Here’s what we’re talking about over our OJ this morning:
Hip Hop moguls Jay Z and Russell Simmons met with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to discuss reforms to the state’s criminal justice system. Among their request of the state’s leader, Hov has asked for a special prosecutor to investigate police brutality. This meeting comes after an NYPD officer was not indicted after killing unarmed Black man, Eric Garner. [Billboard]
Lifetime will ring in the new year with a new original movie. With This Ring stars Jill Scott, Regina Hall, and rapper Eve star as three friends who decide to get married in the same year. Garbielle Union and Tracey Edmonds are executive producing this romantic comedy, debuting on January 24. [Hello Beautiful]
One of our favorite Cosby kids is back on TV in a dark new role. Malcolm Jamal-Warner (who played Theo on The Cosby Show) made a surprise guest appearance on American Horror Story: Freak Show as an old lover of Angela Bassett’s character, Desiree Dupree. While his appearance was brief, there are strong hints that he may return. [People]
A former America’s Next Top Model contestant is suing creator and host Tyra Banks for wrongful elimination. Angelea Preston claims she was the rightful winner of Cycle 17 in 2011 and was denied the top prize because she used to be an escort. Now she’s suing Banks for $3 million according to a claim filed Wednesday. No comment yet from Banks or The CW [Access Hollywood]
Ex-Scandal star Columbus Short admits that his excessive drug use lost him his spot on the hit ABC drama. “I was doing cocaine and drinking a lot and trying to balance a 16-hour work schedule a day, and a family, and I just lost myself back then,” he said in a candid interview with Access Hollywood. He also reveals that even though he left the show, his cast members and producer Shonda Rhimes were supportive of him while he got his life together. “Sometimes the bottom has to be dropped out of you to really get it,” he said. [Access Hollywood]
Singer Lizz Wright and Norm Lewis (Broadway’s Porgy & Bess) celebrate the music of Duke Ellington at the legendary Apollo Theater this weekend. The holiday special also includes a performance by the Harlem School of the Arts. [Apollo Theater]