Russell Simmons’ All Def Movie Awards has struck a deal for a highlights special to air Feb. 28 on the Fusion network opposite ABC’s telecast of the 88th annual Academy Awards. The event was conceived as a result of the backlash over this year’s all-white roster of Oscar acting nominees—the second consecutive year that minority actors were left on the sidelines of filmdom’s most coveted awards. The All Def ceremony taped Feb. 24 at Hollywood nightclub Lure. Talent committed to appear on the telecast includes host Tony Rock, Tyrese Gibson, Nick Cannon, Terry Crews, Marlon Wayans, Vivica A. Fox, Sanaa Lathan, Bill Duke and Robert Townsend. Aside from categories such as Best Picture, Actor and Actress, the show will also include Best Helpful White Person and Best Black Survivor in a Movie.
Ne-Yo married his fiancee, Crystal Renay, in a ceremony Feb. 20 overlooking the ocean in Palos Verdes, Calif. The wedding took place at the Terranea Resort. The reception was held at Catalina Kitchen, where they hosted a cocktail party, dinner and dancing for about 150 friends and family members. Said a source: “At the end of the ceremony, Ne-Yo and Crystal held hands and raised their arms into the air as all the guests screamed and cheered. They looked so happy and in love.”
Hailing from the borough of Queens, N.Y., Vain is currently heating up the hip-hop scene throughout the country. The hot rapper opened for Snoop Dogg in San Francisco during Super Bowl 50 weekend. His current single, “Hello,” is taking off and getting continuous radio adds on a daily basis. Aside from working with Snoop, Vain has appeared on records with Lil Mo, Red Cafe and Slim from 112. He is also preparing to embark on a college tour throughout the South. Lastly, Vain has been rapping on World Starr with Tony Yayo, freestyling “monster bars.”
Word on the curb is Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Gabrielle Union were bowling for charity in Toronto at the Dwyane Wade All-Star Bowling Classic benefiting the Wade’s World Foundation and the Sandals Foundation.
Hilarious actor, sitcom star and veteran stand-up comedian Martin Lawrence is back out on the road in “Martin Lawrence: Doin’ Time! Uncut Live.” The tour kicked off Feb. 20 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. Cities on the tour include Columbus, Ohio, Indianapolis, Memphis, Philadelphia and Boston. The tour ends May 14 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.