Lin-Manuel Miranda to Serve as Co-Chair & Host of This Year’s Met Gala

Lin-Manuel Miranda is ready to Met a new challenge…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actor, singer-songwriter, rapper, playwright, producer and film director will as one of the hosts and co-chairs of this year’s Met Gala.

Lin-Manuel MirandaMiranda will host the event, which will reflect the strong Hollywood theme, alongside Ryan ReynoldsBlake Lively and Regina King.

The Met Gala, set for May 2, a primary source of income for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, follows last September’s scaled-back, pandemic-restricted “mini-gala” that launched the Met’s two-part exhibition “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.”

The exhibit will include “cinematic vignettes” exploring the roots of American fashion and designed by film directors King, Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Chloé Zhao, Tom Ford, Janicza Bravo, Julie Dash and Autumn de Wilde.

Ford, Adam Mosseri and Anna Wintour will continue their roles as honorary co-chairs for the May event.

The “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” exhibit will open to the public on May 7.

Hosea Chanchez to Star in Bernard David Jones’ Pilot “Remember”

It’s a time to remember for Hosea Chanchez.

The 40-year-old Afro-Dominican American actor will star opposite Bernard David Jones in the pilot Remember, which has launched production after receiving a WarnerMedia OneFifty grant supporting the early stages of its development.

Hosea Chanchez,Chanchez, best known for his starring role on The Game, is among a list of cast newcomers that includes Devere RogersGriffin Matthews and Brandon Gill.

The series created, written and exec produced by Jones will be a dramedy following the forgetful millennial Jahi and his four best friends as they navigate queer love, rocky careers, and the ups and downs of friendship, while realizing that Jahi’s forgetfulness is more serious than imagined.

Tosin Morohunfola, John Clarence Stewart, Marcel Spears, Marcc Rose, Elise Eberle, Christy St. John, Joy Brunson and Leon Fleisher will also appear in the pilot.

Jones is playing Jahi, who has decided to live his life as freely as he can, while struggling with his impending memory loss. Jahi loves his friends and desires true romantic love, but becomes his own biggest saboteur while pursuing it.

Chanchez will play Matias, an older friend of Jahi’s with years of experience in the queer world. He is openly bisexual, and has ended an 18-year marriage to a woman he truly loved. After being fired from a job he’s had for 22 years, he has to make a decision. Does he try to find another job, or does he follow his passion?

Jones is producing the series with Chanchez and Gem Little, with Tari Wariebi serving as its director.

“I’m so excited to bring the story of Remember to the world. As a young queer black boy, I searched for characters in the media that looked like me…that felt like I did,” said Jones. “From the very beginning of my career, I knew that I wanted my storytelling to change lives and to challenge what society deemed normal…be disruptive. Remember is a love letter to my community…my friends. This is bigger than just representation for diversity’s sake. This show is an opportunity for freedom, and for some, healing. This cast and crew are amazing! The director and the producers are the best emerging talent that I have ever worked with. Thank you Warner Media/ One Fifty for recognizing how important this story is, and giving me the opportunity to live out my dreams!”

“After reading the beautiful script REMEMBER, written by Bernard David Jones, I knew this was a story I wanted to tell as an actor and producer. It’s about the journey of a group of Black queer friends whose lives are forever changed when one of them receives a diagnosis that threatens their mortality and memory,” added Chanchez. “These are the stories that light my fuse as a filmmaker, things that everyday Black men and women go through that aren’t seen or talked about enough. It’s our job to shine a light on these characters and stories that are often deep in the shadows and bring them to the forefront. I can’t wait for the world to see what we’ve created.”

Chanchez starred as Malik Wright in all nine seasons of BET’s hit series The Game, and also starred on the big screen opposite Evan Ross, David Oyelowo and Brittany Snow in 96 Minutes.

His previous credits include a starring role in Regina King’s Let the Church Say Amen for BET and Down for Whatever for TV One. He’ll soon be seen in Fanatic, which airs in February on BET.

Rita Moreno Among the “Cast” for This Year’s Academy Awards Show

Rita Moreno has a special date with Oscar…

The producers of this year’s 93rd annual Academy Awards have cast an ensemble of 15 stars to handle all the presenting duties, including the 89-year-old Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer.

Rita Moreno

Moreno, one of the few artists to have won all four major annual American entertainment awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award, is part of a “cast” that includes last year’s Oscar winners Joaquin Phoenix, Renee Zellweger, Brad Pitt and Laura Dern.

It’s part of the producers’ pledge to do the entire broadcast as if it were a movie itself.

Last year’s Best Director winner, Bong Joon Ho, who made four trips to the stage for Parasite, is also part of this ensemble, presumably to present Best Director.

Other names announced — in alphabetical order — are Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, Bryan Cranston, Harrison Ford, Regina King, Marlee Matlin, Reese Witherspoon and Zendaya.

“In keeping with our awards-show-as-a-movie approach, we’ve assembled a truly stellar cast of stars,” said producers Jesse Collins, Stacey Sher and Steven Soderbergh. “There’s so much wattage here, sunglasses may be required.”

This idea of having a set group of presenters rotating in and out of the show is not new. When producer Gower Champion reimagined the 1969 Oscar show, he created what they called “Friends of Oscar,” with 10 stars exclusively serving as presenters (and no host). The format was then repeated successfully the next year, and has been tweaked occasionally over the decades — including for the innovative 2009 show produced by Bill Condon and Laurence Mark, which used combinations of five past winners each to present the acting awards.

Additional talent joining the April 25 live broadcast on ABC will be announced later.

Christy Turlington to Be Honored at Harper’s Bazaar Icons Party

Christy Turlington has reached Iconstatus…

The 50-year-old half-Salvadoran American former model will be honored at this year’s Harper’s Bazaar Icons Party, set to kick off New York Fashion Weekon September 6 for a sixth consecutive year at the Plaza Hotel.

Christy Turlington

In addition to Turlington, the magazine will fete more notable names featured in Harper’s Bazaar global fashion director Carine Roitfeld‘s 2019 “Icons” portfolio, including Alicia KeysCeline DionAwkwafinaRegina KingShailene WoodleyLakeith StanfieldKate Moss,Alek Wekand Devon Aoki.

“I am excited to once again bring Harper’s Bazaar editors from around the world together to kick off New York Fashion Week and celebrate the 10 cultural forces that make up this year’s Icons portfolio,” said Roitfeld in a statement. “I am especially honored that the truly iconic Alicia Keys will be delivering this year’s special performance, which promises to be as inspirational and show-stopping as the artist herself.”

Added Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Marie Claire senior vp and publishing director Carol Smith: “Bazaar is delighted to return to the Plaza to celebrate our sixth annual Icons portfolio by Carine Roitfeld. From Alicia Keys to Christy Turlington and Awkwafina to Lakeith Stanfield, the iconic men and women featured in this year’s portfolio embody the essence of being an independent — they’ve challenged the norm, defied expectations, broken boundaries and rewritten the rules — personally, professionally, politically, creatively, in life and around the world.”

At last year’s Icons party, pop diva Christina Aguilera took a break from her North American Liberation Tourto perform for a star-studded crowd. 

More past Icons performers include The WeekndKaty Perry and Kanye West, among others.

She represented Calvin Klein’s Eternity campaign in 1989 and again in 2014,and also representsMaybelline. Turlington was named one of GlamourWomen of the Yearin 2013,and, in 2014, was named included on the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.Turlington initially attracted fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a supermodel.

Ivonne Coll to Star in The CW’s “Jane the Virgin” Spinoff, “Jane the Novela”

There’s more Jane in Ivonne Coll’s future…

The 71-year-old Puerto Rican actress and Jane the Virgin star has landed a series regular role in Jane the Novelathe CW’s Jane the Virgin spinoff pilot.

Ivonne Coll

The project will be headlined by Jacqueline Grace Lopezand narrated and executive produced by Jane the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez, with Coll providing a little continuity from the original series in front of the camera.

The telenovelaanthology offshoot will also star Remy Hii, Hunter Parrish, Benito Martinez and Holland Roden.

Written/executive-produced by Jane the Virgin writer Valentina Garza, directed/exec produced by Jane the Virgin EP Brad Silberling and executive-produced by Jane the Virgin creator/EP Jennie Snyder UrmanJane the Novela is a soapy, telenovela-inspired anthology series in the tradition of Jane the Virgin, where each season is based on a different fictional novel “written by” Jane Villanueva and narrated by the author herself.

The first installment takes place at the intersection of Napa Valley wine country and the San Francisco art scene and pairs family secrets and sins of the past with twists, tropes and a bloody bottle of red. It centers on Estela (Lopez), an up-and-coming art curator who has spent years playing it safe and coloring within the lines. But a shocking secret changes everything and forces her to live a double life.

Being “in the tradition” of Jane the Virgin, Jane the Novela mirrors the setup of the original series. It too follows a driven, imaginative twentysomething Latina woman (Lopez) who is torn between her boyfriend, Luen (Hii), and Felix (Parrish), a handsome, rich guy. In this case, Luen is head of security while Felix is in the wine business vs. Jane Villanueva’s cop boyfriend Michael and love interest Rafael, a hotel heir.

Hii’s Luen is Estela’s sweet, dependable, long-term boyfriend. When the life he’s planned for himself and Estela is threatened by Felix, Luen will stop at nothing to win back the woman he loves.

Coll will play Camila, Estela’s adoptive mother. Camila would do anything to protect her daughter and the life they have built, even lie to her. On Jane the Virgin, Coll plays Jane’s grandmother and Xo’s mother Alba.

Martinez portrays Raul, the winery’s enigmatic riddler. Nobody knows Napa’s terrain like he does – he specializes in collecting dirt on everyone.

Coll’s other television credits include Switched at BirthTeen WolfGleeEast Los High and Nip/Tuck.

Martinez is known for his portrayal of Los Angeles politician David Aceveda for seven seasons on FXpolice drama The Shield. He had a starring role in John Ridley’s anthology series American Crime Story alongsideFelicity Huffmanand Regina Kingand can next be seen in the upcoming seasons of 13 Reasons WhyThe BlacklistJack Ryan, and the feature film Queen & Slim. 

Gerard Celasco to Star in ABC’s Drama Pilot “The Finest” 

Gerard Celasco has landed his Finest role yet…

The 35-year-old Salvadoran-American actor has been cast in the ABC drama pilot The Finest (aka Untitled Holmes Sisters), from former CSI: NY showrunner Pam Veasey, Robin Roberts, Regina King, and ABC Studios.

Gerard Celasco

Celasco will star opposite Eric BalfourDorian Missick, Zoe Robins, Frances Turner, Amirah Vanh and Tisha Campbell-Martin.

Written by Veasey and directed by King, the drama explores the lives of five African-American sisters, all officers in the NYPD, as they face the challenges of their high-risk jobs while juggling the responsibilities of marriage, motherhood and family.

Celasco will play Lucas, Nicole’s ex-boyfriend.

Celasco most recently recurred opposite Adam Brody and Ron Perlman on the Crackle series StartUp. 

Emily Rios to Star in Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk”

Emily Rios is hittin’ the Street

The 28-year-old Latina actress has landed the key role of Victoria in director Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight followup, If Beale Street Could Talk, which is currently in production.

Emiily Rios

Starring KiKi Layne, the drama is based on James Baldwin’s novel about Tish, a newly engaged Harlem woman who races against the clock to prove her lover’s innocence while carrying their first child to term.

Rios joins an impressive cast roaster that includes Stephan James, Colman Domingo, Brian Tyree Henry, Dave Franco, Ed Skrein, and Regina King.

Jenkins penned the script and is producing under his Pastel label with Annapurna Pictures and Plan B.

Rios, best known for her role in AMC’s Breaking Bad, has starred in John Singleton’s FX series, Snowfall.

Pedro Pascal to Star in Barry Jenkins’ New Film “If Beale Street Could Talk”

Pedro Pascal is hitting the street…

The 42-year-old Chilean actor has been cast in If Beale Street Could Talk, director Barry Jenkins’ follow-up to his Oscar Best Picture winner Moonlight.

Pedro Pascal

KiKi Layne stars in the film, which is based on the James Baldwin novel along with Stephan James, Colman Domingo, Brian Tyree Henry and Regina King.

Layne plays Tish, a newly engaged Harlem woman who races against the clock to prove her lover’s innocence while carrying their first child to term.

Jenkins adapted the book and is producing via his Pastel label with Annapurna Pictures and Plan B.

Pascal, who starred as Oberyn Martell on HBO’s Game of Thrones, was most recently on the big screen in Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

He’ll next appear in Sony Pictures’ The Equalizer 2.

Martinez to Return for Season 3 of ABC’s Anthology Series “American Crime”

Benito Martinez is back to a life of Crime

The 45-year-old Latino actor is set to return for another installment of ABC’s anthology series American Crime.

Benito Martinez

Martinez, who co-starred in the first season of the series from John Ridley and guest starred in Season 2, will return for season 3.

He joins fellow retuning players Timothy Hutton, Felicity Huffman, Regina King, Lili Taylor, Richard Cabral and Connor Jessup in the acclaimed series, executive produced by Ridley and Michael McDonald.

His character provides a further glimpse into Season 3, which explores labor issues, economic divides and individual rights in North Carolina.

“Ever since Benito brought the role of Alonzo Gutierrez to life in season one, John and I have been looking for a character that would be as memorable and worthy of Benito’s talent. He will be tackling the role of a man searching for his missing son,” said McDonald.

Martinez, an alum of The Shield, recently worked opposite Tom Cruise on the crime thriller American Made. He had recurring roles on How To Get Away with Murder and The Blacklist.

Cabral Returning for Season 3 of ABC’s “American Crime”

Richard Cabral isn’t leaving his Crime family…

The Mexican American actor has joined Felicity Huffman and Regina King as the third cast member to sign on for the upcoming third installment of John Ridley’s acclaimed ABC anthology series American Crime.

Richard Cabral

In Season 3, the series will be set in North Carolina and will deal with labor issues, economic divides and individual rights.

American Crime earned 10 Emmy nominations for its first season, winning for King. Cabral received a supporting actor Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Hector Tontz. The series, executive produced by Ridley and Michael McDonald, is coming off a well-received second season.

Cabral’s feature work includes Ridley Scott’s The Counselor, Chris Weitz’s A Better Life and End of Watch opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, and he also had guest-starring turns on ABC’s Body of Proof and HBO’s Luck.

He’ll next be seen in Blood Father, a Taken-style action thriller directed by Jean-Francois Richet (Mesrine) and starring Mel Gibson.