New contender to the “Empire” claims hit show stole his true life story

Ron Newt claims the TV show “Empire” is based on his real life documentary “Bigger Than Big”.

(Photo Credit: @RonNewt Twitter Page)

In an interesting twist, we are reminded of how life and art are sometimes so eerily similar. There is a real-life former pimp and drug dealer who is suing just about everyone connected with the hit FOX network television show “Empire”. He alleges that after sharing his story during a meeting with Terrance Howard at a social event, the next thing he knows is that he’s seeing his life reflected in the prime time hit drama.

Ron Newt, the ex-gangster making the charges, is taking his cause to court and for his troubles he is asking for a judgement in his favor to the tune of one billion dollars. According to Newt, his life on the streets was just as colorful as the life of the young Lucious Lyons. He lived the infamous slogan of “sex, drugs, and Rock & Roll”; or rather, in his case, “sex, drugs, and R&B”. He signed his artists The Newtrons with label owners as diverse as Michael Jackson and Suge Knight.

The fact is, as a friend said to me, this story could be the true tale of countless ex-street guys in cities all across the country. Is this just a frivolous  lawsuit pressed by a con man hoping for a payday? It just might be. On the other hand are there really that many similarities between this guy’s stories and the almost fantastical drama portrayed weekly in the highly-rated series? If so, this should prove an interesting court case because even when he was on the streets, Newt supposedly had a lot of celebrity friends and might be willing to name names to prove his case. Time will tell.

It’s his prerogative; Arlen Escarpeta cast as Bobby Brown in Lifetime’s biopic

Introducing the actor who won the role of Bobby Brown. (Photo credit: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Essence magazine reported yesterday that Lifetime network has chosen Arlen Escarpeta, 33, to play the role of Bobby Brown in its upcoming biopic about Whitney Houston’s climb to fame and the over-the-top crazy love of the couple.  They had already cast actress YaYa DaCosta in the role of the legendary Houston.

Director Angela Bassett has chosen not to rehash the painful memories and questions surrounding the drowning of Whitney Houston in a hotel bathtub on February 11, 2012.  Bassett said, “We’re not interested in dragging her life again through, you know, the muck. She had to play out her choices, and the consequences of them, in a very hot, glaring spotlight, but we’re not interested in dragging that through again.”  (Continue reading full story here.)

Bruno Mars makes recovering fan feel like a true ‘Treasure’

Bruno Mars sings to cheer up young girl recovering from horrific tragedy.

(YouTube)

Not many people know Peter Gene Hernandez.  But almost everyone knows Bruno Mars.  Even the stage name is almost other worldly.  Bruno Mars is a star.  His singing has been compared with the likes of Marvin Gaye; and his dance-filled, high-energy live performances have been compared with those of the late great Michael Jackson.  Well onstage theatrics aside, Bruno Mars proved he is one of the nicest guys in show business Saturday when he singled out and performed for a very special fan

The Plain Dealer is reporting today that the show was in Cleveland, OH, and was a part of Mars’ Moonshine Jungle Tour.  This is Mars’ second tour and he is getting rave reviews and sold out shows all over the country. Mars was already a hot up and coming artist, but his name recognition, bankability and star power shot through the roof after he gave what many called the best half-time show in years at the 2014 Super Bowl.

Mars made one young lady in Cleveland super happy with some up close and personal attention.  The brave Zumyah Thorpe, 11, is another victim of the horrible epidemic of drunk driving that is plaguing the nation.  These drunk drivers seldom realize how drastically a split-second foolish decision can alter someone else’s whole existence.    (Continue reading full story here.)

Willow Smith, 13, photo’d in bed with man; leaves fans whipping their heads back and forth

This picture of Willow Smith, lounging in the bed with Moises Arias, has caused outrage among parents everywhere. (photo credit: Moises Arias via Instagram)

Mr. and Mrs. Smith, in this case Will (star of ‘Fresh Prince’ and ‘Bad Boys’) and Jada (lead in TV drama ‘Hawthorne’), are often considered the world’s coolest parents.  Dad is a comedic actor and rapper, and mom is an actress and singer in a rock band.  They’ve also been a bit controversial with their parenting style.  Will drew a lot of attention last year when he told an interviewer that he and Jada “don’t believe in punishment.”

These words just may have come back to haunt them.  E! Online is reporting today that the Smiths are getting incredible backlash after a picture surfaced of their daughter Willow Smith, 13, in bed with actor Moises Arias.  He is best known for his role playing Rico on ‘Hanna Montana’ (Disney).  The problem is this isn’t the beloved child star the world remembers; Arias is now a 20-year-old grown man.   (Read full story here.)

‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ reunion part 3, episode 25; recap and review

The ladies of RHOA, minus Porsha on the far right, had a fiery reunion part III last night.   (photo credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images)

Last night was the explosive reunion part three of BravoTV’s hit show ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ (RHOA).  Fortunately, this time no actual physical violence erupted.  Here are some of the highlights.  Andy Cohen spent a huge chunk of time going back and forth between NeNe and Kenya regarding the tainted three-way friendship that went left when Margo entered the pictured.  At one point Cohen had both of his fingers in his ears (a la toddlers) when NeNe and Kenya were screeching over his head.

About the only thing these two women have in common is, as Andy said, (Read full story)