Michaela Jaé Rodriguez to Receive Stephen F. Kolzak Award at GLAAD Media Awards

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez has something special to be GLAAD about…

The 31-year-old half-Afro-Puerto Rican actress, singer and activist, also known as Mj Rodriguez, will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award from GLAAD, the queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, at the 33rd annual GLAAD Media Awards.

MJ RodriguezThe Stephen F. Kolzak Award is presented to a LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting LGBTQ acceptance.

The award is named after a legendary casting director, who devoted his life to raising awareness in the entertainment industry about the discrimination faced by LGBTQ people as well as people living with HIV. Previous Stephen F. Kolzak honorees include Laverne Cox, Jim Parsons, Wanda Sykes, Troye Sivan, Ruby Rose, Chaz Bono, Stephen Warren, Melissa Etheridge, and Sir Ian McKellen.

“Michaela Jaé Rodriguez is an undeniable talent who is changing the way audiences understand trans people while breaking down barriers for the trans community and LGBTQ people of color within the entertainment industry,” said GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Her performance as Blanca on Pose was one of the most important and impactful roles in the history of LGBTQ representation on television, and she continues to spearhead the future of trans visibility and inclusion in entertainment through her talent on screen, in music, and as a passionate activist.”

The GLAAD Media Awards honor media for fair, accurate and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues. Since its inception in 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards have grown to be the most visible annual LGBTQ awards show in the world, sending powerful messages of acceptance to audiences globally.

The ceremony is set for Saturday, April 2 at the Beverly Hilton.

A New York ceremony will be held at the Hilton Midtown on Friday, May 6, 2022.

Leguizamo Returning to Star Opposite Keanu Reeves in “John Wick 2”

John Leguizamo is back to his Wick-ed ways…

The 51-year-old Colombian actor and comedian is set to return for the sequel to the sleeper hitman-themed hit John Wick, starring Keanu Reeves.

John Leguizamo

Filming has just begun in New York and will head to Rome in the New Year. As with the original, John Wick 2 will be directed by Chad Stahelski.

The original film centered on an ex-hitman (Reeves) who is brought out of retirement as he seeks revenge on a group of gangsters who took everything from him. Plot details are being kept under wraps for the sequel.

In addition to Leguizamo, who starred as Aurelio in the original, the sequel will see the return of Bridget Moynahan, Ian McShane, Thomas Sadoski and Lance Reddick.

Newcomers to the film include Ruby Rose, Riccardo Scamarcio, Peter Stormare and Common.

Derek Kolstad (John Wick) wrote the screenplay.

The film will be released through Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment.

The original grossed $130.9 million worldwide last fall.

Levy to Star Opposite Milla Jovovich in Screen Gems’ Next “Resident Evil” Film

William Levy has a new residency in Hollywood

The 35-year-old Cuban actor and telenovela star has joined the cast of the closing chapter of Screen GemsResident Evil franchise.

William Levy

The film stars Milla Jovovich and Ali Larter, with Paul W.S. Anderson directing his script.

The film picks up where 2012’s Resident Evil: Retribution left off, as Project Alice races against time to stop the villainous Red Queen from destroying the final remnants of humanity.

In addition to Levy, Jovovich and Larter, the film will also star Iain Glen, Shawn Roberts, Ruby Rose and Eoin Macken.

Shooting starts this month in South Africa.

Levy, who came in in third place on season 14 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, previously starred in Planet 51, The Single Moms Club and Addicted.

He next appears in Term Life and The Veil.