IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Tyler Perry’s new studio to host 2019 Miss Universe pageant
ATLANTA >> Tyler Perry’s new Atlanta studio will be home to the 2019 Miss Universe competition, a major showcase for the sprawling complex built on a former Confederate army base.
The televised competition in which women from more than 90 countries compete for the crown of Miss Universe will air live from Tyler Perry Studios on Dec. 8.
The three-hour show, hosted by Steve Harvey for the fifth year, will be broadcast on Fox and Telemundo.
The show will end with reigning champion Catriona Gray of the Philippines crowning her successor.
Perry opened his 330-acre studio earlier this month. Its 12 soundstages are each named after seminal black actors and actresses.
Indian guru Rajneesh’s ex-aide to star in new documentary
NEW DELHI >> Ma Anand Sheela, who helped controversial Indian mystic Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh set up a commune in Oregon in the 1980s and was a subject of the hit Netflix series Wild Wild Country, will star in a new documentary shot during her first trip to India in 34 years.
Netflix India announced the documentary as she ended her monthlong India tour. Top Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar is producing the film.
Ma Sheela is a former convicted felon who directed one of the largest bioterror attacks in U.S. history in 1984, in which more than 750 people were given food poisoning in an attempt to influence local elections by preventing them from voting.
“I have nothing to apologize for,” she told the AP when asked about her past.
Billy Porter, TLC, Ozuna set for Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
NEW YORK >> Emmy-winning “Pose” actor Billy Porter, Latin singer Ozuna and Grammy-winning performers Black Eyed Peas, TLC, Chicago and Kelly Rowland will be among the stars celebrating at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Macy’s said that Ciara, Idina Menzel, Lea Michele, Debbie Gibson, Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin and former NASA astronauts Kay Hire and Janet Kavandi also will participate in the 93rd annual parade on Nov. 28.
The special will air at 9 a.m. on NBC’s “Today” show.