TV & Film | Entertainment
Gayes! College Hill: Celebrity Edition is returning to our screens for a brand new, third season.
BET+, the premiere streaming platform for Black audiences, announced today that College Hill: Celebrity Edition is on the road to the Big Easy for its third season return. A new cohort of celebrities will reside together as students at the historic Xavier University of Louisiana, the nation’s sole Catholic Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), and the leading producer of African American medical school graduates.
Premiering in 2022, College Hill: Celebrity Edition is a revival of the original BET reality series franchise College Hill, which ran from 2004 - 2009 to ratings success.
In this new edition, the entire celebrity cohort will embark on a transformative collegiate experience, navigating both the joys and challenges of campus life in a specially tailored academic certificate program in pursuit of suiting in a cap and gown to cross the stage at graduation.
The cast for the third installment of the series includes: Tamar Braxton, Saucy Santana, Angela “Blac Chyna” White, Karlous Miller of 85 South, Claudia Jordan, and Nick “Swaggy P” Young.
Based on the past two seasons, College Hill: Celebrity Edition is no stranger to including Black, LGBTQ+ figures such as Big Freedia and Joseline Hernandez. A notable progressive moment in the show that made its waves across the internet was the open dialogue between the “Queen of Bounce” Big Freedia and rapper Slim Thug, where they both discussed their understanding of gender fluidity.
One welcome Gaye addition to the cast is none other than Miami-based rapper, Saucy Santana, who will also be joining the cast of Love and Hip: Atlanta for its 11th season. As a highly visible queer artist, Santana has helped reshape the historically rigid definitions of masculinity and femininity through his raw expression in his own music and identity. Audiences can expect to see his impact on the show in this upcoming season.
“We are delighted that College Hill: Celebrity Edition is set to make a triumphant return for its third season, featuring a fresh cast poised to amplify awareness about the profound significance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), said Tiffany Williams, Executive Vice President of BET Unscripted Programming.
So far the series has filmed in Texas Southern University and Alabama State University for its first and second seasons respectively, including Xavier University of Louisiana as the new location for the upcoming third season.
“These institutions boast a storied legacy and an ongoing commitment to fostering excellence in education for some of the most brilliant minds within the Black community," said Tiffany Williams, Executive Vice President of BET Unscripted Programming.
"Additionally we’re thrilled to be filming at the prestigious Xavier University of Louisiana ahead of its highly anticipated centennial. Being a part of this intimate journey, we take pride in supporting the cast as they demonstrate to themselves and the world their determination to enhance their lives through the pursuit of higher education.,"
Reynold Verret, President of Xavier University of Louisiana adds to this sentiment.
“I am thrilled that Xavier University of Louisiana will host BET+’s College Hill: Celebrity Edition. As we prepare to celebrate Xavier’s first century of service, this collaboration not only showcases our rich history as the nation’s only Black and Catholic institution but also amplifies our commitment to academic excellence and dedication to service and social justice.
“We welcome this extraordinary opportunity for our students to share their stories and aspirations on a national stage, to highlight the unique spirit that is Xavier. As we celebrate Xavier’s centennial, the collaboration with BET shares our story reinforces Xavier’s place in U.S. education and celebrates a century of service, education, and accomplishment, promoting a more humane and just society for all.”
College Hill: Celebrity Edition is executive produced by Tracey Edmonds for Edmonds Entertainment, Sean Rankine, Mark Seliga, Justin Guinyard, and Yessica Garcia for This Way Out Media, and Tiffany Lea Williams, Angela Aguilera, Mimi Blanchard, and Raye Dowell for BET+.
Both Edmonds Entertainment and This Way Out Media made the following statements supporting the new installment of the series.
“Edmonds Entertainment, in conjunction with This Way Out Media, is thrilled to be returning to season three of our College Hill: Celebrity Edition franchise on BET+ with a very fun, bold, and dynamic cast who will be navigating their collegiate journey at Xavier University of Louisiana while exploring the rich culture, history, and flavor of New Orleans.” said, Tracey Edmonds, CEO, and President of Edmonds Entertainment.
“We are honored to be partnered with Xavier, one of the most effective teaching institutions in the country, and we know this will be a one-of-a-kind learning journey for our cast.” said, Tracey Edmonds, CEO, and President of Edmonds Entertainment.” - Tracey Edmonds
“This Way Out Media is proud to be a part of the third season of College Hill: Celebrity Edition on BET+,”.
“We are excited for this amazing cast of celebrities to write the next love letter to HBCUs through their experience at Xavier University of Louisiana in the heart of the Big Easy.”, said Mark Seliga, Co-President of This Way Out Media.
Previous seasons of the original College Hill and College Hill: Celebrity Edition are available for streaming on BET+. The third season is set to debut in 2024.