As Chlöe’s debut solo album In Piecesfinds its way onto the Billboard charts, the rising star’s new movie Praise This is now streaming on Peacock. The movie, which follows a gospel praise team as they enter a national competition, features a number of gospel covers of pop and R&B hits, including a cleaned-up version of Cardi B’s 2018 hit “Money” by contemporary Christian singer Koryn Hawthorne.
Gospel singer Koryn Hawthorne puts a praising twist on Cardi B’s song “Money” in the newly released Peacock movie, #PraiseThis. pic.twitter.com/binDofWkmj
Where Cardi’s original version celebrates getting “Money,” Hawthorne adds religious messaging but keeps the spirited flow that took the original all the way to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Hawthorne celebrated the film’s release with a tweet capturing Cardi’s reaction to hearing the remix in the studio. In the video, Cardi can be seen beaming from ear to ear as she throws her hands and sings along to the revamped lyrics.
Praise This is getting a more uniformly positive reception from fans than In Pieces did; it’s likely that the gospel-centric film resonates more strongly with the tastes of many of Chlöe’s earliest supporters. (Chlöe made her film debut in her mentor Beyoncé’s similarly gospel-inspired film Fighting Temptations, and that first impression has clearly stuck with fans who aren’t feeling the young singer’s shift to a more mainstream sound.)
Chlöe addressed that criticism recently on her hometown radio, positing that her loudest critics actually weren’t around for her and her sister Halle’s humble beginnings. The truth is, many artists often face harsh criticisms as they grow creatively, and if anything, it’s a sign that people are truly invested. That’s a good sign for Chlöe’s burgeoning career, as it means no matter what direction she decides to pursue, she’s at least guaranteed a captive audience.
Praise This is out now on Peacock. In Pieces is also out now via Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. Find more information here.
Bel-Air, the reimagined version of the beloved 90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, sprang onto TVs with great excitement and hype. The series promised to explore themes of race, class, and identity as it dove deeper into the characters and storylines of the original series.
As season two comes to an end, we will take a look at whether the series lived up to that hype.
Fans were excited about the revision of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. They were intrigued by its promise to be a modern and dramatic take on the beloved 90s sitcom, exploring deeper themes and characters while still paying homage to the original.
While the original series followed the story of a young man named Will Smith, sent from his rough neighborhood in Philadelphia to live with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air, California, modern audiences craved more profound storytelling.
However, fans of the original series loved the show’s blend of comedy and heart and its ability to address serious issues while remaining accessible and entertaining.
How Will Smith Became the Prince of a Town Called Bel-Air
Fresh Prince was impactful at its time. It had a groundbreaking impact on television and popular culture, particularly regarding its representation of black families and characters on screen. At a time when there were very few black-led shows on TV, The Fresh Prince presented a complex and relatable portrayal of a black family that resonated with audiences across racial and cultural lines.
For example, the show’s character Carlton Banks, who was often seen as a foil to the more streetwise and rebellious Will, helped the show tackle race, class, and identity issues. Carlton’s preppy style, privileged background, and conservative views were presented as a product of his upbringing and social status, highlighting how race and class intersect in shaping identity.
The show also addressed issues of police brutality and racial profiling, as seen in the episode “Mistaken Identity,” in which a white police officer mistakenly arrested Will while driving a luxury car. The episode showed the realities of racial profiling and the fear and anger it can evoke while highlighting the importance of standing up for oneself and fighting for justice.
You’re Moving With Your Auntie and Uncle in Bel-Air
Given the original show’s popularity and cultural significance, fans were excited about the reboot titled Bel-Air. The new show, described as a “dramatic retelling,” would explore deeper themes and characters while still paying homage to the original. Fans were eager to see how the show would update the beloved characters and storylines for a modern audience and tackle critical social issues in a relevant and impactful way.
While the new show would retain some of the original’s key elements, such as the premise of a young man from a rough neighborhood sent to live with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air, it would also make significant changes and updates.
For example, Carlton Banks would be portrayed as a more troubled and conflicted character. In addition, the show would explore his struggles with mental health and addiction.
Since its release, Bel-Air has received mixed reviews from critics and fans. One point of bother with fans and critics is the show’s treatment of certain characters and storylines. Some fans have expressed disappointment with the changes made to the show’s beloved characters, particularly Carlton.
Others have criticized the show’s handling of specific plot points, such as the subplot involving Will’s father, which they feel is overly dramatic and forced. Fans felt the subplot with “Will’s father feels contrived and manipulative” and that the “show takes itself far too seriously.”
The negative thoughts are in the minority compared to all the love and positive critiques about the show.
Despite these criticisms, the new Bel Air show has also garnered an enormous amount of fans and followers. Many have praised the show’s strong performances, particularly by lead actor Jabari Banks, who portrays the new version of Will.
Others have applauded the show’s bold and ambitious storylines, which tackle sensitive and timely issues in a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant way. Critics have stated that the show’s ideas are “a real triumph, taking risks and tackling tough subject matter with intelligence and sensitivity.”
Additionally, many fans value the characters’ new versions, stating that the change is “a bold move, but one that ultimately pays off in the end.”
Overall, the new Bel Air show on Peacock is a polarizing and divisive entry in television. While some viewers appreciate the show’s ambitious storytelling and willingness to take risks, others feel that it falls short of the original series and lacks the charm and humor that made it so beloved in the first place.
Ultimately, whether or not the show lives up to the original hype depends on how much the viewer is willing to let go of the trailblazing original and embrace the new Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Muhammad Ali will be the subject of an eight-part event series that is headed to Peacock. According to Variety, the series is led by Regé-Jean Page, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Willmott.
The scripted drama series, Excellence: 8 Fights, is based on the biography, Ali: A Life, written by Jonathan Eig. Executive producers on the project include Page, Freeman, Willmott, Lori McCreary from Revelations Entertainment, and Emily Brown. Along with CBS Studios and UCP, Eig will work as a producer.
The show’s official synopsis reads:
Excellence: 8 Fights will chronicle eight distinct and defining moments in the iconic life of Muhammad Ali. Each episode will be framed by one fight from Ali’s life, but the essence of the episode, what it’s really about, is the internal fight – the drama outside the ring – where we will explore the struggle going on in the heart and mind of one of the most consequential and controversial figures of the 20th century.
While plenty of attention has been rightly heaped upon Halle Bailey for her role in the upcoming Little Mermaid remake lately, her sister Chlöe is also building her filmography — albeit, via some lower-profile releases. One of those releases is Praise This, a musical comedy coming to Peacock in April. Chlöe just shared the first trailer for the film on social media, and it looks like the perfect vehicle to show off her acting and singing chops at the same time.
According to Deadline, its studio, Universal Pictures, is apparently hoping for Pitch Perfect-esque franchise potential, and judging from the trailer, it certainly appears that the acapella comedy’s DNA is part of the genetic makeup of Praise This, along with a dash of Chlöe’s mentor Beyoncé’s own gospel-based musical comedy, Fighting Temptation.
Per Collider, Bailey will portray Sam, an aspiring singer who gets shipped off to Atlanta to live with her cousin Jess, played by Anjelika Washington. There, she joins Jess’s praise team as they prepare for a singing competition. The cast also includes comedian Druski and The Wire alum Tristan “Mack” Wilds. There’s also a cameo appearance by Quavo.
Praise This is coming to Peacock on April 7, 2023. You can watch the trailer above.
While the wait for Saweetie‘s debut album Pretty Bitch Music drags on, she keeps expanding the other parts of her portfolio. After wrapping up a recurring role on Freeform’s Grown-ish, she’s adding another acting credit to her resume, making a cameo appearance in the upcoming second season of Peacock’s dramatic Fresh Prince reboot, Bel Air, according to Variety. She’ll appear as herself on the show, although the report doesn’t state in what capacity she’ll be crossing paths with Jabari Banks ’ Will Smith, Olly Sholotan‘s Carlton Banks, or Coco Jones’ Hilary Banks (fingers crossed for a star-crossed romance with Jordan L. Jones ’ Jazz).
Although Saweetie has delayed the release of her album numerous times, there have been a few hints that it could be dropping this year. During a recent live stream with fans, the Bay Area rapper previewed a new song with single potential, “Icy Girl, Icy World,” which is based on Aqua’s 1997 hit “Barbie Girl.” And although her EP The Single Lifesupposedly underperformed — which is hard to tell without knowing what it was expected to sell in the first place — it definitely generated some buzz thanks to its coincidental release in close proximity to Quavo’s “Messy” verse seemingly referencing their relationship and her rumored connection to Lil Baby. While she denied that her single “Don’t Say Nothin’” was a response, the possibility that she might address those rumors on PBM keeps it firmly in the running for one of 2023’s most anticipated albums.
A lot has changed about Cardi B since entering the limelight, but her love for her family is not one of those things. Although the Grammy winner is an anchor of emotional support to her husband Offset (following the passing of his cousin and former group member, Takeoff), the mother of two is not happy with Casey Anthony re-entering the public eye.
In Peacock’s new docuseries, Casey Anthony: Where The Truth Lies, Anthony revisits the circumstances surrounding the 2008 death of her daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony.
After news of the series hit the internet, Cardi B took to Twitter to write, “I don’t give a damn how they flip it, switch it, turn it, toss it Casey Anthony is a disgrace of a mother, and she shouldn’t have a uterus. I don’t feel bad for her or for the daddy YALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED to that baby!!!!”
I don’t give a deum how they flip it ,switch it,turn it ,toss it Casey Anthony is a disgrace of a mother and she shouldn’t have a uterus.I don’t feel bad for her or for the daddy YALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED to that baby !!!!
The Bronx native is no stranger to the court system. Although Cardi B has appeared in front of a judge several times over the past two years, the “Up” rapper draws the line at children. Although many followers agreed with her statement, some felt the rapper was out of line for sharing her seemingly harsh opinion. This isn’t the first time the rapper’s addiction to historical television landed her in hot water. Last month, her binge fest of Netflix’s The Crown ended in a chaotic series of live tweets challenging the monarchy.
If you are interested in watching Casey Anthony: Where The Truth Lies, head here.
Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Miley Cyrus has delivered a number of live performances in 2021, despite being more than a year removed from her most recent project, 2019’s Plastic Hearts. The singer brought her talents to the Saturday Night Live stage to perform solo tracks and a remix with The Kid Laroi. Miley also found herself covering songs by Queen, Blondie, and Stevie Nicks during a performance for the NCAA’s Men’s Final Four. Now, the pop singer is preparing to celebrate Pride Month with an exclusive concert alongside a number of acts.
On June 25, Miley and Peacock will join forces for the Miley Cyrus Presents Stand By You concert. It will be an hour-long event filmed at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and one that finds Miley performing fan favorites like “The Climb” and “Party in the U.S.A.,” while gracing the audience with her own takes of classic records that include “Believe,” “True Colors,” “We Belong,” and “Dancing Queen.” She will also lead a Madonna medley that features some of the legendary singer’s records like “Music,” “Express Yourself,” and “Like A Prayer.”
(@ToddBullockNYC) April 7, 2023
my girl said she really felt the spirit
Y’all check out my version of money in the movie #PraiseThis ! pic.twitter.com/JcnqheDTue
streaming only on 
