Whitney Houston Returns to the Movies
American pop diva Whitney Houston, 48, will return to the big screen this summer after a 15-year absence. Houston will appear in “Sparkle” alongside former “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks.
In this remake of a 1976 film by the same title starring Irene Cara, Houston will play the mother of three teenage daughters who form a singing group in Detroit during the Motown era of 1968. The story unfolds with some of the girls finding success, while others hit hard times. The film is set to be released in theaters on Aug. 10.
Ryan Seacrest Rebrands Old Cable Channel
American media mogul and television personality Ryan Seacrest, 37, has announced plans to rebrand the cable channel HDNet along with the network’s founder Mark Cuban, the event promotion company A.E.G., and talent agency CAA.
The new vision for the aged channel started in 2001 is to rename it AXS TV and market it as a place to watch live events such as music concerts.
Seacrest’s production company may also create ideas for programming for the channel as it does currently for the E! and BRAVO channels, according to The New York Times. AXS TV is expected to launch this summer.
Ron Howard a Grandpa Again
American actress Bryce Dallas Howard, the daughter of iconic actor and movie director Ron Howard, and her husband Seth Gabel welcomed a baby girl last week, according to People. Beatrice Jean Howard-Gabel joins big brother Theodore, 4 1/2. The couple have been married since June 2006.
