#MAGFAB: Normani for Galore Magazine 2025
When it comes to being a once in a lifetime talent, Normani easily stands out from the rest. From her vocals, dance skills and undeniable star power, her debut solo album “Dopamine” is only a taste of all she has to offer. What we love most about Normani is her resilience to overcome whatever is thrown her way, gracefully. We sat down with the “Insomnia” star to discuss her trajectory in the industry, being Houston bred and much more!
Get the full story at Galore
#RHOA: NeNe Leakes says she'd return to RHOA if the 'opportunity was right' and the 'check was on point'
NeNe Leakes is considering returning to the show that made her famous — if there's enough cold, hard cash on the table.
The reality star contemplated a return to Real Housewives of Atlanta during an interview with TMZ. "I don't know," she said of potentially rejoining the cast. "If the opportunity was right and the check was on point, why not?"
Leakes was one of the core cast members for the first seven seasons of the Bravo series, beginning in 2008. She left the show prior to the start of season 8, but made a brief appearance during the Housewives Jamaica trip. She later returned for seasons 10 to 12, ultimately leaving the show in 2020 ahead of its 13th season.
The topic of Leakes' return to the show was prompted by a W Magazine interview with Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, who cites RHOA as her favorite show. "I am a Nene Leakes fan," the actress said in the interview. "I love her. Where is she? Bring her back, please. She's great."
Leakes returned the love in the TMZ interview. "I love her. So many people were sending it to me, inboxing me, what Cynthia had said," Leakes said. "Cynthia, I love you, thank you so much! And I totally agree."
Leakes continued, "Honestly, so many people watch Real Housewives. So many stars — big stars — watch Real Housewives. They really do. It was a pleasure to see that Cynthia loved The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and that she in particular loved NeNe Leakes."
The reality star also took the opportunity to plug her upcoming podcast, Me & My Homegirl, which she's launching alongside fellow Atlanta icon Sierra Glamshop. "You can expect us to keep it 1,000% real," Leakes said of the show. "We're gonna talk about any and everything. Nothing is off limits. From pop culture to relationships to love to finances, and every now and then we might have guests that pop in, but we don't want that to be our focus."
Leakes ended the interview with a reflection on remarrying, as her husband, Gregg Leakes, died in 2021. "I don't know about getting remarried," Leakes contemplated. "I don't mind marriage — if I find the right one, I'm all theirs."
The Real Housewives of Atlanta finished its 15th season in September 2023. The season featured Sherée Whitfield, Marlo Hampton, Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, Drew Sidora, and Sanya Richards-Ross as the core cast. Season 16 is set to launch later this year with an almost entirely different set of stars: newcomers Brittany Eady, Kelli Ferrell, and Angela Oakley; friend-turned-full-timer Shamea Morton Mwangi; Sidora; and returning stars Porsha Williams and Phaedra Parks.
Leakes' podcast Me & My Homegirl launches Jan. 16.
The reality star contemplated a return to Real Housewives of Atlanta during an interview with TMZ. "I don't know," she said of potentially rejoining the cast. "If the opportunity was right and the check was on point, why not?"
Leakes was one of the core cast members for the first seven seasons of the Bravo series, beginning in 2008. She left the show prior to the start of season 8, but made a brief appearance during the Housewives Jamaica trip. She later returned for seasons 10 to 12, ultimately leaving the show in 2020 ahead of its 13th season.
The topic of Leakes' return to the show was prompted by a W Magazine interview with Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, who cites RHOA as her favorite show. "I am a Nene Leakes fan," the actress said in the interview. "I love her. Where is she? Bring her back, please. She's great."
Leakes returned the love in the TMZ interview. "I love her. So many people were sending it to me, inboxing me, what Cynthia had said," Leakes said. "Cynthia, I love you, thank you so much! And I totally agree."
Leakes continued, "Honestly, so many people watch Real Housewives. So many stars — big stars — watch Real Housewives. They really do. It was a pleasure to see that Cynthia loved The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and that she in particular loved NeNe Leakes."
The reality star also took the opportunity to plug her upcoming podcast, Me & My Homegirl, which she's launching alongside fellow Atlanta icon Sierra Glamshop. "You can expect us to keep it 1,000% real," Leakes said of the show. "We're gonna talk about any and everything. Nothing is off limits. From pop culture to relationships to love to finances, and every now and then we might have guests that pop in, but we don't want that to be our focus."
Leakes ended the interview with a reflection on remarrying, as her husband, Gregg Leakes, died in 2021. "I don't know about getting remarried," Leakes contemplated. "I don't mind marriage — if I find the right one, I'm all theirs."
The Real Housewives of Atlanta finished its 15th season in September 2023. The season featured Sherée Whitfield, Marlo Hampton, Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, Drew Sidora, and Sanya Richards-Ross as the core cast. Season 16 is set to launch later this year with an almost entirely different set of stars: newcomers Brittany Eady, Kelli Ferrell, and Angela Oakley; friend-turned-full-timer Shamea Morton Mwangi; Sidora; and returning stars Porsha Williams and Phaedra Parks.
Leakes' podcast Me & My Homegirl launches Jan. 16.
#MusicNews: Legendary Soul Singer Sam Moore, Half of Sam & Dave, Dies at 89
Moore was best known as half of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame soul duo behind "Soul Man" & "Hold On, I'm Coming."
Sam Moore, half of the seminal duo Sam & Dave, died Friday (Jan. 10) in Coral Gables, Fla. The cause of death was complications from surgery. He was 89.
Moore, who was revered by artists including Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Garth Brooks and Jon Bon Jovi, had an instantly recognizable tenor, first heard on such call-and-response classics as Sam & Dave’s 1960s hits “Hold On, I’m Coming” and the Grammy-winning “Soul Man,” both of which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, as well as “I Thank You” and “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby.” The duo, who performed at Martin Luther King Jr.’s memorial concert at Madison Square Garden following his assassination in 1968, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 by Billy Joel.
Moore, who grew up in Miami, began singing in church and drew the attention of another legendary Sam, Sam Cooke, who wanted Moore to replace him in his gospel group The Soul Stirrers. However, after seeing Jackie Wilson perform, Moore shifted from gospel to pop and was performing at the King O’Hearts Club when he met Dave Prater and the two formed Sam & Dave.
Legendary Atlantic Records executives Ahmet Ertegun, Tom Dowd and Jerry Wexler saw the pair at the King O’Hearts Club and signed them to the label in 1965. Wexler passed them to Atlantic’s southern partner, Stax Records, where Isaac Hayes and David Porter took them under their wing and produced their iconic hits with musical backing from the MGs, including guitarist Steve Cropper (who gets the memorable “Play It, Steve” shout out in “Soul Man.”)
Following Sam & Dave’s breakup in 1970, Moore signed to Atlantic as a solo artist. He recorded a solo album produced by King Curtis featuring Donny Hathaway and Aretha Franklin. However, after Curtis was murdered in 1971, the album was shelved. He reunited with Dave for a few years, but spiraled into heroin addiction, which was chronicled in the DA Pennebaker/Chris Hegedus documentary Only the Strong Survive.
Interest in the duo was greatly revived by 1980’s The Blues Brothers movie, starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. The pair’s main theme was their boisterous version of “Soul Man.”
The song “turned out to be an anthem, sort of like ‘Blowin’ in the Wind” or one of those,” Moore told the Library of Congress in a 2002 interview when “Soul Man” was added to the Library’s National Recording Registry. “And, I tell you, it doesn’t matter where I sing — perform it — at the end of the night; if we didn’t do ‘Soul Man, the room would go up in smoke!”
Moore also shared how he and Prater worked out how to trade verses, with the help of Hayes. “By me at that time being the dominate one — and I’m not bragging here — I always sang the high parts,” he said in the same interview. “We went back with Isaac and he took us back and forth [with the verses]. Isaac was like, ‘Sam, try something like this.’ I remember him saying, ‘We want it bright. Not a dull opening.’ That’s why you hear all the high. Isaac was the one that suggested that.”
In the early ‘80s, Moore became sober with the help of Joyce McRae, whom he married in 1982 and who became his manager.
Moore went on to perform for six U.S. presidents — Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump — and was a frequent performer at the Kennedy Center Honors.
Springsteen asked Moore to perform on his 1992 Human Touch album, as well as Only the Strong Survive, his 2023 album of soul covers. On Saturday (Jan. 11), he posted an appreciation to Moore on Bluesky that read, “Over on E Street, we are heartbroken to hear of the death of Sam Moore, one of America’s greatest soul voices. There simply isn’t another sound like Sam’s soulful tenor in American music. Having had the honor to work with Sam on several occasions, he was a sweet and funny man. He was filled with stories of the halcyon days of soul music, and to the end had that edge of deep authenticity in his voice I could only wonder at. We offer our prayers to his wife Joyce and thanks to the immortal recordings Sam left us. God bless.”
Springsteen’s bandmate, Steven Van Zandt, also remembered Moore fondly on social media, writing “RIP Sam Moore. One of the last of the great Soul Men. Him and Dave Prater were the inspiration for me and Johnny to start Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. An important righteous wonderful man.”
Moore crossed over to several genres. In 1994, Moore teamed with Conway Twitty to record the Brook Benton hit “Rainy Night in Georgia” for the all-star Rhythm, Country & Blues collection. Both artists received two CMA Awards nods for their efforts — album of the year and vocal event of the year.
Moore recovered his lost 1970 album, Plenty Good Loving, and released it in 2002 via EMI. “I met Sam and his wife, Joyce, when I was in my 20s and working for Rhino Records, who reissued the classic Sam & Dave albums,” says Exceleration Music creative director David Gorman, who was instrumental in the album finally seeing daylight. “Drooling fanboy that I was, I showed up to our first meeting holding a 45 and asking for his autograph. The 45 was his solo single ‘If I Should Lose Your Love.’ When he picked it up, his jaw dropped because he had completely forgotten that he ever made a solo record at all. Over dinner, his memories came flooding back and he remembered making an entire album but had no recollection around its fate.
Moore was best known as half of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame soul duo behind "Soul Man" & "Hold On, I'm Coming."
Sam Moore, half of the seminal duo Sam & Dave, died Friday (Jan. 10) in Coral Gables, Fla. The cause of death was complications from surgery. He was 89.
Moore, who was revered by artists including Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Garth Brooks and Jon Bon Jovi, had an instantly recognizable tenor, first heard on such call-and-response classics as Sam & Dave’s 1960s hits “Hold On, I’m Coming” and the Grammy-winning “Soul Man,” both of which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, as well as “I Thank You” and “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby.” The duo, who performed at Martin Luther King Jr.’s memorial concert at Madison Square Garden following his assassination in 1968, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 by Billy Joel.
Moore, who grew up in Miami, began singing in church and drew the attention of another legendary Sam, Sam Cooke, who wanted Moore to replace him in his gospel group The Soul Stirrers. However, after seeing Jackie Wilson perform, Moore shifted from gospel to pop and was performing at the King O’Hearts Club when he met Dave Prater and the two formed Sam & Dave.
Legendary Atlantic Records executives Ahmet Ertegun, Tom Dowd and Jerry Wexler saw the pair at the King O’Hearts Club and signed them to the label in 1965. Wexler passed them to Atlantic’s southern partner, Stax Records, where Isaac Hayes and David Porter took them under their wing and produced their iconic hits with musical backing from the MGs, including guitarist Steve Cropper (who gets the memorable “Play It, Steve” shout out in “Soul Man.”)
Following Sam & Dave’s breakup in 1970, Moore signed to Atlantic as a solo artist. He recorded a solo album produced by King Curtis featuring Donny Hathaway and Aretha Franklin. However, after Curtis was murdered in 1971, the album was shelved. He reunited with Dave for a few years, but spiraled into heroin addiction, which was chronicled in the DA Pennebaker/Chris Hegedus documentary Only the Strong Survive.
Interest in the duo was greatly revived by 1980’s The Blues Brothers movie, starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. The pair’s main theme was their boisterous version of “Soul Man.”
The song “turned out to be an anthem, sort of like ‘Blowin’ in the Wind” or one of those,” Moore told the Library of Congress in a 2002 interview when “Soul Man” was added to the Library’s National Recording Registry. “And, I tell you, it doesn’t matter where I sing — perform it — at the end of the night; if we didn’t do ‘Soul Man, the room would go up in smoke!”
Moore also shared how he and Prater worked out how to trade verses, with the help of Hayes. “By me at that time being the dominate one — and I’m not bragging here — I always sang the high parts,” he said in the same interview. “We went back with Isaac and he took us back and forth [with the verses]. Isaac was like, ‘Sam, try something like this.’ I remember him saying, ‘We want it bright. Not a dull opening.’ That’s why you hear all the high. Isaac was the one that suggested that.”
In the early ‘80s, Moore became sober with the help of Joyce McRae, whom he married in 1982 and who became his manager.
Moore went on to perform for six U.S. presidents — Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump — and was a frequent performer at the Kennedy Center Honors.
Springsteen asked Moore to perform on his 1992 Human Touch album, as well as Only the Strong Survive, his 2023 album of soul covers. On Saturday (Jan. 11), he posted an appreciation to Moore on Bluesky that read, “Over on E Street, we are heartbroken to hear of the death of Sam Moore, one of America’s greatest soul voices. There simply isn’t another sound like Sam’s soulful tenor in American music. Having had the honor to work with Sam on several occasions, he was a sweet and funny man. He was filled with stories of the halcyon days of soul music, and to the end had that edge of deep authenticity in his voice I could only wonder at. We offer our prayers to his wife Joyce and thanks to the immortal recordings Sam left us. God bless.”
Springsteen’s bandmate, Steven Van Zandt, also remembered Moore fondly on social media, writing “RIP Sam Moore. One of the last of the great Soul Men. Him and Dave Prater were the inspiration for me and Johnny to start Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. An important righteous wonderful man.”
Moore crossed over to several genres. In 1994, Moore teamed with Conway Twitty to record the Brook Benton hit “Rainy Night in Georgia” for the all-star Rhythm, Country & Blues collection. Both artists received two CMA Awards nods for their efforts — album of the year and vocal event of the year.
Moore recovered his lost 1970 album, Plenty Good Loving, and released it in 2002 via EMI. “I met Sam and his wife, Joyce, when I was in my 20s and working for Rhino Records, who reissued the classic Sam & Dave albums,” says Exceleration Music creative director David Gorman, who was instrumental in the album finally seeing daylight. “Drooling fanboy that I was, I showed up to our first meeting holding a 45 and asking for his autograph. The 45 was his solo single ‘If I Should Lose Your Love.’ When he picked it up, his jaw dropped because he had completely forgotten that he ever made a solo record at all. Over dinner, his memories came flooding back and he remembered making an entire album but had no recollection around its fate.
As soon as I got back to LA, I asked [mastering engineer] Bill Inglot if it really existed and within a few days he’d found the tapes and sent over a CD-R. It was brilliant. Sam, Joyce, and I worked together to find a new home for the solo album nobody remembered making.”
Four years later, Moore released his first new album in 30 years, Overnight Sensational, which featured Bon Jovi, Sting, Springsteen and Billy Preston, with whom he received a Grammy nomination for their duet of “You Are So Beautiful.”
In 2019, Moore and Prater received the Recording Academy’s highest honor, its Lifetime Achievement Award.
In his later years, in addition to continuing to perform, Moore became an artists’ advocate, including testifying in Congress on behalf of the Fair Play Fair Pay Act, which would pay performers for radio airplay.
“His loss is deep,” Gorman says. “He was a force of joy as a human being, who lit up everyone around him. As an artist he had the explosive ability to work a crowd out — even Otis [Redding] feared following Sam & Dave on stage — but I found Sam’s genius alone with his records, especially the ballads. Sam’s cries, his knowing asides, the way would use time as a weapon to hit you when it would hurt or heal the most, gave me comfort and companionship in ways no other artist could. He could turn up the tempo and turn up the heat, but his slow-burn just couldn’t be touched. He was a master, the last of his kind.”
At the time of his death, Moore was working on a gospel album with Rudy Perez. He is survived by Joyce, daughter Michelle and grandchildren Tash and Misha.
Four years later, Moore released his first new album in 30 years, Overnight Sensational, which featured Bon Jovi, Sting, Springsteen and Billy Preston, with whom he received a Grammy nomination for their duet of “You Are So Beautiful.”
In 2019, Moore and Prater received the Recording Academy’s highest honor, its Lifetime Achievement Award.
In his later years, in addition to continuing to perform, Moore became an artists’ advocate, including testifying in Congress on behalf of the Fair Play Fair Pay Act, which would pay performers for radio airplay.
“His loss is deep,” Gorman says. “He was a force of joy as a human being, who lit up everyone around him. As an artist he had the explosive ability to work a crowd out — even Otis [Redding] feared following Sam & Dave on stage — but I found Sam’s genius alone with his records, especially the ballads. Sam’s cries, his knowing asides, the way would use time as a weapon to hit you when it would hurt or heal the most, gave me comfort and companionship in ways no other artist could. He could turn up the tempo and turn up the heat, but his slow-burn just couldn’t be touched. He was a master, the last of his kind.”
At the time of his death, Moore was working on a gospel album with Rudy Perez. He is survived by Joyce, daughter Michelle and grandchildren Tash and Misha.
#HipHopNews: Fat Joe Explains How Killer Mike Inspired Him To Get back in the Game
Fat Joe ended 2024 with the release of a new album, The World Changed On Me, his first solo release in 15 years. However, the 11-track work is not rooted in frivolous motivations. Speaking with Billboard, the Bronx native shared which rapper inspired him to get back in the game.
“He’s the guy who inspired me,” declared the 54-year-old of Atlanta’s own Killer Mike. “I retired. I was gone. I had an infamous phone call with Eminem, where he was trying to talk me into not retiring. ‘Joe, we need you. You’re one of us.’ … I was super done, but I got back out because Killer Mike. The man won that Grammy. The one thing I never got in this business is a Grammy.”
He continued to detail, “When I seen it… I never look from a jealous lens. I always look from an inspirational lens. So I called Dre, I was like, ‘Yo. It’s possible. Let’s get back in the kitchen and cook.’ So, he inspired me to come out of retirement.
Fat Joe performs on the field prior to Game Three of the 2024 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City Al Bello/Getty Images
Fat Joe continued to detail The World Changed On Me by elaborating, “I’ll tell you one thing, I’m dropping a smoker.” Officially released on Dec. 13, 2024, the album features Babyface, Ty Dolla $ign, Anitta, Jarma Nova, Cool & Dre, Remy Ma, Chris Rock, Karma Nova, DJ Khaled, Tony Sunshine, and Tuggawar, who Fat Joe discovered on social media and describes as a “wild white boy” from the “projects” in the UK.
Despite dropping an album he’s proud of, the Hip-Hop veteran described last year as one of the worst for the genre.
“All our legends, all our mentors getting scrutinized. This is the worst time to be a celebrity in the history of mankind. I’m not sure you guys wanna be celebrities,” he added. “Like I got friends who are filthy rich that wanna be popping and wanna be a celebrity. I don’t think they want everybody in they sh*t like that. This sh*t crazy out here. This is nuts. The f**king world done changed on me. It’s f**king nuts out here. You can’t make it up!”
“He’s the guy who inspired me,” declared the 54-year-old of Atlanta’s own Killer Mike. “I retired. I was gone. I had an infamous phone call with Eminem, where he was trying to talk me into not retiring. ‘Joe, we need you. You’re one of us.’ … I was super done, but I got back out because Killer Mike. The man won that Grammy. The one thing I never got in this business is a Grammy.”
He continued to detail, “When I seen it… I never look from a jealous lens. I always look from an inspirational lens. So I called Dre, I was like, ‘Yo. It’s possible. Let’s get back in the kitchen and cook.’ So, he inspired me to come out of retirement.
Fat Joe performs on the field prior to Game Three of the 2024 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City Al Bello/Getty Images
Fat Joe continued to detail The World Changed On Me by elaborating, “I’ll tell you one thing, I’m dropping a smoker.” Officially released on Dec. 13, 2024, the album features Babyface, Ty Dolla $ign, Anitta, Jarma Nova, Cool & Dre, Remy Ma, Chris Rock, Karma Nova, DJ Khaled, Tony Sunshine, and Tuggawar, who Fat Joe discovered on social media and describes as a “wild white boy” from the “projects” in the UK.
Despite dropping an album he’s proud of, the Hip-Hop veteran described last year as one of the worst for the genre.
“All our legends, all our mentors getting scrutinized. This is the worst time to be a celebrity in the history of mankind. I’m not sure you guys wanna be celebrities,” he added. “Like I got friends who are filthy rich that wanna be popping and wanna be a celebrity. I don’t think they want everybody in they sh*t like that. This sh*t crazy out here. This is nuts. The f**king world done changed on me. It’s f**king nuts out here. You can’t make it up!”
Dave Chappelle Named First ‘Saturday Night Live’ Host Of 2025
Saturday Night Live returns with its first episode of the year on Jan. 18, 2025, with a familiar face as host. On Friday (Jan. 10), NBC announced Dave Chappelle will lead the sketch comedy series in the upcoming episode. It will be the comedian’s fourth time guest starring in the acclaimed television show.
The 51-year-old’s appearance comes as his latest special, Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer, is nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album at the 2025 event.
Additionally, GloRilla will serve as the musical guest for the episode, likely appearing in at least one skit. She is also up for awards at this year’s Grammys with two nominations for her “Yeah Glo!” anthem. It will be her first time making an appearance in the acclaimed series.
The second episode of the year will be hosted by Timothée Chalamet, who will serve as host and musical guest. Playing double duty, the 29-year-old becomes the first non-professional singer to do so in thirty years. As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, Deion Sanders was the last in 1995, preceded by Gary Busey in 1979, Desi Arnaz in 1976, and the first person to do so Lily Tomlin in 1975.
It will be Chalamet’s second time hosting the comedy.
Saturday Night Live will return in mid-February to mark its 50th anniversary with a celebratory weekend culminating in a live primetime broadcast titled SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday, Feb. 16. The regular broadcast airs on NBC and streams live on Peacock, with past episodes available to stream.
Saturday Night Live returns with its first episode of the year on Jan. 18, 2025, with a familiar face as host. On Friday (Jan. 10), NBC announced Dave Chappelle will lead the sketch comedy series in the upcoming episode. It will be the comedian’s fourth time guest starring in the acclaimed television show.
The 51-year-old’s appearance comes as his latest special, Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer, is nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album at the 2025 event.
Additionally, GloRilla will serve as the musical guest for the episode, likely appearing in at least one skit. She is also up for awards at this year’s Grammys with two nominations for her “Yeah Glo!” anthem. It will be her first time making an appearance in the acclaimed series.
The second episode of the year will be hosted by Timothée Chalamet, who will serve as host and musical guest. Playing double duty, the 29-year-old becomes the first non-professional singer to do so in thirty years. As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, Deion Sanders was the last in 1995, preceded by Gary Busey in 1979, Desi Arnaz in 1976, and the first person to do so Lily Tomlin in 1975.
It will be Chalamet’s second time hosting the comedy.
Saturday Night Live will return in mid-February to mark its 50th anniversary with a celebratory weekend culminating in a live primetime broadcast titled SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday, Feb. 16. The regular broadcast airs on NBC and streams live on Peacock, with past episodes available to stream.
Tom Holland’s Dad Confirms Zendaya Engagement Rumors
Tom Holland's dad, Dominic Holland, has spoken about his son's engagement to Zendaya, and he couldn't be anymore happier for the couple.
In a post shared on Patreon, the elder Holland reflected on the engagement news, and even though he didn't reveal much about the couple, he said that Tom was more than prepared to pop the question.
"Tom, as you know by now, was very incredibly well prepared," Dominic wrote. "He had purchased a ring. He had spoken with her father and gained permission to propose to his daughter. Tom had everything planned out… When, where, how, what to say, what to wear."
He also added that he was "completely confident" that Tom and Zendaya would become a "successful union." Tom proposed to Zendaya during the Christmas-New Year holiday season, and she's shown off the massive ring several times, including on the Golden Globes red carpet.
According to an inside source acquired by PEOPLE, the couple isn't rushing to get married right away. They're going to enjoy their engagement and continue working on their respective projects
Tom and Zendaya, who've starred in the Spider-Man reboot film series since 2017, confirmed their relationship in 2021 and have consistently shared their adoration for each other. In a recent Vanity Fair cover story, Zendaya said how "strangely comfortable" it was to act alongside Tom.
"You feel extra safe with the person you're acting beside," she said. "I love working with him."
In a post shared on Patreon, the elder Holland reflected on the engagement news, and even though he didn't reveal much about the couple, he said that Tom was more than prepared to pop the question.
"Tom, as you know by now, was very incredibly well prepared," Dominic wrote. "He had purchased a ring. He had spoken with her father and gained permission to propose to his daughter. Tom had everything planned out… When, where, how, what to say, what to wear."
He also added that he was "completely confident" that Tom and Zendaya would become a "successful union." Tom proposed to Zendaya during the Christmas-New Year holiday season, and she's shown off the massive ring several times, including on the Golden Globes red carpet.
According to an inside source acquired by PEOPLE, the couple isn't rushing to get married right away. They're going to enjoy their engagement and continue working on their respective projects
Tom and Zendaya, who've starred in the Spider-Man reboot film series since 2017, confirmed their relationship in 2021 and have consistently shared their adoration for each other. In a recent Vanity Fair cover story, Zendaya said how "strangely comfortable" it was to act alongside Tom.
"You feel extra safe with the person you're acting beside," she said. "I love working with him."
Akademiks Accuses LeBron of Cheating on His Wife With Drake’s Help
Akademiks has accused LeBron James of cheating on his wife, Savannah, and claims Drake allegedly helped him do it.
On one of his livestreams earlier this week, Akademiks let off a round of unconfirmed rumors that the four-time NBA champion had allegedly been stepping out on his wife while hanging out with Drizzy in Toronto. According to Ak, his unconfirmed sources in Toronto allege the 6 God provided women for James, and the two former friends allegedly ran "two-man" experiences together where they both had sex with a woman at the same time.
"Yo LeBron, I talked to enough whores in Canada. I've talked to enough people maybe Drake will keep teasing it let me just tell you what I've heard," said Ak. "Yo LeBron, you and Drake used to go on two-mans ok? You've been cheating on your God damned wife. Drake used to facilitate the hoes and basically, essentially you can't dance to a song about him being a pedophile.He used to supply you with the bitches, I'm sorry my n***a."
He continued, "If I'm Drake I'll snitch on you too. Sorry buddy you can't do that. No. You've been living a lie, and everybody been thinking you're this perfect guy. But when you come to Canada, I know some of the whores. When you come to Canada you come to certain places. 'I'm supplying you with the white women you love. You don't even like Black chicks, white women. I'm the guy.'"
Dj Akademiks goes off on LeBron James for cheating in his wife with the white girls from Toronto . You should be trying to win a chip with lakers instead of singing the Kendrick Lamar song calling Drake a pedo . He’s stopping yes Julz from exposing you
Akademiks remarked that James and Drake "all like the same smuts." He also said Bron should've stayed out of the beef and never attended Kendrick Lamar’s Pop Out concert, knowing he allegedly had skeletons in his closet. There is no actual confirmation that LeBron has been cheating on his wife, as it's all just rumors.
Social media influencer and media entrepreneur YesJulz recently shot down rumors of her having an affair with LeBron. Earlier this week, Julz tweeted about LeBron's insane left-handed windmill dunk against the Dallas Mavericks, and a fan criticized her for not reading the room by referencing Drake's lines allegedly about James on "Fighting Irish Freestyle."
"You really think I give af about ya'lls baseless rumors? Bron is my fav player andthe I will always celebrate his wins!" she tweeted in response to the fan.
Akademiks has accused LeBron James of cheating on his wife, Savannah, and claims Drake allegedly helped him do it.
On one of his livestreams earlier this week, Akademiks let off a round of unconfirmed rumors that the four-time NBA champion had allegedly been stepping out on his wife while hanging out with Drizzy in Toronto. According to Ak, his unconfirmed sources in Toronto allege the 6 God provided women for James, and the two former friends allegedly ran "two-man" experiences together where they both had sex with a woman at the same time.
"Yo LeBron, I talked to enough whores in Canada. I've talked to enough people maybe Drake will keep teasing it let me just tell you what I've heard," said Ak. "Yo LeBron, you and Drake used to go on two-mans ok? You've been cheating on your God damned wife. Drake used to facilitate the hoes and basically, essentially you can't dance to a song about him being a pedophile.He used to supply you with the bitches, I'm sorry my n***a."
He continued, "If I'm Drake I'll snitch on you too. Sorry buddy you can't do that. No. You've been living a lie, and everybody been thinking you're this perfect guy. But when you come to Canada, I know some of the whores. When you come to Canada you come to certain places. 'I'm supplying you with the white women you love. You don't even like Black chicks, white women. I'm the guy.'"
Dj Akademiks goes off on LeBron James for cheating in his wife with the white girls from Toronto . You should be trying to win a chip with lakers instead of singing the Kendrick Lamar song calling Drake a pedo . He’s stopping yes Julz from exposing you
Akademiks remarked that James and Drake "all like the same smuts." He also said Bron should've stayed out of the beef and never attended Kendrick Lamar’s Pop Out concert, knowing he allegedly had skeletons in his closet. There is no actual confirmation that LeBron has been cheating on his wife, as it's all just rumors.
Social media influencer and media entrepreneur YesJulz recently shot down rumors of her having an affair with LeBron. Earlier this week, Julz tweeted about LeBron's insane left-handed windmill dunk against the Dallas Mavericks, and a fan criticized her for not reading the room by referencing Drake's lines allegedly about James on "Fighting Irish Freestyle."
"You really think I give af about ya'lls baseless rumors? Bron is my fav player andthe I will always celebrate his wins!" she tweeted in response to the fan.
Actor Djimon Hounsou Admits He’s Still Struggling Financially, Despite 2 Oscar Nominations
Renowned actor Djimon Hounsou admits he’s still struggling financially while working in Hollywood.
He also detailed instances of racism he experienced in the industry as a working actor.
Djimon Hounsou was nominated for Oscars for his roles in “Blood Diamond,” and “In America.” Historically, such recognition is expected to boost an actor’s status. Sadly, this has not been the case for Djimon Hounsou.
This isn’t his first time speaking up about unfair pay. Back in September, Djimon admitted that nothing had changed after he spoke up about the pay gap.
He also detailed instances of racism he experienced in the industry as a working actor.
Djimon Hounsou was nominated for Oscars for his roles in “Blood Diamond,” and “In America.” Historically, such recognition is expected to boost an actor’s status. Sadly, this has not been the case for Djimon Hounsou.
This isn’t his first time speaking up about unfair pay. Back in September, Djimon admitted that nothing had changed after he spoke up about the pay gap.
Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman Becomes First Black Head Coach To Reach College Football National Championship
Marcus Freeman is making history.The third-year head coach of Notre Dame led the Fighting Irish to their first College Football Playoff National Championship appearance since 2012, securing a 27-24 victory over Penn State in the 2025 Orange Bowl semifinal. Freeman has now become the first Black head coach to lead a team to a Division I college football national title game, per CBS Sports.
In a post-game interview with ESPN, Marcus Freeman, who is Black and Asian, shared,
“I’ve said this before: I don’t ever want to take attention away from the team. It is an honor, and I hope all coaches — minorities, Black, Asian, white, it doesn’t matter, great people — continue to get opportunities to lead young men like this. But this ain’t about me. This is about us. We’re going to celebrate what we’ve done because it’s so special.”
Diddy’s Childhood Friend Alleges His Mother Janice Combs Hosted S*x Parties At Their Home
Diddy’s upbringing is under scrutiny following claims in the new Peacock documentary “Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy.”
In the film, Diddy’s childhood friend Tim “Dawg” Patterson alleges that Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs, frequently hosted s*x parties in their home during his youth:
”That’s what we were privy to; this is what we were fed. Was it desensitizing us? I’m sure it was. Were we aware of it? No, that was just Saturday night. On the weekend, [Combs] partied in the house… He was around all types of alcohol… reefer smoke, dr*g addicts, lesb*ans, homos*xuals, p*mps, pushers… People from Harlem, from the streets.”
Patterson believes those experiences shaped Diddy’s adult life, including allegations of federal racketeering and sex trafficking: “I’ve always been asked the question why. I don’t know the answer to why, but I truly believe it all goes back to childhood.
The full documentary premieres January 14.
Marcus Freeman is making history.The third-year head coach of Notre Dame led the Fighting Irish to their first College Football Playoff National Championship appearance since 2012, securing a 27-24 victory over Penn State in the 2025 Orange Bowl semifinal. Freeman has now become the first Black head coach to lead a team to a Division I college football national title game, per CBS Sports.
In a post-game interview with ESPN, Marcus Freeman, who is Black and Asian, shared,
“I’ve said this before: I don’t ever want to take attention away from the team. It is an honor, and I hope all coaches — minorities, Black, Asian, white, it doesn’t matter, great people — continue to get opportunities to lead young men like this. But this ain’t about me. This is about us. We’re going to celebrate what we’ve done because it’s so special.”
Diddy’s Childhood Friend Alleges His Mother Janice Combs Hosted S*x Parties At Their Home
In the film, Diddy’s childhood friend Tim “Dawg” Patterson alleges that Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs, frequently hosted s*x parties in their home during his youth:
”That’s what we were privy to; this is what we were fed. Was it desensitizing us? I’m sure it was. Were we aware of it? No, that was just Saturday night. On the weekend, [Combs] partied in the house… He was around all types of alcohol… reefer smoke, dr*g addicts, lesb*ans, homos*xuals, p*mps, pushers… People from Harlem, from the streets.”
Patterson believes those experiences shaped Diddy’s adult life, including allegations of federal racketeering and sex trafficking: “I’ve always been asked the question why. I don’t know the answer to why, but I truly believe it all goes back to childhood.
The full documentary premieres January 14.
Grammys 2025 Ceremony Might Be Delayed Due to California Fires (Report)
There are reportedly talks about delaying the 2025 Grammys amid the Los Angeles fires
As it stands, the 2025 ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It will air on CBS. We do not yet know who will host or who is scheduled to take the stage to perform.
However, a new report suggests that there have been talks about pushing back the awards show or changing its format.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the fate of the Grammys this year will be decided within the next few days, depending on how the situation with the fires evolve.
One source told the outlet that a postponement is “highly likely” since the fires are still not under control and are popping up across the city.
There is also talk of a potential benefit concert, which the Grammys would organize alongside MusiCares.
The outlet noted that both the 2021 and 2022 Grammy ceremonies were delayed amid the COVID pandemic.
Going into the ceremony, Beyonce leads the field of nominees with 11 nods to her name. Her album Cowboy Carter is up for Album of the Year, and her song “Texas Hold ‘Em” is competing for both Song of the Year an
There are reportedly talks about delaying the 2025 Grammys amid the Los Angeles fires
As it stands, the 2025 ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It will air on CBS. We do not yet know who will host or who is scheduled to take the stage to perform.
However, a new report suggests that there have been talks about pushing back the awards show or changing its format.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the fate of the Grammys this year will be decided within the next few days, depending on how the situation with the fires evolve.
One source told the outlet that a postponement is “highly likely” since the fires are still not under control and are popping up across the city.
There is also talk of a potential benefit concert, which the Grammys would organize alongside MusiCares.
The outlet noted that both the 2021 and 2022 Grammy ceremonies were delayed amid the COVID pandemic.
Going into the ceremony, Beyonce leads the field of nominees with 11 nods to her name. Her album Cowboy Carter is up for Album of the Year, and her song “Texas Hold ‘Em” is competing for both Song of the Year an
Halle Berry donates 'entire closet' to wildfire victim clothing drive
"Catwoman" co-stars Halle Berry and Sharon Stone are proving they are real life superheroes.
Berry, following the lead of her "Catwoman" co-star Stone, got candid in an Instagram video posted Friday, telling fans she took her entire closet to Beverly Hills home goods store +Coop.
"I’m packing up my entire closet and heading over to the COOP! If you live in the Southern California area, I urge you to do the same. This is something we can do right now today to help all of the displaced families that are in need of the basics today! Thank you @sharonstone for your leadership. Love you Lady ❤️" she wrote on Instagram.
"I’m from Meadville, Pennsylvania, and a famous quote from Margaret Meade says never forget that a group of thoughtful committed citizens can make a difference," Berry said at the start of her video, using her camera to scan the room, which was stuffed full of donations.
"Catwoman" co-stars Sharon Stone and Halle Berry are proving they are real life superheroes with donations to a Los Angeles clothing drive.
As of Saturday, the wildfires have claimed lives of 11 people and devastated neighborhoods in Southern California. According to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, at least 10,000 structures have been destroyed in the fires.
Celebrities such as Cameron Mathison, Jhené Aiko, Miles Teller, Tina Knowles, Ricki Lake, Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, Anna Faris, Melissa Rivers, and Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are among the list of home losses.
Milo Ventimiglia, Jhené Aiko and Paris Hilton, more celebrities lose homes in LA fires
Hollywood stars like Berry have banded together to help their neighbors.
"Can I do tomorrow?" fellow actress Michelle Pfeiffer commented on Berry's Instagram post.
Stone has been posting on Instagram this week in support of a donation drive for LA wildfire victims at +Coop.
"The Coop - Please come and shop if you were displaced from the fire," she said on Instagram, adding that displaced people or neighbors should "come here for clothes, blankets, shoes, or make donations here."
On Saturday, +Coop announced on Instagram that they were still seeking donations for men, women, teenagers and children.
"Catwoman" co-stars Halle Berry and Sharon Stone are proving they are real life superheroes.
Berry, following the lead of her "Catwoman" co-star Stone, got candid in an Instagram video posted Friday, telling fans she took her entire closet to Beverly Hills home goods store +Coop.
"I’m packing up my entire closet and heading over to the COOP! If you live in the Southern California area, I urge you to do the same. This is something we can do right now today to help all of the displaced families that are in need of the basics today! Thank you @sharonstone for your leadership. Love you Lady ❤️" she wrote on Instagram.
"I’m from Meadville, Pennsylvania, and a famous quote from Margaret Meade says never forget that a group of thoughtful committed citizens can make a difference," Berry said at the start of her video, using her camera to scan the room, which was stuffed full of donations.
"Catwoman" co-stars Sharon Stone and Halle Berry are proving they are real life superheroes with donations to a Los Angeles clothing drive.
As of Saturday, the wildfires have claimed lives of 11 people and devastated neighborhoods in Southern California. According to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, at least 10,000 structures have been destroyed in the fires.
Celebrities such as Cameron Mathison, Jhené Aiko, Miles Teller, Tina Knowles, Ricki Lake, Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, Anna Faris, Melissa Rivers, and Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are among the list of home losses.
Milo Ventimiglia, Jhené Aiko and Paris Hilton, more celebrities lose homes in LA fires
Hollywood stars like Berry have banded together to help their neighbors.
"Can I do tomorrow?" fellow actress Michelle Pfeiffer commented on Berry's Instagram post.
Stone has been posting on Instagram this week in support of a donation drive for LA wildfire victims at +Coop.
"The Coop - Please come and shop if you were displaced from the fire," she said on Instagram, adding that displaced people or neighbors should "come here for clothes, blankets, shoes, or make donations here."
On Saturday, +Coop announced on Instagram that they were still seeking donations for men, women, teenagers and children.
Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Visit Eaton Fire Evacuees, Distribute Food
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were among the hundreds of Southern Californians spurred to help evacuees of the Eaton Fire earlier today.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live north of Los Angeles in the affluent town of Montecito and previously opened up their home to loved ones displaced by the wildfires, were spotted at the Pasadena Convention Center, which has since turned into an evacuation site for those forced to leave their homes.
As reported by Fox 11, the couple met with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and worked with chef José Andrés — whose nonprofit World Central Kitchen pop-ups are providing food relief to Angelenos — to distribute meals and supplies to those impacted. (The couple’s Archewell Foundation has longstanding ties with WCK, contributing relief in countries like India and the Caribbean island nation of Dominica.)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were among the hundreds of Southern Californians spurred to help evacuees of the Eaton Fire earlier today.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live north of Los Angeles in the affluent town of Montecito and previously opened up their home to loved ones displaced by the wildfires, were spotted at the Pasadena Convention Center, which has since turned into an evacuation site for those forced to leave their homes.
As reported by Fox 11, the couple met with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and worked with chef José Andrés — whose nonprofit World Central Kitchen pop-ups are providing food relief to Angelenos — to distribute meals and supplies to those impacted. (The couple’s Archewell Foundation has longstanding ties with WCK, contributing relief in countries like India and the Caribbean island nation of Dominica.)
Per previous reporting, Markle and Prince Harry were also focused on connecting with affected families and thanking first responders.
Gordo told Fox 11 of the meeting: “It’s great people, great personalities and great heart for them to come out here and meet with the first responders, meet with the people who were affected. It’s very important.”
According to the mayor, the two were aiming to discreetly contribute and were previously present at the hub of relief efforts coming out of the Rose Bowl in the city. Markle and Prince Harry served food “anonymously,” he said, noting, “No one knew they were serving food with masks.”
Gordo added, “They want to be as helpful as they can be … we visited with some of the affected families in some of the burned-out areas in Pasadena and Altadena. They took the time to meet the people that are affected and spent time. They’re just very caring people who are concerned for their friends and neighbors.” (Markle was born in Canoga Park, just east of the Kenneth Fire that is currently 35% contained.)
As previously reported, Markle and Prince Harry are among other high-profile figures doing their part amid the ongoing state emergency, which comprises a handful of fires — the most devastating being the Palisades (over 20,000 acres, 8% contained) and Eaton (over 14,000 acres, 3% contained) blazes. Currently, 180,000 people remain displaced, more than 9,000 structures were leveled and at least 10 people were confirmed dead.
As TikTok ban looms in Supreme Court, BookTok community scrambles to other apps
There’s been a bit of a vibe shift among BookTok users as TikTok's Jan. 19 sell-or-ban deadline approaches. That the beloved online reader community could soon be a thing of the past spurred a panic of cross-platforming posting and follow trains, plus users who are posting business-as-usual in hopes the Supreme Court strikes down the ban.
In December, BookTok content creator Sera Wright sat down to record a video for her nearly 77,000 followers. She held a tiny fuzzy microphone as she spoke a message of solace to fellow readers: “BookTok didn’t create the book community, the book community created BookTok.”
Readers prepare by ‘scrambling’ to follow favorite BookTok creators elsewhere
As oral arguments in the TikTok ban at the Supreme Court began Jan. 10, and with a Jan. 19 deadline for it to take place, USA TODAY spoke with readers and content creators. They all seemed to agree on one thing: BookTok was in denial about a ban – until now.
“It just seems so unconscionable,” says Ryan Carr, a reader and BookTok creator from Los Angeles. “Towards the end of the year, we started to wake up and we’re all asking each other, what are we going to do? A lot of people don’t know.”
Cross-platform following is one answer. Letitia Asare, from New York, has started preparing by following her favorite creators on Instagram, YouTube and Substack so she doesn’t lose them in the event TikTok becomes unavailable. But she’s worried about whether those creators will be able to maintain their followings or if it’ll feel like “the work they did is just lost.”
And though the potential ban is specific to the U.S., Nic Marna, a reader in Montreal known to followers as @bookbinch, is feeling the crunch, too. On the outside looking in, it feels like everyone is “scrambling,” he says. He’s even started promoting his YouTube channel more at the end of TikTok videos and dedicating more energy to his Substack, as much of his bookish community and following is in the U.S.
“That shift feels like a wave that I have to ride as well,” he says. “Is TikTok going to just stop being interesting to me because everyone I know is gone? Maybe. I have to see how that goes.”
The next BookTok? Where readers are flocking amid possible TikTok ban
Bookstagram is the obvious runner-up to BookTok – many content creators are already on the Meta-owned platform, plus it has Reels, a similar short-video content feature to TikTok.
Dominique Raccah, publisher and CEO of Sourcebooks, looks to India’s 2020 TikTok ban to predict social media behavior – most TikTok users went to Instagram or YouTube for their similar video features. But she also says we should keep our eyes poised on BlueSky and Threads. Asare thinks Substack and YouTube might gain traction with literary fiction readers who seek a platform for long-form discussion and analysis.
“I don’t think it can be replicated, so we will feel a loss,” Asare says. “No matter what happens to the other platforms, it’s not going to scratch the exact same itch. So I think there will be an adjustment period if it really does go away.”
Bookstagram is not nearly as search-friendly as BookTok. You can’t, per se, type in “books to read when you feel lost” and get a perfectly curated TBR of coming-of-age novels. YouTube is another option, but there’s pressure for polished videos with a fancy camera or editing software.
“I think that we’re probably going to go through a period of scattering and having to rebuild our community,” says Rachel Whitehurst, who runs literary marketing company The Nerd Fam. “BookTok grew so quickly because it’s an easy platform to become involved with.”
Similarly, Carr credits the ease and discoverability aspect of TikTok for giving him the confidence to start posting his book opinions in the first place.
“The fact that everyone has a chance on something like TikTok is important,” he says. “Anyone can feel like their voice is worth it. I was nervous to put myself out there and then I found so many people who have similar interests.”
If the next big thing is Instagram or Threads, Whitehurst worries about Meta's recent shelving of its fact-check and hate speech screening processes. Several creators told USA TODAY their book videos are received poorly on Instagram as compared to TikTok, with more derisive comments and fewer views amid what feels like a less-targeted algorithm.
“It’s scary to me that my comment section could very much be overwhelmed with hate speech,” Whitehurst says, adding that she worries more for creators who aren’t a “straight-presenting, cis white woman” like she is. “I care more about making sure that they are safe than maintaining a platform on a certain social media.”
Regardless of TikTok ban, readers dream of new platforms
For some readers, even if the TikTok ban doesn’t go through, it’s an opportunity to try new avenues. Wright says she’s grateful to TikTok for her platform, but that she’s looking for a new kind of space to talk about books next. She feels frustrated that a few novels get “run time forever" and the quick-hit nature of TikTok drama.
“I personally think that BookTok has kind of reached its peak,” she says. “I think we're at a point now where ARCs are such high commodities, publishers are offering paid opportunities. … I don’t see where BookTok was going to take the book industry from here.”
This is what prompted Wright to text her friend, bookish creator Emma Berry, to start a literary magazine – by readers and for readers. Readin’ Magazine, which launches Feb. 1, quickly snatched up around 60 volunteers to contribute to Y2K-style columns, book discussions and interviews. Though TikTok has changed Wright's life, it's smaller, intentional communities outside of the app like these that have made an even bigger impact, she says.
“Even if TikTok stays, I think where we will continue to see BookTok grow is in the spaces outside of TikTok,” Berry, her co-founder, says.
There’s been a bit of a vibe shift among BookTok users as TikTok's Jan. 19 sell-or-ban deadline approaches. That the beloved online reader community could soon be a thing of the past spurred a panic of cross-platforming posting and follow trains, plus users who are posting business-as-usual in hopes the Supreme Court strikes down the ban.
In December, BookTok content creator Sera Wright sat down to record a video for her nearly 77,000 followers. She held a tiny fuzzy microphone as she spoke a message of solace to fellow readers: “BookTok didn’t create the book community, the book community created BookTok.”
Readers prepare by ‘scrambling’ to follow favorite BookTok creators elsewhere
As oral arguments in the TikTok ban at the Supreme Court began Jan. 10, and with a Jan. 19 deadline for it to take place, USA TODAY spoke with readers and content creators. They all seemed to agree on one thing: BookTok was in denial about a ban – until now.
“It just seems so unconscionable,” says Ryan Carr, a reader and BookTok creator from Los Angeles. “Towards the end of the year, we started to wake up and we’re all asking each other, what are we going to do? A lot of people don’t know.”
Cross-platform following is one answer. Letitia Asare, from New York, has started preparing by following her favorite creators on Instagram, YouTube and Substack so she doesn’t lose them in the event TikTok becomes unavailable. But she’s worried about whether those creators will be able to maintain their followings or if it’ll feel like “the work they did is just lost.”
And though the potential ban is specific to the U.S., Nic Marna, a reader in Montreal known to followers as @bookbinch, is feeling the crunch, too. On the outside looking in, it feels like everyone is “scrambling,” he says. He’s even started promoting his YouTube channel more at the end of TikTok videos and dedicating more energy to his Substack, as much of his bookish community and following is in the U.S.
“That shift feels like a wave that I have to ride as well,” he says. “Is TikTok going to just stop being interesting to me because everyone I know is gone? Maybe. I have to see how that goes.”
The next BookTok? Where readers are flocking amid possible TikTok ban
Bookstagram is the obvious runner-up to BookTok – many content creators are already on the Meta-owned platform, plus it has Reels, a similar short-video content feature to TikTok.
Dominique Raccah, publisher and CEO of Sourcebooks, looks to India’s 2020 TikTok ban to predict social media behavior – most TikTok users went to Instagram or YouTube for their similar video features. But she also says we should keep our eyes poised on BlueSky and Threads. Asare thinks Substack and YouTube might gain traction with literary fiction readers who seek a platform for long-form discussion and analysis.
“I don’t think it can be replicated, so we will feel a loss,” Asare says. “No matter what happens to the other platforms, it’s not going to scratch the exact same itch. So I think there will be an adjustment period if it really does go away.”
Bookstagram is not nearly as search-friendly as BookTok. You can’t, per se, type in “books to read when you feel lost” and get a perfectly curated TBR of coming-of-age novels. YouTube is another option, but there’s pressure for polished videos with a fancy camera or editing software.
“I think that we’re probably going to go through a period of scattering and having to rebuild our community,” says Rachel Whitehurst, who runs literary marketing company The Nerd Fam. “BookTok grew so quickly because it’s an easy platform to become involved with.”
Similarly, Carr credits the ease and discoverability aspect of TikTok for giving him the confidence to start posting his book opinions in the first place.
“The fact that everyone has a chance on something like TikTok is important,” he says. “Anyone can feel like their voice is worth it. I was nervous to put myself out there and then I found so many people who have similar interests.”
If the next big thing is Instagram or Threads, Whitehurst worries about Meta's recent shelving of its fact-check and hate speech screening processes. Several creators told USA TODAY their book videos are received poorly on Instagram as compared to TikTok, with more derisive comments and fewer views amid what feels like a less-targeted algorithm.
“It’s scary to me that my comment section could very much be overwhelmed with hate speech,” Whitehurst says, adding that she worries more for creators who aren’t a “straight-presenting, cis white woman” like she is. “I care more about making sure that they are safe than maintaining a platform on a certain social media.”
Regardless of TikTok ban, readers dream of new platforms
For some readers, even if the TikTok ban doesn’t go through, it’s an opportunity to try new avenues. Wright says she’s grateful to TikTok for her platform, but that she’s looking for a new kind of space to talk about books next. She feels frustrated that a few novels get “run time forever" and the quick-hit nature of TikTok drama.
“I personally think that BookTok has kind of reached its peak,” she says. “I think we're at a point now where ARCs are such high commodities, publishers are offering paid opportunities. … I don’t see where BookTok was going to take the book industry from here.”
This is what prompted Wright to text her friend, bookish creator Emma Berry, to start a literary magazine – by readers and for readers. Readin’ Magazine, which launches Feb. 1, quickly snatched up around 60 volunteers to contribute to Y2K-style columns, book discussions and interviews. Though TikTok has changed Wright's life, it's smaller, intentional communities outside of the app like these that have made an even bigger impact, she says.
“Even if TikTok stays, I think where we will continue to see BookTok grow is in the spaces outside of TikTok,” Berry, her co-founder, says.
Jerry Springer Fiercely Defended By Daughter Against 'King Of Sleaze' Label
Jerry Springer's daughter Katie Springer spent much of her early life away from the limelight, even as her father's controversial talk show dominated headlines. Eclipsing her reticence, a poignant moment of teenage defiance surfaced in "Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action", a two-part Netflix documentary recounting the tumultuous journey of "The Jerry Springer Show".
The documentary reveals a heartfelt letter penned by a 15-year-old Katie in defense of her father amidst widespread criticism. Read by former Chicago Sun-Times media critic Robert Feder, the letter marks Katie's first public statement. "At the height of all the controversy, Jerry's teenage daughter, Katie, writes a letter to a newspaper which was the first time we had ever heard from her in any form at any time," Feder elucidates.
The letter, directed at the city of Chicago, reads, "My name is Katie Springer, and I'm Jerry Springer's daughter. The city of Chicago seems to be in need of some facts about the man that they have so slanderously dubbed the King of Sleaze."
"First of all, my dad has more education than many of the so-called 'journalists' in this town. Chicago is blessed to have my dad on TV. Yes his show is crazy, but that doesn't mean he is. People shouldn't judge before they listen. Signed Katie S. Springer."
"The Jerry Springer Show", which graced the television screens from 1991 to 2018, is remembered as one of the most influential (and notorious) shows in TV history. Starting as a standard talk show, it reinvented itself in the mid '90s into a ratings juggernaut, embracing a tabloid-style format that captivated a vast audience.
The documentary recalls several notorious episodes. One from 1998 featured an ultimate shocker - a man who left his family to marry a Shetland pony. In another incident from 2000, a love triangle unfolded that tragically culminated in a murder. "To have a guy on that married a horse, that was kissing a horse on stage, this was the most vile, grotesque freak show on television," Feder comments.
Despite the chaotic nature of the show, Katie Springer emphasized her father's pragmatic view. Speaking earlier this year, she reflected, "He knew the show was ridiculous. He would say that," she noted, adding humorously, "Always, when he would meet someone, and they would say, 'I love your show,' he would jokingly say, 'May you never be on it.' "
For Katie, now 48, watching her father's legacy, warts and all, come to life on Netflix is an affirmation of a family man who balanced public outrage with personal integrity. Check out "Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action", now streaming on Netflix, to revisit the sensational chapters of a show that redefined daytime TV.
The documentary reveals a heartfelt letter penned by a 15-year-old Katie in defense of her father amidst widespread criticism. Read by former Chicago Sun-Times media critic Robert Feder, the letter marks Katie's first public statement. "At the height of all the controversy, Jerry's teenage daughter, Katie, writes a letter to a newspaper which was the first time we had ever heard from her in any form at any time," Feder elucidates.
The letter, directed at the city of Chicago, reads, "My name is Katie Springer, and I'm Jerry Springer's daughter. The city of Chicago seems to be in need of some facts about the man that they have so slanderously dubbed the King of Sleaze."
"First of all, my dad has more education than many of the so-called 'journalists' in this town. Chicago is blessed to have my dad on TV. Yes his show is crazy, but that doesn't mean he is. People shouldn't judge before they listen. Signed Katie S. Springer."
"The Jerry Springer Show", which graced the television screens from 1991 to 2018, is remembered as one of the most influential (and notorious) shows in TV history. Starting as a standard talk show, it reinvented itself in the mid '90s into a ratings juggernaut, embracing a tabloid-style format that captivated a vast audience.
The documentary recalls several notorious episodes. One from 1998 featured an ultimate shocker - a man who left his family to marry a Shetland pony. In another incident from 2000, a love triangle unfolded that tragically culminated in a murder. "To have a guy on that married a horse, that was kissing a horse on stage, this was the most vile, grotesque freak show on television," Feder comments.
Despite the chaotic nature of the show, Katie Springer emphasized her father's pragmatic view. Speaking earlier this year, she reflected, "He knew the show was ridiculous. He would say that," she noted, adding humorously, "Always, when he would meet someone, and they would say, 'I love your show,' he would jokingly say, 'May you never be on it.' "
For Katie, now 48, watching her father's legacy, warts and all, come to life on Netflix is an affirmation of a family man who balanced public outrage with personal integrity. Check out "Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action", now streaming on Netflix, to revisit the sensational chapters of a show that redefined daytime TV.
Allison Holker's Daughter Defends Mom Amid Backlash Over NDAs And Drug Reveal
Amid widespread social media criticism and family tensions, Weslie Renae speaks out to defend her mother, Allison Holker, in response to the uproar surrounding her upcoming memoir and revelations about her late husband, Stephen "tWitch" Boss.
In recent weeks, Allison Holker's upcoming memoir "This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light" has sparked significant controversy and backlash. Following revelations about her late husband, Stephen "tWitch" Boss' alleged drug use and private journal, Holker faced strong criticism from both social media users and tWitch's family members.
The situation escalated when members of Boss's family publicly condemned Holker. His mother, Connie Boss Alexander, countered the "misleading and hurtful" claims about her son, while his cousin Darielle criticized Holker on the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) at tWitch's funeral.
In defense of her mother, Renae, Holker's 16-year-old daughter, took to Instagram, where she posted a 34-minute video addressing the accusations and her relationship with tWitch.
"My stepdad's been gone for two years and I'm still getting hate comments. It's just complicated and for no reason. It's not just a social media gig; this is literally my life," Weslie said emotionally. She reiterated that despite tWitch not being her biological father, he raised her from infancy, adding, "Stephen was the person that raised me."
Weslie also challenged the narrative that Holker was driving a wedge between her children and tWitch's family. She shared that they have actually seen his family more frequently after his death. "My mom's making the effort so the kids are part of their lives," Weslie said, emphasizing that the division was not initiated by her mother.
Weslie further addressed the contentious issue of the NDAs, defending her mother's decision. "Y'all love to argue about the NDAs. But... my mom asked for NDAs to be signed when we were seeing Stephen's body because God forbid somebody that went to that took a photo and put it on the internet," she explained. She highlighted that NDAs were a routine part of tWitch's life, not an outlandish control mechanism.
Certainly, the tension remains high, but Weslie denounced claims that her mother is "money-hungry" or seeking fame. "Trust me when I say my mom is good - she doesn't need [money]," she clarified, urging critics to leave her family in peace.
Ultimately, as Weslie confronts the backlash, she stresses the emotional toll it takes on the family, especially her younger siblings, Maddox, 8, and Zaia, 5. "This is their dad - this is who they're gonna grow up and they're gonna see all this on social media that's so hurtful," she said, calling for compassion and understanding.
The online discourse has unwrapped a complex and deeply personal chapter for Holker's family, and Weslie's candid defense sheds light on the intricate dynamics at play amid their public mourning.
In recent weeks, Allison Holker's upcoming memoir "This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light" has sparked significant controversy and backlash. Following revelations about her late husband, Stephen "tWitch" Boss' alleged drug use and private journal, Holker faced strong criticism from both social media users and tWitch's family members.
The situation escalated when members of Boss's family publicly condemned Holker. His mother, Connie Boss Alexander, countered the "misleading and hurtful" claims about her son, while his cousin Darielle criticized Holker on the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) at tWitch's funeral.
In defense of her mother, Renae, Holker's 16-year-old daughter, took to Instagram, where she posted a 34-minute video addressing the accusations and her relationship with tWitch.
"My stepdad's been gone for two years and I'm still getting hate comments. It's just complicated and for no reason. It's not just a social media gig; this is literally my life," Weslie said emotionally. She reiterated that despite tWitch not being her biological father, he raised her from infancy, adding, "Stephen was the person that raised me."
Weslie also challenged the narrative that Holker was driving a wedge between her children and tWitch's family. She shared that they have actually seen his family more frequently after his death. "My mom's making the effort so the kids are part of their lives," Weslie said, emphasizing that the division was not initiated by her mother.
Weslie further addressed the contentious issue of the NDAs, defending her mother's decision. "Y'all love to argue about the NDAs. But... my mom asked for NDAs to be signed when we were seeing Stephen's body because God forbid somebody that went to that took a photo and put it on the internet," she explained. She highlighted that NDAs were a routine part of tWitch's life, not an outlandish control mechanism.
Certainly, the tension remains high, but Weslie denounced claims that her mother is "money-hungry" or seeking fame. "Trust me when I say my mom is good - she doesn't need [money]," she clarified, urging critics to leave her family in peace.
Ultimately, as Weslie confronts the backlash, she stresses the emotional toll it takes on the family, especially her younger siblings, Maddox, 8, and Zaia, 5. "This is their dad - this is who they're gonna grow up and they're gonna see all this on social media that's so hurtful," she said, calling for compassion and understanding.
The online discourse has unwrapped a complex and deeply personal chapter for Holker's family, and Weslie's candid defense sheds light on the intricate dynamics at play amid their public mourning.
Joe Budden Opens Up About Being Cleared of Lewdness Charge After Sleepwalking Incident
Joe Budden recently discussed how he was cleared of a lewdness charge stemming from an incident in which he was caught on video sleepwalking nude and attempting to enter a neighbor’s apartment.
On a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, he shared details about his prolonged issues with the neighbors, whom he described as “racist.” The December 4 incident, captured on surveillance footage, showed him trying to enter the neighbor’s apartment before returning to his own. Budden’s attorney previosuly addressed his sleepwalking issues but noted this was the first time it led to a court case.
“These people decided to misuse some of the systems that are in place for real victims,” Budden said on the podcast. “They went to the police to file a report to say that Joe Budden was outside of their door masturbating and they don’t know if I was there with the intention to ‘r-word’ her and her family. So, what seemed like a simple sleepwalking medical condition turned into something much bigger.”
Budden explained that he’s been absent from his podcast for a month due to the civil lawsuit related to the incident.
Budden recounted that on the first day of the trial, his neighbor took the stand and began crying “white girl tears.” The lawsuit accused him of stalking and lewdness, though he clarified that lewdness requires the intent to be naked for “sexual gratification.”
“She lied on that paperwork to say he was masturbating on my door, as if I can’t find a million better places to masturbate than that,” Budden said. “My lawyer asked her if she thought that I was fully erected in the video. She said, ‘Yes.’ … So that was a big point of contention during this civil trial. He touched his penis in this video, so was he masturbating? She says, ‘Yes.'”
His girlfriend even testified that he was not fully erect in the clip.
“I’m a grower, not a show-er,” said Budden.
“Mr. Budden was not erect. He was not masturbating,” he said the judge explained when clearing him of the charges. “The one time that he touched his penis, he appeared to be trying to cover himself. Mr. Budden was not trying to forcibly enter. … “
Budden said the judge was “fair, reasonable, heard all the testimony, was attentive, wasn’t on no bullshit.”
On a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, he shared details about his prolonged issues with the neighbors, whom he described as “racist.” The December 4 incident, captured on surveillance footage, showed him trying to enter the neighbor’s apartment before returning to his own. Budden’s attorney previosuly addressed his sleepwalking issues but noted this was the first time it led to a court case.
“These people decided to misuse some of the systems that are in place for real victims,” Budden said on the podcast. “They went to the police to file a report to say that Joe Budden was outside of their door masturbating and they don’t know if I was there with the intention to ‘r-word’ her and her family. So, what seemed like a simple sleepwalking medical condition turned into something much bigger.”
Budden explained that he’s been absent from his podcast for a month due to the civil lawsuit related to the incident.
Budden recounted that on the first day of the trial, his neighbor took the stand and began crying “white girl tears.” The lawsuit accused him of stalking and lewdness, though he clarified that lewdness requires the intent to be naked for “sexual gratification.”
“She lied on that paperwork to say he was masturbating on my door, as if I can’t find a million better places to masturbate than that,” Budden said. “My lawyer asked her if she thought that I was fully erected in the video. She said, ‘Yes.’ … So that was a big point of contention during this civil trial. He touched his penis in this video, so was he masturbating? She says, ‘Yes.'”
His girlfriend even testified that he was not fully erect in the clip.
“I’m a grower, not a show-er,” said Budden.
“Mr. Budden was not erect. He was not masturbating,” he said the judge explained when clearing him of the charges. “The one time that he touched his penis, he appeared to be trying to cover himself. Mr. Budden was not trying to forcibly enter. … “
Budden said the judge was “fair, reasonable, heard all the testimony, was attentive, wasn’t on no bullshit.”
Mark Zuckerberg’s New Meta Policy Permits Labeling LGBTQ+ Identities as Mentally Ill
Meta recently updated its content moderation policies, allowing users to label gay and transgender identities as “mental illness.” The shift permits certain characterizations that were previously banned, including language targeting protected characteristics like sexual orientation and gender identity.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended the move, citing a need to “simplify content policies” and support “free expression” on Facebook and Instagram.
The decision includes abandoning third-party fact-checking and easing content removal standards. “By dialing back filters, we’ll reduce censorship and accidental takedowns,” Zuckerberg explained. Despite this framing, backlash has erupted within Meta’s workforce.
According to 404 Media, employees expressed shock and embarrassment, with some LGBTQ+ staff feeling particularly unsupported. “It’s chaos internally,” one employee said, while another highlighted emotional tolls, noting some are considering leaving the company. One worker posted on an internal platform, “I am LGBT and Mentally Ill… I’ll be taking time out to look after my mental health.”
The policy change has sparked intense debate over balancing free speech and platform safety. “This trade-off catches less bad stuff,” Zuckerberg admitted, but he argued it aligns better with mainstream discourse. As internal dissent continues, Meta has yet to formally address employee concerns.
Meta recently updated its content moderation policies, allowing users to label gay and transgender identities as “mental illness.” The shift permits certain characterizations that were previously banned, including language targeting protected characteristics like sexual orientation and gender identity.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended the move, citing a need to “simplify content policies” and support “free expression” on Facebook and Instagram.
The decision includes abandoning third-party fact-checking and easing content removal standards. “By dialing back filters, we’ll reduce censorship and accidental takedowns,” Zuckerberg explained. Despite this framing, backlash has erupted within Meta’s workforce.
According to 404 Media, employees expressed shock and embarrassment, with some LGBTQ+ staff feeling particularly unsupported. “It’s chaos internally,” one employee said, while another highlighted emotional tolls, noting some are considering leaving the company. One worker posted on an internal platform, “I am LGBT and Mentally Ill… I’ll be taking time out to look after my mental health.”
The policy change has sparked intense debate over balancing free speech and platform safety. “This trade-off catches less bad stuff,” Zuckerberg admitted, but he argued it aligns better with mainstream discourse. As internal dissent continues, Meta has yet to formally address employee concerns.
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