Here’s everything you need to this Friday.
Tina Knowles-Lawson is remaining tight-lipped about what Beyoncé’s been up to, but the mom of Bey and Solange did share that the Lemonade singer is focusing on her next big performance. Knowles-Lawson told reporters at ESSENCE’s Black Women in Hollywood event, “She’s doing fine. She’s focused on Coachella!” (E! News)
Speaking of Bey, fans are going crazy over her verse on DJ Khaled’s “Top Off.” In the song, Beyoncé raps, “I break the internet, top two and I ain’t number two,” later firing off a warning about being in her inner circle, “If they’re tryna party with the queen, they gon’ have to sign a nondisclosure.” (Twitter)
Sony is reportedly looking for a Black female lead to star alongside Chris Hemsworth in an upcoming Men in Black spinoff. Sources add that the studio hopes to create a diverse cast and is also possibly eyeing an older man to play opposite Hemsworth. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Phylicia Mitchell has become the sixth transgender woman killed this year. Mitchell was shot in the chest outside of her home in Cleveland and pronounced dead at a local hospital. Mitchell’s longtime partner, Shane, told reporters, “Everyone loved her,” he said. “My nieces and nephews opened up to her so much. She was just so funny and kind.” (Advocate)
Universal has set dates for three Will Packer comedies, including Marsai Martin’s Little, which will arrive Sept. 20, 2019. A pair of untitled projects will arrive in November 2019 and May 2020. (Deadline)
Viola Davis and Lupita Nyong’o will play mother and daughter in The Woman King, a film based on true events that happened in the kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful West African states in the 18th and 19th centuries. Davis will play Nanisca, the general of an all-female military unit, who fights alongside her daughter, Nawi (Nyong’o), against the French and neighboring tribes. The unit, known as the Amazons, loosely inspired Black Panther‘s Dora Milaje. (Deadline)
Fox will finally air O.J. Simpson’s infamous If I Did It interview, where he talks about the book and the night ex-wife Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman were murdered. The families of the deceased have reportedly approved of the interview’s release and Simpson will reportedly make no money from the release. (The Hollywood Reporter)
A Tribe Called Quest says they will make a “major announcement” on Monday. The group’s future has been unclear since the death of founding member Phife Dawg. (The Fader)
Jay-Z is now the world’s richest hip-hop mogul, topping Forbes‘ list of Wealthiest Hip-Hop Acts of 2018 with $900 million. Hov bumped friend Diddy, who came in second with $825 million, from the top spot. (Forbes)