Bobby Brown is not the only person reportedly looking to profit off Whitney Houston’s death. According to Great Britain’s The Daily Mail , plans for a Whitney biopic – which existed when the singer was still alive – are being fast-tracked, and a number of big names are lining up for the main role. The leading contender? Rihanna, with Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson and Vivica A. Fox also allegedly up for consideration. “Whitney knew about the project and was excited to see where it would lead,” an insider says , comparing the film to What’s Love Got To Do With It , a Tina Turner biopic that landed two Oscar nominations for Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne. Who do you think should portray Houston if this movie goes into production?
The remake, in which she plays Jordin Sparks’ mom, wrapped filming before the singer’s untimely death. By Kara Warner Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston in “Sparkle” Photo: Alicia Gbur/ Stage 6 Films The news of Whitney Houston’s death Saturday has left those who loved her reeling, with a multitude of celebrity fans and friends expressing their grief publicly. Houston’s untimely passing on the eve of the Grammy Awards has shocked everyone, nearly extinguishing the normally festive atmosphere in Los Angeles surrounding the music industry’s biggest night. While fans will unfortunately not have the opportunity to see her sing live again, Houston’s legacy will live on via her final film, “Sparkle,” which is scheduled to be released by Sony in August as planned. A rep for the studio expressed deep sympathy for the loss of the icon to MTV News. “Like all those who knew and loved her, we are shocked and saddened and the world has lost an incomparable talent. Right now our thoughts are with her daughter, her family and her friends.” The film’s producer, Bishop T.D Jakes, also expressed his sadness upon hearing the news: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely passing of Whitney Houston, whom we were blessed to have just completed work with on the remake of the film ‘Sparkle.’ We ask the world to join us in lifting up Whitney’s family in prayer and ask God for their strength and comfort during this devastatingly difficult time,” Bishop wrote in a statement. “At the apex of her career, Whitney had no peer, with a voice that shaped a generation. She has left behind a musical and film legacy that will endure. … She will be sorely missed by us all.” “Sparkle” is a remake of the 1976 Irene Cara film about three talented young musicians who struggle with addiction. The 2012 version features “American Idol” alum Jordin Sparks as the titular character Sparkle and Houston, who also served as executive producer after having acquired the rights to the film more than a decade ago, as her mother, Emma. Houston’s co-producer on the project, Howard Rosenman, told the Los Angeles Times he was in total shock upon hearing the news. “I have no idea about the impact [of Houston’s death] on ‘Sparkle,’ which I saw last night,” he told the newspaper of screening a rough cut of the recently wrapped film. “[Houston] was unbelievably fantastic in it.” “Sparkle” was Houston’s first movie in 16 years, since her performance alongside Denzel Washington in the 1996 holiday feel-good film “The Preacher’s Wife.” Her most memorable and celebrated role was in the 1992 romantic drama “The Bodyguard.” Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: Life And Music Of An Icon Related Photos Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos
Jason Derulo hasn’t been in the limelight since he fractured his neck during rehearsals for his world tour. Though he must wear a neck brace for the next few months, he seemed to be in good spirits when he visited the set of a commercial starring rumored former girlfriend Jordin Sparks . This marks the first time Derulo has been snapped out in public since the neck fracture earlier this month. Jason’s neck fracture forced him to cancel is tour. There is no word whether he will resume preparations for his ‘Future History’ tour once he’s fully recovered. Spotted at ThatGrapeJuice . RELATED POSTS: Pop Star Jason Derulo Fractures Neck During Rehearsal Jason Derulo Previews “Future History” [VIDEO]
Shannon Magrane, Jordin Sparks and Nikko Smith also have bold-name dads. By Gil Kaufman, with additional reporting by Katie Byrne Jane Carrey on “American Idol” Photo: FOX For years, singers have done just about anything they could to get the attention the judges on “American Idol.” There have been wacky costumes, shameless flirtation with the panel and some truly horrible original songs . But one surefire way to pique the interest of Randy, Steven and J.Lo (not to mention Simon and Paula in the past) is to reveal in your bio that your dad is already a bold-faced name. The latest case-in-point is Jane Carrey, the 24-year-old daughter of actor Jim Carrey , who tried out for the show Sunday night. The judges enjoyed her rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About,” while former Fly Girl Jennifer Lopez remembered seeing baby Jane on the set of “In Living Color” when she shared the stage with Carrey. But she’s just the latest “Idol” wannabe to use her name to get in the door. Just last week, we met lanky Shannon Magrane , whose father was the starting pitcher in two games for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1987 World Series. Magrane is among a long list of athlete offspring who’ve given “Idol” a shot. In season seven, we briefly got to know Alyonka Larionov, daughter of former National Hockey League star Igor “The Professor” Larionov, who helped pave the way for Russian hockey players to join NHL teams back in the late 1980s. There was also season-four crooner Nikko Smith, son of Hall of Fame baseball player Ozzie Smith. “Being around my dad and him being in the spotlight kind of prepares you and you have an outlook on things that’s a little bit different, because you’ve been around celebrities and people in the spotlight,” Nikko told MTV News in 2007. But perhaps the biggest jock descendant to make it to the “Idol” stage is Jordin Sparks, the season-six winner whose father is former NFL cornerback Phillippi Sparks. The year she won “Idol,” Jordin recalled to MTV News taking pictures with her family for national magazines and seeing fans swarm her dad for autographs. “He actually told me the other day that when he would sign autographs, I would just be watching so intently,” she remembered. “He said it was really weird, because he was watching me [sign autographs] the other day, and now it’s all turned around.” It also helps to have some music-industry blood pumping through your veins. In season eight, that meant some extra shine for David Osmond, who made it to Hollywood Week that year thanks to his famous singing family’s pedigree and some very smooth vocals but flamed out due to laryngitis. Season-six contestant Sundance Head, son of “Treat Her Right” singer Roy Head, ended up in 13th place on the show. Before he surprised the political world by winning late Democratic stalwart Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat in 2010, Republican lawmaker Scott Brown’s basketball-playing daughter Ayla made it into the top 16 on the show in season five. Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
Hollywood.TV Caught up with Adria Tennor, Andy Serkis, Jordin Sparks, Kevin Davitian & Paul Sheer at The 2012 Critics Choice Awards after party at Boulevard 3. Follow Hollywood.TV on Facebook @ facebook.com
Amber Rose extended a bit of an olive branch to Kim Kardashian recently by apologizing to the reality starlet for hurting her feelings. But sorry only goes so far in this case! From Page Six : Amber Rose has extended an apology to Kim Kardashian, a week after calling the reality TV star a “homewrecker” and accusing her of pursuing then-boyfriend Kanye West. But while she apologized for calling her a “homewrecker,” Rose did not refute her earlier claim that Kardashian went after West, even though the reality star was dating NFL star Reggie Bush at the time. “At the end of the day, I want to apologize to Kim for calling her a homewrecker,” Rose tells the Huffington Post. “It was something I had to get off my chest so people knew the truth. I wasn’t trying to hurt anyone’s feelings.” Pure comedy! Gotta love Amber for that one. More On Bossip! Blue Ivy Ain’t The Only One: More Stars With Guts Full Of Human Ready To Pop In 2012 Love Triangles: A History Of Men Fighting Over The Same Woman Knocked Up??? Is Eva Longoria Carrying Around A Gut Full Of Penelope Cruz’s Brother??? [PICS] What’s Wrong With This Picture? Look At All The Beckys That Make Up “The World’s Most Perfect Woman”
Whitney Houston threw a “diva” tantrum by refusing to buckle up on a Delta flight in Atlanta yesterday. According to TMZ , Whitney pretty much flipped the bird to the flight attendant when she asked the singer to fasten her seat belt before departure. When Houston ignored the request, another flight attendant stepped in and told Whit that if she didn’t comply with FAA rules she would have to deplane the flight. Whitney’s rep said the singer “overreacted a little bit after missing an earlier flight but she’s still 100% sober and was on the way to Detroit for her first day of shooting a new movie.” And did you know that Ray J also moved to the ATL this weekend??? Hmmm…. The star received drug and alcohol treatment earlier this year in a bid to clean up her life. Whitney has landed a role in a remake of Sparkle, which focuses on three sisters who begin singing in a Harlem choir before finding fame in a girl group in the late 50s. R. Kelly & Cee Lo Added To “Sparkle” Remake Whitney Houston & Jordin Sparks Confirmed For “Sparkle” Remake Ray-J Says He Wasn’t Smashing Whitney Houston & Talks About Lil’ Kim [VIDEO] A Healthy Looking Whitney Houston Makes An Appearance In The UK [PHOTO]
He won season nine of American Idol , but Lee DeWyze has lost out on a record deal. According to The Hollywood Reporter , RCA Records CEO Peter Edge has confirmed that DeWyze is no longer a member of that label, making him the latest Idol champion to have trouble finding post-show success. Lee’s debut album, 2010’s “Live It Up,” sold just over 168,000 copies. Lee DeWyze Performs on American Idol “The best Idol results come from doing great A&R,” Edge said. “The TV platform provides amazing coverage, but if you don’t have the right songs, it doesn’t really mean a whole hell of a lot, because we’ve seen American Idol winners come and go in a heartbeat.” Those still on the label include Kris Allen, David Cook, Jordin Sparks, Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.
