Body found in US lake where 'Glee' actress went missing

Rescuers on Monday found a body at the California lake where "Glee" star Naya Rivera went missing last week.

The Ventura County Sheriff's office said "recovery is in progress" of the unidentified body, after a sixth day of searching for the US actress began again at first light.

Rivera, 33, is believed to have accidentally drowned in Lake Piru after renting a boat at the camping and recreational hotspot with her four-year-old son, authorities said last week.

She vanished on Wednesday afternoon, and a massive search involving divers, patrol boats and helicopters was launched after her son was spotted drifting alone in a boat on the lake.

"Investigators believe Rivera drowned in what appears to be a tragic accident," the sheriff's office said last week.

"Rivera's son told investigators that he and his mother had been swimming in the lake, and he got back in the boat, but Rivera did not," a statement said.

The lake, an hour's drive northwest of Los Angeles, has been closed to the public since, with around 100 personnel, including the US Coast Guard and rescuers from neighboring counties, joining the search.

With less than one foot (30 centimeters) of visibility underwater in daylight, the recovery operation has been "a very slow process" even with use of sonar equipment, officials said.

A news conference is scheduled for Monday afternoon. 

Rivera was best known for her role as high school cheerleader Santana Lopez in "Glee."

She starred for six seasons in the wildly popular musical television series set in a US high school that ended in 2015.

The "Glee" cast has been struck by tragedy before.

Actor Mark Salling took his own life in 2018, weeks before being sentenced for possession of child pornography.

Canadian castmate Cory Monteith died in July 2013 of an overdose of drugs and alcohol.

Agence France-Presse

Darren Criss marries longtime girlfriend

Darren Criss is now officially off the market. 

The Filipino-American actor married his longtime girlfriend Mia Swier in New Orleans on Saturday, as reported by People.

The magazine said among the couple’s guests include Criss’ “Glee” co-stars Lea Michele, John Stamos, Chord Overstreet and Harry Shum Jr.

Criss, whose mother is from Cebu, shot to fame after portraying Blaine Anderson on "Glee." He first announced his engagement to Swier in January 2018.

"Mia and I have had seven and a half years of fun, wacky, wonderful, CRAZY adventures together. And I’m happy to announce that we’re kicking those adventures up a notch. We’re goin for it. To boldly go where neither of us have gone before. Engage," he said in the caption of his Instagram post at the time.

Swier attended New York University's Steinhardt School for Media Studies and Television Production and worked for television programs such as "Saturday Night Live," according to her IMDb profile.

Criss recently made headlines for his award-winning performance as Andrew Cunanan, who murdered famed fashion designer Gianni Versace, in the anthology series "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Darren Criss sings Ed Sheeran song on Glee's final season premiere

HOLLYWOOD - For the sixth and final season of "Glee," it is back to the beginning for Filipino-American star Darren Criss.

Performing Ed Sheeran's "Sing," Criss once again dons the famous 'Warblers' blazer that he wore when he was first introduced on the show.

Criss is joined in the number by Lea Michele, one of the original breakout stars of "Glee."

Since it began airing in 2009, "Glee" has produced many memorable production numbers and breakout stars like Criss and Michele.

In its five years on the air, Filipino talents Charice and Jessica Sanchez have been a part of the award-winning musical comedy about singing underdogs in a small-town American high school.

The show will hold a special 2-hour episode on Friday.

Read more from Balitang America.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Glee' says goodbye to Cory Monteith's character

LOS ANGELES - Television musical comedy series "Glee" bid farewell on Thursday to Finn Hudson, the hunky, kind-hearted jock played by the late Cory Monteith, offering up songs, remembrances and plenty of tears while sidestepping the question of how his character died.

Fans had waited to see how the Fox television show would address the loss of one of its founding cast members following Monteith's death in July from an accidental overdose of heroin and alcohol at age 31.

In an episode called "The Quarterback," the writers of a show that often delves into serious topics chose not to use Monteith's death to send a message about drug abuse, and did not provide a cause of death for his character.

The show began the story three weeks after Finn's funeral with his stepbrother Kurt (Chris Colfer) preparing to attend a memorial service at McKinley High, the school where the series is set.

"Everyone wants to talk about how he died, too, but who cares?" Kurt said. "One moment in his whole life. I care more about how he lived."

Finn was a central character on the show, a high school football star turned choir member who defended the school's misfits and played an integral part in advancing the series' theme of tolerance.

"Glee" star Lea Michele, who was dating Monteith in an off-screen romance at the time of his death, appeared near the end of the hour-long episode, singing the Bob Dylan song, "Make You Feel My Love" while tears streamed down her face. Her character, Rachel Berry, had dated Finn on the show.

"Glee" premiered in 2009 and instantly became a hit and a pop culture phenomenon, with motivational storylines, upbeat musical numbers and a diverse young cast playing popular and oddball school students who come together in a musical choir group. The show has won Golden Globes, Emmys and Peabody awards.

Monteith had talked publicly about his struggles with substance abuse and was in rehab as recently as April. He was found dead in a Vancouver hotel room in July. Canadian authorities said he died from an accidental overdose of heroin and alcohol.

"Glee" cast members appeared in a public service announcement that aired at the end of Thursday's episode. "Our friend Cory didn't look or act like an addict. He was happy, successful and seemingly had it all," actress Jane Lynch said, before a phone number appeared to connect viewers with treatment options for addiction.

(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by John Stonestreet)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Glee' cast, producers hold private memorial for Cory Monteith

LOS ANGELES - "Glee" cast, crew and producers held a private memorial on Thursday for star Cory Monteith, the 31-year-old heartthrob who died this month from an overdose of heroin and alcohol.

Fox Television said in a statement that "Glee" co-creator Ryan Murphy and Monteith's co-star and girlfriend Lea Michele joined their colleagues "to share memories and music in an emotional celebration of the life of Cory Monteith."

Fox declined to provide additional details.

The actor played high school jock-turned-show-choir-member Finn Hudson, a member of the ensemble cast that performed song and dance routines.

Monteith was found dead in a Vancouver hotel room on July 13 from a "mixed-drug toxicity involving heroin and alcohol." Canadian authorities said Monteith's overdose was likely unintentional.

The actor had publicly discussed his struggles with substance abuse. In April, he completed voluntary treatment for unspecified substance addiction at a rehab facility.

Last week, Fox Television said it would delay the fifth season premiere of "Glee" by a week in the wake of Monteith's death. The new season will begin on September 26.

It is not yet known how "Glee" producers will handle Monteith's death in the show's storyline.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Charice writes for CNN about Cory Monteith

MANILA – Charice paid tribute to Hollywood star Cory Monteith, who once was her fellow actor in the hit American musical series “Glee.”

Writing exclusively for the international news organization CNN, Charice recalled her brief moments with the late actor back in 2011 when she was guested on the TV show.

“I remember the last time I shot for ‘Glee,’ it was May 9, 2011. It was a long shooting day that swelled into the wee hours of the following morning. I was a tad emotional when the clock struck 12 midnight -- not because I was tired -- but because May 10 was my birthday. And I, a girl from the barrio of Gulod in the far-flung Philippines, was alone in America,” she wrote.

Being alone without her loved ones to celebrate her special day, Charice said Monteith became her family at that moment.

“Cory came to the rescue, just in time, with his sweet greeting: ‘Happy birthday, Charice!’ A big smile crossed his handsome face. There was sincerity in his tone as he gave me a tight hug. He became family to me at that moment,” she wrote.

“In the remaining hours of our shoot, Cory told me he had Googled me and found my date of my birth. Cool Cory's act of kindness. He told other members of the ‘Glee’ cast that it was my birthday and I was floored at how many of them greeted me with their warm birthday wishes,” the 21-year-old singer added.

Charice, who played the character of Sunshine Corazon on “Glee,” said her body felt cold when she learned about the sudden death of the actor.

“Too soon, too early, too young. I never thanked Cory enough for that one moment in time when he made me feel like family. I never thanked him enough for making me happy on that lonely day,” she wrote.

Despite the lingering sadness because of the actor’s demise, Charice is confident that Monteith is now in a better place.

“Many of my Filipino friends ask me what will happen to "Glee" now that Finn is gone. I have no answer to their query. But I lovingly ask them to pray for him -- for his peaceful passing. I am confident he's singing with the angels now. I am more than confident that his suave style, his cool attitude about everything will endear him more to his new-found winged friends in the afterlife,” she wrote.

While she has only known the actor for a short while, Charice said she will forever treasure her friendship with Monteith.

“To his fans around the world who mourn his passing, I am with you. I know how it feels. Let's hold each other's hand. Let's remember Cory and continue to celebrate his music, his craft, his life. He will forever be in our hearts,” she wrote.

“Thank you, Mr. Cool. My grateful heart will always miss you -- especially so on my birthday. Thank you,” she added.

Monteith was found dead on July 13 at the Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver, Canada. Authorities said the 31-year-old “Glee” heartthrob died of an overdose of heroin and alcohol.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

What happens to 'Glee' after star's death

LOS ANGELES -- The death of "Glee" actor Cory Monteith over the weekend comes just weeks before production begins of the fifth season of the Fox musical comedy, throwing it into disarray at a time when the creators needed to revive the waning series.

Canadian actor Monteith, 31, was not only a founding cast member, but also an integral player in promoting "Glee's" overarching message of tolerance.

Making matters more complicated for producers was his off-screen relationship with another of the show's top actresses, Lea Michele, who plays his love interest on the show.

It is unclear how their story would have proceeded in season five. And in the wake of Monteith's death in a Vancouver hotel on Saturday, representatives at Fox Broadcasting, a unit of Twenty-First Century Fox, were not commenting on the future plans of the show which was scheduled to return to production later this month.

The show was renewed by Fox for two more seasons earlier this year, running through 2015. But producers for "Glee," which has been one of Fox's top shows, were facing some tough truths even before Monteith's death.

"Glee" garnered an average 10.1 million viewers according to Nielsen during its peak in 2010, but its viewership has been dwindling. Season 4, which concluded in May, dropped to the show's lowest ratings average yet, with 8.7 million viewers.

"The show's been running out of storylines and sort of reaching its end thematically ... and Cory's death is a huge loss for the show as one of the founding characters," said Ian Drew, entertainment director of Us Weekly.

Fans want 'happy ending'

Monteith had talked openly about his struggles with substance abuse. In April, he completed voluntary treatment at a rehab facility for an unspecified substance addiction.

An autopsy was conducted on Monday and results will not be available for several days.

"Glee" premiered in 2009 and instantly became a hit for Fox, with its motivational storylines, upbeat musical numbers and a diverse young cast playing a mix of popular and oddball school students who come together in a musical choir group.

Monteith became a heart-throb in his role as the jock who turned into "Glee" member Finn Hudson.

"He was actually the center of the show in terms of promoting tolerance," said TV critic David Bianculli. "When his character began, he was the jock that just happened to sing. He ended up liking the misfits and loving them and sticking up for them and eventually teaching them."

MTV Buzzworthy editor Tamar Anitai, who monitors social media buzz on pop culture topics, said "Glee" fans known as "Gleeks" were eager to see a tribute paid to Monteith in the show and a happy ending for his and Michele's characters.

"Unfortunately you can't control what happened to Cory in real life, but the creators have control over what happens to him in the show. Fans would really like to see a happy ending, even an off-screen wedding, for Cory and Lea," Anitai said.

While "Glee" has not shied away from handling serious topics such as homosexuality, bullying and teenage pregnancy, the show never had to deal with the death of a major character. The only death in the show was the sister of Sue Sylvester, the high school coach played by actress Jane Lynch.

Previously when television shows have dealt with the death of a major star, the impact on the series has been mixed.

Actor John Ritter died mid-way through production of the ABC sitcom "8 Simple Rules" in 2003. The show went into a hiatus and then incorporated the death of Ritter's character on its return. Its ratings declined and it was canceled in 2005.

Other major stars to pass away mid-series include Phil Hartman in "News Radio," Nicholas Colasanto in "Cheers" and Larry Hagman in the recently revived "Dallas." All those characters were written out of the shows and new characters replaced Hartman and Colasanto.

While Monteith's death is unlikely to force the early cancellation of "Glee," both Bianculli and Drew said it could mean an eventual end to the series.

"It could be harbinger of things to come, but honestly I don't think the show had much longer anyways," Drew said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Glee' star Cory Monteith found dead

"Glee" star Cory Monteith was found dead on Saturday at a hotel in Vancouver, Canada, police said.

Monteith, 31, was found dead at the Pacific Rim Hotel in the downtown section of the city, Vancouver Police Department acting chief Doug LePard told a news conference.

Authorities said the cause of death was not immediately apparent but that there were no signs of foul play.

Monteith, who plays Finn Hudson in the hit American musical series, checked into the hotel last July 6 and was supposedly set to check out on Saturday.

When the actor missed his checkout time, the hotel staff went up to his room only to find Monteith dead.

Police have reviewed hotel security videos and have confirmed that Monteith was with several other people early last night but he returned to his room alone early morning.

Police believes Monteith was all by himself when he died.

The actor’s family members have already been notified of the incident.

Meanwhile, officials of FOX Broadcasting Company and executive producers of “Glee” issued a statement following the actor’s death via the microblogging site Twitter.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person,” the statement said.

“He was a true joy to work with and we will all miss him tremendously. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones,” it added.

The star of the Fox TV musical comedy-drama, who was dating co-star Lea Michele, checked into a rehabilitation center in April for substance abuse, his publicist said in a statement.

In a June 2011 interview with Parade magazine, the actor spoke openly about past struggles with drugs, including getting drunk and smoking pot by age 13.

By age 16 "I had a serious problem," he told Parade, and checked into a rehab center at age 19. However " I did the stint but then went back to doing exactly what I left off doing," he said.

"I'm lucky on so many counts-I'm lucky to be alive," he told Parade.

Monteith was born in Calgary, in Alberta province, but grew up in Victoria, on Canada's west coast close to the US border and Vancouver, according to his IMDB profile.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. – with a report from Reuters and Agence France-Presse

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Glee's 'Puck' coming to Manila in May

MANILA -- Mark Salling, who stars as 'Puck' in the musical comedy series Glee, is coming to Manila this May for a music and skateboard festival.

Salling will be hosting the Circuit Fest 2013 Music and Skate, which will be held on May 25 at the Circuit Makati (former Sta. Ana Racetrack).

The Glee star, who is a skating enthusiast, will be joined by other professional skaters Willy Santos and Riley Hawk for the event.

Bands that will be playing during the festival include Yellowcard, Mayday Parada, We Are The In Crowd, The Downtown Fiction, This Century, Allstar Weekend, A+ Dropouts, Before You Exit, and Megan Nicole.

Salling in December 2010 spent the holidays in the Philippines, specifically in Boracay.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jessica Sanchez is Frida Romero on 'Glee'

MANILA – Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez will be playing the role of Frida Romero, a legendary singer from a rival high school, in two-episode arc in the American musical TV series "Glee."

This was according to Sanchez herself, who also announced on Twitter on Sunday that she’s “getting ready" for "Glee."

Frida Romero is reportedly the lead vocalist of glee club Hoosierdaddies from Indianapolis, which will be up against New Directions in the show’s regionals competition.

According to reports, Sanchez will be singing “Clarity” by DJ Zedd for the musical shows’s season finale.

This comes after Sanchez tweeted the lyrics of the song which went: “If our love is tragedy why are you my remedy.”

Contrary to earlier reports, Sanchez will be appearing on the show on its April 25 and May 9 episodes.

In a past interview the Manila Bulletin, “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy said he would have wanted Sanchez to be in every episode of “Glee” this year, only that it was not possible because of the singer’s prior commitments.

“Well, when you have a voice like that, we wanted her to be in every episode this year. But she couldn’t because of the tour. She is doing an album so we worked it out that she will probably do two or three episodes so that will probably be 16, 17, 18 when we get into the regionals competition,” he had said.

“I would imagine she is going to be the big voice star of another competing choir who gives them a run for their money,” Murphy had added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jessica Sanchez nears deal to join cast of ‘Glee’

She has yet to launch her recording debut, but already the hits keep on coming for Jessica Sanchez.

After high-profile performances in the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley fight and Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the “American Idol” Season 11 runner-up has been tapped to join the cast of the Fox hit show “Glee”, a report by tvline.com, confirmed by the Hollywood Reporter, said on Friday.

Representatives for Jessica are reportedly close to signing a deal with “Glee” producers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for the singer to appear midway through Season 4 of the musical comedy-drama series.

Details of her character are still under wraps, but the reports say “a multi-episode arc” is being written for the lissome 16-year-old known for her big soulful voice.

Jessica would be the latest high-profile addition to the show after Sarah Jessica Parker and Kate Hudson, who will both appear in multiple episodes.

She would also be the second Filipina to join the “Glee” cast. Charice played the recurring role of exchange student Sunshine Corazon during Season 2 but did not return for Season 3.

Jessica is currently preparing for the “American Idol” concert tour, which will kick off on July 7 in Detroit and head over to Manila on September 21.

source: interaksyon.com

Kristin Chenoweth comes home for country album

NEW YORK - She has played a witch in "Wicked," a lush on "Glee" and a deputy press secretary on "The West Wing," but actress Kristin Chenoweth's latest project is nowhere near a Broadway stage or TV screen. She is returning to her Oklahoma roots, singing country songs.

Due September 13, "Some Lessons Learned," is comprised of 13 songs that cast the pint-sized blonde into a musical genre that makes perfect sense for her signature high pitch voice. Country music, she told Reuters, fits her "naturally."

"It's the closest to home that I could get," she said. "Someone asked me 'why a country record, why now? ' Well, it's because it's been going on since I was about five."

Born in and raised in the Tulsa, Okla. suburb of Broken Arrow, Chenoweth's earliest experiences with country music came from watching her great uncle play bluegrass. From there, she sang country songs in church and at rodeos. She idolized Dolly Parton and even spent a summer when she was 19 years-old at Opryland in Nashville.

Prior to "Some Lessons Learned," Chenoweth dabbled in other genres, including a Christmas album, a Christian album and logically for the Broadway star, a collection of show tunes. But here, she shows more of a variety and flare for the country music's long history.

In doing so, she teamed with veteran songwriter Diane Warren for a handful of songs that show off a pop-country approach. She tackles a Dolly Parton song, "Change," as well pays homage to her idol in the tongue-and-cheek "What Would Dolly Do" -- one of two songs she co-wrote.

Dolly, Madonna, Julie Andrews

Anchoring the set is Chenoweth's high-pitched voice, which flows through different country factions effortlessly. Her stage training lends itself to the ballads "Fathers and Daughters" and the folk-leaning "God and Me."

Her quirky side comes through on "I Didn't," about a break-up stemming from a guy's God complex, as well as the album's first single, "I Want Somebody (Bitch About)" -- a song recalling the country pop of Shania Twain or Trisha Yearwood.

"Growing up in the '80s, I loved Dolly, Madonna, Julie Andrews," she said. "If we had iPods, that would've been on mine. In picking the material, you show who you are. I hope that's what I've done."

Country musicians whose careers start in Nashville and its environs have it easy compared to Chenoweth, who is trying to break into a genre without alienating her fan base.

That is something she experienced firsthand last year, when she took a dramatic role on Broadway in "Promises, Promises," versus the numerous lighthearted and comedic musicals such as "Wicked" that had come before.

"A lot of people didn't want to see me in that role, because it wouldn't make them laugh," she said. "But there's no growth" as an artist.

While TV shows like NBC's "The Voice" have recently shown the crossover potential of country music with other genres like R&B and pop, Chenoweth's ties to acting might have lumped her into a category of actors who just want to make record.

But the Broadway star's long-established voice gives her the bona fides to deflect any criticism and "Some Lessons Learned" holds its own against other country albums.

Chenoweth is cautiously optimistic about her future in the genre, She hopes her fans connect with the music and that she also collects a few new followers along the way.

"I just want more than anything for people to listen to the record and be moved by it or surprised by it in some way," she said. "I think challenging yourself and changing up is what's fun about this business." - Reuters

Source: gmanews.tv

Charice sings “Telephone” and “Listen” in Glee Season 2

Charice impressed many fans in her rendition of Beyonce Knowles' 'Listen' and gaining more popularity as her version of 'Listen' is currently at Number 10 on iTunes Top 100 songs.

Charice wows Pinoy audiences in premiere of Glee season 2

“Welcome to the Glee club!"

With these words, McKinley High’s Glee club coach Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) invites Filipina exchange student Sunshine Corazon to join his group, New Directions. He has been suitably impressed, after hearing Sunshine's soaring vocals in a rendition of the song “Listen," originally sung by Beyoncé.

Charice Pempengco, a guest in the second season of "Glee," which premiered in the Philippines on Wednesday, during a party last Sept. 7 in LA. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
One member of the team, however, is less than enthused about the whole thing. Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), lead singer of New Directions, sits with a forced smile throughout Sunshine’s audition, despite the standing ovation and wholehearted approval from everyone else in the group.

Sunshine Corazon is played, of course, by Pinay singing sensation Charice Pempengco, who has gained international fame through appearances on the Oprah Winfrey show, the release of her hit single “Pyramid," and collaborations with Celine Dion and other big names in the music industry.

Charice made her debut in the first episode of Glee, season 2, in black-framed glasses and pigtails, a petite girl with an astonishingly full voice. She is set to be a recurring character on the show.

The Glee season 2 premier aired in the Philippines on Wednesday at 4 p.m. on the ETC cable channel, with a replay in the evening on free television.

The season 2 premier of the hit show has been highly anticipated, in large part due to the scheduled appearance of Charice as a rival of the competitive and confident lead character, Rachel.

The episode, titled “Audition," centers around the efforts of Schuester to recruit new members when the budget of the glee club is slashed by the school administration. While putting up posters in the girls’ bathroom inviting students to join, Rachel notices Sunshine.

“You're from the Philippines, where it's sunny everyday," Rachel says brightly.

“Except for the monsoons," Sunshine points out.


Source: gmanews.tv

This time it's for real: Charice is joining Glee

After the fiasco last month, Filipino international pop singer Charice Pempengco is officially set to join the Season 2 of the vastly popular American television series, Glee.

On Tuesday, Charice posted on her Twitter account: "It's official. I'm on Glee (next season) but story behind it. When [the] rumor came out, it wasn't true."

The 18-year-old singer was referring to a premature report last month that said she would be joining Glee. Her local manager, Grace Mendoza, had confirmed to the Philippine Daily Inquirer that Charice would join Glee but the singer and her mother Raquel denied the report.

On Tuesday, Charice said she tried to audition for the show and got accepted following the incident. "And i made it!!! Let's Party!!!!"

Charice did not indicate whether she would be part of the regular cast or would have a guest stint in the next season. Singers Josh Groban and Olivia Newton-John were featured as celebrity guests in the previous season of the hit TV series.

Charice was a runner-up at a singing contest in 2005. Her performances later became YouTube sensations, prompting American television show hosts Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey to notice her.

Her rise to popularity soon followed. In May this year, her self-titled album ranked eighth in the Billboard Top 200.

Charice has been tapped to sing the Philippine national anthem during the inauguration of President-elect Benigno Aquino III on June 30. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV