Jessica Alba To Take Part in Creative Artists Agency’s Amplify Summit 2023

Jessica Alba is amplifying her voice…

The 42-year-old half-Mexican American actress and entrepreneur has joined the list of Hollywood speakers and attendees for the Creative Artists Agency’s Amplify Summit 2023.

Jessica AlbaThe invitation-only event kicks off on June 26 in Ojai, Calif., and will convene leading artists, thought-leaders, and executives of color from the industries of entertainment, sports, media, brands and technology.

While there, invitees will have the opportunity to explore business and social justice initiatives, as well as potential collaborations that could “accelerate transformational change in rooms of leadership and popular culture,” according to the event’s organizers.

CAA Amplify has long utilized CAA’s role as conveners and connectors to create business opportunities for our communities, bringing decision makers together in one room,” CAA’s Natalie Tran, who has been a lead organizer for the summit since its inception. “Now, more than ever, the collective expertise and influence of the CAA Amplify network are essential to drive stronger collaborations in storytelling and partnerships that will help spark change across our industries.”

The complete list of attendees frequently straddle multiple industries and titles, and have notable award nominations and wins.

That includes actors Lupita Nyong’o, Steven Yeun, Xolo Maridueña, Thuso Mbedu, Yara Shahidi and Jillian Mercado; directors Ava DuVernay and Blitz Bazawule; showrunners Quinta Brunson and Sierra Teller Ornelas; recording artists Chloe and Halle Bailey, and Becky G.; comedians Roy Wood Jr. and Ego Nwodim; NBA pro-athletes Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul; author Anand Giridharadas; media personality Tabitha Brown; The Honest Company founder Alba and CEO Carla VernónPlanned Parenthood president Alexis McGill Johnson; president of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker; and co-founder and CEO of Inflection AIMustafa Suleyman, among other leaders.

Jillian Mercado Wins Gracie Award for Breakthrough Work on Showtime’s “The L Word: Generation Q”

Jillian Mercado is living grac(ie)fully…

The 34-year-old Dominican American actress and fashion model has been revealed as a winner for the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation’s Gracie Awards, for her work on The L Word: Generation Q.

Jillian MercadoLana Parrilla, the star of CBS StudiosWhy Women Kill, has won the Actress in a Supporting Role – Comedy or Musical award.

Pati Jinich is also celebrating a big win…

The 50-year old Mexican chef, TV personality, cookbook author, educator, and food writer has been recognized for her work of La Frontera with Pati Jinich.

Other Latinx talents picking up awards include ESPN Deportes and ESPN International’s Pilar Pérez; Skyview Networks, MJ Rodriguez and the fellow cast mates of FX’s Pose, Angie Martinez and Angélica Vale.

The Gracie Awards honor exemplary programming created by, for and about women in radio, television, cable and interactive media.

Holly Robinson Peete will host the 47th annual Gracie Awards at its in-person ceremony May 24 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Here’s the full list of 2022 winners:

TELEVISION NATIONAL HONOREES

48 Hours: A Promise to Ahmaud (48 Hours & CBS News)
CBS News
Investigative Feature [TV – National]

48 Hours: What Happened to the Perfect Child? (48 Hours)
CBS News
Documentary- News [TV – National]

60 Minutes: Saving the Mountain Gorillas (60 Minutes)
ViacomCBS
Soft News Feature [TV – National]

Baby Roe Speaks (ABC News Prime)
ABC NEWS
Interview Feature [TV – National]

Beverly Chase (VICE on Showtime)
VICE Media (United States of America)
Showrunner Nonfiction- News [TV – National]

Custody Abuse (NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt)
NBC NEWS
News Feature Series [TV – National]

Elle Fanning (The Great)
Hulu
Actress in a Leading Role – Comedy or Musical [TV – National]

Friday Night Vibes
TBS
Special or Variety [TV – National]

Geeta Gandbhir, Samantha Knowles, Nadia Hallgren and Yoruba Richen (Black and Missing)
HBO/HBO Max
Director [TV – National]

Hind Hassan (VICE News)
VICE Media (United States of America)
Reporter/Correspondent [TV – National]

Home Sweet Home
Warner Bros. Unscripted Television & ARRAY Filmworks
Family Series [TV – National]

Honour
BritBox
Made for Television Movie [TV – National]

Jane Ferguson (PBS NewsHour)
PBS NewsHour
Reporter/Correspondent – Public Broadcast [TV – National]

Jen Flanz (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah)
Comedy Central
Showrunner Nonfiction- Latenight [TV – National]

Jillian Mercado (The L Word: Generation Q)
SHOWTIME
Actress in a Breakthrough Role- Drama [TV – National]

Kaitlyn Dever (Dopesick)
Hulu
Actress in a Leading Role – Made for TV Movie or Limited Series [TV – National]

The Kelly Clarkson Show
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios
Talk Show – Entertainment [TV – National]

Lana Parrilla (Why Women Kill)
CBS Studios
Actress in a Supporting Role – Comedy or Musical [TV- National]

Linsey Davis (ABC News)
ABC NEWS
On-Air Talent – News Magazine [TV – National]

Mahlet Girma (Breast Cancer Awareness: The story of Mahlet Girma)
Voice of America
Non-English Program [TV – National]

Maid
Warner Bros. Television
Limited Series  [TV – National]

Maria Taylor (NBC Sports and Olympics)
NBC Sports and Olympics
On-Air Talent – Sports [TV – National]

Marja-Lewis Ryan (The L Word: Generation Q)
SHOWTIME
Showrunner Fiction- Drama [TV – National]

Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets)
SHOWTIME
Actress in a Leading Role – Drama [TV – National]

Melissa McCarthy (Nine Perfect Strangers)
Hulu
Actress in a Supporting Role – Made for TV Movie or Limited Series [TV – National]

Michelle King (The Good Fight)
CBS Studios/King Size Productions
Producer- Entertainment [TV – National]

Nasim Pedrad (CHAD)
TBS
Actress in a Breakthrough Role- Comedy [TV – National]

Nida Manzoor (We Are Lady Parts)
Working Title Television, which is a part of Universal International Studios
Writer Scripted- Comedy [TV – National]

On Her Turf
Peacock/NBC Olympics
Sports Program [TV – National]

Pati Jinich (La Frontera with Pati Jinich)
PBS
Producer- Documentary /Unscripted / Non-Fiction [TV-National]

Making History
ESPN (United States of America)
GRAND AWARD Sports Feature [TV – National]

Pilar Pérez (En sus zapatos)
ESPN Deportes & ESPN International
Non English Individual Achievement [TV – National]

Pose
FX
GRAND AWARD Drama [TV – National]

Pose
FX
Ensemble Cast [TV – National]

Savannah Guthrie & Hoda Kotb (TODAY)
TODAY/NBC News
On-Air Talent – News [TV – National]

Stories We Tell: The Fertility Secret
MSNBC Films, Cinemation Studios, NBC News Studios
Non-Fiction Entertainment [TV – National]

Suzan-Lori Parks (Genius: Aretha)
National Geographic
Producer- Entrtainment Limited Series

Tamron Hall (TAMRON HALL SHOW)
ABC News/ Disney
On-Air Talent – Entertainment [TV – National]

The New York Times Presents: Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson
FX
Documentary- Entertainment [TV – National]

The Rescue of Parwana
CNN
Hard News Feature [TV – National]

Tina Lifford (Queen Sugar)
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
Actress in a Supporting Role – Drama [TV – National]

Tonya Simpson (ABC News)
ABC NEWS
Producer- News [TV – National]

Trafficked With Mariana van Zeller
National Geographic
News Magazine [TV – National]

U.S. Capitol Insurrection (TODAY)
TODAY/NBC News
News Program [TV – National]

Vanessa Roth (Impact with Gal Gadot)
National Geographic
Writer Unscripted [TV – National]

We Are Lady Parts
Working Title Television, which is a part of Universal International Studios
Comedy [TV – National]

Writing Team (The Walking Dead)
AMC Networks
Writer Scripted- Drama [TV – National]

Yvette Lee Bowser (Run the World)
STARZ
Showrunner Fiction- Comedy [TV – National]

RADIO NATIONAL HONOREES

A Look Back At 1992 LA And America Since Rodney King
WBUR
Documentary [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

ABC Audio’s Front & Center Spotlight: Carly Pearce
ABC News Radio
Special [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

Alison Cook (The Doc Project)
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
Producer [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

Allison Keyes (CBS News Weekend Roundup)
CBS News Radio
Weekend Host / Personality- News [ Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial ]

Cheri Preston (ABC News Radio)
ABC News Radio
Outstanding News Anchor [ Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial ]

Child Care Industry In Crisis (Karen Travers)
ABC News Radio
News Feature [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

Dana Cortez (The Dana Cortez Show)
Skyview Networks
Host/Personality [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

Ellen K (The Ellen K Weekend Show)
iHeartMedia
Weekend Host / Personality Entertainment [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

Fall of Afghanistan
CBS News Radio
Crisis Coverage/Breaking News [Radio – National Syndicated Commercial]

Fordham Conversations – Attacks on Asian Americans and The Search for Solidarity
WFUV-FM
Public Affairs [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

Jen Horn, Victoria Keelan, Jai Kershner (The DJV Show)
Doug Stephan Networks; The DJV Show
Co-host- Talk Radio [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

Medha Gandhi (Elvis Duran and the Morning Show)
Premiere Networks/iHeartMedia
Co-host [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

Melissa Harris-Perry (The Takeaway)
NYPR / WNYC Studios
Interview Feature [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

NPR coverage of India’s farmer protests
NPR
Crisis Coverage/Breaking News [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

Rerouting: defying the given path, paving a new one – North Korean female defectors’ journey
Radio Free Asia Korean Service
Non-English Program [Radio – National]

Rund Abdelfatah (Throughline)
NPR
Reporter / Correspondent / Host [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

Smith Sisters Live
SiriusXM
Talk Show [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

The Julia Show
Audacy
Interview Feature [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

The World At Six (Margaret Evans)
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
News Feature [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

Women in China
NPR
Series [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

DIGITAL MEDIA NATIONAL HONOREES

Amber Ferguson (Interabled Caregiving)
The Washington Post
Online Producer- Investigative [DM – National]

Because of Anita
Pineapple Street Studios and The Meteor
Podcast – Educational [DM – National]

Believe Her
Lemonada Media
Podcast – Investigative [ DM – National ]

Brooke Siffrinn and Aricia Skidmore-Williams (Even the Rich)
Wondery
Podcast Co-host/Ensemble [DM – National]

Clarissa Ward (Tug of War)
CNN Audio
Podcast Host – News [ DM – National ]

George Floyd: A Community Leader (Univision News Digital (online))
Univision News Digital
Website – News [DM – National]

History Refocused: Claudette Colvin
CNN Digital
Original Online Programming – Standalone Video [DM – National]

In Giro Con Fra
Lemonada Media
Non-English Program- Podcast [DM – National]

Inaccessible Cities
AJ Contrast, Al Jazeera Digital
Website – Information/Entertainment [DM – National]

Jemele Hill is Unbothered
Spotify
Podcast – Lifestyle Interview [DM – National]

Kim Cornett (NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: Kids Edition)
NBC News
Online Producer- News [DM – National]

Ladies First: Black Women & Sex in Hip-Hop
MTV Entertainment Group, Paramount
Original Online Programming –  Entertainment [DM – National]

Meredith Goldstein (Love Letters)
Boston Globe
Podcast Host – Entertainment [ DM – National ]

NPR: Teaching in the Pandemic
NPR
Blog [DM – National]

Patty Steele (The Deep 6)
Elvis Duran Group
Podcast – Lifestyle Limited Series [DM – National]

Perseverance with Abby, Lola and Diana Trujillo
Sesame Workshop
Non-English Program- Family Program [DM – National]

Savannah Sellers (NBC News Now)
NBC News Now
Online Video Host / Correspondent / Actress [DM – National]

SEEHER Multiplicity
Dotdash Meredith
Original Online Programming – Video Series [DM – National]

Stéphanie Fillion
La Presse/Radio-Canada (special contribution)
Non-English Individual Achievement [DM – National]

Stephanie McMahon (HEAVEN)
WWE
Online Producer- Sports [DM – National]

Suzie Liu (ABC News: The Dropout)
ABC NEWS
Podcast Producer  [DM – National]

Teens in America
Washington Post
Original Online Programming – Standalone Audio [DM – National]

The Lead
Wondery & The Athletic
Podcast – Sports [DM – National]

The Turning: The Sisters Who Left
Rococo Punch & iHeartRadio
Podcast – Entertainment [DM – National]

Unlocking My Past & Finding A Connection to Slavery
NBC News Digital
Original Online Programming – News [DM – National]

We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle
Cadence13
Podcast – Lifestyle [DM – National]

TELEVISION LOCAL HONOREES

Claudia Orozco (Migración durante la pandemia)
Noticias Univisión San Diego
Non English Individual Achievement [TV – Local]

Deborah Horne (KIRO 7)
Cox Media Group
On-Air Talent [TV – Local]

Dress shopping in Mom’s final days (KBTX News 3 at Ten)
KBTX
Soft News Feature [TV – Local]

Juneteenth: 1865-2021
KHOU 11
Documentary [TV – Local]

KSAT Explains: What You Need To Know About Protective Orders In Bexar County
KSAT
News Magazine [TV – Local]

Mary Fecteau (The 86th Annual Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards)
Ideastream Public Media
Director [TV – Local]

RACE LISTEN. LEARN. LIVE.
KSDK
News Program [TV – Local]

Senator Lauren Book, Chucha Barber, Claire VanSusteren, Michele Watson (Journey Home)
Chucha Barber Productions, Inc.
Producer – Scripted / Edited / Live [TV – Local]

Susan Moses (The Year of the Tiger Ladies)
WKYC / TEGNA
Sports Feature [TV – Local]

The Next 400: Digging Into The Tangled Roots of Black Hair Culture
WOIO-TV
News Magazine- Special [TV – Local]

The Power of Healing: Address the Mess
WKYC / TEGNA
Hard News Feature [TV – Local]

Bailed Out to Abuse (WAVE News)
Gray Television, Inc.
Investigative Feature [TV – Local]

RADIO LOCAL HONOREES

A Love Supreme
WUNC – North Carolina Public Radio
Special [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

Allison Sherry (‘I’ll Fight For The Rest Of My Life’: Elijah McClain’s Mother Reflects On Two Years Since His Death)
Colorado Public Radio
Interview Feature [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

Amanda Orlando (The WARM Morning Show with Jim and Amanda)
Cumulus Media
Co-host (Music DJ/ Personality) Medium [Radio – Local]

Andie Summers (The Andie Summers Show)
Beasley Media Group (United States of America)
Host Morning Drive- Major Market [Radio – Local]

Angélica Vale (Cali 93.9 Mornings)
Cali 93.9, KLLI-FM,  Meruelo Media – Los Angeles
Non-English Individual Achievement [Radio – Local]

Angie Martinez (The Angie Martinez Show)
iHeartRadio
Host Non-Morning Drive (Music DJ/Personality) Major Market [Radio – Local]

Angie Perrin (Press Play with Madeleine Brand)
KCRW
Producer [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

CBC Cree Radio: Winschgaoug and Eyou Dipajimoon
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
Non-English Program [Radio – Local]

Christine Nagy (Cubby and Christine in the Morning)
iHeartMedia (WLTW)
Co-host (Music DJ/Personality) Large/Major [Radio – Local]

Figgy Pudding Choir
KIRO Newsradio
Soft News Feature [Radio – Local]

Gold Star Moms
KIRO Newsradio
Public Service Announcement [Radio – Local]

Heather Hunter (O’Connor and Company)
WMAL
Producer- Talk [Radio – Local]

I Regret Becoming a Parent (Audacious)
Connecticut Public
Talk Show [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

I’m Listening (KCBS Radio)
KCBS Radio (Audacy)
Public Affairs [Radio – Local]

International Women’s Day (Valentine in the Morning)
iHeartMedia
Special [Radio – Local]

Janet Saidi (The Check-In)
KBIA
Host/Anchor [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

Jeana Gondek (Jacksonville’s Morning News)
Cox Media Group
Outstanding News Anchor [ Radio – Local]

Judi Franco (Dennis & Judi)
Townsaquare Media
Co-host (Talk/Personality) Small/Medium Market [Radio – Local]

Kelly Dzanaj (Kelly on 100.7 Star)
Audacy Pittsburgh
Host Non-Morning Drive (Music DJ/Personality) Medium Market [Radio – Local]

Lori Barghini & Julia Cobbs (The Lori & Julia Show)
myTalk 107.1 – KTMY-FM
Host Non-Morning Drive (Talk/Personality) Large/Major Market [Radio – Local]

Magic 106.7’s “Exceptional Women” with Kyra Sedgwick
Audacy Boston
Interview Feature- Entertainment [Radio – Local]

MalaniKai (Word on the Street (95.5 WSB / WSB-AM WSBB-FM / Atlanta, GA))
Cox Media Group
Co-host (Talk/Personality) Large/Major [Radio – Local]

Many Troops Are Leaving The Military Prematurely Due To Sexual Harassment, Assault
Texas Public Radio
Hard News Feature- Non-Commercial [Radio – Local]

Mary Walter (Mary Walter WMAL Mornings On The Mall)
Cumulus Media
Interview Feature- News [Radio – Local]

Melissa “Mo” Wagner (“The Mo & StyckMan Show”)
Audacy – WUSY-FM Chattanoonga, TN
Co-host (Music DJ/ Personality) Small [Radio – Local]

Michelle Durham (Family fights for teens in toxic relationships)
KYW Newsradio – Audacy
Hard News Feature [Radio – Local]

Rural Healthcare: The Other Texas Drought
Texas Tech Public Media, The Texas Newsroom, Texas Public Radio, PBS Frontline, American Public Media Research Lab
Documentary [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

Saraya Wintersmith (Like Other Arab Americans in Politics, Boston’s Essaibi George Faces Questions About Her Identity)
GBH News
Portrait/Biography [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

Sharon Barnes-Waters (1010 WINS: The Black Experience)
1010 WINS
Producer- News [Radio – Local]

The Rita Cosby Show
WABC Radio
Talk Show [Radio – Local]

Tracy Dixon (KYGO Morning Show)
Bonneville International
Host – Morning Drive – Medium Market [Radio – Local]

Ways & Means Presents: The Arc of Justice – From Here to Equality
Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University / North Carolina Public Radio – WUNC
Series [Radio Non – Commercial Local]

TELEVISION STUDENT HONOREES

A Horse From Heaven
The University of Maryland
Soft News Feature [TV – Student]

Ashley Chase, Lauren Kraudy, Emma Davis, Alexandria Sorensen (Universe Live)
Brigham Young University School of Communications – Newsline
Producer [TV – Student]

Carly Wasserlein (Universe Live)
Brigham Young University School of Communications – Newsline
Director [TV – Student]

Church members respond to urging from the First Presidency to get the COVID-19 vaccine (Universe Live)
Brigham Young University School of Communications – Newsline
Hard News Feature [TV – Student]

Harlee Hunsaker (Universe Live)
Brigham Young University School of Communications – Newsline
On-Air Talent [TV – Student]

RADIO STUDENT HONOREES

Crystal Lucio-Bermudez (WRHU – Abortion Rights Feature)
WRHU FM Radio Hofstra University
Host/Personality [Radio – Student]

Emily White Music Biz Executive Inspires Next Generation of Female Industry Leaders (Music Biz Buzz)
WRHU FM Radio Hofstra University
Talk Show [Radio – Student]

Nassibah Beddredine (Youth Advocate For Inclusive Sex Education)
WUNC – North Carolina Public Radio
Interview Feature [Radio – Student]

Rachel Schnelle (Lavender a Tough Crop for ‘Muggy’ Missouri, But This Couple is Giving it a Go.)
KBIA
News Feature [Radio – Student]

The Rowan Report Election Night Special
Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM
Public Affairs [Radio – Student]

Victoria Bell (Backyard Players & Friends)
WRHU FM Radio Hofstra University
Producer [Radio – Student]

DIGITAL MEDIA STUDENT HONOREES

Amudalat Ajasa (Inside America’s last whites-only church)
Hofstra University
Online Video Host or Correspondent [DM – Student]

ESCAPE TO JUSTICE
Global Girl Media
Original Online Programming [DM – Student]

Linda T. Kennedy (Of A Certain Age)
Harvard University Extension School
Podcast Host [DM – Student]

Looking For Violet
Fordham University
Podcast Entertainment [DM – Student]

Sex Work After Gilgo | Getting to the Root
Hofstra University
Podcast Investigative [DM – Student]

Showtime Renews Rosanny Zayas’ “The L Word: Generation Q” for Third Season

Rosanny Zayas is getting another (L) word in…

Showtime has renewed The L Word: Generation Q, starring the 31-year-old Afro-Dominican American actress, for a 10-episode third season.

Rosanny ZayasThe new season of series, a sequel to the groundbreaking LGBTQ series The L Word, will premiere later this year.

Created by Ilene ChaikenThe L Word: Generation Q follows a group of LGBTQ friends in Los Angeles as they experience love, heartbreak, sex, setbacks and success.

In addition to Zayas, the series also stars Jennifer Beals, Leisha Haily, Katherine Moennig, Arienne Mandi, Leo Sheng, Jacqueline Toboni, Sepideh Moafi and Jordan Hull.

There are a lot of loose ends to tie up in Season 3. In Season 2, Bette (Beals) dealt with Tina (guest star Laurel Holloman) and Carrie’s (guest star Rosie O’Donnell) engagement, and daughter Angie’s (Hull) search for her birth father; Shane (Moennig) ramped up her business and her feelings for Tess (Jamie Clayton); and hot new author Alice (Hailey) wrestled with her own complicated feelings for her book editor. Meanwhile, a newly single Dani (Mandi) leaned on Gigi (Moafi) during her father’s trial; Finley (Toboni) and Sophie (Zayas) tried hard to make it work despite Finley’s spiraling addiction; and friends Micah (Sheng) and Maribel (Jillian Mercado) fell hard for each other. Series

The L Word: Generation Q season three is executive produced by showrunner Marja-Lewis Ryan, along with series creator Chaiken, Kristen Campo, Allyce Ozarski, Melody Derloshon, and original series stars Beals, Moennig and Hailey.

Fat Joe to Appear on the Upcoming “MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon”

Fat Joe’s got hart… And, he’s ready to share it with the world.

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American rapper, whose real name Joseph Antonio Cartagena, will take part in the MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon, the upcoming two-hour special hosted by Hart that reimagines the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s annual variety show fundraiser.

Fat-Joe

Fat Joe joins a lineup of talent additions that includes Don Cheadle, Common, Cindy Crawford, Whitney Cummings, Stephen Curry, Zachary Levi and Kelly Rowland.

The special, which will benefit the MDA and Help From the Hart Charity, streams live on Saturday from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. ET on Hart’s LOL Network and its digital platforms YouTube and Pluto TV, as well as on TikTok, Triller and Twitch.

SiriusXM will air an encore of the show on its Laugh Out Loud Radio channel on October 26 at 4:00 pm ET and again the next day at 10:00 am ET.

The telethon will feature entertainment, comedy, musical performances and MDA’s Let’s Play For a Cure gaming elements, a gaming stream hosted by Zedd running simultaneously. A Telethon Showcase to celebrate the members of the neuromuscular community and hosted by Nancy O’Dell and Jann Carl will follow the two-hour main show. It will stream on the MDA’s Facebook page.

As a warmup, an MDA-hosted online auction on CharityBuzz featuring items from Serena Williams, Curry and others launches Friday at mda.org/telethon.

The latest talent additions to the lineup join previously announced guests including Garcelle Beauvais, Aloe Blacc, Jack Black, Usain Bolt, Bryan Cranston, Adam Devine, Josh Gad, Liz Gillies, Aldis Hodge, Edwin Hodge, Michael B. Jordan, DJ Khaled, Daniel Levy, Loni Love, Leslie Mann, Jillian Mercado, Robin Thicke, Gabrielle Union Wade and John David Washington.

Jonathan Krisel is directing.

 

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.

Mercado Appearing in Beyonce’s New Merch Campaign

Jillian Mercado has landed an unBEYlievable gig…

The Latina model, who has muscular dystrophy, appears in Beyonce’s new merch campaign on the singer’s website.

Jillian Mercado

Mercado, who has also modeled for Diesel and ‘CR Fashion Book,’ appears in ads for clothing that go along with the superstar’s latest single, “Formation.”

Mercado, who is represented by IMG, shared the news on her Instagram account.

Along with a screen capture of Beyonce’s website featuring herself and two other models, Mercado wrote, “So BEYond excited to finally announce that I’m on the official @beyonce website!!! A special shout out to Queen Bee herself and the amazing team behind it.”

She wears a “Hot Sauce” cap and sweatshirts emblazoned with, “I Twirl on Them Haters,” and “Smack It,” among other merch.