Following the return of Keeping up with the Kardashians tonight, is the premiere of the new reality series Mrs. Eastwood & Company.
From the press release:
Mrs. Eastwood & Company is an all-new series chronicling the lives of Dina Eastwood, the wife of Oscar-winning film legend Clint Eastwood, and their daughters, Francesca (18) and Morgan (15), and Overtone, the all-male six member vocal group from South Africa managed by Dina.
The series is an unprecedented look at the surprisingly normal extended and blended family of one of Hollywood’s most iconic superstars, and entreats viewers to witness for themselves that familial bonds are shaped by more than simple DNA. Developed by Executive Producer Jeff Jenkins for Bunim-Murray Productions, the series follows Dina, Francesca, Morgan, the six members of Overtone and those intimately involved in their world, wherever their lives may take them, from their home in the idyllic coastal enclave of Carmel, California, to Los Angeles and beyond.
Dina has shared that Clint was supportive of her desire to do a reality TV show with Francesca, Morgan, and Overtone. Clint will appear in several episodes, but he won’t be a focus of the new series.
Dina admits that she was a nervous wreck filming the new show, but was more at ease since Clint was off filming a new movie. She says her husband was on board with the show, but had just one rule.
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“I was absolutely nervous! But the crew wasn’t intrusive. Clint was doing a movie in Atlanta with Justin Timberlake and Amy Adams. If he had been home every day, I would have had discomfort. He just said, ‘Don’t shoot in the bedroom.’ And we didn’t. It was all good.”
The Eastwood matriarch is hopeful that the show won’t have any negative repercussions on her family. “It’s a crap shoot what’s going to happen. I’m not going to lose my family or marriage over it but at the same time I’m nervous to see what’s going to happen. Will the band break? I sure hope so since that’s why I put myself on the line with a reality show. I hope my kids will blossom out of it and don’t get spoiled by attention.”
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California native Dina Eastwood is a former TV news anchor who, in 1993, was assigned an interview with legendary film actor and director Clint Eastwood. She certainly got more than she bargained for, as the reporter and Clint married three years later in a surprise private ceremony planned by the groom. Following the birth of the couple’s daughter, Morgan, in 1996 Dina left her anchor spot at KSBW-TV (Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz). She has appeared in two of her husband’s films, “True Crime” and “Blood Work,” and was co-host of the updated Candid Camera series. Naturally, Dina is a constant fixture in her daughter’s daily life, and is also very active in the life of step-daughter Francesca.
In addition to making sure that the Eastwood household runs smoothly, the exuberant brunette has taken a hobby: in fact, she has six. While in South Africa with Clint for the filming of “Invictus,” Dina discovered a six-man vocal group who call themselves Overtone. Moved by their talent and star potential, she relocated the entire sextet to Carmel, Calif., and has been mentoring, mothering and managing them ever since. In addition to being a dedicated mom, devoted wife and talent manager, the outspoken Dina has returned to college, and is currently studying Music Arts & Jewelry Making. She is a huge animal lover and shares her home with a pig, roosters, chickens, rats, guinea pigs, chinchillas, birds, turtles and rabbits. She is chair for The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts’ Board of Trustees.
Opinionated and artistic, 19-year old Francesca Eastwood is the daughter of Clint Eastwood and actress Frances Fisher, though she also calls Dina “mom.” A bit of a free spirit and an adventure seeker, Francesca is in a serious relationship with her 29-year old boyfriend, famed celebrity photographer Tyler Shields. She is his muse; he is her passion. Deeply in love, the couple has been together since 2011 and as a result, Francesca’s world and her relationships are changing. Fully embracing her newfound freedom as a young adult living on her own in Los Angeles, Francesca is currently enrolled at USC, but believes that life’s biggest lessons happen through experience and not in a classroom. The rebellious blonde likes to travel, try new things and appreciates the finer things in life, including high-end fashions. Francesca is a big fan of Overtone and has been like a little sister to the band members since their arrival.
15-year old high-school student Morgan Eastwood is a compassionate teenager with a heart of gold. She loves her mother very much, but is at that age where mothers and daughters don’t always see eye to eye. Occasionally embarrassed by Dina’s outspoken behavior, Morgan is experiencing watershed moments of her adolescence from learning how to drive, to finding her own voice. She is a social butterfly and loves spending time with her friends, gossiping about boys and experimenting with makeup. The always-smiling Morgan is a bundle of energy and a bit of a goofball, but has had a hard time adjusting to Francesca’s move to Los Angeles.
Overtone Members
Comprised of six sexy young men – Emile Welman, Eduard Leonard, Valentino Ponsonby, Ernie Bates, Riaan Weyers and Shane Smith – “Overtone” is one of the most popular acts in South Africa and has performed with A-list musicians such as Corinne Bailey Rae and One Republic.
Eduard Leonard
The intellectual member of Overtone, Eduard is the oldest in the group and has been struggling to find his true identity since moving in with Dina. Besides loving music, Eduard loves people and someday wants to work with the UN to better the lives of those who suffer around the globe. In addition, he loves the outdoors, rock climbing, learning new languages and creating anything! He sings the high end, lead, tenor or soprano and plays the Djembe (an African bongo drum). Although incredibly creative in the arts, behind the wheel is another story: During his first week in the US, Eddie accidentally drove Clint Eastwood’s new Mercedes through a store front!
This recently engaged Overtone is described as being “energy on wheels.” He’s quick to joke, but often causes tension within the group. Valentino not only supplies the comedy in the band but he’s also the talented beat boxer who creates the beats and drums vocally. Additionally, he plays the drums in the band and attributes his musical influences to groups such as Boys 2 Men, Usher and The Temptations.
The “ladies’ man” of the group with an infectious laugh, Shane sings baritone and is the youngest member of Overtone. He is also the nephew of his band mate Ernie. In addition to singing, Shane plays bass guitar. His favorite band is The Script, and he claims he could eat spaghetti bolognese every day. His hobbies include socializing with his friends, riding jet skis, rugby and, of course, meeting girls.
As the lead singer of Overtone, Emile is talented, charming and handsome, and has been rumored to have had a history of flirtation with Francesca. He loves to write songs, play the piano and a little guitar. Emile also has a degree in South African law and enjoys spending time playing rugby, tennis and golf. His musical influences include any jazz or swing musician, with Jamie Cullum, Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, Nat “King” Cole and Tony Bennett topping his list. His modern musical influences include James Morrison, Maroon 5 and Justin Timberlake.
Soft-spoken and sexy Riaan, pronounced “Ree’-ahn,” is responsible for singing bass in Overtone. He is also a film graduate from the University of Johannesburg whose hobbies include photography, the guitar, and film. In his free time he likes to play rugby and golf with his band mates. Riaan’s musical influences include Jamie Cullum, John Mayer and Rob Thomas. Dina calls him the “animal whisperer” because every creature on earth wants to be held by him.
Ernie is not only a member of Overtone, but also produces the band’s music. This former body builder is the “engine” of the group, and is described as being mature beyond his years. Eddie has been singing in church choirs since before he can remember and got his first guitar on his 15th birthday. He eventually started working as a guitar session player and back-up vocalist in different recording studios all over South Africa. Eddie is the tenor, lead vocalist and percussionist in the a cappella side of Overtone. He also plays guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, drums, concertina and a little banjo. Eddie is inspired by almost any type of music and grew up listening to Elvis, Don Williams, CCR, Bryan Adams, Dire Straits and most of the ’70s rock bands.
