Beyoncé is gonna help us get back in shape y'all...or at least look good while trying!

The singer has announced her upcoming activewear line, Ivy Park, using a video where she opens up about the significance of her line!
In the video, she mentions how her father, Mathew Knowles, would get her out of bed to go running at Parkwood Park in Houston, and that became her outlet. Running taught her discipline and endurance, which she uses even now to conquer her fears. “There are things I’m still afraid of,” she says. “When I have to conquer those things, I still go back to that park. Before I hit the stage, I go back to that park. When it was time for me to give birth I went back to that park. The park became a state of mind. The park became my strength. The park is what made me who I am. Where’s your park?”

In the teaser for the line, we see different looks Ivy Park will offer, as well clips from Beyonce's childhood, and even a cameo from her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter! The clothing line, which will features shirts, shower sandals, bodysuits and more, launches exclusively at Topshop on April 14!

It's not her long awaited album, but I'm still excited!

Image via Ivy Park

10:23:00 AM

The official trailer has dropped for Alice Through the Looking Glass!

The film is the highly anticipated sequel to Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (2010). For this sequel, Tim serves as producer, while James Bobin takes the reins as director. The majority of the original cast has returned as well including Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and Helena Bonham Carter and the voices Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman and Michael Sheen. We also see Sacha Baron Cohen, new to the franchise, playing the part of half-human, half-clock Time.

The film's synopsis (per ComingSoon.net):

Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska) has spent the past few years following in her father’s footsteps and sailing the high seas. Upon her return to London, she comes across a magical looking glass and returns to the fantastical realm of Underland and her friends the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), Absolem (Alan Rickman), the Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry) and the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), who is not himself. The Hatter has lost his Muchness, so Mirana (Anne Hathaway) sends Alice on a quest to borrow the Chronosphere, a metallic globe inside the chamber of the Grand Clock which powers all time. Returning to the past, she comes across friends – and enemies – at different points in their lives, and embarks on a perilous race to save the Hatter before time runs out.

Check out the trailer below!

The Time is nearly here! Wander into the wonderful world of Disney Alice Through The Looking Glass. Tickets: http://di.sn/6006B9Ifg
Posted by Disney on Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Definitely can't wait to see this! Be sure to check out Alice Through the Looking Glass on May 27!

Image via Entertainment Weekly

7:45:00 AM

Very rarely do I write editorials like the one I’m about to write, but this thing bothered me something heavy all day.

By now, many of us have heard that singer Kehlani has been hospitalized after reportedly tried to commit suicide yesterday (March 28). The reported attempt comes shortly after Kehlani’s ex Partynextdoor posted a picture on Instagram. The two of them are holding hands in bed, sparking rumors that she was cheating on Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers, with whom she’d confirmed a relationship in January. From that ONE picture, people went in on her calling her a cheater and a hoe, as if they know her and her situation.

Kehlani posted (and then deleted) the photo below of her in the hospital admitting that she did try to commit suicide, but warned everyone not to believe everything they hear about the circumstances.

It bothers me sometimes of how celebs play out their relationships and drama on Instagram, but it bothers me more how a lot of people react. Calling the girl a “hoe,” saying that this was a publicity stunt, etc., is uncalled for “Oh, why would she try to commit suicide if she hadn’t cheated?” Really? All of these ugly comments really annoyed me. I don’t care if you follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Periscope AND SoundCloud, we don’t know these celebrities. I repeat, WE DO NOT KNOW THESE CELEBRITIES. We don’t know their daily struggles or the behind the scenes drama. We know what they show us. We know what we see online or on TV, and, as a blogger, trust me when I tell you that ain’t as much as we think. Hell, some websites didn’t even bother to check facts and edit their posts and actually are "reporting" that Kehlani is gone. Reports and rumors fly all day, every day. So, therefore, we really don’t know half as much as we think we do, unless it’s confirmed out of an artist’s mouth themselves or their reps, and even then, we have to take things with a grain of salt. Therefore, none of us if anybody really cheated in the first place. We don’t know if this was an old picture Partynextdoor had in his photos and decided to be messy and post. We don’t know if Kyrie and Kehlani secretly broke up two weeks ago, and she got back with her ex and was cuddling in bed. We don’t know these people.

At the end of the day, I’m not too caught up in trying to know HOW or WHY Kehlani tried to end her life. I couldn’t care less that she made the personal choice to post her hospitalization on Instagram. Instead, I’m deeply saddened and more concerned that, whatever happened, she thought she was in that deep of despair that her life was no longer important. I’m saddened that this girl’s life could have been gone. Beyond the fame and even her great music, her LIFE is what’s most important. That’s where the focus should be. Celebrities are out here struggling y’all. Honestly, all of us are up against something. So why do we have to spew hate to those struggling, especially online where we know that nobody can really get to us? Why make it even more difficult for people? It’s cheesy and cliché sure, but I’ve personally lost people in my life, two in particular over this past year, and it shook me to the core. It reminded me how fragile and short life is, and that, underneath it all, behind smiles and laughter, people could be going through some terrible things and feeling like they need to deal with all alone. I know that because I’ve lived that. Take time to show people love, send up prayers and positive thoughts, etc. You never really know what other people are living with from day to day, and how much your words or actions could affect them, either positively or negatively.

This is just my two cents. My whole point in this piece is stop judging circumstances and people that you really know nothing about. Show making light of people's problems, celebrities or not.  Before any more songs or appearances, I hope that this girl gets the help she needs and is able to work through her circumstances, whatever they may be. Prayers up for Kehlani.

Images via The Fader/Instagram

12:19:00 PM

New music to start the week! Check out this track from producer SRNO featuring singer Gia Koka entitled, "Give It All Up!"

The mellow, sexy track has reached No.6 on the US Spotify viral daily chart, and is No. 7 on the Global Spotify viral daily chart! Really loving this track!

Check out the track below!



You can check out more from SRNO on SoundCloud! You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! 

5:21:00 AM

R&B singer Todd Zack, Jr. has released his lead single, "sweetpotatopie.” for listeners!

The track, which was produced by JBird, is the first official single from the artist's upcoming project betterwithtime., which is set to be released on April 16th. Todd uses his favorite dessert, sweet potato pie, to describe the new love in his life. "I used the inspiration behind that, to play off the title into writing about a woman being the new favorite in my life, similar to how the pies are my favorite dessert. Hence, she's my sweetpotatopie," Todd noted on his SoundCloud. The song is true R&B, and great to vibe to!

Check out the track below!



You can check out more from Todd on SoundCloud, and you can connect with on Twitter and Instagram! 

7:54:00 AM

Another great spotlight for you all today! If you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, writer, etc., and are interested in a feature on The Spotlight, please visit our Features/Submissions page for more info!

Today, we have indie pop singer/songwriter, Chloe Baker, better known as Bitter’s Kiss! Hailing from New Jersey, Chloe grew up in a musical family and got the bug when she was really young. “I grew up around instruments and have been singing ever since I was really little,” she said, also stating that she loved writing and musical theater as well. “This love of writing and singing meant making music from as young as I can remember.” With a recording studio in her family home, Chloe’s father eventually allowed her to record her first original song when he though she was old enough.


Growing up in a diverse area, the singer was inspired by people of different races and socioeconomic status, but also acknowledged her parents helped to mold her and her music as well. “My parents gave me a lot of freedom to make my own choices growing up and I think that has helped me mature and grow as a person as well,” Chloe stated. She also has developed her own eclectic style of music due to the variety of music she grew up listening to, from rap to country music. “I think whether it is rap, country, rock, or pop music, the music that inspires me is the music that sends a message and has meaning behind it,” she said. “Some artists that I think do this are The Beatles, Carole King, and N.W.A.”

Chloe admitted that it was always her dream to make music a full-time career, though she wasn’t sure if it would be a stable occupation for her. “Once I put my songs on SoundCloud and got a great response, it showed me that I do have a shot at doing this as a career and I decided it was what I was going to do,” she admitted. She chose to the name “Bitter’s Kiss,” for her artist name after recording her first album, deciding that the name fit her music well. “Like my music, it is a name that can represent that good things exist within bad ones and vice versa,” Chloe revealed. “Also, since I was just starting out and wasn’t sure what direction my music would take, I wanted to classify myself as a project. Bitter’s Kiss started as a project name that has now stuck as my artist name.”

In her career thus far, Chloe has garnered attention all over the globe, creating powerful songs dealing with love, religion, suicide, etc. Her most recent track, “No One Will,” is a song discussing trust issues in relationships, one that Chloe believes is not against love, but shows the downside of love. “It is basically saying that even though it is sad not [to] be loved, not loving protects you from being hurt,” she admitted. “The inspiration for this song comes from the stories about love hurting people both physically and emotionally that I hear about and witness all the time.”

Check out the video for the track below!


Currently, the artist is working on a new EP as well as some new EDM music! She is also planning to do more live shows this coming summer as well as continue to work towards becoming a better artist. In terms of what separates her from the back, she believes it’s her personality and messages that shines through her music. “I think that my sound is very raw because I am not trying to be anyone else but myself,” Chloe said. “I am not afraid to get messages across and discuss issues often ignored. I take certain situations and show a different side of them. Mostly, I think a lot of people today get caught up in the glitz and glam of stardom and I am just in it because of my love for music.”

In the future, Chloe wants to be touring, building up her fan base, and connecting with more people all over the world as Bitter’s Kiss. She would also love to collaborate with some of her favorite artists like John Legend and Kendrick Lamar. “I am trying to take things day by day and make the best decisions to better my chances of reaching these goals,” Chloe stated.

You can check out more from Chloe as Bitter’s Kiss on her official website and SoundCloud. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

9:10:00 AM

It only took two episodes for NBC to renew Little Big Shots for a 13-episode second season!

According to Deadline, the network expected that the show would do well, and already it's been great to watch! Host Steve Harvey said, “I’ve been amazed at how smart and talented these kids are." Ellen DeGeneres, who is executive producer of the series along with Steve, added,  “They may be small in stature, but they’re giants in what they’re able to do.”

The Sunday premiere of the show averaged a 2.8 rating in adults 18-49 and 14.8 million viewers overall in Live and Same Day, making it NBC’s most-watched regularly scheduled Sunday entertainment program since March 2005, excluding post-Super Bowl shows. 

The high ratings and high anticipating has paid off and granted the show another season! You can catch these little singers, dancers, and more every Sunday on NBC 8:00 p.m. EST!

Image via NBC

5:11:00 AM

First Lady Michelle Obama got bars?!?

As a part of both her Let Girls Learn initiative and the White House's #62MillionGirls Campaign, the First Lady has dropped a new track called "This Is For My Girls!" The song features top musical acts Missy Elliott, Zendaya, Kelly Clarkson, Kelly Rowland, Janelle Monáe, Lea Michele, Chloe & Halle and Jada Grace to help promote the two programs.


According to Baller Alert, all of the artists involved have also waived all royalties and fees to participate in the song, with all proceeds going towards the Peace Corps' Let Girls Learn Fund. 

The Diane Warren-written track is available now on iTunes! Check out the track and let us know how you like it!

Image via VIBE

5:55:00 AM

Back in December, we featured electro/R&B artist Devin Nash, a talented singer currently based out of Atlanta. Well now Devin has released his new EP entitled Her!

As we reported previously, the project takes listeners through Devin's journey of love, from the beautiful beginning to the bitter end. It's definitely a vulnerable, soulful project that I think you guys will enjoy.

Check out the project below!



You can check out more from Devin on YouTube, Reverb Nation, and SoundCloud. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! 

5:55:00 AM

A new interesting series to watch!

According to Deadline, Tristan Wilds and Aisha Hinds have landed roles on Fox's new Television Series 'Shots Fired'. The show will also feature actors Sanaa Lathan and Stephan James.


Tristan will be playing the lead role of Officer Belk, a local sheriff who has to deal with the aftermath of his character shooting a white teenager. Aisha will play the role of a young activist who exposes the town for the hypocrisy that arises from the incident.

Tristan recently mentioned on the Rap Radar Podcast that shooting will start in just a few weeks on this dramatic series! We here at The Spotlight are really looking forward to this show and will keep you informed of any more details!

Photo Taken From VOICE

5:07:00 AM

The final trailer is here! Coming out on May 6th, 2016, Marvel has released the final trailer for Captain America 3: Civil War aka Avengers 2.5!

This one features the most quiet kept hero that's making his debut...Spider-Man! I've already watched this trailer about 10 times and will be purchasing my ticket ASAP!

Check out the trailer below and stay tuned to The Spotlight for more info!

Image via Marvel

1:13:00 PM

Amazon is set to debut a new live, daily show that will be dedicated to fashion and beauty!

The show will be called Style Code Live, a 30-minute show that will premiere Monday through Friday at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT. The show will be offered to all viewers online for free!



According to Variety, the hosts of the show include Lyndsey Rodrigues (MTV's Total Request Live), Rachel Smith ( ABC News correspondent for Good Morning America), and Frankie Grande (CBS's Big Brother 16). The show will offer tips on fashion and beauty, and viewers will be able to shop for corresponding products. As of now, the show will not feature any advertising.

Munira Rahemtulla, head of the show, told Variety , "Our viewers have been asking for fashion and beauty tips, we wanted to build something for them, so we came up with 'Style Code Live,' we think this is something viewers are really looking for."

Image via Amazon

11:00:00 AM

Another spotlight for the week, and more on the way! As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, writer, dancer, etc., and would like a feature on The Spotlight, please visit our Features/Submissions page for more information!

Today, we have hip hop artist Tony Benefit! Hailing from Chicago, Tony began freestyling around the age of 14. He was found one day rapping on the corner by Carlos Polk, a member of legendary Chicago underground group, Eratick Statik. Carlos brought Tony to the group’s shows and studio sessions, where Tony started at the bottom, throwing water and t-shirts to the crowd. Eventually though, the artist was able to spit his own rhymes at the shows. “Once the crowd was receptive to what I was doing, it just kind of built from there,” Tony said. “I became a bigger part of the show, and, once I went on the road with them, I started building my own following.”

The rapper admitted that his hometown plays a huge role in his sound. “Chicago, I always say, is a melting pot of talent where you can line up 10 rapper and no two of them sound the same,” Tony stated. The city itself, he noted, is made up of diverse and creative music and art scenes that is inspirational. “It gave me a well-rounded sound where I can blend in with the underground, but also [I] know how to transition and write radio material,” the artist added. In addition to his city, Tony is inspired by hip hop artists like Nas, Busta Rhymes, Planet Asia, Sean Price, and more, but also Ozzy Osbourne, Ryan Leslie, and Chris Martin of Coldplay. “I’m really into the artistry,” Tony said of his influences. “I consider myself a songwriter first, and an MC second.”

With Tony being raised in and inspired by the 90s golden era of hip hop, we spoke briefly his opinion of the state of hip hop today. “I don’t feel like it’s as powerful as it was when I was coming of age. I feel like the messages were stronger back then,” he admitted. “There’s always been good and bad [but] there was a good balance. Now, it’s like 90% bad and you got to search for the good.” However, he feels like the artists that he may not necessarily listen to are necessary to still have fun music in the genre, balancing out the more serious lyricists. “I think the two biggest differences between then and now is, back then, you couldn’t just say anything on record. Somebody had to vouch for it. Somebody was going to do their research and dig up some history. Now everybody just gets a pass,” Tony said. “Two, there was a lot more pressure to be original back then. Now, you can sound like whoever just came before you.”

In terms of what he brings to the table that makes him stand out, Tony believes that he is a complete MC. “I have the voice, the cadence, the delivery, the timing, the concepts.” the artist confidently said. “You have to have all of that. You can’t have a good voice with bad lyrics. You can’t have a catchy song with no message.” The artist also added that he brings great songwriting to the game, something that is rare in hip hop. “My songs are really conceptual. They’re more like movies or plays,” Tony said.

Having built a good following through his music and performances, Tony was recently signed to a record deal to LuJon Records/IMG Recordings after working closely with PR company Lions Vision. “That was the missing ingredient,” he disclosed. “I had done so much on my own, and had taken it pretty much as far as I could go. When they came into the picture, publications started jumping off. It just kind of came about like that.” The company sent over some of Tony’s material that was unmixed, and liked what they heard. Once the label heard a mastered mix of his work, they officially made the decision to sign, and now Tony’s building an even bigger buzz!

Most recently, the artist released his track, “Lite It Up.” The beat, which was produced by Atlanta’s Jay Nasty, caught Tony’s ear on SoundClick. “I heard the chorus and the concept was kind of already there,” he said. “All I had to do was kind of fill in the blanks and just create the full picture.” It features vocals from R&B singer Cory Jones and a guitar solo from Phil Absurd. Check out the official video for the track below!


Currently, Tony is finalizing his full-length mixtape, City Boyz Presents: Order out of Chaos, which goes back to our conversation about the state of the music industry today. “I feel like it’s chaotic. Everybody’s sounding the same. There’s no guidance.” he said. “I feel like I’m making it okay to not only be original and be yourself, but [that] you can still be talented and dope, and sell records.” He’s literally creating order out of chaos with his music!

In addition to the tape, he’s working on new music videos as well as other music features and collaborations. Also, as an actor, he has an upcoming role in a project that is a play off of Ghostbusters, which will begin filming in April. He also has a few other acting projects, including a role in a new webseries called Kingdom Come, as well as a new upcoming NBC sitcom called Love is a Four Letter Word with Rockmond Dunbar and Cynthia McWilliams.

In the future, Tony wants to be considered one of the best hip hop songwriters of all time. “That’s my number one goal. I’m not concerned about money or accolades or anything like that,” he said. “I just want people to be like ‘That dude was a great songwriter. He made it happen.’” He gave a wise piece of advice to upcoming artists who want to make names for themselves in the music world. “I would tell them to do THEIR music. Do not follow the sound of the moment. That’s the best advice that I could give.”

You can check out more from Tony on his official website as well as Reverb Nation and YouTube. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! 

9:14:00 AM

Move over Genius! (just kidding!) Looks like someone has gotten hold of the lyrics of the late West Coast legendary rapper Tupac Shakur! 

According to Rolling Stone Magazine, three notebooks owned by Pac, containing handwritten lyrics, music video ideas and other notes will be auctioned for fans!
The auction house set to sell the items is Moment In Time, the same auction house that sold his hand-written letter from his time in pprison. The lyrics to songs like "16 on Death Row," "It Ain't Easy," and "Keep Ya Head Up" are all within these notebooks. 

There currently isn't a set price for the notebooks yet, because Moment In Time has said they might sell the pages separately. As a fan, I would personally rather see the whole notebook be sold together and not be ripped up. Stay tuned to The Spotlight for any info!

Image via Tim Mosenfelder/ImageDirect

5:08:00 AM

MTV has announced the nominees for the 2016 MTV Movie Awards, which will be hosted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart, on April 10 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. This year's show will also mark 25 years that the awards have been airing, so it's definitely going to be a great show!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens leads the pack with 11 nominations, with Deadpool snagging 8 noms! The nominations include typical categories like Movie of the Year, Best Male and Best Female Performance, etc, but also MTV's standard, creative categories like Breakthrough Performance, Best Kiss, and Best Fight!  Fans are able to cast their votes for their favorite movies online now through March 20, so get to voting guys!

Check out the list of nominees for the MTV Movie Awards below and see if your favorite movie or actor scored a nom!

Movie of the Year
–Avengers: Age of Ultron
–Creed
–Deadpool
–Jurassic World
–Star Wars: The Force Awakens
–Straight Outta Compton

True Story
–Concussion
–Joy
–Steve Jobs
–Straight Outta Compton
–The Big Short
–The Revenant

Documentary
–Amy
–Cartel Land
–He Named Me Malala
–The Hunting Ground
–The Wolfpack
–What Happened, Miss Simone?

Best Female Performance
-Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina
-Anna Kendrick, Pitch Perfect 2
-Charlize Theron, Mad Max: Fury Road
-Daisy Ridley, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
-Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
-Morena Baccarin, Deadpool

Best Male Performance
-Chris Pratt, Jurassic World
-Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
-Matt Damon, The Martian
-Michael B. Jordan, Creed
-Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool
-Will Smith, Concussion

Breakthrough Performance
-Amy Schumer, Trainwreck
-Brie Larson, Room
-Daisy Ridley, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
-Dakota Johnson, Fifty Shades of Grey
-John Boyega, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
-O’Shea Jackson Jr., Straight Outta Compton

Best Comedic Performance
-Amy Schumer, Trainwreck
-Kevin Hart, Ride Along 2
-Melissa McCarthy, Spy
-Rebel Wilson, Pitch Perfect 2
-Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool
-Will Ferrell, Get Hard

Best Action Performance
-Chris Pratt, Jurassic World
-Dwayne Johnson, San Andreas
-Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2
-John Boyega, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
-Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool
-Vin Diesel, Furious 7

Best Hero
-Charlize Theron, Mad Max: Fury Road
-Chris Evans, Avengers: Age of Ultron
-Daisy Ridley, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
-Dwayne Johnson, San Andreas
-Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2
-Paul Rudd, Ant-Man

Best Villain
-Adam Driver, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
-Ed Skrein, Deadpool
-Hugh Keays-Byrne, Mad Max: Fury Road
-James Spader, Avengers: Age of Ultron
-Samuel L. Jackson, Kingsman: The Secret Service
-Tom Hardy, The Revenant

Best Virtual Performance
-Amy Poehler, Inside Out
-Andy Serkis, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
-Jack Black, Kung Fu Panda 3
-James Spader, Avengers: Age of Ultron
-Lupita Nyong’o, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
-Seth MacFarlane, Ted 2

Ensemble Cast
–Avengers: Age of Ultron
–Furious 7
–Pitch Perfect 2
–Star Wars: The Force Awakens
–The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2
–Trainwreck

Best Kiss
-Amy Schumer & Bill Hader, Trainwreck
-Dakota Johnson & Jamie Dornan, Fifty Shades of Grey
-Leslie Mann & Chris Hemsworth, Vacation
-Margot Robbie & Will Smith, Focus
-Morena Baccarin & Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool
-Rebel Wilson & Adam DeVine, Pitch Perfect 2

Best Fight
-Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) vs. Ajax (Ed Skrein), Deadpool
-Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) vs. The Bear, The Revenant
-Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) vs. Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy), Mad Max: Fury Road
-Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) vs. Hulk (Mark Ruffalo),Avengers: Age of Ultron
-Rey (Daisy Ridley) vs. Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), Star Wars: The Force Awakens
-Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) vs. Lia (Nargis Fakhri),Spy

Image via NY Daily News

6:05:00 AM

I was happy to review Alessia Cara's album Know-It-All, when it was released this past November. Now the singer is back with a new video for one of my favorite tracks on the project, "Wild Things!"

In the beginning, Alessia introduces the video, along with a group of her friends, explaining the concept of the song. "To me, 'where the wild things are' is a place that exists in our minds. It's a place of liberty and shamelessness," she said.  "It can take a split second of our lifetime to find it, but once you do you’ll be free."

The video itself is very carefree as the singer and her crew hang out, roam the streets, play music and even light up some fireworks. They're perfectly fine with doing their own thing, and resisting the urge to follow the norm. That's what I love about Alessia in general. She creates her own cool.

Check out the video below!


Image via Hip Hop Canada

5:19:00 AM

Looks like the young Disney actress/singer Zendaya has landed a major role!

According to The Stashed, she will be playing the role of a character named Michelle in the new Spider-Man reboot film.


The film, which will be Zendaya's first feature film, that's set to drop July 7th, 2017. Tom Holland has already been casted to play the main role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man and will make his debut in the new Captain America: Civil War film.

As a fan of super-hero films but still tired of all the Spider-Man reboots, I'm more eager to see the film now! Stay tuned to The Spotlight as more details become available about the reboot!

3:42:00 PM

Singer Timothy J. Wilson has released a new 2-in-1 music video that y'all should definitely check out!

The artist drops two visuals for tracks "Dance With Her" and "So Bad," both featuring model Fania J as his leading lady! Both tracks and videos bring the funk that Timothy is known for, as well as the electric chemistry between him and Fania (great acting)!

Of course, since we featured him on The Spotlight back in August, we've seen this talented singer on the grind, releasing the project and several music videos since. He definitely has a lot of things up his sleeve, and we look forward to seeing more.

Check out the 2-in-1 video below!



You can check out more from this talented singer on his official website as well as SoundCloud and YouTube. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter,and Instagram! 

7:19:00 AM

Looks like we may be getting a new crossover movie between two funny films!

According to The Source, we'll be seeing a team-up of sorts between both Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill's Jump Street characters Jenko and Schmidt, along with Agents J and K.
However, mainstays Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones won't be returning as the two main characters from the Men In Black franchise. Sony Films is planning to cast younger actors for the roles in order to reboot the franchise.

The directors of the first two Jump Street films, Peter Lord and Chris Miller will be returning as producers this time around. They will not be available to direct because they are already committed to directing the upcoming Han Solo film. Filming for the crossover is expected to begin in June.

As a fan of both franchises, I'm very skeptical of how this will turn out, but will wait until there is more info on the film and see it for myself!

Image via The Source

6:30:00 AM

         

Kerry Washington is hitting the screen again, and she won't be playing Olivia Pope!  The Scandal  star will be featured in HBO's upcoming film, Confirmation! 
According to PEOPLE, this film is about the 1991 sexual harassment scandal that took place in Washington, D.C. Kerry plays Anita Hill, a university professor who accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment. In the trailer below, Hill, after deciding to come forward, faces extreme backlash from the media and elected officials, who wonder why it took her so long to break her silence and if she's really telling the truth. The film also stars Wendell Pierce as Thomas, alongside Erika Christensen, Jennifer Hudson, Greg Kinnear, Jeffrey Wright, Bill Irwin, and Eric Stonestreet in supporting roles.  Confirmation premieres April 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET on HBO. Check out the trailer below!
Image via Frank Masi/HBO

8:00:00 AM

Lady Gaga is coming back to American Horror Story!



According to Billboard, the singer admitted the news in an interview with New York radio station Z100's Elvis Duran on Friday (Mar. 4) that she would indeed be returning. Gaga simply answered "yes" when asked, but wouldn't give up any other details. "I can't promise you how or when or anything like that," she said.

Gaga made her acting debut in the fifth season of the FX horror series, and even won a Golden Globe award for her performance (Best Actress in a Limited TV series)!

Creator Ryan Murphy confirmed late last year that he had asked Gaga to return for season six, but she has been mum on her intentions until now. It hasn't been any official announcement yet, with the only confirmed returning cast member being Angela Bassett. However, it's pretty safe to say Gaga will be back to the show is some capacity.

Though no other details about the story or location have been released,  FX chief John Landgraf revealed in January that the new story will be "principally set in the present."

Image via Getty Images

11:30:00 AM

Jessica Simpson has released her new ad campaign for her Spring/Summer '16 collection! 

According to PEOPLE, this line is definitely boho-chic, incorporating prints and fringe. In the ad above, Jessica shows off her legs in an olive green romper ($89) that looks gorgeous on her, complete with floral printed platform heels and a yellow leather purse. “My mom and I worked together on the styling for this shoot, and as luck would have it, a trunk from our showrooms in NY was lost in transit the day before the shoot!" Jessica said of her experience shooting for the ads. "We had to rework a few of the looks last minute and we really love how the styling turned out. It was a blessing in disguise.”

The New Edition: Get an exclusive first look at our #SS16 collection look book! <link in our bio>

A photo posted by Jessica Simpson Collection (@jessicasimpsonstyle) on Mar 3, 2016 at 1:04pm PST

Jessica's brand has literally turned into a $1 BILLION empire, including not only clothing, but branching out to over 30 categories including fragrance, accessories, kids and home. Jessica credits her success to her mentors as well as working alongside her mother, Tina Simpson.  “I am aware that I don’t know everything, so it is important that I look to the people around me who I trust to have fresh and innovative ideas," she admitted. "As the collection has grown, I have learned the importance of staying true to my identity, following my own gut and fighting for the things I believe in.”

She's definitely doing well for herself! Congrats to Jessica on this new collection!

Images via Jessica Simpson/Instagram

6:02:00 AM

The official trailer for the new Ghostbusters reboot has officially dropped...slime filled and all!

The film has an all-female leading cast this time around, including Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones.


The reboot also includes tributes to the original movie with the New York Public Library and Slimer, the green ghost. Though they aren't in the trailer, it's been confirmed that three of the original members, Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd and Ernie Hudson make an appearance in the movie.

Ghostbusters drops July 15th and I know I'm very excited to see this new spin on the classic original! Check out the trailer below!

1:10:00 PM

Actress Ruby Rose has snagged a new opportunity as spokesperson of beauty brand Urban Decay! 

According to Refinery 29, in a statement yesterday (Mar. 2), the brand announced the new collaboration with the bold and sexy Orange Is The New Black actress. They even gave her the title of Most Addictive New Vice!

"Urban Decay believes in supporting individuality and personal self-expression — two values I hold very dear — because everyone deserves the freedom to explore their personality and discover their true selves,” Ruby said of the brand. I

So what exactly is Ruby responsible for? "Just to keep on rocking our world and spreading the gospel of our self-expression, addiction to color, and beauty with an edge," said founder Wende Zomnir. Urban Decay definitely fits Ruby's style, since they both do whatever they want with no apologies!  

Congrats to Ruby on this new venture! Can't wait to see more looks from the brand!

Image via Urban Decay

5:38:00 AM

The official trailer for the biopic surrounding Nina Simone's life, entitled Nina, has been released!

Of course, the movie, which stars Zoe Saldana,  has been met with much controversy, specifically around the concept of colorism. Originally shot some years ago, the film features Zoe in heavy makeup and prosthetic makeup to create the illusion that she is as dark as Nina was. Many are in an uproar, stating that there were other dark-skinned actresses that could've played Nina, and that's true. However, I respect Zoe as an actress, so I might go see this. I will say, though, that this make up simply did not work for her.

The movie has already been put on blast by Nina's own daughter, Lisa Celeste Stroud, known by her stage name, Simone. A tweet even went out yesterday from Nina's official Twitter account stating to Zoe, “Cool story but please keep Nina’s name out of your mouth. For the rest of your life.” Wow.

Nina is set for release on April 22. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think!


Image via That Grape Juice

5:05:00 AM

Another great feature for you guys today! As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, writer, etc., please visit our Features/Submissions page for more info!

Today, we have writer Dee “Mz DeeVa” Shields! Raised in the live music capital of the world, Austin, Texas, Dee was born into a family of musicians and writers. “I took on more of the skill of writing, alongside a deep love and appreciation of music from many genres,” the writer stated.  Dee graduated in 2000 from Austin Business College with a degree in Administrative Specialization, but went on to study Social Work and Psychology at Central Texas College and the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. She is also set to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix this spring, and will continue on to receive her masters and eventually doctorate in the field.

In the midst of her studies, Dee went on to develop and grow with her writing over the years.  

Inspired by Pastor Joel Osteen , Iyanla Vanzant, and Terry McMillan, and using her own knowledge and experiences, she has been able to write several self-published books to help others. Her first project was her own memoir, Great Sex Is Not Love, which was released in 2011. “I wanted my future readers to know my personal life story before any other project,” Dee said of her memoir.

Dee has gone on to write several self-help books surrounding love, heartbreak, forgiveness, and other topics for readers. “I see so many suffer behind broken hearts and struggle at finding a sense of normalcy when their world is turned upside down by heartbreak, that I knew I could relate and had some strategies that worked for me that the world of the broken hearted needed to hear,” the author said of her desire to help others with her words.

Her most recent book, Reasons He Dates Plus-Size,  was released in August 2015, and is the start of a new series for Dee. “With the ‘Reasons’ series I plan to touch a variety of dating topics,” she said. Inspired from a topic on her Battle of the Sexes web radio show, the author dives into why men from all walks of life gravitate towards plus-size women. “I know now, after experiencing some years in a plus body, the type of games certain types play,” Dee said. “I wanted to highlight it in a published project that could be shared to prevent another lady from the games that are played out there.”  Currently, Dee is working on the next book in the “Reasons” series—Reasons She is Obsessive Over a Man.

In terms of what sets her apart from other writers, Dee believes that her combined education and experiences make her stand out. “My personal experiences, along with my psychology studies, give me a positive edge to relate to my readers and what they, or a friend, may be going through at the time,” she said. In the future, Dee hopes to expand to hosting seminars, men and women’s empowerment retreats and other speaking engagements where she can get more of her advice out to the masses!

You can check out Dee's various works on Amazon! Also, be sure to connect with her on Twitter! 

9:47:00 AM

Atlanta-based singer SHADED FOREVER has released his debut single, "What You Want," for listeners!

On the track, produced by Soslo, the artist sings of being the best option for a special woman in his life. Out of all of the other guys that may be pursuing her, he confidently believes that he brings the most to the table. "I know what you want....girl I'll ride for you, give my life to you," the singer croons.

Check out the track below!


You can check out future tracks from the singer on SoundCloud, as well as connect with him on Instagram!

6:15:00 AM