October 28, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC(LOS ANGELES) — The upcoming Aretha Franklin biographical film Respect is the latest in a line of major films to see a delayed release due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

MGM has announced that the film, starring Jennifer Hudson as Franklin, is being pushed from its January 15, 2021 release date to August 13.

Respect follows Franklin’s journey from her childhood, singing in her church choir, to becoming one of music’s most legendary acts. The film also stars Forest Whitaker and Audra McDonald as Franklin’s father and mother, respectively, Marlon Wayans as Franklin’s manager and first husband Ted White, and Marc Maron as Franklin’s legendary producer, Jerry Wexler.

Rounding out the cast is Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington, Tituss Burgess as the King of Gospel, James Cleveland, and Heather Headley as Clara Ward. 

Hudson, who won an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls in 2007, was personally selected by Franklin for the role.  Franklin died in 2018.

Originally scheudled to hit theaters in August 2020, the release date for the biographical film was shuffled several times in response to the pandemic, which has led to the delayed release of dozens of other films.

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

October 28, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic(LOS ANGELES) — With the children of celebrities now joining social media, Nicole Kidman revealed that her two daughters will be staying far away from Instagram.

Speaking to British talk show Loose Women on Tuesday, the Academy Award-winner said that she doesn’t feel comfortable enough to allow nine-year-old Faith and 12-year-old Sunday on Instagram.

“The technology. I’m not very techy myself. It’s very hard for me to monitor it and stay on it,” the Big Little Lies star admitted, noting that her stance is constantly being challenged. “I have a 12-year-old right now who is chomping at the bit and wants to get into all of that.”

However, with Sunday being so young, Kidman remains firm that she will not be allowed on Instagram.

“It’s just that constant push, pull. I’d say a lot of parents would say the same thing,” the 53-year-old actress affirmed, noting that she doesn’t want to risk Instagram negatively affecting their mental health.

“I think it’s keeping their confidence and their self-esteem intact. And still guiding them, not being overbearing, trying not to ‘helicopter parent,'” Kidman explained.  

The Undoing actress elaborated that she isn’t interested in constantly holding her daughters’ hands because that will rob them of important life lessons.

“Allowing them to make mistakes and fall down and not trying to sort of absorb that pain. There are so many things,” she added. “But it’s a joy, it’s a joy having these beautiful little women that are growing up and I’m discovering them day by day. I love it.”

Kidman shares Sunday and Faith with husband Keith Urban, whom the actress lovingly described as “a man who is really mellow” who “can compartmentalize things and go, ‘Don’t worry about that.'”

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

October 28, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Courtesy of HBO (Pictured: Sarah Edmondson, The Vow)(NEW YORK) — After NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison Tuesday, former members of the organization — many of whom were featured on the HBO docu-series The Vow — are speaking out.

Sarah Edmondson, who defected from the cult after being branded in a secret ceremony, reacted to the news on an Instagram Live Tuesday night with comedian Whitney Cummings.

“I am in a total state of shock right now,” she said, later adding while getting emotional, “It’s a huge relief. It’s over. …And also, I feel so f****** safe. I feel so much safer now.”

Dynasty actress Catherine Oxenberg, whose daughter India was part of NXIVM, told People Tuesday that Raniere’s sentence “is a victory on so many levels.”

“Tragically, he abused and exploited my own beloved daughter and countless others. My faith in the justice system is renewed,” Oxenberg said. “Keith can no longer use his power, privilege and access to unlimited wealth to silence and abuse his victims.”

India, the subject of he Starz series Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult, added in her own statement, “I am surrounded by exceptional women and men who all worked so hard to take this person down. My family, friends and I are incredibly validated by the verdict.”

Filmmaker Mark Vincente, a former member of NXIVM turned whistleblower, delivered an impact statement at Raniere’s sentencing. More than a dozen of Raniere’s victims also came forward there and spoke of the sexual and psychological horrors they suffered as Raniere’s “slaves.”

Raniere has been jailed since his June 2019 conviction on charges including sexual exploitation, forced labor and sex trafficking. He maintains his innocence.

Former Smallville actress Allison Mack, who was Raniere’s top lieutenant, is awaiting sentencing on racketeering charges.

Last week, HBO renewed The Vow for season two.

By Andrea Tuccillo
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.