November 2, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Amy Sussman/FilmMagic(LOS ANGELES) — Congratulations are in order for Ashlee Simpson and husband Evan Ross, who welcomed their baby boy over the weekend.

The couple, who first announced they were expecting in April, revealed that they welcomed their second child together on Friday.

“Ziggy Blu Ross,” Simpson gushed on Saturday when she shared a tender photo of the sleeping newborn with her and Ross’ hands over him. “Our sweet boy has arrived! I’m over the MOON we are so Blessed!”

Ross, who is the son of Diana Ross, expressed similar sentiments when announcing the good news on his respective Instagram.  “Our son has arrived,” he celebrated.  “I’m in heaven!”

The couple were quickly overwhelmed with congratulatory remarks from famous friends and family members.

Ashlee’s sister, Jessica Simpson, made it very well known she intends to cement her status as little Ziggy’s favorite aunt when she commented, “Auntie Jess loves you Ziggy Blu! With my entire heart and being I will endlessly be by your side. You are beautifully and perfectly made precious boy.”

Other warm regards came from Younger star Hilary Duff, who recently announced she’s expecting her third child, who wrote, “Congrats guys!! Beautiful baby boy!”  Meanwhile, singer Jojo excitedly expressed, “What a BLESSING!!!! Congratulations to the angelic addition to your beautiful family all my LOVE!!!”

Zelda Williams earned a few laughs when she sweetly remarked, “Congrats on your new tiny universe lovebugs! May your hearts be as full as his diapers.”

Simpson and Ross wed in August 2014.  Besides Ziggy, they are also the parents of their five-year-old daughter, Jagger Snow.

The “Pieces of Me” singer also shares an 11-year-old son, Bronx Mowgli, with ex-Pete Wentz.

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

November 2, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Sami Drasin(LOS ANGELES) — Acclaimed actress Taraji P. Henson has been announced as the host of the 2020 American Music Awards, which will air Sunday, Nov. 22 from 8 to 11 p.m. ET on ABC.

“The AMAs brings together the music community to celebrate what really drives all artists — the fans. I’m proud to take the stage as this year’s host -– and also a fan — for what promises to be an electrifying night of music,” the Emmy-winning Empire star and Oscar-nominated actress said in a statement.

This year, Dua Lipa scored an American Music Awards nomination for favorite female artist in the pop/rock category, alongside Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. The 25-year-old is also competing in the favorite pop/rock song category with Lewis Capaldi, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch and The Weeknd.

Malone, Ricch and The Weeknd are also up for up for artist of the year, along with Swift and Justin Bieber. Capaldi and Ricch will also face off in the new artist of the year category, alongside Doja Cat, DaBaby, Lil Baby and Megan Thee Stallion.

The Weeknd and Ricch lead the group of nominees this year, garnering eight each. Megan Thee Stallion follows closely behind, with five nods.

This year’s American Music Awards ceremony will be broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

By Steve Iervolino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

November 2, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Dana Nalbandian/WireImage(NEW YORK) — Hollywood lost prolific director and producer David Rodriguez last week at the age of 50. He is most well known for his work on Showtime’s The Chi. 

Deadline reports that Rodriguez suffered a stroke on Thursday, October 29 and later died from complications.

Rodriguez, who served in United States Marine Corps, first started his career in law enforcement but took a leap of faith into the entertainment industry in 2003.  The risk paid off, with him scoring producer and director credits in the 2004 short The Other Side. 

His first major nod came with the 2006 film Push.

Rodriguez later went on to serve as director and producer for a few episodes on Chicago Fie, Scandal, NCIS: Los Angeles, Queen of the South and many others before working full-time on the first season of Showtime’s The Chi in 2018.

He departed the series after season one wrapped and signed on as director and producer for all 26 episodes of TNT’s Animal Kingdom.

Rodriguez also left an indelible mark by serving on the Directors Guild of America, co-chairing its Latino Committee on two occasions and also served on the guild’s Western Directors Council.

Rodriguez is survived by his wife Renee Props Rodriguez and his four sons –& Mitchell, Colin, Brendan and Anthony. 

He also leaves behind his mother Milagros Rodriguez and siblings Janet Rodriguez Campbell and Jackie Rodriguez Parker.

Funeral arrangements are unknown at this time, but fans can honor Rodriguez by donating to a cause near and dear to his heart: the St. Athanasius School of the South Bronx.

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

November 2, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Laretta Houston(LOS ANGELES) — Jeannie Mai’s Dancing with the Stars journey is ending early.

The TV host was hospitalized after being diagnosed with epiglottitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammatory condition that can cause swelling in the flap of tissue that covers the windpipe, blocking airflow to the lungs, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Mai confirmed she has to leave DWTS because of the diagnosis.

“My doctors discovered a health concern with my throat which requires immediate attention and surgery,” she told Good Morning America in an exclusive statement. “I am heartbroken that my DWTS journey has to end here.”

“I have pushed myself to new limits physically and mentally, and I am so proud of how far we’ve come,” she added.

Mai competed with pro dancer Brandon Armstrong on the show.  The pair narrowly escaped elimination in last week’s episode, with judge Carrie Ann Inaba casting the tie-breaking vote in favor of keeping Mai in the competition.

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

November 2, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images(TEXAS) — Hollywood is mourning the death of 30-year-old actor Eddie Hassell, who was shot over the weekend.

Variety reports that Hassell, who appeared in the 2010 movie The Kids Are All Right and the NBC series Surface, was the victim of an alleged carjacking attempt.

Representatives of the late actor say Hassell was shot in Texas on Sunday and are awaiting to release more information pending police investigation.

Born in July 1990, Hassell also made appearances in the movie 2012, the Steve Jobs biopic Jobs and the Showtime series Devious Maids — among others.  He most recently appeared as a waiter in the 2017 movie Oh Lucy!

No further information, including funeral proceedings, are available at this time.

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