Eva Longoria Among Celebrities & Entertainment Figures Encouraging World Leaders to “End the COVID-19 Pandemic Now”

Eva Longoria is urging on world leaders to take action to end the ongoing coronavirus pandemic…

Tuesday morning, just before President Joe Biden addressed the United Nations for the first time, more than 80 celebrities and entertainment figures, including the 46-year-old Mexican American actress, producer and activist, issued an open letter to world leaders calling for them to end “the COVID-19 pandemic now.”

Eva Longoria

The letter, which mentioned the United Nations General Assembly Session specifically, was posted on the website of CARE, an organization dedicated to ending poverty worldwide.

It was signed by a raft of boldfaced names including Longoria, Debra MessingAlyssa Milano, Anne Hathaway, Malin Akerman, Debbie Allen, Jordana Brewster, Connie Britton, Ciara, Peter Dinklage, Richard Gere, Dolores Huerta, Joel McHale, Iman, Edward James Olmos, Laura Linney, Julianna Margulies, Joel McHale, Idina Menzel, Ana Ortiz, Adam Shankman, Michael Sheen, Adam Shulman and Sarah Silverman.

Specifically, the letter calls COVID-19 “a manmade pandemic of apathy.” It states that “Only 2% of people in low-income countries have received a single dose.” The signatories call on “global leaders to make 7 billion vaccine doses available before the end of 2021, and an additional 7 billion doses by mid-2022 to fully vaccinate 70% of the world by next summer.”

Those are lofty goals given the world’s most highly vaccinated countries, like the U.S., remain well under 70%.

It also asks leaders to “invest in last-mile delivery systems, public education, and frontline healthcare workers to get vaccines from tarmacs into arms.”

Here’s the full letter:

An open letter to world leaders on ending the COVID-19 pandemic now.

None of us are safe until all of us are safe.

We call on leaders gathering at the United Nations General Assembly Session to boldly act
together to end COVID-19 everywhere.

COVID-19 is now a manmade pandemic of apathy. Only 2% of people in low-income countries have received a single dose, leaving the world’s most vulnerable to face COVID with no
protection. This situation also lets new variants, like Delta, emerge and ravage the lives of
millions.

We are joining with CARE to call on global leaders to make 7 billion vaccine doses available before the end of 2021, and an additional 7 billion doses by mid-2022 to fully vaccinate 70%
of the world by next summer.

To get this done the world community must also invest in last-mile delivery systems, public education, and frontline healthcare workers to get vaccines from tarmacs into arms. Millions
of doses could go to waste because low-income countries don’t have the support they
need to get vaccines to vulnerable people.

We can save millions of lives — and trillions in further economic damage — by meeting this moment with the resources and political will needed to end COVID-19 for everyone,
everywhere. Because none of us are safe until all of us are safe.

Malin Akerman
Debbie Allen
Dorothy Amuah
Morena Baccarin
Adriana Barraza
Troian Bellisario
Bobby Berk
Jordana Brewster
Connie Britton
Karamo Brown
Gloria Calderón Kellett
Ciara
Tena Clark
Kim Coates
Madison Cowan
Alexandra Daddario
Peter Dinklage
Melinda Doolittle
Tan France
Richard Gere
Duff Goldman
Tony Goldwyn
Fiona Gubelmann
Anne Hathaway
Ingrid Hoffmann
Anders Holm
Dolores Huerta
Osas Ighodaro
Joel McHale
Iman
Edward James Olmos
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja
Ellie Krieger
Iskra Lawrence
Annie Lennox
Lola Lennox
Esther Lewis
Laura Linney
Kimberly Locke
Eva Longoria
Anja Manuel
Julianna Margulies
Catherine McCord
Joel McHale
Spike Mendelsohn
Idina Menzel
Debra Messing
Alyssa Milano
Sepideh Moafi
Tamera Mowry-Housley
Yvette Nicole Brown
Christina Ochoa
Ana Ortiz
Helen Pankhurst
Jessica Pimentel
Julie Plec
Adina Porter
Zac Posen
Leven Rambin
April Reign
Holland Roden
Sheila Shah
Adam Shankman
Omar Sharif Jr.
Michael Sheen
Adam Shulman
Sarah Silverman
Hannah Skvarla
Todd Snyder
Kimberly Steward
Curtis Stone
Christy Turlington Burns
Laura Vandervoort
Gabby Williams
Michelle Williams
Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Russell Wilson
Scott Wolf
Kelley Wolf
Bellamy Young
Rachel Zoe

Ashley Reyes to Star in the Comedy Horror Film “Slayer”

Ashley Reyes is ready to slay(er) all day…

The Latina theater, screen and television actress has been cast in the comedy horror, Slayer.

Ashley Reyes

Reyes joins previously announced stars Abigail Breslin, Thomas Jane and Malin Akerman.

Directed by K. Asher Levin, the plot follows a group of internet influencers who are drawn to a reclusive, seductive billionaire’s mansion, only to find themselves trapped in the lair of an evil vampire.

Reyes will play Natalie, a millennial fantasy of an entrepreneurial power broker.

Reyes’ previous credits include Kid Fitness, Family Values and American Gods.

Quiver Distribution & Redbox Entertainment to Release Bella Thorne’s Action-Comedy “Chick Fight” in November

Bella Thorne is bringing the fight to the big screen…

Quiver Distribution and Redbox Entertainment have acquired the North American rights to the action-comedy Chick Fight, starring the 22-year-old half-Cuban American actress/singer, Malin Akerman, Alec Baldwin and Kevin Connolly.

Bella Thorne

Paul Leyden directed the film, which will get a day-and-date release on November 13.

Written by first-time feature writer Joseph Downey, the plot follows Anna Wyncomb (Akerman), who’s introduced to an underground, all-female fight club in order to turn her life around, when she discovers she’s much more personally connected to the history of the club than she could ever imagine.

Dominique Jackson, former pro-wrestler Kevin Nash, Fortune Feimster, Dulcé Sloan, and Alec Mapa round out the cast.

Thorne’s previous credits include BlendedThe DUFFAlvin and the Chipmunks: The Road ChipAmityville: The Awakening and Infamous.

Bella Thorne to Star in the Indie Action Comedy “Chick Fight”

The fight’s on for Bella Thorne

The 22-year-old half-Cuban American actress/singer has joined the cast of Chick Fight, the indie action comedy starring and produced by Malin Akerman

Bella Thorne

Paul Leydenis directing Joseph Downey’s original script for the film, which is being produced by Yale Productions and Idiot Savant Pictures. A January shooting start is in the works.

Akerman stars as Anna, who still hasn’t reconciled with the recent death of her adored mother. She’s just discovered that her loving and supportive father is gay, and she accidentally burns down her uninsured coffee shop after learning a thrown joint and a spilled bottle of moonshine don’t mix. Knowing Anna needs to be abruptly shaken and stirred from her deep funk, her best friend takes her to an all-women underground fight club, where she encounters an eclectic cast of characters.

Thorne plays Olivia, the club’s intimidatingly perfect and most brutally efficient fighter, who quickly becomes a rival in and out of the ring. 

Her previous feature credits include Netflix’s The Babysitter franchise, Blended, Stuck on YouThe DUFFMidnight Sun and the Sundance AGBO Studios feature Assassination Nation

Her television credits include Disney Channel’s Shake It UpHBO’s Big LoveABC’s Dirty Sexy Money and Freeform’s Famous in Love

Demi Lovato to Serve as Co-Host at This Year’s Global Citizen Festival

Demi Lovato is celebrating her global citizenship…

Global Citizen has announced several guest appearances for its annual Global Citizen Festival on September 23, including the 25-year-old part-Mexican American actress/singer.

Demi Lovato

Lovato will serve as a co-host, alongside Aaron Paul, Priyanka Chopra, Kal PennLupita Nyong’o, Nashville‘s Connie Britton and many more.

Hugh Jackman and actor/producer Deborra-lee Furness will serve as lead hosts.

Dianna Agron, Freida Pinto, Wendy WilliamsMark CubanBridget MoynahanDaymond JohnCamren BicondovaElaine Welteroth, Erin Richards, Latina supermodel Joan Smalls, Malin Akerman, Rachel BrosnahanMichelle Monaghan and Serge Ibaka will also serve as hosts for this year’s festival, taking place in New York City’s Central Park.

The social advocacy group hosts the free festival each year to raise awareness of its goal to end extreme poverty by 2030.

Fans can earn their tickets by taking part in Action Journeys, a series of challenges designed to promote social activism.

This year’s headliners include Stevie Wonder, Green Day, The Killers and The Lumineers, with featured performances by The ChainsmokersPharrell Williams, Big SeanAndra Day and Alessia Cara.

The one-day festival will also be broadcast live from Central Park on YouTube, Twitter and MSNBC.

To hear more from this year’s hosts and learn more about the festival, visit Global Citizen’s official site.

Dawson Reportedly in the Running to Join HBO’s “True Detective”

It seems Rosario Dawson may be headed to pay cable television…

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban American actress is reportedly among the actresses in the running to join HBO’s True Detective season 2.

Rosario Dawson

According to The Wrap Dawson is among the list of at least seven more actresses being considered for the role after Elisabeth Moss and Rachel McAdams were previously eying the part.

In addition to Dawson, who appears in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, the site says Jessica Biel (“Total Recall“), Malin Akerman (“Watchmen“), Jaimie Alexander (“Thor“), Kelly Reilly (“Eden Lake“), Brit Marling (“The Keeping Room“) and Oona Chaplin (“Game of Thrones“).

Insiders say Moss and McAdams should not be ruled out of contention yet. At some point, Jessica Chastain was linked to the part too, but reps for the Zero Dark Thirty (2012) actress quickly denied it.

In addition to a female lead, the upcoming new season of the Nic Pizzolatto-created anthology series will feature three male leads. Colin Farrell, Taylor Kitsch and Vince Vaughn are said vying for the roles.

Full Trailer Released for the Rodriguez-Starrer “CBGB”

Freddy Rodriguez is celebrating a piece of music history on film…

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican actor stars as Idaho in the historical drama CBGB, the true story of the New York City rock club that spawned such acts as the Ramones, the Talking Heads and Blondie.

Freddy Rodriguez

Starring Alan Rickman as the club’s colorful founder Hilly Kristal, the film – which saw the release of it’s full trailer this week – features a large ensemble that includes Donal Logue, Ashley Greene, Johnny Galecki and Bradley Whitford.

The film crams in more than 60 songs and a dozen on-camera performances including Malin Ackerman as Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry, Rupert Grint and Justin Bartha as the Dead BoysCheetah Chrome and Stiv Bators and Foo FightersTaylor Hawkins as Iggy Pop.

“These kids have something to say,” Kristal tells a TV news crew. “We really should listen.”

Directed by Randall Miller, CBGB opens this fall.

Bichir’s New FX Series “The Bridge” Named to the Most Exciting New Series List

Demián Bichir’s new FX series hasn’t debuted yet, but it’s already earning awards…

The 49-year-old Mexican actor’s The Bridge has been named to on the Critics’ Choice Television Awards’ The Most Exciting New Series list.

Demian Bichir in The Bridge

The Bridge, which will debut on Wednesday, July 10, explores the high tensions on the U.S.-Mexico border.

When an American judge known for her anti-immigration views is found dead on the bridge connecting El Paso and Juarez, Sonya Cross (portrayed by Diane Kruger) from the El Paso Police Department must work with her Mexican counterpart from Chihuahua State Police, Marco Ruiz (Bichir), to catch a serial killer operating on both sides of the border.

The Bridge joins the Showtime dramas Ray Donovan and Masters Of Sex, CBS’ summer series Under the Dome, ABC’s drama Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the NBC comedy The Michael J. Fox Show on the list.

The most exciting new series recipients are voted based on pilots and early episodes, if available.

The ceremony is slated for June 10 at The Beverly Hilton. It will be webcast live at 8:00 pm PT on UStream.

Celebrity presenters include Malin Akerman, Angela Bassett, Miranda Cosgrove, Hugh Dancy, Cat Deeley, Maria Menounos, Elisabeth Moss, Aubrey Plaza, Emmy Rossum, Jimmy Smits, Eric Stonestreet and Sam Trammell.

Rodriguez’s New Film “CBGB” to Premiere at NYC’s CBGB Musical Festival

Freddy Rodríguez’s latest film will be taking a bite out of the Big Apple this fall…

XLrator Media has acquired U.S. rights to distribute CBGB, which stars the 38-year-old Puerto Rican actor.

Freddy Rodriguez

The film centers on the iconic New York City club that gave rise to the punk movement in America.

It will be released during the CBGB Musical Festival, which runs from October 9-13 in Manhattan.

In addition to Rodríguez, the Randall Miller-directed film stars Alan Rickman as CBGB founder Hilly Kristal and Ashley Greene as his daughter, Lisa.

In addition, it features Malin Ackerman as Debby Harry; Rupert Grint as Cheeta Chrome; and Joel David Moore as Joey Ramone, among others.

“CBGB is one of the most iconic and authentic names in music history, and Randy’s extraordinary film is a raucously entertaining celebration of the music and artists that have defined the culture for decades,” said Barry Gordon, XLrator Media CEO, in a statement Thursday. “CBGB is the rare film that will resonate with teens, millennials and legacy fans alike. The whole family can jump in the mosh pit together for this one!”

Earlier this month, The Exchange acquired the international rights to the film.

The Exchange Acquires International Rights to Rodriguez’s “CBGB”

Freddy Rodríguez’s latest film will be getting international exposure…

The Exchange has acquired the international distribution rights to CBGB, which stars the 38-year-old Puerto Rican actor and former Six Feet Under star.

Freddy Rodriguez

Rodríguez portrays Idaho in the film about the infamous New York City underground music club.

Directed by Randall Miller, the film also stars Alan Rickman as Hilly Kristal, CBGB’s founder who took chances on bands like Blondie, Television, the Ramones, the Talking Heads, Dead Boys and The Police.

CBGB Poster

Malin Akerman, Rupert Grint, Johnny Galecki, Ashley Greene, Justin Bartha, Joel David Moore and Donal Logue also form part of the large ensemble cast.

The Exchange will offer the film to overseas buyers at the Cannes Film Festival; Paradigm has the domestic distribution rights.