated her live vocals to this evening’s ‘Children In Need’ broadcast.

The X Factor judge did away with the 8-counts and instead served up a stripped-back performance of the title track of her new album, ‘Only Human’.

How did she fare? Find out below….

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As the age old adage goes, all good things must come to an end.

Moments ago BET announced the end of their flagship countdown show ‘106 & Park’ — as a TV format.

Details below..

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Today brings with it the big screen debut of hotly anticipated movie ‘Beyond The Lights’.

Led by Nate Parker and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, the film follows the story of superstar singer Noni. The pressures of fame have her on the edge, until she meets Kaz (Parker), a young cop who works to help her find the courage to develop her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be.

Critics have showered praise on the flick – and with good reason. We watched earlier this month and enjoyed in earnest. Think a modern-day ‘Bodyguard’.

Ever keen to get you the scoop, we caught up with Parker and quizzed him on his role, the movie’s parallels to the Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner classic, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus and more.

Hit ‘PLAY’ to watch above…

Your thoughts?

All roads lead to November 24th for Iggy Azalea

The ‘Fancy’ femcee struts into stores with the ‘Reclassified’ re-release of her debut album ‘The New Classic’ on the said date.

Preceded by single ‘Beg For It’, the remoulded LP joins select cuts from the original with new tracks.

One of those fresh numbers is ‘Heavy Crown’ featuring Ellie Goulding – which Azalea previewed moments ago. Check it out below…

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‘Red Light Special‘ performer Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas has signed on Bravo‘s dotted line this year, joining the cast of their hit Reality TV series ‘The Millionaire Matchmaker.‘

Want details on her televised quest for love?

All will be revealed below…

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After Tyra Banks was forced to reprimand a cycle 21 contestant on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ for taking a seemingly homophobic shot at a fellow model, the star has seen the hit show bake a fresh batch of controversy.

For, after public votes saw her return to the competition after being eliminated by Banks and her current lineup of judges, model Chantelle Brown Young has blasted the show’s on-screen creative director Yu Tsai for calling her a panda.

Her problem with the nickname? Its supposed reference to her rare skin condition, Vitiligo.

How she responded? Peep a preview of tonight’s episode of ‘Top Model‘ to find out below…

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With the music industry awaiting Rihanna‘s new album with bated breath, hitmaker Calvin Harris has revealed that he worked on a track for the set with newcomer Tinashe.

Details below…

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After a long career starring in Black cinema, LisaRaye McCoy is gearing up to make her directorial debut in a movie which focusses on a topic still pertinent to that audience: skin bleaching.

Aptly titled ‘Skinned’, the indie flick (which McCoy also stars in) centres on skin bleaching, colourism and the issues that arise. Ghanian star Van Vicker plays an African businessman who prefers “light-skinned” women, and unknowingly marries a “Black” woman who has bleached her skin. She has no childhood pictures of herself and lies she has vitiligo, and can’t bear children because of her secret.

Check out the trailer…

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Nicole Scherzinger is certainly a trier.

Undeterred by the blink-and-you-missed-it performance of her new album ‘Big Fat Lie’, the former Pussycat Doll is pressing on with ‘Run’ – the third single from the UK released LP.

The video for the ballad, which is hoped will jump-start sales for the project, premiered moments ago. Check it out below…

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