E! Renews The Bella Twins’ “Total Bellas” Docuseries for Sixth Season

NikkiBrie are still the Bellas of the ball…

E! has given the green light for a sixth season of its docuseries Total Bellas, which follows the lives of the 36-year-old half-Mexican American twin sisters and WWE stars, Nikki Bella and Brie Bella.

The Bella Twins

The NBCUniversal cable network will launch the next run of the show later this fall.

Season 5 of the show, which ended on Thursday, June 11, featured Nikki and Artem’s French engagement and the twins finding out they’re both expecting and due within weeks of each other.

The upcoming season will highlight the birth of their babies as Nikki navigates the joys of parenthood for the first time and Brie becomes a mom of two.

The fifth season is averaging around 1 million viewers, with 598,000 in the total 18-49 demo with around three quarters of these viewers women. This average is up 9% from last season and the show consistently ranks among the top ten shows in primetime across ad-supported cable nets.

Morena Baccarin’s Disaster Thriller “Greenland” to Open in Theaters in July

Morena Baccarin’s readying for a Green(land) summer…

The 41-year-old Brazilian actress’ disaster thriller with Gerard Butler, Greenland, is now scheduled for a July 31 theatrical opening.

The STX film, directed by Ric Roman Waugh and written by Chris Sparling, was previously scheduled for June 12 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdown.

Greenland revolves around a family who must fight for survival as a planet-killing comet races to Earth.  Butler plays John Garrity and Baccarin his estranged wife Allison. Together with their young son Nathan, they must make a perilous journey to their only hope for sanctuary.  Amid terrifying news accounts of cities around the world being leveled by the comet’s fragments, the Garritys experience the best and worst in humanity while they battle the increasing panic and lawlessness surrounding them.  As the countdown to global apocalypse approaches zero, their incredible trek culminates in a desperate and last-minute flight to a possible safe haven.

Baccarin’s previous film credits include the Deadpool franchise, Ode to Joyand Spy.

Starz Renews Monica Raymund’s Crime Drama “Hightown” for Second Season

Monica Raymund isn’t leaving Hightown…

Starz has picked up the 33-year-old half-Dominican American actress’ Cape Cod-set drama Hightown for a second season.

Monica Raymund in Hightown

The Lionsgate-backed cable network said that Raymund’s crime drama had set a new record for series premiere viewership across its digital platforms internationally.

The series, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Lionsgate Television, launched its eight-part run on May 17 and the renewal comes after the fourth episode aired.

Hightownfollows one woman’s journey to sobriety, overshadowed by an unfolding murder investigation. Raymund plays Jackie Quiñones, a hard-partying National Marine Fisheries Service agent, who has her life thrown into disarray when she discovers a body on the beach – another casualty of Cape Cod’s opioid epidemic. To deal with the trauma, Jackie takes the first steps toward sobriety, until she becomes convinced it’s up to her to solve the murder. James Badge Dale also stars along with Riley VoelkelShane HarperAmaury Nolasco and Atkins Estimond.

Hightown is created and executive produced by Rebecca Cutter.

Raymund previously told Deadline she was really excited to star in her first cable drama. 

“As much as I love network, I never had the opportunity to challenge myself doing cable television and I come from a very theatrical background so I like extremely complex stories. I like it messy and gritty, I don’t like cleanliness when it comes to storytelling so this was an opportunity to mess up my work and push myself,” she said. “For me to be able to play the lead, especially as a queer Latino woman, that is pretty cool.”

“Rebecca, Gary and Jerry delivered an elevated and well-executed drama that embodies all the hallmarks of a Starz premium series with its dynamic, edgy storytelling, multicultural cast and female leadership both in front of and behind the camera,” added Christina Davis, president of original programming. “Audiences are already deeply engaged with these flawed and complex characters and in a second season we will continue to dive deeper into the relationships between them amidst the shifting tides on the Cape.”

J Balvin Releases Animated Video for His Latest Colorful Single “Azul”

J Balvin is feelin’ blue…

The 35-year-old Colombian reggaeton singerhas released the official music video for “Azul,” a sensual reggaeton track about a woman he’s crushing on. 

J Balvin Azul

The appropriately blue-hued animated clip also tells the story of how he’s trying to move on from her.

In the music video, which dropped earlier this week, J Balvin goes through a heartbreak, reminiscing about the good and bad times in his relationship. To try to forget about his ex-girlfriend, he orders a life-size, blowup doll to give him company. Instead, he’s tainted by the memories and tries to keep occupied by drinking, working out, and hanging out with his faithful puppy. And he even cries glitter tears.

“‘Azul’ is one of the most ridiculous ideas I’ve probably ever had,” director Colin Tilley previously told Billboard.

“[J Balvin] looked at me on FaceTime with the straightest face and said, ‘I love it.’ It’s one of those ideas that you could either seriously hate or love. And that’s what we strive for: You either will love it or hate it. It’s also about the feeling you get from color because when we listen to music, we see colors, you feel a color, and that’s the beauty of music. Let’s make you feel something.”

“Azul” is part of J Balvin’s Colores album and follows the music videos for “Blanco,” “Morado,” “Rojo,” “Amarillo,” “Gris,” “Verde,” and “Rosado,” all directed by Tilley.

“My goal was for every video that drops is for it to up the previous one,” Tilley explained. “If we’re not doing that, then we’re not doing our job and there’s no point in releasing every single video.”

“XRey” Podcast About King Juan Carlos I’s Abdication Being Adapted for Television

The story behind King Juan Carlos I’s relinquishment of his crown is headed to the small story…

XRey, a Spotify podcast from The Story Lab on the abdication of the 82-year-old former Spanish king, is being adapted for television by the producer of Netflix original Hache.

King Juan Carlos I

The Story Lab is working with Weekend Studio on the adaptation after XReyhas been among Spotify’s top three podcasts in Spain since premiering on May 19.

King Juan Carlos I abdicated in 2014 in sudden and unexplained circumstances and the 10-part XRey podcastfeatures testimony from prime ministers, leading historians and investigative journalists. It’s produced by Toni Garrido.

Michael Iskas, global president of The Story Lab, said: “Toni and his team at The Story Lab Spain have brought the XReystory to life in a brilliantly creative way to deliver a breakout hit on Spotify that has the pace of a political thriller.”

Weekend Studio president Tomás Cimadevilla added: “XReyhas a potent mix of intrigue, royalty and international power play. This fascinating story, which is captivating listeners on Spotify, is ideal for adaptation as a major TV drama.”

Penelope Cruz to Star in Juan Diego Botto-Directorial Debut Feature “On The Fringe”

Penelope Cruz is onthe fringe

The 46-year-old Oscar-winning Spanish actress will star alongside Luis Tosar in the feature film On The Fringe (En Los Margenes), which will mark the directorial debut of Argentine actor Juan Diego Botto.

Penelope Cruz

The Spanish-language film, told over the course of one day, will follow interweaving stories, including that of a woman (Cruz) who has 24 hours to prevent herself and her family being evicted from their home by a bank intent on repossessing it. Tosar will play a passionate lawyer and activist.

Cruz will produce with Alvaro Longoria of Morena Films after their recent collaboration on Asghar Farhadi’s Everybody Knows

Botto, who recently starred in the Netflix series White Lines and will next be seen in Warner Bros.’ Suicide Squad, is aiming to shoot the ensemble piece in Spain later this year. 

As part of their research, the filmmakers met and interviewed people who have experienced housing repossession.

Cruz said of On The Fringe: “I think Juan has written a great script and has an important story to tell. I’ve always admired his work as an actor and writer and have always known he will do great things as a director.”

Botto commented: “We wanted to reflect how an economic crisis affects personal and emotional relationships; how crises are brewing for those who live on the edge, for those who live on the fringes. We wanted to tell a story about love and solidarity.”

Longoria added: “This grabbing, emotive and optimistic thriller portrays the thousands of people who are, every day, faced with the terrible drama of losing their home.”

Pain And Glory star Cruz starred alongside Tosar in the 2015 drama Ma Ma, which was also produced by Longoria.

6ix9ine to Release “Trollz,” Featuring Nicki Minaj, on Friday

6ix9ine is ready for his own Trollz world tour…

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, will release his second comeback track, “Trollz” featuring Nicki Minaj, on Friday, June 12.

6ix9ine x Nicki Minaj

Minaj confirmed the collaboration via Instagram early Wednesday morning. Along with her announcement, she revealed her and 6ix9ine’s plans to aid in the bailing process. 

“A portion of the proceeds from #Trollz including merch items, will be going directly to The Bail Project Inc,” she wrote in her post.

Early Wednesday morning (June 10), Minaj “The fund provides free bail assistance to low-income individuals who can’t afford to pay bail while awaiting their trial. We want to protect and support the thousands of brave people working on the front lines of social justice, using their voices to demand AN END to the targeting and killing of Black Americans by the police. #BlackLivesMatter link in bio to Pre-save #TrollzVIDEO tmrw @ midnight.”

6ix9ine and Minaj previously connected on the Billboard Hot 100 single “Fefe,” which stormed to No. 3 on the chart.

6ix9ine found chart success upon his April release from jail when he released “Gooba.” The record soared to No. 3, tying his solo career best.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBQdkz6HxRi/

Christian Nodal In Talks with Selena Gomez for Possible Collaboration

Christian Nodal could be collaborating with a big Latina pop star…

The 21-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter, who released his EP AyAyAy! In late May, tells Billboard he could be teaming up with Selena Gomez.

Christian Nodal

“We are actually talking with Selena Gomezfor something in Spanish,” he fesses. “Drake Bellalso wrote to me on Instagram. It was so cool because I remembered all of my childhood.”

In this seven-track EP AyAyAy!, released on May 29 via Fonovisa, Nodal didn’t shy away from experimental fusions, dropping a norteño-tropical hybrid (“No Es Justo Por El”), a mariachi-tinged country song (“Se Me Olvido”), and even his own version of the ‘50s classic doo-wop “Tonight I Fell in Love” by The Tokensin “Anoche Me Enamore.”

“When I’m listening to music, my emotions change and that’s why I wanted to release part of the album,” said Nodal during a recent Instagram Live Q&A with Billboard.

“I’m taking advantage because I’m young, I’m 21, and because I love music in general,” he says. “With this album, I want to take Regional Mexican to the next level and that’s why I included cumbia, ‘70s rock, salsa, vallenatos, and more.”

AyAyAy!is the first part of Nodal’s upcoming full-length third studio album. “In September I’m releasing the second half. That album is 100 times better because it has all of my favorite songs,” he assures.

Anuel AA’s “Emmanuel” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums & Latin Rhythm Albums Charts

Make that two in a row for Anuel AA

The 27-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singerhas notched his second No. 1 debut on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums charts as Emmanuel debuts at the summit of the June 16-dated surveys. 

Anuel AA

Anuel AA’s sophomore album dethrones Bad Bunny’s YHLQMDLG.

“I feel blessed!” Anuel tells Billboard. “Many people ask me what I would’ve said had the album not reached No. 1. We will never know… I feel blessed, just like Kobe [Bryant] when he won his second championship. Grateful to all my fans, I love you with my life.”

Emmanuelarrives with 39,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending June 4, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. Of Emmanuel’s starting count, 3,000 were in album sales and the bulk of the remainder attributed to streams.

The Top Latin Albums chart ranks the most popular Latin albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units. Units are comprised of traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

Emmanuelwas released May 29 via Real Hasta La Muerte/Sony Music Latin. It registered 36,000 SEA units, equating to 55.8 million on-demand streams for the album’s songs in its opening week.

“Extremely grateful to all producers who worked on this album and to the fans, without you, none of this would be possible,” Frabián Eli Carrión, Anuel’s manager tells Billboard. “Pursue your goals determinedly because dreams come true.”

Elsewhere, Emmanueldebuts at No. 8 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart and earns Anuel his highest charting album (Real Hasta La Muerte, his first chart entry, bowed at No. 51 on July 2018.)

With 39,000 units, Emmanuelis the third biggest debut of 2020 for a Latin album in terms of overall units. It follows a pair of Bad Bunny debuts: YHLQMDLG(179,000; March 14- dated list) and Las Que No Iban a Salir (42,000; May 23 survey.) Emmanuel’s units start surpasses the opening week of Anuel’s debut album Real Hasta La Muerte, which opened with 11,000 units on the Top Latin Albums chart dated July 28, 2018.

Bella Thorne’s “Infamous” Heading to Drive-In Theaters in July

Bella Thorne’s headed to the drive-in…

Vertical Entertainment will debut the 22-year-old half-Cuban American actress/singer’s action-crime thriller Infamous in close to three dozen drive-ins on the East Coast, in the Midwest and the South. The move comes as the country continues to seek movie-viewing alternatives in the slow recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Bella Thorne in Infamous

The film will also be available in digital virtual cinemas, all starting on Friday, June 12.

Infamous was written and directed by Joshua Caldwell.

Thorne plays Arielle, a young woman who lives in a small Florida town, stuck in a diner job. Arielle has always wanted more: fame, popularity and admiration. But when she falls for a recently paroled young criminal named Dean, she drags him back into a life of danger, learning that posting their criminal exploits on social media is an easy way to viral fame. They embark on a dangerous adventure together that leads to robbery, cop chases, and murder.

The film also stars Jake Manley and Amber Riley.