Movies

Regina Hall Gives An Update On “Girls Trip 2”

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It’s been 6 years since Girls Trip hit theaters, and fans are eager to see the sequel. However, they may not be as eager to see it as Regina Hall. Hall recently did an interview with PEOPLE about her partnership with Jameson Irish Whiskey. Her partnership comes just in time for St. Patrick’s day. However, in the interview, Girls Trip inevitably came up. She says the film’s long-awaited sequel was initially delayed because the cast and crew of the film were “busy.” “So then,” she continued, “when you lock in the time — when you’re like, ‘Oh, we can do it now’ — [the COVID-19] pandemic comes. And then it’s like, ‘Well, we’ve got to wait.’”

Hall insists that people were waiting for things to calm down professionally before the pandemic hit. Then, they would do a sequel “if it made sense.” She added, “Because that whole film is about friendship and celebration.” The hit comedy film starred Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish with Hall as four college friends. The quad travels to New Orleans for Essence Music Festival to reignite their friendship years after they graduated.

Regina Hall For “Girls Trip”

Regina Hall celebrates the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards with Moët And Chandon at The Beverly Hilton on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Moët and Chandon)

Tracy Oliver, the film’s co-screenwriter, told Variety at the Sundance Film Festival in January that the upcoming sequel will take place in Ghana during the Afrochella music festival. Hall says that she found this out “in real-time with everyone else.” When discussing it, Hall said she’s assuming that will be fun. She said, “I’m excited to see the girls again and to make something hopefully that the fans love.” She added, “I think the biggest thing is we had so much fun making the first one, and I just look forward to just having that kind of fun again and that audiences will hopefully love it as well.” Additionally, Hall says that one of the complications that COVID-19 caused is that “You can’t have a film that interactive in the middle of a pandemic. It’s about being out and about. So I think that kind of changed it too.”

Furthermore, Will Packer, producer of Girls Trip, announced that the sequel was in the works during an appearance on Good Morning America last January. Packer told Good Morning America host, Michael Strahan, “Can’t we all use a post-pandemic trip, my friend? I think that the time is actually right, and this is something that I will tell you and break right now at GMA: the Girls Trip 2 sequel, we are underway. We are absolutely in the stages, the ladies are in, I just talked to the director.”

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Camila Cabello Cast In Chiwetel Ejiofor’s “Rob Peace”

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Following the success of Prime Video’s Cinderella, Camilla Cabello has found her next major acting role. She is set to join Jay Will, Mary J. Blige, and Chiwetel Ejiofor in Rob Peace. Ejiofor wrote and is directing his sophomore film. Furthermore, the film’s genre will be drama. Additionally, the movie is currently in production and is based on Jeff Hobbs’ best-selling biography. The biography is titled The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League.

Camila Cabello’s addition to the film makes it all the more exciting. The film’s storyline follows Robert Piece (Will) who grew up in a section of Newark, New Jersey was full of crime. However, he graduated from Yale on a scholarship with degrees in molecular biophysics and biochemistry. During that time, Peace lived a double life. He was in the world of academia as a lab researcher of cancer and infectious diseases. However, he was also making six figures annually from selling marijuana. Unfortunately, Peace was killed in a drug-related shooting back in 2011.

Camila Cabello’s New Role

Camila Cabello attends the 17th Annual L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Celebration at The Ebell of Los Angeles on December 01, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth)

In the film, Cabello will play another student at Yale named Naya who knows Robert Peace. Blige and Ejiofor will play Peace’s mother and father, respectively. LAMF presents the film in association with Hill District Media and Participant, a Sugar Peace production. Antoine Fuqua, Rebecca Hobbs, Kat Samick, Andrea Calderwood, Jeffrey Soros, Simon Horsman, Alex Kurtzman, and Jenny Lumet for 25 Stories will produce the film. Additionally, Blige, Luke Rodgers, and Morgan Earnest for LAMF, Jeff Skoll and Robert Kessel for Participant, and Jamin O’Brien, and Bruce Evans for 25 Stories will executive produce the film.

In Cabello’s career, she has won awards, with the likes of Latin Grammys, AMA’s, and Billboard Music Awards under her belt. Additionally, in 2021 she was the first Hispanic woman to receive an RIAA Diamond status for he Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 hit, “Havana” [feat. Young Thug]. She played her first major film role as Cinderella in Kay Cannon’s Prime Video film. It was a modern adaptation of the classic fairy tale, complete with new songs and Billy Porter as the fairy godmother. Billions have streamed her work across the world, including her most recent album, Familia. The album followed her 2018 album, Camila, and her 2019 album, Romance. The albums were released through Epic Records, and Cabello is repped by Gold Music Management and WME.

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Lizzo Did The Thing And Recreated Ariana DeBose’s Viral BAFTAs Rap Live On Stage

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Lizzo Barclay Center Concert 2023
Getty Image

Apparently, Lizzo concerts are the best show on Earth, as SZA declared. As the “Special” singer embarks on the international stretch of her Special Tour, she is finding little ways to insert pops of fun outside of her festive bops. The songwriter’s animated personality isn’t just limited to her upcoming appearance on The Simpsons, but to her ticket-holding fans as well.

Yesterday (February 23), while performing in Amsterdam, the Grammy winner took a moment in between her original songs to sing a snippet of the internet’s new favorite jingle. Lizzo is not a stranger to covering songs she likes, having recently performed Sam Smith’s song “Unholy” featuring Kim Petras for BBC Radio 1. But who would’ve thought West Side Story actress Ariana DeBose’s viral opening number at this year’s BAFTA Awards would be next on the agenda?

In the song, DeBose sang the lyrics, “Angela Bassett did the thing / Viola Davis my Woman King/ Blanchett, Cate, you’re a genius/ Jamie Lee, you are all of us,” to honor the evening’s women nominees. Well, DeBose’s pronunciation of Angela Bassett’s name, along with the subsequent choreography, became an instant viral moment. Eventually, DeBose deactivated her social media account because of the unexpected attention. However, that didn’t stop Lizzo from showing love to the number will on stage, shimming her shoulders while singing, “Angela Bassett did the thing.”

When Lizzo returns to the States for the Special 2Tour in April, who knows what other viral track she’ll include in her repertoire.

Watch the fun clip above.

Lizzo is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Teyana Taylor’s New Movie Gets A Trailer: Watch

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Sundance Film Festival’s annual event was held in Salt Lake City, Utah towards the end of last month. Among the winners was A Thousand and One, an emotional rollercoaster of a film starring the multifaceted Teyana Taylor. The movie sees the trending fashionista as its leading lady, a struggling, Harlem-bred mother named Inez. A Thousand and One was awarded the prestigious Grand Jury Prize on January 27th.

Film critics are calling the drama “A love letter to mothers, sons, and hustlers of NYC.” Written and directed by A.V. Rockwell, the movie sees an impoverished Taylor fighting to do right by her son, who was kept from her through foster care. According to film officials, the “mother and son set out to reclaim their sense of home, identity, and stability, in a rapidly changing New York City.” In the trailer, we watch as Inez goes to war in the concrete jungle, with a chain of scenes showing Taylor’s improved acting chops. The Chi actress Lena Waithe is notably listed as a producer on the film as well.

The Official Trailer For Teyana Taylor’s New Movie

Teyana Taylor stars alongside actors Will Catlett, Josiah Cross, and Aven Courtney in the Harlem heart wrencher. Courtney plays Terry, Inez’s six-year-old son, while Cross portrays the character as an adult. Taylor is currently reposting supporters on Instagram now that A Thousand and One officially hits theaters nationwide on March 31st. “It’s here,” the famed sneakerhead wrote in a caption. This will be Taylor’s latest on-screen appearance since appearing in Kid Cudi’s animated Netflix series, Entergalactic. Her claim to acting fame comes from her unforgettable role as “Byron”-yelling Sabrina in 2011’s Madea’s Big Happy Family.

Furthermore, the Focus Features presentation has won the hearts of many already, with many from the festival commenting on the trailer. “I was a part of the crew on this film and the entire shoot had me in tears,” writes YouTube user Poetic Fire. “The rawness and beauty of this story is going [to] break your heart wide open. It’s a true masterpiece.” Additionally, one Sundance attendee says “Having seen the film, this trailer had me in tears. Go see it!” The trailer has nearly one million views since its release a few hours ago, racking over 500,000 on Twitter alone.

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Mo’Nique Teases Her Latest Netflix Comedy Special

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Netflix has announced that Mo’Nique has a new stand-up comedy special coming out. The Grammy-nominated, Oscar and Golden Globe award-winning actress and comedian Mo’Nique’s new stand-up comedy smash will be titled My Name is Mo’Nique. Netflix Is A Joke released a video including backstage shenanigans with the star. For example, she dances with the cast crew of the special and walks to the stage. She explains the name of the special, saying “I give y’all my word. After 72 minutes, y’all gon’ know why this sh*t is called My Name is Mo’Nique.”

Apparently, Netflix and Mo’Nique filmed the special last October at Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta, Georgia. At the time, Mo’Nique wrote in a November 1 Instagram caption, “My sweet babies thanks to everyone that came out and celebrated this moment with us. MY NAME IS MO’NIQUE LIVE COMEDY TAPING COMING ON NETFLIX!” Mo’Nique also wrote, “WHAT A MOMENT!! I LOVE US 4REAL.” Watch Netflix’s date announcement below:

“My Name Is Mo’Nique”

In her special, My Name is Mo’Nique, fans will get to see her deliver a show-stopping performance on stage. Apparently, there will be hilarious stories that will explain why she is the way that she is. Additionally, she’ll discuss how the city of Baltimore, Maryland shaped her into the woman she is today. Impressively, Through her sense of humor, she will reveal more about herself than she ever has. Furthermore, she will give perspective on some harsh realities that come with life.

Furthermore, Mo’Nique’s Netflix stand-up comedy special follows the announcement that she will star in the film that Lee Daniels is directing. The film, titled The Deliverance, will also have a release on the same streaming platform in the future. When this was announced, many were surprised. Apparently, Mo’Nique and Daniels have a feuding history due to what happened on the promotional circuit for the critically acclaimed and celebrated film, Precious. However, it seems that the two must have buried the hatchet. Additionally, L. Frazier directed the new special and will serve as executive producer alongside her husband Sidney Hicks. Netflix will release My Name is Monique globally on April 4.

The Comedian Shows Appreciation

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Pusha T Remixes “White Lines” By Melle Mel To Promote “Cocaine Bear” Movie

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I mean, of course he did. Pusha T just announced his new song to promote the movie Cocaine Bear in theaters this week. Moreover, it’s a remix of Melle Mel’s classic 1983 single “White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It).” With that classic drum beat behind it, and those gorgeous backing vocals, Push did what he does best. “All white, all winter,” he raps. “Even snow in the summer / The high fallin’ from the sky / Are you the hunted or the hunter?” Overall, it seems like it’s going to be a pretty cheeky track, especially from the current king of coke rap.

However, there is a bit of confusing information going around about this song, at least as of writing this article. While the film’s official Instagram page says the lyric video is out now, it can’t be found on YouTube. For now, it seems that the most we have of the song is a Twitter video uploaded by Push himself. Unfortunately, though, the snippet of the song mashes up with audio and dialogue from the attached trailer. Well, at least it does contain lyrics, but they’re hardly necessary for his authoritative and clear delivery. The Virginia Beach-based MC is one of the top lyrical and artistic dogs of the moment, with impeccably smooth flows and consistent writing.

Pusha T’s Cocaine Bear Track

What’s more is that this is just a side quest for Pusha T’s upcoming main mission: his Gangsta Grillz tape with DJ Drama. Recently, he spoke glowingly of his excitement for the project and credited Tyler, the Creator with revitalizing mixtape excellence. “I just feel like to me, the Gangsta Grillz and the whole mixtape culture and scene is what I’m about. That’s the purest form of Hip Hop to me,” he told Complex. “The fact that Drama is having so much success, the fact that that’s what I love in Hip Hop, I want to merge those worlds and see what happens.” Not only that, but he apparently has a solo album in the works as well.

“I’m going to be honest with you,” the 45-year-old added. “Seeing Drama’s mixtape with Tyler and how they won a Grammy, I was like, ‘Man, mixtapes really won a Grammy.’ So I’m trying to be a part of that culture as well.” Check out the Cocaine Bear track above and stick around on HNHH for the latest greatness from Pusha T.

Halle Bailey Reveals The Parallels Between Her And “The Little Mermaid”

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Disney’s newest princess, Halle Bailey, is set to star in the 2023 remake of The Little Mermaid. As the cover star of The Face magazine’s spring issue, Halle reflects on her role in the live-action film and reveals how she connects deeply with her character. The 22-year-old also dishes down on Rob Marshall’s take on the Disney classic, noting how Ariel now has more “freedom,” versus her typical suppressed characterization. “What’s beautiful about this version of The Little Mermaid is that it’s a lot more modern,” she tells the magazine.

When Bailey was first announced to be Ariel, she was met with racist backlash. Critics claimed that a Black woman cast in this role didn’t fit the normal description for the mermaid, which spiraled into a #NotMyAriel hashtag, the magazine notes. With support from her closest friends and family, however, Bailey didn’t get discouraged. “I know people are like: ​‘It’s not about race.’ But now that I’m her… people don’t understand that when you’re Black there’s this whole other community. It’s so important for us to see ourselves,” she tells The Face.

Halle Bailey Channels Her Inner Ariel In A Beachside Photoshoot

When rehearsals first started for The Little Mermaid, Bailey was only 19 and had trouble adjusting to being away from her family. But, she notes how this experience has shifted her in a positive way, revealing how she learned to be “independent.” Bailey added, “on the set of Mermaid, I learned how to say, ​‘This is what I need’, without feeling bad about it.” The singer-turned-actor also reflected on how she realized parallels between her and the role she was taking on. “I felt like God was lining up themes in my life with the character,” Bailey explained. “Ariel has this longing for something more. She doesn’t quite know what it is yet, but she has to be brave in order to find it on her own.”

Although young, Bailey has already paved an acclaimed career for herself. She initially gained recognition for her work in Chlöe x Halle, an R&B duo featuring her older sister. With Beyoncé’s mentorship, the sisters have earned five Grammy nominations. Between her ongoing music career and the May 26th release of The Little Mermaid, this talented performer is proving to build up a legacy. For more news on all things hip-hop and pop culture, check out HNHH.

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Alec Baldwin Pleads Not Guilty In “Rust” Case

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Alec Baldwin pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Additionally, he waived his court appearance on Friday. Currently, Baldwin is not in jail, free without having to post a bond to the government. He was originally going to make his first court appearance on Friday on Google Meet. However, he chose to submit his not-guilty plea through a court filing instead. Therefore, he will not have to do it in court and will not be due in court until the preliminary hearing begins. In the official trial, he faces up to 18 months in prison. Obviously, this will only occur if he is convicted in connection to the Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins‘ tragic death.

The Santa Fe D.A.’s allegations against Baldwin state that he acted with “criminal negligence” when he fired a loaded weapon. The incident occurred while preparing for a scene. The incident occurred at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in October 2021. However, Baldwin has denied these allegations, even prior to pleading not guilty. He has said that others were responsible for making sure the gun was not loaded. Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armorer of Rust, will make her first court appearance on Friday. She will appear under the accusation of involuntary manslaughter. According to reports, She was responsible for making sure all rounds in the gun were dummies.

Alec Baldwin Still Not In The Clear

Alec Baldwin speaks onstage at the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala at New York Hilton on December 06, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala)

On Monday of this week, prosecutors dropped the firearm enhancement charge. The charge could have added an additional five years to Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed’s sentences. It would have allowed for extra punishment for the actual “discharge” of the weapon in the course of a felony. However, this did not apply to the Rust case. The enhancement charge took effect seven months after the shooting took place. Furthermore, Baldwin is set to head to Montana in spring to complete the film. The creation process was suspended after the tragic accident on set.

In October, producers announced a settlement with Hutchins’ husband, Matthew. He will become an executive producer of the film. Additionally, the filmmakers of Rust have said that they will finish the film as a tribute to Hutchins’ final work and overall talent. Additionally, they will be working with a documentary crew to tell the story of Hutchins’ career. This documentary will include the story of Hutchins’ time on Rust. Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed will have a preliminary hearing within 60 days of pleading not guilty to their accused charges. They will appear in person for the preliminary hearing, where prosecutors will give evidence to convince a judge to request a trial.

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Coke-Rap King Pusha T Dropped A ‘Cocaine Bear’ Remix Of ‘White Lines’ Because Of Course He Did

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Pusha T notched his first career No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart last spring with It’s Almost Dry, home to “Diet Coke,” and he’s sticking with what got him there. Pusha recently failed to cook a steak on Valentine’s Day, but yesterday (February 22), he returned to more familiar ingredients: Cocaine Bear unveiled Pusha’s “White Lines (Cocaine Bear Remix) and made a lyric video from some of the film’s unhinged trailer footage.

Pusha raps, “All white, all winter / Even snow in the summer / The high falling from the sky / Are you the hunted or the hunter? / I got Tennessee numbers / I sing to the key numbers / The dope boys go crazy / They know I get it out the jungle / I ain’t never been a runner / We ain’t never had to wonder / You heard the pilot lost the load / We call that Dumb And Dumber / There’s no storm without thunder / The bear crawls up and under / Cocaine overload.”

Directed by Elizabeth Banks, Cocaine Bear is billed as “inspired by the 1985 true story of a drug runner’s plane crash, missing cocaine, and the black bear that ate it.” The ensemble cast includes Keri Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Isiah Whitlock Jr., the late Ray Liotta, and more.

Cocaine Bear hits theaters tomorrow, February 24. Watch the trailer above.

Liam Neeson Rejected James Bond Role Because Of His Wife

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In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Liam Neeson revealed that producer Barbara Broccoli reached out to him numerous times in the 1990s. Apparently, she wanted to know if he was interested in playing the role of 007. That’s right, Liam Neeson was almost James Bond. Neeson had recently been nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars for Schindler’s List. Many were surprised to find out that Neeson turned down the opportunity to play such an iconic action star. However, for him, the final decision came down to his wife, Natasha Richardson.

When asked about the role of 007, Neeson said “I know the Broccolis. They looked at a bunch of actors. ‘Schindler’s List’ had come out and Barbara [Broccoli] had called me a couple of times to ask if I was interested, and I said, ‘Yes, I would be interested.’ And then my lovely wife [Natasha Richardson], God rest her soul, said to me while we were shooting ‘Nell’ down in the Carolinas, ‘Liam, I want to tell you something: If you play James Bond, we’re not getting married.’”

Liam Neeson And His Wife

Actor Liam Neeson attends “Marlowe” premiere during 70th San Sebastian International Film Festival at Kursaal, San Sebastian on September 24, 2022 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Neeson added that “She gave me a James Bond ultimatum. And she meant it! Come on, there’s all those gorgeous girls in various countries getting into bed and getting out of bed. I’m sure a lot of her decision-making was based on that!” Apparently, Neeson’s love for Richardson was stronger than his desire to play the iconic action star. Therefore, he never had a serious meeting with Broccoli. However, Neeson loved to tease Broccoli about the situation. He would do so by “going behind her back, making my fingers as though I’m holding a gun, and [humming the James Bond theme].” He said he “loved doing that shit!”

Thankfully, Neeson got a second chance at further stardom with the Taken movie franchise. He was also in the Star Wars franchise as Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. However, that is not a franchise he is interested in returning to. He recently said on Watch What Happens Live! that he wouldn’t return. “There’s so many spinoffs of ‘Star Wars.’” he said. “It’s diluting it to me, and it’s taken away the mystery and the magic in a weird way.” Watch Neeson’s most recent performance in the film Marlowe now playing in theaters.

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