Berry Gordy Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has announced a new collection of cast mates.Among the roles that have been newly cast for Michael, are legendary figures such as Diana Ross, Quincy Jones and the King of Pop’s older sister La Toya Jackson. According to a report from Variety, The Vampire Diaries star Kat Graham will portray the iconic Diana Ross.Graham wrote of her casting on social media: “Grateful to play the legendary Diana Ross… directed by the great Antoine Fuqua.

New roles in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic have been announced!

Angelique Jackson The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” is embracing the Motown sound — announcing key castings including Larenz Tate as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy and Kat Graham as the legendary Diana Ross. Other new cast members of the Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International project include Jessica Sula (“Split”) as La Toya Jackson; Liv Symone (“Power Book III: Raising Kanan”) as Gladys Knight; Kevin Shinick (“Robot Chicken”) as Dick Clark; KeiLyn Durrel Jones (“The Other Two,” “How to Die Alone”) as Jackson’s trusted friend and confidante Bill Bray; and Kendrick Sampson (“Insecure”) as industry icon Quincy Jones. “Michael,” from director Antoine Fuqua, is currently in production and has added a slew of stars in recent weeks.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer “Michael,” the splashy forthcoming biopic about Michael Jackson from director Antoine Fuqua, has added actor Laura Harrier in a key role. Harrier, of “BlacKkKlansman” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming” fame, will portray pioneering female music executive Suzanne de Passe in the Lionsgate project. De Passe was a creative assistant to Motown founder Berry Gordy, and is credited with convincing Gordy to sign The Jackson 5 to his label.

Jermaine Jackson is being sued for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in 1988.The lawsuit for sexual battery, battery, sexual assault and negligence was filed by Rita Butler Barrett on Wednesday (December 27) at Los Angeles County Superior Court. Jackson’s company Jermaine L.

Jermaine Jackson is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in or around the spring of 1988, according to a new lawsuit. Filed by Rita Butler Barrett on Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court and obtained by The Post, the suit accuses the famed member of The Jackson 5 of sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual battery, negligence and rape.

Stuart Miller When Byron Allenwas just 14, he started doing stand-up comedy. Four years later, in 1979, he became the youngest comedian to appear on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” It was a launching pad for an entertainment career that included a stint on “Real People,” a lead role in “Case Closed,” a TV movie he co-wrote and a syndicated late-night show bearing his name. But all along, Allen had his eyes on a much bigger prize.

Selome Hailu The second annual edition of “Byron Allen Presents TheGrio Awards” will air on CBS on Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. after recently being recorded in Beverly Hills.

Clifton Oliver, a stage actor who appeared on Broadway in The Lion King, In The Heights and Wicked, died yesterday following a lengthy illness.

Thania Garcia Hollywood is mourning Harry Belafonte, the Calypso singer, award-winning performer and activist, who died on April 25 of congestive heart failure at age 96. The Caribbean-American entertainer is lauded as one of the most versatile recording artists of the 1950s and was one of the first Black leading men in cinema. He also had a fierce commitment to activism throughout the 60s and participated in numerous protests and marches including the Freedom March on Washington in 1963 (alongside his friend and actor Sidney Poitier) where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. Tastemakers like Berry Gordy, Tony Bennett, Oprah Winfrey and more paid their respects and celebrated Belafonte’s work, calling him a “trailblazer” and “great entertainer.”

Nick Cannon's about to embark on his Future Superstar Tour, and his mission's simple: give future superstars a much-deserved platform.The talented host and rapper invited ET's Kevin Frazier to tour his incredible Southern California office, where they discussed what the upcoming tour means to him, the empire he's growing and whether he wants to have more kids (hint: yes and no). Cannon will kick off his Future Superstar Tour on Saturday night at the famed Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. It's the first of a 24-city tour featuring 10 rising stars ready to shake up the game with their talent. For Cannon, it's not about him becoming some kind of talent scout.

Smokey Robinson still has things he wants to accomplish. ET's Kevin Frazier spoke to the 83-year-old singer, and Robinson revealed the last item on his bucket list.«If there's anything left on my bucket list, it would be that I would like to make a movie, a good movie,» he told ET. "… I'd like to be in a really good movie and be a character.«While Robinson hopes to play a character in a flick, lots of people want a Broadway show or a movie to be made about life, both of which „some people have approached me to do it.“Any potential project about his life, Robinson said, is „gonna be very candid.“»I might as well be candid.

Smokey Robinson still has things he wants to accomplish. ET's Kevin Frazier spoke to the 83-year-old singer, and Robinson revealed the last item on his bucket list.«If there's anything left on my bucket list, it would be that I would like to make a movie, a good movie,» he told ET. "… I'd like to be in a really good movie and be a character.«While Robinson hopes to play a character in a flick, lots of people want a Broadway show or a movie to be made about life, both of which „some people have approached me to do it.“Any potential project about his life, Robinson said, is „gonna be very candid.“»I might as well be candid.

Thania Garcia Motown Records has weathered major changes in the last year, not the least of which include the exit of chairwoman and CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam in March 2021, and is now is planning a restructuring that will bring it back into the fold of Capitol Music Group. With that, layoffs have been initiated, Variety has confirmed, with at least three high-ranking executives being impacted. In a statement, first published by Billboard and obtained by Variety, a Motown spokesperson said: “As Motown returns to the Capitol family, certain positions that had been created when we became a stand-alone label have since become duplicative. These employees are leaving the company and our People, Inclusion and Culture department is helping them find new opportunities — either within or outside of UMG.”

Barrett Strong, artist and songwriter credited with having given Motown its first hit with “Money (That’s What I Want),” has died. He was 81.

Jerry Blavat, a fast-talking DJ in Philadelphia who was a staunch backer of R&B in an era where “race records” weren’t mainstream, died Friday at Jefferson-Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia. His death was confirmed by his close friend A.J. Mattia and Keely Stahl, the latter his companion of more than 30 years.

Bertha Barbee McNeal, whose Motown group The Velvelettes had hits with“Needle in a Haystack” and “(He Was) Really Saying Something,” died Thursday in hospice in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was 82 and had colon cancer.

EXCLUSIVE: Gladys Knight, the Empress of Soul who recorded hits such as Midnight Train to Georgia and I Heard It Through The Grapevine, is gearing up for a scripted mini-series about her life.

CBS has set a date for Byron Allen presents theGrio Awards special where African-American excellence is honored. Co-hosted by Sheryl Underwood from The Talk and Taye Diggs, the two-hour award show will air on Saturday, Nov. 26 starting at 8 p.m. ET.

A star studded lineup is set for the Critics Choice Association’s 5th Annual Celebration Of Black Cinema and Television taking place in Los Angeles on Monday December 5, 2022 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel.

The inaugural gala for The Grio Awards are set to honor icons, leaders and legends like Tyler Perry, Patti LaBelle, Dave Chappelle and Normal Lear.

EJ Panaligan editor Allen Media Group’s African American-focused news, lifestyle, sports and entertainment platform theGrio has announced the inaugural The Grio Awards. The black-tie event will take place at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, October 22th with co-hosts comedian Sheryl Underwood and Taye Diggs. The award show’s inaugural honorees are slated to attend in-person, including: The event will also feature special musical performances by Yolanda Adams, Tyrese, Fantasia and LaBelle. Greg Phillinganes will serve as musical director, and DJ Kiss will serve as both DJ and announcer. Additional guests slated to attend include Sheryl Lee Ralph, Judge Christine Perez, Dave Winfield, Judge Lauren Lake, Judge Mabelean Efphram, April Ryan, Natasha Alford, Michael Harriot, Panama Jackson, Nikole Hannah Jones, Ben Chavis and Marla Gibbs.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLamont Dozier, one-third of the legenday “Holland-Dozier-Holland” songwriting and production trio who wrote many of Motown Records’ biggest hits for the Supremes, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Martha and the Vandellas and others, has died at the age of 81. The news was confirmed by his son Lamont Dozier Jr on social media; no cause of death has been released as yet.Hits written and produced by Dozier with siblings Brian and Eddie Holland read like a greatest-hits of Motown’s early years: “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Stop! in the Name of Love,” “How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You),” “Baby Love,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “You Keep Me Hanging On” and many others.

Tracee Ellis Ross has a very famous mother, singer Diana Ross, and she delighted fans when she shared a rare snapshot with the singer for a heartfelt reason.MORE: Tracee Ellis Ross stuns fans with glamorous high school photoIn a dreamy snap from last year, the Black-ish star was standing alongside the I'm Coming Out singer as the sun acted as the perfect filter.Both of the glamorous women were wearing elegant tops and glitzy drop earrings as they celebrated Diana's birthday. Tracee opted for some hoops, while her mom rocked a large, straight pair.WATCH: Tracee Ellis Ross films in stunning blue living room"OH HOW I LOVE YOU MAMA ~ happy birthday," the star wrote as her caption at the time. The post drove many fans wild, as it received over 150,000 likes within three hours.

Tracee Ellis Ross, 49, was practically born to be a star. With her mom being Diana Ross, 77, and her dad being record executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, 76, Tracee grew up around show business. She’s carved out her own career path, rising to fame through her many acting appearances. She became a star in her own rite as one of the leading actresses in the sitcom Girlfriends, and most recently as one of the stars of Black-ish. Still, she’s not the only super talented one in her family! While some of her siblings haven’t pursued a career in the entertainment industry, it’s clear that she’s super close with her brothers and sisters. Find out more about all of her siblings here!

Over his illustrious career, Motown legend Smokey Robinson has been responsible for classics like “The Tears of a Clown,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” and “Shop Around.” But his most enduring creations? His three kids, Berry, Tamla, and Trey. Smokey’s three adult children each have their own unique relationship with their famous father, though some are closer than others.

Smokey Robinson, 82, is known as the King of Motown, but who is his queen? The Miracles band member has been married twice. One marriage resulted in divorce and the other is happily intact. Smokey Joe shot up to celebrity status after he formed the group The Miracles, which is best known for its hits “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Shop Around,” “I Second That Emotion,” “Baby Baby Don’t Cry,” and “Tears of a Clown.”

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorMotown founder Berry Gordy had a galaxy of star executives helping him build the company into the powerhouse it became, but not many of them shone as brightly as Suzanne de Passe.Joining the company relatively late in its heyday, de Passe moved from her native Harlem to Detroit in 1968 and soon convinced a skeptical Berry to sign a group of kids calling themselves the Jackson 5. She quickly took charge of developing the group into the pop-culture juggernaut they immediately became — their first four singles went to No.

Editor’s note: Colman Domingo (Zola, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) is one of many Black actors whose careers were inspired by Sidney Poitier who broke racial barriers to become Hollywood’s first Black movie star and the first Black man to win Best Actor Oscar. In an essay for Deadline following Poitier’s death at age 94, Domingo writes about his meeting with Poitier and about the profound impact that encounter — as well as Poitier’s life and career — have had on him.

told the New York Times that she died from complications of chronic obstructed pulmonary disease.Born on Aug.

told The New York Times Saturday.Young replaced another singer in the Michigan group when Motown head Berry Gordy signed the band in 1961. A month later, The Marvelettes’ “Please Mr.

The lifetime achievement awards for artistic excellence were presented to Motown Records creator Berry Gordy, “Saturday Night Live” mastermind Lorne Michaels, actress-singer Bette Midler, opera singer Justino Diaz and folk music legend Joni Mitchell.This year’s event at the Kennedy Center’s main opera house represented a return to political normalcy, with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden attending.President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump skipped the show the first three

The 2021 Kennedy Center Honors are airing tonight!

Paul Harris To the delight of a standing-room-only audience that included the First Family, the Kennedy Center Honors paid hearty tribute on Sunday night to actress/singer Bette Midler, opera bass-baritone Justino Diaz, Motown founder Berry Gordy, “Saturday Night Live” honcho Lorne Michaels and singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell.The event, last staged before a live audience in pre-COVID 2020, had been conspicuously ignored by former President Donald Trump following criticism from two honorees in

Canada’s Joni Mitchell, Bette Midler and Toronto-born “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels were among those being honoured by U.S. President Joe Biden at Sunday’s Kennedy Center Honors.

Scarlett Johansson dazzles in a gold dress next to husband Colin Jost while arriving at the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors held at The Kennedy Center on Sunday evening (December 5) in Washington, DC.