News

Layla Crawford is starstruck on and off the tennis court. The 17-year-old actress exclusively told E! News about her experience working with Venus and Serena Williams on the set of King Richard. "They've visited us on set. We've gone out to dinner with them a few times, talk to them on the Zooms and things like that," Layla said at Cirque du Soleil's Red Carpet Premiere of Ovo on March 16. "They're really nice. They're very sweet people, very supportive." She added, "And they're pioneers, especially for young Black women like me, so it means a lot." Thought it was an incredible experience, she said that working on the film with the tennis...

King Richard Review — King Richard (2021) Film Review, a movie directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and starring Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Jon Bernthal, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew, Daniele Lawson, Layla Crawford, Erika Ringor, Noah Bean, Craig Tate, Josiah Cross, Calvin Clausell Jr., Vaughn W. Hebron, Jimmy Walker Jr., [...]

Continue reading: Film Review: King Richard (2021): Will Smith Gives A Career Best Performance In Inspiring Drama...

“King Richard” star and Oscar contender Will Smith opened up his wallet for his cast members amid a reported $40-million payday, The Hollywood Reporter says. Smith produces and stars in the film as the father of Venus and Serena Williams, and per reports, after WarnerMedia shifted its Warner Bros. slate to day-and-date for 2021, he opted to give money to his fellow co-stars. The idea was to compensate the actors for lost theatrical returns.

“Smith enjoyed a hefty payday — according to reports, as much as $40 million — and then personally wrote checks to the cast which includes Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton, who play Venus and Serena, Tony Goldwyn, Jon Bernthal, and Aunjanue Ellis, among others. A source described the payments as a nice bonus, given by Smith on top of what they already received from the studio as compensation for the pivot to simultaneous HBO Max release strategy,” per THR.

At...

Special Agent Sam Hannah’s “little girl” is all growed up.

TVLine has learned exclusively that actress/singer Kayla Smith, whose previous TV credits include All American, Ambitions and Star, is set to recur during Season 12 of CBS’ NCIS: Los Angeles as Sam’s daughter, Kamran.

More from TVLineYoung Sheldon EP Teases 'Unexpected Continuation' of Big Bang Theory Storyline Ahead of Season 4 PremiereMom's Allison Janney Opens Up About Anna Faris' Departure: 'It's a Huge Loss'b Positive Review: Two Stars Are an Appealing Match in CBS' Kidney-Com

The role had previously been played, at a much younger age, by The First Family‘s Layla Crawford.

When Refinery29 premiered its Shatterbox Anthology in August of 2016, the new program was anchored by a forward-thinking concept: to “create short films that redefine identity, imagination, and storytelling through the female lens.” In their first “season,” they made a dozen films with a dozen female directors. Now, they’ve unveiled their second series of short films from female directors, including new offerings from Yara Shahidi, Gillian Jacobs, Jessica Sanders, A.M. Lukas (aka Anna Martemucci), Allana Harkin, Gilly Barnes, Ivy Agregan, and Janine Sherman Barrois.

Alongside partner TNT, the second season of Shatterbox (as its known these days) kicked off with a Tiff screening earlier this month, but the full series is already available online for interested viewers. This second season consists of 8 wide-ranging short-form films helmed by female directors, from a new take on “The Red Balloon” to a timely story about immigration and even a wild digital tale about viruses gone crazy.

Turner’s TNT, in partnership with Refinery29, today announced the world premiere and digital release date of season two of the Shatterbox, the film series that gives female storytellers a platform to create short films that redefine identity, imagination and storytelling with a female perspective.

The latest collection (see the list of films below) debuts Saturday, Sept. 8, across TNT’s digital platforms. To mark the launch, the films will get an exclusive screening at the Toronto Film Festival, with a presence at Refinery29’s experiential event “29Rooms New York” (September 6-9 and September 13-16).

The film series also will be promoted through Shatterbox’s new ad campaign “You Don’t Know the Half of It,” which attempts to raise awareness about gender disparities in Hollywood. The ad campaign begins on TNT social and digital platforms Thursday, Sept. 6, and will play during the private fest screening.

TNT and Refinery29 are planning...

David Oyelowo, Freida Pinto, Jabbar Raisani, James Frey, Usher and a host of other creative talents have come together to create "Black Knight Decoded," an action-packed, first-of-its-kind short film produced by Levity Entertainment Group (Leg) and Pepsi. "Black Knight Decoded" imagines a rich fictional narrative around what some people believe is a very real entity, the Black Knight satellite. The film, which features an original track, "Miracles," from Usher, tells a story of a father (Oyelowo), his daughter (played by Layla Crawford) and his co-conspirator (Pinto) on their quest to decode radio signals transmitted from the...

Recently, CBS released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "NCIS: Los Angeles" episode 11 of season 6. The episode is entitled, "Humbug," and it turns out that we're going to see Hetty tell Callen to take a hike from the team's newest case as his girlfriend is the lead witness, and more. In the new, 11th episode press release: The team is going to investigate a burglary at a cyber-security company, but Hetty will order Callen to stay away from the crime scene when his girlfriend becomes a lead witness. Press release number 2: The team will investigate a burglary at a cyber-security company, but Callen is going to have to steer clear of the crime scene after Hetty reveals his girlfriend, Joelle, is one of the lead witnesses. Also, the team is going to discuss their personal holiday travel plans. Guest stars feature: Elizabeth Bogush (Joelle Taylor), Aunjanue Ellis...

Recently, CBS released the new,official,synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Criminal Minds" episode 22 of season 9. The episode is entitled, "Fatal," and it sounds like things will get pretty intriguing as the team deals with a new type of Greek mythology obsessed UnSub, and more. In the new,22nd episode press release: evidence found near bodies in Long Beach,CA, are going to have the Bau searching for an UnSub fascinated with Greek mythology. Press release number 2: When victims are found dead from arsenic poisoning in Long Beach, California., handwritten death threats and other clues will have the Bau looking for an UnSub fascinated with Greek mythology. In the meantime, Hotch is going to have concerns about participating in Jack’s third grade career day. Guest stars will feature: Bruce Baumgartner (Bill Harding), Nikki Tomlinson (Candace), Richmond Arquette (Sgt. Mack),Chris Moss (Wayne Campbell), Victor Morris (Sgt. Burnell), Giovanni Lopes...

(L to r) Tippi Hedren, Darryl Stephens, Julie Newmar, Ray Ford

I couldn't resist an invitation to the Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing (Gleh) Golden Globes viewing party thanks to the presence of its Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Julie Newmar, the Tony-winner and original Catwoman on TV's Batman, and "Black and Gold" dance artist Sam Sparro, who performed at the event's venue, The Jim Henson Theatre in Hollywood. We caught up with a few attendees on the red carpet, including the purrrrrfect Newmar, the stunning Tippi Hedren, Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23's out gay star Ray Ford, and Noah's Arc alum and Dtla star Darryl Stephens. 

Julie Newmar

What are you looking forward to this evening?

I'm going to let the show surprise me! Are there any Brits here tonight? 

I just watched you as a mystery guest on What's My Line? You were sensational, and you created a funny character voice.

The only thing better than starring on a TV show with music legend Gladys Knight ... is getting singing lessons from her. Knight -- who co-stars on "The First Family" as the President's mom -- was filming a scene with her TV "grandchildren", which required them to sing ... on key.  But the youngins couldn't hit the notes.In the video ... Knight gave her young pips -- Khylin Rhambo, Yara Shahidi, Sayeed Shahidi, and Layla Crawford -- a crash course in singing,...