H.E.R. will take on the role of ‘Belle’ in ABC’s forthcoming live-action/animated Beauty and the Beast special, celebrating the movie’s 30th anniversary. The casting marks the first time an Afro Filipina woman will portray the iconic character onscreen. Additional castings will be announced at a later date.

According to ABC, the 25-year-old H.E.R. will take part in “never-before-seen musical performances celebrating and paying homage to the beloved tale” in the two-hour Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration, which will be recorded in front of a live audience at Disney Studios and air Thursday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

H.E.R., who will also serve as a producer on the special, said in a statement: “I can’t believe I get to be a part of the Beauty and the Beast legacy. The world will see a Black and Filipino Belle!  I have always wanted to be a Disney princess, and I get to work with two wonderful directors Hamish Hamilton and my favorite, Jon M. Chu. It is very surreal and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/her-belle-beauty-and-the-beast-abc-1235321127/

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Adele announced rescheduled dates for her Weekends with Adele show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace after postponing due to COVID-19.  In addition to the 24 rescheduled shows, eight new shows have also been announced. The residency will now run from November 18, 2022 through March 25, 2023 with a show also on Christmas Eve.

The 34-year-old singer said in a statement:  “Words can’t explain how ecstatic I am to finally be able to announce these rescheduled shows. I truly was heartbroken to have to cancel them. But after what feels like an eternity or figuring out logistics for the show that I really want to deliver, and knowing it can happen, I’m more excited than ever!  To be with you in such an intimate space every week has been what I’ve most been looking forward to and I’m going to give you the absolute best of me. Thank you for your patience, I love you.”

Adele was scheduled to kick off her Weekends With Adele Vegas residency in January, but indefinitely postponed the entire 24 run engagement the day before it was to begin, citing cases of COVID-19 among her team.  She said at the time: “We’ve been absolutely destroyed by delivery delays, and half my crew, half my team have come down with COVID. It’s been impossible to finish the show, and I can’t give you what I can right now.”

A select number of tickets will be available across all 32 performances. There will be two opportunities to purchase tickets for these shows. Access will be limited with priority given to fans who held tickets for the original show dates or had previously registered and been waitlisted for the WEEKENDS WITH ADELE Verified Fan Presale. Eligible fans will receive an email invitation from Ticketmaster on Wednesday, August 3. To learn more visit: https://blog.ticketmaster.com/adele-vegas.

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Harry Styles and Florence Pugh star in the second trailer for the Olivia Wilde-directed film, ‘Don’t Worry Darling.’

The two-and-a-half-minute trailer opens with the main characters Alice (Pugh) and Jack (Styles), living a new, picture-perfect life provided by Jack’s experimental company town housing, Victory Project — run by CEO Frank (Chris Pine). A creepy voice begins to whisper “tick, tock”, as 1950s housewife Pugh falls into a dark body of water and realizes that the town has sinister secrets.

Olivia Wilde does triple-duty on film: directing, producing and starring. The cast also includes Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, Sydney Chandler and Nick Kroll. The movie is Wilde’s sophomore directing effort following Booksmart, her coming-of-age drama that won the Independent Spirit Award for best first feature and was one of the best-reviewed films of 2019.

Don’t Worry Darling hits theaters on September 23.  Watch the newest trailer – here.

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The recipients of the 45th Kennedy Center Honors have been announced, with performing artists recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture.

The list of honorees include actor and filmmaker George Clooney; contemporary Christian and pop singer Amy Grant; venerable gospel, soul and R&B star Gladys Knight; Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, conductor and educator Tania León; and four Irish musicians you may know best as the rock band U2.

In a statement, bandmates Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. said they consider America a home away from home:  “In December 1980, we made our first trip across the Atlantic to America. We had big dreams then, fueled in part by the commonly held belief at home that America smiles on Ireland. And it turned out to be true, yet again. But even in the wilder thoughts, we never imagined that 40 years on, we would be invited back to receive one of the nation’s greatest honors. It has been a four-decade love affair with the country and its people, its artists, and culture.”

The Honors are designed to raise money for the Kennedy Center as well as recognize talent. The annual ceremony is slated for Dec. 4, to be broadcast later on CBS and streamed on Paramount +.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/21/entertainment/kennedy-center-honors-2022-george-clooney-u2-cec/index.html

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Future has released the music video for his single “LOVE YOU BETTER.”

“LOVE YOU BETTER” is off the rapper’s latest LP, titled I NEVER LIKED YOU, which dropped in April with guest appearances from Kanye West, Gunna, Young Thug, Drake and more. The project marks Future’s ninth studio album.

Watch the music video for Future’s “LOVE YOU BETTER” – here.

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Shortly after Beyoncé unveiled the track list for her upcoming album Renaissance last week, Apple Music has published the album credits, which reveal a star-studded list of collaborators including Drake, Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams.

Beyoncé’s husband Jay-Z is credited on the songs “Alien Superstar,” “America Has a Problem” and first single “Break My Soul,” while Drake is among the collaborators on “Heated.” Williams and his longtime producing partner Chad Hugo appear to have worked on the song “Energy,” while Raphael Saadiq lent a hand on “Cuff It” and “Pure Energy.”

In addition, several songs appear to include samples from James Brown (“Church Girl”), Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer (album closer “Summer Renaissance”) and the late singer Teena Marie’s 1981 classic “Square Biz” (“Cuff It,” “Energy”).

Renaissance will officially drop on July 29.

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Netflix has shared a trailer for the new film Look Both Ways, starring Lili Reinhart. The film also features Danny Ramirez, David Corenswet, Aisha Dee, Andrea Savage, Luke Wilson and Nia Long, and is directed by Wanuri Kahiu.

Look Both Ways follows Natalie (Reinhart), a young woman whose life diverges into two different paths on the night of her college graduation. In one timeline, Natalie becomes pregnant and must navigate motherhood as a young adult in her hometown; and in the other she moves to Los Angeles to pursue her career. An official film synopsis reads:  “In both journeys, Natalie experiences life-changing love, pursues her dream career as an artist, and rediscovers herself.”

Look Both Ways premieres Aug. 17 on Netflix.  You can take a look at the trailer – here.

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HBO has released the official trailer for the ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series, House of the Dragon.

The new series chronicles a civil war that ripped apart Westeros 150 years before the events in Game of Thrones.  House of the Dragon comes from co-creators and showrunners Ryan Condal (Colony) and Miguel Sapochnik (Finch) and is based on George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood.

The show stars Paddy Considine (Peaky Blinders) as King Viserys Targaryen, Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One) as Alicent Hightower, Emma D’Arcy (Wanderlust) as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Matt Smith (Doctor Who) as Prince Daemon Targaryen.

House of the Dragon premieres Aug. 21.  Take a look at the trailer – here.

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/house-of-the-dragon-trailer-game-of-thrones-hbo-1235008211/

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Kodak Black is sharing more new music, releasing a brand new single called “Haitian Scarface” which arrived with an accompanying video.

Kodak alleges in “Haitian Scarface” that law enforcement targets him frequently due to his success. The Florida rapper was arrested last week at a traffic stop in Fort Lauderdale, where the cops found 31 oxycodone pills and $74,960 in cash in his car. After being released on a bail, he took shots on social media at the police officer who took him in the custody.

Watch the new video for “Haitian Scarface” – here.

Kodak Black Releases New Song & Video ‘Haitian Scarface’ — Watch

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Sean “Diddy” Combs has released the official music video for his new single “Gotta Move On” featuring Bryson Tiller and directed by Teyana Taylor. The visual takes the viewer into “Club Love,” where denizens include Tiffany Haddish, Serayah McNeill, producer London on da Track, Joie Chavis and three of Sean Combs’ kids.

Gotta Move On was released earlier this month, marking Diddy’s official return to music. The single is the first to drop from Diddy’s highly anticipated new album, and the first release from his new imprint ‘Love Records,’ which he founded in partnership with Motown Records.

Check out the video for “Gotta Move On” – here.

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