Lena Waithe Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Cynthia Erivo is opening up about her coming out experience and why she came out later in life.

Angelique Jackson Actor, producer and Emmy-winning writer Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions has a new series in the works for HBO Max. The half-hour, single-camera comedy, titled “Rollin,’” is in development under the multi-platform entertainment company’s overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group. According to the official logline, the series centers on “an easily corruptible newbie skater and her ragtag rink crew who find drive and deliverance on the hardwood at an ATL skating rink known for its good music, food, vibes and stellar stunts. They soon discover that walking away from your past is easier said than done — but as all skaters learn, when you fall down, you must get back up.”

Quinta Brunson is clearing the air after the awkward moment at the Emmys following her first win.

In her show’s first season, Quinta Brunson won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing For a Comedy Series tonight, making her only the second Black woman to win in the category after Lena Waithe, and the first to win solo. Waithe shared her win in 2017 with Aziz Ansari for an episode of Master of None, titled “Thanksgiving”.

to the Emmys! Quinta Brunson is making her red carpet debut at the 2022 Emmy Awards. The 32-year-old star and creator of ABC's hit new series celebrated her comedy's breakout success by attending the annual awards show on Monday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Brunson strutted down the annual awards show's red carpet in a stunning bronze gown, custom designed by Dolce & Gabbana.

Clayton Davis “Abbott Elementary” just might do it. After winning for casting, the ABC hit freshman sitcom could make history in many significant ways. After Quinta Brunson made history by becoming the first Black woman to be nominated for comedy series, acting and writing categories in the same year, she would be only the second Black person ever to win as a producer in the comedy series. The first was Winifred Hervey for “The Golden Girls” back in 1987. Also, forecast to go along with the top category a win for writing (Brunson would be the third Black person after Larry Wilmore for “The Bernie Mac Show” in 2002 and Lena Waithe for “Master of None” in 2017) and Sheryl Lee Ralph in supporting actress (she would be the second Black woman to win the category after Jackee Harry for “227” in 1987).

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor The inaugural Soho House Awards, hosted by Stanley Tucci, were presented Thursday night in London. Honorees included actors John Boyega, Ellie Bamber (“Les Misérables”), Yasmin Finney (“Heartstopper”), Evan Mock (“Gossip Girl) and Paapa Essideu (“I May Destory You”) and makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury. Musicians Michael Kiwanuka and Self Esteem were honored and also performed during the event. The gala was held at 180 House and broadcast across Soho House’s digital platforms, including Instagram and TikTok. Olympic diver Tom Daley presented the statuettes, known as the Golden Picante awards, to the honorees.

Exclusive: Filmmaker Ben Cory Jones (Black Spartans) has signed with Cultivate Entertainment Partners for representation.

BreAnna Bell Showtime has ordered a sixth season of “The Chi.”Created and executive produced by Emmy winner Lena Waithe and executive produced by Academy Award and Emmy winner Common, “The Chi”  is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption.In Season 5, Emmett (Jacob Latimore) and Tiff (Hannaha Hall) forge ahead as co-parents, while Tiff moves in with Rob (Iman Shumpert). Kevin (Alex Hibbert) finds new love in gaming and Simone (Antonyah Allen), while Jake (Michael V.

Showtime has picked up a sixth season of its popular drama series The Chi, created and executive produced by Lena Waithe and executive produced by Common. The renewal comes while Season 5 is still airing, with new episodes dropping Fridays on streaming and on-demand and Sundays on the linear network, heading to the season finale, which will stream Sept. 2 and premiere on-air Sep. 4.

Michael B. Jordan is putting his buff arms on full display!

Most of the giant cast of Amazon’s upcoming The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power series turned out tonight for the show’s Los Angeles premiere. They were joined on the red carpet by famous fans like Michael B. Jordan, Cynthia Erivo, Lena Waithe and Catherine Hardwicke.

This weekend’s scheduled episodes of two Showtime dramas have been jacked. The premium cabler said today that it will air the Paramount Pictures theatrical sequel Jackass Forever in the Sunday 8-10 p.m. slots usually occupied by The Chi and City on a Hill.

Donald Glover dressed the part for Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” party. The actor, writer and singer wore a sparkly body suit that showed his chest, and paired it with a grey robe, some ski goggles and boots. Chris Brown had some problems with the look.Paris Jackson spends time with Chris Brown on his birthdayChris Brown seemingly congratulates ex Rihanna and A$AP RockyA post shared by Fit Aint Nothing ! (@fitaintnothing)The Instagram account Fit Ain’t Nothing, which shares photos of celebrity looks alongside biting comments, shared a photo of Glover and tore it down.

Clayton Davis Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.

Angelique Jackson Hillman Grad, the multi-platform entertainment company founded by actor, producer and Emmy-winning writer Lena Waithe, has bolstered its executive ranks with a new round of promotions: Naomi Funabashi has been named president of film and television at Hillman Grad Productions, with Justin Riley as vice president of operations and business development; Lacy Lew Nguyen Wright is now executive director of the Hillman Grad Foundation; and Marquis Phifér is head of cultural marketing.The executive appointments comes after Rishi Rajani, who joined the company in 2018 as president of film and television, was elevated to CEO earlier this year.Since its inception in 2015, and under the leadership of Waithe and Rajani, Hillman Grad has grown to include six divisions and 20 employees, rising to become one of the most prominent companies in entertainment, with a focus on amplifying and celebrating the stories of diverse, historically marginalized communities and developing a new generation of underrepresented creatives. “I’m thrilled that Naomi, Justin, Lacy, and Marquis are stepping into leadership roles here at Hillman Grad,” Rajani said in a statement announcing the promotions.

Cynthia Erivo is opening up about her sexuality.

Even if a queer drama is about struggle, it shouldn’t require great effort to watch. “Beauty,” an ‘80s-set period piece about a young singer’s conflicts with her sexuality, race, and family strife, feels labored and wary before the film hits its second reel.

EXCLUSIVE: Andy Fischel has joined Yahya Abdul Mateen II’s House Eleven10 after spending four years at Netflix on the Original Studio Film team. In this role, he will oversee production and development for House Eleven10.

The stars are stepping out for the 2022 BET Awards!

EXCLUSIVE: Oscar-winning screenwriter Chris Terrio has signed with Theresa Kang-Lowe’s Blue Marble Management for representation across film, television and all media.

Netflix is giving fans a first look at the new movie Beauty.

William Earl Variety and Indeed present a night of cocktails and conversation on June 16 in New York City with this year’s 10 Rising Voices finalists from across the United States.Participants include Jalmer Caceres, “Empty Bases”; Leon Cheo, “The 25th Filial”; Shanrica Evans, “Amina”; Justin Floyd, “Malleable”; Georgia Fu, “Maps”; Gbenga Komolafe, “Tofu”; Cara Lawson, “Crooked Trees Gon Give Me Wings”; Tara Motamedi, “Before Dawn Kabul Time”; Urvashi Pathania, “Beast” and Travis Wood, “Black Santa.” The conversation will be moderated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis.Established in February 2021 and now in its second season, Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions and Indeed partnered on Rising Voices to provide resources to the selected BIPOC filmmakers to create the short film that will have premiered earlier in the day at the Tribeca Festival in New York City. The finalists were selected from 900 applicants based on their submitted screenplays.

Tony Awards parties.Eyes red, heels broken, sequins… everywhere. Gripes about Uber surge charges. A Tony in one hand, a McDonalds bag in the other.After last year’s pandemic-hobbled celebrations — held in the fall, 2021 Best Play winner “The Inheritance” had a last-second fete at Hurley’s Saloon and Josh Groban and Aaron Tveit ate Trader Joe’s mini hotdogs in William Ivey Long’s studio — big bustling bashes were back in full force.Champagne was being poured all over town — toasting victories and drowning sorrows.

EXCLUSIVE: United States Of Al star Parker Young has been tapped as a lead opposite Michaela McManus in Criminal Nature, ABC’s drama pilot from Rashad Raisani, 20th Television and A+E Studios. The network snagged Young quickly after he became available following CBS’ cancellation of the Chuck Lorre comedy series after two seasons.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterFor the first time in two years, Tribeca Festival is going back indoors.After canceling the 2020 edition and staying mostly outside in 2021, the annual gathering is returning to traditional premieres, panels and parties to celebrate its 21st edition. It’s also staying put in Manhattan, a change from last year’s version that spanned all five boroughs of New York City.“We’re back to normal,” says Jane Rosenthal, who founded Tribeca Festival with Robert De Niro in 2002. “We are watching things together as a community.

EXCLUSIVE: Indya Moore (Pose, Aquaman and the Last Kingdom) has signed with UTA and Management 360 for representation across all mediums.

The most star-studded after party following the 2022 Met Gala was definitely the one held at the Boom Boom Room!

Wilson Chapman editorNetflix has set release dates for nearly 40 moves debuting between May and Labor Day Weekend. The streamer unveiled a first look at the Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg-starrer “Me Time,” which follows a stay-at-home dad (Hart) who finds himself with some “me time” for the first time in years.

Katie Holmes is excited for the premiere of “Alone Together.” The actress, director, and writer shared on her Instagram the news that her film would premiere at the Tribecca Film Festival, one of the most emblematic cultural events in New York City.Get power suit inspiration from Katie Holmes who has master the lookKatie Holmes goes on a New York walk with her camera in handHolmes shared the news via her Instagram, where she thanked her co-actors and collaborators for the experience. “I am so honored and excited to share our film,” she wrote The film festival will take place in the city.

Showtime is heading back to the South Side this summer. The premium cabler said today that Season 5 of its Lena Waithe-created drama The Chi will premiere at 9 p.m. Friday, June 24.

The full Tribeca Film Festival lineup of 109 feature films from 40 countries and 88 world premieres for the 2022 event that takes place June 9-18 has been announced. It’ll be interesting to see if some of the films at the festival will end up being popular breakouts, land major studio/streamer distribution, or eventually move on to get recognized during awards season.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter“Jerry and Marge Go Large,” a comedy starring Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening, as well as new films from directors Lena Waithe and Ray Romano, will premiere at this year’s Tribeca Festival.As previously announced, the 2022 edition of the Tribeca Festival will kick off on Wednesday, June 8, with the world premiere of “Halftime,” a new Netflix documentary centering on Jennifer Lopez.See the full lineup below:OPENING NIGHTHalftime (United States) – World Premiere. A new Netflix documentary film that follows global superstar Jennifer Lopez, as she reflects on her milestones and evolution as an artist, and navigates the second half of her career continuing to entertain, empower, and inspire.

The Tribeca Festival has unveiled its 2022 lineup of 109 feature films from 40 countries and 88 world premieres including  Joachim Back’s Corner Office starring Jon Hamm and Somewhere in Queens, directed by Ray Romano starring Romano and Laurie Metcalf.

EXCLUSIVE: Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins, one of the stars of Netflix’s Dear White People, is launching her own podcast series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterWriter, director, and actor Gabriela Ortega has signed with M88, Variety has learned exclusively. Ortega will continue to be represented by Dean Panaro Talent, KMR Talent, and Meyer & Downs.Ortega was selected to be a 2021-2022 Sundance Institute “Art of Practice” fellow, at which time she debuted her short film “Huella.” The film was produced as part of Lena Waithe’s Rising Voices fellowship during the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.2021-2022 Sundance Institute “Art of Practice“ fellow Ortega debuted her short film “Huella,” which was produced as part of Lena Waithe’s Rising Voices fellowship, at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.