1/14/25

The Daily Buzz For Jan 15 ☕📰☕

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#MAGFAB: Bjork for the Observer Magazine
She's always been cool!


#RHOA: Kandi Burruss And Todd Tucker Celebrate Their Son's 9th Birthday
Kandi Burruss now has a nine-year-old–her son Ace Tucker just got closer to double digits. The family of six celebrated the only boy of the clan by throwing an Altitude Trampoline Park birthday bash. The party occurred before Ace’s birthday, which Kandi shared in a caption under an Instagram reel dedicated to her son.
In the action-packed video, there are clips of Ace having the time of his life with friends and family in addition to adults joining in on the fun. The 49-year-old artist also shared another post praising the party.
“All of our parties be lit. Even the kid parties!” she wrote in the caption of the post before thanking friends and family for showing up to the celebration. 

The Real Housewives of Atlanta alumni kept her word and followed up with an intimate birthday post on Ace’s actual birthday, which is January 6. 
“Happy Birthday to my baby boy @acetucker!!! I love you soooo much! So smart, handsome, respectful, outgoing, caring, competitive, loving, talented & just an overall VIBE! I’m so proud to be your mom. I’m enjoying watching you grow up. Give @acetucker some birthday love!!!! Can y’all believe he’s 9yrs old already?!” she wrote under a reel of precious moments of Ace throughout his nine years. 

Ace is Burruss’ second-born child and the first one she had with her longtime husband Todd. The couple had their second child, Blaze Tucker, in 2019. Kandi and Todd also came to the relationship with one child each–Riley Burruss and Kaela Tucker. 
Todd couldn’t let his only son’s birthday pass without giving him an Instagram shout-out.
“Happy Birthday to my guy! @acetucker,” the entrepreneur wrote in an Instagram caption. “I love you so much and I get more and more excited to be apart of journey in life. I’ve been so blessed to have an amazing son like you. Happy Birthday and I look forward to spending many more with you!” 


#MusicNews: The Weeknd Delays ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ Album Release Date Amid Los Angeles Wildfires

The Weeknd has moved the release date of his sixth album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, from Jan. 24 to Jan. 31 due to the devasting Los Angeles wildfires. 
Further, his one-night-only stadium show at Rose Bowl in Los Angeles has been canceled. The singer, born Abel Tesfaye, shared the announcement in an Instagram post on Monday (Jan. 13).

“Out of respect and concern for the people of Los Angeles County, I am canceling the Rose Bowl concert originally scheduled for January 25th,” The Weeknd said. “This city has always been a profound source of inspiration for me, and my thoughts are with everyone impacted during this difficult time. In light of this, I have also decided to push the release of my album to January 31st.
He concluded the statement with, “My focus remains on supporting the recovery of these communities and aiding its incredible people as they rebuild.
Fans who purchased tickets through Ticketmaster will be issued a refund automatically. For tickets purchased from a third-party seller, such as StubHub or SeatGeek, fans should reach out to their point of purchase for more information. 

Hurry Up Tomorrow will mark the end of the album trilogy that began with 2020’s After Hours, followed by 2022’s Dawn FM. 
The album will include the previously shared tracks “Dancing In The Flames,” “Timeless” featuring Playboi Carti, and “São Paulo” featuring Anitta.
Per press materials, “This album represents the creative apex of the project, serving as the third and final chapter crafted with existential and self-referential themes as seen with the latest visionary teasers that have set fans ablaze with anticipation for this concluding installment.”

Not only is Hurry Up Tomorrow the title of Tesfaye’s new album but also his upcoming psychological thriller that hits theaters May 16. He will co-star in the Trey Edward Shults-directed film alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.


#HipHopNews: Mac Miller Fans Can Catch ‘Balloonerism’ Short Film Screening In Select Cities Before Album Drop
Mac Miller’s Balloonerism will be accompanied by a film based on the posthumous album. On Monday (Jan. 13), the “Cinderella” artist’s estate announced an advanced worldwide screening for the cinematic tribute.
The one-night-only event will be screened in the United States on Wednesday (Jan. 15) in New York City and Pittsburgh. For the late musician’s international fans, Balloonerism will also hit theaters on Thursday (Jan. 16) in cities like London, Paris, Melbourne, Berlin, Sydney, Dublin and Auckland for a limited time. Tickets start at $5 via his website, with proceeds going to the Mac Miller Fund.

Miller’s estate revealed that attendees of the Balloonerism screenings will receive limited-edition memorabilia. Meanwhile, Samuel Jerome Mason, who directed 2021’s “Colors and Shapes” visual effort and the trailer for the upcoming 14-song project, is returning as the film’s director. Michael Feder, Greg Bedard and Hana Shimizu were also brought on as executive producers.

Balloonerism itself will be hitting DSPs on Friday (Jan. 17) with features from SZA and Delusional Thomas, Miller’s alter ego. Listeners can finally stream gems like “Funny Papers” and “Do You Have a Destination?” alongside previously unheard tracks like “Shangri-La” and “Rick’s Piano.” The LP will also include the pre-release single “5 Dollar Pony Rides,” which debuted on Jan. 9.
The late rapper’s estate described Balloonerism as a “project that was of great importance to Malcolm.” In a press statement, they shared, “He commissioned artwork for it, and discussions concerning when it should be released were had regularly, though ultimately, GO:OD AM and subsequent albums ended up taking precedence.”

“Given that unofficial versions of the album have circulated online for years and that releasing Balloonerism was something that Malcolm frequently expressed being important to him, we felt it most appropriate to present an official version of the project to the world,” the letter to fans continued.


Brandy Gets Her Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Brandy is getting the recognition she deserves! The Grammy-winning legend will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 11, 2025.
Brandy’s not just a hitmaker; she’s a history-maker.

With 15 weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 and over 50 million albums sold, she’s cemented her place in music history. Her global record sales top 60 million, and her tracks have racked up more than 1.5 billion Spotify streams.
From her iconic roles in TV and film to her powerhouse vocals, Brandy has been shaping pop culture for decades.

The star will be just another milestone in a career full of achievements—can’t wait to see what’s next for the R&B diva


Michelle Obama Is Skipping President-Elect Donald Trump’s Inauguration

Michelle Obama won’t be in attendance when Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States.
In a statement released to the AP, the Obamas clarify that while the former First Lady won’t be present, her husband, 44th US President Barack Obama, will be there to represent the family.

“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” reads a statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama.
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will also be in attendance, with their wives, Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, joining them for the swearing-in ceremony.

This will be the second presidential event Mrs. Obama has skipped as of late, as the author was also unable to attend the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral. The day of mourning found husband Barack and Donald Trump sharing an occasional laugh, which caught the attention of both the left and the right. Trump later addressed the friendly exchange, telling NBC News, “I didn’t realize how friendly we appeared. I said, ‘Boy, they look like two people that like each other.’ And we probably do. We have a little different philosophies, right? But we probably do. I don’t know. We just got along. But I got along with just about everybody.”

Michelle Obama has previously campaigned against Trump on behalf of Democratic candidates, in addition to calling him out for his “birther” campaign against her husband, which questioned Barack’s citizenship. She did, however, attend Trump’s 2017 inauguration ahead of his first term in office.


Stephen A. Smith Questions His Vote For Kamala Harris, Believes He Was “Misinformed”

Stephen A. Smith voiced his frustrations with Vice President Kamala Harris and former Barack Obama during the 2024 election cycle. Smith, 57, sat down with Dave Rubin for his Blaze TV show, The Rubin Report, with the new episode premiering on Saturday (Jan. 11). The conversation covered the politicization of sports, the right wing’s silent majority, the “left wing’s hypocrisy,” and more.

As the conversation came to a close, Rubin and Smith began discussing the 2024 election, with the sports pundit taking the time to voice his frustrations with Harris’ campaign. In fact, the First Take host was so frustrated with the campaign that he implied that he was guilted into voting for the California-based politician over Donald Trump.

“When you hear people talking about practical, practical things, and then I saw folks on the left basically trying to guilt me into voting for you, you know, it bothered me,” he admitted. “I might have ended up voting for Kamala Harris because I didn’t like how Trump acts, but what I didn’t do was call him a racist. I didn’t call him a Nazi.”
“I knew Trump before he ran for president. We talked on the phone. We talk at basketball games or boxing events. I knew this man, and so some of the things that were being said about him I knew were not true, and I was saying, ‘Come on y’all, you got to do better than that.'” 

While Smith voted for Harris, he admitted that he was “misinformed” about not voting for Donald Trump. In fact, the pundit asserted that after Barack Obama stated that misogyny was the reason Black men weren’t voting for VP Harris for president, Stephen A. almost changed his vote to Trump. Smith went on to say that Obama’s rhetoric “offended” him, found that he was being nonsensical, and asserted that the 44th president of the United States “can’t do that to [Black men].”

Doubling down, Stephen A. then claimed that while he acknowledges that racism does exist in the world, he couldn’t knock a white American for not caring about the race of their political candidate—especially if that American citizen is struggling to make ends meet. Smith opined that Democrats’ focus on identity politics has caused a lot of Americans to move to the right-leaning ideals of Republicans, with the 2024 election being a prime example.


Keyshia Cole’s Home Burned Down In LA Wildfires
Keyshia Cole‘s home was destroyed in the tragic Los Angeles wildfires.
Hairstylist Jonathan Wright posted a photo of rubble on Instagram, revealing that the singer’s home had been reduced to ashes. In his caption, he revealed that the 43-year-old planned on keeping the information private.

“@keyshiacole Prayers to Freen and her Kids and family. I ask everyone to send them a Prayer up lift her spirits,” he wrote in the caption to the carousel upload.
“She was also affected by the Fire, like, literally a week ago we in Miami to come home to this is crazy like mind Blowing [three praying hands emoji] Freenn wasn’t gone say nothing I feel like she should cause this s*** is crazy how this happened to everyone [praying hands emoji].”

Keyshia Cole is one of several celebrities whose residence has been destroyed in the wildfires. Tina Knowles shared that her property in Malibu is now “gone” after being burned to the ground. Jhené Aiko also revealed irreparable damage to the home she shared with her family.

“The fact that some of you think I have Paris Hilton money is wild. I don’t got it like that, but I do have a big loving family that is worth more than anything,” Aiko shared, also revealing that she lost her home in 2nd grade in a fire as well, and that she prays she can have “as much grace as my mother did during that time,” detailed Aiko on social media.

The fires, which have been burning through southern California for a week, have killed at least 24 people and left thousands more without places to live, as it has destroyed more than 12,000 structures. The National Weather Services urges Los Angeles residents to stay aware and informed as dangerous conditions continue to pose a threat.


Lifetime Unveils ‘Can You Feel The Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story’ Trailer

Lifetime has done it again, delivering a captivating biopic that promises to grip viewers from start to finish. “Can You Feel The Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story” offers an inspiring look at the life of Lisa Velez, better known by her stage name, Lisa Lisa.
This highly anticipated film premieres on Saturday, February 1, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on Lifetime.

The True Story Behind ‘The Lisa Lisa Story‘
Lisa Lisa, portrayed by the talented Jearnest Corchado, broke barriers as the first Latina artist to dominate multiple Billboard charts.
As a young Puerto Rican girl from Hell’s Kitchen, Lisa Velez faced challenges including sexism, racism, and a private battle with breast cancer.
Despite these hurdles, she achieved global stardom with iconic hits like “Can You Feel The Beat,” “All Cried Out,” and “Lost in Emotion.”
The film is also a touching story of friendship and resilience. Lisa’s best friend and backup singer, Toni Ménage (played by Bre-Z), was a constant source of support through the ups and downs of her career.
Together, they navigated the harsh realities of the entertainment industry and emerged victorious, refusing to let adversity crush their dreams.

A Stellar Team Behind The Scenes
Produced by Swirl Films, “Can You Feel The Beat” brings together a powerhouse team of executive producers, including Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, Lisa Velez herself, Toni Ménage, Abbey Sibucao, Ron Robinson, and Eric Tomosunas.
The film is also produced in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment, with Richard Foster and Chet Fenster as executive producers. Tailiah Breon’s direction and Rebecca Murga’s script ensure the story is told with authenticity and depth.

Why This Story Matters
Lisa Lisa’s groundbreaking success paved the way for countless Latina artists, from Selena to Jennifer Lopez.
Her story is a testament to perseverance and the importance of representation in the music industry.
“Can You Feel The Beat” is not just a tribute to her legacy but also an empowering tale for anyone striving to overcome obstacles in pursuit of their dreams.

What Viewers Can Expect From ‘Can You Feel The Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story’
The film is filled with emotional twists and turns, showcasing Lisa’s struggles and triumphs in vivid detail.
From her humble beginnings to her chart-topping success, every moment is brought to life with compelling performances.
The dynamic between Lisa and Toni adds another layer of depth, highlighting the significance of friendship and solidarity.

WATCH HERE 
Don’t Miss The Premiere
Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 1, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT to catch the premiere of “Can You Feel The Beat” on Lifetime.
This film is a must-watch for fans of Lisa Lisa, admirers of inspiring true stories, and anyone who loves a good biopic.


Diddy’s Lawyers Argue ‘Freak Off’ Videos Prove His Innocence, Claiming They Show ‘Fully’ Consensual S*x Between Adults
Lawyers for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs claim that the “Freak Off” videos submitted in his ongoing sex trafficking case actually serve as proof of his innocence.
Legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff reported on a motion filed by Diddy’s attorneys earlier today (Jan. 14), revealing they’re requesting electronic copies of the prosecution’s videos.

They wrote in the motion,“The nine videos at issue are the so-called ‘Freak Off’ tapes with Victim-1 that the government has repeatedly referenced, causing wild speculation in the media. Contrary to what the government has led this Court and the public to believe, the so-called ‘Freak Offs’ were private s*xual activity between fully consenting adults in a long-term relationship. There are no secret cameras, no orgies, no other celebrities involved, no underground tunnels, no minors, and not so much as a hint of coercion or violence. The videos show adults having consensual s*x, plain and simple.”

As reported, Diddy remains in custody awaiting his trial, set to begin in May, on charges related to sexual abuse, violence, and trafficking.
The hip-hop mogul is also facing multiple civil suits, with the most recent filed yesterday (Jan. 13), from victims alleging abuse during his decades-long career.

It has not been reported whether a judge has responded to the motion.


Keke Palmer Admits She ‘Hated’ Media Coverage Of Her ‘Toxic’ Relationship w/ Ex Darius Jackson

Keke Palmer is opening up about unintentionally becoming a representative of domestic violence and publically going through a painful breakup with her now ex, Darius Jackson.
In a newly published cover story for The Cut, Keke, 31, reflects on how a disagreement over her dress for an Usher concert led her to confront the “toxic dynamic” of her relationship with Darius, 30. She shares:

“There’s a sensationalization that happens with that word [domestic violence]… But there really are often no other words to describe such a toxic dynamic.You can say, ‘I know you’re not like that,’ or ‘I know it’s not like this,’ or ‘I know you’re a good person deep down… You can make so many excuses for behavior that could have stopped.”
Keke also expresses her frustration with the media’s coverage of her personal life, feeling that it overshadowed all the hard work she put into her career. I hated it… It was my personal junk. It didn’t deserve a place in the center of something that I worked very hard to make encouraging and empowering. When it was happening, it was horrible because I could not get to the message of the story, in real-time. Now, I’m able to articulate it, and I’m able to say what the story will be.”

As reported, after accusing Darius of ongoing abuse and submitting video evidence of one of their violent altercations, Keke was granted a restraining order against her child’s father in November 2023.
Since then, Keke says the two have been working to “peacefully” co-parent their 1-year-old son, Leo, noting that their relationship has improved after their split.

In her memoir Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative, released in November, Keke did admit that her breakup with Darius was “the hardest thing” she ever went through.

Thoughts?


Kate Middleton Shares Her Cancer Is In Remission: ‘It Is A Relief’
Great news from Buckingham Palace! The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, recently shared that her cancer is in remission, less than a year after revealing her diagnosis to the world.
In a post uploaded to X earlier today (Jan. 14), Kate wrote:

“I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year… It is a relief to now be in remission, and I remain focused on recovery.”
Kate first revealed her illness in March of last year and shared her plans to undergo chemotherapy. Her latest health update comes as she made a surprise visit to The Royal Marsden, where she was treated, to visit patients and staff while sharing her own experience with chemotherapy.

Elsewhere in the post, the wife of Prince William and mother of three young children expressed her intention to support the care facility in their “groundbreaking research,” and promote “patient and family wellbeing.”
She also thanked “all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me,” ending the post with her middle initial, “C,” indicating that the message was a personal note from herself.


Beyoncé postpones major reveal due to Los Angeles wildfires

Beyoncé has delayed her big announcement on Tuesday, Jan. 14, amid the Los Angeles wildfires. The postponement comes as California faces one of its most devastating wildfire seasons in recent history, with damage estimates already exceeding $3 billion.
The superstar artist was set to announce a tour in support of her album Cowboy Carter, but due to the devastation caused by the Southern California blazes, she has pushed back her news. The album has already generated significant buzz in the country music scene, with its lead single breaking streaming records and reaching No. 1 in 47 countries.

“The January 14th announcement will be postponed to a later date due to the devastation caused by the ongoing wildfires around areas of Los Angeles,” Beyoncé said in a statement on her official Instagram page. “I continue to pray for healing and rebuilding for the families suffering from trauma and loss. We are so blessed to have brave first responders who continue to work tirelessly to protect the Los Angeles community.” Her Instagram post reached over 5 million likes within hours, demonstrating the widespread support for her decision.

Beyoncé, 43, recently revealed she had donated $2.5 million to support relief efforts in Los Angeles. This contribution adds to her extensive history of philanthropic work, which has totaled more than $50 million in charitable donations throughout her career.
“The BeyGOOD LA Fire Relief Fund has donated $2.5 million to directly support families who lost their homes and community organizations at the forefront of relief. Please join us in supporting with whatever you can,” she added. The BeyGOOD Foundation has previously provided aid during various natural disasters, supporting over 100,000 families nationwide.

The Grammy winner announced the money will be given to the LA Fire Relief Fund through her BeyGOOD Foundation. The foundation, established in 2013, has become known for its rapid response to community crises and has inspired other celebrities to create similar charitable organizations.

“Los Angeles we stand with you. BeyGOOD is taking action by announcing the LA Fire Relief Fund with a donation of 2.5 million dollars,” a message posted on the charity’s Instagram page stated. “The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires.” Local organizations have reported that these funds will help provide immediate assistance to more than 500 displaced families.

The Weeknd just cancelled his concert at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 25, and delayed his new album Hurry Up Tomorrow out of respect of those impacted. The venue, which holds 90,000 people, falls within the affected area’s safety zone and has been designated as an emergency staging area for firefighting equipment.

The wind-fed California wildfires have killed 24 people, destroyed several communities and more than 12,300 structures after roaring through 40,000 acres of the Greater Los Angeles area. Environmental experts note that this is the largest wildfire damage in the region since 2018, with conditions worsened by unprecedented drought conditions.

There are evacuation orders in place for 92,000 residents. Local authorities have established 15 emergency shelters across safe zones, providing temporary housing for thousands of displaced families. The Red Cross and other relief organizations have mobilized their largest response effort in recent years.
The severity of the situation has prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency, activating additional resources and funding for firefighting efforts. More than 5,000 firefighters are currently battling the blazes, supported by a fleet of 85 aircraft and numerous ground vehicles.

Climate scientists warn that these devastating fires may become more frequent due to changing weather patterns and prolonged drought conditions in California. The current wildfire season has started unusually early, raising concerns about the months ahead.

The entertainment industry’s response, led by figures like Beyoncé and The Weeknd, has helped bring national attention to the crisis. Their actions have inspired a wave of corporate and private donations, with local businesses and community organizations working together to provide immediate relief to affected areas.


With a TikTok Ban Looming, Users Flee to Chinese App ‘Red Note’
As TikTok anxiously awaits a Supreme Court decision that could determine whether it will be banned in the United States, users are preemptively fleeing the app and migrating to another Chinese social media platform called Xiaohongshu, which literally means “little red book” in Mandarin. As of Monday, Xiaohongshu was the number one most-downloaded app in Apple’s US App Store, despite the fact that it doesn’t even have an official English name. The second app on the list is Lemon8, another social media app owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, that is also experiencing a traffic surge from exiled TikTok users.

Over the weekend, thousands of people began swarming to Xiaohongshu, which is known in China as a platform for travel and lifestyle content and has over 300 million users. The newcomers, who refer to the app as “Red Note” or “the Chinese version of Instagram” and call themselves “TikTok refugees,” are relying on translation tools to navigate Xiaohongshu’s mostly Chinese ecosystem. Some say they are hoping to rebuild communities they had on TikTok, while others say they joined the app out of spite and to undermine the US government’s decision to ban TikTok over concerns that the Chinese government could use the app to surveil Americans.

“I would rather stare at a language I can't understand than to ever use a social media [platform] that Mark Zuckerberg owns,” said one user in a video posted to Xiaohongshu on Sunday. There are a countless number of similar clips in which TikTok refugees introduce themselves and explain why they decided to come to Xiaohongshu, many raking up thousands of likes and comments each. A spokesperson for Xiaohongshu could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Friday from TikTok and the US government, which respectively made their cases for and against a law passed last year that would force TikTok to sell its US operations or be banned by January 19. Experts said the justices appeared to think the law was constitutional and would likely allow it to stay, leaving many users feeling that the app’s days are numbered. While TikTok is unlikely to immediately disappear from the phones of people who have already downloaded it, it could be deleted from US app stores, causing many to panic and look for the next place to go.

Some users are predictably going to Instagram or YouTube, but others say they would like to stick to a platform developed by a Chinese company to protest the decisions by US lawmakers that led to this situation. “Telling me to download Rednote out of spite over the TikTok ban was the only push I needed actually,” one person wrote on Bluesky. Internet culture journalist Taylor Lorenz also shared a link to her Xiaohongshu account on Bluesky, calling the platform “the hottest new social app in America.”

At least so far, pettiness and revenge appear to be enough to motivate people to learn how to navigate Xiaohongshu, an app that is overwhelmingly used by Chinese-speaking people and was not designed with English-speaking users in mind. “I have no idea what I’m doing here. I can’t even read the rules,” one TikTok refugee who goes by “Elle belle” said in a post on the app.

"Hello everyone, my name is Ryan. I'm a TikTok refugee. The American government is banning TikTok so we are looking for an alternative … We are very sorry to interrupt you here. Hope we don't have to stay here for too long," a Xiaohongshu user using the name Ryan Martin said in a video posted yesterday seemingly addressing the app’s Chinese user base. He translated the statement into Chinese and used a robot voice generator to read it in the video, which has since been liked more than 24,000 times. “It’s fine, you are not interrupting. When you guys are active, we are sleeping,” reads one of the top comments in Chinese.

There are also dozens of live audio chatrooms on the platform where American and Chinese users explained to each other, probably for the first time in many cases, how their respective societies work and clarified common misunderstandings. One of the most popular chatrooms has been listened to by nearly 30,000 users.

While Xiaohongshu is not specifically named in the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act that the Supreme Court is currently considering and could result in a US ban on TikTok, the law does stipulate that any “foreign adversary controlled application” may face a similar fate in the future. In other words, there’s no guarantee that Xiaohongshu won’t follow in TikTok’s footsteps in being blocked by the US government.

The TikTok ban might have catapulted Xiaohongshu to the center of attention in the US, but the app has been successful for a long time in China. Founded in 2013, the Shanghai-based company has operated one of the most, if not the most, trendy platforms in China over the past few years and reportedly generated over $1 billion in annual profits in 2024. To put it simply, it’s the hottest app in China that non-Chinese people have never heard of before.

It also has a sizable following among Chinese-speakers outside of the country, ranging from Chinese students overseas to Taiwanese people to diaspora communities in Malaysia. Restaurants, tourist hot spots, and travel companies around the world have started noticing the app because of how many Chinese tourists heavily rely on it for local information and recommendations shared by fellow Chinese people.

The app is starkly different from TikTok in a few major ways. While Xiaohongshu does allow users to post short vertical videos just like TikTok, the majority of the content on the platform is photo slideshows coupled with text, which is why people often view it more as a competitor to Instagram than TikTok. The app’s AI-powered grid-shaped feed (referred to as a “masonry grid” in professional tech circles) has been so successful in driving engagement that larger social media companies like Tencent and ByteDance have copied the design in their own products. Lemon8, the other popular social media app developed by ByteDance aside from TikTok, is widely seen as an attempt to emulate Xiaohongshu and its success.
In fact, the app doesn’t even have a good English translation of its own name: Xiaohongshu is the just the phonetic translation of its Chinese name. 小红书. While the literal translation “little red book” may remind English-speaking users of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong’s collection of speeches and propaganda slogans by the same name, it has a different connotation in China, where users interpret it as a source of reliable user-generated recommendations for mundane things, like which restaurant to go to or which cosmetic product to buy.

The recent influx of American users has certainly caught the attention of Xiaohongshu's existing user base. David Yang, a recent master’s program graduate from China currently living in Paris, suddenly found his Xiaohongshu feed full of American users on Sunday. He had previously seen some non-Chinese creators intentionally coming to the platform to attract Chinese followers, but nothing at this scale.

Now, when he scrolls his Xiaohongshu home page, about one quarter of the content is from so-called TikTok refugees, according to a screen recording he shared. “Some of them are asking what Chinese people think of certain issues, like the USA, LGBT, or other social issues. And some are inviting Chinese users to ask them questions. And some are just using the app like they use TikTok and post anything they find interesting,” Yang tells WIRED. The concentration of genuine personal content shared by normal people rather than polished influencers was refreshing, he added.

Chinese Xiaohongshu users are fascinated by the influx of new voices. Most of them, especially those who speak English, are extending a welcoming hand, liking the videos posted by TikTok refugees and following their accounts. Some are taking the time to try to explain how the app works to people who find it hard to navigate due to the language barrier.

Sarah Fotheringham, a TikTok user since 2021 from Utah, tells WIRED she's having a surprisingly nice time at Xiaohongshu despite relying on Google Translate to use the platform. For her first two days on the app, she has spent a few hours each day and posted four videos, the last one explaining the US school lunch to Chinese users. "People have reached out to offer help in every way, from navigating the app, adding subtitles to videos, and translations," Fotheringham says. "One comment on my video was from a Chinese user. She said, 'wow it's like looking over the Chinese wall.' And for me, it's been my first time seeing in."

“Most of the [new Xiaohongshu users] are probably in the curiosity phase. I think moments of cultural shock or controversies could emerge as time goes on, but that would be part of the process for them to know each other on a deeper level,” Yang says.


Carrie Underwood Defended By Whoopi Goldberg For Agreeing To Perform At Trump's Second Inauguration
Whoopi Goldberg spoke out in support of Carrie Underwood's decision to perform at Donald Trump's second inauguration, addressing the fan backlash against the singer.
On "The View," Goldberg said she respected Underwood's right to choose where she wants to perform, stating, "I have to support. It doesn't mean I'm particularly interested in what I won't be watching."

Goldberg's comments were echoed by co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, who criticized the tendency to "cancel people's livelihood" for political reasons. Griffin speculated that Underwood's decision could make her an "icon of MAGA," arguing that it was a sound business move from a financial perspective.
Some co-hosts disagreed with Goldberg's stance. Joy Behar stated that she would not legitimize Trump's inauguration by attending or performing. Sunny Hostin won't watch the inauguration either and instead "scheduled a spa day."

Underwood's decision to perform "America the Beautiful" at the inauguration also sparked controversy among her fans. In a statement, Underwood emphasized her love for her country and her hope for unity.
Other performers set to appear at the inauguration include the Village People, who have faced criticism for participating in an event associated with Trump. The band defended their decision, stating that "music is to be performed without regard to politics."


Special counsel report says Donald Trump would have been convicted for trying to overthrow the 2020 election
On Tuesday (Jan. 14), former special counsel Jack Smith released a comprehensive report detailing Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. As revealed by The Associated Press, Smith defended his decision to file criminal charges and stated there was ample evidence to secure a conviction if Trump wasn’t re-elected in 2024.

The document elaborated on the incoming head of state’s desperate attempts to cling to power after his loss to Joe Biden. It outlined his campaign against the Justice Department, involvement with fake electors in states that Biden won, and instigation of a violent mob at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The report also chronicled Trump’s rift with former Vice President Mike Pence, who refused to interfere with the certification of Biden’s victory. Smith stated that the billionaire politician expressed frustration with his second-in-command and made last-minute changes to his speech that directly targeted him.

AP further detailed how the report highlighted obstacles encountered during the investigation, such as Trump’s use of executive privilege to hinder witness testimonies and his internet influence, which was allegedly used regularly as an act of intimidation. “A fundamental component of Mr. Trump’s conduct underlying the charges in the election case was his pattern of using social media... to publicly attack and seek to influence state and federal officials, judges and election workers who refused to support false claims that the election had been stolen or who otherwise resisted complicity in Mr. Trump’s scheme,” it read.

The investigation faced significant legal setbacks, including a Supreme Court ruling that granted former presidents broad immunity from prosecution for official duties. As REVOLT previously reported, a federal injunction temporarily blocked the findings from being released. Despite these difficulties, Smith expressed pride in the overall commitment to justice. “I believe the fact that our team stood up for the rule of law matters,” he wrote. He also shut down claims that the inquiry was politically biased, labeling such allegations “laughable.”

It did not take long for Trump to respond on his Truth Social platform. “Deranged Jack Smith was unable to successfully prosecute the political opponent of his ‘boss,’ crooked Joe Biden, so he ends up writing yet another ‘report’ based on information that the unselect committee of political hacks and thugs ILLEGALLY DESTROYED AND DELETED because it showed how totally innocent I was and how completely guilty Nancy Pelosi and others were,” he stated. “Jack is a lame-brain prosecutor who was unable to get his case tried before the election, which I won in a landslide. THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN!”


LA landlords are price gouging in the wildfires, says 'Selling Sunset' star Jason Oppenheim

Jason Oppenheim has accused Los Angeles landlords of illegal rent hikes amid the wildfires.
California law prohibits rent increases of over 10% after an emergency is declared.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has extended the price-gouging ban until January 2026.

Jason Oppenheim, star of Netflix's "Selling Sunset," has accused Los Angeles landlords of illegally price gouging rental rates amid the city's devastating fires.
In an interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, Oppenheim, who co-runs the Oppenheim Group with his twin brother, called for the exploitative practice to be exposed.

"We're having landlords taking advantage of the situation," he said.
The LA fires, which began nearly a week ago, have killed at least 24 people, left dozens missing, and destroyed thousands of structures, including homes. The total area burned is now larger than Paris.
Oppenheim shared the example of a client who went to view a rental property that was initially asking for $13,000 a month. He said his client offered $20,000 a month and six months of rent paid upfront, but the landlord responded by asking for $23,000 a month.

"There are price-gouging laws in California that are just being ignored right now," he said. "This isn't the time to be taking advantage of situations, and it's also illegal to take advantage of a natural disaster."
Landlords are "absolutely" breaking the law, Oppenheim added.
When California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency on January 7, it automatically triggered a California law restricting price gouging for housing, emergency supplies, and other necessities for up to 180 days.

California's price gouging laws make it unlawful to increase the rental price advertised, offered, or charged for housing by more than 10% after an emergency has been declared.
Newsom also signed an executive order on Sunday prohibiting price gouging "in times of emergency" that would remain in effect until January 7, 2026.
A violation of the price-gouging rules is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for up to a year, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

On Saturday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said he had seen businesses and landlords "jack up the price."
He said, "It's called price gouging. It is illegal. You cannot do it."
Bonta said that anyone engaging in price gouging would be held accountable.
Displaced residents in LA are scrambling to find rental housing near their schools and workplaces, driving up demand and, in some cases, hiking prices way beyond what is legal. Local publication the LAist spotted a Zillow listing for a home in Bel Air that had its price hiked by 86%.

And with the fires still raging, the situation could get worse.
Although firefighters have made progress in containing the blazes, authorities have warned that dry winds picking up could complicate efforts to control the situation.
Pacific Palisades, home to some of the country's most expensive real estate, has been among the worst-hit areas, and celebrities including Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, and Milo Ventimiglia, have lost their homes.


Grammy Awards to Proceed as Planned, Recording Academy Says
The 2025 Grammy Awards will proceed as planned on February 2, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. told members in a letter Monday morning, assuring that the show will go on at Crypto.com Arena early next month as Los Angeles currently faces the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires.

With the Grammys about three weeks away, Mason Jr. and Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Tammy Hurt told Academy members in the letter that the annual awards show will also act as a charitable evening to help with relief efforts.
“In close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources, the 67th GRAMMY Awards telecast on CBS on February 2nd will proceed as planned,” Mason Jr. and Hurt wrote in the letter. “This year’s show, however, will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”

The wildfires have devastated much of Los Angeles, killing a confirmed 24 people as of Monday morning while destroying thousands of homes. About 150,000 people had to evacuate to escape the fires, and evacuation orders remain in place in areas closest to the flames.
Hundreds of artists and industry insiders have lost their houses, recording studios, and equipment, and the industry has stepped up to help with relief. MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s non-profit aimed at providing assistance to the music community in times of grief, pledged $1 million last week to establish its Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort.

“In challenging times, music has the power to heal, comfort, and unite like nothing else,” Mason Jr. and Hurt wrote. “The Grammys will not only honor the artistry and achievements of our music community but also serve as a platform to amplify the spirit of resilience that defines this great city of Los Angeles.”
In a typical year, Grammy Week is the biggest week in the music business, with much of the industry flocking to Los Angeles in the days before the show to attend lavish parties all over the city. With the ceremony still a few weeks away, it’s unclear how celebratory the industry will feel come Grammy Week this year. MusiCares’ annual gala is currently proceeding as planned, a representative confirmed. As of now, other annual parties like the annual Clive Davis Gala and Spotify’s Best New Artist showcase haven’t announced any changes yet, and representatives haven’t responded to Rolling Stone’s request for comment.

Others in the business have cast concerns both about the optics and logistics of the events. Songwriter management company Milk and Honey already confirmed over the weekend that their party has been canceled. In an Instagram story, Milk and Honey’s CEO and founder Lucas Keller implored other companies to do the same, calling it “tone deaf to celebrate.”
“Don’t come to town for the Grammys and take up hotels that people need desperately,” Keller wrote. “Release your hotel blocks or donate them. In the meantime, if you can, please give money to MusiCares to support wildfire relief, everything counts.”

By Monday afternoon, Universal Music Group, the world’s largest record company, announced that it would cancel all its Grammy-related events. The company said it would “redirect the resources that would have been used for those events to assist those affected by the wildfires.”
“Our deepest gratitude goes to the first responders and emergency personnel, who continue to perform heroically,” UMG said. “L.A. is home to so many of us. We are committed to helping and supporting the music community, our artists, our teams, and the people of Los Angeles get through this horrific episode.”

A rep for fellow “big three” record company Warner Music Group also confirmed to Rolling Stone that it wouldn’t have a party this year and is directing funds to relief. The company announced Sunday that it pledged $1 million to relief efforts.
By Tuesday morning, a rep for Sony Music had confirmed that the company would cancel all their Grammy events as well. Sony Group, Sony Music’s parent company, announced on Monday that it pledged $5 million for emergency relief efforts.

BMG, one of the music business’s largest indie music companies, also decided Tuesday afternoon to cancel their Grammy party. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we extend our deepest gratitude to the firefighters and first responders in Los Angeles County who are working tirelessly to contain the fires,” the company said.


Cardi B Accuses Offset of Spite, Jealousy, and Theft

During a livestream, Cardi accused her estranged husband of neglecting their children, accusing of her being competitive in their relationship, and robbing her with his mother.
Cardi B made a number of accusations against Offset during a live stream.

During an X Spaces stream on Tuesday afternoon, the 32-year-old rapper opened up about her frustrations with her estranged husband, accusing him of being spiteful towards her and her children.
“I've been alright all 2025. But this morning, motherfuckers decided to disturb my peace. So since people want to disturb my peace, I'm gonna disturb everybody's fucking peace myself,” Cardi warned at the top of her live stream, before assuring she will “violate” individuals on her upcoming album.

In her first stream, the Invasion of Privacy rapper alleged Offset wouldn’t accept the terms of their pending divorce, seemingly over the custody rights of their three children, Kulture, six, Wave, three, and a baby girl born in September.

“You wanna talk about … you haven't accepted the divorce because you're not gonna agree on my terms because you just wanna see the kids. You wanna see the kids? You just called your daughter for the first time this year yesterday, your newborn,” Cardi claimed.

“You love your kids so much and you didn’t bought them shit for Christmas, but you came to New York to buy your other kids gifts. But you ain't bought my kids shit on purpose to spite me.”
Elsewhere, Cardi implied that her relationship with Offset, 33, had been cordial until recently while alleging he and his mother, Latabia Woodward, “robbed” her.

“I ain't listen after you and your mama robbed me. Yeah, you and your mom robbed me cold, wiped my nose. Told you stop fucking playing with me,” Cardi said without providing more specific details.
“A motherfucker want me to go on social media to crash out so I could look crazy. So that they could look like they unbothered. That was always their plan,” Cardi added. “That's why I've been quiet, but you're gonna stop fucking playing with me and you're gonna sign these fucking divorce papers, bitch ass n***a.”

Cardi returned to X Spaces moments later to share a painful realization of her marriage.
“When they were going through something that artists go through, I couldn't even enjoy my own wins because I felt like he was going through something,” Cardi confessed. “And this is the realest shit somebody could ever do for you. I used to pray for this person before I prayed for myself. And then this motherfucker had the nerve to say that I was being ‘competitive.’”

She continued, “I'm like, ‘Wait, tell me how was I being competitive?’ And motherfucker said, ‘When you posted my album, you said “I'm next.”’ And I'm like, I wasn't even trying to be competitive—that didn't even cross my mind. So that means that a motherfucker was competing with me.”

“Can you believe that? Can you believe that I had the enemy in my bed all along? I wasn't only competing with these bitches. I was competing with my n***a and I didn't even fucking know. That's crazy,” she lamented.
At the end of her stream, Cardi concluded, “That's why n***as gotta fuck bitches that are below me, that are beneath me. They gotta embarrass me publicly because they were competing with me, they couldn't take me. Now I see that motherfuckers was jealous of me all along … I never even thought that that would be any type of reason.”


Rashida Jones Steps Down as MSNBC President, Leaving a Legacy of Diversity and Innovation

Rashida Jones, who made history in 2020 by becoming the first Black president of MSNBC, has announced her resignation from the position.
As the network prepares for a spin-off from Comcast alongside other cable channels, Jones’s departure marks a significant turning point for both her career and the network itself, according to Journal-isms.

“After four incredible years at the helm of MSNBC and 11 years at NBCU, I have decided to pursue new opportunities,” she told the staff in a memo on Monday. Jones expressed her gratitude and pride in the accomplishments achieved during her tenure, remarking, “This has been the most rewarding chapter of my professional career and I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished, which has been made possible only by you.”

Throughout her leadership, Jones has overseen pivotal changes at MSNBC, particularly as the channel was navigating intense scrutiny and competition.
According to Ted Johnson’s report for Deadline, Mark Lazarus, who is managing the transition of the spun-off cable assets, asked her to continue during this critical period.
“Rashida has expertly navigated MSNBC through a years-long, unrelenting, and unprecedented news cycle, all while driving the network to record viewership,” Lazarus noted.

Taking the reins in early 2021, Jones succeeded longtime president Phil Griffin and has been credited with diversifying MSNBC’s business model beyond traditional television programming. Her focus on innovation led to substantial investments in podcasts, documentary films, and live events.
During her tenure, the network solidified its position in linear ratings over key competitors like CNN, even though it experienced a decline in viewership following Trump’s reelection, Journal-isms noted.

In December 2023, a spokesperson highlighted that MSNBC retained the title of the #1 network across all of cable among Black viewers for the sixth consecutive year, as well as leading among Asian viewers. Among Hispanic viewers, MSNBC ranked #1 in cable news and #2 across all of cable, trailing only ESPN. This notable diversity in viewership speaks to Jones’s commitment to inclusive programming and representation in the media.
MSNBC has become known for its diverse audience, with some of the highest-rated cable news programs among Black Americans. Notably, “PoliticsNation with Al Sharpton” achieved the highest concentration of Black viewers at 41%, illustrating the network’s appeal and significant demographic engagement.

Furthermore, Jones’s appointment was a significant milestone in a broader movement towards diversity in media leadership.
Following Jones’ ascension, Kimberly Godwin made headlines as the first Black executive to run a broadcast-network news operation at ABC News. However, Godwin resigned last year, highlighting the ongoing challenges within the industry when it comes to sustaining diverse leadership.

Currently, George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS, and Cesar Conde, chairman of the NBCUniversal News Group, represent diversity at top levels of major networks. Cheeks is noted as being biracial, and Conde is Hispanic, yet the turnover and departures of other minority executives underscore the ongoing need for sustained efforts toward inclusivity in media leadership.
As Rashida Jones departs from MSNBC, her legacy will undoubtedly influence the network’s future direction and the industry’s ongoing dialogue about diversity and representation in journalism and media.


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