Caribbean Entertainment News Roundup

By NAN ET Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Friday, July 19, 2019: Here are the top headlines making news on the Caribbean entertainment scene for this week:

The First Black, Female 007 Could Be A Caribbean Roots Actress

New report suggests that Caribbean roots actress Lashana Lynch could become the first black, female 007.

Lynch was born to Jamaican parents in 1987 in London and studied acting at Arts Educational Schools in London. During her second year, she was awarded the Laurence Olivier Bursary. She graduated in 2010 and made her film debut in the 2011 drama film Fast Girls. She later co-starred in the BBC television film ‘The 7.39.’ On television, she also has appeared in ‘Silent Witness’ and ‘Death in Paradise.’ She was a regular cast member on the short-lived BBC comedy ‘Crims in 2015.’

In 2016, Lynch was cast as a leading character, Rosaline, in the American period drama series ‘Still Star-Crossed,’ produced by Shonda Rhimes but ABC canceled the show after one season in June 2017. Her role as Maria Rambeau in Captain Marvel is unquestionably her highest profile gig to date but being 007 will by far cement her in the history book.

The new 007 will supposedly be tasked with heading to Jamaica to convince Craig’s Bond to emerge from retirement and help take on whatever new catastrophe is imperiling the global order.

Caribbean Roots Star In ‘Cats’

Universal Pictures this week released a first look at the upcoming movie adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic 1981 musical ‘Cats’ which includes heavy hitters like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Hudson as well as Caribbean American singer and dancer Jason Derulo.

The Haitian American scored himself a role in the movie. “I was just obsessed with singing and dancing, but it started with me in the kitchen with my socks on trying to do the moonwalk,” he said of the movie. “I think you need to choose something you’re so obsessed with you want to do it all the time. You have some of the best hip-hop dancers, Royal Ballet,” Derulo shared. “Some of the best tappers in the world.”

Caribbean Roots Rapper A Star In ‘The Hustlers’

A Caribbean roots rapper is making her film debut in a movie that is definitely art imitating life for her.

Dominican and Trinidadian roots Cardi B, once a stripped, is now starring in ‘The Hustlers,’ where she plays a stripper. The movie is set in a strip club and is based on the true story first brought to the world in a 2015 New York Magazine article titled “The Hustlers at Scores.” The film is about a group of strippers who decide to rip off Wall Street types. Jennifer Lopez also stars in the movie while serving as an executive producer.

‘Fast Color’ Featuring Trinidadian American Actor Now On Blue-ray

‘Fast Color,’ which features Trinidadian American ‘Orange Is the New Black,’ actress Lorraine Toussaint, is now finally arrives on Blu-ray and DVD, a year after its premiere during the 2018 SXSW Film Festival and a limited theatrical release.

The movie is about a young woman (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who is hunted by mysterious forces but blessed with supernatural abilities. She must go on the run when her powers are discovered. With nowhere else to go, she flees back to her family and the farmhouse she abandoned long ago. There, while being pursued by the local sheriff (David Strathairn), she begins to mend the broken relationships with her mother (Toussaint) and daughter (Saniyya Sidney), and unearths the depths of the power within her.

Buju Banton Turns 46

Jamaican born Grammy winning reggae star, Buju Banton, turned 46 this week. Banton celebrates his 46th birthday on July 15th as many fans and other singers paid tribute to the Gargamel.

Banton was released from a US prison late last year after serving a 10-year sentence for a drug trafficking conviction.  “I give thanks for another year around the sun, and I am grateful to each and every one of you,” Buju wrote on his Instagram account as thousands of fans and fellow artistes wished him a happy birthday.

Jay Smith Out Of ICE Detention

’90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After,’ star, Jamaican Jay Smith, has been released from ICE detention. He was granted bail on Wednesday and is currently released by the court. But he could still face deportation after being accused of Violation of Order and Contempt for Violation of Order or Agreement. This charge stems from the protection order Ashley Martson took out which he allegedly broke with a social media post.

Soca Again Tops Billboard Reggae Chart

The album ‘Soca Gold 2019’ from VP Records has again topped the Billboard Reggae Charts. It is the second time the album has climbed to the top coveted spot; the first was when it debuted. It includes tracks like ‘Savannah Grass’ by Kes; ‘Marc’ by Fay-Ann Lyons and ‘Brace Up’ by Machel Montano.