Ana de la Reguera on ‘Forever Purge,’ Artists Who Soundtracked Her Childhood & More

Mexican actress, producer and writer Ana de la Reguera grew up in a music-filled home with artists such as Lupita D’Alessio, Camilo Sesto, Emmanuel and Los Bukis soundtracking her childhood. In fact, her older sister, Ali Gua Gua, went on to become a singer-songwriter playing for rock-punk bands in Argentina and Mexico.

De la Reguera took a different path, which led her to Hollywood, but she’s still entrenched in music thanks to her sister and her love for all types of Latin genres, from reggaeton to rock en Español.

Following de la Reguera’s semi-autobiographical show Ana, where music is key to telling the story of her journey as an actress, the upcoming horror film The Forever Purge finds de la Reguera in a more serious and action-filled setting, where she’s fighting to survive the annual one-day purge that seems never-ending.

Ahead of The Forever Purge’s release July 2 and the film’s official song “Esto No Ha Terminado (This Isn’t Over)” by Snow Tha Product and The Newton Brothers out Friday, Billboard spoke to de la Reguera about how she helped shape her character’s identity, the artists that soundtracked her childhood, and which Latin artist’s biopic she’d want to produce and/or write.

Watch the Instagram Live interview below:

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Michael B. Jordan to Change Rum Name After Criticism From Nicki Minaj & More

Michael B. Jordan will change the name of his rum brand after sparking online criticism, specifically assertions of cultural appropriation, following its launch earlier this month.

In an apology posted to his Instagram story, the producer and Black Panther actor responded to social media calls to change the name from J’Ouvert, which is the name of an annual celebration originating in Trinidad and Tobago that celebrates emancipation from slavery and the start of Carnival.

“We hear you. I hear you & want to be clear that we are in the process of renaming. We sincerely apologize & look forward to introducing a brand we can all be proud of,” Jordan wrote in his post.

As the conversation around the brand’s name picked up steam online, some social media users from the Caribbean community and diaspora pointed out the lack of connection between its public-facing figures and Caribbean culture, raising questions about Jordan’s use of the term and whether it was culturally appropriative.

At one point, Trinidadian artist Nicki Minaj even weighed in. “I’m sure MBJ didn’t intentionally do anything he thought Caribbean ppl would find offensive — but now that you are aware, change the name & continue to flourish & prosper,” she wrote.

Initially, images of the rum line’s box set and other videos were shared over Instagram from various accounts, including stories from Jordan’s current partner Lori Harvey and actor Bryan Greenberg.

In one shot, a description of the rum line reads, “Derived from the Antellian Creole French term meaning ‘daybreak,’ J’OUVERT originated in the pre-dawn streets of Trinidad, as celebration of emancipation combined with Carnival season to serve as the festival informal commencements. Crafted on those same islands, J’OUVERT Rum is a tribute to the party start.”

An online petition with more than 12,000 signatures was launched in response to the brand’s use of the term. In it, the petition points to the brand’s United States Patent & Trademark Office filing, where the section that requests a translation of the words in the “mark” states, “The wording ‘J’OUVERT’ has no meaning in a foreign language.”

“I just wanna say on behalf of myself & my partners, our intention was never to offend or hurt a culture (we love & respect) & hoped to celebrate & shine a positive light on,” Jordan continued in his Instagram story. “Last few days has been a lot of listening. A lot of learning & engaging in countless community conversations.”

This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.

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Essence Fest 2021 Virtual Lineup Includes DJ Khaled, Tank, Jazmine Sullivan & More Performing

The star-studded virtual daytime and nighttime lineup of performers set to impress fans during the 2021 Essence Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola has been announced. The two-weekend-long event kicks off in New Orleans from June 25 to 27, with continued festivities the following weekend, July 2 to 4.

This year’s event is exclusively open to Louisiana residents for in-person attendance. For all non-Louisiana residents hoping to join the fun, the festival will be available for streaming at EssenceStudios.com and Essence.com.

For the first time in Essence Fest history, a live Verzuz battle will be hosted Thursday, July 1, from 8 to 10 p.m. ET; the guests who will face off will soon be announced.

Weekend-long, fun-filled virtual programming will include daytime interactive sessions and evening concerts. Jazmine Sullivan, DJ Khaled & Friends, Ne-Yo, Amerie, Tank, Kirk Franklin, Davido, Lucky Daye, Carl Thomas, D-Nice and more have been announced as part of the lineup of fan-favorite acts slated to perform.

The list of artists to appear during interactive sessions includes: Mary J. Blige, Angela Yee, Michelle Williams, Adrienne Bailon, Sarah Jakes Roberts, Tracy G., Tiana Major9, Big Freedia, Miss Lawrence, Supacent, Shantrelle P. Lewis, Jesseca Dupart and more.

Beginning July 1, a number of summits, presentations and competitions with cash prizes will take place, including the Essence Dear Black Men Summit, PITCH, Please! New Voices Pitch Competition, Coca-Cola Juke Joint Kick Off with D-Nice, ESSENCE Beauty Carnival and the Wealth & Power Virtual Town Hall.

The 2021 Essence Festival of Culture will include virtual experiences for the second consecutive year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. To help prevent the spread of the virus, in-person activations — set to honor essential workers and first responders who remain on the frontlines amid the ongoing health crisis — will be accessible only to Louisiana residents.

See below for the official evening concert lineup scheduled for Saturday, June 26, and the following Saturday, July 3.

Week 1: June 26
Ha Sizzle
Teedra Moses
KES
Lucky Daye
Tank
Jazmine Sullivan

Week 2: July 3
Case
Carl Thomas
D-Nice, Ne-Yo and Amerie
Davido
DJ Khaled and Friends

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In Overtown, David Beckham tries to keep ‘alternative’ site alive for soccer stadium

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Miami-Dade mayor visits White House as Biden tries to fight ‘defund the police’ charge

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Minnesota judge faces wide gap in sentencing requests for Derek Chauvin

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Top Florida political players scrutinized in Artiles case ahead of August trial

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Carvalho: We don’t teach critical race theory, wearing masks and vaccinations are optional

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Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus Reveals Cancer Diagnosis

Blink-182 singer and bassist Mark Hoppus shared Wednesday (June 23) that he has cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy for the last three months.

The 49-year-old musician opened up on social media about the diagnosis and how he’s remaining “hopeful and positive” for a cancer-free future while he still goes through the next few months of treatment.

“For the past three months I’ve been undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. I have cancer,” Hoppus wrote. “It sucks and I’m scared, and at the same time I’m blessed with incredible doctors and family and friends to get me through this. I still have months of treatment ahead of me but I’m trying to remain hopeful and positive. Can’t wait to be cancer free and see you all at a concert in the near future. Love to you all.”

At press time, he did not reveal which kind of cancer has or at what stage he was diagnosed.

According to Variety, fans grew concerned about Hoppus’ health when he posted and quickly deleted a photo of himself in what looked like a hospital room on his Instagram Story earlier Wednesday with the caption, “Yes hello. One cancer treatment, please.” After taking down the concerning photo, he shared the official update on his Instagram Story and Twitter.

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Mariah Carey, Halsey & More Show Love for Britney Spears After Court Hearing

Britney Spears publicly addressed the court Wednesday (June 23) with an incredibly harrowing account of her controversial conservatorship, and her Hollywood peers came out to voice their continued support for the #FreeBritney movement.

During the hearing in Los Angeles, the 39-year-old superstar revealed some of the extreme expectations placed on her since the conservatorship began in 2008, when her father, Jamie Spears, was given full control over his daughter’s financial and personal affairs. During her public statement, the singer likened her conservatorship to sex trafficking with how much she was being forced to work, how closely she was monitored, and how she’s not allowed to get married or have a baby because of her birth control that she’s not allowed to remove.

“I am not here to be anyone’s slave,” she stated.

The New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears, which was released in February, shed light on the conservatorship and gained a lot of A-list support from Kacey Musgraves, Hayley Williams, Vanessa Carlton, Sam Smith, Hayley Kiyoko, Liz Phair and many more at the time.

See what other artists — including Mariah Carey, Halsey, Brandy and more — have to say in response to Spears’ latest court testimony below.

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