#FASHIONFILES: Is she Hot or Not? Lady Gaga in Celine at the JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX London Premiere
And we're off to the races! The most pretentious movie publicity tour of all time is about to commence! Keep your hands inside the car at all time, because Lady Gaga is at the London premiere of the long-awaited Joker: Folie à Deux. Take another look, shall we?
And we're off to the races! The most pretentious movie publicity tour of all time is about to commence! Keep your hands inside the car at all time, because Lady Gaga is at the London premiere of the long-awaited Joker: Folie à Deux. Take another look, shall we?
I personally love it she did a great job of conveying rock star, comic book character and Oscar-track actress in one look Not to mentiom Crystal tears and a 20-carat Tiffany brooch. What do you think, Is he HOT or NOT?
#RIP: Dame Maggie Smith, Iconic star of stage, film and ‘Downton Abbey,’ dies at 89
Maggie Smith, the masterful, scene-stealing actor who won an Oscar for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” in 1969 and gained new fans in the 21st century as the dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey” and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, died Friday. She was 89.
Smith’s sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, said in a statement that Smith died early Friday in a London hospital.
“She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” they said in a statement issued through publicist Clair Dobbs.
Smith was frequently rated the preeminent British female performer of a generation that included Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench, with a clutch of Academy Award nominations and a shelf full of acting trophies.
She remained in demand even in her later years, despite her lament that “when you get into the granny era, you’re lucky to get anything.”
Smith drily summarized her later roles as “a gallery of grotesques,” including Professor McGonagall. Asked why she took the role, she quipped: “Harry Potter is my pension.”
Richard Eyre, who directed Smith in a television production of “Suddenly Last Summer,” said she was “intellectually the smartest actress I’ve ever worked with. You have to get up very, very early in the morning to outwit Maggie Smith.”
“Jean Brodie,” in which she played a dangerously charismatic Edinburgh schoolteacher, brought her the Academy Award for best actress, and the British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) as well in 1969.
Smith added a supporting actress Oscar for “California Suite” in 1978, Golden Globes for “California Suite” and “Room with a View,” and BAFTAs for lead actress in “A Private Function” in 1984, “A Room with a View” in 1986, and “The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne” in 1988.
She also received Academy Award nominations as a supporting actress in “Othello,” “Travels with My Aunt,” “Room with a View” and “Gosford Park,” and a BAFTA award for supporting actress in “Tea with Mussolini.” On stage, she won a Tony in 1990 for “Lettice and Lovage.”
Her work in 2012 netted three Golden Globe nominations for the globally successful “Downton Abbey” TV series and the films “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and “Quartet.”
Smith had a reputation for being difficult, and sometimes upstaging others.
Richard Burton remarked that Smith didn’t just take over a scene in “The VIPs” with him: “She commits grand larceny.” However, the director Peter Hall found that Smith wasn’t “remotely difficult unless she’s among idiots. She’s very hard on herself, and I don’t think she sees any reason why she shouldn’t be hard on other people, too.”
Smith conceded that she could be impatient at times.
“It’s true I don’t tolerate fools, but then they don’t tolerate me, so I am spiky,” Smith said. “Maybe that’s why I’m quite good at playing spiky elderly ladies.”
Critic Frank Rich, in a New York Times review of “Lettice and Lovage,” praised Smith as “the stylized classicist who can italicize a line as prosaic as ‘Have you no marmalade?’ until it sounds like a freshly minted epigram by Coward or Wilde.”
Smith famously drew laughs from a prosaic line — “This haddock is disgusting” — in a 1964 revival of Noel Coward’s “Hay Fever.”
“But unfortunately the critics mentioned it, and after that it never got a laugh,” she recalled. “The moment you say something is funny it’s gossamer. It’s gone, really.”
Margaret Natalie Smith was born in Ilford, on the eastern edge of London, on Dec. 28, 1934. She summed up her life briefly: “One went to school, one wanted to act, one started to act, one’s still acting.”
Her father was assigned in 1939 to wartime duty in Oxford, where her theater studies at the Oxford Playhouse School led to a busy apprenticeship.
“I did so many things, you know, round the universities there. ... If you were kind of clever enough and I suppose quick enough, you could almost do weekly rep because all the colleges were doing different productions at different times,” she said in a BBC interview.
She took Maggie as her stage name because another Margaret Smith was active in the theater.
Laurence Olivier spotted her talent, invited her to be part of his original National Theatre company and cast her as his co-star in a 1965 film adaptation of “Othello.”
Smith said two directors, Ingmar Bergman and William Gaskill, both in National Theatre productions, were important influences.
Alan Bennett, preparing to film the monologue “A Bed Among the Lentils,” said he was wary of Smith’s reputation for becoming bored. As the actor Jeremy Brett put it, “she starts divinely and then goes off, rather like a cheese.”
“So the fact that we only just had enough time to do it was an absolute blessing really because she was so fresh and just so into it,” said Bennett, who also wrote a starring role for Smith in “The Lady in the Van.”
However extravagant she may have been on stage or before the cameras, Smith was known to be intensely private.
Simon Callow, who acted with her in “A Room with a View,” said he ruined their first meeting by spouting compliments.
“I blurted out various kinds of rubbish about her and she kind of withdrew. She doesn’t like that sort of thing very much at all,” Callow said in a film portrait of the actress. “She never wanted to talk about acting. Acting was something she was terrified to talk about because if she did, it would disappear.”
Smith was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire, the equivalent of a knight, in 1990.
She married fellow actor Robert Stephens in 1967. They had two sons, Christopher and Toby, and divorced in 1975. The same year she married the writer Beverley Cross, who died in 1998.
Smith’s sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, said in a statement that Smith died early Friday in a London hospital.
“She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” they said in a statement issued through publicist Clair Dobbs.
Smith was frequently rated the preeminent British female performer of a generation that included Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench, with a clutch of Academy Award nominations and a shelf full of acting trophies.
She remained in demand even in her later years, despite her lament that “when you get into the granny era, you’re lucky to get anything.”
Smith drily summarized her later roles as “a gallery of grotesques,” including Professor McGonagall. Asked why she took the role, she quipped: “Harry Potter is my pension.”
Richard Eyre, who directed Smith in a television production of “Suddenly Last Summer,” said she was “intellectually the smartest actress I’ve ever worked with. You have to get up very, very early in the morning to outwit Maggie Smith.”
“Jean Brodie,” in which she played a dangerously charismatic Edinburgh schoolteacher, brought her the Academy Award for best actress, and the British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) as well in 1969.
Smith added a supporting actress Oscar for “California Suite” in 1978, Golden Globes for “California Suite” and “Room with a View,” and BAFTAs for lead actress in “A Private Function” in 1984, “A Room with a View” in 1986, and “The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne” in 1988.
She also received Academy Award nominations as a supporting actress in “Othello,” “Travels with My Aunt,” “Room with a View” and “Gosford Park,” and a BAFTA award for supporting actress in “Tea with Mussolini.” On stage, she won a Tony in 1990 for “Lettice and Lovage.”
Her work in 2012 netted three Golden Globe nominations for the globally successful “Downton Abbey” TV series and the films “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and “Quartet.”
Smith had a reputation for being difficult, and sometimes upstaging others.
Richard Burton remarked that Smith didn’t just take over a scene in “The VIPs” with him: “She commits grand larceny.” However, the director Peter Hall found that Smith wasn’t “remotely difficult unless she’s among idiots. She’s very hard on herself, and I don’t think she sees any reason why she shouldn’t be hard on other people, too.”
Smith conceded that she could be impatient at times.
“It’s true I don’t tolerate fools, but then they don’t tolerate me, so I am spiky,” Smith said. “Maybe that’s why I’m quite good at playing spiky elderly ladies.”
Critic Frank Rich, in a New York Times review of “Lettice and Lovage,” praised Smith as “the stylized classicist who can italicize a line as prosaic as ‘Have you no marmalade?’ until it sounds like a freshly minted epigram by Coward or Wilde.”
Smith famously drew laughs from a prosaic line — “This haddock is disgusting” — in a 1964 revival of Noel Coward’s “Hay Fever.”
“But unfortunately the critics mentioned it, and after that it never got a laugh,” she recalled. “The moment you say something is funny it’s gossamer. It’s gone, really.”
Margaret Natalie Smith was born in Ilford, on the eastern edge of London, on Dec. 28, 1934. She summed up her life briefly: “One went to school, one wanted to act, one started to act, one’s still acting.”
Her father was assigned in 1939 to wartime duty in Oxford, where her theater studies at the Oxford Playhouse School led to a busy apprenticeship.
“I did so many things, you know, round the universities there. ... If you were kind of clever enough and I suppose quick enough, you could almost do weekly rep because all the colleges were doing different productions at different times,” she said in a BBC interview.
She took Maggie as her stage name because another Margaret Smith was active in the theater.
Laurence Olivier spotted her talent, invited her to be part of his original National Theatre company and cast her as his co-star in a 1965 film adaptation of “Othello.”
Smith said two directors, Ingmar Bergman and William Gaskill, both in National Theatre productions, were important influences.
Alan Bennett, preparing to film the monologue “A Bed Among the Lentils,” said he was wary of Smith’s reputation for becoming bored. As the actor Jeremy Brett put it, “she starts divinely and then goes off, rather like a cheese.”
“So the fact that we only just had enough time to do it was an absolute blessing really because she was so fresh and just so into it,” said Bennett, who also wrote a starring role for Smith in “The Lady in the Van.”
However extravagant she may have been on stage or before the cameras, Smith was known to be intensely private.
Simon Callow, who acted with her in “A Room with a View,” said he ruined their first meeting by spouting compliments.
“I blurted out various kinds of rubbish about her and she kind of withdrew. She doesn’t like that sort of thing very much at all,” Callow said in a film portrait of the actress. “She never wanted to talk about acting. Acting was something she was terrified to talk about because if she did, it would disappear.”
Smith was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire, the equivalent of a knight, in 1990.
She married fellow actor Robert Stephens in 1967. They had two sons, Christopher and Toby, and divorced in 1975. The same year she married the writer Beverley Cross, who died in 1998.
#RHOA: Porsha Williams Just Dropped a Major Hint on Her Current Relationship Status
The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member, who filed for divorce from the Nigerian businessman in February 2024, confirmed that she is single in an Instagram post she re-shared on September 22.
"Today is National Singles Day?" the meme Porsha re-shared stated. "Let me step into the light. Thank you for celebrating me."
Porsha's meme isn't the first time she got candid about her post-split status. Back in June, Porsha appeared on the 15th anniversary special for Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, and she addressed whether she's met anyone special
"Post-Simon, wow. Life is still life, you know what I'm saying?" Pilar Jhena "PJ" McKinley's mom responded when host Andy Cohen asked about her romantic life. "I am not dating at all. I'm still very much married, estranged."
Porsha filed for divorce from Simon in February 2024, but the pair's split has yet to be finalized. The mom of one filed shortly after she confirmed that she would be returning to RHOA for Season 16.
Simon and Porsha tied the knot during an elaborate wedding weekend featuring two separate ceremonies in November 2022. The couple announced their engagement in May 2021, just weeks after they went public with their romance.
The former couple has no children together. Porsha is a mom to PJ, who she shares with ex Dennis McKinley, while Simon has five children from previous relationships.
Before Porsha met Simon, she was involved with Atlanta-based entrepreneur Dennis McKinley. The pair went public with their romance in 2018, and Porsha announced her pregnancy in September of that year. The couple also got engaged in the fall of 2018, and they welcomed their daughter PJ in March 2019.
Dennis and Porsha went on to have an on-and-off relationship following PJ's birth. They broke up in 2019 after Dennis admitted to cheating on Porsha while pregnant. They tried to work on their relationship in 2019 and early 2020 as well, but they ultimately split for good,
Though Dennis and Porsha's romance wasn't built to last, the two have become excellent co-parents.
On WWHL in June, Porsha said that Dennis had been "really supportive" of her as she was navigating her divorce. For Father's Day, Porsha also shared a sweet tribute in honor of her ex.
"I could not have chosen a more loving and supportive daddy than you," Porsha wrote in the caption of an Instagram post she shared for Dennis. "Watching you all together brings my inner child so much joy knowing how close you all will continue to be as she grows into a young lady. I know you all will have a wonderful day together!! Gifts are on the way. Love ya Co-parent."
"Today is National Singles Day?" the meme Porsha re-shared stated. "Let me step into the light. Thank you for celebrating me."
Porsha's meme isn't the first time she got candid about her post-split status. Back in June, Porsha appeared on the 15th anniversary special for Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, and she addressed whether she's met anyone special
"Post-Simon, wow. Life is still life, you know what I'm saying?" Pilar Jhena "PJ" McKinley's mom responded when host Andy Cohen asked about her romantic life. "I am not dating at all. I'm still very much married, estranged."
Porsha filed for divorce from Simon in February 2024, but the pair's split has yet to be finalized. The mom of one filed shortly after she confirmed that she would be returning to RHOA for Season 16.
Simon and Porsha tied the knot during an elaborate wedding weekend featuring two separate ceremonies in November 2022. The couple announced their engagement in May 2021, just weeks after they went public with their romance.
The former couple has no children together. Porsha is a mom to PJ, who she shares with ex Dennis McKinley, while Simon has five children from previous relationships.
Before Porsha met Simon, she was involved with Atlanta-based entrepreneur Dennis McKinley. The pair went public with their romance in 2018, and Porsha announced her pregnancy in September of that year. The couple also got engaged in the fall of 2018, and they welcomed their daughter PJ in March 2019.
Dennis and Porsha went on to have an on-and-off relationship following PJ's birth. They broke up in 2019 after Dennis admitted to cheating on Porsha while pregnant. They tried to work on their relationship in 2019 and early 2020 as well, but they ultimately split for good,
Though Dennis and Porsha's romance wasn't built to last, the two have become excellent co-parents.
On WWHL in June, Porsha said that Dennis had been "really supportive" of her as she was navigating her divorce. For Father's Day, Porsha also shared a sweet tribute in honor of her ex.
"I could not have chosen a more loving and supportive daddy than you," Porsha wrote in the caption of an Instagram post she shared for Dennis. "Watching you all together brings my inner child so much joy knowing how close you all will continue to be as she grows into a young lady. I know you all will have a wonderful day together!! Gifts are on the way. Love ya Co-parent."
#MusicNews: Music Chanteuse Samara Joy announces new studio album Portrait
Eight-track collection Portrait - recorded at Van Gelder Studio - presents a ‘Portrait’ of Joy’s growth as a songwriter, arranger and bandleader and is released on 11 October via Verve Records
Three-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy has announced her new studio album, Portrait, which is released on Verve Records on 11 October. Emerging from the crucible of an unrelenting global touring schedule, the recording finds Joy channelling her success into the pursuit of musical exploration. Portrait, the follow up to her 2022 breakout sophomore album Linger Awhile, offers a snapshot of the 24-year-old Bronx native’s growth not only as a once-in-a-generation vocalist but also as songwriter, arranger and band leader.
Co-produced by Joy and veteran trumpeter/bandleader and multi-Grammy winner Brian Lynch, the 8-song collection showcases a synergistic approach to arranging and the intimate, soulful chemistry she’s developed with her touring band, an egalitarian octet featuring trumpeter Jason Charos, trombonist Donavan Austin, saxophonists David Mason and Kendric McCallister, pianist Connor Rohrer, bassist Felix Moseholm and drummer Evan Sherman. Joy’s role in the ensemble is multifaceted, balancing her prominence as a vocalist with her contributions as a musical collaborator. “I’m often the fifth voice, the fifth horn,” she explains. “I hope listeners will see that I’m a musician too.”
The album was tracked in streamlined sessions — just two or three takes of each tune — at one of jazz’s most hallowed sites, Van Gelder Studio. Portrait highlights Joy’s prowess as a lyricist, with new arrangements that meld her thoughtful lyrics with music by Charles Mingus, Sun Ra and more. The album also features vibrant interpretations of standards, including new arrangements ‘You Stepped Out of a Dream’ (out now) and ‘Autumn Nocturne’.
Explaining the album’s concept Joy said: “A well of inspiration that never runs dry because of the different streams that flow in, constantly pouring into the main source. That’s what comes to mind when I think of this project and the musicians who created it with me. Eight musicians, eight fresh perspectives and musical backgrounds - all joined together in a context designed for growth and exploration. Designed to put our pens and minds to work creating music inspired by many but still uniquely our own. Because of the incredible depth of musicianship and creativity infused into the sound of this band, I’m honoured to be able to present Portrait, shaped after a year of development and revision on the road.”
Eight-track collection Portrait - recorded at Van Gelder Studio - presents a ‘Portrait’ of Joy’s growth as a songwriter, arranger and bandleader and is released on 11 October via Verve Records
Three-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy has announced her new studio album, Portrait, which is released on Verve Records on 11 October. Emerging from the crucible of an unrelenting global touring schedule, the recording finds Joy channelling her success into the pursuit of musical exploration. Portrait, the follow up to her 2022 breakout sophomore album Linger Awhile, offers a snapshot of the 24-year-old Bronx native’s growth not only as a once-in-a-generation vocalist but also as songwriter, arranger and band leader.
Co-produced by Joy and veteran trumpeter/bandleader and multi-Grammy winner Brian Lynch, the 8-song collection showcases a synergistic approach to arranging and the intimate, soulful chemistry she’s developed with her touring band, an egalitarian octet featuring trumpeter Jason Charos, trombonist Donavan Austin, saxophonists David Mason and Kendric McCallister, pianist Connor Rohrer, bassist Felix Moseholm and drummer Evan Sherman. Joy’s role in the ensemble is multifaceted, balancing her prominence as a vocalist with her contributions as a musical collaborator. “I’m often the fifth voice, the fifth horn,” she explains. “I hope listeners will see that I’m a musician too.”
The album was tracked in streamlined sessions — just two or three takes of each tune — at one of jazz’s most hallowed sites, Van Gelder Studio. Portrait highlights Joy’s prowess as a lyricist, with new arrangements that meld her thoughtful lyrics with music by Charles Mingus, Sun Ra and more. The album also features vibrant interpretations of standards, including new arrangements ‘You Stepped Out of a Dream’ (out now) and ‘Autumn Nocturne’.
Explaining the album’s concept Joy said: “A well of inspiration that never runs dry because of the different streams that flow in, constantly pouring into the main source. That’s what comes to mind when I think of this project and the musicians who created it with me. Eight musicians, eight fresh perspectives and musical backgrounds - all joined together in a context designed for growth and exploration. Designed to put our pens and minds to work creating music inspired by many but still uniquely our own. Because of the incredible depth of musicianship and creativity infused into the sound of this band, I’m honoured to be able to present Portrait, shaped after a year of development and revision on the road.”
#HipHopNews: Lloyd Banks Teases Long-Awaited Third Installment In 'all Or Nothing' Mixtape Series
Lloyd Banks has continued to tease the long-awaited third installment of his acclaimed All or Nothing mixtape series.
On Instagram, Banks posted a brief video teaser of a New York skyline before the initials A.O.N. appear on the screen along with the subtitle Vol. 3 Despite My Mistakes.
No release date for the mixtape accompanied the clip, but the video ended with the promising tease of “coming soon”. The former G-Unit rapper last released an All or Nothing mixtape in September 2016.
With the release of Despite My Mistakes, it would mark the second resurrected mixtape series for Banks in as many years.
Last year, he returned with his fourth Halloween Havoc tape which featured contributions from Vado and Sy Ari da Kid.
The Queens, New York native has been on a prolific streak over the last three years since he acrimoniously departed his longtime home of 50 Cent‘s G-Unit Records, dropping three albums and one mixtape.
On the back of his widely acclaimed hot streak, Banks has also claimed to be the best rapper alive.
“There was a point in time that @Lloydbanks was the greatest rapper walking the earth,” a fan tweeted last year, to which the self-proclaimed PLK (Punchline King) wrote: “Appreciate that, who’s the greatest now?
When the same user replied that Banks was “special” during G-Unit’s acclaimed mixtape run and that nobody was out-rapping him, the 41-year-old promptly countered with: “Ain’t nobody out rapping me now.”
It was a notion Benny The Butcher agreed with as he said: “That n-gga Banks one of the top n-ggas ever with bars. That’s one rap n-gga n-ggas don’t play with. It’s certain rap n-ggas n-ggas don’t play with. He got a million lines [where] you’ll be like, ‘How the fuck I didn’t think of that?’”
On Instagram, Banks posted a brief video teaser of a New York skyline before the initials A.O.N. appear on the screen along with the subtitle Vol. 3 Despite My Mistakes.
No release date for the mixtape accompanied the clip, but the video ended with the promising tease of “coming soon”. The former G-Unit rapper last released an All or Nothing mixtape in September 2016.
With the release of Despite My Mistakes, it would mark the second resurrected mixtape series for Banks in as many years.
Last year, he returned with his fourth Halloween Havoc tape which featured contributions from Vado and Sy Ari da Kid.
The Queens, New York native has been on a prolific streak over the last three years since he acrimoniously departed his longtime home of 50 Cent‘s G-Unit Records, dropping three albums and one mixtape.
On the back of his widely acclaimed hot streak, Banks has also claimed to be the best rapper alive.
“There was a point in time that @Lloydbanks was the greatest rapper walking the earth,” a fan tweeted last year, to which the self-proclaimed PLK (Punchline King) wrote: “Appreciate that, who’s the greatest now?
When the same user replied that Banks was “special” during G-Unit’s acclaimed mixtape run and that nobody was out-rapping him, the 41-year-old promptly countered with: “Ain’t nobody out rapping me now.”
It was a notion Benny The Butcher agreed with as he said: “That n-gga Banks one of the top n-ggas ever with bars. That’s one rap n-gga n-ggas don’t play with. It’s certain rap n-ggas n-ggas don’t play with. He got a million lines [where] you’ll be like, ‘How the fuck I didn’t think of that?’”
Mayor Eric Adams Indicted by Federal Prosecutors
Mayor Eric Adams was indicted Wednesday by federal prosecutors following a corruption investigation, according to multiple sources.
The indictment is expected to be unsealed Thursday by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams and will make Adams, the city’s 110th mayor, the first to be criminally charged while in office. A spokesperson for Williams’ office didn’t return a request for comment immediately.
Sources who are familiar with the matter told THE CITY that Adams is being charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent for taking actions in his official capacity after receiving donations from foreign sources.
Details on the charges are still unclear, but sources told The New York Times it is part of a larger probe that looked partly into his 2021 campaign for mayor.
Adams addressed the charges against him in a video statement shared by the office of powerhouse private attorney Alex Spiro, who is also repping the mayor against a civil lawsuit that claims Adams sexually assaulted a female cop decades ago.
“My fellow New Yorkers, it is now my belief that the federal government intends to charge me with crimes. If so these charges will be entirely false based on lies. But they would not be surprising. I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target — and a target I became,” he said in the pre-recorded message. “If I am charged, I am innocent and will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
In the two-minute and 20 second recording, Adams also tied the launch of the federal probe to his criticism of how the administration of President Joe Biden has handled the migrant crisis.
“Despite our pleas, when the federal government did nothing as its broken immigration policies overloaded our shelter system with no relief, I put the people of New York before party and politics,” Adams said.
He added that the public shouldn’t worry about his ability to manage the city post-indictment because “I have been facing these lies for months, since I began to speak out for all of you and their investigation started — yet the city has continued to improve.”
Evan Thies, a spokesperson for Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign, and Vito Pitta, the campaign’s attorney, didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Moments after news broke Wednesday evening, potential opponents in the upcoming Democratic primary for mayor immediately began calling for Adams’ resignation — as did members of the City Council and state Senate.
Adams can continue to serve as mayor after being indicted if he does not choose to resign, but he could forced out by Governor Kathy Hochul or an “inability committee” made up of the city comptroller, the City Council speaker, a deputy mayor and the longest-serving borough president, according to rules laid out in the city charter.
If Adams were to leave office under any terms, he would be succeeded by the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, and a special election would be held to elect a new mayor.
“The mayor needs to resign for the good of the city. His legal fight is not our fight,” said Scott Stringer, who is among a growing field of candidates seeking to challenge Adams in the Democratic primary next year.
“While the mayor focuses on proving his innocence, the rest of us need to focus on the business of the city — building affordable housing, educating our kids, and keeping this city safe.”
Comptroller Brad Lander, who is also running against Adams and would serve on the inability committee if it were tapped to oust the mayor, also called for him to step down.
“At this urgent moment, the City’s leaders must focus on how we can best enable steady governance so that New York City can move forward and thrive. As the comptroller of the city, I will do everything I can to help ensure this happens,” Lander wrote on X.
Adams is the first mayor in New York City’s history to be indicted while in office. He was sworn in as the city’s 110th mayor in Times Square in the first moments of 2022, flanked by supporters — including some who have since been swept up in federal probes.
The investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York into the Adams administration and campaign first became public nearly a year ago on Nov. 2, 2023, when the Brooklyn home of Adams’ top political fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, was raided by the FBI.
The mayor had just arrived in Washington, D.C., for a meeting about asylum-seekers, then abruptly returned to New York City to address what his staff called “a matter.”
The federal probe reportedly centered on whether the Adams campaign coordinated with Turkish-linked groups, companies and people to inject foreign money into his campaign in exchange for favors.
That same day, nearly 100 FBI agents fanned out across the region to execute search warrants at a dozen locations, including the homes of Rana Abbasova, Adams’ liaison to the Turkish community, and former Turkish Airlines executive Cenk Öcal, who served on Adams’ transition team.
Days later, the mayor’s own phones and personal devices were temporarily seized by the FBI as part of their investigation.
THE CITY later reported on many of the donations tied to Turkish nationals, including $10,000 from employees of Bay Atlantic University, a small Turkish-owned institution based in Washington, D.C., and a cluster of contributions tied to KSK Construction Company, both targets of federal investigators.
Internal documents obtained by THE CITY show that city campaign finance regulators had repeatedly asked Eric Adams’ mayoral campaign about the KSK donations.
The New York Times reported this week that federal authorities had expanded the probe to look at Adams’s connections to five other countries: Israel, China, Uzbekistan, Qatar and South Korea.
Mayor Eric Adams was indicted Wednesday by federal prosecutors following a corruption investigation, according to multiple sources.
The indictment is expected to be unsealed Thursday by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams and will make Adams, the city’s 110th mayor, the first to be criminally charged while in office. A spokesperson for Williams’ office didn’t return a request for comment immediately.
Sources who are familiar with the matter told THE CITY that Adams is being charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent for taking actions in his official capacity after receiving donations from foreign sources.
Details on the charges are still unclear, but sources told The New York Times it is part of a larger probe that looked partly into his 2021 campaign for mayor.
Adams addressed the charges against him in a video statement shared by the office of powerhouse private attorney Alex Spiro, who is also repping the mayor against a civil lawsuit that claims Adams sexually assaulted a female cop decades ago.
“My fellow New Yorkers, it is now my belief that the federal government intends to charge me with crimes. If so these charges will be entirely false based on lies. But they would not be surprising. I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target — and a target I became,” he said in the pre-recorded message. “If I am charged, I am innocent and will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
In the two-minute and 20 second recording, Adams also tied the launch of the federal probe to his criticism of how the administration of President Joe Biden has handled the migrant crisis.
“Despite our pleas, when the federal government did nothing as its broken immigration policies overloaded our shelter system with no relief, I put the people of New York before party and politics,” Adams said.
He added that the public shouldn’t worry about his ability to manage the city post-indictment because “I have been facing these lies for months, since I began to speak out for all of you and their investigation started — yet the city has continued to improve.”
Evan Thies, a spokesperson for Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign, and Vito Pitta, the campaign’s attorney, didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Moments after news broke Wednesday evening, potential opponents in the upcoming Democratic primary for mayor immediately began calling for Adams’ resignation — as did members of the City Council and state Senate.
Adams can continue to serve as mayor after being indicted if he does not choose to resign, but he could forced out by Governor Kathy Hochul or an “inability committee” made up of the city comptroller, the City Council speaker, a deputy mayor and the longest-serving borough president, according to rules laid out in the city charter.
If Adams were to leave office under any terms, he would be succeeded by the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, and a special election would be held to elect a new mayor.
“The mayor needs to resign for the good of the city. His legal fight is not our fight,” said Scott Stringer, who is among a growing field of candidates seeking to challenge Adams in the Democratic primary next year.
“While the mayor focuses on proving his innocence, the rest of us need to focus on the business of the city — building affordable housing, educating our kids, and keeping this city safe.”
Comptroller Brad Lander, who is also running against Adams and would serve on the inability committee if it were tapped to oust the mayor, also called for him to step down.
“At this urgent moment, the City’s leaders must focus on how we can best enable steady governance so that New York City can move forward and thrive. As the comptroller of the city, I will do everything I can to help ensure this happens,” Lander wrote on X.
Adams is the first mayor in New York City’s history to be indicted while in office. He was sworn in as the city’s 110th mayor in Times Square in the first moments of 2022, flanked by supporters — including some who have since been swept up in federal probes.
The investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York into the Adams administration and campaign first became public nearly a year ago on Nov. 2, 2023, when the Brooklyn home of Adams’ top political fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, was raided by the FBI.
The mayor had just arrived in Washington, D.C., for a meeting about asylum-seekers, then abruptly returned to New York City to address what his staff called “a matter.”
The federal probe reportedly centered on whether the Adams campaign coordinated with Turkish-linked groups, companies and people to inject foreign money into his campaign in exchange for favors.
That same day, nearly 100 FBI agents fanned out across the region to execute search warrants at a dozen locations, including the homes of Rana Abbasova, Adams’ liaison to the Turkish community, and former Turkish Airlines executive Cenk Öcal, who served on Adams’ transition team.
Days later, the mayor’s own phones and personal devices were temporarily seized by the FBI as part of their investigation.
THE CITY later reported on many of the donations tied to Turkish nationals, including $10,000 from employees of Bay Atlantic University, a small Turkish-owned institution based in Washington, D.C., and a cluster of contributions tied to KSK Construction Company, both targets of federal investigators.
Internal documents obtained by THE CITY show that city campaign finance regulators had repeatedly asked Eric Adams’ mayoral campaign about the KSK donations.
The New York Times reported this week that federal authorities had expanded the probe to look at Adams’s connections to five other countries: Israel, China, Uzbekistan, Qatar and South Korea.
Rihanna Fans Say Her Latest Madame Tussauds Wax Figure Is "Spot On”
Rihanna’s iconic fashion moments are still celebrated years later. On Wednesday (Sept. 25), Madame Tussauds unveiled a new wax figure of the “Work” singer, which will be on display in London starting Friday (Sept. 27).
The statue recreated her 2019 British Fashion Awards look, which included a custom mini dress from Fenty, matching gloves and a choker necklace. The studio’s artists also worked in Rihanna’s medium-length Fulani braids and other accessories like her semi-sheer wrap and earrings — minus ASAP Rocky, who attended the event with her.
“Rihanna is a powerhouse in beauty, fashion and music, truly shining like a diamond,” Madame Tussauds London’s Jo Kinsey shared via a press statement, per Billboard. “Rihanna holds a special place in everyone’s hearts, and now our visitors have the chance to experience her in all of the lights! We’re thrilled to give fans an unforgettable moment with the ultimate boss.”
In the comments section of the announcement post, fans voiced their opinions on the wax figure. “It’s definitely one of my [favorites]. Wow, so perfect,” read one reply. Another person claimed, “It looks like her.”
“For a second, I thought it was Rihanna's new photo shoot,” someone wrote underneath Pop Base’s repost. Other responses included, “That's so spot on! Looks stunning!” and “They’re getting good at it, OMG.”
Madame Tussauds previously revealed a carbon copy of the Unapologetic artist’s 2023 Super Bowl halftime performance ensemble, which was also met with much praise. The wax museum wanted its Orlando, Florida viewers to “feel firsthand the energy of her performance.”
Among the other celebrities to get their own wax figures in 2024 are Beyoncé, Drake and Post Malone.
On the music side, Rihanna has yet to give an update on her follow-up to ANTI. Since then, the music and cosmetics billionaire welcomed two children, expanded Fenty Beauty overseas and made a foray into haircare.
The statue recreated her 2019 British Fashion Awards look, which included a custom mini dress from Fenty, matching gloves and a choker necklace. The studio’s artists also worked in Rihanna’s medium-length Fulani braids and other accessories like her semi-sheer wrap and earrings — minus ASAP Rocky, who attended the event with her.
“Rihanna is a powerhouse in beauty, fashion and music, truly shining like a diamond,” Madame Tussauds London’s Jo Kinsey shared via a press statement, per Billboard. “Rihanna holds a special place in everyone’s hearts, and now our visitors have the chance to experience her in all of the lights! We’re thrilled to give fans an unforgettable moment with the ultimate boss.”
In the comments section of the announcement post, fans voiced their opinions on the wax figure. “It’s definitely one of my [favorites]. Wow, so perfect,” read one reply. Another person claimed, “It looks like her.”
“For a second, I thought it was Rihanna's new photo shoot,” someone wrote underneath Pop Base’s repost. Other responses included, “That's so spot on! Looks stunning!” and “They’re getting good at it, OMG.”
Madame Tussauds previously revealed a carbon copy of the Unapologetic artist’s 2023 Super Bowl halftime performance ensemble, which was also met with much praise. The wax museum wanted its Orlando, Florida viewers to “feel firsthand the energy of her performance.”
Among the other celebrities to get their own wax figures in 2024 are Beyoncé, Drake and Post Malone.
On the music side, Rihanna has yet to give an update on her follow-up to ANTI. Since then, the music and cosmetics billionaire welcomed two children, expanded Fenty Beauty overseas and made a foray into haircare.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Marries Longtime Partner Mariah Riddlesprigger In Greece
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger attend the AURORA INSTITUTE Special Evening hosted by Christian Angermayer, Louise Tabbiner, Henry and Souraya Chalhoub at Le Beauvallon on July 23, 2022 in Saint-Tropez, France. Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images for Aurora Institute
Congratulations are in order for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger, as the NBA star revealed he recently got married to his longtime lover. People exclusively shared the news, confirming the couple had a destination wedding in Greece.
The outlet reports the Milwaukee Bucks star said the decision of the location was made “as a couple” and they “were able to have all of the people that were close to us, our family.” The ceremony was held “four hours away” from his hometown.
He also confirmed they were surrounded by plenty of loved ones, continuing, “Most of my teammates, Bucks teammates, ex-teammates… they were there… friends and business partners. My kids were there.” Giannis and Mariah share three children together, sons Liam Charles, 4, and Maverick Shai, 3, and their baby girl, Eva Brooke.
“We had an incredible few days there together. We had fun,” Antetokounmpo recalls. “It was a celebration of our love. Now we’ve become one. And I’m happy that we did it. I feel like a lot of people had fun.”
The news doesn’t come as a complete surprise to people who have been keeping up with the duo, as Riddlesprigger shared photos on Instagram on Sept. 10 of what appeared to be a bridal shower. In the pics, she wore a white dress paired with a veil that was embroidered with the words “bride to be.”
“No better feeling,” she captioned the post. She also shared a few photos of herself standing in front of a sign that read “Mrs.”
The two have been together for several years, but have always kept their relationship relatively lowkey. They announced their engagement by slipping the news during a press conference last September. While speaking about their volunteer work with Milwaukee’s Diaper Mission, Antetokounmpo said, “Soon [I’m going] to be married to this beautiful woman next to me.”
Congratulations are in order for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger, as the NBA star revealed he recently got married to his longtime lover. People exclusively shared the news, confirming the couple had a destination wedding in Greece.
The outlet reports the Milwaukee Bucks star said the decision of the location was made “as a couple” and they “were able to have all of the people that were close to us, our family.” The ceremony was held “four hours away” from his hometown.
He also confirmed they were surrounded by plenty of loved ones, continuing, “Most of my teammates, Bucks teammates, ex-teammates… they were there… friends and business partners. My kids were there.” Giannis and Mariah share three children together, sons Liam Charles, 4, and Maverick Shai, 3, and their baby girl, Eva Brooke.
“We had an incredible few days there together. We had fun,” Antetokounmpo recalls. “It was a celebration of our love. Now we’ve become one. And I’m happy that we did it. I feel like a lot of people had fun.”
The news doesn’t come as a complete surprise to people who have been keeping up with the duo, as Riddlesprigger shared photos on Instagram on Sept. 10 of what appeared to be a bridal shower. In the pics, she wore a white dress paired with a veil that was embroidered with the words “bride to be.”
“No better feeling,” she captioned the post. She also shared a few photos of herself standing in front of a sign that read “Mrs.”
The two have been together for several years, but have always kept their relationship relatively lowkey. They announced their engagement by slipping the news during a press conference last September. While speaking about their volunteer work with Milwaukee’s Diaper Mission, Antetokounmpo said, “Soon [I’m going] to be married to this beautiful woman next to me.”
Touré Believes Diddy’s “Haze Of Drug Abuse” Led To Extreme Behavior
Touré speculates that Diddy‘s drug abuse may have fueled his need for more extreme Freak Offs. The music journalist recently spoke to TMZ about his connection with the troubled mogul and their relationship. He stated that sources close to Puffy revealed to him that his actions were fueled by 15 years of “a haze of drug abuse,” and that has caused him to make very questionable decisions.
“Friends are telling me that there have been about 15 years of hardcore drug abuse,” the journalist told the outlet. “Anything that he can get his hands on is detaching him from who he really is.”
“So when you think about ‘why did you make such bad decisions to do these parties with so many people to videotape them,’ to say no when Cassie says that we can make this all go away for 30 million dollars—which is not a lot to him,” he added. “That’s because he’s been dealing with drug addiction and his mind being clouded and he’s not in his right self… It’s been a haze of drug abuse, and that’s why he’s making these horrendous decisions.”
Earlier this year, Touré spoke to MSNBC about his relative who had scored an internship with Combs. He recalled things going smoothly for a few months before his family member abruptly stopped working with the mogul.
“I know this man well enough to call him and say, ‘Hey, I need a favor,’” Touré said of Combs. “This might have been 10, 12 years ago that I called him and said, ‘Hey, I have a family member who I want you to hire as an intern.’”
“And then the internship stopped abruptly, like three or four months into it. I spoke to my family member like, ‘What happened?’ And they wouldn’t say.”
While the cousin was mum on the reason for leaving for a while, they eventually disclosed to Touré that they were fired after “turning down spending the night with [Diddy].”
Touré speculates that Diddy‘s drug abuse may have fueled his need for more extreme Freak Offs. The music journalist recently spoke to TMZ about his connection with the troubled mogul and their relationship. He stated that sources close to Puffy revealed to him that his actions were fueled by 15 years of “a haze of drug abuse,” and that has caused him to make very questionable decisions.
“Friends are telling me that there have been about 15 years of hardcore drug abuse,” the journalist told the outlet. “Anything that he can get his hands on is detaching him from who he really is.”
“So when you think about ‘why did you make such bad decisions to do these parties with so many people to videotape them,’ to say no when Cassie says that we can make this all go away for 30 million dollars—which is not a lot to him,” he added. “That’s because he’s been dealing with drug addiction and his mind being clouded and he’s not in his right self… It’s been a haze of drug abuse, and that’s why he’s making these horrendous decisions.”
Earlier this year, Touré spoke to MSNBC about his relative who had scored an internship with Combs. He recalled things going smoothly for a few months before his family member abruptly stopped working with the mogul.
“I know this man well enough to call him and say, ‘Hey, I need a favor,’” Touré said of Combs. “This might have been 10, 12 years ago that I called him and said, ‘Hey, I have a family member who I want you to hire as an intern.’”
“And then the internship stopped abruptly, like three or four months into it. I spoke to my family member like, ‘What happened?’ And they wouldn’t say.”
While the cousin was mum on the reason for leaving for a while, they eventually disclosed to Touré that they were fired after “turning down spending the night with [Diddy].”
Wayne Brady is ready for a vasectomy after welcoming baby boy
Wayne Brady, the multi-talented entertainer known for his work on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and “The Talk,” has recently made headlines for his candid remarks about fatherhood and family dynamics. At 52 years old, Brady is ready to close the chapter on expanding his family, announcing his intention to undergo a vasectomy after welcoming a new baby boy.
Wayne Brady’s family update
In a recent episode of “The Talk,” Brady shared his thoughts on fatherhood, stating, “You know what, I will get a vasectomy. Look, I’ve already got two [kids]. I’m 52. I’m not Moses or somebody from the Bible. Nope, I’m done!” His comments came after his daughter, Maile Brady, and ex-wife, Mandie Taketa, questioned whether he was joking about the procedure.
Welcoming baby Val
Brady’s family dynamic has shifted significantly with the arrival of his son, Val, whom he welcomed with ex-girlfriend Tina. The news of Val’s birth took Brady by surprise, and he admitted he was not happy at the time. This unexpected addition to his family has prompted Brady to reflect on his role as a father and his future plans.
Wayne Brady’s career and personal life
In addition to navigating the complexities of fatherhood, Wayne Brady is also busy with his career. He stars in a new show titled “Wayne Brady: The Family Remix,” available on Freeform and Hulu. The show promises to offer fans an inside look at his life, blending humor with heartfelt moments as he balances work and family.
Brady’s journey to self-discovery
Brady has been open about his journey of self-discovery, particularly regarding his sexuality. Earlier this year, he expressed a desire to have come out as pansexual sooner, stating that it has brought him a level of freedom and happiness. His willingness to share his experiences has resonated with many, particularly within the Black community, where discussions about sexuality and identity are increasingly important.
Community reactions
Brady’s remarks about fatherhood and his decision to get a vasectomy have sparked conversations among fans and followers. Many appreciate his honesty and openness about the challenges of parenting and the importance of making decisions that align with one’s life stage. As he embarks on this new chapter, Brady continues to inspire others to embrace their journeys, whether in family life or personal identity.
Wayne Brady’s family update
In a recent episode of “The Talk,” Brady shared his thoughts on fatherhood, stating, “You know what, I will get a vasectomy. Look, I’ve already got two [kids]. I’m 52. I’m not Moses or somebody from the Bible. Nope, I’m done!” His comments came after his daughter, Maile Brady, and ex-wife, Mandie Taketa, questioned whether he was joking about the procedure.
Welcoming baby Val
Brady’s family dynamic has shifted significantly with the arrival of his son, Val, whom he welcomed with ex-girlfriend Tina. The news of Val’s birth took Brady by surprise, and he admitted he was not happy at the time. This unexpected addition to his family has prompted Brady to reflect on his role as a father and his future plans.
Wayne Brady’s career and personal life
In addition to navigating the complexities of fatherhood, Wayne Brady is also busy with his career. He stars in a new show titled “Wayne Brady: The Family Remix,” available on Freeform and Hulu. The show promises to offer fans an inside look at his life, blending humor with heartfelt moments as he balances work and family.
Brady’s journey to self-discovery
Brady has been open about his journey of self-discovery, particularly regarding his sexuality. Earlier this year, he expressed a desire to have come out as pansexual sooner, stating that it has brought him a level of freedom and happiness. His willingness to share his experiences has resonated with many, particularly within the Black community, where discussions about sexuality and identity are increasingly important.
Community reactions
Brady’s remarks about fatherhood and his decision to get a vasectomy have sparked conversations among fans and followers. Many appreciate his honesty and openness about the challenges of parenting and the importance of making decisions that align with one’s life stage. As he embarks on this new chapter, Brady continues to inspire others to embrace their journeys, whether in family life or personal identity.
Tia Mowry To Star In ‘A Very Merry Beauty Salon’ On Lifetime
Tia Mowry has a new, original moving coming soon to Lifetime. The network added A Very Merry Beauty Salon, to its holiday slate as the winter season approaches. The 46-year-old also executive produces the made-for-tv film.
Alongside Mowry, RonReaco Lee, Donna Biscoe, Cocoa Brown and Ashli Auguillard are also set to lead A Very Merry Beauty Salon, uniting Lee and Mowry on screen for the first time since Sister Sister.
The movie follows the lively women of an Atlanta beauty salon owned by Sienna (Mowry) who must prepare for the annual Tinsel Ball. The film continues to explore if Sienna is also prepared for love when Lawrence (Lee) arrives to town.
A description reads as follows:
“In A Very Merry Beauty Salon, Sienna, the owner of the bustling Divine Beauty Salon is preparing for Atlanta’s Tinsel Ball, where she will be honored for her charitable work in the community. The annual event takes a glamourous turn with the arrival of Lawrence, a charismatic CEO whose family’s wine brand is now co-sponsoring the Ball. Sparks fly between them, but Sienna’s mother Georgia (Donna Biscoe) who is the head of the Ball’s committee, worries his involvement may ruin the event’s traditions. As Sienna and Lawrence are unexpectedly paired as dance partners, romance blooms, setting the stage for a steamy romance that challenges Sienna’s thoughts on love and family and makes this year’s Tinsel Ball the most memorable yet.”
Lifetime’s full holiday program guide will be announced in the coming weeks. Additional titles that have previously been revealed are The Holiday Junkie starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, as well as Christmas in the Spotlight starring Jessica Lord, Laith Wallschleger, Jennie Mai, and Haley Kalil.
Very Merry Beauty Salon is produced for Lifetime by FOX Entertainment Studios’ (FES) Mar Vista Entertainment in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment.
Tia Mowry has a new, original moving coming soon to Lifetime. The network added A Very Merry Beauty Salon, to its holiday slate as the winter season approaches. The 46-year-old also executive produces the made-for-tv film.
Alongside Mowry, RonReaco Lee, Donna Biscoe, Cocoa Brown and Ashli Auguillard are also set to lead A Very Merry Beauty Salon, uniting Lee and Mowry on screen for the first time since Sister Sister.
The movie follows the lively women of an Atlanta beauty salon owned by Sienna (Mowry) who must prepare for the annual Tinsel Ball. The film continues to explore if Sienna is also prepared for love when Lawrence (Lee) arrives to town.
A description reads as follows:
“In A Very Merry Beauty Salon, Sienna, the owner of the bustling Divine Beauty Salon is preparing for Atlanta’s Tinsel Ball, where she will be honored for her charitable work in the community. The annual event takes a glamourous turn with the arrival of Lawrence, a charismatic CEO whose family’s wine brand is now co-sponsoring the Ball. Sparks fly between them, but Sienna’s mother Georgia (Donna Biscoe) who is the head of the Ball’s committee, worries his involvement may ruin the event’s traditions. As Sienna and Lawrence are unexpectedly paired as dance partners, romance blooms, setting the stage for a steamy romance that challenges Sienna’s thoughts on love and family and makes this year’s Tinsel Ball the most memorable yet.”
Lifetime’s full holiday program guide will be announced in the coming weeks. Additional titles that have previously been revealed are The Holiday Junkie starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, as well as Christmas in the Spotlight starring Jessica Lord, Laith Wallschleger, Jennie Mai, and Haley Kalil.
Very Merry Beauty Salon is produced for Lifetime by FOX Entertainment Studios’ (FES) Mar Vista Entertainment in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment.
Fatman Scoop's Cause Of Death Revealed After Collapsing Onstage
The official cause of death for Isaac Freeman III, known professionally as Fatman Scoop, has been determined as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to the Connecticut medical examiner's office. The 56-year-old musician collapsed onstage while performing in Hamden, Connecticut, on August 30 and was rushed to a hospital, where he later died.
Scoop's family released a statement expressing their profound sadness and describing him as "a radiant soul, a beacon on stage and in life." They remembered him as "a world-class performer, a father, brother, uncle, and a friend."
Fatman Scoop was known for his energetic performances and collaborations with artists such as Missy Elliott and Mariah Carey. He gained recognition in the early 2000s with his hit single "Be Faithful" and his guest appearances on Elliott's "Lose Control" and Carey's "I Like That."
Tributes poured in from the music industry, with Missy Elliott praising Scoop's "HUGE" impact and his ability to "make the people feel HAPPY & want to dance." Lil' John, Timbaland, and Fat Joe also expressed their condolences.
Scoop's legacy will continue to live through his timeless music, which has inspired countless fans worldwide. His family and friends will cherish the memories of his laughter, generosity, and unwavering strength.
Scoop's family released a statement expressing their profound sadness and describing him as "a radiant soul, a beacon on stage and in life." They remembered him as "a world-class performer, a father, brother, uncle, and a friend."
Fatman Scoop was known for his energetic performances and collaborations with artists such as Missy Elliott and Mariah Carey. He gained recognition in the early 2000s with his hit single "Be Faithful" and his guest appearances on Elliott's "Lose Control" and Carey's "I Like That."
Tributes poured in from the music industry, with Missy Elliott praising Scoop's "HUGE" impact and his ability to "make the people feel HAPPY & want to dance." Lil' John, Timbaland, and Fat Joe also expressed their condolences.
Scoop's legacy will continue to live through his timeless music, which has inspired countless fans worldwide. His family and friends will cherish the memories of his laughter, generosity, and unwavering strength.
Heart's Ann Wilson Provides Cancer Journey Update And Announces Tour Dates
Ann Wilson of the iconic rock band Heart has shared an update on her cancer journey, announcing that she has successfully completed chemotherapy treatment.
In a voice-recorded message posted on social media, the 74-year-old singer expressed her relief after finishing chemotherapy. "I'm doing absolutely fine now," she said, acknowledging the toll that the treatment had taken on her. Wilson described chemotherapy as "no joke" and shared her empathy for others who have gone through the mental anguish of awaiting test results.
Wilson's cancer diagnosis in July led to the postponement of Heart's "Royal Flush" 2024 tour until 2025. However, with the successful completion of her treatment, she has announced that she is ready to get back on the road next year.
"I'm officially ready to get ready for the tour in 2025!" Wilson exclaimed. "There's maintenance going forward, but I'm told the side effects are much less severe."
Wilson emphasized the importance of early cancer detection, stating that her "story has a happy ending" because of it. She urged her followers to get regular check-ups, highlighting the value of preventive measures.
"I'm immensely grateful to everyone who prayed and sent me those good vibes. I've so felt your love," Wilson added.
Upcoming Tour Dates
Heart's Royal Flush Tour 2025 will include the following dates:
February 28 - Las Vegas, NV - Fontainebleau Las Vegas
March 1 - Las Vegas, NV - Fontainebleau Las Vegas
March 3 - Los Angeles, CA - Crypto.com Arena
March 4 - Sacramento, CA - Golden 1 Center
Tickets for all previously-announced dates are now on sale. General tickets for the new dates will go on sale on Friday, September 27 at 10 A.M.
In a voice-recorded message posted on social media, the 74-year-old singer expressed her relief after finishing chemotherapy. "I'm doing absolutely fine now," she said, acknowledging the toll that the treatment had taken on her. Wilson described chemotherapy as "no joke" and shared her empathy for others who have gone through the mental anguish of awaiting test results.
Wilson's cancer diagnosis in July led to the postponement of Heart's "Royal Flush" 2024 tour until 2025. However, with the successful completion of her treatment, she has announced that she is ready to get back on the road next year.
"I'm officially ready to get ready for the tour in 2025!" Wilson exclaimed. "There's maintenance going forward, but I'm told the side effects are much less severe."
Wilson emphasized the importance of early cancer detection, stating that her "story has a happy ending" because of it. She urged her followers to get regular check-ups, highlighting the value of preventive measures.
"I'm immensely grateful to everyone who prayed and sent me those good vibes. I've so felt your love," Wilson added.
Upcoming Tour Dates
Heart's Royal Flush Tour 2025 will include the following dates:
February 28 - Las Vegas, NV - Fontainebleau Las Vegas
March 1 - Las Vegas, NV - Fontainebleau Las Vegas
March 3 - Los Angeles, CA - Crypto.com Arena
March 4 - Sacramento, CA - Golden 1 Center
Tickets for all previously-announced dates are now on sale. General tickets for the new dates will go on sale on Friday, September 27 at 10 A.M.
Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan Settle Divorce 6 Years After Split
Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan have finally settled their divorce. Six years after their initial split, the 44-year-old Blink Twice actor and the 43-year-old The Rookie actress reached a settlement to finalize their divorce, according to The Daily Mail.
Channing and Jenna first met in 2006 on set of Step Up, got engaged two years later, and then married in Malibu in 2009. They welcomed their daughter Everly, now 11, in 2013.
Channing and Jenna announced their separation in April 2018 after nine years of marriage. She filed for divorce later that year in October.
The divorce stalled for years as the former couple fought over the intellectual property and the distribution of money that Tatum earned for the Magic Mike franchise, which he started while they were married.
While all the details of their divorce settlement were not made public, Channing and Jenna signed a binding judgment this week to conclusively resolve their dispute.
They also both waived spousal support so that they would avoid a trial that was set for December.
Channing is currently engaged to his Blink Twice director Zoe Kravitz, whom he has been dating since 2021. Jenna is engaged to Steve Kazee, with whom she shares two children- son Callum, 4, and daughter Rhiannon, born in June.
Channing and Jenna first met in 2006 on set of Step Up, got engaged two years later, and then married in Malibu in 2009. They welcomed their daughter Everly, now 11, in 2013.
Channing and Jenna announced their separation in April 2018 after nine years of marriage. She filed for divorce later that year in October.
The divorce stalled for years as the former couple fought over the intellectual property and the distribution of money that Tatum earned for the Magic Mike franchise, which he started while they were married.
While all the details of their divorce settlement were not made public, Channing and Jenna signed a binding judgment this week to conclusively resolve their dispute.
They also both waived spousal support so that they would avoid a trial that was set for December.
Channing is currently engaged to his Blink Twice director Zoe Kravitz, whom he has been dating since 2021. Jenna is engaged to Steve Kazee, with whom she shares two children- son Callum, 4, and daughter Rhiannon, born in June.
D.L. Hughley Doubles Down On Slamming Janet Jackson Over Kamala Harris' Race Comment
Janet Jackson remains a villain in D.L. Hughley's book as he continues to bash her for questioning Kamala Harris' racial identity.
The comedian recently doubled down on his claims about the singer, stating she was spreading Donald Trump's lies despite the truth. He echoed similar sentiments to his previous clapback, alleging that Jackson wished to be White.
The bad blood between Janet Jackson and D.L. Hughley began after the "Rhythm Nation" musician claimed Kamala Harris wasn't a Black woman. Her comments mirrored Donald Trump's statements about the VP's race earlier in July.
In a new interview, Hughley argued that Jackson knew what she was doing when she questioned Harris' racial identity. He believed she did so to hurt the vice president, noting she was spreading far-right lies.
The conversation about Harris' race began in July when Trump claimed he never knew she was Black until she suddenly started to identify as a Black woman. When Jackson echoed similar claims about the VP's father being white, Hughley saw it as malicious intent.
He bashed Jackson as the last person who should question Harris' race, noting she wished to be a White woman with her surgically altered nose. Hughley doubled down on this claim by arguing that the entire Jackson family had a thing for being White.
The "Nasty" singer wasn't the only celebrity Hughley had a bone to pick with, as he addressed Pharrell Williams' recent comments. The comedian told TMZ the musician was wrong for telling A-listers to keep their political beliefs to themselves.
In his response to Williams' comments, Hughley noted that politics had morphed into pop culture and was something celebrities could decide to be vocal about.
He argued that every social issue had a political remedy; therefore, celebrities needed to get involved in politics if they wished to usher in changes. This belief seemingly sparked Hughley's vocal support for Harris' campaign.
The comedian has actively promoted the VP and was one of the first stars to come to her defense following Jackson's race comments. The Blast reported that he bashed the latter on X in a series of tweets.
Hughley called out Jackson for spreading false claims about Harris, claiming her racial comments stemmed from her support for Trump. He found her questions about the VP's race hypocritical, writing:
“#JanetJacksons interview sounded like a #Trump rally! FYI!! It's a little ironic to question whether someone is black while you're breathing through the nose of a white woman! #TeamDl."
Despite getting bashed for his words, the criticisms only fueled Hughley's desire to slam Jackson, and he doubled down on his comments in a second X post, stressing:
"All I know is #Kamala looks like she did when she was in Oakland! But Janet don't look like she did when she was Penny! What the hell was in that iron??"
Hughley continued bashing Jackson for allegedly altering her facial features and stressing that she was not entitled to judge Harris. He refuted her claims about the VP's father, writing:
"#KamalaHarris looks the way she does cuz she has a mom from India and a dad from Jamaica! #JanetJackson looks the way she does cuz she has a plastic surgeon! #TeamDl."
Hughley's comments about Jackson came at the heels of her manager's dismissal. The Blast shared that a man claiming to be her former rep was let go for apologizing to Harris without the singer's permission.
Jackson's former manager, Mo Elmasri, claimed he was dismissed for trying to save her image by apologizing to the VP. In his words:
Will Janet Jackson apologize for doubting Kamala Harris' Black lineage, or will she remain silent?
Janet Jackson remains a villain in D.L. Hughley's book as he continues to bash her for questioning Kamala Harris' racial identity.
The comedian recently doubled down on his claims about the singer, stating she was spreading Donald Trump's lies despite the truth. He echoed similar sentiments to his previous clapback, alleging that Jackson wished to be White.
The bad blood between Janet Jackson and D.L. Hughley began after the "Rhythm Nation" musician claimed Kamala Harris wasn't a Black woman. Her comments mirrored Donald Trump's statements about the VP's race earlier in July.
In a new interview, Hughley argued that Jackson knew what she was doing when she questioned Harris' racial identity. He believed she did so to hurt the vice president, noting she was spreading far-right lies.
The conversation about Harris' race began in July when Trump claimed he never knew she was Black until she suddenly started to identify as a Black woman. When Jackson echoed similar claims about the VP's father being white, Hughley saw it as malicious intent.
He bashed Jackson as the last person who should question Harris' race, noting she wished to be a White woman with her surgically altered nose. Hughley doubled down on this claim by arguing that the entire Jackson family had a thing for being White.
The "Nasty" singer wasn't the only celebrity Hughley had a bone to pick with, as he addressed Pharrell Williams' recent comments. The comedian told TMZ the musician was wrong for telling A-listers to keep their political beliefs to themselves.
In his response to Williams' comments, Hughley noted that politics had morphed into pop culture and was something celebrities could decide to be vocal about.
He argued that every social issue had a political remedy; therefore, celebrities needed to get involved in politics if they wished to usher in changes. This belief seemingly sparked Hughley's vocal support for Harris' campaign.
The comedian has actively promoted the VP and was one of the first stars to come to her defense following Jackson's race comments. The Blast reported that he bashed the latter on X in a series of tweets.
Hughley called out Jackson for spreading false claims about Harris, claiming her racial comments stemmed from her support for Trump. He found her questions about the VP's race hypocritical, writing:
“#JanetJacksons interview sounded like a #Trump rally! FYI!! It's a little ironic to question whether someone is black while you're breathing through the nose of a white woman! #TeamDl."
Despite getting bashed for his words, the criticisms only fueled Hughley's desire to slam Jackson, and he doubled down on his comments in a second X post, stressing:
"All I know is #Kamala looks like she did when she was in Oakland! But Janet don't look like she did when she was Penny! What the hell was in that iron??"
Hughley continued bashing Jackson for allegedly altering her facial features and stressing that she was not entitled to judge Harris. He refuted her claims about the VP's father, writing:
"#KamalaHarris looks the way she does cuz she has a mom from India and a dad from Jamaica! #JanetJackson looks the way she does cuz she has a plastic surgeon! #TeamDl."
Hughley's comments about Jackson came at the heels of her manager's dismissal. The Blast shared that a man claiming to be her former rep was let go for apologizing to Harris without the singer's permission.
Jackson's former manager, Mo Elmasri, claimed he was dismissed for trying to save her image by apologizing to the VP. In his words:
Will Janet Jackson apologize for doubting Kamala Harris' Black lineage, or will she remain silent?
Tommy Lee's Wife Brittany Furlan Rescues Their Dog After Coyote Attack
Tommy Lee’s wife of five years Brittany Furlan is highlighting a traumatic experience.
The social media star detailed the dramatic rescue of the couple’s small dog—and shared the surveillance footage—after a coyote snatched her up at their Los Angeles home Sept. 24.
“I was letting the dogs out to pee and I was watching them and a coyote came and grabbed Neena in broad daylight,” Brittany wrote onscreen before sharing the video on Instagram. “Please be very careful with your dogs. I’ve lived here for four years and I’ve never seen one coyote and then today this happened.”
She added in the caption that her long-haired dachshund is safe. “I climbed up the wall and grabbed her out of its mouth,” she explained. “Thank God she’s a little bit fat because he couldn’t make it over the wall with her.” She noted if it was their other dog, Teenie, “she would’ve been gone.”
“I’m not even letting the dogs out anymore,” the 38-year-old concluded. “This is ridiculous. Hug your babies extra tight.”
She shared more insight into the terrifying moment, telling NBC Los Angeles hours later, “I’m so shaken up” but decided to speak out because “it’s an important message.”
“We get lazy and we go, ‘It’s OK, it’s 1 o’clock in the afternoon, nothing’s going to happen,’” Brittany explained. “And this is what happens. Sometimes you get too comfortable.”
“This all happened so quickly,” she continued. “This just goes to show it can happen at any time. He jumped over the wall. Her legs were hanging, and I just jumped up the wall and I grabbed her legs out of his mouth. Thank God she’s not injured.”
As for where the Mötley Crüe drummer was before he ran out amid the attack?
“He was in a business meeting and he was on the computer in ther living room,” Brittany added. “He saw everything happening and he ran out right after me. If I had not been paying attention in that moment, it could have been a really bad day.”
The social media star detailed the dramatic rescue of the couple’s small dog—and shared the surveillance footage—after a coyote snatched her up at their Los Angeles home Sept. 24.
“I was letting the dogs out to pee and I was watching them and a coyote came and grabbed Neena in broad daylight,” Brittany wrote onscreen before sharing the video on Instagram. “Please be very careful with your dogs. I’ve lived here for four years and I’ve never seen one coyote and then today this happened.”
She added in the caption that her long-haired dachshund is safe. “I climbed up the wall and grabbed her out of its mouth,” she explained. “Thank God she’s a little bit fat because he couldn’t make it over the wall with her.” She noted if it was their other dog, Teenie, “she would’ve been gone.”
“I’m not even letting the dogs out anymore,” the 38-year-old concluded. “This is ridiculous. Hug your babies extra tight.”
She shared more insight into the terrifying moment, telling NBC Los Angeles hours later, “I’m so shaken up” but decided to speak out because “it’s an important message.”
“We get lazy and we go, ‘It’s OK, it’s 1 o’clock in the afternoon, nothing’s going to happen,’” Brittany explained. “And this is what happens. Sometimes you get too comfortable.”
“This all happened so quickly,” she continued. “This just goes to show it can happen at any time. He jumped over the wall. Her legs were hanging, and I just jumped up the wall and I grabbed her legs out of his mouth. Thank God she’s not injured.”
As for where the Mötley Crüe drummer was before he ran out amid the attack?
“He was in a business meeting and he was on the computer in ther living room,” Brittany added. “He saw everything happening and he ran out right after me. If I had not been paying attention in that moment, it could have been a really bad day.”
WNBA Issues Stern Announcement After Fever Eliminated From Playoffs
Game 2 between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun came down to the final few minutes. While Fever guard Caitlin Clark put on a show, scoring a team-high 25 points with 9.0 assists, and 6.0 rebounds, the Fever ultimately fell to the Sun 87-81.
While the Sun moves on to round two of the playoffs, the Fever's season is officially over. Less than an hour after the final whistle blew, the WNBA issued an official announcement that immediately turned some heads.
The league posted on September 25, "The WNBA is a competitive league with some of the most elite athletes in the world. While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening comments made about the players, teams, and anyone affiliated with the league."
Considering the abhorrent message the Sun's DiJonai Carrington received ahead of Game 2, this announcement felt like too little, too late for most fans. Sun forward Alyssa Thomas told reporters after the game, "In my 11 year career, I've never experience racial comments (like) that from the Indiana Fever fan base."
One fan posted, "I know the players have to be shaking their heads." Another person replied, "42 games in, but hey, better late than never, right?" One woman commented, "Girl where was this weeks ago….." Another person wrote, "it took yall this long?"
While Clark's entrance to the WNBA fueled unprecedented viewership and attendance, her name was weaponized by online pundits to attack other women in the league, a deeply unfortunate situation that's being going on since May.
Earlier this month, WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert needed to issue an apology after refusing to reprimand polarizing fans making racist and misogynist remarks toward Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese amid her "rivalry" with Clark.
The timing of the WNBA's message didn't sit well with fans. One person wrote, "Posting this just after the fever get eliminated is insane…"
One fan posted, "if the fever had made it past the first round of the playoffs, y’all definitely wouldn’t be tweeting this. this has been an issue ALL season, and y’all had plenty of chances to address it. yet, y’all only choose to speak up now that caitlin’s season is over. very weird."
Game 2 between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun came down to the final few minutes. While Fever guard Caitlin Clark put on a show, scoring a team-high 25 points with 9.0 assists, and 6.0 rebounds, the Fever ultimately fell to the Sun 87-81.
While the Sun moves on to round two of the playoffs, the Fever's season is officially over. Less than an hour after the final whistle blew, the WNBA issued an official announcement that immediately turned some heads.
The league posted on September 25, "The WNBA is a competitive league with some of the most elite athletes in the world. While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening comments made about the players, teams, and anyone affiliated with the league."
Considering the abhorrent message the Sun's DiJonai Carrington received ahead of Game 2, this announcement felt like too little, too late for most fans. Sun forward Alyssa Thomas told reporters after the game, "In my 11 year career, I've never experience racial comments (like) that from the Indiana Fever fan base."
One fan posted, "I know the players have to be shaking their heads." Another person replied, "42 games in, but hey, better late than never, right?" One woman commented, "Girl where was this weeks ago….." Another person wrote, "it took yall this long?"
While Clark's entrance to the WNBA fueled unprecedented viewership and attendance, her name was weaponized by online pundits to attack other women in the league, a deeply unfortunate situation that's being going on since May.
Earlier this month, WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert needed to issue an apology after refusing to reprimand polarizing fans making racist and misogynist remarks toward Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese amid her "rivalry" with Clark.
The timing of the WNBA's message didn't sit well with fans. One person wrote, "Posting this just after the fever get eliminated is insane…"
One fan posted, "if the fever had made it past the first round of the playoffs, y’all definitely wouldn’t be tweeting this. this has been an issue ALL season, and y’all had plenty of chances to address it. yet, y’all only choose to speak up now that caitlin’s season is over. very weird."
Coca-Cola Discontinues ‘Spiced’ Flavor After Just Seven Months
Coca-Cola is pulling the plug on its latest “permanent” flavor, Coca-Cola Spiced, just over seven months after its release. The Atlanta-based company announced Wednesday that both Coca-Cola Spiced and Coca-Cola Spiced Zero Sugar will be discontinued, making way for a new flavor set to hit shelves next year.
Originally launched in the U.S. and Canada on February 19, Coca-Cola Spiced was the brand’s first new permanent flavor addition to its North American lineup in three years. However, the company is now shifting focus after assessing consumer feedback.
While Coca-Cola didn’t specify the reason for discontinuing the flavor, some suggest it may have been the name, as the drink reportedly tasted more like raspberry than a traditional “spiced” beverage. Additionally, the product was fast-tracked, developed in just seven weeks—much quicker than the typical year-long process.
“We’re always adjusting our product range based on consumer preferences,” Coca-Cola said in a statement. Despite the setback, the company remains focused on innovation and adapting to the fast-moving market.
The new flavor is expected to debut in 2024.
Originally launched in the U.S. and Canada on February 19, Coca-Cola Spiced was the brand’s first new permanent flavor addition to its North American lineup in three years. However, the company is now shifting focus after assessing consumer feedback.
While Coca-Cola didn’t specify the reason for discontinuing the flavor, some suggest it may have been the name, as the drink reportedly tasted more like raspberry than a traditional “spiced” beverage. Additionally, the product was fast-tracked, developed in just seven weeks—much quicker than the typical year-long process.
“We’re always adjusting our product range based on consumer preferences,” Coca-Cola said in a statement. Despite the setback, the company remains focused on innovation and adapting to the fast-moving market.
The new flavor is expected to debut in 2024.
Taraji P. Henson Is Dreaming Of Retirement
Retirement is on Taraji P. Henson’s mind. And who could blame her? After a nearly 30-year career that’s earned her an Oscar nomination, starring roles in films and television shows and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Henson has been thinking hard about what her future will look like. More ease. More comfort. Less acting.
“When I say ‘retirement,’ I mean not that I will never, ever work again. But I want to finally get to a place where I don’t have to do an acting job to pay bills,” she said. “I think that’s when it’ll get back to being fun again for me. Not that I’m stressed and taking every job or whatever. It’s just that right now I do still rely a lot on my acting income to pay my bills and make things happen.”
In December, Henson’s viral SiriusXM interview with Gayle King reignited a big conversation about the pay inequity Black women face in Hollywood when Henson said “the math ain’t mathing” for those who look like her.
“It seems every time I do something and break another glass ceiling, when it’s time to renegotiate, I’m at the bottom again, like I never did what I just did, and I’m just tired,” she told King through tears.
Shortly after that interview, the 54-year-old actor got a call from “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” producers Will Packer and Kevin Hart. There was no audition. No having to prove herself. Just an offer for the role as the top woman on the bill, starring opposite Hart. And with Samuel L. Jackson already attached to the project by then, Henson was sold. This was what she meant by quality over quantity.
Retirement is on Taraji P. Henson’s mind. And who could blame her? After a nearly 30-year career that’s earned her an Oscar nomination, starring roles in films and television shows and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Henson has been thinking hard about what her future will look like. More ease. More comfort. Less acting.
“When I say ‘retirement,’ I mean not that I will never, ever work again. But I want to finally get to a place where I don’t have to do an acting job to pay bills,” she said. “I think that’s when it’ll get back to being fun again for me. Not that I’m stressed and taking every job or whatever. It’s just that right now I do still rely a lot on my acting income to pay my bills and make things happen.”
In December, Henson’s viral SiriusXM interview with Gayle King reignited a big conversation about the pay inequity Black women face in Hollywood when Henson said “the math ain’t mathing” for those who look like her.
“It seems every time I do something and break another glass ceiling, when it’s time to renegotiate, I’m at the bottom again, like I never did what I just did, and I’m just tired,” she told King through tears.
Shortly after that interview, the 54-year-old actor got a call from “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” producers Will Packer and Kevin Hart. There was no audition. No having to prove herself. Just an offer for the role as the top woman on the bill, starring opposite Hart. And with Samuel L. Jackson already attached to the project by then, Henson was sold. This was what she meant by quality over quantity.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
How much for just the Pink?
The dedication is strong with this one
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