Sony Music Hires Serita Wesley to Head U.S. Entertainment Podcasts

à la the Oscars. Amid the fallout from last month’s Oscars slap, producers for the upcoming Tony Awards are warning potential copycats to refrain from following suit — or they’ll face severe consequences.

Thandiwe Newton made her first social media post since the alleged drama on set of Magic Mike’s Last Dance.

The New Mexico state agency tasked with investigating possible workplace safety violations on the set of Rust is “on track” to release its report by Thursday, according to a spokesperson for the New Mexico Environment Department.

Magic Mike’s Last Dance following an argument with Channing Tatum.In a report from The Sun, it claimed the two actors were involved in an on-set feud over Will Smith’s altercation with Chris Rock at last month’s Oscars.A representative for Newton has since released a statement calling the reports “completely inaccurate”, saying she left the film after 11 days of shooting in London due to personal reasons.In a statement, a spokesperson (via The Guardian) said: “Thandiwe Newton has made the difficult decision to step away from the production of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Magic Mike’s Last Dance to deal with family matters.”Salma Hayek will replace Newton in Magic Mike’s Last Dance, which sees the return of the original film’s director Steven Soderbergh.

Finding love off the beach! Tia Booth may have not realized it at the time, but she met The One in Taylor Mock before she even returned to Bachelor Nation for a second stint in Paradise.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe 100 Percenters, a music-creatives advocacy nonprofit, has announced a partnership with Sony Music Publishing designed to provide financial relief and support to U.S. songwriters, composers, and producers.With support from SMP, the 100 Percenters will offer relief funding to songwriters who the ongoing pandemic has impacted through its Songwriter Stimulus Program, according to the announcement.

The best date night in Music City! Country music’s hottest couples hit the red carpet at the 2022 CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.

Music City is coming to your living room! The 2022 CMT Music Awards will airs live from Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, April 11, and every major country star is going to be there.

Manori Ravindran International EditorIn a bid to expand Prime Video in key African markets, Amazon Studios is recruiting a London-based head of Nigerian originals, Variety has learned.In a recent job posting, the streaming platform has said it’s looking for an experienced senior creative executive to work with its Nigeria originals team, and oversee both scripted and non-scripted content. The role will report directly into Ned Mitchell, the Los Angeles-based head of originals for Africa and the Middle East for Amazon Studios.“You will create a welcoming ‘Home for Talent’ to include creators and artists who represent the best of Nigeria,” reads an ad for the role.

Ukraine’s invasion by Russia.During the pre-recorded message that aired on the show Sunday, he likened the invasion to a deadly silence threatening to extinguish the dreams and lives of the Ukrainian people, including children.“Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals, even to those who can’t hear them,” he said in English.

Amy Schumer bore witness to Will Smith's assault on Chris Rock during the Oscars, the comedian has made a decision about her career. The Life and Beth star's role as The Academy Awards host was overshadowed by the shocking moment which she said left her "triggered and traumatized".MORE: Amy Schumer releases statement about Will Smith and Chris Rock Now, she's decided to take a step back from her career to focus on her family.WATCH: Will Smith assaults Chris Rock at the OscarsTaking to social media, Amy shared a snapshot of her snuggling in bed with her young son, Gene - who she shares with her husband Chris Fischer - with toys scattered across the sheets.The intimate image was simply captioned: "Out of office reply for the next month.

Thania Garcia Def Jam Record­ings celebrated Women’s History Month — in partnership with LUCID Motors — with a special event recognizing its own female staff. Held March 28 in Beverly Hills, “The Women of Def Jam” brought out the iconic label’s executive team, staff and VIP guests as well as artists like Kendra Jae, DaniLeigh, Pap Chanel, Nevaeh Jolie, Ilham and Kaash Paige, who joined a “Future Leaders” panel moderated by Variety executive editor Shirley Halperin.After closing statements from newly installed Def Jam chairman and CEO Tunji Balogun, the event concluded with a performance by Coco Jones, a new label signee and star of Peacock’s “Bel-Air.”Def Jam’s female execs were also celebrated earlier this month with the release of “The Women of Def Jam” — a 24-track compilation album showcasing music by Nikki D., Foxy Brown, Boss, Ashanti, Amerie, Teyana Taylor, Alessia Cara, Rapsody and Jhené Aiko, among others.

EXCLUSIVE: Eva Longoria is launching a new slate of podcasts—both scripted and unscripted—in collaboration with iHeartMedia‘s My Cultura Podcast Network.