Some big names have just signed on to the highly anticipated Roots remake. Forest Whitaker, Derek Luke and Anika Noni Rose have all been added to the cast of the upcoming A&E miniseries, joining Laurence Fishburne, who had already signed on to the project as Haley. Whitaker will play Fiddler, Kunta Kinte’s mentor; Rose will play Kizz, Kunta Kinte’s daughter; and Luke steps into the shoes of Silla Ba Dibba, a military trainer. Keep an eye out for the reboot sometime next year. [Variety]
Prepare yourself for greatness. R&B legend Mary J. Blige just announced that she would be going on tour with a very special guest: Tamar Braxton. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul announced the news in a tweet earlier today, sharing that Braxton would be joining her on her 12-date tour, MJB Live!, scheduled to kick off on Oct. 30 in Augusta, Georgia. Do you have your tickets yet? [Rap-Up]
Lionel Richie is packing his bags and preparing to jet off to the Vegas Strip. The “Hello” singer just signed on to perform 20 shows as part of a Las Vegas residency that is scheduled to begin next April. One thing that he’ll definitely be bringing with him? His 20-year-old son, Miles! “I asked [Miles], ‘So, Miles, what do you think about Vegas? Should I do it?” Richie told BBC. “He goes, ‘Oh my God, Dad. We are going to have the greatest time.” Snag your tickets when they go on sale tomorrow. [BBC News]
It’s a Braxton takeover on Lifetime! The network has just approved filming of Unbreak My Heart, a Toni Braxton biopic. Braxton, who already stars on the network’s Braxton Family Values, has signed on to star and produce the film, which will follow the singer’s tumultuous life, from her fight with Lupus, her financial problems and her journey raising an autistic son. Production is scheduled to begin by December. [The YBF]
If the rumors are true, Dwayne Johnson could be welcoming a Baby Rock very soon! According to sources, Johnson’s longtime girlfriend, Lauren Hashian, is pregnant with the couple’s first child. The San Andreas star has one daughter, 14-year-old Simone, with his ex-wife, Dany Garcia. [New York Daily News]
