The video starts with Monáe wearing a wide-brimmed hat, playing an acoustic guitar, and singing a new song. After about 30 seconds of that, the video cuts to a revealing clip of Monáe, wearing a wet, white t-shirt that says “pleasure” on the chest as she emerges from a pool. The song continues all the while and the video ends by noting the song, called “Lipstick Lover,” is set to drop this week, on May 11.
On the track, Monáe sings, “I’ll take my time / Just wanna feel your hips on mine / I really got a thing for my lipstick lover, lover, lover, lover / I’d do anything for my lipstick lover, lover, lover, lover / I really got a thing for my lipstick lover.”
While Monáe’s primary output lately has been related to her successful acting career, she’s been paying more attention to the music side of things recently, like in February when she dropped the new single “Float.”
The premiere of Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid was a star-studded affair in Los Angeles on Monday night. Offset brought his two daughters to the event, while the star of the film Halle Bailey brought her sister, Chloe, to the showing. Others in attendance included John Stamos, Melissa McCarthy, Daveed Diggs, Javier Bardem, Awkwafina, Kelly Rowland, and more.
For the event, organizers swapped out a traditional red carpet for blue to match the setting of The Little Mermaid. “I get chills,” Chloe Bailey told ET on the blue carpet of her sister’s performance. “To know that all of those beautiful girls will be able to see proper representation, whether you’re black or white or anything like that, you’ll be able to look at my sister and say ‘I can be anything I want to be no matter what the world tells me is acceptable. There could not be a more perfect Ariel.”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: (L-R) Kulture Kiari Cephus, Offset, and Kalea Marie Cephus attend the World Premiere of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” on May 08, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
“I think that for me there’s something special about this one. If we haven’t been a parent, we’ve all had parents. We’ve all wrestled with what that is. We’ve all longed to figure out what’s the life I want, which is really the key story that in this, I feel like it’s more modern than it was in the original, just in terms of really carving out the life you choose to have for yourself,” Melissa McCarthy said.
The film is set to release later this month on May 26. It will be the latest of several adaptations Disney has done in the live-action style. They also remade Mulan in 2020, The Lion King in 2019, and more.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: Halle Bailey attends the World Premiere of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” on May 08, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Disney’s live-action adaptation of their classic film The Little Mermaid is only a few short weeks ago from its theatrical debut. At the helm of the movie is actress and singer Halle Bailey.
The public has been treated to her rendition of the score’s original song, “Part Of Your World,” and several trailers. However, last night (May 8), the stars of the project and a few other notable figures gathered for the film’s invited-only premiere in Hollywood, California.
One very special person in attendance was Jodi Benson, the original voice of the beloved Disney princess Ariel in 1989. Bailey’s casting has enraged quite a few people, including Fox News and its viewers. But overall, the public has been overwhelmingly supportive. One young fan at Disney World nearly brought Bailey to tears after their tight embrace. Having already seen the singer’s onscreen performance, Benson is another fierce support.
In fact, during an interview with ET, Benson shared that Bailey’s performance was so “brilliant” that she couldn’t contain just how proud she is of Bailey. “She doesn’t need any advice from me; she’s brilliant. I did the chance to meet her a few times and chat with her to tell her how proud I was of her. But I love that she has a purity of heart and a pure spirit. You can see that vulnerability, bravery, and that courage coming through, and it’s beautiful. I’m so thrilled for her, and I’m so proud of her,” said Benson.
Benson wasn’t the only former Disney princess to sing Bailey’s praises. Actress Anika Noni Rose, who played Disney’s first Black princess, Tiana, shared this with the outlet, “[Halle] has a kind spirit, and I don’t think that’s gonna change.”
Chris Pratt was asked about the negative criticism he has received over the years, including being labeled the “Worst Chris” and being accused of belonging to an anti-LGBTQ church. Although he has also faced backlash for his role as Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Pratt claims that he isn’t bothered by it. During a special New York screening of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Pratt was asked if he feels that he is attacked because of his Christian faith.
He acknowledged that he does receive criticism, but stated that it’s not new and even quoted a biblical reference to support his point. He drew a comparison to Jesus, who was also not accepted during his time. “If I was of this world, they would love me just like that but as it is, I’ve chosen out of this world. That’s John 15:18 through 20,” he said, quoting the Bible. “That’s the way it is, nothing new, 2,000 years ago they hated him, too.”
How Chris Pratt Became The “Worst Chris”
Storyteller Chris Pratt speaks onstage at The Motion Picture & Television Fund Presentation of “Reel Stories Real Lives” at Milk Studios. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Motion Picture & Television Fund)
In an old meme, Chris Pratt was labeled the least desirable “Chris” in Hollywood due to his past controversies. These include his support of President Donald Trump, his association with right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro, and his religious beliefs. Following the meme that circulated online, some of Pratt’s celebrity friends and co-stars spoke up in his defense. They argued that the meme was hurtful and that Pratt is a good person who has done many positive things throughout his career. Despite this support, the controversy surrounding Pratt’s personal beliefs and associations continues to be a topic of discussion and debate within the entertainment industry.
One of the biggest accusations leveraged against Chris Pratt was his supposed membership at Hillsong Church. The church, which many celebrities attend, is somewhat infamously anti-LGBTQ. However, in June 2022, Chris Pratt denied attending the church. While it is true that he doesn’t attend Hillsong, Pratt does attend a Hillsong-adjacent church. He goes to Zoe Church, which has strong connections to Hillsong. It was reportedly even modeled after Hillsong, although Chris Pratt says that they open their doors to everyone. What do you think of Chris Pratt’s designation as the “worst Chris”? Let us know in the comments!
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is slated to be one of the summer’s biggest movies. Headed for a June 9 release, it will likely be one of the year’s biggest blockbusters. Given the franchise’s reputation, the movie will likely be big, loud, and make a lot of money. Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II) is set to direct. Here’s what we know so far.
What We Know About The Upcoming Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts Movie
The seventh film in the Transformers franchise will be another prequel. The series began with the original Transformers in 2007, helmed by Michael Bay. It continued chronologically with the next four films before the brand returned in time for Bumblebee. Now, they’re continuing that trend.
Rise of the Beasts is set in 1994, which dates it before the original films, which were set in the present day (2007-2017). However, Bumblebee was set in 1987, making it the franchise’s earliest film. The newest offering will probably fill the gap between the two films, and Bumblebee figures to be a big part of it. It is considered a sequel to Bumblebee, which implies that the continuity established in that and the original films will remain. They have avoided a total reboot for now, and all the films remain canon. It’s unclear if the announced animated Transformers film will connect or not.
As always, this movie will feature Autobots and Decepticons fighting on Earth. This time, though, other Transformers will join the battle. The Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons are set to join the battle in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. It’s unclear if Megatron, the prominent leader of the Decepticons and the antagonist of all five of Michael Bay’s films, will appear or not. Right now, it’s also not clear who will be on whose side. The trailer introduces new characters, but the plot and the full conflict have not yet been revealed.
Who Is In The New Transformers Movie?
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Dominique Fishback and Anthony Ramos attend a photocall in support of Paramount Pictures’ “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” at CinemaCon on April 27, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
The film will feature a mix of voice acting and live actors since the Transformers will be CGI, but they interact with real people in the real world. Voice actors include Pete Davidson, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, Ron Perlman, Cristo Fernandez, Michaela Jae Rodriguez, John DiMaggio, Liza Koshy, and more. Peter Cullen will reprise his iconic role as Optimus Prime. Additionally, Anthony Ramos (Hamilton, In the Heights, A Star is Born) will star as Noah, the film’s main protagonist. Dominique Fishback (Swarm) and Luna Lauren Velez join him. The film has more CGI characters in the vast cohort of Transformers than people thus far.
With a few exceptions, the Transformers franchise has been marred by poor critical reception. The franchise has made a lot of movies, and fans love them. However, they’ve not been well-received by Rotten Tomatoes, Letterboxd, Metacritic, and other critical platforms. Despite that, the cast for the upcoming entry feels good about the movie.
In fact, Fishback revealed in an interview that a shaman blessed Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. She said, “We had a shaman come in and bless the film. The shaman came — and butterflies remind me of my grandmother, and [afterwards] a butterfly stayed in the middle of set for 15 minutes. And then I got the butterfly to walk on my finger. We have videos.” She also said that she’s excited for a fresh tale in this universe, saying, “We’ve never seen the perspective of a Brooklyn kid meeting Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. I was excited to bring our version, our authenticity, our swag, and cadence and the way we speak, and how we approach things [to the film].”
Anthony Ramos Knows Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 27: Anthony Ramos poses for photos, promoting the upcoming film “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”, at the Paramount Pictures presentation during CinemaCon 2023, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, at Caesars Palace on April 27, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for CinemaCon)
Anthony Ramos is equally enthusiastic. “I was excited for the new characters to come to life and people to meet them, like Mirage and Rhinox and Cheetor and Optimus Primal,” he said in an interview. “And Scourge being this new villain who I think is the biggest villain we’ve ever seen in any of these movies and now we can actually talk about Unicron. For the fans, like the people that really love Transformers, this means a lot to them — they’ve been wanting to see these characters, especially Unicron, for years. And then on top of that, you know, you got two kids from the hood, you know what I’m saying? Running around, saving the world, traveling, going from Brooklyn to Peru.”
This doesn’t always translate to a good project, but the excitement from those involved in making the film does bode well. Ramos knows his Transformers, and Steven Caple Jr. is a capable director. June 9 will ultimately tell whether they’ve come together for a good movie or not. Either way, it appears poised to make quite a bit of money like its predecessors.
Metro Boomin will be making an appearance in the upcoming film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. He made the announcement on social media, last week, sharing a clip of his character from a new TV spot. Metro previously revealed that he is handling the soundtrack to the sequel for 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Writer Phil Lord discussed the decision to bring in Metro during a post on the official Spider-Verse account. “That’s a high bar to clear,” Lord wrote. “So, for this next movie we brought in some reinforcements. This time we are working with legendary Metro Boomin. If anybody is going to be able to make something that feels like it’s Miles’ experience, that guy knows what he’s doing.”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” At CinemaCon
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 24: (L-R) Issa Rae, Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld promote the upcoming film “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” at the Sony Pictures Entertainment presentation during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 24, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
As for what fans can expect from the new film, co-director Kemp Powers recently explained that they’ll be bringing in lots of new and old characters for the story. “The new Spider-Verse movie coming to your theaters in just over two months is a continuation of the story of Miles Morales,” Powers said told the audience at CinemaCon. “In this film, we’re going to explore new dimensions and bring in lots of characters old and new, but they still relate to the same emotional journey of miles and his family.”
The star of the film, Shamiek Moore, added: “It’s been over a year after the events of the first move. Miles is still trying to figure out how to be a superhero. In the first film he learned that anyone can wear the mask and in this film, Miles discovers that it’s how you wear the mask that really makes you a hero. And the only person who really understands what he’s going through is, of course, Gwen Stacy.” Check out the latest trailer for the movie below.
Metro Boomin In “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
Keke Palmer is a versatile singer and actor. Breaking out as a Nickelodeon star as the lead of True Jackson, VP, she has gone on to become an Emmy Award-winning actress. Furthermore, she has scared in major TV and film roles such as Scream Queens, Nope, and Lightyear.
Fans are getting hyped about Keke Palmer’s upcoming autobiographical projects, Big Boss. Big Boss will be comprised of an album and a film based on Palmer’s life experiences. Both are scheduled for release on May 12. Palmer sat down with Gayle King on CBS Mornings to discuss everything about the upcoming release.
Palmer Talks “Big Boss” And Family Life
“From my perspective, I experienced a lot of misogyny and also just insecurities… We all have these narratives that we tell ourselves. My first record deal at 12 years old with Atlantic Records told me that I was always going to have it hard in music. The movie is about me overcoming that narrative and understanding I’m always enough, Palmer said of the film Big Boss. She also reflected on her relationship with her mother, “Yes, so she started off as my acting coach, my manager and now she’s my business partner and those things are great, right. I’m so blessed to have not only a great parent but a passion shared with a parent, but the reality is, is that my job also became overwhelming for me.”
She continued. “I started to feel so much pressure for everything my parents sacrificed for me to do what I did and so then it became a painful kind of bond because it reminded me of what I felt like I sacrificed and what I could be losing.” Palmer also spoke about her family life, “I’m ready to go home now. There’s nothing more exciting than lookin’ at your little baby boy.” Palmer gave birth to her son Leo on February 25. Palmer also walked the red carpet at the recent Met Gala in a custom Sergio Hudson gown. “You were a grown-ass woman on the carpet!” to which Keke Palmer replied “Come on girl! Yaaaaasssss!!” Big Boss, both the film and album, drop on May 12.
It’s been a tough month for Jamie Foxx fans. The actor was suddenly hospitalized in April while on the set of his upcoming Netflix film, Back In Action. It was the latest delay for a production that had been plagued by fraud and bad weather. Despite assurances that Foxx was recovering, fans remained worried. Those concerns were exacerbated when individuals close to Foxx began asking fans to “pray for Jamie”.
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 17: Jamie Foxx (C) and guests attend Jamie Foxx’s birthday bash presented by Privé Revaux at César Paris on December 17, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images for Privé Revaux)
According to sources who spoke with PEOPLE, Foxx is in stable condition but remains hospitalized for the time being. “Jamie is stable and not in a life-threatening situation now. “[Doctors] are doing more tests and want to be completely sure that he will be okay before allowing him to leave.” Furthermore, Foxx has been advised to “keep his stress levels down” once he is discharged. This suggests Foxx may need to spend additional time recovering at home once he leaves the hospital. However, as the nature of his medical emergency remains unclear, this is only speculation.
However, this may be difficult for Foxx, who apparently is not a fan of sitting back and relaxing. The hospital is “the last place Jamie wants to be” according to PEOPLE‘s source. “He has a lot of projects going on. He gets things done; he is focused and astute. What happened to him medically is serious enough to keep him in the hospital,” the source continued. Furthermore, there is currently no timetable for when Foxx will be discharged. “His family and friends are supporting him and are there for him. There has been no word on when he is leaving the hospital,” a different source told PEOPLE. Be sure to check back with HotNewHipHop for all the latest updates on Jamie Foxx’s situation.
The MTV Movie & TV Awards were previously announced to be without a host. Now, they will also be without a live audience. The award show is scheduled to be broadcast on several TV channels on Sunday. Bruce Gillmer, an executive at Paramount Global, says the decision to pivot away from a live audience has been made. Bruce is the executive producer on the show, so he has had quite a bit of behind the scenes insight. In a statement to TMZ, he explained the decision.
“As we carefully navigate how best to deliver the fan first awards show we envisioned that our team has worked so hard to create,” he began. “We’re pivoting away from a live event that still enables us to produce a memorable night.” Bruce went on to say some comforting words for those who care. He says that the night will still include many of the things fans have come to know and love the MTV Movie & TV Awards for. “[It will be] full of exclusive sneak peaks, irreverent categories our audience has come to expect,” he continued, “and countless moments that will both surprise and delight as we honor the best of film and TV over the past year.”
Drew Drops Out Of Hosting Duties
Drew Barrymore attends the 2023 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at The Kennedy Center. (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)
Drew Barrymore, the iconic actress and talk show host, was originally set to host the MTV Movie & TV Awards. However, she unexpectedly withdrew from her role as host on May 4th. In an interview with Variety, Barrymore explained why she had decided to step down as host. It was in order to show respect for the writers who were on strike. She stated that she would wait to host the show until a solution had been reached. However, she said that she would be watching the show from home in the meantime. Additionally, Barrymore called for others to join her in boycotting the services of the studios involved in the picketing.
In a surprising move, MTV showed support for Barrymore’s decision to step down. “When this all reared its head, we started to prepare for what could be,” Bruce Gillmer said. “She is not surprisingly, standing in solidarity with the writers, which we have full respect for.” Drew Barrymore will, however, host the awards in 2024. The 2023 event will still be going on, even though there is now no host or audience. What that means for the show as a whole remains to be seen. What do you think of the decision not to have an audience?
Greek life is a college tradition that seems alien to those unfamiliar with it. The network of fraternities and sororities that sprawl across so many campuses has become a cultural touchstone. They’ve been documented in films like Animal House, received hundreds of negative headlines, and even become the focus of social media fascination. From the good to the bad to the downright ugly, Greek life has long been in the public eye.
But in the world of sororities in particular, there is no school like the University of Alabama. Rush week is an institution onto itself at Alabama. There are cases of women only going to Alabama for the sororities and even more examples of women transferring just weeks into their freshman year because they didn’t get in. All that is about to be put on display in a new HBO documentary. As the trailer says, “Greek life is everything at Alabama.”
“Bama Rush” Trailer Reveals The Truth About Sororities
At first, the trailer for new HBO documentary Bama Rush appears to be your run-of-the-mill “niche fascination” documentary. It sets its locale, the University of Alabama, and its premise, exploring the intricate rituals of “rush week”. This is done through the eyes, and cameras, of four young women hoping to join one of the campus’ many sororities. But then the tone begins to shift. HBO begins to introduce us to the darker side of the film. We start to learn about the insecurities harbored by our “protagonists”, showing the ways they are both drawn to, and could be exploited by, the sorority system. That transitions into the fight to be in a “top house”. That ranking is determined by which house the frat boys have deemed the hottest.
And then comes the kicker. The documentary not only covers Greek life but the paranoia and suspicion about the documentary itself. Greek life has always walked on a razor’s edge, often falling into infamy. However, as one echoing voice can be heard in the trailer, “This documentary could be the end of Greek life as we know it.” Get ready to be thrust into the deep and dark world of sorority rushing when Bama Rush debuts on May 23.
(@JanelleMonae) May 9, 2023
