Dominik Bindl/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Stephanie Hsu, who joined the cast of Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as Mei Lin for its third season, says the Black Lives Matter movement has inspired her to stop “deleting” herself as Asian actress. Hsu, who got her big break in 2017’s Spongebob Squarepants, the Broadway Musical, tells Entertainment Tonight, …
‘This Is Us’ star Chris Sullivan announces the arrival of his baby boy
Jeff Lipsky/NBC(LOS ANGELES) — This Is Us star Chris Sullivan welcomed a new member into his family, a baby boy, on Tuesday. The 40-year-old actor confirmed his newborn’s arrival on Thursday, where he gushed about being a dad for the first time. “HE HAS ARRIVED! 8lbs of beautiful baby boy,” Sullivan excitedly announced on Instagram. “Witnessing @therealrachelsullivan bring …
‘Riverdale’ star KJ Apa reveals “I split my head open”
Dean Buscher(LOS ANGELES) — KJ Apa just can’t catch a break these days when it comes to getting injured. The Riverdale star recently revealed that he received stitches in his head after attempting to do a stunt while on the set of the Michael Bay produced film Songbird — a romantic thriller due in theaters in 2021. …
Ryan Reynolds announces Group Effort Initiative; vows to get minorities trained on set on his dime
Netflix/Christian Black(LOS ANGELES) — Ryan Reynolds has just announced a program called the Group Effort Initiative, which “COVID-willing” will see him train 20 people of color to work on his next film project — on his dime. The affable actor made the announcement via video, in which he explained that the effort, in partnership with Netflix and Skydance …
Bryan Cranston reveals he had COVID-19 and films himself donating his plasma
ABC(LOS ANGELES) — Bryan Cranston is loudly asking the public to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously after disclosing his personal battle with the virus. The Breaking Bad star revealed on Thursday that, even though he abided by all the proper social distancing guidelines, he still caught the novel coronavirus. “I was pretty strict in adhering to the protocols and still… I contracted …
Report: Michael Jackson wanted to play Professor Xavier in the first ‘X-Men’
The cast of ‘X-Men’ in 2000 — Scott Gries/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — In a wide-ranging, Hollywood Reporter oral history about the making of the groundbreaking 2000 movie X-Men — complete with backstage drama, lawsuits, and sexual abuse allegations against director Bryan Singer — was buried an interesting nugget: Michael Jackson tried to get himself to play Professor Xavier in the film. The role of …
Alan Parker, Oscar nominated director of ‘Mississippi Burning’ and ‘Midnight Express’, dead at 76
Parker in 2003 — Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage(LONDON) — Alan Parker, the British writer-director behind movies including Fame, Bugsy Malone, and Mississippi Burning died Friday after a lengthy illness, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 76. A versatile filmmaker, Parker was known for moving fluidly through various genres — from the Civil Rights struggle-themed Mississippi Burning through lighter, more musical-oriented movies including …
Channing Tatum teaming up with music producer Scooter Braun for a Lady Macbeth musical for Amazon
ABC/Randy Holmes(LOS ANGELES) — Channing Tatum and Scooter Braun, the manager of acts including Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, and Ariana Grande, are teaming up for a YA musical take on Lady Macbeth. That’s the word from The Hollywood Reporter, which notes the project is being produced by Amazon Studios, and directed by John McPhail, who called the shots …
‘American Idol’ auditions go virtual with “‘Idol’ Across America” August 10
Courtesy ABC(LOS ANGELES) — Since filling hotel ballrooms or stadiums with screaming — and singing — hopefuls is no longer an option amid the COVID-19 pandemic, American Idol is taking its auditions on the road virtually for the spring 2021 edition of the show. Starting August 10, the show will kick off its “Idol Across America” remote auditions, …
Report: Celebs were asked to “gush over” Ellen
ABC/Randy Holmes(LOS ANGELES) — Allegations of a toxic workplace at The Ellen DeGeneres Show have taken a celebrity turn, with an insider saying two famous guests were directed to “fawn over” the chat show host. Page Six reports that the two guests, who remain anonymous, were told by producers to, “compliment Ellen, tell her what …