Page 26 - Florida Sentinel 2-22-19

Entertainment
Jussie Smollett Cut From ‘Empire’ Episodes As Attack Probe Continues
Ava DuVernay Is Now The Co-Chair Of Prada's New Diversity And Inclusion Council
Prada has assembled an advi- sory group to help diversify its company.
The Prada Diversity and In- clusion Advisory Council will be spearheaded by Ava DuVer- nay and Theaster Gates, an activist and artist, according to a press release sent to Blavity. The council’s purpose is to “ad- vise the company as it invests in diverse talent development and expands opportunities for young students of color in the fashion industry.”
In the release, Prada CEO Miuccia Prada said, "We are thrilled to be working with long-time collaborators, Ava DuVernay and Theaster Gates, on this important ini- tiative. We look forward to working with the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council to
AVA DUVERNAY
help us grow not only as a com- pany but also as individuals.”
In addition to its work with the council, Prada is partnering with universities and other ed- ucational institutions to create internships and apprentice- ships in the fashion industry for people of color.
“Prada is committed to cul- tivating, recruiting and retain- ing diverse talent to contribute to all departments of the com- pany,” said Miuccia Prada.
As the Chicago police inves- tigation into what really hap- pened to Jussie Smollett in the alleged assault last month intensifies its focus on the Em- pire actor, the Fox drama is cutting the performer out of the action.
Jussie Smollett Has 'No Plans' Today To Meet With Cops Over Attack
Deadline has confirmed with well placed sources that Smollett’s scenes in episodes of the Lee Daniels and Danny Strong co-created se- ries are being slashed for pro- duction on Empire this week.
While the show was back at work Monday in the Windy City after the long weekend, Smollett will be a rare pres- ence on the set of the Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard led show.
Jussie Smollett Arrested In Chicago After Being
JUSSIE SMOLLETT
custody of detectives.
Police planned to hold a
briefing Thursday to discuss the case.
Guglielmi had said Wednes- day night that detectives would make contact with Smollett's legal team to "negotiate a rea- sonable surrender for his ar- rest." He was charged Wednesday with felony disor- derly conduct.
His bail hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. local time.
Smollett’s lawyers had said in an earlier statement that “like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the pre- sumption of innocence, partic- ularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked. Given these circum- stances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive de- fense.
Charged With Filing False
Police Report
“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was arrested Thurs- day in Chicago after he was charged with filing a false po- lice report claiming he had been the victim of an attack, police said.
Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi con- firmed that Smollett was in the
Will Smith Forced To Participate In Duane Martin’s Fraud Lawsuit
Will Smith has been dragged into a bankruptcy fraud lawsuit against actor Duane Martin, but the Fresh Prince isn’t accused of doing anything wrong. The rapper- turned-movie star has turned over financial records and per- sonal emails after receiving a subpoena for information.
Smith has reportedly turned over a string of 2018 emails between himself, his rep and Martin in which the three discussed a $1.4 million loan previously given to Martin by Smith and his wife Jada Pin- kett Smith to purchase a home. A bankruptcy trustee claims the emails are proof of Martin’s alleged fraud, which prompted a lawsuit last Sep- tember.
WILL SMITH
Duane and actress Tisha Campbell Martin, who are in the midst of divorce proceed- ings, filed for bankruptcy in 2016. The trustee of the bank- ruptcy sued Duane last year, alleging he hid $2.6 million worth of assets under a com- pany named Roxe LLC.
Unauthorized Drake Documentary Shut Down By Universal Music Group
Symettrica Entertainment producers are crying foul over Universal Music Group‘s move to have their unauthorized Drake documentary Drake: Rewriting the Rules removed from streaming platforms.
UMG delivered notices to the production company ask- ing them to remove Drizzy’s music and some video clips from the doc, according to TMZ. Takedown notices were reportedly sent to Netflix, iTunes and Amazon Prime Video.
According to legal docs ob- tained by TMZ, Symettrica is accusing the music giant of “unlawful efforts to censor free
DRAKE
speech through the intentional misuse of copyright law,” in-
terfering with their money and “placating its artist Drake by attempting to suppress any commentary or criticism of Drake.”
The 6 God-focused docu- mentary dropped on VEVO in November. It became available on Netflix, iTunes and Amazon in January. After its January release, UMG issued takedown notices to all the aforemen- tioned streaming platforms, which prompted them to yank the doc.
In the suit, Symettrica claims fair use of Drake’s music and wants the courts to co-sign. They are also suing UMG for damages.
Meghan Markle Cradles Baby Bump Outside Her Baby Shower In New York City
Baby Sussex is being showered with love!
Meghan Markle was seen outside New York City hotel The Mark, where her closest friends were expected to celebrate her pregnancy with a baby shower, on Tues- day afternoon. The Duchess of Sussex, 37, wore dark Le Spec sunglasses and styled her hair in a classic blowout, placing a hand on her baby bump over her vintage grey coat as she headed out. She completed her look with the “Nearly Skinny Maternity” jeans by Hatch Maternity as well as beige heels and a matching handbag by Car- olina Herrera.
News that Meghan was in New York broke on Monday.
MEGHAN MARKLE
PAGE 16-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019