Friday, March 29, 2024

‘Empire’s’ Byers and Gealey Marry – Aretha Celebrates 74th Birthday

trai byers & grace gealey wedding
‘Empire’ co-stars Trai Byers and Grace Gealey get married

*They are now man and wife.

We’re talking about “Empire” co-stars Trai Byers and Grace Gealey who just got married.

The private ceremony and reception went down Thursday at a mansion on Grand Cayman Island. And no, none of their castmates from “Empire” were there. Only close friends and family were invited.

According to TMZ, guests dined in style — steak and lobster — and danced to hip-hop, disco and, of course, reggae. You can see more pics from their wedding at TMZ.

READ RELATED STORY: Trai Byers Wants to Leave ‘Empire’ Because it’s Beneath Him?

We extend a hearty congratulations to the happy newlyweds.

*Thursday was notable for another reason as well. Aretha Franklin celebrated her 74th birthday at an intimate party at the Ritz Carlton in NYC.

aretha (tamron hall & don lemon)
Tamron Hall and Don Lemon help Aretha Franklin celebrate her 74th beirthday

Just so you know, the Queen of Soul didn’t turn 74 this week. Nope, her actual birthday in March 25. Some of the Queen’s special guests included Clive Davis, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, CNN’s Don Lemon, and MSNBC’s Tamron Hall, among others.

Aretha took advantage of the assembled crowd and announced that her long-delayed biopic is back in play.

“Good news, we’re ready to sign for the movie,” she told her guests. She told the folks that she is in negotiations with producer Scott Bernstein (“Straight Outta Compton”). “We’ve agreed on all the key points. There’s very little left now (to negotiate), very little. They have given me creative control and that’s all I wanted.”

As has been reported, Franklin said she wanted Halle Berry to play her, but Halle was never really receptive to the offer so Jennifer Hudson will likely get the nod, according to Page Six.

READ RELATED STORY: Aretha Cancels Jazz in the Gardens Show for Odd Reason

Speaking of J-Hud and Page Six, not too long ago the gossip source reported that Franklin was spotted at Hudson’s show “The Color Purple,” where she “arrived a few minutes late with four bodyguards,” and “began taking photos on her phone,” prompting another audience member to complain — until they realized who she was — an entertainment writer posted online.

Well, Franklin’s response to Page Six was …

“I buy and read Page Six religiously every time I come to New York. When I get up, I’m reading The Post.” But she denied she’d caused a scene, saying it was “a lot of BS,” and, “Hit whoever wrote [that] over the head. Give them a good hit over the head.”

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