Morning Edition:
Grammy and Oscar-winning singer Jennifer Hudson was the very first witness to take the stand in the first day of court against the man accused of killing her family. William Balfour, who was married to Hudson’s sister Julia, is accused of killing Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew back in 2008. Jennifer’s name was put on the witness list, but it was unclear whether or not she would testify. During her testimony, Hudson said, “None of us wanted her to marry him. We did not like how he treated her.” Hudson took her time during her testimony, breaking down several times, with the judge asking if she was ok. Balfour is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Hudson’s family members as well as home invasion, aggravated kidnapping, residential burglary and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial is expected to last around four weeks.
E! News anchor Giuliana Rancic revealed yesterday that she is expecting a child with her husband, The Apprentice winner Bill Rancic. Their child is due in late summer through a gestational surrogate. Contrary to a surrogate, this baby will be the Rancics’ genetic child. The couple told E! Online, “We are so thrilled that our prayers have been answered. We are absolutely ecstatic to be sharing this with everyone who has been following our journey.” The pregnancy comes just months after Giuliana was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. This is the couple’s first child.
Evening Edition:
Lindsay Lohan has officially signed on to star as Elizabeth Taylor in the Lifetime movie, Liz and Dick. Executive producer Larry Thompson told E! News, “We have wanted Lindsay from day one. She had a lot in her life that was going on. We needed to give her time to take care of her business, and while we negotiated the deal for her we prayed for her – and wonderfully she has behaved. She’s cleared herself and we’re ready to start this movie.” This will be Lindsay’s first leading role since Labor Pains back in 2009. There is no word yet on who will play Richard Burton. The movie begins filming on June 4th and is set to air on Lifetime this October.
Former Lost actress Fionnula Flanagan and former Vampire Diaries actress Mia Kirshner have signed on to star on Syfy’s upcoming series Defiance. The drama finds humans and aliens coexisting on a war-ravaged Earth that has been transformed by terra-forming machines. Flanagan will play the popular ex-mayor of Defiance, who now acts as a mentor to her successor, played by Julie Benz of Dexter. Kirshner will play the city’s madam. Grant Bowler of True Blood has been cast as the series’ lead as the Chief Lawkeeper.
