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{blackbabes} American Stephens beats Ostapenko for Miami Open title

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Half an hour after Sloane Stephens won her hometown tournament, she lingered on the confetti-covered court, posing for photos and signing autographs as if reluctant to leave Key Biscayne.

The Miami Open is moving, and Stephens became the final women's champion on the picturesque island by beating Jelena Ostapenko 7-6 (5), 6-1 Saturday.

Stephens was born in South Florida, played on Key Biscayne as a junior and lives in nearby Fort Lauderdale. That made the reigning U.S. Open champion especially eager to win the Miami Open before it moves 18 miles north next year to suburbia and the NFL Dolphins' stadium.

"This place is pretty special to me," Stephens said. "I'm definitely happy I could be the last person to win here. I've had some amazing experiences here, and I'll definitely miss it."

Even so, Stephens was surprised that fans jeered during the trophy ceremony when tournament director James Blake mentioned the relocation.

"I was kind of confused by that," she said. "I'm excited for the move. I think it will be great for the tournament — a new facility. I'm sure it will be beautiful."

Mike and Bob Bryan won their 115th doubles title and their biggest in nearly two years when they beat Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (5), 10-4.

John Isner tries for the biggest title of his career Sunday when he faces Alexander Zverev in the men's final. Isner could give the United States its first sweep at Key Biscayne since 2004, when the champions were Andy Roddick and Serena Williams.

The No. 13-seeded Stephens won with defence, repeatedly extending rallies until Ostapenko would make a mistake. Ostapenko had a 25-6 advantage in winners but committed 48 unforced errors to 21 by Stephens.

"She was moving really well," Ostapenko said. "Sometimes I was going for an aggressive winner when I didn't have to. I was sometimes missing shots I was normally making this week."

Stephens was the surprise champion at the U.S. Open last September, and then lost her next eight matches, including the first two of 2018. But she shook her slump on Key Biscayne, improved to 6-0 in finals and will break into the top 10 for first time next week at No. 9.

"It's incredible," Stephens said. "I knew if I just got back to the drawing board I would be OK. I wasn't expecting a title here. I just wanted to make sure I got my game back where I wanted to be."

Stephens and the No. 6-seeded Ostapenko, last year's French Open champion, battled almost exclusively from the baseline, and the quality of play was often ragged. The finalists traded breaks for four games, and Stephens was broken twice more when serving for the first set.

She wobbled again leading 6-2 in the pivotal tiebreaker, committing unforced errors to squander consecutive set points. But Ostapenko dumped an easy backhand into the net to lose the set, and the Latvian appeared to tire after that.

Stephens said she benefited from a pep talk by her coach after the opening set.

"I was a little nervous, and it was showing in my game," she said. "My feet weren't moving, and I wasn't swinging through the ball. I just needed a little bit of a reminder to just go for it if I wanted to take the title."

Stephens swept the final six games, clinching one with the shot of the match. Ostapenko chased down a drop shot and punched it back, but Stephens stretched near the baseline to hit a forehand volley cross-court for a winner.

That made it 5-1, and on championship point moments later, Ostapenko sent a forehand wide. Stephens celebrated by pumping both fists to cheers from her hometown crowd.

She enjoyed the support of fans and family and more.

"Half the people I didn't even know," she said. "It was amazing they came out and supported me. It makes you feel good."

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{blackbabes} ‘Clueless’ Actress Stacey Dash Withdraws From California Congressional Race

 

Clueless star and former Fox News commentator Stacey Dash has pulled out of the California congressional race.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Dash wrote "After much prayer, introspection and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy for California's 44th Congressional District."

Dash had filed paperwork last month to run for the seat which is currently occupied by Democrat Nanette Barragán.

"I started this run with the intention to address the pressing issues in the district where I live," Dash wrote in her statement. "I hoped, and remain hopeful, that I can assist people living here on the national level. My goal was, and remains, to improve the lives of people who have been forgotten for decades by the Democratic Party."

However, Dash added, "At this point, I believe that the overall bitterness surrounding our political process, participating in the rigors of campaigning, and holding elected office would be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of my family. I would never want to betray the personal and spiritual principles I believe in most: that my God and my family come first."

She said that her decision to withdraw was "not an easy one", but she will "continue to speak out" about "problems facing this district, as well as the distractions that take the place of real change."

California's 44th Congressional District includes Compton, Watts, San Pedro and North Long Beach, and has long been represented by a Democrat.

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{blackbabes} ‘The Purge’: Amanda Warren & Colin Woodell Cast In TV Series For USA & Syfy

The Leftovers alumna Amanda Warren and Colin Woodell (Unsane) are set for starring roles opposite leads Gabriel Chavarria and Jessica Garza in the upcoming series The Purge for USA Network and Syfy.

The project comes from franchise creator James DeMonaco, Blumhouse Television — the TV division of the movies' producer Blumhouse Prods. — and Universal Cable Productions. The franchise, about the one day each year when murder and mayhem is legalized, hatched its highest-grossing effort so far with the most recent installment, 2016's The Purge: Election Year. DeMonaco oversees the series, which will be an entirely new chapter in America's 12 hours of annual lawlessness and is slated to launch in conjunction with the next installment in the movie franchise, The First Purge.

{blackbabes} Stephens rallies for spot in Miami Open final

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KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Sloane Stephens has a simple approach to her game these days.

"Keep fighting," she said.

That was Stephens' mantra when her U.S. Open championship last year was followed by eight consecutive losses, a staggering, frustrating and almost inexplicable freefall. And those words kept popping into her head Thursday, when she shook off a very slow start to beat Victoria Azarenka 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the semifinals at the Miami Open.

Stephens' opponent in Saturday's final will be either sixth-seeded Jelena Ostapenko or American qualifier Danielle Collins. They were scheduled to play later Thursday, though a lighting issue with the stadium court delayed the start of the evening session.

"In the first set, I was down but came back and I battled really well," said Stephens, who is looking to improve to 6-0 in finals. "So I knew if I did that in the second I'd be right in there. I ended up winning a lot of games in a row, and just tried to keep the momentum going."

Stephens dropped the first three games against Azarenka, needing only 11 minutes to get into trouble. She then won 15 of the final 21 games.

"I honestly didn't feel good at all the whole match," said Azarenka, a three-time champion at Key Biscayne whose 11-match winning streak there was snapped. "I felt like I was a little bit too slow. ... I just stopped getting to the ball, I stopped hitting the ball the way I should be hitting the ball and she's going to jump on it."

It was only the fourth tournament for Azarenka since 2016. She became a mother late that year — her son's name, Leo, is scrawled on the sneakers she wears in matches — and returned to play Mallorca and Wimbledon last year. Azarenka got a wild-card entry to play Indian Wells, another wild card into Miami, and was ousted by Stephens in both of those.

When she will play again is unclear. Azarenka has been involved in a custody dispute for several months and is headed back to Los Angeles, where she makes her home.

"I don't have any news to share with you right now," she said.

Azarenka entered this event ranked No. 186. She'll be at least No. 93 when the new WTA rankings come out next week, after getting through four seeded players on her way to the Miami semifinals.

"Overall, what I've done is not bad at all," Azarenka said, summing up her four-week return. "To make the progress from one week to another week, barely practicing and barely even eating, not too bad."

In a men's quarterfinal, 16th-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta wasted two match points on his serve in the second set before recovering — nearly two hours later — and ousting No. 6 Kevin Anderson 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (6) in a rematch of a U.S. Open semifinal from last year. It was the first win for Carreno Busta in five matches against Anderson.

Carreno Busta will play either No. 4 Alex Zverev or No. 29 Borna Coric in the semifinals.

Besides the trip to the final, there are a few significant other perks for Stephens, who spent some of her youth learning the game at Key Biscayne.

She's assured the second-biggest earnings check of her career — either $654,380 or $1,340,860, depending on the outcome, a figure exceeded only by the $3.7 million she got from the U.S. Open victory. When the new rankings come out, she'll make her debut in the top 10. If that wasn't enough, she'll also become part of history.

The Miami Open isn't ending, but it's moving about a half-hour's drive north to the Miami Dolphins' stadium next year. South Florida natives Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Chris Evert are all past champions of the event and Stephens — from Plantation, Florida, near Fort Lauderdale — will have a shot at joining them in the final women's match at the facility where breezes constantly roll off the water.

"I'm like, what's going to happen to Crandon Park? What's going to be here? What's going to happen?" Stephens said. "There's so many questions. But I think it'll be cool. Obviously, to play in front of my friends and family again here for the last time, it feels kind of cool that I'll be able to close it out in style for them."

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{blackbabes} Collins tops her idol, Venus Williams, in Miami

 

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Danielle Collins' favourite player, for as long as she can remember, has been Venus Williams.

Clearly, she wasn't star-struck when facing her idol.

Collins got the biggest win of her pro career Wednesday night, shocking the eighth-seeded Williams 6-2, 6-3 in the Miami Open quarterfinals. Collins needed to survive two qualifying matches before making the main draw at Key Biscayne, and will now meet sixth-seeded Jelena Ostapenko in Thursday's semifinals.

"The first time I saw Venus in the locker room, I nearly cried," Collins said. "I mean, I've idolized her my whole life. She's been my favourite player for forever. This is such a special moment, I'm just trying to wrap my head around it."

Collins topped U.S. Open finalist Madison Keys earlier this month at Indian Wells and made a much bigger statement with this win. She threw both fists into the air when Williams couldn't handle a serve on Collins' second match point, and even the three-time champion at Key Biscayne gave her a big smile when they shook hands at the net.

"I'm just starting to finally put all of the pieces together," said Collins, the 2014 and 2016 NCAA champion at Virginia.

Collins, No. 93 in the world for a few more days, will more than double her career earnings when the money from Miami arrives. She came to Key Biscayne with $305,385 in career earnings, which she'll add at least $327,965 to now that she's in the semifinals. And she's going to soar in the world rankings, to no lower than 67th.

No qualifier has ever gone this deep at Key Biscayne, though Collins looked perfectly comfortable on the stage. She rarely faced trouble, offered confident fist pumps for much of the night and set the tone by breaking Williams — one of her idols, someone who's been playing pro matches for about as long as the 24-year-old Collins has been alive — with her opening chance in each set.

And now Collins, who took the more-unusual path through college to pro life, still has a shot at becoming perhaps Miami's most surprising champion.

"You don't have to do it the traditional way," Williams said.

For as easy as Collins made it look Wednesday night, John Isner had an even easier time in his quarterfinal.

The big-serving Isner made the Miami semifinals for the second time in four years, needing just over an hour to overpower South Korea's Hyeon Chung 6-1, 6-4. The 14th-seeded Isner finished with 13 aces, won all but one of his 32 first-serve points and avenged a loss to the 19th-seeded Chung at Auckland in his first match of the year back in January.

"I played extremely well," said Isner, who dropped six of his first eight matches of 2018 before arriving in Miami. "Every match I've played in this tournament, I've gotten better. I've gotten stronger and that's a very, very good sign."

He'll hope that trend continues in the semifinals.

Isner — who ousted second-seeded Marin Cilic earlier this week — will next face either No. 5 seed Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina or No. 20 Milos Raonic of Canada. Del Potro and Raonic play late Wednesday night in another quarterfinal.

Isner was broken twice by Chung when they met in Auckland. He faced only one break point on Wednesday.

"It's perfect conditions," said Isner, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2015 semifinals at Key Biscayne. "I've played well here in the past and I'm so happy that I'm playing well here again."

Ostapenko got her spot in the semifinals by ousting fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5) and now will get the upstart Collins with a berth in Saturday's final at stake. The other women's semifinal is Thursday afternoon, with No. 13 Sloane Stephens set to meet three-time Miami champion Victoria Azarenka.

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{blackbabes} Amber Stevens West Set As Female Lead In CBS’ McAuliffe/Earl Comedy Pilot

The Carmichael Show alumna Amber Stevens West is set as the female lead opposite Damon Wayans Jr. and Felix Mallard in CBS' multi-camera comedy pilot from writers Tim McAuliffe and Austen Earl and The Late Late Show with James Corden executive producer Ben Winston. West's casting is in second position to the Fox comedy series Ghosted where she is series regular.

Written by McAuliffe and Earl, the untitled comedy revolves around Peter (Wayans) and Claire (West), a thirtysomething couple who are tired of their mundane life and start to reconnect with their younger, cooler selves when an emerging pop star (Mallard), who is drawn to their super-normal suburban life, moves in.

West's Claire is happily married to Peter (Wayans), the business manager of 20-year-old music superstar Cooper (Mallard). She's a little concerned when Cooper comes to stay with them, particularly since Cooper's exuberant young personality and lifestyle are a big contrast to their more tame and settled one.

Chris Parnell also co-stars in the pilot.

McAuliffe and Earl executive produce with Winston via Fulwell 73 and 3 Arts Entertainment's Michael Rotenberg and Jonathan Berry for CBS TV Studios.

West starred as Maxine oppsite Jerrod Carmichael on all three seasons of NBC's The Carmichael Show and plays Annie on Ghosted, which is on the bubble for renewal at Fox, with its second batch of episodes yet to be scheduled. She also had a lead role in feature 22 Jump Street. West is repped by UTA and Red Baron Management.

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{blackbabes} Tyra Banks admits she had a nose job

 

Tyra Banks had a nose job in the early days of her fashion career.

The supermodel rose to fame in the early 1990s when she nabbed gigs for the likes of Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, Michael Kors, among others, and has since gone on to break into the world of television as a host on shows such as America's Next Top Model and America's Got Talent.

Tyra is now gearing up to release her memoir, titled Perfect Is Boring, and in an excerpt released to People, has divulged that she once had plastic surgery on her nose.

"I had bones in my nose that were growing and itching," she admitted. "I could breathe fine, but I added cosmetic surgery. I admit it! Fake hair, and I did my nose. I feel I have a responsibility to tell the truth."

Penned with her mother Carolyn London, the book reflects on Tyra's journey from insecure teenager to famous supermodel, as well as her new career as an entrepreneur.

She founded cosmetics brand Tyra Beauty in 2014 and doesn't think there is anything wrong with wearing make-up to feel good.

"We place a lot of emphasis on (natural beauty)," the 44-year-old sighed. "As a model, I needed make-up. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. It levelled my playing field.

"If you like your natural self, don't worry about it. But if you feel insecure about something … I have a magic bag of beauty tricks to make you who you want to be."

Tyra also explained that she does not judge people who experiment with temporary or permanent measures to alter their appearance, though clarified that she has not undergone any "age stuff" as yet.

Perfect Is Boring: 10 Things My Crazy, Fierce Mama Taught Me About Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss is due to hit shelves from April 3.

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{blackbabes} Face the Truth

 
Face the Truth, a conflict-resolution talk show hosted by Vivica A. Fox (Empire) will air on 10 CBS-owned stations later this year, according to THR.com.

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{blackbabes} Stephens cracks world top 10 with Miami semi-final run

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Miami (AFP) - American Sloane Stephens had cause for a double celebration Tuesday after beating Germany's Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-2 to reach the WTA Miami Open semi-finals.

The US 13th seed's comprehensive triumph in tricky wind conditions over the former world number one ensured Stephens reached the last four at Key Biscayne for the first time.

It also means the reigning US Open champion will finally be named in the world's top 10 when the WTA release their rankings next week.

"I am so tired of hearing that I am number 11 in the world," said a smiling Stephens, who will face either Victoria Azarenka of Belarus or sixth-ranked Czech Karolina Pliskova for a place in Saturday's final.

"It's very exciting to get there, something I have wanted to do for a while. Getting into the top 10 is pretty special and something I have worked on for a long time."

Stephens' previous best here in Key Biscayne came with a quarter-finals run in 2015 so the emotions on display at the end of what was an ultimately straightforward win over the world number 10 were understandable.

Since her debut Grand Slam triumph at the US Open last September, the 25-year-old has struggled to follow on. Stephens arrived at Key Biscayne having not beaten a top-50 player since the run at Flushing Meadows.

But this week has seen the American, who was raised in South Florida, get back to her roots -- and to winning ways.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Gabrine Muguruza was emphatically dispatched in straight sets Monday before Kerber received similar treatment.

Wind hampered both players but it was Stephens who adapted far better, the power of her groundstrokes and superior movement leaving Kerber frustrated and unable to find a way into the encounter.

"The wind is uncomfortable for both of us. But it can help push you outside of your comfort zone. You just have to embrace it," Stephens said.

Stephens took just 23 minutes to wrap up the first set, Kerber looked sluggish from the start.

Kerber was deep in conversation with coach Wim Fissette during the break, being urged to assert herself.

Kerber saved four break points in the fifth game but Stephens was did not allow her opponent into the match and a 22nd winner sealed the triumph.

"You have to execute your game well and make sure you stick with it," Stephens said. "It's easy to start doing other things so I just need to keep to my plan and make sure I didn't venture off."

Kerber admitted coming through a grueling three-set win over qualifier Wang Yafan the day before had left her flat.

"I was really feeling a little bit tired today," Kerber said. "It was windy, it was tricky, but I've played so many matches in the last three months that I was feeling it a little bit in my body."

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{blackbabes} HBO Greenlights Serena Williams Docuseries ‘Being Serena’

 
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Serena Williams gets personal in Being Serena, a new five-part documentary series set to premiere exclusively on HBO. From HBO Sports and IMG's Original Content Group, Being Serena chronicles the tennis icon at a pivotal moment in her personal and professional life. It debuts Wednesday, May 2 at 10 PM exclusively on HBO, with new episodes airing on subsequent Wednesdays at the same time. The series will also be available on HBO Now, HBO Go, HBO On Demand and partners' streaming services.

From HBO & IMG: Being Serena will provide viewers unprecedented access to Williams during her pregnancy, new motherhood and marriage, while documenting her journey back to supremacy on the court. Viewers will experience her life from every angle as the intimate first-person show delves into her landmark career, family life and expanding role as a businesswoman and investor in the worlds of tech, fashion, fitness and philanthropy. You can watch a trailer above.

"HBO is honored to work with Serena Williams on such a personal project," says
Peter Nelson, executive vice president, HBO Sports. "Even though she has been in the
spotlight since her teenage years, Serena continues to capture the imagination. With our partners at IMG, we look forward to giving viewers a revealing, behind-the- scenes portrait of her life on and off the court."

"Serena Williams is a force unlike any other," said Mark Shapiro, Co-President of
WME and IMG. "Her entire life is one of the hero's journey, and it has been a privilege to work with her as she enters this next phase. HBO was an incredible partner in developing a unique look into Serena's world, and we look forward to sharing this all-access story with the world in May."

Serena Williams, 36, has won 39 Grand Slam titles, four Olympic Gold Medals and the most women's singles match victories in Grand Slam history. Her supremacy on the court earned her Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year honors in 2015 and made her a four-time winner of the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, first in 2002 and most recently in 2015.

In January 2017, Williams bested her sister Venus in the final match of the Australian
Open, marking her seventh time winning that singles event. Four months after her historic victory, Williams revealed that she and her fiancé, Alexis Ohanian, were expecting their first child, confirming she was eight weeks pregnant when she won her 23rd Grand Slam singles title. On September 1, Williams gave birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. Williams and Ohanian wed soon after. Williams will return to the tennis circuit this spring to compete in her first Grand Slam event of the year at the French Open in late May.

Being Serena marks the third collaboration between HBO and IMG following  2016's Gonzaga: The March to Madness, followed by 2017's Emmy-nominated UConn: The March to Madness.

Being Serena is executive produced by Mark Shapiro, Will Staeger and Michael
Antinoro. For HBO: executive producers Peter Nelson and Rick Bernstein; supervising
producer, Bentley Weiner.

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{blackbabes} Venus Williams rallies past Kiki Bertens at Miami Open

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — When Venus Williams slammed a forehand winner on the final point to win a seesaw marathon Sunday, she had enough energy left to spin in delight at the net, a triumphant fist leading the way.

Some 21 years after her Key Biscayne debut, wins at the Miami Open remain something to celebrate.

Williams squandered an early lead, fell behind late and then overcame three match points to rally past Kiki Bertens in the third round, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.

Williams blew a 5-0 lead in the first set and was down 5-3 in the third set. But she swept the final four games, holding serve at love for the victory.

"It didn't look good sometimes," Williams told the supportive crowd. "But that's why you keep playing until the last point. And that's why I love this game."

The match took nearly three hours on the hottest day of the tournament so far, and the 37-year-old Williams now must recover quickly to next play defending champion Johanna Konta. The No. 11-seeded Konta advanced with much less drama, beating No. 22 Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-1.

In men's play, No. 5 Juan Martin del Potro extended his winning streak to 13 matches by eliminating No. 26 Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-2. Del Potro won his first Masters 1000 title last week at Indian Wells.

No. 2 Marin Cilic swept Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 7-6 (4).

Williams regrouped after a disastrous opening set, which she was four times a single point from winning. In the final set she erased two match points at 5-3, and another in the next game.

The stadium was nearly full by the finish. Williams, who lives in South Florida and has long been a favourite with Key Biscayne fans, said they kept her going.

"I felt everybody behind me," she told them. "My opponent played well. I had a lot of chances; she had a lot of chances. I hope it was really entertaining for you all."

Williams, who is seeded No. 8, won the tournament way back in 1998, 1999 and 2001. Last year she reached the semifinal, and this year she outlasted her sister, eight-time champion Serena Williams, who was upset in the first round.

"I love it here," Venus said. "This was my first big win. I have a lot of great memories. I hope I can get another win this year. You never know."

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{blackbabes} Spice Girls’ next project is an animated superhero movie

 

Spice Girl power… activate! Variety has learned that an animated film project starring the Spice Girls is being shopped to potential production partners. According to a source, all five members of the group have signed off on their likenesses being used for a superhero-themed movie working off of the "girl power" message. Each character will be voiced by a Spice Girl — the group's members include Victoria Beckham ("Posh Spice"), Melanie Brown ("Scary Spice"), Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice"), Melanie Chisholm ("Sporty Spice") and Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice") — and feature a "girl power" unique to that group member that reflects each girl's personality.

The news follows recent rumors that the British girl group founded in 1994 planned to stage a reunion tour. While the former bandmates acknowledged that they had met "to explore some incredible new opportunities together," an insider told Variety that talk of a tour was "premature" and that no dates have been booked by CAA, the Spice Girls' longtime agency. Beckham herself has played down any possibility of a tour.

But with the animated superhero concept, the girls are committed and even "fired up about the idea," says a source, adding, "The Spice Girls are thinking big in terms of a franchise on a global scale. They're the most successful girl group on the planet. It's just what Marvel or Disney needs."

Manager Simon Fuller would not comment on the group's future plans.

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{blackbabes} ‘Steps’: Ryan Michelle Bathe Cast As A Lead In ABC Comedy Pilot

Ryan Michelle Bathe (This Is Us) is set for a lead role opposite Kyle Bornheimer and Ginnifer Goodwin in the ABC comedy pilot Steps, from Kristin Newman, Mandeville TV and ABC Studios.

Written by Newman and directed by Todd Holland, Steps is based on the Swedish format Bonus Family. It revolves around four adults in three houses raising three kids after two divorces — together.

Bathe will play Genevieve, a newly single driven work-focused women in control.

The cast also includes Julie Hagerty and Cameron Boyce.

Known for her work on Boston Legal, Brothers & Sisters and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Bathe next will be seen in a recurring role on Empire. She also recurred on NBC's breakout This Is Us. Bathe is repped by Principal Entertainment LA and The Kohner Agency.

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{blackbabes} Tiffany Haddish Will Give Voice To ‘Lego Movie’ Sequel Character

Girls Trip breakout star Tiffany Haddish will voice a character in Warner Bros. Animations' The Lego Movie 2, Deadline has confirmed.

Haddish's role and the movie plot are being kept under wraps, but The Lego Movie 2 is a sequel to the critically acclaimed and global box office phenomenon and picks up right where the last film ended, we're told. The script was written by Matt Fogel following an original draft by directors of the first Lego movie, Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Mike Mitchell (Trolls) will direct.

On board to produce are Lord and Miller, Dan Lin and Roy Lee. Exec producers are Jill Wilfert from Lego Group, Chris McKay, and Jinko Gotoh. For Warner Animation Group, Allison Abbate and Chris Leahy will oversee.

Haddish became the first black female stand-up comic to host Saturday Night Live in the show's long history last November, and she and Maya Rudolph all but stole the Oscars with their appearance on the show. "I know what you're thinking," Haddish told the audience. "Are the Oscars too black now? Don't worry. We were just backstage, and there are still a bunch of white people still to come."

Haddish recently signed on to star alongside Tika Sumpter and Omari Hardwick in Tyler Perry's The List, Perry's next film which is in the works at Paramount Players. Perry wrote and is directing and producing, and the Paramount label has already set a November 2, 2018 release date.

She also will host the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards in June, and will star opposite Tracy Morgan in the upcoming TBS sitcom The Last OG, and with Kevin Hart in Universal's Night School in September. Haddish is repped by APA, Principato Young and Del Shaw Moonves.

The Lego Movie 2 is set for a February 8 release.

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{blackbabes} Venus Williams rallies to advance at Miami Open

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Miami (AFP) - Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams stormed back from deficits in both sets to defeat qualifier Natalia Vikhlyantseva 7-5, 6-4 in the second round of the WTA Miami Open on Friday.

The 37-year-old American improved to 7-3 on the season as she clinched the victory on the second match point when the 21-year-old Russian smacked a forehand wide.

Williams trailed 2-5 in the first set but won five straight games to take the opener. She also rallied in the second set, falling behind 0-3 before winning six of the next seven for the victory.

Williams advances to the third round where she will face 29th seeded Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands, who outlasted American Varvara Lepchenko 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.

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{blackbabes} ‘Major Crimes’ Kearran Giovanni Lands Lead In NBC Drama Pilot ‘Suspicion’

Former Major Crimes star Kearran Giovanni has landed a lead role opposite Derek Luke, Jeri Ryan, and Paula Newsome in NBC's drama pilot, Suspicion, from creator Jessica Goldberg, Universal TV and Keshet Studios.

Created/written by Goldberg based on the book by Joseph Finder and directed by Brad Anderson, Suspicion is described as a Hitchcockian thriller about how far one man will go to save the people he loves. After Danny Goldman (Luke) accepts a handshake loan from his new friend and millionaire neighbor, he gets a visit from the FBI and learns that the decision is one he will regret for the rest of his life. Coerced to work as an informant for the FBI to earn back his freedom, Danny is forced to infiltrate a world of violence and corruption while trying to protect his family.

Giovanni will play Lucy Fletcher. A psychotherapist, Lucy is beyond thrilled to marry Danny (Luke). She's also eager to take on more motherly duties should Ellie need it, and develop her friendship with Celina Canter (Ryan).

Goldberg executive produces with Keshet's Rachel Kaplan, Peter Traugott, Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman and Finder. The studio is Universal TV, where Goldberg is under an overall deal.

In addition to her starring role as Amy Sykes on TNT's Major Crimes, which wrapped its sixth and final season in January, Giovanni's credits include starring alongside Hugh Jackman in Hugh Jackman: Back On Broadway, and guest starring on Royal Pains and Beauty and the Beast. She is repped by APA, Vanguard Management Group, and Morris Yorn Barnes.

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{blackbabes} Meghan Markle Special

 
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Fox will air Meghan Markle: An American Princess, a two-hour documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews (with, like, the bride-to-be's half-sister Samantha), on Friday, May 11 — ahead of her Saturday, May 19 marriage to Prince Harry.

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{blackbabes} ‘Our People’: Matthew Glave & Skai Jackson Cast In Fox Comedy Pilot From Lee Daniels

Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce alum Matthew Glave and Skai Jackson (Bunk'd, Jessie) have rounded out the series regular cast of Our People, Fox's culture-clash single-camera comedy pilot from Lee Daniels and Modern Family executive producer Vali Chandrasekaran.

The project from Lee Daniels Entertainment, Endemol Shine and 20th Century Fox TV is based on the Israeli format Nevsu: A Young Multicultural Couple.

Written by Chandrasekaran and directed by Trent O'Donnell, Our People revolves around Abel (Bernard David Jones), a man from a bombastic African family that doesn't have a word in their native language for "privacy," and his fiancée Jenny (Beth Behrs), from a Midwestern family, as they try to build a normal life together — though nobody can agree what that "normal" means.

Glave will play Nick, the laid back and loving father to Jenny (Behrs). Jackson will portray Aisha, little sister to Abel (Jones).

Glave was most recently seen in the Slamdance film Funny Story and will next appear in Damien Chazelle's First Man. He is repped by Greene & Associates Talent Agency and Sanders Armstrong Caserta Management.

Jackson can currently be seen as Zuri Ross on Disney Channel's Jessie spinoff Bunk'd. Her film credits include The Smurfs and Arthur. Jackson is repped by Paradigm.

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{blackbabes} Tessa Thompson Joins Sony’s ‘Men In Black’ Offshoot

Thor: Ragnarok and Westworld actress Tessa Thompson has signed up for Sony Pictures' Men in Black spinoff, which is said to be more of an ensemble piece than the previous films that starred Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. F. Gary Gray is directing the pic from a screenplay by Art Marcum and Matt Holloway.

Neither Smith nor Lee are expected to return, but the film builds on the contemporary sci-fi world they inhabited. The MIB spinoff will expand on the original premise of a covert force policing the alien population hiding in plain sight on Earth with a new cast of agents.

Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are producing, and Steven Spielberg is serving as executive producer. David Beaubaire is overseeing the film for Sony, which has slated its release date for June 14 of next year.

Thompson's reps are Greene & Associates Talent Agency, Mosaic, and attorney Jeff Bernstein.

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{blackbabes} March For Our Lives: Amy Schumer, Yara Shahidi Join L.A. Rally Speaker Line-Up; Hollywood Tweets March Support

 

Amy Schumer, Connie Britton, Olivia Wilde, Skai Jackson and Yara Shahidi are among the speakers set to take the stage at the Los Angeles March For Our Lives rally Saturday, with singer-songwriter Charlie Puth among the musical performers slated.

The actors will share the stage with students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, site of the February 14 shooting in Parkland, Florida. Other speakers and performers will include Denver Choir, Lara Downes, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Cappie Pondexter, Bret Lockett, Hasan Piker, Jacob Sartorius, Mason Cook, Meg Donnelly, Sierra Dupri. Trevor Hall will be providing a video of the song "Angel Rays" in honor of the 17 victims, and L.A. mayor Eric Garcetti will make the opening remarks.

Scheduled to begin at 9 am, the L.A. march is one of more than 800 currently being planned in solidarity with Saturday's national March For Our Lives in Washington, D.C. The student-led campaign against gun violence and school shootings is designed to "call on lawmakers to prioritize the lives of young people nationwide."

The main march in Washington, D.C. kicks off at 10 AM ET, along Pennsylvania Ave NW from 3rd Street NW to 12th Street NW. The stage, located at 3rd and Constitution Streets, NW, will serve as the hub for the day's program which will begin at noon ET, with speakers including the Parkland students who launched the event. Musical performances will come from Common, Miley Cyrus, Andra Day, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Demi Lovato and Vic Mensa others.

The New York march and rally is set for 11 AM ET at the corner of West 72nd Street and Central Park West, making its way to and down Sixth Avenue to 43rd Street.

Counting L.A., Washington D.C. and New York City, marches and rallies are being planned in 836 locations worldwide, including Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Liverpool and Reykjavik, to name a few, according to The March For Our Lives website.

The Downtown L.A. march will convene on the corner of 6th Avenue and Spring Street, proceeding to Los Angeles City Hall and Grand Park for the rally, where students, teachers, community leaders, and artists will speak "to honor the 17 lives tragically claimed in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018 and to demand immediate action on gun violence prevention."

"We are witnessing our generation, actively come together, in a global conversation, demanding action from lawmakers to invest in and assure our right to safety," said Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi. "I am inspired and motivated to continue to contribute through action, and am honored to be joining March For Our Lives, in Los Angeles this Saturday, to stand in solidarity with my peers from across the country, to demand an end to the gun violence plaguing our schools and our communities, once and for all."

The event has received financial donations of at least $500,000 from George and Amal Clooney, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Oprah Winfrey.

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{blackbabes} Serena Williams loses in 1st round at Miami Open to Osaka

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KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — The match ended with Serena Williams grinning at the net. She saved the worst shot for last in a rare first-round defeat and had to laugh.

Still rusty in her return from pregnancy, Williams was unable to overcome a tough opening draw at the Miami Open and lost Wednesday to Naomi Osaka, 6-3, 6-2.

On the final point, Williams thundered forward to attack an easy shot at eye level, whacked the ball six feet past the baseline and responded with a sheepish smile.

Not that motherhood has mellowed Williams. She left without talking to the media.

The 20-year-old Osaka, who earned her first career title Sunday at Indian Wells, showed no signs of letup and overpowered the erratic Williams. Osaka had the stronger serve and worn Williams down in rallies working her from side to side.

The matchup worthy of a final came about because both players were unseeded. Osaka is ranked a career-best 22nd, while Williams' ranking is 491st after a layoff of more than a year.

Another new mother and former No. 1, three-time champion Victoria Azarenka, defeated Catherine Bellis 6-3, 6-0. Seeded players are in action beginning Thursday.

Williams has been eliminated in the first round only four other times, most recently at the 2012 French Open. The latest defeat came at a tournament she has won a record eight times and considers her hometown event.

The match was the last for Williams at Key Biscayne, 90 miles south of her home in Palm Beach Gardens. The tournament is moving next year to the Miami Dolphins' stadium, where Williams helped with the ceremonial groundbreaking Monday.

Because of Williams' ranking, she entered the draw as a wild card, and looked the part. She needed only eight shots to win the match's first five points, but things became much more difficult after that.

Playing her fourth match since returning to the tour, Williams was a step slow to balls in the corners and often late with her swing, while she put barely half her first serves in play. Early in the second set she resorted to her patented scream of "Come on!", but the outburst failed to turn things around and she lost the next three games.

Typical of her struggle was an exchange midway through the last set. Williams scrambled forward to scoop a ball back, then retreated to hit an awkward, lunging overhead, and then stood and watched helplessly as a crosscourt forehand from Osaka whizzed past for a winner.

Osaka, who has both American and Japanese citizenship and lives in Fort Lauderdale, was playing her idol for the first time but didn't seem a bit fazed. She improved to 14-4 this year.

Things may get tougher for her in the second round, when she'll face No. 4-seeded Elina Svitolina.

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