FIRST LOOK: "HERE COMES THE BOOM" STARRING KEVIN JAMES

Still from Here Comes the Boom

Seriously, my jaw dropped when I saw this! Although I don't think it's possible for Kevin James to star in a Film without some degree of Comedy involved, this really has him digging deep. Here Comes the Boom centers around a High School Biology Teacher who trains to become a Mixed Martial Arts Fighter to raise funds for his cash-strapped School. Think Warrior or The Fighter, but funnier. And look how fit he got! Insane.

The Supporting Cast also is particularly interesting with Salma Hayek starring as James' Love Interest, plus Teen Pop Star Charice and Henry Winkler.

Watch the Trailer below:

CHARICE, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, FAR EAST MOVEMENT AND BRUNO MARS' BILLBOARD HOT 100 ASIAN INVASION

Far East Movement

I never thought I'd live to see the day it happened, but four acts of Asian descent are in the Billboard Hot 100's Top 30 positions this week and I couldn't be prouder.  Better, yet three of these acts are actually in the Top Ten.  

Glee's Lea Michele ft. Philippines' Charice is at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to their cover of Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé's Telephone which was heard on last week's season premiere of the Musical Sitcom.  Enrique Iglesias, who not many of us realize is actually half-Filipino, sits at number eight this week with Jersey Shore's I Like It ft. Pitbull.  Far East Movement, who have the distinction of being the Greatest Airplay Gainer this week, rocket up to number six with Like a G6; the track is also sitting at number one right now on the U.S. iTunes Singles Chart. 

At number one though, is hot new act Bruno Mars, who hails from Hawaii boasting his half-Puerto Rican and Filipino heritage. Our friends at Warner Music Canada dropped me a line today to let me know that we'll be seeing him this November in Toronto.  Can't wait!  

Now who said we Asians are only good at Math, huh?

CHARICE VERSUS LEA MICHELE ON GLEE: WHO DID IT BIGGER?

Lea Michele and Charice on the set of Glee

Two Divas on Glee. Theatrics. Big voices. Big egos. But who came out on top?

Lea Michele got a run for her money on Tuesday night's season premiere of Glee on Fox and the first big special guest of the season was none other than David Foster prodigy Charice as a foreign exchange student whom Rachel (Michele) had tried to recruit into Glee Club. Little did Rachel know though that girlfriend got it like that.  Take a listen and tell me who did it bigger.

Lea Michele covers What I Did for Love from A Chorus Line:

Charice covers Listen from Dreamgirls:

NEW PREVIEW GLEE SEASON 2 - FEATURING CHARICE, BRITNEY SPEARS AND JOHN STAMOS

Fox just released a new Promotional Clip previewing what we can expect on Season Two of Glee, which premieres Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 8:00 PM EST.

We can expect from this clip:

-a butch new character named Shannon Beiste, a Football Coach who will rival Sue Sylvester and her endless pursuit of more school funding

CHARICE FAN TALK

Attention, Charice Fans! It was my pleasure to speak about Charice's Toronto visit on Charice Fan Talk with hosts DJ Drake and Eve of Charicemania. The segment will air tomorrow night on BlogTalkRadio between 10-11 PM EST/7-8 PM PAC and the theme of the show will be "Charice Takes Over Toronto".  

Previous guests on the show include Charice's Manager Marc Johnson and Publicist Liz Rosenberg, whose clientele includes the likes of Madonna. I'm honoured to be in such fine company.

Links are below:

Charice Fan Talk - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/charicemania

iTunes Podcast - http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/charice-fan-talk-blog-talk/id372974639

To get up to speed with my recent exclusive Charice coverage, please click here.  Enjoy, Chasters!  

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

CHARICE PERFORMS AT TORONTO EATON CENTRE

Charice Fever has taken over Toronto and Mr. Will-W.: Pop Maven. An estimated crowd of near 6,000 lined up the stairways, rails and standing area allocated at the St. Albert's Way entrance/exit of Toronto Eaton Centre. Among others, the Filipino community, old and young, were loud and proud in support of their national treasure who performed a handful of songs today at approximately 6:00 PM EST. The audience was overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with excitement peaking as she descended upon the stage on Level Two of the Shopping Centre, fully in view of the audience through the glass elevator.

Despite technical problems yet again with speakers and her microphone, the same issue which marred her MuchMusic MuchOnDemand performance yesterday, the endearing 18 year old finally got to perform showstarter I Love You after a false start, about 15 minutes after the show's scheduled start time. She then went on to perform current single Pyramid (ft. Iyaz) without a hitch, before going into an up-tempo medley of Lady Gaga's Just Dance, Miley Cyrus' Party in the USA and Michael Jackson's Rock With You. Power ballad In This Song with its soaring high notes brought out a positive reaction from the audience before Reset, a track she co-wrote which rightfully should be a single off her debut self-titled album, capped of her performance in a pitch-perfect manner. 

CHARICE EXCLUSIVE TORONTO PHOTOS AT MUCHMUSIC

From a childhood of domestic abuse and meager abundances, to performing on Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah and now reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 200 Album Sales Chart, nobody could possibly have guessed Charice's fate. Her mentor David Foster, has called the pint-sized singer "the most talented girl in the world", which is quite the compliment considering he has worked with pretty much all of her idols including heavyweights Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Céline Dion. The eighteen year-old singer arrived in Toronto last night as part of a promotional tour which has her appearing on CTV's Canada AM, YTV, MuchMusic's MuchOnDemand and a live performance at Eaton Centre tomorrow, followed by a Meet and Greet at Indigo Bookstore. And this is only one of many promotional stop-offs.

Charice arrived at MuchOnDemand this afternoon and spoke about her rise to stardom after having been discovered on YouTube. She mentioned her influences and singing from a very young age in the Philippines, stating that music in her homeland tries very much to be like the amazing music in America. When asked about her friendship with Canadian teen sensation Justin Bieber, whom also was discovered on YouTube, she said that the two are good friends and confirmed indeed that they are not dating. She indicated that she treats him like "her little brother". Charice though has her heart set on another very popular Justin (Timberlake, that is) and she giddily recalled how she got a chance to meet her idol last November, which had her literally shaking. Timberlake is said to have been floored by her three-song performance at the CS Board of Governors Gala, asking Foster "Where did you find this girl?".

MR. WILL-W.: POP MAVEN CHARICE AUTOGRAPH PRIZE PACK GIVEAWAY

Courtesy of Warner Music Canada, Mr. Will-W.: Pop Maven readers can win an exclusive signed Prize Pack from teen pop sensation Charice.  The package will include a copy of her CD and a signed photo also.

The David Foster prodigy who has graced Oprah and duetted with Céline Dion will be landing in Toronto this Thursday to do a round of promotion including MuchMusic MuchOnDemand and a live performance Friday, June 4th at Eaton Centre, Level 2 Albert’s Way at 6:00 PM. Afterwards, she’ll be appearing at Indigo Bookstore to do autograph session for those with Wristbands, which will be handed out on a first come, first serve basis.

Charice’s debut self-titled album reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart in the U.S., making her commercially one of the most successful South East Asian artists ever in North America. The album fared even better in Canada, reaching number four on the Canadian Soundscan Chart. Current single Pyramid (ft. Iyaz) reached number one on the Billboard Dance Chart and has peaked so far at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 Single Chart.

CHARICE FREE PERFORMANCE

David Foster prodigy Charice has been on Oprah and even duetted with Céline Dion. The Philippines-born teen songstress will be in Toronto June 3rd and 4th to do promotion for her self-titled debut album through Warner Music. For those of you hoping to catch a glimpse and get an autograph, she'll be doing a live performance at Eaton Centre (Yonge x Dundas) at 6:00 PM EST June 4th (Friday) and then signing copies of her album right after at Indigo Bookstore (between Dundas and Queen exits).  Enjoy and maybe I'll see you there!  As is the case with these things, show up early or get shut out.  I'd recommend showing up at least 1 to 2 hours early.

Expect all of Asia to come out and show support.  tee-hee