Amber Riley
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Eliza Dushku feared for family during horrific Boston shootout
April 19, 2013 6:31am ESTActress Eliza Dushku was left frantic as she watched TV coverage of a bloody gun battle in her hometown when cops reportedly chased down suspects linked to the Boston Marathon bombing. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star grew up in Watertown, a small town within the Greater Boston Area of Massachusetts, and she was horrified to see her hometown hit headlines in the early hours of Friday morning (19Apr13). Residents were warned to stay inside and to remain vigilant following the drama, during which a man suspected of involvement in the bombing of the race on Monday (15Apr13) was shot dead, while another suspect reportedly escaped. Dushku, who still has family in Watertown, watched the horrific scenes unfolding on a news bulletin, and revealed she feared for the safety of her loved ones. In a series of posts on Twitter.com, she writes, "It doesn't get closer to home than this. Watertown... Hometown God, please, everyone be safe... Watertown PD (police department) we are all sending you prayers... Born & raised in Watertown. My beautiful fam (family) is there, 20 search blocks/CNN in exact neighborhood I grew up in, Ma's house - can't believe this." Dushku was eventually able to contact her relatives and assured fans her family was safe, adding, "Finally reached my Ma & Jim & they are fine & now staying indoors & turning on news... Love to all... Watertown." Exact details of the incident remained sketchy as WENN went to press, but the police operation is believed to have been sparked when a cop investigating a disturbance at the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT) campus in Cambridge on Thursday night (18Apr13) was reportedly gunned down. The officer later died in hospital. The bloody scenes sparked a frenzy on social networking websites and a number of stars expressed their horror and disbelief as the drama unfolded on TV. Aerosmith rocker Joe Perry, who hails from Lawrence, Massachusetts, wrote in a post on Twitter.com, "Watching TV... can't believe what's happening in Watertown. Hang in there Boston our thoughts are with you," while actress Kat Dennings added, "What the f**k is going on in the world?? Stay safe Boston!!" Sean Astin, Gavin DeGraw, Jenna Ushkowitz, Amber Riley, Chad Lowe and Jack Osbourne were also among the famous names sending sympathies to the community. The shootout comes just days after two bombs ripped through crowds during the Boston Marathon on Monday (15Apr13), killing three people and injuring 170 more.
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Amber Riley misses awards show after fall
February 02, 2013 4:15am ESTThe actress/singer was due to make an appearance at the 2013 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Awards, where she was nominated for the Actress in a Comedy Series prize. However, she fell down a flight of stairs on Wednesday (30Jan13) and didn't recover in time to attend the show. She wrote in post on Twitter.com, "I am so clumsy, took an unexpected trip down my stairs smh (shaking my head) very sore little banged up but I'm okay..." before later adding, "My little fall was a little worse than I thought, was sad to miss the NAACP Awards... but I am so honoured to have been nominated!" Riley went on to congratulate the eventual winner, Cassi Davis, who took the trophy for her role in Tyler Perry's House of Payne. She added, "Congrats (sic) Cassi Davis!... She's amazing."
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The Things They Tweet
January 31, 2013 4:00am EST"I am so clumsy, took an unexpected trip down my stairs smh (shaking my head) very sore little banged up but I'm okay have a great day guys!" Glee star Amber Riley takes a tumble at home.
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Django Unchained and Beasts of the Southern Wild leading NAACP Image Awards nominations
December 11, 2012 12:15pm ESTThe two films will go head-to-head for the Outstanding Motion Picture title, alongside Flight, Red Tails and Tyler Perry's Good Deeds. Tarantino's leading man, Jamie Foxx, will compete for the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture prize against Denzel Washington (Flight), Tyler Perry (Alex Cross), Morgan Freeman (The Magic of Belle Isle), and Suraj Sharma for Life of Pi, while the female equivalent will be a battle between Halle Berry (Cloud Atlas), Viola Davis (Won't Back Down), Quvenzhane Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild), Emayatzy Corinealdi (Middle of Nowhere) and Loretta Devine (In The Hive). Foxx's onscreen wife, Kerry Washington, and their co-star Samuel L. Jackson earned recognition for their supporting roles in the slave drama, and will face competition from Don Cheadle (Flight), Lenny Kravitz (The Hunger Games), Gloria Reuben (Lincoln) and Taraji P. Henson (Think Like a Man). Washington scored another nomination in the TV category for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in hit show Scandal, which was named as a contender for Outstanding TV Drama Series with Grey's Anatomy, Boardwalk Empire, Treme and True Blood. Modern Family, Glee, The Game, The Mindy Project and The Soul Man will fight it out for the Outstanding TV Comedy Series, while TV acting nods went to stars such as LL Cool J (NCIS: Los Angeles), Amber Riley (Glee), Anthony Anderson (Guys With Kids), Don Cheadle (House of Lies) and Regina King (Southland). Michael Clarke Duncan also landed a posthumous acting nomination for The Finder. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Awards celebrate diversity in film, TV, music and literature and will be broadcast in the U.S. on 1 February (13).
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Jane Lynch and Scooter Braun saluted at civil rights gala
December 04, 2012 4:00am ESTMeet The Parents director Jay Roach was also feted at the dinner held by The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California to celebrate the anniversary of America's Bill of Rights, which was written to protect citizens' rights to liberty. Actresses Sophia Bush and Amber Riley, funnyman Will Ferrell and singers Usher and Carly Rae Jepsen all showed up to see the trio receive Bill of Rights Awards during the event at Los Angeles' Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The ACLU trophies are handed to individuals who have carried out "extraordinary work to preserve civil liberties and equal rights". Braun later took to his Twitter.com page to reflect on the tribute, writing, "Tonight I was honoured by people I admire. In this world we all have a responsibility to each other. To stand up for each other. Never be a silent bystander. Speak out. Ignorance has no place (if) we raise our voices against it. ACLU, thank u (sic) for the night. Honoured."
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Amber Riley cries discussing body image on TV
November 21, 2012 4:00am ESTThe curvy singer/actress spent years auditioning for jobs but was regularly turned down by casting agents, who told her she needed to lose weight if she wanted to work in Hollywood. In a taped segment for U.S. series This Is How I Made It, an emotional Riley teared up as she told how the pressure to be thin took its toll on her, and she even considered giving up her dream. She says, "Hollywood is a very hard place to be in. It really is. Being the person I am, you know, the size I am, being a woman, being a black woman, there's not a lot of roles for us. "After I did (2002 TV movie) St. Sass, I kept on auditioning. I was being offered the girl who sits in the corner and eats all day, the girl who committed suicide because she was fat. I never wanted to play a character that hated herself. I wanted people to know that those aren't the only roles for people like me, normal girls. "Going to the auditions and having the casting director say you need to lose a little weight, I didn't understand why people couldn't accept me for who I was. And the rejection started wearing on my self-esteem." The 26 year old made a name for herself after landing the role of Glee's Mercedes Jones in 2009, and she now feels proud of her figure. She adds, "I'm not going to conform, and hurt myself, and do something crazy to be a size two... I'm a healthy person. I have great friends around me that are positive. That's the key to life, (sic) is make your own path, set your own rules. There is no set rule, no set look, no set anything."
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Amber Riley furious after club snub
November 20, 2012 4:00am ESTThe Glee star wrapped her debut stint on the Big Apple stage in the musical Cotton Club Parade this weekend (17-18Nov12) and wanted to celebrate with her castmates and pals at Manhattan's WiP venue. She made a table reservation in advance, but Riley still encountered trouble at the door and she was forced to find another place to party after being rejected. A furious Riley took to her Twitter.com blog to vent her anger, writing, "Never in my life have I dealt with such disrespect. That club @WIPNewYork on Vandam street, they are CROOKS and LIARS!" Her furious tweet prompted a response from club bosses, who apologised for the "bad experience" but claimed she was unreasonable to have expected to bring 30 people to the "sold out" club - and their reply sent Riley over the edge. She ranted, "@WIPNewYork trust. If I had not called 4 days in advance and was promised guaranteed entrance I would not have (brought so many guests). We informed your 'ppl (people)' how many were coming. We checked and double checked. I have the email chain to prove it. So whomever you had booking tables is a liar, obviously so, because he wouldn't even come outside to speak to us. He hid behind the door. Yes I saw him hiding." Riley and her friends took their business elsewhere and she returned to Twitter on Monday (19Nov12) to apologise to fans for her heated tweets. She writes, "My apologies for going off on twitter everyone, I never act out of character this way but it was my last night to be with my cast-mates and it is was ruined. Was very disappointed but we made the best of the night!"
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‘Glee’ Casts Aisha Tyler As Mama Puckerman, But Who Else Needs Parents?
November 05, 2012 10:31am ESTLooks like the powers-that-be at Glee are adding a new branch to the Puckerman famly tree. Later this season—in the Christmas episode to be exact—be prepared to meet Jake’s (Jacob Artist) mom played by the lovely Aisha Tyler. That’s right the new bad boy of McKinley will be sharing some screen time with The Talk co-host and, according to TVLine, she will be offering her son “some much-needed parental guidance.” So far, all we know about Tyler’s character is that she is a hard-working waitress at the Lima country club who puts in extra hours to pay for Jake’s dancing lessons. Basically the race for Lima’s “Mom of the Year” is neck-in-neck between Jake and Marley’s selfless mamas. Although I am beyond thrilled to see little Puckerman get some time to shine with his mommy dearest, I wonder when—or more importantly if—fans will ever get to see their favorite character connect onscreen with their assumingly awesome parents. So while we count down the hours until Glee returns to our TV screens, (this hiatus has seriously sucked all the happiness out of the world) here is a list of Glee parents that I’m still keeping my fingers crossed to see this season: -Brittany’s (Heather Morris) Mom and Dad—If it’s not Lisa Kudrow, then I will throw a chair through a window and blame a small, wide-eyed child. -Artie’s (Kevin McHale) Mom and Dad—Is his mom all right from the accident? Does his dad enjoy sweater vests too? -Sugar’s (Vanessa Lengies) Mom—I imagine a Real Housewives of Lima type complete with a diamond tiara and a dog that is more of an accessory than an actual pet. -Mercedes’ (Amber Riley) Mom and Dad—Is Aretha Franklin currently booked? That's honestly the only person who could do it justice. -Santana’s (Naya Rivera) Dad—Any man who can nab Gloria Estefan as a wife, must be seriously swoon-worthy. -Blaine’s (Darren Criss) Mom and Dad—If they’re absolutely anything like his brother, then I’ll beg to be adopted. -Tina’s (Jenna Ushkowitz) Mom and Dad—I’d like to think that they’re really artsy and free-spirited (i.e. the complete opposite of Mike Chang’s (Harry Shum Jr.) parents) -Rachel’s (Lea Michele) Dads—Okay yes I know we’ve already met this dynamic duo, but come on It took three years and we’ve barely seen them at all. Parents weekend and NYADA please and thank you! Don’t miss the all-new episode of Glee, “The Role You Were Born To Play,” Thusday at 9 PM on FOX. How are you feeling about this casting news gleeks? Which parent are you just dying to meet? Does anyone else think Brittany was raised by cats? Shout out your thoughts in the comments below! Follow Leanne on Twitter @LeanneAguilera [Photo Credit: Wenn] MORE: 'Glee' Recap: Which Couples Are Still Standing After "The Break Up"? 'Glee' Recap: Sexy Makeovers, Scandalous Kisses, and Sarah Jessica Parker! ‘Glee’ Recap: Breakdowns, Brothers, and Britney 2.0 From Our Partners: Katy Perry Moves Forward at Barack Obama Rally in Wisconsin (PHOTOS) (Celebuzz) Russell Brand Talks Awkward Encounter With Ex-Wife Katy Perry and Addresses Geri Halliwell Dating Rumors (EXCLUSIVE) (Celebuzz)
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'Glee' Returns: A Deep Dive
September 13, 2012 1:03pm ESTOver the next few months, we’ll see new series soar, old series sour, and so much Jersey Shore madness, we’ll want to shower. Let’s face it: The Fall TV season is intimidating. With dozens of new and returning shows hitting our small screens, we know we have some big choices to make. So, to help you determine what to watch, we’re digging deep into the most notable series premiering this season. Where did each show leave off? Where is it headed? And who should you watch it with? Today, we're checking out the return of Glee, which has all the mystery of a giant sparkling question mark. Where will Ryan Murphy’s darling go now that its beloved singers are scattered all over the country? Series Name: Glee Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 13 at 9:00 PM ET Number of Seasons: Three down, heading into the fourth. You’ll Like It If: You’ve never seen Glee before and love show choirs (hello, one person in the entire United States) or you’ve continued to watch Glee despite being disappointed are you still hold out hope that the series will redeem itself. (Hi, my name is Kelsea and I have a hard time accepting that Glee is not going to return to its glory days. Hi, Kelsea.) You won’t like it if: You get uncomfortable when characters break out into song and even more uncomfortable when they tell you why they’re about to break out into song. Best Piece of Merchandise: In case the pillows, iPhone covers, clothing lines, buttons, nail polish, etc. aren’t enough, there’s an Archie Comic/Glee crossover coming. No word on whether Rachel is the Betty or the Veronica. Best government-funded school common area: That quad. I mean. There are no words. What high school has a full set of steps to nowhere opening up to the general lunching area for the entire student body, practically begging for 12-14 talented teenagers to dance and sing all over them? Seriously. I need to know. That high school sounds awesome. Cast: Everyone who isn’t tied up over at The New Normal and American Horror Story. Ryan Murphy attracts big names like bowties attract Blaine Anderson. And if you’ve been living under a rock, here’s an exhaustive (and I mean, man am I tired from memorizing all these names) list of the friendly faces of McKinley High and beyond: Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Naya Rivera, Jane Lynch, Jenna Ushkowitz, Darren Criss, Kevin McHale, Chris Colfer, Heather Morris, Chord Overstreet, Amber Riley, Harry Shum Jr., Mark Salling, and (just accept it) Matthew Morrison. And those are only the returning cast members. The five newbies include romantic comedy heroine extraordinaire Kate Hudson and youngsters Dean Geyer, Melissa Benoist, and Jacob Artist and Becca Tobin as mini-Puck and mini-Quinn. See, don’t you need a little cat nap now? Synopsis: Set partially in Lima, Ohio and partially in New York City (and probably partially in a few other places), Glee is about a growing roster of characters trying desperately to take part in relevant storylines without being overshadowed by Sue Sylvester and Blaine. This is nearly impossible. Also, everyone can sing. Even Jayma Mays. Where we left off last season: Rachel and Finn graduated, and he joined the army, White Fanged her (as in “go on, git,” not whatever you perverts were thinking), and sent her off to New York, where she promptly behaved like Barbra Streisand in the fictional ‘60s movie Rachel created in a dream. Kurt is also preparing to go to New York. This makes his papa cry and Kurt and Blaine decide they will end up like the couple from The Notebook, minus the dementia. Mike is headed to a Chicago Dance school, Santana is also (probably) headed to New York, Brittany flunked and is going to be a Super Senior, Quinn is off to Yale, and Mercedes is hoofing it to Los Angeles to be a star. Schue is no longer trying to move his wedding so the glee club will be there. Sue is still pregnant with a real baby and NeNe Leakes is trying to take over the school (but she’s on The New Normal now so that’ll probably work itself out). There’s probably more, but my brain is sparking and sputtering, so I’m going to give it a rest. Character to avoid modeling your own wardrobe off of: Will Schuester (sweater vests affect 3 out of four History teachers every year*), Kurt Hummel (sorry, my friend, you are fabulous, but you don’t look it), and (duh) Rachel Berry’s school girl chic. *Statistics are not based on any real calculation, but rather a fuzzy memory of all my past History teachers. Required reading: Stephen Sondheim’s Wikipedia page. The references are rampant and now that they’re in New York… oh boy. Relevant YouTube clip: Lord Tubbington’s Household Chores How-To (because any excuse for a cat video is welcome). Don’t do this while watching: Hold anything sharp. As much as we keep coming back to this show, hoping it will wash away its past sins, there have been at least a handful of actual facepalm moments in each episode, so that would be bad. Think about it. Who to watch it with: Someone who isn’t going to insist that you sing along with every musical number. There are way too many per episode for that nonsense. Also, someone who isn’t easily shocked by dramatic and comedic ploys (think, “Oh my GOSH. Did Sue really say that really mean thing?! No. Way.”) There are also far too many of these per episode. Suggested viewing party refreshments: Carrot sticks (there are some seriously skinny ladies prancing around on screen and you totally skipped the gym to watch this show, so you’d better make up for it somehow. Plus, it will really help offset the calories in all that red wine). Emmy Wins: Best Comedy Series (2010), Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Neil Patrick Harris, 2010), Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Gwyneth Paltrow, 2010), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Jane Lynch, 2010) Ratings last season: Season low was 6.01 million, Season high was 9.21 million Follow Kelsea on Twitter @KelseaStahler [Photo Credit: Fox] More:
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Kal Penn pokes fun at Clint Eastwood at U.S. Democratic National Convention
September 05, 2012 10:15am ESTMovie legend Eastwood hit headlines after his bizarre performance in Tampa, Florida last Thursday (30Aug12), during which the Dirty Harry star chatted to an invisible Obama about foreign policy and economics, suggesting it was time for the President to be replaced by his party's candidate, Mitt Romney. His eyebrow-raising antics provided great material for Penn, who is now a member of the leader's White House Office of Public Engagement, and he took the opportunity as one of the main speakers on the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina to mock the film veteran. Praising Obama for his successes during his first term in office, the Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle star said, "I've worked on a lot of fun movies, but my favourite job was having a boss who gave the order to take out (terrorist Osama) Bin Laden and who's cool with all of us getting gay married (sic). "So thank you invisible man in the chair, for that, and for giving my friends access to affordable health insurance and doubling funding for the Pell Grant (government funding for financially-strapped students)." Penn's appearance took place shortly before First Lady Michelle Obama took to the podium to speak to campaigners. Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am and actress Eva Longoria were among the Democrat supporters in the audience, while Glee actress Amber Riley performed the American National Anthem at the political event.
