Page 16 - Florida Sentinel 9-29-15 Edition

Entertainment
16.2 Million Watched ‘Empire’ Second Season Premiere
Wendy
Bobbi Kristina’s Cause Of
Taraji Henson plays Cookie Lyon with guest star Marisa Tomei.
Bobbi Kristina
to the public. The Fulton County District Attorney and Roswell Police Department have been informed of the Medical Examiner’s findings.”
Earlier this year, BK’s boyfriend Nick Gordon was named as a major suspect in the case.
The Fox hit “Empire” got off to a strong start on Wednesday with 16.2 million people tun- ing into its second-season pre- miere, according to data from Nielsen.
“Empire” was a breakaway hit in its first season, with im- probable week-to-week view- ership growth over the course of 10 weeks, leading into a sea- son finale, broadcast in May, that attracted 16.7 million viewers. The premiere on Wednesday technically
snapped that growth streak in ratings. The numbers should rise even more after delayed viewing totals are included in the coming days.
“Empire’s” success last year caught nearly the entire indus- try by surprise, proving that monumental hits are still pos- sible on traditional network television. Fox, which finished the most recent television sea- son in last place in the ratings, is especially in need of strong performances from its shows.
WENDY WILLIAMS
Wendy Williams has hired a new booker to wrangle better, more A-list guests for her day- time talk show — but sources say she’ll have to tone down her gossipy side to pamper their egos.
Williams has been a ratings success against competition like “Live! with Kelly and Michael” and “Ellen” — Bloomberg Business reported this year that Williams “trades off daily with Ellen De- Generes as the No. 1 female host.”
But sources say the sassy show struggled to get top guests.
So last month, Williams’ producers brought in a booker from “Chelsea Lately,” Siob- han Schanda.
Insiders wonder whether Williams can keep the tone her viewers love with bigger celebs onboard.
“Wendy was never really getting the caliber of stars like Kelly [Ripa] and Michael [Strahan],” a source said. “So they brought in Schanda.
A rep for the show said: “We have consistently booked A-list guests . . . Jennifer Lopez, Taraji P. Henson, Susan Sarandon and more. Viewers have come to know and love Wendy’s open, honest and ‘say it like you mean it’ attitude, which has resulted in some candid and revealing celebrity interviews that you won’t see anywhere else.
Sisqo Files Lawsuit Over ‘Thong Song’
Williams
Death Determined; Judge
Told To Tone
Orders Results Sealed
Down The
It’s been nearly two months since the untimely passing of the late Whitney Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and the Fulton County Medical Examiner has determined the cause. However, a judge has ruled to keep the results private to keep from affecting the homicide investigation.
“The Fulton County Medical Examiner has classified the cause and manner of Bobbi Kristina Brown’s death based on information available as of September 25, 2015,” the office said in an online state- ment. “However, a Fulton County Superior Court Order dated September 25, 2015 has been received Sealing the Au- topsy Report and ordering the Medical Examiner to not re- lease any further information
‘Gossip’
To Get Better Guests?
Faded R &B star Siqso has filed a mammoth $3.6 million lawsuit in which he claims he was not paid the royalties he was due for his 1999 hit,Thong Song. The racy hit became a surprise chart-topper around the world,
The 36-year-old is claiming the company he hired to collect his cash ended up failing to hand over around $600,000 it received on his behalf.
He charged 27 Red Music with collecting royalties from a number of music publishing companies on his behalf for all of his work released between 1996 and 2005.
Sisqo is claiming that while the company succeeded in col- lecting his cash, it failed to hand over more than half a mil- lion.
In addition to giving him the
SISQO
money he claims he is owed, he is also demanding an addi- tional $3 million in punitive damages.
If he wins his case it will be a welcome financial boost to the Baltimore native, who has a es- timated net worth of just $4 million.
Usher Is A Married Man
Usher recently eloped with his longtime girlfriend and manager before celebrating with a honeymoon to Cuba.
On Sunday night Usher took his new bride, Grace Miguel to The Martian pre- miere at the New York Film Festival.
Usher and Grace had planned on marrying before 100 guests in Atlanta, but de- cided to elope instead, one source reported. After their se- cret ceremony, the pair then traveled to Havana, Cuba. The two have been dating since 2009. They became engaged last January.
In October 2014, Usher gushed to Billboard about Grace, and the strength that he had found with her.
Usher and his new wife, Grace
'I have an incredible partner and manager,' the singer shared of his then-girlfriend, who had been working with him for three years.
'She has helped me through some of the hardest times in my life and my career,' he con- tinued.
PAGE 16 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015