Author Archives: Sonya's Spotlight
← Older posts Newer posts →DeVon Franklin: From Intern to Executive Producer | NAACP+ Inside the Industrywork
May 21, 2026NAACP+ INSIDE THE INDUSTRY hosted by Ariana Drummond What does a producer actually do—and what does that role really look like behind the scenes? This week on NAACP+ Inside the Industry, DeVon Franklin—former Columbia Pictures executive and producer of The Pursuit of Happyness—shares his journey from intern to studio executive. In this episode, we explore: For anyone curious about the business of producing, this conversation offers a candid look inside the industry.
Posted in MOTIVATION | Leave a commentJennifer Lopez Turns Coachella Debut Into High-Voltage Independence Anthem at 56
May 21, 2026Jennifer Lopez crashed Coachella at 56 in a plunging silver bodysuit, using a surprise set with David Guetta and new song “Save Me Tonight” to punctuate her post-divorce, stand-alone era. Coachella has built its legacy on youth and hype, but on a warm desert night, it briefly belonged to Jennifer Lopez. During David Guetta’s set at the festival, the producer brought out Lopez for an unannounced performance of her new track “Save Me Tonight,” which he produced. The crowd went from curious to roaring as she strode onstage, sparkling under the lights in a deeply plunging, silver high-cut bodysuit that celebrated every bit of her 56-year-old frame. Lopez layered the look with a mint green, feathery jacket that she eventually shrugged off, revealing the full drama of the silhouette. Paired with over-the-knee boots and a bedazzled microphone, it was classic Jennifer: part movie star, part street performer, entirely in control of the fantasy. Photos from the night show her framed by dancers and desert haze, singing into that crystal-bright mic as fans screamed along. The moment carried extra weight. For all her decades of pop dominance, this was her first time performing at the Indio, California, festival, a stage often treated as a proving ground for the current generation’s headliners and viral darlings. Lopez arrived there with a resume already full. She has been performing almost nonstop with her Las Vegas residency, the latest chapter in a career that has spanned 1990s rom-coms, 2000s chart-toppers, “Hustlers,” and that Super Bowl halftime show. Now, Coachella becomes another late-career jewel, and it comes at a moment when her personal life has been under just as much scrutiny as her set lists. Last year, her marriage to Ben Affleck ended in a highly watched unraveling. The former couple modified their property settlement agreement …
Posted in Highlight | Leave a commentBillie Eilish Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour Live in 3D – US Premiere
May 21, 2026BILLIE EILISH – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR (LIVE IN 3D)Only In Theatres, Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D and Premium Large Formats May 8, 2026 TICKETS ON SALE NOW! A Lightstorm Earth Production The Darkroom / Interscope Films Production “BILLIE EILISH HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR (LIVE IN 3D)” Executive Producer: Mikael Borglund Produced by: James Cameron, Billie Eilish, Maria Wilhelm, John Brooks, Geoff Burdick, Paul Clarke, Maggie Baird, Justin Lubliner, John Janick, Steve Berman, Chelsea Dodson, Jason Owen, Michelle An Directed by: James Cameron and Billie Eilish Cast: Billie Eilish Synopsis: Captured during her sold-out world tour, BILLIE EILISH – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR (LIVE IN 3D) brings an innovative new concert experience to the big screen from one of the most celebrated and successful artists of her generation. Presented in immersive 3D, the film is directed by Academy Award® winners James Cameron and Billie Eilish, in-theatres May 8, 2026. THIS FILM HAS BEEN RATED PG-13 FOR STRONG LANGAUGE AND SUGGESTIVE REFERENCES #HITMEHARDANDSOFTMovieFacebook | Instagram | TikTok | X
Posted in In The Spotlight | Leave a commentSCARY MOVIE IN THEATRES Now
May 21, 2026SYNOPSIS Twenty-six years after outrunning a suspiciously familiar masked killer (“Ghostface”), the Core Four are back in the killer’s crosshairs and no horror movie IP is safe. Marlon Wayans (“Shorty”), Shawn Wayans (“Ray”), Anna Faris (“Cindy”), and Regina Hall (“Brenda”) reunite in Scary Movie alongside returning favorites and fresh faces to slash through reboots, remakes, requels, prequels, sequels, spin-offs, elevated horror, origin stories, anything with the word legacy in it, and every “final chapter” that absolutely isn’t final. Nothing is sacred. No trope survives. Every line gets crossed. The Wayans are back to cancel the Cancel Culture. EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY Jonathan Glickman, Thom Zadra, Alexandra Loewy, Marc Weinstock, Marsha L. Swinton, Neal H. Moritz PRODUCED BY Rick Alvarez, p.g.a., Craig Wayans, Marlon Wayans, p.g.a., Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans BASED ON CHARACTERS CREATED BY Shawn Wayans & Marlon Wayans & Buddy Johnson & Phil Beauman and Jason Friedberg & Aaron Seltzer WRITTEN BY Marlon Wayans & Shawn Wayans & Keenen Ivory Wayans & Craig Wayans & Rick Alvarez DIRECTED BY Michael Tiddes STARRING Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Kenan Thompson, Dave Sheridan, Lochlyn Munro, Kim Wayans, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott, Damon Wayans Jr., Heidi Gardner, Olivia Rose Keegan, Cameron Scott Roberts, Savannah Lee Nassif, Sydney Park, Gregg Wayans, Benny Zielke, Ruby Snowber. CREDITS ARE NOT FINAL AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGETHIS FILM HAS NOT BEEN RATED YET https://www.scarymovie.film/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23850902128&gbraid=0AAAABDOmLruoBJMbDqH1IkMn4klVyfWOd&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlLDQBhDjARIsAPlIefHEBVokwl2iDKuEhGXbsB4bpJb0HcvdM3eKW8a3PgHmhFkHyt6xWIIaAiddEALw_wcB
Posted in Movie News | Leave a commentLEDISI JOINS THE BROADWAY CAST OF NEW MUSICAL “WANTED”
May 19, 2026The news of Ledisi’s casting was first announced last night at “WANTED Unplugged,” an exclusive one-night-only concert experience hosted at Artist House in Soho. The special evening featured intimate performances of songs from the new musical. Ledisi shared, “I am beyond thrilled to join the cast of Wanted. My first Broadway principal role, and I still can’t believe it. I keep thinking about the journey, God’s timing, and the importance of legacy. I’m grateful to Angelica Chéri, Ross Baum, Stevie Walker-Webb, and our producers for trusting me with the role of Tallulah, and to my family, friends, and team for giving me the courage to say ‘yes.’ I love being a recording artist, and that will never change. Theatre has always been part of my vision as a storyteller. This isn’t a pivot… It’s another expansion of me. And I’m just getting started.” Ledisi has built a career defined by vocal excellence, emotional storytelling, and fearless creativity, seamlessly blending R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, and blues into a sound that is uniquely her own. A classically trained vocalist with a commanding stage presence, Ledisi has earned critical acclaim for both her recordings and live performances. Over the course of her career, Ledisi has received multiple Grammy nominations, including “Best New Artist” for her breakthrough album Lost & Found, and won the Grammy Award for “Best Traditional R&B Performance” for her song “Anything For You.” In 2025, she earned two additional Grammy nominations for “Best R&B Album” for her sixteenth studio album, The Crown, and “Best Traditional R&B Performance” for the album’s standout single, “Love You Too.” Ledisi’s film and television credits include Selma (2014) and Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (2022), as well as appearances in “American Soul,” “Pose,” and Spinning Gold. Her Broadway credits include Caroline, or Change (2004) and Hair (2004). Texas, 1893 — Twin sisters Mary and Martha Clarke are on the run. The sisters, Black women who pass for white and hide in plain sight, straddle a dangerous line between two …
Posted in Celebrity Profile | Leave a commentFloetry Headlined Packed Inaugural Concert at The Arena at Southlake, Announcing South Metro Atlanta’s Premier New Venue
May 6, 2026The Arena at Southlake made its live music debut in spectacular fashion on May 1, as Floetry headlined a packed inaugural concert before an electrified crowd in Morrow, Georgia, marking a landmark moment for Clayton County and South Metro Atlanta. With lines wrapped around the building, the 8,000-seat venue drew a vibrant crowd for its first night of live entertainment, setting a new standard for the region. Teedra Moses opened with a captivating set, performing fan favorites and new music to an enthusiastic audience. Closing out the night, Floetry delivered a high-energy, emotionally charged set, reminding fans why they are one of the genre’s most revered acts. With commanding presence, the duo seamlessly moved through a catalog of hits including “Butterflies,” “Sunshine,” “Say Yes,” and “Floetic.” In one of the evening’s most powerful moments, they paused to share candid reflections on their relationship and the journey that brought them back together — an honest, moving exchange that resonated deeply with the audience. This moment underscored themes of sisterhood, healing, and legacy, adding greater emotional depth to the performance. The set concluded with a heartfelt tribute to friends and family, creating a shared experience that drew the audience even closer to the music. Raheem DeVaughn (photo by Britney Sims) delivered a dynamic, interactive performance — serenading members of the crowd and honoring the legacies of Angie Stone and D’Angelo. He also used his platform to raise awareness about the impact of HIV on Black women.
Posted in Atlanta Scene | Leave a commentUSHER’S NEW LOOK LAUNCHES NATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED THE R&B TOUR
May 6, 2026Usher’s New Look (UNL) and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit (BGCGD) today announced the launch of the Entertainment Industry Club: Live Touring Edition—a first-of-its-kind workforce development initiative designed to accelerate career pathways for young adults in the entertainment trades. As part of 2026 North American R&B Tour, the program will select a cohort of ten interns (ages 18+) from Detroit and Atlanta to gain hands-on experience across key areas including tour production, wardrobe, multimedia, community impact, and operations. Interns will complete a pre-tour training experience focused on professional standards, safety, and role-specific skills before joining the tour and contributing directly to live show execution. In parallel, the initiative will engage youth nationwide through Spark Sessions: “Making of the Tour,” offering behind-the-scenes access to the planning, production, and business of a live touring experience at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. “The live touring industry is a multi-billion dollar global business—yet access to the entertainment trades remain limited,” said Shawn H. Wilson, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit and Co-Founder of Usher’s New Look. “Together, we’re changing that by placing young professionals on one of the most historic tours and turning access into real pathways to lasting careers.” “At Usher’s New Look, we’ve always believed talent is everywhere, but access is not,” said USHER. “This program is opening doors and putting young professionals in a position to learn, grow, and work inside the entertainment trades. It’s about giving them a real opportunity.” As the tour travels, interns will also lead community activations in each city in partnership with local Boys & Girls Clubs, delivering career workshops, training sessions, and peer-to-peer learning experiences that extend the program’s impact beyond the internship cohort. [Applications for the Entertainment Industry Club: Live Touring Edition are open now. Interested candidates can learn more …
Posted in Celebrity Profile | Leave a commentMet Gala: The Red Carpet Arrivals – Hollywood Reporter
May 5, 2026Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour are co-chairing this year’s (controversial) fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute. BY LAURA TUCKER, LAURIE BROOKINS MAY 4, 2026 2:36PM Perhaps no Met Gala has spawned as much advance chatter as the event kicking off Monday evening on the steps of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Indeed, even a cursory look at social media proves that fashion devotees and neophytes alike have thoughts about this year’s fundraiser for the museum’s Costume Institute, and how those strong opinions might impact the starry evening is about to be revealed. Backlash kicked in almost immediately upon the announcement in February that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, would serve as the evening’s honorary chairs, contributing $10 million for the privilege. Amid ongoing economic challenges that include high gas and grocery prices, ICE protests and Amazon’s $1 million contribution to Donald Trump’s 2024 inauguration, the Bezos’ involvement in the Met Gala has been viewed as myopic, rubbing plenty of New Yorkers and members of the fashion and entertainment industries the wrong way. That may play out as protests on the sidewalk across the street from the museum’s Fifth Avenue steps, which in the past has been occupied largely with fans cheering as guests arrive. Most official livestreams of the Met Gala carpet kick off at 6 p.m., but look for earlier arrivals to include the evening’s co-chairs: Condé Nast chief content officer Anna Wintour, who has been overseeing the Met Gala since 1995, alongside Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Beyoncé, attending her first Met Gala since 2016. Bezos and his wife are likely also due to arrive at this time, with members of the host committee — a buzzy list that includes Sabrina Carpenter, Teyana Taylor, Elizabeth Debicki, Chase Sui Wonders and Blackpink’s Lisa — following soon …
Posted in Fashion, In The Spotlight | Leave a comment‘THOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’ – PREMIERING JUNE 6TH AT 8/7C ON LIFETIME
May 5, 2026Trailer:https://youtu.be/BSQnGq2n_Ws?si=YrCny09McAKm7J-U Lifetime announces its latest faith-based drama Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery, set to premiere on Saturday, June 6th at 8/7c. The movie stars Grammy Award-winning artist Erica Campbell as Cassie Newton, who is grappling with the consequences of her actions and the true meaning of faith and forgiveness. CJ Williams stars as Daniel, Cassie’s husband, whose unwavering love is put to the ultimate test while Traí Byers rounds out the love triangle as Troy Stamps, the “other man” whose presence threatens to unravel Cassie’s carefully constructed life. Jasmine Guy rounds out the cast as world renown empowerment speaker, Anita Pierce and former NBA champion Matt Barnes makes his movie debut portraying the affable Detective Wilson in the thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of faith, morality, and personal integrity in the face of temptation and betrayal.In Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery, Cassie Newton, a renowned Christian feminist icon and bestselling author, finds her world turned upside down when she becomes the target of a blackmail scheme. Confronted with damning evidence of her extramarital affair, Cassie must navigate the treacherous waters of public scrutiny while fighting to salvage her marriage, career, and the trust of her devoted followers. As the stakes escalate and the betrayal of a once-trusted assistant comes to light, Cassie is forced to confront her own hypocrisy and make an impossible choice. Will she compromise her principles to protect her brand and the safety of her followers, or will she risk losing everything by exposing her own failings?Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery is produced by Releve Entertainment and Swirl Films, with Dr. Holly Carter, Angela Shin, Keesha Brickhouse, Eric Tomosunas, Ron Robinson, and Errol Sadler serving as executive producers. Patricia Cuffie Jones directs from a script by Nneka Grestle. ABOUT LIFETIME: Celebrating over 40 years of entertaining audiences, Lifetime is a premier entertainment destination for women dedicated to offering the highest quality original programming spanning award-winning movies, high-quality scripted series and breakout non-fiction series. Lifetime has an impressive legacy in public affairs, bringing attention to social issues that women care about with initiatives such as the long running Stop Breast Cancer for Life and Stop Violence Against Women. Lifetime Television®, LMN®, Lifetime Real …
Posted in TV | Leave a commentSonya’s Excursion: Los Cabos, Mexico
April 29, 2026When it’s time for a getaway, a tropical destination is always ideal for me. Recently, I traveled to Los Cabos, Mexico. Here are just a few highlights from my trip: breathtaking ocean views, scrumptious cuisine, stunning tropical and desert-like scenery, infinity poolside fun, and a glass-bottom boat tour to see the iconic Cabo San Lucas Arch — all while enjoying friendship and fellowship. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. Enjoy, and stay tuned for more of my daily vlogs! Photos and Video by Sonya Jenkins (Photos 2, 4, 14 – Compliments of Esperanza’s Tours) _________________________________________________________________________________________ When an Island getaway calls, I answer. Shortly after my spring trip to Los Cabos, I was invited again – this time with my girl Amina and her daughters Cori & Bronx. Check out some of our excursions below.
Posted in Travel | Leave a comment ← Older posts Newer posts →
