Maria Leal

Los Angeles

Freelance Contributor at Freelance

Bilingual Multi-Media Journalist| Searching for a story...☀️|

Featured in: Favicon

uol.com.br Favicon

mdpi.com

mercurynews.com Favicon

unirioja.es Favicon

yaktrinews.com Favicon

urbanhollywood411.com Favicon

msn.com

eleconomista.es Favicon

pitlanemotor.com Favicon

datacenterdynamics.com + 4 more

Articles

‘Beyond the Gates’ Gets Season 2 Renewal After Ratings Success

3 days ago | urbanhollywood411.com | Maria Leal

Beyond the Gates, the first Black daytime soap opera in over three decades is coming back for a second season. CBS announced the renewal in a press release on Monday, May 12, saying the program has improved viewership in its time period by 48 percent since it debuted in February. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series drew 2.28 million cross-platform viewers in its debut week, a 78 percent increase over the same timeslot performance by The Talk the previous year.
Nelly and Ashanti Get Reality Show on Their Rekindled Romance

4 days ago | urbanhollywood411.com | Maria Leal

Nelly and Ashanti will give fans a front-row seat into their rekindled romance, marriage and life as parents. In a press release on Friday, Peacock announced its new slate of unscripted shows, including Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together. The eight-episode docuseries will follow the couple as they “reignite their love, navigate the ups and downs of newlywed life, and the challenges of parenthood while juggling their thriving careers,” according to the official description.
Tony Nominations 2025: Audra McDonald Makes History, Denzel Washington Snubbed

2 weeks ago | urbanhollywood411.com | Maria Leal

When the 78th Tony Award nominations were announced Thursday, Audra McDonald made history with her 11th nod. McDonald, a six-time Tony winner, stars as Rose in Gypsy on Broadway. The actress was previously tied with the late Julie Harris and Chita Rivera for the most nominations ever with 10 each.
LA City Council Votes to Keep Film and TV Productions Local

2 weeks ago | urbanhollywood411.com | Maria Leal

The fight for film and TV productions is ramping up, with the Los Angeles City Council voting unanimously to cut costs and red tape to stop movies and TV shows from fleeing the region. On Tuesday, April 29, the council approved a motion introduced by Councilmember Adrin Nazarian that directs city departments to find ways to reduce fees, ease permitting rules, and streamline filming on city-owned property, according to City News Service.
Outkast Among 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

2 weeks ago | urbanhollywood411.com | Maria Leal

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2025, with legendary rap duo Outkast among this year’s new inductees. Other inductees in the performer category are Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Cyndi Lauper, Bad Company, Chubby Checker and Joe Cocker, the Hall of Fame said in a press release. Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon will be honored with the Musical Influence Award.
Diddy Claims 'Mental Condition' as Defense Ahead of Trial

2 weeks ago | urbanhollywood411.com | Maria Leal

With his sex trafficking trial set to begin in a matter of days, Sean “Diddy” Combs and his legal team are working to build a defense, this time citing a “mental condition” as a factor in the music mogul’s alleged crimes. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Combs’ lawyers are attempting to introduce expert testimony suggesting he lacked the capacity to control his behavior due to drugs, alcohol, or a mental health issue.
Kevin Hart Promises 'Night to Remember' as 2025 BET Awards Host

2 weeks ago | urbanhollywood411.com | Maria Leal

Bigger, fresher, funnier, that’s what Kevin Hart says viewers can expect when he takes the stage as host of the 2025 BET Awards. The comedian and actor has been announced as this year’s emcee, with BET revealing the news in a trailer produced by his Hart’s company, Hartbeat Productions. This year marks a milestone edition of the BET Awards, celebrating 25 years of honoring Black achievement in music, movies, television, and sports. “Did somebody talk to Lenny Kravitz and DJ Mustard?
'She the People' Trailer: Terri J. Vaughn Plays Politics in Tyler Perry's Comedy

3 weeks ago | urbanhollywood411.com | Maria Leal

Tyler Perry and Keisha Lance Bottoms are bringing the political comedy series, She the People, to Netflix this May. The streamer released the first official trailer for the series on Thursday, April 24. Set in Mississippi, the comedy stars Terri J. Vaughn (Friday, The Steve Harvey Show) as newly elected lieutenant governor Antoinette Dunkerson. “I think I can make a difference,” Vaughn says in the trailer. But the good ole boys in the state house have other ideas.
Pastor Launches 'New Phase' of Target Boycott Over DEI Rollback

3 weeks ago | urbanhollywood411.com | Maria Leal

The Atlanta pastor who led a 40-day Target “fast” for Lent is now calling for a “full boycott” of the retailer, citing a lack of progress after it rolled back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Rev. Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church announced the move in a statement posted on his church’s website, saying the protest is “entering a new phase.”He amplified that message over the weekend at his church’s Easter Sunday service.
Film Academy Changes Rules - Oscars Voters Must Now Watch All Nominated Movies

3 weeks ago | urbanhollywood411.com | Maria Leal

There are lots of new rules for the 2026 Oscars. The film academy’s board of governors has approved updates to the Oscars’ rules and regulations for 2026, including a major change to the voting process, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced in a press release on Monday. Starting with the 98th ceremony, all voting members will be required to view every nominated film before casting their final ballots.