Ashanti To Make Stage Debut In The Wiz

Ashanti is off to see the Wizard.

The R&B singer has scored the lead role of Dorothy in this summer’s revival of “The Wiz” in New York City. The role marks Ashanti’s stage debut, though she played the character in the 2005 made-for-TV movie “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz.”

No other casting has been announced for the musical, which will be directed by Thomas Kail and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler with music direction by Alex Lacamoire. The three collaborated previously on “In the Heights,” which won the Tony Award for best musical last year.

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Ashanti Sued by Former Manager

R&B singer Ashanti is being sued by her ex-manager, Linda Berk, for millions of dollars. The suit claims that Berk’s contract was cut short in 2003 after she’d helped make Ashanti “a music and entertainment superstar,” reports the BBC.

According to a spokesperson for the 25-year-old performer, “The contract expired naturally and we didn’t renew it.”

This isn’t Ashanti’s first tiff with co-workers. Last year, she was ordered to pay $630,000 to her first producer in a different breach of contract lawsuit.

Producer Genard Parker worked with Ashanti before she inked a record deal, and released her on the condition he could produce two songs on her debut record. The condition was not met.

When that verdict came out, Ashanti’s lawyer said they would appeal the ruling.


Ashanti’s Cousin Killed by Drunk Driver while on Tour

Ashanti’s cousin, best friend and personal assistant, Quinshae Snead, was killed while on tour with Ashanti in South Africa Saturday night.

According to UPI, Snead, 20, was en route to their hotel before what was to be Ashanti’s first concert in South Africa.

She went to pick up a few items her cousin forgot at the hotel when she was struck by a drunk driver, according to the report.

Ashanti pulled out of the concert, which also featured Lauryn Hill.

“It has been very traumatic. They are not coping at all. You experience the death of a loved one in a foreign country. It has been difficult,” promoter Morris Roda said.

Snead was listed as Ashanti’s “personal assistant” on the liner notes to her albums.

A car being driven by a drunk and unlicensed 17-year-old who took his mom’s car without permission reportedly hit Snead’s car.


Ashanti Plays a Woman Scorned

Ashanti is going for the kill.

The singer turned actress has just finished work on John Tucker Must Die, a black comedy in which she tries to murder her ex-boyfriend.

The movie also stars Jesse Metcalfe (Desperate Housewives) as the title character and Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill) as one of John Tucker?s ignorant girlfriends.

?It?s basically about this one guy who?s dating all these girls in high school, and we find out that we?re all dating the same guy,? says Ashanti.

?We find out in volleyball class. We’re actually talking about a party, and one girl mentions, ‘I’m dating John,’ so we end up having this huge altercation. Oh, yeah ? we get it popping.?

After first turning on each other, the girls decide it would be better to exact revenge on their deceitful ex. They attempt to break his heart by setting him up with the new girl in school, Kate, played by Brittany Snow (American Dreams).

But their plans for retribution soon take a twisted turn.

?We try to kill him in the end,? says Ashanti.

Although the premise seems dark, Ashanti is quick to insist that the film is actually ?light, fun,? and ?a little more smiley? than her first movie, Coach Carter, in which she played a pregnant teenager.

Filmed in Vancouver this past summer, John Tucker Must Die will be released in theatres next spring.


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