Page 25 - Florida Sentinel 11-29-19

Entertainment
Gabrielle Union Fired From 'America's Got Talent'
Kerry Washington Announces She's Directing An Episode Of 'Insecure'
The upcoming season of Insecure will have a very fa- miliar special guest director at the helm for one of its’ episodes and we can’t wait.
Announced earlier this week, the incomparable Kerry Washington will be jumping behind the camera to flex her directing chops for episode 9 of Insecure‘s fourth season. The American Son star joins a growing list of no- table special guests directors for the show, including Regina King and Liesl Tommy, who each directed episodes of season 3. Queen & Slim visionary Melina Matsoukas has also di-
ISSA RAE, YVONNE AND KERRY WASHINGTON
rected multiple episodes across various seasons of the show.
Gabrielle Union will re- portedly not be returning for the next season of America's Got Talent, and it turns out the Being Mary Jane star actually did not leave on her own terms.
TODAY initially confirmed the initial news of Union's de- parture from the hit competi- tion show, only mentioning that the actress will be busy in the coming year "with other projects."
However, according to LoveBScott, Union — who was a judge for one season — was fired after speaking out against some "problematic" situations that were taking place behind-the-scenes of the popular talent competition se- ries, including racism, sexism and more. Her co-judge Ju- lianne Hough will also not be returning for the next sea- son.
"[Union's] contract was not renewed after being the No. 1
GABRIELLE UNION
talent on the show, NBA and network TV," a source from NBC told the site about her de- parture. "She set the record for her Golden Buzzer. They only replace the women and Blacks at Simon [Cowell's] whim. She wouldn't walk away from $12 million because she's 'busy.' Based on weekly inter- actions on social media, by the
time AGT finale aired, Gabrielle was the No. 1 talent on network TV for 2019. Why not pick up someone's option in extreme success?"
The insider added that "Ju- lianne and Gabrielle were both way higher ranked/en- gaged than Howie [Man- del]," who is still employed at the show.
"The idea [that] the network wants to 'switch things up' only applies to women and Black folks," the source claimed. "Nick Cannon wasn't crazy. He walked away from eight- figures over how [AGT] oper- ates."
As previously reported, Nick Cannon claimed in 2017 that he was "threatened with termination by execu- tives" after calling out NBC's racial bias during a stand-up special. The comedian and en- trepreneur eventually decided to quit his hosting duties on the show in February 2017.
Reggae Legend Buju Banton Partners With JAY-Z's Roc Nation
Buju Banton is officially on the Roc Nation roster. The Jamaican reggae and dance- hall icon has signed to JAY- Z’s label, cementing his comeback after being re- leased from prison last year.
In celebration of the new deal, Gargamel premiered the music video for his new single “Steppa” on Friday (November 22). The release swiftly follows the recently published single “Trust,” which dropped on November
14.Buju becomes the second Jamaican reggae artist to rep- resent Roc Nation, following Damian “Jr. Gong” Mar- ley.
Jay continues to broaden the repertoire of artists on his already extensive roster. Other notable acts added this year include Megan Thee Stallion, Griselda Records artists Benny the Butcher
BUJU BANTON
& Westside Gunn and Maxo Kream.
Banton returned to the stage in March for a concert that sold out Jamaica’s na- tional stadium. The show was hailed as the “biggest music event in Jamaica since Bob Marley’s Smile Jamaica concert in 1976,” according to the BBC.
Angela And Vanessa Simmons Mourn The Loss Of Their Grandmother In Heartbreaking Posts
Losing a loved one is always one of the most difficult things anyone can go through, but los- ing someone during the holiday season can be particularly painful.
It’s been a rough two years for entrepreneur and fitness en- thusiast Angela Simmons, who lost the father of her now 3-year-old son in November of 2018. Taking to her Instagram page with heartbreaking post, Simmons mourned the sud- den loss of her grandmother June.
“I can’t believe I’m even typ- ing this. Grandma..I miss you
ANGELA AND VANESSA SIMMONS
already,” she wrote in the cap- tion.
Fellow Simmons siblings Vanessa and JoJo also re-
membered their grandmother on social media, sharing similar messages of disbelief and sad- ness following her passing.
Michael Strahan Wants Ex-Wife To Pay Half For Parenting Coordinator
Michael Strahan and his ex-wife hired someone to help them work through their con- flicts so they can parent better together ... but now they're squabbling about that.
According to legal docs -- obtained by reporters-- the NFL Hall of Famer and talk show host reached an agree- ment with his ex, Jean Mug- gli Strahan, in February to use a parenting coordinator ... and he'd cover 90 percent of the bill.
Michael claims she's abus- ing the arrangement by engag- ing in a "pattern of conduct designed to increase unneces- sarily the involvement of the PC and to significantly in- crease the fees charged by the PC."
For example ... Michael says Jean threw a wrench in their plan for their teenage twin daughters -- Sophia and
MICHAEL STRAHAN AND JEAN STRAHAN
Isabella -- to attend a school in North Carolina, so the PC had to step in and tell her to stick to what they already agreed on.
Michael says another ex- ample is Jean being uncoop- erative in scheduling his visitation with their girls, which again required the PC to intervene. According to the docs ... the PC informed them she would simply have to make the visitation schedule for
them because the situation had become "time-consuming, full of conflict, and unrealistic."
There's more -- Michael claims Jean accused the PC of working as his assistant and siding with him because he pays 90 percent, something Michael now wants to rectify. According to him, the PC rec- ommends the parents pay a 50-50 split to prevent this issue ... but Jean has declined that arrangement.
PAGE 16-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2019