‘Empire’ star pranks unsuspecting victims
Scare tactics: If you think Terrence Howard only does drama, you have another think coming. The “Empire” star is getting his prank on for a change in his upcoming TV special, “Terrence Howard’s Fright Club,” airing Thursday, May 24, on Fox.
In the new, one-hour TV special, Howard invites friends and superfans to his remote estate in New Orleans and pranks them with bizarre encounters. The unsuspecting victims think they’ve won a VIP experience to the mansion, but what they don’t know is that everyone they meet is in on the prank, too. Hidden cameras catch all the hilarious reactions as the hapless invitees are set upon by swamp monsters, voodoo spells and more for the sake of viewers’ (and Howard’s, no doubt) amusement.
Besides starring as Lucious Lyon in Fox’s “Empire,” Howard is probably best known for “Hustle & Flow” (2005), which earned him nods for both a Golden Globe and an Oscar. The actor has worked alongside some big names in film, starring opposite Hugh Jackman in “Prisoners” (2013) and Robert Redford in “The Company You Keep” (2012).
Howard kicked off his acting career after a casting director discovered him on a New York City street, landing roles in “NYPD Blue” and “Soul Food.” He broke onto the big screen with “Mr. Holland’s Opus” in 1995. That’s why everybody did a double take after Fox announced that the renowned actor would do a prank show — it’s not exactly the expected millieu of someone generally associated with the dramatic.
But who doesn’t need a little spookiness in their life occasionally, and, more importantly, a little impish fun? And, after all, Howard’s hardly a man anyone would expect to be a prankster. The victims will never see it coming, and that’s what makes this a golden opportunity. Don’t miss the hour-long special when “Terrence Howard’s Fright Club” airs Thursday, May 24, on Fox.
Beauty’s best: Fifty-one contestants are ready to strut their stuff in an all-American beauty pageant that’s been a televised sensation since the ‘50s. The 67th Annual Miss USA Pageant airs Monday, May 21, on Fox.
This year’s pageant is held at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreve- port, Louisiana, where it last occurred in 1997. Contestants, who are between the ages of 18 and 27, test their mettle in three categories: swimsuit, evening wear and a personality interview. All participants must be citizens of the U.S., be in good health and be able to meet the time commitments and responsibilities needed for the hectic lifestyle Miss USA leads.
Hosts Vanessa and Nick Lachey take the reins on this year’s competition, leading the parade of smiling and fashionable women. The night ends when the reigning Miss USA crowns the winner: a woman with beauty, intelligence and grace who can change the world for the better. Being Miss USA means having a year’s opportunity to educate Americans and champion causes close to her heart.
Kára McCullough, an advocate for STEM and Women in Leadership, will pass this year’s torch. The South Carolina State University graduate has a passion for science, and works as a radiochemist for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. She even self-funded her own community outreach program, Science Exploration for Kids (SE4K), which aims to cultivate a passion for science, technology, engineering and math in children. McCullough has used her position as Miss USA to further her advocacy for today’s youth to enter STEM career fields, and to mentor children in science.
As for the current batch of Miss USA hopefuls, there are quite a few with passions of their own. Hannah Brown, the new Miss Alabama, will no doubt discuss her passion for mental health. According to Fox News 8, she’s struggled with anxiety and depression, and she stresses the need for an honest discussion about treatment and the stigma surrounding these issues. Narine Ishhanov, who won the title for Utah, is not just a pretty face, either. Originally from Armenia, the pre-med student has been living in the USA for more than a decade and is now a student at the University of Utah.
Kelley Johnson is a double threat: she won the title of Miss Colorado in 2015, becoming second runner-up in Miss America 2016. She took home a $20,000 scholarship prize, and this year she won the title of Miss California. Her cause is health care, so it will be interesting to see if she comes up with a monologue that tops her last.
The number of all-stars this year makes the competition a fierce one. Kristen Leyva is a dark horse — New Mexico has won only one Miss USA pageant — but she’s a live wire. An engineer by trade, Leyva has used her social media campaign #JustONE to inspire and encourage young girls to explore careers in engineering. It’s certainly not out of the question for New Mexico to take this year’s crown — though it would be the first time in almost 35 years.
You can see the complete list of competitors on the Miss Universe website, but don’t miss the two-hour special featuring the best of the beauties. The 67th Annual Miss USA Pageant airs Monday, May 21, on Fox.