August 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Disney+(LOS ANGELES) — Leslie Odom Jr. shocked Hamilton fans last week when he revealed he almost didn’t appear in the filmed adaptation of the musical.

Odom, who originated the role of Aaron Burr that won him a Tony Award, recently told Dax Shepard on his podcast Armchair Expert why he nearly bowed out of the opportunity.

The 39-year-old explained when executives approached him about filming, he remained adamant that he would not “sell it away for magic beans” nor “give it away” because “This is my area of expertise. This is all I have. This is my life’s work on the stage.”

Odom understood that he was a major part of the production and wanted to ensure he would be compensated fairly. So, he did his homework and asked around to find out what Aaron Tveit, a white actor, made when performing Grease Live! on TV.

“So when I found out what he made, I didn’t ask for a penny more. I didn’t ask for one penny more, but I said, ‘You must pay me exactly what that white boy got to do Grease Live!‘ That’s the bottom line,” Odom recounted.

Apparently, those behind the filmed adaptation didn’t budge, which resulted in the Grammy Award-winner to make one final stand.

“The day before we shot that movie I called out. I was not kidding…I was not coming to work the next day to do the movie,” Odom attested. “It was a principle for me.”

While it is unknown what executives paid the Broadway star in the end, Odom did go on to appear in the movie, which was originally slated to hit theaters in October 2021.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was released early on Disney+ last July, much to the delight of fans everywhere.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

By George Costantino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

August 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Donato Sardella/Getty Images for LACMA(LOS ANGELES) — Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli may be headed to the big house but not before they settle into their new one. 

The former Full House star and her fashion designer husband recently purchased a $9.5 million dollar home located in Hidden Hills, California, according to People. 

The six-bedroom, nine-bathroom contemporary farmhouse home is nuzzled within a gated community and boasts almost 12,000 square feet of living space. Aside from the “sweeping views” and “picturesque hills” outside, their new residence has a backyard complete with a pool, spa, fire pit and BBQ station. And the inside is just as luxurious with a walk-in wine cellar, gym, & movie theatre. 

The couple’s purchase comes after they sold their Bel Air home for just under $18.75 million to Tinder co-founder Justin Mateen. 

Loughlin and Giannulli are currently awaiting sentencing for their involvement in the college admissions scandal. In May, they both agreed to plead guilty and serve time for paying bribes to get their daughters, Olivia Jade Giannulli and Isabella Rose Giannulli, into the University of Southern California as rowing recruits. Neither of them row. 

If their plea agreement is approved by a judge, Loughlin will serve two months in prison, complete 100 hours of community service and pay a fine of $150,000. Giannulli will serve five months, perform 250 hours of community service and pay a $250,000 fine.

The couple’s next court date is set for August 21.

By Danielle Long
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

August 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC PHOTO ARCHIVES(LOS ANGELES) — For Robin Williams’ daughter, Zelda Williams, remembering the comedian on the anniversary of his death is a private affair.

Williams shared in a statement Monday that on “regular, good days,” it’s difficult for her to “graciously accept the world’s need to share their memories of [her father] and express their condolences for his loss.”

On the anniversary of the actor’s death, which occurred on Aug. 11, 2014, it’s “simply too much,” she added.

“While I am constantly touched by all of your boundless continued love for him, some days it can feel a bit like being seen as a roadside memorial — a place, not a person — where people drive past and leave their sentiments to then go about their days comforted their love for him was witnessed,” she wrote. “But sometimes, that leaves me emotionally buried under a pile of other’s memories instead of my own. After all, even roses by the truckload still weigh a ton.”

Robin Williams was 63 when he died by suicide. In subsequent tweets Monday, Zelda Williams, 31, listed contact information for organizations including the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, the Veterans Crisis Line, and the Trevor Project to help those in need.

“Whoever out there needs to hear it, please use this as your signpost in the desert,” she added. “Reach out. Seek help. Keep fighting.”

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK] for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even if it feels like it, you are not alone.

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

August 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Disney Channel/Image Group LA(LOS ANGELES) — As Simon Cowell nurses a broken back, he can rest easy knowing that the empty chair he leaves behind on America’s Got Talent is in great hands.  

Kelly Clarkson announced Monday that she will step in for Cowell while he recuperates by serving as a guest judge this Tuesday and Wednesday.  

“URGENT MEMO…. from yours truly,” Clarkson alerted her 12.2 million followers on Twitter and posted the official announcement that she entitled “Some Changes…”

“My friend, Simon Cowell, is doing better now but was in an accident and won’t be able to make Tuesday and Wednesday’s live shows for AGT,” her statement reads. “But no worries America, someone far wiser, cooler, and hotter is taking his seat!  The unbelievably amazing Kelly Clarkson.”

“You’re welcome in advance,” Clarkson snarkily concluded.

This isn’t Clarkson’s first rodeo in the judge’s chair as she’s been discovering musical talent since 2018 on NBC’s sister reality competition series The Voice. 

In addition, she has several years of hosting duty experience under her belt thanks to her Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show — in addition to hosting the Billboard Music Awards for the past three consecutive years.

You can catch Clarkson, alongside fellow judges Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara — plus host Terry Crews — on America’s Got Talent airing live this Tuesday and Wednesday starting at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

As previously reported, Cowell broke his back in several places after crashing his e-bike on Sunday.  The media mogul remained in good humor over his injury, as he tweeted shortly after coming out of surgery, “Some good advice… If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time.”

It has not been announced when Cowell will return to the show.

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

URGENT MEMO…. from yours truly! 😜 @AGT @SimonCowell #AGT pic.twitter.com/msAjXqxBB1

— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) August 10, 2020

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August 10, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Disney+(NEW YORK) — The original cast of the Broadway hit Hamilton are virtually reuniting for an important cause. 

Hamilton creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Daveed Diggs, Anthony Ramos, Okieriete Onaodowan, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Renee Elise Goldsberry are among the original cast members who are coming together for the final HAM4CHANGE virtual livestream in benefit of a series of organizations combating systemic racism. 

The two-hour livestream will be hosted by Andrew Chappelle and feature a variety of interactive games, behind-the-scenes facts about the Broadway smash and share previously unrevealed content. 

Fans can also purchase the ultimate fan VIP experience where Lin-Manuel will create a personalized freestyle on the spot during a one-on-one call. Virtual meet-and-greets with individual cast members are also available for purchase. 

Proceeds raised through the livestream will be donated to African American Policy Forum, which works to dismantle systemic racism by connecting activists and policy-makers; Know Your Rights Camp, fighting for liberation of the Black community through education and shape leaders for the future; and the Black AIDS Institute that works to end the HIV epidemic among the Black community and provide critical resources. 

The special livestream will take place on August 15 through video app Looped at 7 p.m. ET.

By Cillea Houghton
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