Watch: First Look at British Actress, Naomi Ackie, as Whitney Houston in ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ Biopic

"The Voice" may be gone but her musical legacy lives on and thanks to Sony a new generation is set to be exposed to the story behind the rise and fall of one of America's most prolific and acclaimed singers.

On Thursday, the studio released the first trailer for its upcoming Whitney Houston biopic, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."

In the two-minute clip from the fully-authorized biographical drama, viewers get their first glimpse at British actress Naomi Ackie's ( "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker") portrayal of the music legend who the movie's synopsis says went "From New Jersey choir girl to one of the best-selling and most awarded recording artists of all time."

Only time will tell if the movie, slated for release on Dec. 21, will be a gift to fans of the departed diva, but the outlook is promising considering the film's pedigree.

Anthony McCarten, who wrote the hit 2018 Freddie Mercury biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," penned the script. While the man who signed and mentored Houston throughout her music career, super-producer Clive Davis, portrayed by master character actor Stanley Tucci in the film, is producing.

Watch the trailer below for a first look at Ackie in the iconic role:

Watch: Halle Bailey as Ariel in First Teaser for Live-Action 'The Little Mermaid' Movie

Over the weekend the world finally got a sneak peek at Disney’s controversial live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” starring Black R&B singer and actress Halle Bailey as Ariel.

A teaser trailer for the adaptation of the animated Disney classic was released Friday at Disney's D23 expo and already has more than 104 million (more than those of any other tease for a live action Disney adaption) views globally according to reporting from Variety.

Racists losing their minds because Halle Bailey is the new Little Mermaid.
Bro it's only the top half and guess what? Mermaids aren't real 😂😂🤷🏾‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/FfMcZDnakP

— Lorraine King (@lorrainemking) September 12, 2022

It has also drawn praise from celebrities, parents and the original voice cast for Bailey —who has faced criticism of "blackwashing" since taking on the iconic role of the fictional red-headed mermaid who dreams of a life above the waves.

Jodi Benson (Voice of Ariel from 1988) shows love to Halle Bailey via ig story 💕🧜🏽‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/iEgE8XpGKA

— Cxh Center ™ (@CxhCenter) September 11, 2022

Following the premiere, Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated film praised Bailey on Instagram writing, "Halle, you were absolutely amazing! I'm SO proud of you and your beautiful performance as Ariel."

The 60-year-old actress added that she had a great time celebrating the achievement with Bailey, 22, at D23 and shared some words of adulation for the film's director Rob Marshall as well.

She added, "Thank you for creating such a stunning film!!!"

The clip gives fans a brief look at the underwater world Marshall has created for the film and Bailey in action as Ariel — red hair and all — as she hits the beginning notes to bring to "Part of Your World."

Watch the teaser below:

Jay-Z Produced Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Wins Three Emmy Awards

Courtesy Roc Nation 

Thanks to the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, rap superstar Eminem is just one award from completing one of entertainment's most prestigious accomplishments.

The 12-minute show — which brought together fellow hip-hop icons Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige — to perform alongside the 31-time Billboard chart topper — on Feb. 13 at Inglewood, California's SoFi Stadium has won three Emmy Awards.

At the Creative Arts Emmys, held Saturday at the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, it took home the trophies for Best Variety Special (live), Outstanding Music Direction and Outstanding Production Design For A Variety Special.

"From the beginning, to get a lineup like that of artists, we knew it was going to be historic," said the ad's executive producer Jesse Collins following the win.

He added that the ad — produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, DPS and Roc Nation — would not have happened without the boss of the latter stepping up to take on the challenge.

"It was something really only [Roc Nation founder] Jay-Z could pull together," Collins said.

While it was an outstanding accomplishment for all the artists involved it may have meant slightly more to Eminem, who thanks to multiple Grammy wins and an Oscar for Best Music (Original Song) for 2003's "Lose Yourself," just needs a Tony Award to earn EGOT status, a rare feat achieved by winning all four of the major American entertainment awards — a feat only 17 people have managed.

Z-Ro Claims Trae Tha Truth Ambushed Him Before Fight Caught on Viral Video

Instagram/Z_Ro

A legendary Houston rapper is accusing his cousin and sometimes partner-in-rhyme of sucker-punching him after 50 Cent's Tycoon Houston charity event this past weekend.

Z-Ro has issued a statement to XXL, saying that a viral video of an altercation between himself and Trae Tha Truth's entourage on Saturday began with the equally renowned third-coast rapper pulling him aside to speak before unexpectedly assaulting him:

I was at 50 charity dinner on Saturday [Aug. 27] and some supporters asked for a pic... then I saw Trae approaching. He asked if he could Holla at me... I turned around to see who he was talking to and he asked if I could follow him to the side of a sprinter bus," he told the magazine. "I'm thinking we [about] to talk like 2 grown men, but I was sucker punched. When that happened... several other dudes (who I don't have affiliation with) jumped in.

He added that the video making the rounds shows just a portion of what took place writing, "The beginning, where I was asked to come over, is not shown! At the end of the day, I came to the event One Deep and to meet my artist Lolita Monreaux so we could support 50. I didn't anticipate any altercation to take place especially since I've been asking that man for a 1 on 1 for charity for at least [two] years."

Z-ro and Trae (ABN) fight
Can’t believe they jumped my nigga mayne 🤦🏾‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/V5HWhrVADh

— True Hero Under Godひ (@T_Nealy91) August 30, 2022

Z-Ro insisted to TMZ that he is not upset about the incident.

"I think people in the streets are taking this s—t harder than me," he told the entertainment outlet in an interview.

There is a long history of collaboration between the two artists.

They formed two-thirds of the group Guerilla Maab, along with their friend Dinky D, releasing the well-received project "Rise" in 1999. Trae Tha Truth had previously made his rap debut on Z-Ro's 1998 premiere album "Look What You Did to Me" as a guest artist.

They later teamed up to form the group Assholes By Nature (ABN). The group released two albums, an eponymous one in 2003 and "It Is What It Is" in 2008.

The latter proved to be one of the biggest commercial successes for both artists, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and peaking at No. 62 on the Billboard 200.

"People just grow apart," Z-Ro said of the dissolution of that fruitful relationship. "It wasn't no beef. We just stopped [working together] I think around 2012."

As for how to resolve the dispute going forward, Z-Ro —who has long been asking Trae Tha Truth to settle things with a charity boxing match —said his hands are tied but implied that others are not.

"I can't answer you when you're talking about a resolution," he told TMZ, "because I have my thought as a man, I have my thought as a n—a, ya know what I'm saying, and I'm kind of siding with this man s—t right now."

Solange Knowles to be the First Black Woman to Compose Music for New York City Ballet

beyRaph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The artist once known best as Beyoncé's little sister, Solange Knolwes, continues to prove that while she may never equal her older sibling's acclaim as a singer — her considerable talents behind the mic and beyond, place her among the most exciting performers working today.

Knowles' — who went from being an occasional backup dancer for the Beyoncé-fronted girl group Destiny's Child to a Grammy Award-winning R&B singer — latest venture is writing a score for a New York City Ballet production.

She announced the collaboration on her official Instagram account Tuesday.

"🖤very excited to announce i've composed an original score for the New York City Ballet 🖤 choreography by Gianna Reisen, score performed by the City Ballet Orchestra and soloist from my ensemble," Knowles wrote.

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A post shared by Solange (@solangeknowles)

The NYCB confirmed the news on its Facebook page.

"Multi-hyphenate recording artist Solange Knowles will foray into ballet for the first time, composing a score for Gianna Reisen's 2022 Fall Gala world premiere," it posted. 

It is not the first time the 36-year-old singer-songwriter has spread her wings artistically beyond music. She has also worked as an actress, and in recent years ventured into performance art.

"I’m not at all interested in entertainment," she told Surface magazine —during a discussion about her artistic ambitions — in a 2018 interview. "I’m really interested in energy exchange between the viewer and the performer. One way to do that is to make an inclusive experience through style, through energy, through space." 

Knowles has debuted performance art pieces around the globe, including putting on shows at Germany's famed Elbphilharmonie (Witness!) concert hall and Los Angeles' Getty Museum (Bridge-s). 

After its premiere during NCYB’s annual Fashion Gala on Sept. 28., the production will be staged later this year on Oct. 1, 8, 11 and 16. It will also return for five performances during the Company’s 2023 Spring Season on May 2, 11, 13, 17 and 18.

Will Smith Addresses Oscar's Slap in Emotional Apology Video

Screengrab: Will Smith/YouTube

Less than a week after Chris Rock finally addressed the incident, and four months after delivering the slap that shocked the cinema world, Will Smith posted a video to YouTube Friday to apologize again for striking the comedian during the live TV broadcast of the Academy Awards ceremony.

“I spent the last three months replaying and understanding the complexities and nuances of what happened in that moment,” Smith, who earned his first Oscar for "King Richard" moments after striding onto the stage and delivering a backhand to Rock, following a G. I. Jane joke at the expense of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith who has been candid over the years about her struggles with the hair-loss triggering condition alopecia.

He continued, “I’m not gonna try to unpack all of that right now, but I can say to all of you, there is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. There’s no part of me that thinks that’s the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect of insults.”

Smith had previously posted an apology on Instagram hours after the incident. The video message, however, strove to answer questions about his motivations for his bad behavior as well as extend apologies to the comedian's family.

See the UNCENSORED version of now Oscar winner Will Smith slap to Chris Rock#Oscars #WillSmith #ChrisRock #Academy #Awards #Winners #Movies #Film #News pic.twitter.com/DUYJGT4VNW

— Que Onda Magazine (@queondamagazine) March 28, 2022

"It's been a minute," the opening credits of the video read. "Over the last few months, I've been doing a lot of thinking and personal work. You asked a lot of fair questions that I wanted to take some time to answer."

Among those answers were two that fans, television talking heads and entertainment rags had been speculating on for some time. Did his wife have anything to do with the attack, and why did he not apologize on stage when he accepted his award?

“I made a choice on my own, from my own experiences from my history with Chris. Jada had nothing to do with it," Smith said, making it clear that he was to blame for any actions he took that night. As for why he didn't immediately apologize to Rock during his acceptance speech for best actor, the Grammy winner said, "I was fogged out by that point. It’s all fuzzy."

Kevin Hart and Dave Chappelle surprised fellow comedian Chris Rock with a live goat—which they jokingly named ‘Will Smith’— during a recent comedy performance at Madison Square Garden. pic.twitter.com/n7AmRXbcQG

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) July 28, 2022

Seemingly holding back tears, Smith went on to offer apologies to Rock's mother, Rose, and brother Tony, as well as musician Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, who picked up his best documentary Oscar for Summer of Soul in the awkward moments following the slap.

The star also acknowledged that his apology, though sincere, might be too late.

"I've reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he's not ready to talk, and when he is he will reach out," he said. "So, I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I'm here whenever you're ready to talk."

Rock has been tight-lipped concerning the subject in public. His first comments came over the weekend while headlining stand-up shows in New York and New Jersey.

“Yeah, that s—t hurt, motherf—ker, but I shook that s—t off and went to work the next day,” Rock said.

He added, “I’m not a victim, motherf—ker. I don’t go to the hospital for a paper cut.”

Watch the full apology video embedded below.

Adam Wade, Singer, Actor and First Black Game Show Host on Network TV, Dies at 87

Courtesy Everett Collection
Gameshow pioneer Adam Wade in 1975. 

Adam Wade, a prolific musician and actor who became the first Black game show host on network television in 1975, is dead at 87.

Wade's family announced his passing on his official Facebook page on Thursday.

"It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of our husband, father, brother, friend, Adam Wade," the post read. "Arrangements are being made for his memorial and we will keep you updated; it is a great loss for everyone who knew and loved him. Please keep our family in your prayers."

No cause of death was given on the post but his wife singer and actress, Jeree Wade, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that he died at his home in Montclair, NJ, of complications from Parkinson's disease.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wade followed a somewhat unusual road to stardom.

While working as a laboratory technician for Dr. Jonas Salk, the developer of the polio vaccine, he was asked to audition for a music publisher by a friend. Within a couple of years, he had left college and was recording for Coed Records full-time in Manhattan.

The talented jazz pianist crooner soon became the toast of the town, eventually earning gigs opening for the likes of Tony Bennett and comedian Joe E. Lewis at the legendary Copacabana nightclub.

By the early 1960s, Wade was on fire. Boasting a singing voice often compared to his idol Nat King Cole — whose brother Freddy he had performed with earlier ins his career — he notched three consecutive Billboard Top 10 hits that year.

The ballads “Take Good Care of Her,” which reached No. 7, “The Writing on the Wall” (No. 5) and “As If I Didn’t Know” (No. 10), made him a star but his career began to stumble late in the decade as the world's tastes in music changed.

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A post shared by Chaneé (@chaneemusic)

Undeterred Wade added acting to his entertainment portfolio and the move from behind the microphone to the front of the screen proved a fortuitous one.

Roles in television shows such as "Tarzan," "The FBI" and "Adam 12" expanded fans' perception of Wade as an entertainer. In 1971 he made the move to the big screen with a role in "Shaft." Several other movies and shows would follow, ultimately giving him the chance to be a pioneer in another industry.

In 1975 he became the first Black game show host on network television. Wade was master of ceremonies for "Musical Chairs," which was filmed at the famous Ed Sullivan Theater and ran daily on CBS.

On the show, contestants competed to complete the lyrics of songs and respond to questions about music. They were helped along by guest performers like The Spinners, Sister Sledge and Irene Cara. The controversial experiment didn't last long. The show, which some affiliates refused to carry, was canceled in less than five months.

I'm so sorry to hear the passing of actor/singer/game show host, Adam Wade.
Among his many accomplishments, he will always be the first Black American man to ever host a TV game show, "Musical Chairs."
My condolences to all whose lives he touched.https://t.co/d1v5B5hZit

— Marsha Warfield (@MarshaWarfield) July 8, 2022

His time on the show did not go unrewarded, however. Wade, who returned to recording after the stint and even understudied for Ben Vereen on Broadway in "I'm Not Rappaport" in 2002, met Jeree on the set of "Musical Chairs."

The couple, and frequent collaborators, married in 1989 and had four children.

Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg Join Forces to Slay Vampires in 'Day Shift'

They say religion is the opiate of the masses. That may be true, but if so, entertainment is not far behind, and movies are perhaps its most effective delivery method.

There are likely several reasons "Top Gun: Maverick" clocked a billion dollars at the box office 36 years after the original, but one of them is surely the collective need for a break from reality.

In a world where global warming, class wars, political unrest and a persistent pandemic have made life — less than optimal— sometimes 120 minutes in a fantasy world is the perfect prescription for the new-millennium blues.

With that in mind, the mad doctors at Netflix may have stumbled onto this summer's best remedy for that ailment with their latest offer.

Combining the talents of two of hip-hop and R&Bs finest, "Day Shift" is a modern-day take on the vampire genre that looks better than it has any right to be if the final cut lives up to the action-packed trailer.

Tha Dogg gone Vampire Huntin. #DayShift out on @netflix August 12th 👏🏿👏🏿🍿 pic.twitter.com/lfF0F9rL8n

— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) July 11, 2022

Rap legend Snoop Dogg and Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx, who has also been nominated for eight Grammys for his musical contribution and won one, portray unionized vampire hunters in the tale. It's a twist that Starbucks' corporate is sure to hate but it provides context for the motivation of Foxx's character, who has fallen out of favor with the union and is doing jobs on the side when not cleaning pools to make ends meet. The duo is joined by Dave Franco in a role that plays to his talents as a straight-man and comic relief.

Netflix boasts the film is “from the people who taught John Wick how to kick ass" in the trailer, and the movie does have strong ties to the highly praised action trilogy.

Director JJ Perry was a second unit director and stunt coordinator whose previous credits include the John Wick franchise, and the movie was adapted from an original script by Tyler Tice that has been revised by Shay Hatten ("John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum" and "John Wick: Chapter 4").

Check out the synopsis below and watch the official trailer.

Day Shift tells the story of longtime vampire hunter Bud Jablonski (Jamie Foxx), a man whose relationship with his wife (Meagan Good) and daughter (Zion Broadnax) is somewhat strained because of his secret line of work. While Bud’s family generally goes with the story that he works as a pool cleaner, in reality, he’s one of the many vampire hunters operating around the world to take out the blood-sucking ghouls for sizable bounties. Unlike Bud, who somehow managed to get himself booted from the union in the past, hunters like Big John Elliott (Snoop Dogg) count on their membership to get paid and stay involved in the larger fight against evil.