Your daily dose of need to know news is here. Catch up on the newly announced Pam Grier biopic, sexual battery allegations against singer Seal, and Diddy’s recent contribution to Uganda.
Seal, who recently tried to call out Oprah over the Harvey Weinstein scandal, is currently under investigation by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept after actress Tracey Birdsall filed a report accusing the singer of sexual battery. The singer allegedly groped and forcefully kissed the actress while she was retrieving a salad spinner at his home. (TMZ)
Senate Democrats are one member away from overturning the Federal Communication Commission’s decision to repeal net neutrality. All 49 Dems are ready to vote in favor of the resolution with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) stating earlier that she would support the resolution. This comes after numerous state attorneys general filed lawsuits on Tuesday challenging the FCC’s repeal. (CNBC)
Ryan Murphy’s Angela Bassett-led drama 9-1-1 has been renewed for a second season after just two episodes. The show’s debut drew in more 15 million viewers in seven-day multi-platform viewing for Fox’s largest premiere since Empire in 2015. (Deadline)
Jada Pinkett Smith, Chaz Ebert, and Octavia Spencer are among the list of jurors at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Black Panther cinematographer Rachel Morrison and Emmy-winner RuPaul will also judge competitive categories this year. (Deadline)
There’s a Pam Grier biopic in the works, which, tbh, is long overdue. The film, tentatively titled Pam, has already reportedly cast Jay Pharoah as Richard Pryor, who many may not know was in a relationship with Grier during the 70s. The biopic currently has no release date. (Vibe)
Diddy is giving back with a hefty donation. The hip-hop mogul recently announced plans to donate $200,000 to the Unforgettable healthcare campaign, which will improve maternal healthcare at Uganda’s Suubi “Hope” Health Center. (Rolling Stone)
Chrissy Teigen has offered to pay the $100,000 NDA fine Olympian McKayla Maroney faces if she speaks at the sentencing trial of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Thankfully, however, USA Gymnastics says it will not seek payment or retribution if Maroney speaks out. (ESPN)
Kevin Spacey, accused sexual predator, is also an alleged racist. According to Earl Blue, the head of VIP Protective Services on the set of House of Cards, Spacey allegedly used the n-word when telling his security manager that he didn’t want Black security personnel patrolling his trailer. Blue says he complained to a set manager, who told him, “That’s just the way he is.”(NY Daily News)