Rodolfo Salas Signs with Artists First for Representation Across All Areas

Rodolfo Salas has new representation…

The 40-year-old Venezuelan actor and model has signed with Artists First for representation across all areas.

Rodolfo SalasSalas has become one of the central faces of Netflix’s Latin American expansion, as he most recently starred in the platform’s hit series Fake Profile which follows a woman who creates a sexy profile on the online dating app Spice looking for the man of her dreams. Her dreams quickly turn into nightmares, and Camila ends up falling into a web of sex, lies, and deception. The show is headed into production on its second season in Colombia.

Prior to Fake Profile, he led the Mexican limited series Pact of Silence for Netflix. Next, he’ll star in the Lifetime original movie Padres, which is set to premiere in 2024.

Salas was also a mainstay of Telemundo after emigrating to the United States in 2014. He starred in their series La Fan, Neighborhood Butterfly, Blood of My Land, Betty In NY and most recently, Back To Me.

While not in production overseas, Rodolfo resides with his family in Miami, Florida.

Artists First is a talent management and production company focused on actors, writers, directors and producers in film, television and digital media, Artists First boasts a roster that also includes Martin Lawrence, Awkwafina, Kenya Barris, Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Niecy Nash, Ed Helms, Will Arnett, Ike Barinholtz, Paul Walter Hauser, Kate McKinnon, Michael Showalter, Jon M. Chu, Lior Raz, Mitch Hurwitz and Cristela Alonzo, among others.

Starz Order Pilot of Documentary-Style Format Interview Series from Fat Joe

Fat Joe is seeing Starz

Starz has given a pilot order for an interview series with a documentary-style format from the 52-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American hip hop star and television personality and Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Fat JoeProduced by SpringHill, founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter), the pilot will feature Fat Joe sitting with celebrities and high-profile guests as the show’s host.

“We’re about to create the biggest and most culturally-relevant series on television,” said Fat Joe in a statement. “With Puff, LeBron, the incredible team at Starz, and myself teaming up, you have a dream team that is guaranteed to produce TV gold. Hosting a show has always been a dream of mine and I’m thankful for everyone who helped make it a reality. I promise you that we’re going to push the envelope, deliver compelling interviews and provide pure entertainment. Do remember – you don’t know who I know!”

“I’m excited to partner with Starz and bring these cultural giants together to create the No. 1 show on television,” added Combs. “Fat Joe is a very authentic and respected voice in the culture that deserves a platform to bring these important conversations to a global audience on a major network.”

Fat Joe continues to expand in the television space with various projects on the horizon.

A pilot is currently in development from Starz and BET Studios titled The Book of Jose about the rapper’s life from Fat Joe, Kenya Barris and Jorge Reyes.

On the hosting front, he launched The Fat Joe Show, a nightly Instagram Live talk show where he interviewed politicians, musicians, athletes, actors, entrepreneurs, and influential personalities like Dr. Anthony Fauci, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Floyd Mayweather, Dwyane Wade, Jamie Foxx, and Alicia Keys.

He also recently served as a guest host for both The Wendy Williams Show and the official recap for Triller’s Verzuz platform.

“Time and time again, Fat Joe has delivered outstanding, insightful interviews with legendary personalities who define the zeitgeist, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Starz family,” said Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming, Starz. “Fat Joe, Sean Combs, and LeBron James are inspirational icons, and we can’t wait to get started on this incredible journey.”

Showtime & BET Studios Adapting Fat Joe’s Memoir “The Book of Jose” into TV Series

Art will soon imitate Fat Joe’s life… 

Showtime and BET Studios are developing the television project based on The Book of Jose, a pilot about the 51-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American hip hop star.

Fat JoeFat Joe, whose real name is Joseph Cartagena, will executive produce alongside pilot script writer Jorge A. Reyes and Kenya Barris.

The Book of Jose is a rags-to-riches story following Fat Joe’s evolution from growing up in the drug and violence-scarred streets of the Bronx to becoming a Grammy-nominee, producer, and actor with a career spanning nearly three decades. The project will follow every phase of Joe’s life and the threats that have come in the form of rivals, addiction, incarceration, and death. All of which showed the artist that resilience and the love of his family are the only paths to success.

Fat Joe, Book of Jose

The Book of Jose comes from Barris’ Khalabo Ink Society in collaboration with Cinema Giants, Buffalo Kid Films, and Artists First. It will be produced through Khalabo Ink Society’s overall deal with BET Studios, where Barris is also a principal partner.

Also serving as executive producers alongside Cartagena, Barris, and Reyes is E. Brian Dobbins, and pilot director Jessy Terrero. Luis F. Velasco and Ulysses Terrero will produce and Ashley Acevedo will AP.

Arturo Castro Joins Voice Cast of Kid Cudi’s Adult-Animated Music Series “Entergalactic”

Arturo Castro has landed an out of this world role…

The 36-year-old Guatemalan actor has joined the all-star voice cast of Entergalactic, the adult-animated music series based on the upcoming album of the same name by rapper, singer and actor Kid Cudi (aka Scott Mescudi).

Arturo CastroIn addition to Castro, new cast additions include Jessica Williams, Timothée ChalametTy Dolla $ign, Laura HarrierVanessa HudgensChristopher Abbott, 070 Shake, Teyana Taylor, Jaden Smith, Keith David and Macaulay Culkin.

The series, which hails from Kenya Barris and Kid Cudi, will showcase music from Kid Cudi’s album.

Entergalactic follows a young artist named Jabari, voiced by Mescudi, as he attempts to balance love and success. Finding the latter brings Jabari a step closer to the former, when moving into his dream apartment introduces him to his new neighbor, photographer it-girl, Meadow, voiced by Williams. An explosion of art, music, and fashion, Entergalactic takes place in the only city that can handle all three: New York.

Character descriptions below.

Kid Cudi’s Jabari, a charming, creative visionary with a splash of goofball, is effortlessly cool. Dressed head-to-toe in the holiest of streetwear grails, Jabari is just one of those kids you can’t help but love. At a first time crossroads of career success and the perfect apartment, he is about to find the final piece of adulthood: true love.

Williams’ Meadow is an on-the-rise photographer who is Jabari’s new neighbor. Meadow is not only the coolest girl at the party, she’s the realest.

Chalamet is Jimmy, Jabari’s best friend and… weed dealer, though with the new drug laws he’s now focusing on crypto and new inventions. An oxymoronic, laid back conspiracy theorist, Jimmy is never without a blunt and a book.

Ty Dolla $ign voices Ky, Jabari’s irreverent, and at times, inappropriate road dog. Ky is always there for Jabari, even though his support can sometimes come in interesting packages.

Harrier is Carmen, Jabari’s recent ex-girlfriend. Stylish and confident, Carmen is the girl you’re supposed to marry.

Hudgens voices Karina, Meadow’s best friend who is trustworthy, grounded and adorably pregnant.

Abbott is Reed, well-dressed shark with a heart and art dealer representing Meadow’s photography. Reed has the kind of chin that is sharp enough to cut glass but not strong enough to take a punch.

070 Shake voices Nadia, Meadow’s associate from the art scene. Born and raised in New York City, Nadia is an in-your-face sculptor whose voice could only be drowned out by the brashness of her own work.

Smith is Jordan. An adolescent BMX superstar, Jordan’s talent earns a pass to kick it with Jabari and Jimmy. Jordan sees the dating landscape in New York City just a bit different than Jabari.

David voices Mr. Rager: Jabari’s superhero creation.

Taylor voices Boxing Coach, Meadow and Karina’s hard-nose boxing instructor at Rumble NYC.

Castro is Len. An upwardly mobile professional, Len is Jabrari’s co-worker at Vision Comics. He wears hard-bottom shoes and a newsboy cap. He’s super smart AND super annoying.

Culkin voices Downtown Pat. Downtown legend and life-long, city-wide delinquent. Despite his gritty exterior, Pat has a very romantic heart and wise words to give.

Mescudi will write, star, and executive produce the series. How To Make It In America creator Ian Edelman will co-write with Mescudi and will also executive produce along with Barris.

Entergalactic premieres this fall on Netflix.

Kid Cudi Launches Production & Music Management Company ‘Mad Solar’

Kid Cudi is expanding his entertainment empire…

The 36-year-old half-Mexican American Grammy-winning recording artist and actor, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, has partnered with Dennis Cummings and Karina Manashil to launch the production and music management company Mad Solar with the backing of Bron, which provides corporate back office and production support, including financing, marketing, and sales.

Kid Cudi

“Beyond excited to be launching my production company Mad Solar and partnering with Bron, whose creative vision and storytelling has transformed the industry,” Mescudi said. “I am so very proud of the slate that we are developing and can’t WAIT for you all to see what we got cookin’.”

Mad Solar is producing the upcoming Netflix animated series Entergalactic, which Mescudi co-created alongside Kenya Barris. Based on original music by Mescudi, the series, which Mescudi writes, executive produces and stars in, follows a young man on his journey to discover love.

Additionally, Mad Solar has teamed with A24 and Bron Studios on the horror film X. Written and directed by Ti West, X stars Mia Goth, Mescudi and Jenna Ortega. Mescudi is an executive producer on the film, which will begin production early 2021.

“Scott Mescudi’s growth as a creative and an entrepreneur has been impressive,” said Aaron L. Gilbert, Bron chairman. “For Bron, the strategic relationship with Mad Solar is key in our efforts to support the entertainment industry’s top creatives, as well as expand Bron’s access to the best in class music and sports talent through Mad Solar’s management division.”

Mescudi can be seen in Season 3 of HBO’s Westworld and Nick Jarecki’s indie feature Dreamland opposite Gary Oldman. He also had a key supporting role in MGM’s Bill & Ted Face The Music and played one of the leads of Luca Guadagnino’s HBO series We Are Who We Are.

HBO Releases Trailer for Kid Cudi’s New Series “We Are Who We Are”

Kid Cudi is who he is…

HBO has released the official trailer for new series We Are Who We Are,starring the 36-year-old half-Mexican American rapper/singer, whose real name is Scott Mescudi.

Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi

Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the series follows two teenagers living with their families on a U.S. military base in Italy in the coming-of-age story. The eight-part series will premiere on HBO sometime in September on an unconfirmed date.

The “Leader Of The Delinquents” rapper stars alongside Chloë SevignyJack Dylan GrazerAlice BragaJordan Kristine SeamónSpence Moore IIFaith AlabiBeatrice BarichellaFrancesca ScorseseCorey KnightVittoria BottinTom Mercier,Benjamin L. Taylor II and Sebastiano Pigazzi.

Blood Orange composed the mini-drama series’ score.

Kid Cudi made his HBO debut a decade ago when he portrayed Domingo Brown for two seasons on How To Make It In America from 2010-11. 

His return to television includes his own animated Netflix series Entergalactic that he’ll executive produce with Black-ish creator Kenya Barris and How to Make It in America creator Ian Edelman and record an accompanyingalbum. Kid Cudi’s also working on an animated TV series with his “Kids See Ghosts” other half Kanye West by the same name as the duo.

Mariah Carey Premieres Her Original Theme Song for ABC’s “Mixed-ish”

Mariah Careyis mixin’ things up…

The 50-year-old half-Venezuelan American songstress has shared a special video of her original theme song for ABC’s Black-ish spinoff  Mixed-ish

Mariah Carey

Appropriately titled “In The Mix”, the song made its debut at the network’s “Embrace Your Ish” premiere event on Tuesday night.

The video for the song features clips from the black-ish spinoff which premieres on September 24. We also get to see series stars Arica HimmelMark-Paul GosselaarTika SumpterChristina Anthony and Gary Cole jam out to the radio-friendly bop. 

The Grammy-winning singer joined executive producer Kenya Barrison stage at the “Embrace Your Ish” event to talk about the genesis of the theme song and the importance of multiracial representation on television. The song was written by Carey and produced by Carey and Daniel Moore. And it’s now available for purchase wherever you buy music.

The event also featured screenings of mixed-ish and black-ish and a recap of grown-ish. “Ish” universe stars Anthony AndersonTracee Ellis RossLaurence Fishburne, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tika Sumpter were all on hand to discuss their shows.

Mixed-ish follows a young Rainbow Johnson (Himmel) as she recounts her experience growing up in a mixed-race family in the ‘80s and the dilemmas they face to acclimate in the suburbs while staying true to themselves. Bow’s parents, Paul (Gosselaar) and Alicia (Sumpter), decide to move from a hippie commune to the suburbs to better provide for their family. As her parents struggle with the challenges of their new life, Bow and her siblings navigate a mainstream school in which they’re perceived as neither black nor white. This family’s experiences illuminate the challenges of finding one’s own identity when the rest of the world can’t decide where you belong.

Mariah Carey Writes & Performs Theme Song for ABC’s “black-ish” Spinoff “mixed-ish”

Mariah Carey is Mix’ingthings up…

The 49-year-old half-Venezuelan American five-time Grammy-winning singer has been tapped to write and perform the theme song for ABC’s new black-ish spinoff mixed-ish. 

Mariah Carey

Titled “In the Mix”, the track is written by Carey and produced by Carey and Daniel Moore. Sung by Carey, the new theme song will be heard when the series premieres on Tuesday, September 24 at 9:00 pm ET on ABC. 

“As a fan of Kenya Barris’ megahit shows, black-ish and grown-ish, I was inspired to connect with Kenya to find a way we could work together,” said Carey. “As a biracial woman in the entertainment industry, there was no way I did not want to be a part of mixed-ish, especially after seeing the pilot, which I loved. I could not be more honored and proud to be writing and performing ‘In the Mix’ for Kenya and the show.”

ABC’s mixed-ish will follow Rainbow Johnson as she recounts her experience growing up in a mixed-race family in the ‘80s and the dilemmas they face to acclimate in the suburbs while staying true to themselves. Bow’s parents, Paul and Alicia, decide to move from a hippie commune to the suburbs to better provide for their family. As her parents struggle with the challenges of their new life, Bow and her siblings navigate a mainstream school in which they’re perceived as neither black nor white. This family’s experiences illuminate the challenges of finding one’s own identity when the rest of the world can’t decide where you belong.

The series stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Paul Johnson, Tika Sumpter as Alicia Johnson, Christina Anthony as Denise, Arica Himmel as Bow Johnson, Ethan William Childress as Johan Johnson, Mykal-Michelle Harris as Santamonica Johnson and Gary Cole as Harrison.

Karin GistPeter Saji and Barris are writers and executive producers, along with Tracee Ellis RossRandall WinstonArtists First (Brian Dobbins), Cinema Gypsy (Laurence Fishburne and Helen Sugland) and Anthony Anderson

Anton Cropperdirected the pilot. The series is produced by ABC Studios, a part of Disney Television Studios, a collection of studios comprised of 20th Century Fox Television, ABC Studios and Fox 21 Television Studios.

Freeform Renews Francia Raisa’s Comedy Series “grown-ish” for a Third Season

Watch out world, Francia Raisa is still grown now…

Freeform has ordered a third season of its critically praised series grown-ish, starring the 30-year-old Mexican and Honduran American actress.  

Francia Raisa

The renewal comes amid strong ratings for the spinoff of ABC’s Black-ish. Season to date, grown-ish ranks as the No. 1 comedy on cable among women 18-49 and females 12-34. The series also ranks among this season’s Top 3 cable comedies with women 18-34 (No. 2), adults 18-34 (No. 3) and persons 12-34 (No. 3).

Starring Yara ShahidiTrevor Jackson, Raisa as Ana Torres , Emily Arlook, Jordan BuhatChloe BaileyHalle BaileyLuka Sabbatand Deon Colegrown-ish is a contemporary take on the issues that students face in the world of higher education.

Season 2 follows Zoey (Shahidi) and her friends as they return to CalU with confidence and swagger. Learning from the ups and downs of their freshman year, they all think they’ve got their second year on lock, but quickly realize that they’re not as grown as they think.

Grown-ish is produced by ABC Signature Studiosand executive produced by Kenya Barris.

Grown-ish airs Wednesdays at 8 PM on Freeform.

Francia Raisa to Star in Freeform’s “Black-ish” Spinoff, “Grown-ish”

Francia Raisa is Grown-ing up…

The 29-year-old Honduran and Mexican American actress has joined the cast of Freeform’s Grown-ish, the spinoff of ABC’s acclaimed sitcom Black-ish.

Francia Raisa

Grown-ish, from Black-ish executive producer Kenya Barris, is a contemporary take on the current issues facing both students and administrators in the world of higher education. Yara Shahidi portrays Zoey – Dre (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow’s (Tracee Ellis Ross) popular, entitled, stylish and socially active 17-year-old daughter — as she heads off to college and quickly discovers that not everything goes her way once she leaves the nest.

Raisa will portray Ana, an outspoken conservative freshman at Southern California University.

Raisa joins previously announced cast members Shahidi, Deon Cole, Chris Parnell, Emily Arlook and Trevor Jackson.

The 13-episode comedy series is set to start production next week for an early 2018 premiere on Freeform.

Raisa, who rose to acclaim on The Secret Life of the American Teenager, previously appeared on Dear White People, The Mindy Project and In Plain Sight.