News

“Love & Hip Hop Atlanta,” the hit reality TV series now 13 seasons strong, is set to return Tuesday, July 8, on MTV.

The longest-running series in the “Love & Hip Hop” franchise has officially made its comeback, and Season 13 will feature the cast undergoing relationship struggles, drastic shifts in their personal lives and more.

Watch the “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” Season 13 teaser exclusively via TheWrap below:

“The must-see reality juggernaut is back as the cast of industry hitmakers and fresh new faces share their personal stories while bringing to light the drama,” MTV’s official logline reads. “Now more than ever, relationships are tested, friendships come and go … and everything isn’t always peachy.”

This time around, the full cast this season includes Ashley Conley, Bambi, Erica Banks, Erica Dixon, Erica Racine, Jasmine Bleu, Jessica White, Karlie Redd, Kendra Robinson, Kirk Frost, Lil Zane, Mendeecees, Momma Dee, Rasheeda, Renni Rucci, Saucy Santana,...

Buffalo 8 has acquired all North American rights to coming-of-age drama “Disfluency.” The film will open theatrically on Jan. 10th, 2025, with a digital release to follow on Jan. 24th, 2025.

“Disfluency” has fared well in the festival circuit, earning nine Best Narrative Feature jury awards (most notably at the Austin Film Festival), in addition to Best Actress and Best Screenplay at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

The film was executive produced by “Thunder Road” and “Last Stop in Yuma County” filmmaker Jim Cummings, and stars Libe Barer (“Sneaky Pete”), Ariela Barer (“How to Blow Up a Pipeline”), Chelsea Alden (“13 Reasons Why”) and Dylan Arnold (“Oppenheimer”).

The film follows the journey of Jane (Barer) as she retreats to her hometown after unexpectedly failing her final college class. With the support of her friends, family and a nostalgic summer on the lake, Jane comes to terms with the trauma that derailed her senior year.

As his appeal for his 2021 disorderly conduct conviction after he was accused of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019, and lying to Chicago police about it, is being reviewed by the Illinois Supreme Court, Jussie Smollett has returned to the big screen in The Lost Holliday, which he stars in, directed, co-wrote and produced.

The film, which was released in select AMC theaters on Sept. 27, sees the Empire alum starring as Jason Holliday, one half of a married couple, whose husband, Damien Holliday (Jabari Redd) dies suddenly. As Jason is dealing with that loss, he also meets Damien’s estranged mother, Cassandra (Vivica A. Fox), who is surprised to learn that her son was married.

Ahead of an advance screening in Harlem last month, Smollett, Fox and the film’s actors and producers, seemed ready to move on from the legal issues that have plagued Smollett since...

April King has joined Artist Collective Entertainment (Ace) as a partner.

King moves to the management company from WME, where she spent two years. She brings to Ace her roster of artists including P-Valley star Brandee Evans, Grammy-nominated singer and actress Keri Hilson, former singer, actress and former Destiny’s Child member LeToya Luckett and Polite Society‘s Priya Kansara.

Prior to WME, King spent nine years at ICM. She got her start in the talent agency business as a trainee at William Morris Agency.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining Ace as I make the jump into management after being an agent for my entire career,” King said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “I believe Ace is at the pinnacle of discovering and promoting multi-hyphenates across verticals, and it is a natural fit as I continue to grow my business and fiercely advocate for...

The 4th annual Black Music Action Coalition (Bmac) Gala was held September 19, 2024 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. The awards ceremony hosted by Kenny Burns celebrated passionate artists, executives, and activists who are pivotal changemakers in championing racial equity and social justice within their community, and who are using their platforms and resources to make a positive impact on society.

Gold Derby associate editor Latasha Ford was on the red carpet to speak with Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award recipient LL Cool J, hip-hop legend Flavor Flav, producer and media mogul Mona Scott-Young, media personality Tai Beauchamp and host Kenny Burns. Watch the red carpet interviews above.

See Billboard Hot 100: Every #1 song of 2024

Below are the 2024 Bmac Gala honorees:

Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award

Usher

Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award

LL Cool J

Social Impact Award

BET Media Group: Scott Mills (President and Chief Executive Officer), Louis Carr, Constance Orlando and...

Carlos King, who runs Kingdom Reign Entertainment, the company behind the hit Love & Marriage franchise, knows a thing or two about producing African American-focused reality television.

Kingdom Reign is behind three Love & Marriage series for OWN set in Huntsville, Detroit and D.C. as well as its latest creation, Family Empire: Houston, which launches today.

There are plenty of others on television such as Basketball Wives LA, Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard and The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

The problem, as King, sees it, is that not enough of these shows are produced by Black-owned production companies.

“There’s a lot of African American-based shows in the world. 99% of them are produced by white-owned production companies. White-owned production companies are doing a great job of producing the Black unscripted shows but, for me, how special would it be for a show to represent the owner of the company so...

Grammy-winning hip-hop and R&b artist Missy Elliott has been tapped for a role in director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams’ new, untitled feature for Universal Pictures.

Details as to her role are under wraps, as are all roles so far. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the film is described as a coming-of-age musical inspired by the city’s Atlantis Apartments and the neighborhood where Williams grew up.

As previously announced, Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, and Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry. Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has set its lineup of narrative and documentary features for its 28th edition, including Jussie Smollett’s return to acting in “The Lost Holliday,” filmmaker Christine Swanson’s latest drama “Albany Road” and the acclaimed Luther Vandross doc “Never Too Much.”

This year’s festival takes place June 12-16 in Miami Beach, Fla., followed by a virtual segment June 17-24 on ABFF Play. Winners of film festival competition will be announced on June 15, during the “Best of ABFF Awards” hosted by Emmy-nominee Dondré Whitfield.

The 2024 narrative lineup includes “Albany Road,” directed and written by Swanson, starring Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield and J. Alphonse Nicholson; “The Lost Holliday” directed by, co-written and starring Smollett alongside Vivica A. Fox, produced by Mona Scott-Young; “The Waterboyz,” directed by Coke Daniels and produced by Ben Crump, starring Akil McDowell, Alani “La La” Anthony and Quavo; and “Black Heat,...

Missy Elliott will launch her first-ever headlining tour this summer, a 24-city event that will include stops in Los Angeles and Brooklyn.

The tour, titled Out Of This World – The Missy Elliott Experience, kicks off July 4 and runs through August 22. Also on the tour will be Elliott’s collaborator and producing partner Timbaland as well as Busta Rhymes and Ciara.

Elliott, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, said in a statement, “This is an incredible time in my life as I am experiencing so many milestone ‘firsts.’ Being the First female Hip Hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and now going out on my First headline tour. Fans have been asking me to tour forever but I wanted to wait until I felt the time was right because I knew if I was ever going to do it,...

Missy Elliott is ready to get her freak on her first-ever headlining tour.

The 52-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will launch Out Of This World — The Missy Elliott Experience on July 4. The 24-city trek will visit cities like Los Angeles, Atlanta and Brooklyn, and will wrap on Aug. 22.

Her longtime collaborator and producing partner, Timbaland, will join her for the tour, along with Busta Rhymes and Ciara. Pre-sale tickets on sale Tuesday; general tickets go on sale Friday.

“This is an incredible time in my life as I am experiencing so many milestone ‘firsts.’ Being the First female Hip Hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and now going out on my First headline tour,” Elliott says in a statement. “Fans have been asking me to tour forever but I wanted to wait until I felt the time was right because I knew...

Despite there being far too many firsts still left to achieve, Black creators have indelibly left their mark on the television landscape for decades.

Just think of names like Shonda Rhimes (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Lee Daniels (“Empire”), and Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”), whose series went on to become credited for reviving network television, or writers like Issa Rae (“Insecure”), Donald Glover (“Atlanta”), and Lena Waithe (“The Chi”), who have been able to build their own sort of TV empire with the shows they have written and/or produced.

Even networks like BET, Starz, and MTV still run off of the creative ingenuity of executive producers like Tyler Perry (“Sistas”), Courtney A. Kemp (“Power”), Mona Scott-Young (“Love and Hip Hop”), and even RuPaul (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”).

Often when retelling the story of Black representation on television, there is first acknowledgment of how the writers rooms initially were not reflective of what their casts looked like.

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The midseason finale of “Love & Hip Hop: Miami” Season 5 has scored the season’s highest-rated episode in delayed viewing, TheWrap can reveal exclusively.

As viewers tuned in for the fifth installment’s dramatic conclusion on Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. on VH1, the “Love & Hip Hop: Miami” midseason finale scored a total viewership of nearly 600,000, according to Nielsen live-plus-three-day viewers.

Ratings for the “Love & Hip Hop: Miami” finale also grew 35% over three days of viewing, with its 0.47 live-plus-same-day rating among adults 18-49 growing to a 0.63 rating in the key demo, and the 2.43 live-plus-same-day share rising to a 3.29 share after three days.

On social media, “Love & Hip Hop: Miami” Season 5 has ranked as the No. 1 primetime reality cable program in terms of Monday night engagement. So far, this...

BET+ has set premiere dates for its fall slate of films and new and returning TV series.

First on the list is “Love & Murder: Atlanta Playboy,” a film series starring Taye Diggs. Part 1 debuts on Sept. 21 while Part 2 will arrive on the streamer a week later, on Sept. 28. The films follow an investigation into the murder of Lance (Diggs), a successful Atlanta businessman known both for revolutionizing the city’s 911 system and for being a womanizer. The cast also includes Keesha Sharp, Ciera Payton, Apryl Jones, Ernestine Johnson, Nicole Lyn, Robert Brown, Tye White, Anton Peeples, Yung Joc, Karlie Redd and Yandy Smith. Jaira Thomas directs scripts from Gregory R. Anderson. Mona Scott-Young and Eric Tomosunas executive produce, with co-executive producers including Lorisa Bates, Marvin Neil, Stephanie R. Gayle, Abbey MacDonald and Nick Roses and producers including Ron Robinson, Jimmy Watson, Ron Stodghill, Keith Neal, Brian Rikuda and Devin Griffin.

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Viewership for VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Miami” Season 5 premiere was up 70% in delayed viewing, TheWrap can reveal exclusively.

After three days of viewing, the debut episode scored a 0.49 in the key cable demographic among adults 18-49 — up from its live-plus-same-day rating of 0.29 — according to Nielsen live-plus-three-day figures. While the Monday, Aug. 14 premiere scored a 1.92 share (or the percentage of adults 18-49 tuning in to MTV during primetime as compared to other cable channels) on debut day, the episode logged a 3.27 share after three days of viewing.

Picking up after a year of life-altering upheavals, “Love & Hip Hop: Miami” follows the cast of industry staples and up-and-comers “with spicy relationship reveals, game-changing career moves, and jaw-dropping personal evolutions,” per the official logline.

Following the show’s successful debut,...

Taye Diggs and Keesha Sharp are teaming up for the BET+ true crime film series Love & Murder: Atlanta Playboy, slated to debut later this year.

Based on Ron Stodghill’s book Redbone: Money, Malice and Murder in Atlanta, the project follows Lance (played by Diggs), a “successful Atlanta businessman, renowned in equal measure for both revolutionizing the city’s 911 system, and his womanizing ways,” according to our sister site Deadline. The role marks Diggs’ first starring vehicle since his shocking departure from All American earlier this year.

More from TVLineAll American Showrunner Explains That Tragic Billy Flashback in Episode 13Zatima...

Exclusive: Keesha Sharp (Power Book II: Ghost) is set as a lead opposite Taye Diggs in BET+ true crime film series Love & Murder: Atlanta Playboy, from Mona Scott-Young of Monami Productions and Eric Tomosunas of Swirl Films. It is set to debut on BET+ later this year.

Courtney Miller will direct, based on Ron Stodghill’s book Redbone: Money, Malice and Murder in Atlanta. Gregory R. Anderson will pen the script.

Atlanta Playboy follows Lance (Diggs), a successful Atlanta businessman, renowned in equal measure for both revolutionizing the city’s 911 system, and his womanizing ways. When he is found murdered in his own home, questions and allegations abound as to who might have wanted him dead. An investigation into the murder is launched which reveals the truths and suspicions behind Lance’s professional and personal life. Was it a business rival, threatened by Lance’s bid for a big contract?...

Exclusive: Taye Diggs is set to star in the true crime film series Love & Murder: Atlanta Playboy from Mona Scott-Young of Monami Productions and Eric Tomosunas of Swirl Films. It is set to debut on BET+ later this year.

Courtney Miller will direct, based on Ron Stodghill’s book Redbone: Money, Malice and Murder in Atlanta. Gregory R. Anderson will pen the script.

Atlanta Playboy follows Lance (Diggs), a successful Atlanta businessman, renowned in equal measure for both revolutionizing the city’s 911 system, and his womanizing ways. When he is found murdered in his own home, questions and allegations abound as to who might have wanted him dead. An investigation into the murder is launched which reveals the truths and suspicions behind Lance’s professional and personal life. Was it a business rival, threatened by Lance’s bid for a big contract? Was it a scorned lover jealous of the...

The Recording Academy honored legendary artists Dr. Dre, Lil Wayne, and Missy Elliott, along with esteemed record executive Sylvia Rhone at its second-ever Black Music Collective Ceremony on Thursday, one of the marquee events leading into the Grammy Awards this Sunday.

The event was celebratory, even by Grammy standards, as the four music industry fixtures were each awarded the Global Impact Award, a sort of lifetime achievement award within the Bmc. The recipients gave emotional speeches between performances from their friends and collaborators, including Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Ciara, 2 Chainz,...

Missy Elliott is thrilled about becoming the first female hip hop artist to be nominated into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility.

The five-time Grammy award-winning artist said in a statement on Wednesday: “This is an incredible honour. I’m so humbled and grateful to be counted amongst all the incredible honorees.

“I’ve spent my career making the kind of music I love and it means so much to know that I have touched others as well. But to hear that I am the first female Hip Hop artist to Ever be nominated into the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame?!? Wow!! This one hits extra different as I hope it opens doors for other female emcees to be recognized!”

Read More: Kate Bush, Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson & More Score Rock Hall 2023 Nominations

Mona Scott-Young, CEO of Monami Entertainment and Elliott’s 25+ year manager,...

Bravo on Tuesday dropped the trailer for its new limited series Swv & Xscape: The Queens of R&b, and the stars are seen clashing. The show is set to premiere Sunday, March 5 at 9:30 p.m. Et and you can watch a preview in the video posted above.

One of the familiar faces in the new series is Kandi Burruss, well-known to Bravo viewers as one of the stars on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The Grammy-winning singer and songwriter was part of the R&b quartet Xscape along with Tameka “Tiny” Harris, and siblings Latocha Scott-Bivens and Tamika Scott. Xscape has sold more than 9 million records worldwide and notched six top 10 songs in the Billboard 100.

Multiplatinum R&b trio Swv (Sisters With Voices) featuring Cheryl “Coko” Gamble, Tamara “Taj” George and Leanne “Lelee” Lyons has sold more than 30 million records worldwide and been nominated for three Grammys.

The six-part...

TheWrap can exclusively share VH1’s first teaser for “Love & Hip Hop: Where Are They Now?,” a four-part special premiering on Monday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. Et., following an episode of “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” at 8 p.m. Et.

“It’s been a minute,” says a voiceover at the beginning of the teaser video. “But these legendary ‘Love & Hip Hop’ stars are back.”

Returning stars then proceed to remember highlight moments on their respective shows, how they felt, what actually happened and what they want to share in terms of current life updates like their popularity status or new people they’ve met.

In the special, fan-favorite cast members from the powerhouse “Love & Hip Hop” franchise will reminisce and relive the biggest moments from the series by hitting rewind over the last 10 years.

From breakups, shocking betrayals, and most buzzed about moments, viewers get to hear the juicy background story...

Jussie Smollett acknowledged his legal difficulties Thursday at a Harlem premiere screening for his gay romantic drama “B-Boy Blues,” expressing gratitude for finishing his feature directorial debut despite his personal issues.

“Sometimes we all go through things, you know, but what I know for sure is I am so… if I don’t know nothin’, I know how blessed I am,” Smollett said in his first major public appearance since receiving a five-month prison sentence in March for lying to Chicago cops about a racist and homophobic 2019 attack. “I know how grateful I must be. It is not up for debate. I must be grateful. To the universe, to God, to our ancestors, whoever you want to believe it is.”

The former “Empire” acknowledged the challenges of making the film — based on the bestselling 1994 novel of the same name from author James Earl Hardy, who co-wrote the script along with Smollett.

Three years is enough time for a comeback… right? (Take note, Ezra Miller.) On Thursday, BET+ announced that it had picked up B-Boy Blues, an LGBTQ film directed and written by Jussie Smollett. It’s his first project since being found guilty of making false reports of a hate crime.

The film is an adaptation of a James Earl Hardy novel of the same name and stars folks such as Timothy Richardson, Brandee Evans, Heater B, Marquise Vilson, and Jabari Reed. Mona Scott-Young is set to be a producer on the film.

Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett’s directing debut has finally found a home: BET+ has picked up “B-Boy Blues,” which will debut on the streamer on June 9 in time for Pride Month. As part of the pickup, Mona Scott-Young and her Monami Entertainment has joined the film as a producer and was instrumental in getting the deal done with BET+.

“B-Boy Blues” reps the first project for Smollett since being found guilty of making false reports about what he alleged to be a hate crime. He was later sentenced to 30 months of felony probation, including 150 days in jail, and ordered to pay a fine for making false reports to police, following his report that he was the victim of a hate crime in January 2019.

“B-Boy Blues” is the film adaptation of James Earl Hardy’s novel, and stars Timothy Richardson (“David Makes Man”), Ledisi (“Selma”), Brandee Evans (“P-Valley”), Heather B...

Bravo has greenlit three new unscripted series including Real Girlfriends in Paris, Southern Charm: Leva Land, and Xscape /Swv, which was revealed on Thursday.

Details on each project can be found below.

Real Girlfriends in Paris premieres Fall 2022

Produced by Goodbye Pictures with Rich Bye, Rahel Tennione, Barrie Bernstein serving as executive producers. Jennifer Stander, Chris Wereski, and Molly Minard serve as co-executive producers.

Six bold twentysomething American women pack their bags to embark on an exciting international adventure living in the most beautiful city in the world: Paris! While in the City of Lights, they find each other, encounter a romantic rendezvous or two, and embrace all the spontaneity that comes with living in an exciting new city. Always looking for a good time, the women find themselves in an extraordinarily rich moment in their lives where the possibilities for true love, unrelenting passion, and forging life-long friendships are endless.

PBS and Wgbh’s Masterpiece released the trailer for the highly anticipated second season of “Sanditon” on Thursday. Inspired by Jane Austen’s unfinished novel, the historical drama tells the story of Charlotte Heywood, a high-spirited young woman who happens upon the seaside town of Sanditon during a time of social change, and becomes intrigued by the town’s inhabitants and their secrets.

The first season of the fan-favorite British series ended on a giant cliffhanger in early 2020, and having been canceled in the UK by ITV, it wasn’t clear if anything would ever be resolved. But following fan outcry and the successful run on “Masterpiece,” the show was revived and ordered for a second and third season last year. But change is afoot, and the second season is sure to resolve some fans’ mixed reactions — while creating new drama.

“Love is not as simple as you seem to think,...

From the infamous murders of Tupac and Biggie Smalls to the countless deaths of other rappers, the hip-hop community has long been hit by homicides.

This is now being explored in an unscripted series for WEtv from Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

The rapper is producing Hip Hop Homicides, via his G-Unit Film & Television, along with Mona Scott-Young’s Monami Productions and Lionsgate Television.

The series is hosted by Van Lathan, the former TMZ personality who hosted Oscar-winning short film Two Distant Strangers. It will look into the staggering number of unsolved murders in the hip-hop community in an attempt to uncover details of what really happened.

The eight-part series will air later this year on AMC Networks’ WEtv as well as its streaming service Allblk.

Monami Productions will handle physical production. Lionsgate handles international distribution rights.

Jackson will executive produce for G-Unit Film & Television, Mona Scott-Young, Stephanie R. Gayle and...

The doctor is in. Dr. Phil stopped by E! News' Daily Pop on Tuesday, Nov. 9 to deliver an important diagnosis on several rumored celebrity couples, starting with none other than Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson.   In conversation with Daily Pop host (and his daughter-in-law!) Morgan Stewart and guest hosts Bobby Berk of Queer Eye and producer Mona Scott-Young, Dr. Phil got straight to the point: "Oh, I think they're dating." Mona wanted clarification, asking, "Hooking up for headlines or really, really dating?" The answer apparently doesn't have to be either/or, Dr. Phil responded.  "You can do both, right?" he said. "That...

Amazon Prime Video announced that “Everybody Loves Natti,” the upcoming docuseries about Dominican singer-songwriter Natti Natasha, will premiere on Nov. 19.

Over six episodes, “Everybody Loves Natti” will cover details of the reggaeton star’s personal life, including her fertility issues and her experience with her latest album, “Nattividad.” The series will also feature her friends and collaborators Daddy Yankee, Prince Royce, Becky G, Yovanna Ventura, Ariadna Gutiérrez and more.

“Everybody Loves Natti” is produced in association with Monami Productions and Amazon Studios. Executive producers include Natasha, Raphy Pina, creator Mona Scott-Young, Michael Lang and Stephanie R. Gayle for Monami Productions, showrunner Alex Davies and Gil Lopez. Artie Pabon serves as co-executive producer.

Watch a trailer below.

Also in today’s TV news roundup:

Dates

Netflix announced that “Selling Sunset” Season 4 will premiere Nov. 24. Season 4 will see the return of realtors Christine Quinn, Mary Fitzgerald, Amanza Smith, Chrishell Stause, Heather Rae Young,...

“Love & Hip-Hop” is finally set to return from its pandemic-imposed hiatus next month, and three new faces will be joining the show.

Joining the VH1 docusoap when it returns on July 5 are Yung Baby Tate, Raedio vocalist and overnight sensation; Renni Rucci, a dynamic rapper signed to Lil Baby’s label Wolfpack; and Omeretta The Great, an emerging artist grabbing attention from heavy hitters like Nicki Minaj and Lil Baby.

Also crossing over to “Atlanta” are “Love & Hip-Hop: New York” stars Yandy Smith-Harris and Mendeecees Harris, who recently relocated to the city.

“Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta” last aired on VH1 in March 2020 and was put on indefinite hiatus amid the pandemic. The new season premieres Monday, July 5 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt.

Season 10 is billed as “bringing music back to the forefront with a female-led ensemble in the epicenter of hip-hop navigating careers, business empires, layered family dynamics, mental health, and...

VH1 announced that the 10th season of “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” will premiere on July 5.

The hip-hop docuseries explores the personal journeys of artists, entrepreneurs and influencers. Season 10 brings music back to the forefront, with a female-led ensemble navigating their careers, families, mental health and Black liberation amid a national reckoning and pandemic.

Yung Baby Tate, Renni Rucci, Omeretta The Great, Yandy Smith-Harris and Mendeecees Harris join returning cast members Rasheeda Frost, Spice, Sierra Gates, Bambi, Karlie Redd, Kirk Frost, Yung Joc, Erica Mena, Momma Dee, Safaree Samuels and Scrappy.

“Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” is executive produced by Mona Scott-Young and Stephanie R. Gayle for Monami Productions and Lashan Browning, Donna Edge-Rachell, Paris Bauldwin, Daniel Wiener and Jamail Shelton for New Group Productions. Sitarah Pendelton and Phakiso Collins executive produce for VH1.

Also in today’s TV news roundup:

Dates

Disney Plus announced that all 10 episodes of “Behind the Attraction...

In today’s TV news roundup, E! announced the premiere date for seven-part limited series “For Real: The Story of Reality TV,” and G4 announced the return and addition of two original cast members and gamers to its First Esports Talent.

Casting

G4 announced two original cast members, Adam Sessler and Kevin Pereira, will return and two new gamers, Ovilee May and Froskurrin, will join as First Esports Talent. Prior to his return, Sessler revived his role as Crazy Adam to launch #G4NeedsTalent. Previously, May and Froskurrin made their official debut on the scene with “The Bleep Esports Show.” The four will join WWE Superstar Xavier Woods on the network. Until its official return in summer 2021, G4 launched web series B4G4, which will air weekly content and incorporate feedback from viewers.

Dates

E! will premiere “For Real: The Story of Reality TV,” hosted and executive produced by Andy Cohen,...

VH1 will premiere a “Love & Hip Hop” reunion special entitled “Love & Hip Hop: Secrets Unlocked” on Jan. 4, Variety has learned exclusively.

The virtual reunion, the first of a four-part special, marks the franchise’s first event featuring cast members from all four filming locations: New York, Atlanta, Hollywood and Miami. It will air at 8 p.m.

Kendall Kyndall is set to host the special, which will feature Mendeecees’ first reunion with Yandy Smith-Harris since being released from prison, as well as never-before-seen casting footage and reflections on unforgettable trips and unresolved drama. The latter includes updates from Ray J and Princess Love, who will appear together to discuss their current relationship status, as well as Erica Mena and Safaree Samuels opening up about their own struggles.

Amara La Negra, Cyn Santana, Jonathan Fernandez, Karlie Redd, Mendeecees, Bambi, Bobby Lytes, Cyn Santana, Karlie Redd, Kendra Robinson, Kirk Frost, Mami Ana,...

NBCUniversal-backed “Made in Chelsea” producer Monkey may have had to cancel its 20th anniversary celebrations this year, but that didn’t stop the London and Los Angeles-based outfit from getting seven shows over the line during the pandemic.

Formed by David Granger and Will Macdonald in 2000 and acquired by NBCUniversal International Studios (part of the Universal Studios Group) in 2010, the company is best known for reality hits like “The Real Housewives of Cheshire” and juggernaut “Made in Chelsea,” as well as quiz show “The Question Jury” and variety series “The Charlotte Church Show.”

Like much of the industry, the pandemic has tested the business to its limits, particularly when all production — including season 19 of “Made in Chelsea” — came to a crashing halt in March. But the minute the company saw a “glimmer of light” in easing lockdown restrictions over the summer, it leapt at the opportunity to get cameras rolling,...

Mona Scott-Young, best known as the creator of long-running reality franchise Love & Hip Hop, is holding Hollywood’s feet to the fire to ensure that the promise of more focus on Black stories is kept.

Scott-Young, who runs Monami Entertainment and Monami Productions, has a slew of projects in various stages of development and is also expanding her company to move into scripted and to look internationally.

She tells Deadline about her plans to work with the likes of BLM Activist Tamika Mallory, Aaron Hernandez’s wife Shayanna Jenkins and her remake of classic South African drama Shaka Zulu. She also talks about the future of VH1’s Love & Hip Hop franchise.

She is currently working on an unscripted project with Mallory, who was one of the organizers of the 2017 Women’s March. “This is a special, unique, life-changing moment in all of our lives and especially for people of color,...

Mona Scott-Young had been in the music business as a manager for years when opportunity knocked in the form of a reality TV show about the significant others of hip hop stars.

That was a decade ago. The durable VH1 franchise “Love & Hip Hop” is now the cornerstone of Scott-Young’s Monami Entertainment banner, which has ventured into everything from cosmetics and wine to physical production and post-production assets.

On the latest episode of Variety podcast “Strictly Business,” Monami CEO Scott-Young discusses the company’s growth and the building blocks in her professional life that led her to launch Monami in 2008 after leaving the top-tier music management firm Violator. She had wanted to break into television, but hadn’t found the right avenue until the concept for “Love & Hip Hop” came to her from a former protege, manager-producer Yandy Smith, who would later appear on the show.

“I...

Five powerhouse forces in reality television assembled recently for Variety’s Virtual TV Festival. Nick Cannon, Randy Barbato, Mona Scott-Young (the “Love & Hip-Hop” franchise), Howard Lee (president and general manager of TLC) and Padma Lakshmi talked about how the genre has changed over the years, its adaptability during the coronavirus pandemic, casting the stars of the future and more.

During the wide-ranging discussion, Scott-Young and Cannon talked about their shows’ roles in launching the careers of Cardi B (VH1’s “Love & Hip-Hop: New York”) as well as Kevin Hart and Pete Davidson (MTV’s “Wild ’N Out.”) Scott-Young, a former music manager, said “Love & Hip-Hop” found Cardi B because of her popular Instagram account, and that she realized quickly that the current multi-platinum recording artist has that “intangible factor.”

“When you met her and her unfiltered sense of humor and clear sense of self, I knew that she was destined,...

In September 2001, Nkechi Okoro Carroll was working at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Her offices were right down the street from the World Trade Center, and after the towers fell, she had to figure out how to “keep one of the world’s strongest economies going,” all while dealing with concerns about “how do we keep our employees safe, and how do we deal with things from the mental health perspective and how do we resume?” she recalls.

It was a moment in her career that required a pivot unlike any other. But then the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, shutting down businesses and forcing everyone to shelter in place across the globe. Okoro Carroll, now running the CW’s “All American,” found herself facing many similar questions, just in a different industry.

“The things we had to put in place, the things we had to consider, there are...

Florida Girls creator and star Laura Chinn is expanding her relationship with Lionsgate, the producer behind her praised Pop TV comedy series. Chinn has signed an overall television deal with the studio to to develop and produce scripted original series. She will continue her work on Florida Girls, from Lionsgate, 3 Arts Entertainment and Jax Media, which has been renewed for a second season.

“Laura is the kind of fresh and singular creative voice who resonates with today’s television audiences, and we’re fortunate to be her chosen studio incubator,” said Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate Television Group Chairman. “We’re very proud of the work we’re already doing together and can’t wait to collaborate on more exciting and bold television series that cut through the clutter.”

Chinn is also known for her work on the Lionsgate feature film Warrior, Emmy winner Childrens Hospital, Golden Globe-winning Grey’s Anatomy and The Mick.

Laura Chinn has signed an overall deal with Lionsgate Television.

The deal extends Chinn’s relationship with the studio, which produces her comedy series “Florida Girls.” Chinn created the series, which airs on Pop, in addition to starring and executive producing. The first season debuted in July with Pop picking it up for a second season in October.

“Laura is the kind of fresh and singular creative voice who resonates with today’s television audiences, and we’re fortunate to be her chosen studio incubator,” said Kevin Beggs, chairman of Lionsgate Television Group. “We’re very proud of the work we’re already doing together and can’t wait to collaborate on more exciting and bold television series that cut through the clutter.”

Under the deal, Chinn will develop and produce scripted original series for Lionsgate. In addition to “Florida Girls,” her past writing credits include shows like “The Mick,...

The Love & Hip Hop franchise has put many forgotten rappers back on the map. However, the real stars are the significant others who have been putting up with their crap for years now. Like every other reality TV show Love & Hip Hop has drawn fans into their personal drama that also just happens to make for great TV. Creator Mona Scott-Young is the one to thank for the drama because she sure knows how to pick a great cast.

Related: Instant Hotel: All The Hotels From Season 1 & 2, Ranked

With each new city that Scott-Young heads to, there is always that one cast member that makes you want to tune in every week. That one cast member who believes that they are more famous than they are starts basically all the fights, and of course has fans on the edge of their seats. Whether we love them or hate them,...

Reality TV veteran Tami Roman has signed an overall deal with Love & Hip Hop creator Mona Scott-Young and her Monami Productions to develop and produce alternative and scripted content.

“Tami is a true multi-hyphenate; not only is she a talent on camera, she’s also an incredibly intuitive and creative producer,” said Scott-Young. I love working with smart, dynamic women and Tami Roman is a rock star!”

The first project from the duo, Tami Ever After, is set for premiere Wednesday, June 19 at 9 Pm on VH1. The special “highlights Roman’s relationship with longtime boyfriend, Reggie Youngblood and blends his hilarious and entertaining family from Houston, TX with Roman’s popular and charismatic daughters,” per VH1.

Roman and Scott-Young’s additional series include ensemble cast docu-follows, Queen City and Big Oil Houston as well as several scripted and formatted projects. Roman and Scott-Young...

Ever since Teairra Mari lost in court to 50 Cent, he’s been reminding her in the pettiest of ways that she owes him $30,000. Now, Teairra is breaking her silence about the ruling and in her clap back, the Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood star calls out the NYC rapper’s relationship with 6ix9ine and jokingly asks Mona Scott-Young for an advance. On Friday, Teairra took to Instagram, posting a picture of 50 Cent and 6ix9ine with the caption, “Now I understand why you son’d #6ix9nine you instilled the Daddy habit, Curtisssss.” For weeks, 50 Cent has been trolling Teairra Mari about the […]

The post Teairra Mari claps back at 50 Cent, brings up 6ix9ine and calls for Mona Scott-Young to help appeared first on Monsters and Critics.

In today’s roundup, Netflix’s “The Umbrella Academy” releases its official trailer, and Kate Beckinsale’s new drama unveils the premiere date.

First Looks

Netflix has released the official trailer for “The Umbrella Academy,” which premieres globally Feb. 15. The series centers on six superhero siblings who come together to solve the mystery surrounding their adoptive father’s death. It stars Ellen Page, Mary J. Blige, Tom Hopper, and more, and is based on the comic book series created and written by former My Chemical Romance lead vocalist, Gerard Way. Watch the trailer below.

Dates

The Amazon Prime original series “The Widow,” starring Kate Beckinsale, premieres Friday, March 1. The drama follows Beckinsale’s Georgia Wells as she comes out of her reclusive life when her husband whom she thought was dead appears in a news report. Her quest leads her to a volatile region in the Democratic Republic of Congo where Will’s plane crashed.

Mob Wives alum Jennifer Graziano has been busy, signing multiple new show deals for her JustJenn Productions banner.

JustJenn recently sold an unscripted family docu-soap to We tv, details of which are being kept under wraps. Graziano also has been developing several projects with eOne, where she is under a first-look deal for unscripted content, and has set up three additional unscripted series with Mona Scott-Young’s Monami Productions (Love and Hip Hop), and with Critical Content.

Graziano also has optioned Kes Trestor’s book A Dangerous Year for scripted series development, and has been developing shows with 3Arts Entertainment, Propagate Content, and Roc Nation. She is also reuniting with her former partner, Marvin Peart, and his newly formed 101 Studios on multiple projects.

Graziano founded JustJenn Productions with the launch of Mob Wives, VH1’s hit reality series following the lives of four Staten Island women, each with their own alleged Mafia connections.

VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Miami” is samba-ing to a new night.

The South Beach spinoff of hit series and franchise-sparker “Love & Hip Hop” will return to the Viacom cable channel on Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 8/7c. Fans of the South-Florida version of the show will want to update their DVRs from Monday recordings to Wednesdays.

The New York City-version will air on Mondays as “Miami” holds down Wednesdays. That means VH1 gets a double-dose of tune-in — and TV ratings are the strength of the reality-show universe.

“Love & Hip Hop: Miami” marked VH1’s highest rated reality launch since 2014 when it debuted last January, and the various incarnations of “Love & Hip Hop” regularly rank as cable’s No. 1 unscripted show on Monday nights.

Also Read: Joe Budden and Cyn Santana to Return to VH1's 'Love & Hip Hop New York'

VH1 will look to continue on with...

Producer Mona Scott-Young is planting her Monami Productions banner at Lionsgate TV.

The creator of “Love & Hip Hop” has signed an overall deal to develop unscripted series with Lionsgate. The pact gives her options to work with the studio on scripted projects as well.

Scott-Young is the creator and exec producer of VH1’s highly rated “Love & Hip Hop” franchise, which has expanded in recent years to include multiple editions in multiple cities including New York, Los Angeles and Miami. She’s also a seasoned talent manager and entrepreneur who represents Missy Elliott and owns the Myx Fusions moscato and sangria brand with Nicki Minaj, among other ventures.

“We’re thrilled to partner with an incredibly creative and talented producer who is one in a million,” said Jennifer O’Connell, Lionsgate TV’s exec VP and head of worldwide alternative programming. “Mona is a talent magnet who has...

Love & Hip Hop creator, media mogul and entrepreneur Mona Scott-Young has signed an overall deal with Lionsgate TV to develop and produce unscripted series for the company’s alternative television business under her Monani Productions banner. She will also have the opportunity to develop projects across Lionsgate’s scripted, digital and other businesses.

Scott-Young, CEO of multi-media entertainment company Monami Entertainment, is the creator and executive producer of the hit reality television franchise Love & Hip Hop for VH1, one of the highest-rated unscripted franchises in cable TV history. She has managed multiple Grammy winner and hip hop icon Missy Elliott for 20 years and continues to represent her. In addition, Scott-Young was co-owner of the management company Violator which represented a deep roster of distinguished Grammy-winning artists including Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes and Fantasia.

Most recently, she orchestrated the 30-city sold-out reunion tour of 90’s...

The creator of one of the biggest unscripted franchises on cable has signed an overall deal with Lionsgate.

Mona Scott-Young, the creator of VH1's Love & Hip Hop, will develop unscripted series for Lionsgate's alternative division via her Monami Productions. The deal also encompasses potential projects for the studio's scripted and digital arms.

"We're thrilled to partner with an incredibly creative and talented producer who is one in a million," said Jennifer O'Connell, Lionsgate executive vp and head of worldwide alternative programming. "Mona is a talent magnet who has established remarkable relationships in ...

Exclusive: VH1 is shaking up the production of two of its longest running franchises – Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood and Basketball Wives – a move that has seen the original production companies taken off the shows.

The Viacom-owned cable network has removed Eastern TV from Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood and Shed Media USA from Basketball Wives and is set to replace them with other production outfits as it looks to take these shows in a new direction.

Warner Bros-backed Shed Media has come off Basketball Wives, which follows the wives of NBA stars including Shaunie O’Neal, who created the show and was married to Shaquille O’Neal. It has run to over 150 episodes on VH1 across the original series and an La-based spin-off. It is thought that VH1 hopes the move to revitalize the format will lead to further spin-offs.

Meanwhile, Eastern TV, which is run by...