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Denzel Washington, Halle Berry Among Aretha Franklin's A-List Cast for Biopic
Filed under: Music, Movies, News

The Queen has spoken and she wants the biggest names in Black Hollywood to star in her highly anticipated bio-pic.

Aretha Franklin has been quietly meeting with today's leading black actors and actresses, including Denzel Washington and Terence Howard, for roles in the film based on her New York Times Best-Selling Autobiography 'Aretha: From These Roots," and she says she's in the midst of finalizing negotiations now.
The 18-time Grammy Award-winning power belter tells the BV Newswire, "These actors are enthusiastic about the project and have agreed to take on these roles subject to further negotiation."

Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry is her top pick to play a young Aretha. Berry previously won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for portraying famed actress Dorothy Dandridge in the made-for-television movie 'Introducing Dorothy Dandridge,'

Denzel Washington, who the Detroit native visited during his Tony Award-winning run on Broadway in August Wilson's 'Fences,' told Franlin he's open to playing the role of Franklin's father, Rev. C.L. Franklin. 'Law and Order: Los Angeles' star and Oscar-nominated Terrence Howard agreed in-person to portray her dear friend and former The Miracles front-man Smokey Robinson. Nia Long is being asked to play the Presidential Medal of Freedom honree's sister Erma Frankin and she wants heartthrob Blair Underwood on-board to play her brother and long-time manager Cecil Franklin.

It is fitting that Franklin would seek out the best in gospel music to take on the roles of members of the world-renowned gospel group, the Ward Singers. Karen Clark Sheard and LaShun Pace are being asked to portray the women who most influenced Franklin's career.

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Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson to Honor Mary J. Blige, Others at Spelman College Fundraiser
Filed under: Music, Movies, Television, News, Theater, Celeb Updates, Awards
Academy Award nominated director Spike Lee and actor Samuel L. Jackson, who are both Morehouse College alum, are joining forces to raise money for their fellow Atlanta University Center school, Spelman College.

On Oct 4, the inaugural Blue Scholarship Black-Tie Gala will be held at New York's posh Plaza Hotel to benefit the prestigious black women's college and to salute the contributions of dynamic black women in music, business, law and education.

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, will receive the Marian Wright Edelman Service Award for her philanthropic work with her non-profit, Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FAWN).Spelman alumna, and founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman (class of 1960) and President of Walmart's South business unit and EVP of Walmart Stores, Inc. Rosalind Brewer (class of 1984) will also be honored along with attorney and philanthropist Kathryn C. Chenault.

Jackson, who met his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson while she was a student at Spelman College and he attended Morehouse College across the street, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Lee, whose grandmother and mother both attended the Atlanta liberal arts college, will host the reception.

Mrs. Jackson, who is a trustee of Spelman College, is an actress like her husband, and has appeared on television, film and Broadway. Most recently, she starred in the 2009 Broadway revival of August Wilson's 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone,' and previously had roles in 'The Fighting Temptations,' 'Introducing Dorothy Dandridge,' and 'Ally McBeal.' The Class of 1971 alumna co-founded the Blue Gala with former Verizon executive Jerri DeVard to assist students facing financial hardships with much needed scholarship money.

"We recognize the 2010 awardees for their tremendous contributions towards bettering our communities," Jackson said. "Their achievements motivate us to pave the way for the next generation to achieve goals that will change the world."

'Law & Order' actor Anthony Anderson will host the live auction and former television personality Star Jones will host the event's silent auction, which is already confirmed to include big-ticket items like a five night trip to Paris on American Airlines and Super Bowl XLV game packages, as well as Essence Music Festival packages, among other items.

Malaak Compton-Rock and Pauletta Washington, the wives of comedian Chris Rock and Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington, respectively, are two of the other notable 'Blue Champions' who are devoted to the cause of heralding educational excellence and supporting young women in their pursuit of higher education.

For more information about BLUE and to purchase tickets, please visit www.spelmanblue.com

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Marvin Sapp: Wife Dies of Colon Cancer
Filed under: Music, News, Star Quotes
One of Gospel music's most beloved artists is mourning the loss of his wife.

Marvin Sapp's wife, MaLinda has died of colon cancer.

Earlier this year, Saap had said MaLinda, who was diagnosed with stage 4 of the disease in 2009, was recovering well and given a clean bill of health by doctors. But, more recently, her health had deteriorated and the 'Never Would've Made It' singer halted recording new music and touring to be by her side. A few days ago, he asked fans for their help praying around-the-clock for his wife.

The couple, which share three children, have been married for fifteen years. Together they pastor at their church, Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, MI, where they reside. MaLinda has played an integral part in Sapp's music success, having served as his manager and executive producer on several of his audio and video recordings. She was also a limited licensed psychologist and college professor.

According to AOL Music, Praise Houston, released a statement on the passing of the singer's wife which read, "It's with our deepest sympathy that we inform you that Pastor Marvin Sapp's wife MaLinda Sapp has passed on today after battling colon cancer. An official press release has not been issued yet but more details will be coming."

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Mike Epps, D.L. Hughley Attract Crowd to Atlantic City Comedy Festival
Filed under: News, Celeb Updates

As previously reported, some of the biggest names in comedy headed to Atlantic City over the Labor Day holiday for what organizers are hoping will be an annual event: the Atlantic City Comedy Festival.

Though the large-arena venue, Historic Boardwalk Hall, was not filled to capacity, many of the show's headliners believe the economy has proven to be a gift to the world of comedy.

Mike Epps is busy prepping to return as host of the 'BET Hip-Hop Awards' and for the release of his next movie, 'Faster,' with Billie Bob Thornton and The Rock, but he's happy that he can provide entertainment despite many of his fans going through tough economic conditions

"Black people, we always live from pillar to post, the majority of us, so when it comes to the economy, we're survivors, [and] I think comedy really helps because in trying times like this, people want to laugh and keep their minds off their bills and stuff like that," the 'Lottery Ticket' star told BV Newswire.

"It was really good, because I think that Atlantic City, the city itself, could really use that type of entertainment. I think it's a big thing for the city, and to have that type of talent on a couple of shows is good."

He's still holding out hope that he will get a chance to portray Richard Pryor in the long-delayed biopic on the comedy legend.

The Indianapolis native added, "I'm just trying to make sure that I just stay relevant in the business. Right now, I'm just trying to put myself in an A-list actor position, and once I get that, maybe I will do a little directing and producing."

George Wilborn, who recently appeared on the short-lived 'Michael Baisden Show,' told BV Newswire, "The worst times get, the more you need comedy to break the monotony of what you know are serious topics in your household."

He added that he'd love to return next year.

"The venue was great, the people were incredible and I got to be a chance to be with friends of mine. ...I hope it's successful. I wouldn't have a problem being a part of it year after year," he shared.

Don "DC" Curry says arena tours like the Atlantic City Comedy Festival remain more popular than stand-up comedy shows in large part because of a certain group of funnymen.

"I think the 'Kings of Comedy' changed the game, and they made the general public expect to see megashows. Before the 'Kings Of Comedy,' people would ask me, 'Where you gonna be tonight?' and after the 'Kings of Comedy,' people said, 'Where you gonna be?' and I'd tell them, and then they'd say, 'Who ya with?'"

The festival's sole original 'King of Comedy' star, D.L. Hughley, who hosted Saturday night, says that he's seen "more people come to forget about what is going on."

He shared, "As a performer, people don't go as far. People have stay-cations, and as a comic, you want to make sure you are worth the money."

Like Mike Epps, he's staying busy even off the stand-up circuit.

Hughley said he's hoping to return to radio in the near future, after salary disputes ended his time at 98.7 Kiss FM in New York City. He has a recurring role on the upcoming CBS series 'Hawaii Five-O', which he just shot. But, the Los Angeles-based comedian is most excited for his own show to get under way.

"We have a TV sitcom that we're gonna get back into," he said. "We have three offers that we are entertaining, so we will see where we go."

He laughed, "I would never write anything for nobody else I'm too selfish."

Sommore, who headlined Saturday night's show and is gearing up to shoot another stand-up special in January, feels conflicted to be the only woman on the lineup.

"I feel proud because it shows an accomplishment of mine," she confided. "It's the first time a woman has headlined a major comedy tour over other males, but another aspect is we should have more women here, but it's a male-dominated business."

Here's hoping she gets her wish and that the festival returns next year.

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Whoopi Goldberg Reflects on Mother's Death, Plans to Resume 'Sister Act'
Filed under: Television, News, Theater

Following an abrupt hiatus from her role in the London musical 'Sister Act,' Whoopi Goldberg is set resume her role for five additional performances next month.

The Academy Award-winning actress initially departed from the London production in August to return home, where her mother, Emma Johnson, suffered from a stroke.

In light of her mother's death two days later on Aug. 29, the 54-year-old took time to reflect on the life and times of Johnson's death during the season premiere of 'The View.'

"My brother and I were very, very lucky to have her in our lives," Goldberg said during Tuesday's episode. "So I'm not sad, because she had a great time."

"My mother was a great adventure person, so she loved to go on adventures, and my brother and I made sure that her life was full and rich," adding that Johnson received her master's in early childhood education at New York University.

"I think I'm just sad sometimes that I think, 'Who will love me the way that she did?' But I realize that my brother and I have each other and so we're okay."

In spite of 'The View' co-host's recent loss, her 'Sister Act' cast members are "devastated" by the tragic news and remain supportive.

"Everyone at 'Sister Act' was devastated for Whoopi when she needed to leave us to return home to be with her family," Stage Entertainment UK CEO Bill Taylor said in a statement. "Our thoughts are continually with them over this difficult period. I think everyone knows what a special person she is. But that she is committed to returning and completing her run at the Palladium leaves me speechless in admiration."

"I'd also like to thank the wonderful and gracious Sally Dexter for her understanding and utter professionalism. It's an honor to have both of these women as part of our company," he concluded.

Beginning Oct. 22, Whoopi will alternate her role at London's Palladium with Sally Dexter, who currently plays Mother Superior, until the production closes on Oct. 30.
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Black Stars on Broadway

Black Stars Light Up The Great White Way
On Nov. 17, Kerry Washington made her Broadway debut with David Mamet's newest play 'Race' at New York City's Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The acclaimed actress, who wowed mainstream movie audiences in the Academy Award winning 2005 Ray Charles biopic, said she is "thrilled" about this latest career move. The show also stars James Spader, David Alan Grier and Richard Thomas.

Robert J. Saferstein

Black Stars Light Up The Great White Way
Fans of the hit ABC medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy' know that Chandra Wilson has a knack for playing tough broads. This summer, the award-winning actress returns to her theater roots with a role in the legendary Broadway musical, 'Chicago.' From June 8 through July 5, the woman known to many as Dr. Miranda Bailey on the Shonda Rhimes-produced series will take on the celebrated role of reigning cellblock diva Matron "Mama" Morton at Broadway's Ambassador Theatre. The Houston native and three time Emmy Award nominated thespian's previous Broadway credits include 'Caroline, or Change,' 'Avenue Q' and 'On the Town.'

Joan Marcus

Black Stars Light Up the Great White Way
Phylicia Rashad, who warmed millions of TV viewers' hearts in the 1980s as Clair Huxtable on the groundbreaking NBC sitcom 'The Cosby Show,' has taken on a role like none other. Making a triumphant return to Broadway this spring, the Tony Award-winning star of plays such as 'A Raisin in the Sun,' 'Gem of the Ocean' and 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,' exposes an emotional depth and acting range that is unparalleled. In the Pulitzer prize-winning play 'August: Osage County,' Rashad portrays Violet Weston, the pill-popping, acid-tongued, no-holds-barred central figure of a dysfunctional clan experiencing the sudden loss of its patriarch.

Robert J. Saferstein/Jeffrey Richards Associates

Black Stars Light Up The Great White Way
After years of toiling on TV shows and films, acclaimed actors Ernie Hudson (of 'Oz' fame) and LaTanya Richardson Jackson (previously seen in 'The Fighting Temptations') made their Broadway debuts in the critically acclaimed revival of the August Wilson play 'Joe Turner's Come And Gone,' which opened at the Belasco Theatre on April 16, 2009. The story is set in a Pittsburgh boarding house circa 1911 and features a colorful cast of characters played by Chad L. Coleman, Roger Robinson, Aunjanue Ellis, Andre Holland, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Arliss Howard, Danai Gurira, Michael Cummings and Amari Rose Leigh.

Black Stars Light Up The Great White Way
Hollywood heavyweight Cedric The Entertainer joined Tony Award nominee John Leguizamo and Academy Award nominee Hayley Joel Osment in a November 2008 revival of David Mamet's classic play, 'American Buffalo,' which played a short riun at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway. Following three small-time crooks who wax philosophically about society while conspiring to steal a rare and valuable coin from a neighborhood collector, the Oscar Joyner produced production marked the funnyman's debut on The Great White Way.

Black Stars Light Up The Great White Way
'American Idol' Season 1 finalist Tamyra Gray blazed a new trail on Broadway when she revamped the look of lead character Mimi, a drug addicted HIV positive spitfire in the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical 'Rent.' It wasn't the first time around the track for the former Georgia pageant queen; she previously starred in the Indian inspired outing, 'Bombay Dreams.'

Black Stars Light Up The Great White Way
Academy Award winning film veteran Morgan Freeman made a return to The Great White Way in April 2008. The last time the 'Million Dollar Baby' actor appeared on the Broadway stage before: 1988's 'The Gospel at Colonus.' As Frank Elgin, the Memphis native took on a roll traditionally played by a white actor in the Mike Nichols-directed revival.

Black Stars Light Up The Great White Way
Hip-hop superstar Sean "Diddy" Combs won rave reviews as Walter Lee Younger in the 2002 revival of the classic play 'A Raisin in the Sun.'

Black Stars Light Up The Great White Way
Sexy 'Soul Food' star Boris Kodjoe stepped up his acting game by filling in for Terrence Howard during a break in production of the sell-out, all-black version of Tennessee Williams' play 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.' Though it was only two weeks, the former fashion model turned pin-up hunk received high marks for taking on the lead role as sexually tormented jock, Brick. He held his own alongside Tony Award winning thespians James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad and Anika Noni Rose.

Black Stars Light Up The Great White Way
'Law & Order' powerhouse S. Epatha Merkerson returned to her theater roots with her critically acclaimed turn in 'Come Back, Little Sheba.'
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Director Reggie Rock Bythewood Examines Mike Tyson/ Tupac Closeness In 'One Night In Vegas'

Premiering tonight as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series is the sports documentary, 'One Night in Vegas,' which examines the night of September 7, 1996 when Mike Tyson fought to claim another heavyweight championship and rapper Tupac Shakur was shot shortly after leaving the fight.

Shakur and Tyson were friends, a feeling of kinship linked them as each rose to stardom from poverty only to be thrown in prison. Following Tyson's victory, Shakur and "Iron Mike" were to celebrate at an after party, but the rap star never arrived. Shakur was brutally gunned down later that night, and the scene in Las Vegas quickly turned from would-be celebratory revelry to ill fated and inopportune tragedy.

Director Reggie Bythewood ('Biker Boyz'), with the full cooperation of Mike Tyson, will tell not only the story of that infamous night but of the remarkable friendship between Tyson and Tupac.
Blackvoices caught up with the writer/director as he spoke about working with Tyson and talking about that historic evening. Here are some excerpts from the interview.

What made you think of connecting Mike Tyson to Tupac?

Reggie Rock Bythewood: I think they were already connected. Whenever you think of what happened to Pac you just kind of admittedly go back to, "that happened the night of this Tyson/ Bruce Seldon fight." I think the thing that was surprising is really understanding the depth of their friendship. The last recording session that Pac ever did in life is when he went to a recording booth the day before the Tyson/Seldon fight and recorded a track for his boy Mike. I never really put that together before I started doing this documentary; so all of these discoveries were really just a fresh spin on things.

What was the reason behind the documentary?

RB: Well, first off, let me say that ESPN and producer Damon Bingham sat together and decided that they were going to do this. So they pulled me in. I was coming off of co-writing 'Notorious' and I had been on a previous documentary with Laila Ali. So when I first came into it I must say for myself that I was a little skeptical because I really loved 'Tupac's Resurrection.' That was a great documentary. There was a great Tyson documentary that was out and so I was skeptical as to whether or not there was something different about this night, different about their relationship, about them as individuals that I wanted to say. But one of the things that just started to evolve, number one just as sports fan, was just a really understanding that this was the last night that Mike walked out of the ring a champion and then just kind of investigating, kind of understanding and just in terms of sports history to understand what was going on and was there something that happened on this particular night that might have changed the course of his career. It was just an interesting thing to examine. I think the other thing that was just really interesting that was happening is that I never really set out, even though we have information that people have never heard before I never set out to say, "Hey, this is a fact that you don't know. Hey, this is a fact that you don't know." What it ended up becoming was that it became a character study and what was interesting to me was to hear what Mike was feeling, and what he was thinking when these events happened. It was really interesting for me to hear how they became friends. It was also interesting to see the cast of the characters, if you will, that surrounded themselves around Pac and Mike. Pac had people like Suge Knight around him and he had a special relationship with people like Dr. Maya Angelou. Dr. Maya Angelou came and visited Mike in jail. Just to hear these stories, I suppose part of my job is to hold a mirror up to society, hold the mirror up to Mike and Tupac and reflect in a way that we haven't seen before. I just thought that these stories that came through made it worthwhile for me.

How cooperative was Mike in reliving that night, as well as Tupac's mom?

RB: Mike was cooperative. It was really interesting. He was cooperative. When the cameras were off I would say that he was guarded. For example, we just had a premiere of the film in Harlem. I wanted to do it in Harlem and I wanted to do it in the community center in Harlem and so we did it at this place called The Dwyer Cultural Center. When Mike rolled up I would say that he was a little bit guarded, but when the film was over he stood up in front of the audience and trusted everybody and talked about how moved he was. It was almost like, him standing up that night, like we were seeing a changed person, at least at that moment. So he was cooperative but something happened, just like sometimes as a filmmaker you turn the cameras off and you get things that you wish you got on camera - that wasn't the case with Mike. It was just basically when the cameras were on is when he talked and when he opened up. The other thing I did was that the third day of shooting we went to the Tupac Shakur Center and sat with Sister Afeni and just told her what it is, what we were looking to do with the film and then we just had other people, a gentleman named Jamal Joseph who was a Black Panther back in the day - actually I think Jamal would say that he's still a Black Panther - and had a close relationship with Pac. So it wasn't just sitting there with Mike and just sitting down with Pac's family, but also all the other people that had an interesting perspective on him.

What do you want audiences to remember the most from watching this documentary?

RB: That's interesting. I think that I approach it a little differently. I think the way that I approach is that people are going to get different things from it. What I was not interested in doing at all was doing a documentary that just sensationalized this sort of event. I feel like all the documentaries have done that and I didn't want to do that. What I really wanted to do was not to make any attempts to present them as choir boys and I didn't make any attempt to say that they were bad guys. I just really wanted to do an honest portrayal of who these people were. I think some people have their perspectives challenged in terms of who they think Mike was and who they thought Pac was. But I just think it's an interesting look and a different way to look at it than we've looked at before.

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Description: Snaps from within the action at the 2010 Popstars auditions round the country. The audition dates: from 21 August to 12 September. The series is on e.tv on Saturdays at 18h05 and features Zwai Bala, Azania Ndoro and PJ Powers as judges. The host: Martin Phike, former member of Season 3 winning group Ghetto Lingo.