Author: Stephanie Chan

ABC Family

Maia Mitchell

Up-and-coming Australian actress Maia Mitchell is ready to make her mark on ABC Family’s The Fosters.

In the upcoming drama from executive producer Jennifer Lopez, Mitchell plays Callie, a teenage girl who has spent her life in the foster care system. The one-hour series follows two moms, Stef (Teri Polo) and Lena Foster (Sherri Saum), who raise a multi-ethnic family that includes Stef’s biological son from a previous marriage, Brandon (David Lambert), and adopted twins Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) and Jesus (Jake T. Austin). Their lives are altered when Lena and Stef invite Callie into their home, believing it’s only a temporary stay.

Mitchell tells The Hollywood Reporter that she was in Australia when she found out about the project. After reading the script, she “became obsessed with it,” citing Callie’s background and hardships as main reasons why she was drawn to the ABC Family drama.

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So the 19-year-old star flew to Los Angeles from her hometown to audition for the role. “I love the characters and what it has to say,” Mitchell says. “It’s really cool that it pushes me and makes me connect on another level.”

“I loved what she represents, her complex history and how it affects her. I found it fascinating and so relatable,” she adds. “I found so much sympathy for the poor girl.”

Mitchell connected to The Fosters because someone in her own family had experienced the foster care system. “I have a family member who went through the foster system and had a similar situation so I connected with it on a personal level,” she explains. “I love that it’s really supporting diversity and bringing that into American homes.”

She admits that playing Callie isn’t always easy, but her castmates’ support has helped in the development of her role.

VIDEO: ABC Family Releases Preview of Jennifer Lopez-Produced ‘The Fosters’

“It definitely took a lot of preparation and analysis. I just really fed off the actors around me, and I think that was amazing,” Mitchell says. “We had an amazing director who helped me create the character, and our writers were actively involved in the process. I think it was just about being in character the whole time during the production.”

The Fosters is created by Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige (Queer as Folk), who serve as executive producers with Lopez. Mitchell also stars in Disney Channel’s Teen Beach Movie, airing July 19.

The Fosters premieres June 3 at 9 p.m. on ABC Family.

DeGeneres, left, and McKinnon dressed as the TV host.

Kate McKinnon — the next Ellen DeGeneres?

During an interview with the daytime talk show host, the Saturday Night Live star was given one of DeGeneres’ signature outfits — denim pants, striped socks, a pair of white sneakers and a collared long-sleeve tucked under a black sweater — to wear throughout the Ellen show.

“I am going to treasure this forever,” said an excited McKinnon to DeGeneres.

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The comedian, who went backstage for a quick change, stepped out looking like DeGeneres (complete with a wig) and started dancing to Justin Timberlake‘s “Suit and Tie” with the talk show host.

Sitting in DeGeneres’ usual seat, McKinnon put on a pair of glasses and said “it’s time to do an interview” and described the TV host’s tiny book like a “little baby goat.”

McKinnon ended their interview by telling viewers “to be kind to one another please. Adios, Arrivederci, Avocados. I’m vegan. Just kidding, I’m…”

Per Ellen‘s usual ending, the pair danced away with audience members. Watch McKinnon as DeGeneres below: 

Creed Bratton’s “Tell Me About It”

Creed Bratton is back with more music.

The actor, known for his role on The Office as a former ’60s rock star, is releasing a new concept album titled Tell Me About It. Released as a three-act audio-biography, the CD tells the story of Bratton’s life through songs.

“After The Rubbermen and I started the album, Dave Way, my producer said, ‘This is the story of your career. He said you should make this a concept album,’ ” Bratton said in a statement. “The three acts are like a play. It’s a story that takes you along in a psychedelic way.”

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Bratton was a former member in the ’60s folk-rock band The Grass Roots.

Tell Me About It will be available in three EP-sized “acts,” with the first act released Tuesday. Acts two and three will be out May 7 and 21, respectively. The full-length vinyl version will be out May 21.

Additionally, Bratton will perform two dates in California: April 20 in Coarsegold’s Chuckchansi Casino and April 21 at Oakland’s Yoshi’s.

The track titles are listed below: 

Act I – Let’s Start Dancing
1. “One Guitar”
2. “Faded Spats”
3. “Chemical Wings”
4. “Yeah, Hi”

Act II – The Orange Juice Tastes Like Water
1. “Pablo”
2. “PF Sloan”
3. “Unemployment Lines”
4. “My Name Is Leon”
5. “Heart Of Darkness”

Act III – Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Obscurity
1. “Old Ruminations”
2. “Move To Win”
3. “Better On Top”
4. “Emmy Awards” (Featuring Rainn Wilson)
5. “When I Settle Down”