Disney+ Lands Detroit Youth Choir Docuseries & Scripted Series From Blumhouse TV, Maniac Prods. & Campfire – In a competitive situation, Disney+ has landed a two-project package based on the inspirational story behind America’s Got Talent finalists the Detroit Youth Choir, from Blumhouse Television, Maniac Productions and Campfire. The streamer has picked up Choir, a six-episode unscripted docuseries about DYC, marking the first original series order for Blumhouse at Disney+. A companion scripted series also is in development by the same production team at Disney Branded Television for the streaming service. Writer/producer and showrunner Anthony Sparks (Queen Sugar, The Blacklist) is attached to create the scripted drama series and will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Both projects had been in the works at Blumhouse for several months. – Read more at Deadline
Mastercard and Jennifer Hudson Launch Multi-Faceted Platform Supporting Black Women-Owned Businesses – -Black women-owned businesses are vital to our economy and are amongst the hardest hit by the impacts of the pandemic. Today, Mastercard is announcing the Strivers Initiative, a consumer-facing platform, elevating the visibility of Black female business owners overcoming obstacles to maintain and grow their business, as role models for the community and future generations. The initiative will kick-off with a national ad spot featuring Black women business owners from across the U.S. and GRAMMY Award winning singer/songwriter Jennifer Hudson. The initiative will include a grant program in partnership with Fearless Fund, a VC fund built by women of color for women of color. This will be complemented by a multi-city educational road show driving awareness of the state of women and minority-owned business in cities across the U.S. and providing insights into progressive actions cities can take to foster an equitable business climate. – Read more at Business Wire
Jennifer Hudson Spoke To Aretha Franklin Weekly Before Her Passing
Catching up with Maddie Poppe: DIY home projects fill time between concerts, songwriting – “Anyone who goes through that situation, it’s such an overnight change. There’s no rule book. You have to figure things out for yourself,” she said, admitting, “I used to be more naive.” Now 23, the singer/songwriter has become a confident, strong woman. “I’ve learned that I have to stand up for myself and make choices for me, what’s best for me. That’s something you learn along the way.” Poppe will perform a trio of acoustic grandstand shows during the annual Eastern Iowa Sportshow on March 12-14. The 46th annual sports show takes place at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Her shows are at 6 p.m. March 12, 4 p.m. March 13 and 1 p.m. March 14 in the nearby McLeod Center. – Read more at WCFCourier
Randy Jackson on Giving Advice to Simon Cowell After Undergoing His Own Spinal Surgery (Exclusive) – “I also had spine surgery a year and a half or so ago, so it’s funny both he and I are having all these back pains,” Jackson reflected. “But he’s doing great. He’s really doing great.” “I kid him,” Jackson said. “I say, ‘Look, we’re getting a little bit older, we’re 36 now, internally, but we ain’t 30 no more dawg. We gotta like respect the body, yo!'” – Read more at ETOnline
Jackie Tohn’s Netflix Show Transforms Leftovers Into Gourmet Food – Kelly asks Jackie about American Idol and she gets the season wrong! She competed on SEASON 8, not season 9. She did remember that Adam Lambert competed on her season. And that she made the Top 36. She mocked her outfits, and apologized to Kelly for singing better than her (SHE WAS KIDDING.)
