Adrienne Bailon-Houghton to Co-Host NBCUniversal’s Revived “E! News”

Adrienne Bailon-Houghton is ready to start spreading the news…

NBCUniversal cable network is bringing back its long-running franchise E! News after a two-year break, with the 38-year-old Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian American actress, singer and television personality to serve as a co-host.

Adrienne Bailon HoughtonBailon-Houghton, who recently signed a talent deal with NBCUniversal,will be joined by Justin Sylvester, on the show, which will debut on November 14 at 11:30pm.

John Redmann, who was the executive producer of CBSThe Talk for 10 years, and John Pascarella, who was co-executive producer of Maury, will exec produce the nightly show.

In 2020, E! News became a morning show and after going on an indefinite hiatus in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic, it was canceled in August 2020 with its operation moving online as a web news service.

The show, which covers celebrity news and gossip as well as film and television news, is best known for being hosted by Ryan Seacrest. The new iteration will have an “emphasis on celebrity-friendly, fact-based reporting and serve as a platform for personalities to connect with their fans”.

It’s the latest shift at E!, which recently canceled Daily Pop and Nightly Pop, leading to the departure of production staff on those shows.

“E! News has a long history of entertainment news excellence, and we are excited to bring the show back and continue its legacy,” said Tracie Wilson, EVP, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and E! News. “John Redmann and John Pascarella are strategic, respected executive producers with stellar reputations and Justin and Adrienne are charismatic, seasoned hosts with a genuine interest in pop culture. This is the perfect team to bring a fresh take to this franchise.”

Bailon-Houghton was the first Latina daytime talk show host on English-language television on the recently canceled daytime series The Real. In addition to hosting The Real, Bailon-Houghton has her own YouTube channel, All Things Adrienne, hosts design show House to Home on CleoTV, and was a contestant on Fox’s The Masked Singer in 2019.

Melissa Fumero Taking Part in NBCUniversal’s New “The More You Know” Social Justice, Equality and Equity PSAs

Melissa Fumero is helping people get in the know

NBCUniversal will launch a new series of its popular The More You Know PSAs that tackle systemic racism and speak up for social justice, equality and equity, with the 38-year-old Cuban American actress and Brooklyn Nine-Nine star among the artists taking part.

Melissa Fumero

Fumero joins a roster of NBC talent that includes Dulé Hill, James Roday Rodriguez and Kelly Clarkson, among others.

The campaign was developed in collaboration with social and racial justice organizations Fair Count, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the NAACP, the National Action Network and the National Urban League, and focuses on standing up against injustice, teaching children about equity, and the importance of voting and completing the census, especially for how it impacts the Black community and communities of color.

The campaign kicked off this week on NBC’s Today with a spot on teaching children about inclusion and acceptance. The campaign will be rolling out over the next few weeks, with spots now available on TheMoreYouKnow.com and YouTube.

The More You Know site also includes comprehensive resources and educational guides.

“For over 30 years, ‘The More You Know’ has sought to bring light to the nation’s most pressing social issues,” said Craig Robinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, NBCUniversal, “and we hope this new iteration will continue to educate, encourage and inspire people of all ages to take an active role in improving the world we live in.”

In addition to Fumero, Hill, Roday Rodriguez and Clarkson, stars participating in the campaign include: Carlos Adyan (En Casa con Telemundo), Freema Agyeman (New Amsterdam), Notah Begay III (NBC Sports), Gizelle Bryant (The Real Housewives of Potomac), Kandi Burruss (The Real Housewives of Atlanta), Victor Cruz (E! News), Dexter Darden (Saved by the Bell), Ester Dean (Songland), Ryan Eggold (New Amsterdam), Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster), Damon Hack (Golf Channel), Zuri Hall (Access Hollywood), Ana Jurka (“En Casa con Telemundo and Titulares y Más), Aneudy Lara (100 Días Para Enamorarnos), Howie Mandel (America’s Got Talent), Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Organized Crime), Wendy Osefo (The Real Housewives of Potomac), Jeimy Osorio (Telemundo), Nina Parker (E! News’ Nightly Pop), Nichole Sakura (Superstore), Jocko Sims (New Amsterdam), Chris Sullivan (This Is Us”), Justin Sylvester (E! News’ Daily Pop), Elyfer Torres (Enemigo Íntimo) and Reno Wilson (Good Girls).

Victor Cruz to Co-Host E!’s “Pop of the Morning”

Popgoes the morning for Victor Cruz… 

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican former New York Giantswide receiver has joined E!’s morning news show Pop of the Morningas a co-host, E! has announced. 

Victor Cruz

Cruz will join the recently hired Lilliana Vazquezand Scott Tweedieon the 11:00 am weekday show.

“I’m excited for this new journey in life,” Cruz said in a statement. “I’m excited for you guys to see me in a different way.”

Cruz was an undrafted free agent in 2010 when he landed at the Giants, finishing the 2011 season with a single-season franchise record for receiving yards, and later becoming part of the Giants victory over the New England Patriotsin Super Bowl XLVI

He launched the Victor Cruz Foundationin 2014, which encourages children to become physically active, focuses on college readiness, financial literacy, and STEMprogramming.

E! News tweeted a brief video clip of Cruz announcing his new gig.

Jillian Mercado to Guest Star on Showtime’s “The L Word: Generation Q”

Jillian Mercado is headed to the small screen…

The 32-year-old Dominican model will make her scripted television debut on the forthcoming The L Word: Generation Q, which is set to premiere December 8 at 10:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime.

Jillian Mercado

Mercado will play the character of Maribel Suarez, an immigration attorney and the little sister of Sophie (Rosanny Zayas). The two are very close, and Maribel is always there to give Sophie advice and support.

The L Word: Generation Q continues the stories of the critically acclaimed and groundbreaking series The L Wordwhich ran from 2004-2009. The new series has familiar faces and new ones as it follows the intermingled lives of Bette Porter (Jennifer Beals), Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Hailey) and Shane McCutcheon (Katherine Moennig), along with Dani Nùñez (Arienne Mandi), Micah Lee (Leo Sheng), Finley (Jacqueline Toboni), Sophie Suarez (Zayas) and Gigi (Sepideh Moafi) as they experience love, heartbreak, sex, setbacks and success in L.A.

Jillian Mercado

This season’s guest stars include Brian MichaelStephanie AllyneOlivia ThirlbyFortune Feimster and Latarsha Rose

The series is executive produced by showrunner Marja-Lewis Ryan with series creator Ilene ChaikenKristen CampoAllyce OzarskiSteph Green (pilot), and original series stars Beals, Moennig and Hailey.

Mercado is best known as a model with muscular dystrophy and has been praised for her representation of the differently-abled in fashion. She has appeared on E! News and has modeled in campaigns for OlayBumble 100Calvin Klein fragrances, NordstromTargetand Tommy Hilfiger.

On the editorial side, she was featured on the cover of Teen Vogue‘s first digital cover and was in September issues of GlamourCosmopolitanJejune and many others. 

She’s also an active disabilities advocate who has spoken at various summits.

Lovato Records Duet with Nick Jonas for His Upcoming Album

Demi Lovato has reunited with Nick Jonas… Musically speaking, that is.

The 21-year-old part-Mexican singer has recorded a duet with her frequent collaborator for his new album, as confirmed by the former Jonas Brothers member himself.

Demi Lovato

“We did one for my record,” Jonas told E! News. “It’s a great song that we both love. Her voice is just amazing on it. She’s the real deal. It’s the perfect fit for this record.”

Speaking to MTV last week, Jonas said he was working on several songs with Lovato. One of them is titled “Avalanche” and it will appear in his album.

“She and I recorded a song that, um, I think is beautiful. It’s not necessarily a love song. It’s so easy to do a duet that’s a love song because our relationship isn’t really that. But there is love there for a friend, you know, and it’s beautiful to just talk about,” he explained.

“Any kind of relationship can hit a point where if it’s not stable, it’s not secure then it’s like an avalanche crashing down and that’s what that song is about,” he said and added that he’s “excited for people to hear it.”

Jonas’ latest album, currently untitled, is scheduled to hit the stores in the fall.

Marking his first non-Jonas Brothers effort since 2010’s Who I Am (which was released under the name Nick Jonas & The Administration), the LP has been preceded by lead single “Chains.”

Pitbull to be Featured on “E!’s Inside Track Summer Concert Series”

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like for musicians like Pitbull on the road, you’re in luck.

E! will be taking viewers inside some of the summer’s biggest concert tours, including the 32-year-old Cuban American rap artist’s tour with Ke$ha.

Pitbull

The cable network will launch E!’s Inside Track Summer Concert Series as a regular part of E! News. The special collaboration with Live Nation will offer viewers a window into the life of some of the day’s biggest musical acts.

The Summer Concert Series will kick off June 21 at 7 p.m. with footage from Pitbull and Ke$ha’s Detroit concert and feature performances from Brad Paisley in Tampa, Jonas Brothers (Chicago),  Backstreet Boys (Chicago), New Kids on the Block (Detroit), Big Time Rush (Phoenix) plus Matchbox Twenty and the Goo Goo Dolls (St. Louis).

“E! thrives in the music space, and we’re excited to team up with Live Nation in a unique way that takes the summer concert series to a whole new level,” said Cyndi McClellan, president of network strategy and E! News. “Not only will viewers see their favorite music megastars taking the stage, we’re also serving the super fan with unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to these performers.”

Each segment will showcase an exclusive interview, behind-the-scenes access to the prep work that goes into the tour, tour bus access, meet and greets with fans and concert footage. Additional features from the shows, as well as the opportunity to win tickets from Live Nation, will be available on E!’s website.