#MAGFAB: Cynthia Erivo for The Wrap - 6th January 2025
At the age of 37, Cynthia Erivo has already had a richly varied career, winning a Tony, an Emmy and a Grammy and channeling Harriet Tubman in “Harriet” and Aretha Franklin in “Genius: Aretha.”
So why does it seem as if she might have been born to play the iconic Wicked Witch of the West in “Wicked,” Jon M. Chu’s musical movie adaptation of author Gregory Maguire’s 1995 “Wizard of Oz” prequel novel and its 2003 Broadway musical?
As Elphaba, the name the witch had before she became known simply as wicked, Erivo uses the film to take a dramatic turn that has landed her both at the top of the box-office charts and in the awards picture. Beyond her renditions of Stephen Schwartz’s beloved “Defying Gravity,” “The Wizard and I,” “I’m Not That Girl” and other numbers, she illuminates a richly textured emotional landscape within the west-bound witch everyone thinks they know. She finds new textures in a character that has been played on stages around the world for the last 21 years.
“I think the thing that I loved about Elphaba, the thing I really wanted to share, is that she has a joyfulness about her, that she has hope, that she can joke and she can laugh and she can smile, and she can have the softer part be the primary part of herself,” Erivo said following a photo shoot and Visionaries conversation with Chu at TheWrap Studio in Los Angeles. “When she walks into that Ozdust ballroom [when she’s invited to a party by her friend Glinda, played by Ariana Grande], she comes down the corner, she’s so hopeful, she’s so excited to be a part of something.
“And I think that sometimes, I want people to see that about me first, as well. Yes, I can be strong and poised and all those things. But I can also be funny and have a laugh and be soft and be joyful. We have all of that in us. We have light and dark, and we have soft and hard. Hopefully people can see the three-dimensional being in front of them.”
Born in London to Nigerian immigrants, Erivo’s path to acting began when she was 11 and appeared as the queen in a musical production of Bertolt Brecht’s “The Caucasian Chalk Circle,” a serious drama that was not written to be a musical. “I loved the way I could become this queen at 11 years old,” she said. “It felt really fun and expressive.” She stuck with music and drama through school, then went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, which launched her onto the British stage, then TV and film.
Her career would include the Broadway revival of “The Color Purple,” for which she won her Tony, Emmy and Grammy, as well as projects as diverse as “Harriet,” “Genius: Aretha,” “Widows” and “Bad Times at the El Royale.” “I feel really grateful for the opportunity to play such varied people,” she said. “They are similar in that they have wants and needs and hope and loss and all those things, but they’re all very different human beings. It’s nice to be thought of as someone who can do different things and play in different spaces.”
But along the way, she had to acquire the confidence to believe that she could play those roles. “It changed as I got further into [my career],” she said. “At the beginning, it was wanting to prove to others that I was good enough to do what I do. Now, it’s often about proving to myself that I have done enough work to be where I am. I’m hard on myself, and nothing I do is just for the sake of doing it. Everything is considered.”
It makes sense, then, that Erivo would set her sights on Elphaba as a “dream-come-true” project and a mountain worth climbing. She is more than just an iconic musical character: Originator Idina Menzel took home the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical back in 2004, and the part has been the summit of many theater performers’ careers since. It’s also a role that challenged Erivo both practically and emotionally. She said that playing Elphaba almost sent her to a “breaking point,” adding, “I think there’s something quite thrilling in, ‘How much further can I push?’”
It also forced her to navigate things within herself that no previous project had. “I think the thing she taught me was not to be afraid of my insecurities and my vulnerabilities and the things that are usually beneath the surface that I don’t necessarily share with everybody,” Erivo said. “She taught me to allow people in a little more. I can be quite guarded, but I was seeking the hope and joy in her, as well — because you can’t really have the pain without that. You can’t really have the heartbreak without that in this character, which means that I had to open myself up to that, too.”
A Black actress has never played Elphaba as a principal performer on Broadway. There have been stand-ins and understudies over the years, and principal runs in international and touring productions of the show — but never a first-run, mainstage actress on the coveted boards of New York’s Gershwin Theatre.
The thing Elphaba taught me was not to be afraid of my insecurities and my vulnerabilities.
For a musical that interrogates the roots of race-based prejudice as Elphaba is judged, ostracized and ultimately villainized for the color of her skin, it seems to be a blind spot for the long-running production to not spotlight a Black actress for whom that lived experience may ring a bit truer. Elphaba’s journey in “Wicked” is that of a young woman whose difference literally becomes her power — whose otherness emboldens her fortitude, her resiliency.
Erivo, whose work has invariably highlighted the power and politics of representation across projects, knows the significance of being cast. She is hopeful it “opens up the aperture a bit more” to Broadway’s decision-makers. “There’s space for us,” she said. “We can tell the story, too.”
Reflecting on her rising position in Hollywood as a queer-identifying Black woman who often finds herself in rooms run by white men, it doesn’t take much for Erivo to relate to some of Elphaba’s circumstances and impulses. In her greenness, Elphaba is at first portrayed as slyly defensive, ready to preempt anyone’s disgust or concerns over her appearance with a well-scripted kiss-off: “No I’m not seasick, yes I’ve always been green, no I didn’t eat grass as a child,” she tells Grande’s Galinda and her Shiz University cohorts on Day 1. Later, in her first encounter with Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero, he flirtingly goads, “And the defensiveness, is that a recent development?”
“It’s a protective mechanism to get there before everybody else does,” Erivo said. “You know, you can sometimes walk into a room and assume everybody has a notion about you and what you’ll do and what you’ll bring. I’ve definitely walked into a room and people … My favorite is when a person is like, ‘You’re so much warmer than what I thought you would be.’ Why would you think I would be anything other than warm? There are assumptions that people make, and I understood what that was.”
Erivo used that firsthand understanding of Elphaba’s psyche to map the character’s emotional journey onto the production’s music, from her glimmer of optimism in “The Wizard and I” to her impenetrable rage and determination in “Defying Gravity” upon learning that the Wizard is just a power-hungry conman. “‘I trust your storytelling,’” she said composer Schwartz told her. “‘So just do what you need to do in order to tell the story.’”
“It’s peaks and troughs,” Erivo said. “It rises and falls and rises and falls until we’re on a steady climb upwards. I knew that I wanted to do that because it’s much more thrilling than the other choice, which is just to sing everything as big as possible. That doesn’t tell you the story. There has to be an emotion added to each thing, each phrase, each stanza, whether it’s the laugh at the beginning of ‘The Wizard and I’ or it’s the growl in ‘Defying Gravity,’ there are moments that I allow myself — and Stephen allowed me — to connect to the real emotion of the piece and the emotion of her place in the journey.”
Erivo is now looking ahead to Thanksgiving 2025 and the anticipated arrival of “Wicked: For Good” (newly renamed from “Wicked: Part 2”). So if the first “Wicked” charts Elphaba finding her voice and her strength, what is the actress most looking forward to audiences seeing in the adaptation’s conclusion?
“I think I’m looking forward to people seeing the way she has to channel her rage,” Erivo said. “She’s learned to process hurt and pain and find her voice in it, and I think in the second, she learns about love and rage — what the balance of that is. What happens when it loses balance, and what happens when you find it again?”
So why does it seem as if she might have been born to play the iconic Wicked Witch of the West in “Wicked,” Jon M. Chu’s musical movie adaptation of author Gregory Maguire’s 1995 “Wizard of Oz” prequel novel and its 2003 Broadway musical?
As Elphaba, the name the witch had before she became known simply as wicked, Erivo uses the film to take a dramatic turn that has landed her both at the top of the box-office charts and in the awards picture. Beyond her renditions of Stephen Schwartz’s beloved “Defying Gravity,” “The Wizard and I,” “I’m Not That Girl” and other numbers, she illuminates a richly textured emotional landscape within the west-bound witch everyone thinks they know. She finds new textures in a character that has been played on stages around the world for the last 21 years.
“I think the thing that I loved about Elphaba, the thing I really wanted to share, is that she has a joyfulness about her, that she has hope, that she can joke and she can laugh and she can smile, and she can have the softer part be the primary part of herself,” Erivo said following a photo shoot and Visionaries conversation with Chu at TheWrap Studio in Los Angeles. “When she walks into that Ozdust ballroom [when she’s invited to a party by her friend Glinda, played by Ariana Grande], she comes down the corner, she’s so hopeful, she’s so excited to be a part of something.
“And I think that sometimes, I want people to see that about me first, as well. Yes, I can be strong and poised and all those things. But I can also be funny and have a laugh and be soft and be joyful. We have all of that in us. We have light and dark, and we have soft and hard. Hopefully people can see the three-dimensional being in front of them.”
Born in London to Nigerian immigrants, Erivo’s path to acting began when she was 11 and appeared as the queen in a musical production of Bertolt Brecht’s “The Caucasian Chalk Circle,” a serious drama that was not written to be a musical. “I loved the way I could become this queen at 11 years old,” she said. “It felt really fun and expressive.” She stuck with music and drama through school, then went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, which launched her onto the British stage, then TV and film.
Her career would include the Broadway revival of “The Color Purple,” for which she won her Tony, Emmy and Grammy, as well as projects as diverse as “Harriet,” “Genius: Aretha,” “Widows” and “Bad Times at the El Royale.” “I feel really grateful for the opportunity to play such varied people,” she said. “They are similar in that they have wants and needs and hope and loss and all those things, but they’re all very different human beings. It’s nice to be thought of as someone who can do different things and play in different spaces.”
But along the way, she had to acquire the confidence to believe that she could play those roles. “It changed as I got further into [my career],” she said. “At the beginning, it was wanting to prove to others that I was good enough to do what I do. Now, it’s often about proving to myself that I have done enough work to be where I am. I’m hard on myself, and nothing I do is just for the sake of doing it. Everything is considered.”
It makes sense, then, that Erivo would set her sights on Elphaba as a “dream-come-true” project and a mountain worth climbing. She is more than just an iconic musical character: Originator Idina Menzel took home the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical back in 2004, and the part has been the summit of many theater performers’ careers since. It’s also a role that challenged Erivo both practically and emotionally. She said that playing Elphaba almost sent her to a “breaking point,” adding, “I think there’s something quite thrilling in, ‘How much further can I push?’”
It also forced her to navigate things within herself that no previous project had. “I think the thing she taught me was not to be afraid of my insecurities and my vulnerabilities and the things that are usually beneath the surface that I don’t necessarily share with everybody,” Erivo said. “She taught me to allow people in a little more. I can be quite guarded, but I was seeking the hope and joy in her, as well — because you can’t really have the pain without that. You can’t really have the heartbreak without that in this character, which means that I had to open myself up to that, too.”
A Black actress has never played Elphaba as a principal performer on Broadway. There have been stand-ins and understudies over the years, and principal runs in international and touring productions of the show — but never a first-run, mainstage actress on the coveted boards of New York’s Gershwin Theatre.
The thing Elphaba taught me was not to be afraid of my insecurities and my vulnerabilities.
For a musical that interrogates the roots of race-based prejudice as Elphaba is judged, ostracized and ultimately villainized for the color of her skin, it seems to be a blind spot for the long-running production to not spotlight a Black actress for whom that lived experience may ring a bit truer. Elphaba’s journey in “Wicked” is that of a young woman whose difference literally becomes her power — whose otherness emboldens her fortitude, her resiliency.
Erivo, whose work has invariably highlighted the power and politics of representation across projects, knows the significance of being cast. She is hopeful it “opens up the aperture a bit more” to Broadway’s decision-makers. “There’s space for us,” she said. “We can tell the story, too.”
Reflecting on her rising position in Hollywood as a queer-identifying Black woman who often finds herself in rooms run by white men, it doesn’t take much for Erivo to relate to some of Elphaba’s circumstances and impulses. In her greenness, Elphaba is at first portrayed as slyly defensive, ready to preempt anyone’s disgust or concerns over her appearance with a well-scripted kiss-off: “No I’m not seasick, yes I’ve always been green, no I didn’t eat grass as a child,” she tells Grande’s Galinda and her Shiz University cohorts on Day 1. Later, in her first encounter with Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero, he flirtingly goads, “And the defensiveness, is that a recent development?”
“It’s a protective mechanism to get there before everybody else does,” Erivo said. “You know, you can sometimes walk into a room and assume everybody has a notion about you and what you’ll do and what you’ll bring. I’ve definitely walked into a room and people … My favorite is when a person is like, ‘You’re so much warmer than what I thought you would be.’ Why would you think I would be anything other than warm? There are assumptions that people make, and I understood what that was.”
Erivo used that firsthand understanding of Elphaba’s psyche to map the character’s emotional journey onto the production’s music, from her glimmer of optimism in “The Wizard and I” to her impenetrable rage and determination in “Defying Gravity” upon learning that the Wizard is just a power-hungry conman. “‘I trust your storytelling,’” she said composer Schwartz told her. “‘So just do what you need to do in order to tell the story.’”
“It’s peaks and troughs,” Erivo said. “It rises and falls and rises and falls until we’re on a steady climb upwards. I knew that I wanted to do that because it’s much more thrilling than the other choice, which is just to sing everything as big as possible. That doesn’t tell you the story. There has to be an emotion added to each thing, each phrase, each stanza, whether it’s the laugh at the beginning of ‘The Wizard and I’ or it’s the growl in ‘Defying Gravity,’ there are moments that I allow myself — and Stephen allowed me — to connect to the real emotion of the piece and the emotion of her place in the journey.”
Erivo is now looking ahead to Thanksgiving 2025 and the anticipated arrival of “Wicked: For Good” (newly renamed from “Wicked: Part 2”). So if the first “Wicked” charts Elphaba finding her voice and her strength, what is the actress most looking forward to audiences seeing in the adaptation’s conclusion?
“I think I’m looking forward to people seeing the way she has to channel her rage,” Erivo said. “She’s learned to process hurt and pain and find her voice in it, and I think in the second, she learns about love and rage — what the balance of that is. What happens when it loses balance, and what happens when you find it again?”
#RHOA: Kandi Burruss Gives Advice To Her 'RHOA' Co-Stars In Troubled Relationships
If you’ve been keeping up with Real Housewives Of Atlanta season 12, you’ll notice the casts’ romantic relationships are being tested more than ever. Between Porsha Williams struggling to forgive her fiance Dennis for infidelity and Kenya Moore’s pending divorce from her husband of only two years, our cups runneth over.
Though it’s not easy being vulnerable in front of millions of viewers, these women have always had their good sis Kandi Burruss to lean on for relationship advice…on and off camera.
When it comes to Porsha, Kandi says she treads lightly with her advice. If you recall, the two of them got into a screaming match after Porsha confronted Dennis’s ex, who happens to be Kandi’s friend, at Todd’s 45th birthday party (she was then escorted out by security.) Later that season, Porsha became upset with Kandi for sharing that Dennis had tattooed the names of several ex-girlfriends on his body in the past. Though they’ve moved past it, Kandi now chooses to keep her opinions to a minimum.
“With the Porsha situation, I try to avoid that,” says Burruss. “I don’t really want to have too many opinions on her relationship. Clearly, that got us into a whole lot of mess last year.”
While Kandi mostly stays away from all things Dennis, she does want to see Porsha boss up. “The only thing I try to say to Porsha is ‘remember the bad bitch that you are,'” she says. “In the very beginning [after the breakup with Dennis] she did seem like she was going through it. I don’t think it was just her relationship, but also her figuring out motherhood. But I just had to be like ‘girl, get it together.'”
When it comes to Kenya, Kandi’s advice runs a bit deeper and comes from a place of genuine friendship. “I’ve spent more time with her and Marc off-camera, so I’ve seen them have better days. She’s going to be joyful regardless because she has [her daughter] Brooklyn now. But everyone knows it was her dream to have a family – the mother, father and baby all in the house together.”
Ultimately, Kandi’s place not only comes from love but experience. “I was a single mom for a long time and I was alright. So I don’t really be wanting to hear too many sobs stories. I’m like, ‘girl, if you don’t pull it together. You’re too bad for that. Get it together!'”
Though it’s not easy being vulnerable in front of millions of viewers, these women have always had their good sis Kandi Burruss to lean on for relationship advice…on and off camera.
When it comes to Porsha, Kandi says she treads lightly with her advice. If you recall, the two of them got into a screaming match after Porsha confronted Dennis’s ex, who happens to be Kandi’s friend, at Todd’s 45th birthday party (she was then escorted out by security.) Later that season, Porsha became upset with Kandi for sharing that Dennis had tattooed the names of several ex-girlfriends on his body in the past. Though they’ve moved past it, Kandi now chooses to keep her opinions to a minimum.
“With the Porsha situation, I try to avoid that,” says Burruss. “I don’t really want to have too many opinions on her relationship. Clearly, that got us into a whole lot of mess last year.”
While Kandi mostly stays away from all things Dennis, she does want to see Porsha boss up. “The only thing I try to say to Porsha is ‘remember the bad bitch that you are,'” she says. “In the very beginning [after the breakup with Dennis] she did seem like she was going through it. I don’t think it was just her relationship, but also her figuring out motherhood. But I just had to be like ‘girl, get it together.'”
When it comes to Kenya, Kandi’s advice runs a bit deeper and comes from a place of genuine friendship. “I’ve spent more time with her and Marc off-camera, so I’ve seen them have better days. She’s going to be joyful regardless because she has [her daughter] Brooklyn now. But everyone knows it was her dream to have a family – the mother, father and baby all in the house together.”
Ultimately, Kandi’s place not only comes from love but experience. “I was a single mom for a long time and I was alright. So I don’t really be wanting to hear too many sobs stories. I’m like, ‘girl, if you don’t pull it together. You’re too bad for that. Get it together!'”
#MusicNews: Aloe Blacc Announces New Album 'Stand Together'
Genre-bending singer Aloe Blacc has announced his first album in five years, Stand Together.
The philanthropic project will release Feb. 28 via Grand Scheme Productions in partnership with Vydia, a gamma. company.
Speaking on Stand Together, Blacc shares, “This album is a celebration of what we can achieve when we come together to support one another. Whether it’s in our relationships or as a society, we’re stronger and better when we stand together.”
The album’s title is inspired by the mission of The Phoenix, a Stand Together community partner and national sober active community that provides free, active, and meaningful programming to anyone impacted by substance use. Stand Together is a philanthropic community that tackles the root causes of our country’s biggest problems.
According to press materials, Stand Together will blend the sounds of R&B, soul, and pop with a “focus on themes of openness, empowerment, and social change.” The album features production by Stargate, Oak Felder, DJ Khalil, and Hunter Hayes.
Stand Together consists of 12 tracks, including the lead single, “Don’t Go Alone,” available now. The Oak Felder-produced song was inspired by the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
On “Don’t Go Alone,” Blacc shares a necessary reminder that it’s OK to lean on others during challenging times. “We can do it together / Don’t go alone,” he sings on the uplifting track.
Regarding “Don’t Go Alone,” Blacc says, “This is the perfect song to lead this project because it reminds us of the power of connection and community.”
Blacc is no stranger to making empowering songs. His resilient 2013 hit “The Man” is just one of many examples of the singer, songwriter, and former rapper’s pursuit of making songs that revitalize the soul.
Stand Together, which will also include a reimagined version of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” will mark Blacc’s first album since 2020’s All Love Everything. The latter project was reissued in 2021 with a deluxe edition that included three bonus tracks.
Speaking on All Love Everything, Blacc explained, “Rather than a genre, my music is about A.I.M.: affirmation, inspiration, and motivation. After so many opportunities to talk about my music and not feel comfortable saying, ‘I’m a pop artist’ or ‘I’m a folk artist,’ I had this realization. My songwriting genre is thematic.”
The philanthropic project will release Feb. 28 via Grand Scheme Productions in partnership with Vydia, a gamma. company.
Speaking on Stand Together, Blacc shares, “This album is a celebration of what we can achieve when we come together to support one another. Whether it’s in our relationships or as a society, we’re stronger and better when we stand together.”
The album’s title is inspired by the mission of The Phoenix, a Stand Together community partner and national sober active community that provides free, active, and meaningful programming to anyone impacted by substance use. Stand Together is a philanthropic community that tackles the root causes of our country’s biggest problems.
According to press materials, Stand Together will blend the sounds of R&B, soul, and pop with a “focus on themes of openness, empowerment, and social change.” The album features production by Stargate, Oak Felder, DJ Khalil, and Hunter Hayes.
Stand Together consists of 12 tracks, including the lead single, “Don’t Go Alone,” available now. The Oak Felder-produced song was inspired by the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
On “Don’t Go Alone,” Blacc shares a necessary reminder that it’s OK to lean on others during challenging times. “We can do it together / Don’t go alone,” he sings on the uplifting track.
Regarding “Don’t Go Alone,” Blacc says, “This is the perfect song to lead this project because it reminds us of the power of connection and community.”
Blacc is no stranger to making empowering songs. His resilient 2013 hit “The Man” is just one of many examples of the singer, songwriter, and former rapper’s pursuit of making songs that revitalize the soul.
Stand Together, which will also include a reimagined version of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” will mark Blacc’s first album since 2020’s All Love Everything. The latter project was reissued in 2021 with a deluxe edition that included three bonus tracks.
Speaking on All Love Everything, Blacc explained, “Rather than a genre, my music is about A.I.M.: affirmation, inspiration, and motivation. After so many opportunities to talk about my music and not feel comfortable saying, ‘I’m a pop artist’ or ‘I’m a folk artist,’ I had this realization. My songwriting genre is thematic.”
#HipHopNews: Rolling Loud California 2025 Boasts A Lineup Led By ASAP Rocky, Playboi Carti, And Peso Pluma
The 2025 edition of Rolling Loud California is going to be a little different: Previously, it’s been a three-day festival, but this year, it’s shifting to become a tighter two-day affair. That doesn’t mean fewer headliners, though, as the fest is still going with three and organizers just announced them today (January 7): ASAP Rocky, Playboi Carti, and Peso Pluma.
Beyond that, also performing at Hollywood Park (by SoFi Stadium in Inglewood) from March 15 to 16 are Quavo, BossMan Dlow, Sexyy Red, Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, YG, and others. Aside from music, the event will also feature carnival rides, immersive experiences, and art installations.
Passes for the two-day event start at $179 with no hidden fees (not a bad value considering a single-day ticket to last year’s event was $179). Passes go on sale starting January 10 at noon PT. More information is available on the Rolling Loud website.
In a statement, Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif, co-founders and co-CEOs of Rolling Loud, say, “We’re excited to switch things up with a two-day format that keeps all the energy of Rolling Loud but makes it more affordable for our fans. By cutting down a day, we can offer the same epic lineup, dope activations, and unforgettable vibes at a price that’s easier on the wallet. At the end of the day, it’s all about making sure everyone can come together to celebrate hip-hop without breaking the bank.”
Check out the full list of artists on the lineup below.
Rolling Loud California 2025 Lineup
03 Greedo
1900Rugrat
310Babii
Ab-Soul
ASAP Rocky
Azchike
Babychiefdoit
Bad Neighbors
Bas
Blxst
Bossman Dlow
Cash Cobain
Che
Chow Lee
Clip
Danny Towers
Dave Blunts
DC The Don
DDG
Destroy Lonely
Devour
Dom Kennedy
DrexTheJoint
Drownmili
EBK Jaaybo
Eddy Baker
F1Lthy
Gelo
Glokk40Spaz
Homixide Gang
Hoosh
Hotboii
Hurricane Wisdom
Ian
Joeyy
Jordan Adetunji
Kamaiyah
Ken Carson
King Lil G
La Santa Grifa
Larry June
Lay Bankz
Lazer Dim 700
Lefty Gunplay
Lil Birdie
Loe Shimmy
Luh Tyler
Miles Minnick
Molly Santana
Nettspend
Osamason
Peso Pluma
Peyoh
Playboi Carti
Quavo
Ray Emmanuel
Real Boston Richey
Redveil
Robb Banks
Sematary
Sexyy Red
Skaiwater
Ski Mask The Slump God
Slimesito
Stunna Girl
Tee Grizzley
Thxsomuch
TiaCorine
Untiljapan
Xavier Wulf
Xaviersobased
YG
Yo Trane
Yuno Miles
Beyond that, also performing at Hollywood Park (by SoFi Stadium in Inglewood) from March 15 to 16 are Quavo, BossMan Dlow, Sexyy Red, Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, YG, and others. Aside from music, the event will also feature carnival rides, immersive experiences, and art installations.
Passes for the two-day event start at $179 with no hidden fees (not a bad value considering a single-day ticket to last year’s event was $179). Passes go on sale starting January 10 at noon PT. More information is available on the Rolling Loud website.
In a statement, Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif, co-founders and co-CEOs of Rolling Loud, say, “We’re excited to switch things up with a two-day format that keeps all the energy of Rolling Loud but makes it more affordable for our fans. By cutting down a day, we can offer the same epic lineup, dope activations, and unforgettable vibes at a price that’s easier on the wallet. At the end of the day, it’s all about making sure everyone can come together to celebrate hip-hop without breaking the bank.”
Check out the full list of artists on the lineup below.
Rolling Loud California 2025 Lineup
03 Greedo
1900Rugrat
310Babii
Ab-Soul
ASAP Rocky
Azchike
Babychiefdoit
Bad Neighbors
Bas
Blxst
Bossman Dlow
Cash Cobain
Che
Chow Lee
Clip
Danny Towers
Dave Blunts
DC The Don
DDG
Destroy Lonely
Devour
Dom Kennedy
DrexTheJoint
Drownmili
EBK Jaaybo
Eddy Baker
F1Lthy
Gelo
Glokk40Spaz
Homixide Gang
Hoosh
Hotboii
Hurricane Wisdom
Ian
Joeyy
Jordan Adetunji
Kamaiyah
Ken Carson
King Lil G
La Santa Grifa
Larry June
Lay Bankz
Lazer Dim 700
Lefty Gunplay
Lil Birdie
Loe Shimmy
Luh Tyler
Miles Minnick
Molly Santana
Nettspend
Osamason
Peso Pluma
Peyoh
Playboi Carti
Quavo
Ray Emmanuel
Real Boston Richey
Redveil
Robb Banks
Sematary
Sexyy Red
Skaiwater
Ski Mask The Slump God
Slimesito
Stunna Girl
Tee Grizzley
Thxsomuch
TiaCorine
Untiljapan
Xavier Wulf
Xaviersobased
YG
Yo Trane
Yuno Miles
GloRilla, Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Usher Lead 2025 NAACP Image Awards Nominations
The 2025 NAACP Image Award nominations were announced on Tuesday (Jan. 7) and the categories are stacked.
GloRilla leads the music nods with six overall while Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, and Usher share four respective nods.
Cynthia Ervio, Kendrick Lamar, Keke Palmer, and Shannon Sharper are all up for the coveted Entertainer of the Year title. Meanwhile, Ayo Edebiri is this year’s leading actress with four nods and The Piano Lesson leads the film categories with 14 total nods. Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist leads in TV with nine nominations while Netflix emerges as the dominating streaming platform with 64 nominations.
This year’s theme is “Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence.”
“We look forward to celebrating the brilliance of Black talent and creativity whose stories shape culture, ignite change, and inspire generations,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP in a statement. “Through film, music, literature, and more, their voices weave a rich tapestry that honors our heritage, celebrates our identity, and proves that storytelling is a powerful force for driving true progress.”
Scott Mills, President and CEO of BET Media Group, added, “The NAACP Image Awards stand as a testament to the brilliance, resilience, and impact of Black creatives, innovators, and changemakers. BET is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the NAACP to celebrate Black excellence in all forms. Together, we shine a light on the stories, voices, and artistry that shape culture and drive progress.”
The public can now vote for the winners in select categories on the NAACP Image Awards’ official website. Voting closes on Feb. 7 at midnight ET. Non-televised winners will be recognized at the Creative Honors Ceremony on Friday, Feb. 21.
The 56th NAACP Image Awards airs live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS.
See the full list of nominees HERE https://naacpimageawards.net
The 2025 NAACP Image Award nominations were announced on Tuesday (Jan. 7) and the categories are stacked.
GloRilla leads the music nods with six overall while Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, and Usher share four respective nods.
Cynthia Ervio, Kendrick Lamar, Keke Palmer, and Shannon Sharper are all up for the coveted Entertainer of the Year title. Meanwhile, Ayo Edebiri is this year’s leading actress with four nods and The Piano Lesson leads the film categories with 14 total nods. Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist leads in TV with nine nominations while Netflix emerges as the dominating streaming platform with 64 nominations.
This year’s theme is “Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence.”
“We look forward to celebrating the brilliance of Black talent and creativity whose stories shape culture, ignite change, and inspire generations,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP in a statement. “Through film, music, literature, and more, their voices weave a rich tapestry that honors our heritage, celebrates our identity, and proves that storytelling is a powerful force for driving true progress.”
Scott Mills, President and CEO of BET Media Group, added, “The NAACP Image Awards stand as a testament to the brilliance, resilience, and impact of Black creatives, innovators, and changemakers. BET is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the NAACP to celebrate Black excellence in all forms. Together, we shine a light on the stories, voices, and artistry that shape culture and drive progress.”
The public can now vote for the winners in select categories on the NAACP Image Awards’ official website. Voting closes on Feb. 7 at midnight ET. Non-televised winners will be recognized at the Creative Honors Ceremony on Friday, Feb. 21.
The 56th NAACP Image Awards airs live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS.
See the full list of nominees HERE https://naacpimageawards.net
Chris Brown Celebrates Youngest Daughter Lovely Symphani’s 3rd Birthday
Chris Brown was in full daddy mode as he celebrated his youngest daughter, Lovely Symphani‘s third birthday on Monday (Jan. 6).
The global superstar — fresh from his shows in South Africa and Brazil — made it to her “under the sea” themed party which saw a slew of family and friends, including his oldest daughter Royalty and her mom. In some clips from the celebratory event, Brown could be seen dancing with guests, giving his daughter kisses, singing happy birthday, playing with his children and flicking it up.
The lavish party featured many attractions such as a giant clam which held a two-tier cake and dessert spread, a live octo-woman character, a real sting ray tank, a giant bouncy house that was big enough for CB to jump in, cotton candy stand, braid station, a curated children’s juice bar, and giant display that read “Lovely 3.”
Chris Brown shares Lovely with Diamond Brown who gave birth in January 2022. He also has a son, Aeko Catori, born in 2019 with Ammika Harris and his eldest daughter Royalty with Nia Guzman-Amey.
Upon having his first child in 2014, Brown spoke on what fatherhood and co-parenting was like for him in 2015. Brown, 26 at the time, told Ryan Seacrest, “So I have a co-parenting job that’s pretty amazing but, you know, learning how to be a dad, especially learning how to take care of somebody else, you know, I barely know how to brush my teeth in the morning!”
He added, “It’s actually great. It’s very humbling. You know, it’s very calming. I think I was a lot, you know, rambunctious, very hyper as a kid but now seeing that 10 times over, my daughter’s kinda like mellowing me out.”
Ahead of Lovely being born, in 2021 Breezy shared heartfelt messages to his son and Royalty on Instagram.
In a photo of himself watching over Aeko, he captioned it: “Catori, I hope Im being the father you love and feel safe at all times with. I’m scared all the time I DONT let you down. I want you to be beautiful to this world and not let it destroy you. I want to show u love is the only thing that matters… forever, daddy.”
To his now 10-year-old, he wrote: “This miracle has kept me In check. I only hope to show her the power of her own mind. Believing is the recipe for manifestation. MY BRIGHTEST ANGEL @missroyaltybrown.”
The global superstar — fresh from his shows in South Africa and Brazil — made it to her “under the sea” themed party which saw a slew of family and friends, including his oldest daughter Royalty and her mom. In some clips from the celebratory event, Brown could be seen dancing with guests, giving his daughter kisses, singing happy birthday, playing with his children and flicking it up.
The lavish party featured many attractions such as a giant clam which held a two-tier cake and dessert spread, a live octo-woman character, a real sting ray tank, a giant bouncy house that was big enough for CB to jump in, cotton candy stand, braid station, a curated children’s juice bar, and giant display that read “Lovely 3.”
Chris Brown shares Lovely with Diamond Brown who gave birth in January 2022. He also has a son, Aeko Catori, born in 2019 with Ammika Harris and his eldest daughter Royalty with Nia Guzman-Amey.
Upon having his first child in 2014, Brown spoke on what fatherhood and co-parenting was like for him in 2015. Brown, 26 at the time, told Ryan Seacrest, “So I have a co-parenting job that’s pretty amazing but, you know, learning how to be a dad, especially learning how to take care of somebody else, you know, I barely know how to brush my teeth in the morning!”
He added, “It’s actually great. It’s very humbling. You know, it’s very calming. I think I was a lot, you know, rambunctious, very hyper as a kid but now seeing that 10 times over, my daughter’s kinda like mellowing me out.”
Ahead of Lovely being born, in 2021 Breezy shared heartfelt messages to his son and Royalty on Instagram.
In a photo of himself watching over Aeko, he captioned it: “Catori, I hope Im being the father you love and feel safe at all times with. I’m scared all the time I DONT let you down. I want you to be beautiful to this world and not let it destroy you. I want to show u love is the only thing that matters… forever, daddy.”
To his now 10-year-old, he wrote: “This miracle has kept me In check. I only hope to show her the power of her own mind. Believing is the recipe for manifestation. MY BRIGHTEST ANGEL @missroyaltybrown.”
Shannon Sharpe distances himself from Bayless amid mounting lawsuit drama
The first week of 2025 has sent shockwaves through the sports media industry as serious allegations surface against prominent television personality Skip Bayless. A lawsuit filed by former Fox Sports hairstylist Noushin Faraji has unveiled troubling claims of workplace misconduct, casting a shadow over one of sports television’s most recognized figures. The timing of these allegations coincides with significant shifts in sports media landscape, where traditional boundaries between professional conduct and personal relationships are increasingly scrutinized.
Behind the allegations
The 42-page legal document presents a detailed account of alleged misconduct spanning nearly 12 years, from 2012 to August 2024. Faraji’s allegations describe a pattern of inappropriate behavior, including unwanted physical contact and a startling monetary proposition. The lawsuit extends beyond Bayless himself, implicating other Fox Sports figures including Joy Taylor and executive vice president Charlie Dixon.
The extensive timeline of alleged incidents raises questions about workplace oversight and reporting mechanisms within major sports networks. Industry experts point to this case as potentially revealing broader systemic issues within sports media organizations, particularly regarding power dynamics and professional boundaries.
The Sharpe connection
The situation takes an unexpected turn with its connection to Shannon Sharpe, the Pro Football Hall of Famer who shared the Undisputed desk with Bayless for seven years. According to the legal filing, Bayless allegedly displayed aggressive behavior when Faraji rejected his advances, even suggesting an inappropriate relationship between her and Sharpe.
This aspect of the lawsuit has drawn particular attention given the well-documented history between Sharpe and Bayless. Their on-air partnership, which ended in 2023, was marked by both memorable debates and occasional tensions. The current situation adds another layer to their complex professional relationship, which has been a subject of media discussion since their split.
Professional response in a digital age
During a recent episode of Night Cap, Sharpe addressed the situation with characteristic directness. His response emphasized personal distance from the controversy while maintaining professional composure. “That has nothing to do with me. There’s nothing to address,” Sharpe stated, highlighting that the 42-page document made no allegations against him personally.
The manner of Sharpe’s response reflects the evolving nature of media personality interactions in the digital age. His approach demonstrates a calculated balance between addressing public interest and maintaining professional boundaries, a skill increasingly necessary in today’s interconnected media landscape.
Workplace culture under scrutiny
The allegations have sparked a broader conversation about workplace dynamics in sports media. The traditionally male-dominated industry faces increasing pressure to address systemic issues regarding professional conduct and gender equality. Industry experts suggest this case could catalyze significant policy changes across major networks.
The lawsuit comes at a time when sports media organizations are already grappling with changing workplace norms and expectations. Recent years have seen increased attention to workplace conduct, particularly regarding interactions between high-profile personalities and support staff. This case may serve as a turning point for how networks approach workplace policy implementation and enforcement.
Future implications
As the legal proceedings unfold, the sports media landscape braces for potential long-term impacts. The situation highlights the delicate balance between personal conduct and professional relationships in high-profile media positions. Networks may need to reevaluate their internal policies and workplace culture to prevent similar situations.
The case also raises questions about the future of sports media personalities and their relationships with production staff. Industry observers note that this could lead to more structured interactions and clearer professional boundaries, potentially changing the dynamic nature of sports television production.
The first week of 2025 has sent shockwaves through the sports media industry as serious allegations surface against prominent television personality Skip Bayless. A lawsuit filed by former Fox Sports hairstylist Noushin Faraji has unveiled troubling claims of workplace misconduct, casting a shadow over one of sports television’s most recognized figures. The timing of these allegations coincides with significant shifts in sports media landscape, where traditional boundaries between professional conduct and personal relationships are increasingly scrutinized.
Behind the allegations
The 42-page legal document presents a detailed account of alleged misconduct spanning nearly 12 years, from 2012 to August 2024. Faraji’s allegations describe a pattern of inappropriate behavior, including unwanted physical contact and a startling monetary proposition. The lawsuit extends beyond Bayless himself, implicating other Fox Sports figures including Joy Taylor and executive vice president Charlie Dixon.
The extensive timeline of alleged incidents raises questions about workplace oversight and reporting mechanisms within major sports networks. Industry experts point to this case as potentially revealing broader systemic issues within sports media organizations, particularly regarding power dynamics and professional boundaries.
The Sharpe connection
The situation takes an unexpected turn with its connection to Shannon Sharpe, the Pro Football Hall of Famer who shared the Undisputed desk with Bayless for seven years. According to the legal filing, Bayless allegedly displayed aggressive behavior when Faraji rejected his advances, even suggesting an inappropriate relationship between her and Sharpe.
This aspect of the lawsuit has drawn particular attention given the well-documented history between Sharpe and Bayless. Their on-air partnership, which ended in 2023, was marked by both memorable debates and occasional tensions. The current situation adds another layer to their complex professional relationship, which has been a subject of media discussion since their split.
Professional response in a digital age
During a recent episode of Night Cap, Sharpe addressed the situation with characteristic directness. His response emphasized personal distance from the controversy while maintaining professional composure. “That has nothing to do with me. There’s nothing to address,” Sharpe stated, highlighting that the 42-page document made no allegations against him personally.
The manner of Sharpe’s response reflects the evolving nature of media personality interactions in the digital age. His approach demonstrates a calculated balance between addressing public interest and maintaining professional boundaries, a skill increasingly necessary in today’s interconnected media landscape.
Workplace culture under scrutiny
The allegations have sparked a broader conversation about workplace dynamics in sports media. The traditionally male-dominated industry faces increasing pressure to address systemic issues regarding professional conduct and gender equality. Industry experts suggest this case could catalyze significant policy changes across major networks.
The lawsuit comes at a time when sports media organizations are already grappling with changing workplace norms and expectations. Recent years have seen increased attention to workplace conduct, particularly regarding interactions between high-profile personalities and support staff. This case may serve as a turning point for how networks approach workplace policy implementation and enforcement.
Future implications
As the legal proceedings unfold, the sports media landscape braces for potential long-term impacts. The situation highlights the delicate balance between personal conduct and professional relationships in high-profile media positions. Networks may need to reevaluate their internal policies and workplace culture to prevent similar situations.
The case also raises questions about the future of sports media personalities and their relationships with production staff. Industry observers note that this could lead to more structured interactions and clearer professional boundaries, potentially changing the dynamic nature of sports television production.
Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka and rapper Cordae break up
Naomi Osaka has informed her tennis fanbase that she has entered 2025 as a single woman. The four-time Grand Slam tennis superstar told her 3 million Instagram followers that she and rapper Cordae Amari Brooks — known professionally as Cordae — have broken up after a six-year relationship. Their union produced their daughter Shai, born in July 2023, whose name means “God’s gift.”
Naomi Osaka said there is no lingering animosity Osaka, 27, assured her fans there is no acrimony between the two despite the split. “No bad blood at all, he’s a great person and an awesome dad,” Osaka penned on IG.
“Honestly really glad our paths crossed because my daughter is my biggest blessing and I was able to grow a lot from our experiences together.”
Naomi Osaka doesn’t want many more children
Osaka suffered health complications during the pregnancy and said the experience was traumatic. In the end, she gave birth to a healthy girl and said that, overall, she and Cordae had “built a really good foundation.”
“At the end of the day, we both want what’s best for Shai,” she said on IG.
Osaka was one of the world’s most formidable players before her pregnancy. She is a former No. 1 player, and she defeated Serena Williams in the 2018 U.S. Open to solidify her status as the world’s best at that time.
Naomi Osaka prepares for the Australian Open
The phenom made her romance with Cordae “Instagram official” in 2019, so being single in 2025 represents another new beginning for Osaka. After returning to tennis in January 2024, Osaka dropped from No. 1 ranking to below 100. She has climbed incrementally in the past year and is currently ranked No. 50 in the world before the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 12.
Naomi Osaka said there is no lingering animosity Osaka, 27, assured her fans there is no acrimony between the two despite the split. “No bad blood at all, he’s a great person and an awesome dad,” Osaka penned on IG.
“Honestly really glad our paths crossed because my daughter is my biggest blessing and I was able to grow a lot from our experiences together.”
Naomi Osaka doesn’t want many more children
Osaka suffered health complications during the pregnancy and said the experience was traumatic. In the end, she gave birth to a healthy girl and said that, overall, she and Cordae had “built a really good foundation.”
“At the end of the day, we both want what’s best for Shai,” she said on IG.
Osaka was one of the world’s most formidable players before her pregnancy. She is a former No. 1 player, and she defeated Serena Williams in the 2018 U.S. Open to solidify her status as the world’s best at that time.
Naomi Osaka prepares for the Australian Open
The phenom made her romance with Cordae “Instagram official” in 2019, so being single in 2025 represents another new beginning for Osaka. After returning to tennis in January 2024, Osaka dropped from No. 1 ranking to below 100. She has climbed incrementally in the past year and is currently ranked No. 50 in the world before the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 12.
Paris Jackson Celebrates 5 Years Being 'Clean And Sober'
Paris Jackson, the only daughter of the late Michael Jackson, is celebrating being “clean and sober” for five years.
On Tuesday, Jackson shared a post on Instagram to mark the empowering milestone.
Dubbing herself an “alcoholic and a heroin addict,” the singer-songwriter captioned her post, “Today marks 5 years clean & sober from all drugs and alcohol. To say that I’m thankful would be a poor euphemism. Gratitude hardly scratches the surface. It’s because I’m sober that I get to smile today.”
Alongside her caption, Jackson included a compilation of footage of herself drinking alcohol and smoking before finishing off the video by showing moments of her singing, playing with her dogs and hanging out with fiancé Justin Long amid her rehabilitation.
She continued in the caption, “I get to make music. I get to experience the joy of loving my dogs and cat.”
Jackson noted that since being sober she’s been able to take in all the emotions life has to offer, including grief, heartbreak and laughter.
“I feel the sun on my skin and it’s warm. I’ve found that life keeps happening regardless of whether I’m sober or not, but today I get to show up for it,” she said. “Here’s a little snapshot of what has been possible because of my sobriety, and my god I can’t believe I almost missed it all.”
At the end of her montage of clips, she shared a touching message to the people who aided her during her sobriety journey.
“To those that helped me on this journey, if only for just the beginning, middle or the whole time so far, you know who you are,” she added. “Thank you. 5 years. THANK GOD.”
Jackson’s 5-million-plus followers showered the “Eyelids” singer with support in the comments section of her post.
“So proud of you sis,” reality star Paris Hilton wrote.
Another person commented, “Congrats! Rooting for your continued success in sobriety.”
“Congratulations only a very strong woman has your courage! You are wonderful!” someone else added.
Paris Jackson, the only daughter of the late Michael Jackson, is celebrating being “clean and sober” for five years.
On Tuesday, Jackson shared a post on Instagram to mark the empowering milestone.
Dubbing herself an “alcoholic and a heroin addict,” the singer-songwriter captioned her post, “Today marks 5 years clean & sober from all drugs and alcohol. To say that I’m thankful would be a poor euphemism. Gratitude hardly scratches the surface. It’s because I’m sober that I get to smile today.”
Alongside her caption, Jackson included a compilation of footage of herself drinking alcohol and smoking before finishing off the video by showing moments of her singing, playing with her dogs and hanging out with fiancé Justin Long amid her rehabilitation.
She continued in the caption, “I get to make music. I get to experience the joy of loving my dogs and cat.”
Jackson noted that since being sober she’s been able to take in all the emotions life has to offer, including grief, heartbreak and laughter.
“I feel the sun on my skin and it’s warm. I’ve found that life keeps happening regardless of whether I’m sober or not, but today I get to show up for it,” she said. “Here’s a little snapshot of what has been possible because of my sobriety, and my god I can’t believe I almost missed it all.”
At the end of her montage of clips, she shared a touching message to the people who aided her during her sobriety journey.
“To those that helped me on this journey, if only for just the beginning, middle or the whole time so far, you know who you are,” she added. “Thank you. 5 years. THANK GOD.”
Jackson’s 5-million-plus followers showered the “Eyelids” singer with support in the comments section of her post.
“So proud of you sis,” reality star Paris Hilton wrote.
Another person commented, “Congrats! Rooting for your continued success in sobriety.”
“Congratulations only a very strong woman has your courage! You are wonderful!” someone else added.
Allison Holker Discovered Stephen “tWitch” Boss' Drug Addiction Days After His Death
Stephen “tWitch” Boss' widow Allison Holker recently opened up about discovering the depth of his drug addiction shortly before he was going to be laid to rest following his death in Dec. 2022.
The 36-year-old recently opened up about how looking into her husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ belongings and journal entries following his suicide in Dec. 2022 helped her gain better insight into how much Stephen had been suffering—including how deep his dependence on drugs really was after she discovered a “cornucopia” of drugs in his closet just days before he’d be laid to rest.
"I was with one of my really dear friends, and we were cleaning out the closet and picking out an outfit for him for the funeral," Allison told People in an interview published Jan. 7, noting she found mushrooms, pills and other drugs she didn’t recognize without the help of the internet. "It was a really triggering moment for me because there were a lot of things I discovered in our closet that I did not know existed. It was very alarming to me to learn that there was so much happening that I had no clue [about].”
She continued, "It was a really scary moment in my life to figure that out, but it also helped me process that he was going through so much and he was hiding so much, and there must have been a lot of shame in that."
Allison also shared that throughout her nine years married to Stephen—with whom she shared kids Weslie, 16, Maddox, 8, and Zaia, 5—the pair had been open about his marijuana use, which he would smoke in their guest house after the kids went to bed. It is also where he would drink, she said, noting, “That was his alone time. It was his time to recharge, and that was okay.”
But it was only after she began digging into her husband’s secrets that she realized how much he’d been keeping to himself, including allusions in his journals that he’d been sexually abused by a male figure in his childhood.
"He was wrestling with a lot inside himself, and he was trying to self-medicate and cope with all those feelings because he didn't want to put it on anyone because he loved everyone so much," Allison said of her late husband. "He didn't want other people to take on his pain."
And while she admitted experiencing feelings of betrayal, her perspective ultimately shifted.
"Reading Stephen's journals, and even going back into the books he had read and the things that he was highlighting and lining, really gave me a better perspective of where he was in life and the type of things he was struggling with," she explained. "It did have me feel a lot of empathy towards him and sadness for all the pain that he was holding."
Allison also leaned on loved ones at this time, who helped her work through her discoveries and feelings.
"It was really hard to put all the pieces together,” she admitted. “Through certain discussions, even with friends and things that have been said, reading through his journals ... you realize he went through a lot as a child and never faced it.”
She added, “It's hard to think that he never opened up to someone and wanted to face it, to get through on the other side. I really hope people dealing with the same thing will help themselves out of the shadows and [know] you're going to be okay."
It’s that desire to help others that also encouraged the dancer to write her memoir This Far, which publishes Feb. 4.
"I've been so fortunate to have resources that have helped me that I've now teamed up with," she explained. "I've learned there's so many other resources that a lot of people don't know about. I've had so many people reach out to me needing to talk, and if I've learned anything, I've learned that mental health can impact anyone at any time of their life.”
She added, “People that have a lot of light, they still have gone through a lot of dark. And that's okay because you can't have one without the other."
The 36-year-old recently opened up about how looking into her husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ belongings and journal entries following his suicide in Dec. 2022 helped her gain better insight into how much Stephen had been suffering—including how deep his dependence on drugs really was after she discovered a “cornucopia” of drugs in his closet just days before he’d be laid to rest.
"I was with one of my really dear friends, and we were cleaning out the closet and picking out an outfit for him for the funeral," Allison told People in an interview published Jan. 7, noting she found mushrooms, pills and other drugs she didn’t recognize without the help of the internet. "It was a really triggering moment for me because there were a lot of things I discovered in our closet that I did not know existed. It was very alarming to me to learn that there was so much happening that I had no clue [about].”
She continued, "It was a really scary moment in my life to figure that out, but it also helped me process that he was going through so much and he was hiding so much, and there must have been a lot of shame in that."
Allison also shared that throughout her nine years married to Stephen—with whom she shared kids Weslie, 16, Maddox, 8, and Zaia, 5—the pair had been open about his marijuana use, which he would smoke in their guest house after the kids went to bed. It is also where he would drink, she said, noting, “That was his alone time. It was his time to recharge, and that was okay.”
But it was only after she began digging into her husband’s secrets that she realized how much he’d been keeping to himself, including allusions in his journals that he’d been sexually abused by a male figure in his childhood.
"He was wrestling with a lot inside himself, and he was trying to self-medicate and cope with all those feelings because he didn't want to put it on anyone because he loved everyone so much," Allison said of her late husband. "He didn't want other people to take on his pain."
And while she admitted experiencing feelings of betrayal, her perspective ultimately shifted.
"Reading Stephen's journals, and even going back into the books he had read and the things that he was highlighting and lining, really gave me a better perspective of where he was in life and the type of things he was struggling with," she explained. "It did have me feel a lot of empathy towards him and sadness for all the pain that he was holding."
Allison also leaned on loved ones at this time, who helped her work through her discoveries and feelings.
"It was really hard to put all the pieces together,” she admitted. “Through certain discussions, even with friends and things that have been said, reading through his journals ... you realize he went through a lot as a child and never faced it.”
She added, “It's hard to think that he never opened up to someone and wanted to face it, to get through on the other side. I really hope people dealing with the same thing will help themselves out of the shadows and [know] you're going to be okay."
It’s that desire to help others that also encouraged the dancer to write her memoir This Far, which publishes Feb. 4.
"I've been so fortunate to have resources that have helped me that I've now teamed up with," she explained. "I've learned there's so many other resources that a lot of people don't know about. I've had so many people reach out to me needing to talk, and if I've learned anything, I've learned that mental health can impact anyone at any time of their life.”
She added, “People that have a lot of light, they still have gone through a lot of dark. And that's okay because you can't have one without the other."
IS THIS IS A WICKED FEUD? Wicked fans suspect Cynthia Erivo’s girlfriend Lena Waithe ‘can’t stand’ Ariana Grande after spotting ‘clues’
On Sunday night, Cynthia and her girlfriend Lena were sitting beside one another at the Golden Globes, with Ariana also in attendance.
Cynthia, who plays Elphaba in Wicked, has formed a very close bond with Ariana, who plays Glinda in the hit movie after they worked on the flick together for several months.
Fans now reckon they've uncovered a secret feud between Cynthia's girlfriend Lena, and her co-star Ariana, after some telltale clues from the Golden Globes.
One TikTok user has gone into detail in a viral video about the trio, while other fans have shared clues online that they've picked up on.
"Ship is so good, it's got the other person's partner worried," the TikToker said in the viral video.
"So apparently, according to the grapevine, the grapevine being the internet, Lena Waithe, who is Cynthia Erivo's partner, has been making some kind of cryptic post," the TikTok user explained.
They then showcased a photo edit of Paul Mescal and Ariana Grande, which was shared by Lena, where Paul says: "I'm watching you guys in the press tour..." to which Ariana responds: "Insufferable, yes".
The TikToker then explained that Lena shared another photo of Ariana photobombing somebody on the red carpet.
They then spoke of how Ariana shared a snap of Cynthia where they could be seen hugging as she branded her "sister", before showing off a post that Cynthia shared once where she said Lena was her "sister".
Then, the TikToker shared a screenshot of Lena's story from when she shared a quote about "maturity in a relationship" and "creating a false story" based on "inner tension".
Ariana Grande denies fox eye operation as she reveals which surgery she would be open to
Commenting on the viral TikTok video, one person said: "Oh this is messy."
Another then added: "I didn't know this was happening and now im giggling."
While a third penned: "Waitttt this is tea."
On Reddit, in response to the TikTok video and speculation, one person said: "This was my pop culture prediction for 2025 in another thread, didn’t think it would come true so early."
Ariana Grande has bagged a starring role in Wicked, set to be released in November 2024, but it's not her first time on the big screen.
Then, reacting to a photo from the Golden Globes where Ariana and Cynthia can be seen laughing and Lena is seen looking more stoic, an X user said: "Ariana and Cynthia just laughing in her face. Somebody pray for Lena Waithe I won't but somebody probably should."
And when the seating plan was shared on social media before the Golden Globes, one person on X said, "Lena sitting between Ariana & Cynthia," complete with a crying emoji.
To which someone replied: "Messy as hell," while another person said: "They’re about to be leaning over Lena to talk and laugh all night."
But it seems that the seating plan was scrapped, because in the snap of the trio sitting at a round table while at the glitzy event, Lena was sat beside Cynthia who was sitting next to Ariana.
On Sunday night, Cynthia and her girlfriend Lena were sitting beside one another at the Golden Globes, with Ariana also in attendance.
Cynthia, who plays Elphaba in Wicked, has formed a very close bond with Ariana, who plays Glinda in the hit movie after they worked on the flick together for several months.
Fans now reckon they've uncovered a secret feud between Cynthia's girlfriend Lena, and her co-star Ariana, after some telltale clues from the Golden Globes.
One TikTok user has gone into detail in a viral video about the trio, while other fans have shared clues online that they've picked up on.
"Ship is so good, it's got the other person's partner worried," the TikToker said in the viral video.
"So apparently, according to the grapevine, the grapevine being the internet, Lena Waithe, who is Cynthia Erivo's partner, has been making some kind of cryptic post," the TikTok user explained.
They then showcased a photo edit of Paul Mescal and Ariana Grande, which was shared by Lena, where Paul says: "I'm watching you guys in the press tour..." to which Ariana responds: "Insufferable, yes".
The TikToker then explained that Lena shared another photo of Ariana photobombing somebody on the red carpet.
They then spoke of how Ariana shared a snap of Cynthia where they could be seen hugging as she branded her "sister", before showing off a post that Cynthia shared once where she said Lena was her "sister".
Then, the TikToker shared a screenshot of Lena's story from when she shared a quote about "maturity in a relationship" and "creating a false story" based on "inner tension".
Ariana Grande denies fox eye operation as she reveals which surgery she would be open to
Commenting on the viral TikTok video, one person said: "Oh this is messy."
Another then added: "I didn't know this was happening and now im giggling."
While a third penned: "Waitttt this is tea."
On Reddit, in response to the TikTok video and speculation, one person said: "This was my pop culture prediction for 2025 in another thread, didn’t think it would come true so early."
Ariana Grande has bagged a starring role in Wicked, set to be released in November 2024, but it's not her first time on the big screen.
Then, reacting to a photo from the Golden Globes where Ariana and Cynthia can be seen laughing and Lena is seen looking more stoic, an X user said: "Ariana and Cynthia just laughing in her face. Somebody pray for Lena Waithe I won't but somebody probably should."
And when the seating plan was shared on social media before the Golden Globes, one person on X said, "Lena sitting between Ariana & Cynthia," complete with a crying emoji.
To which someone replied: "Messy as hell," while another person said: "They’re about to be leaning over Lena to talk and laugh all night."
But it seems that the seating plan was scrapped, because in the snap of the trio sitting at a round table while at the glitzy event, Lena was sat beside Cynthia who was sitting next to Ariana.
Janet Jackson Celebrates Her Son’s Eighth Birthday
Janet Jackson‘s son, Eissa, received a heartfelt message from his superstar mom for his birthday. Eissa, who Jackson shares with ex-husband Wissam Al Mana, turned eight on Jan.3. The “Rhythm Nation” singer hopped on Instagram to share the moment with her fans as she gave Eissa the sweetest tribute.
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“Hi, sweetheart; I just want to say that I’m so proud of you and the young man you’re becoming. You are so creative, you are so kind, you are so loving, and you are really smart,” Jackson says in a short video. “You’re so talented, [and] you’re very brilliant baby, and I’m so proud of you and proud to be your mama. I love you so much; happy eighth birthday. I love you, baby.”
“Hi, sweetheart; I just want to say that I’m so proud of you and the young man you’re becoming. You are so creative, you are so kind, you are so loving, and you are really smart,” Jackson says in a short video. “You’re so talented, [and] you’re very brilliant baby, and I’m so proud of you and proud to be your mama. I love you so much; happy eighth birthday. I love you, baby.”
Warrant Request for Nicki Minaj Denied by Prosecutor’s Office
Nicki Minaj has secured a minor victory in her ongoing legal dispute with a former employee. Last week, Minaj (real name Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty) was accused of assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress in a civil lawsuit filed by her ex-manager.
Although Minaj (through her legal representation) vehemently denies Brandon Garrett’s claims that did not stop local law enforcement from getting involved. Shortly after the case gained steam, the Detroit Police department supposedly filed for a warrant for Nicki Minaj’s arrest. However, according to TMZ, that request has officially been denied by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. But Minaj isn’t in the clear just yet.
A law enforcement force told the outlet that even though the request was denied due to “insufficient evidence,” the matter is still being investigated. Officers have begun to look into the details surrounding the claims in order to gather proper evidence.
Garrett claimed that on April 20, 2024, backstage of Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 World Tour stop at Little Caesars Arena she struck “him on the right side of his face with an open hand” and later his right wrist. Officers are allegedly searching for materials to substantiate his allegation. If evidence is found, they will refile the paperwork with the updated supporting evidence.
Judd Burstein, Nicki Minaj’s lawyer, denies Garrett’s allegations. “It is completely false and frivolous,” he said in a statement to the outlet. “We are confident that the matter brought by this ex assistant will be resolved swiftly in Mrs. Petty’s favor.”
Although Minaj (through her legal representation) vehemently denies Brandon Garrett’s claims that did not stop local law enforcement from getting involved. Shortly after the case gained steam, the Detroit Police department supposedly filed for a warrant for Nicki Minaj’s arrest. However, according to TMZ, that request has officially been denied by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. But Minaj isn’t in the clear just yet.
A law enforcement force told the outlet that even though the request was denied due to “insufficient evidence,” the matter is still being investigated. Officers have begun to look into the details surrounding the claims in order to gather proper evidence.
Garrett claimed that on April 20, 2024, backstage of Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 World Tour stop at Little Caesars Arena she struck “him on the right side of his face with an open hand” and later his right wrist. Officers are allegedly searching for materials to substantiate his allegation. If evidence is found, they will refile the paperwork with the updated supporting evidence.
Judd Burstein, Nicki Minaj’s lawyer, denies Garrett’s allegations. “It is completely false and frivolous,” he said in a statement to the outlet. “We are confident that the matter brought by this ex assistant will be resolved swiftly in Mrs. Petty’s favor.”
Hulk Hogan Met With Loud Boos On His Return To WWE's 'Raw'
The wrestling world was abuzz as WWE made its highly anticipated debut on Netflix with the January 6 episode of "Monday Night Raw." However, while the collaboration between WWE and the streaming giant was a hit, not every returning legend received a hero's welcome. Hulk Hogan's appearance stood out for all the wrong reasons.
Once one of the most celebrated figures in WWE history, Hogan made a surprise entrance midway through the show. Accompanied by his classic walk-out song "Real American" and his longtime ally Jimmy Heart, Hogan aimed to promote his Real American Beer brand. Yet, the reception from the crowd at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles was anything but warm, with boos echoing throughout the arena.
One audience member, who shared a video of Hogan's entrance on X, wrote, "Watching Hulk Hogan get annihilated with boos while trying to sell his ripoff Bud Light beer was effing IN-CREDIBLE. And I grew up a Hulkamaniac."
This icy reception can be traced back to Hogan's controversial past. Originally rising to fame in the early '80s, Hogan faced scrutiny when a tape from 2007 emerged, revealing him using a racial slur. In response, WWE cut him from their Hall of Fame in 2015, only to reinstate him three years later.
More recently, Hogan has drawn further ire by becoming a vocal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, even speaking at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden.
Ironically, Hogan's speech during "Monday Night Raw" focused on partnership and unity. "In the past, I've had a whole bunch of partners down the line," Hogan began. "The greatest partner the WWE has ever had, is the fact that tonight, we're making history, and the WWE has tag teamed up with Netflix, the greatest tag team partner of all time."
His attempt to align WWE's new partnership with Netflix to his own storied history in wrestling fell flat with the audience.
Contrasting Hogan's reception, other WWE legends were met with applause and excitement. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson opened the show and later appeared alongside his cousin Roman Reigns.
John Cena also appeared at the event, announcing his 2025 retirement tour and his participation in the upcoming Royal Rumble. The Undertaker was in attendance as well, congratulating Rhea Ripley on her championship win over Liv Morgan.
In the female department, retired fighter Nikki Bella graced the red carpet, making her first red carpet event since her bitter divorce from Artem Chigvintsev in 2024.
Aside from these iconic appearances, the night featured intense matches with Jey Uso defeating Drew McIntyre and CM Punk coming out on top against Seth Rollins in the main event.
This debut on Netflix marks a new chapter for WWE as it aims to reach younger audiences through the popular streaming platform. Yet, as the mixed reactions to Hogan's appearance demonstrate, not all past legends are embraced with the same fondness in today's wrestling community.
Once one of the most celebrated figures in WWE history, Hogan made a surprise entrance midway through the show. Accompanied by his classic walk-out song "Real American" and his longtime ally Jimmy Heart, Hogan aimed to promote his Real American Beer brand. Yet, the reception from the crowd at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles was anything but warm, with boos echoing throughout the arena.
One audience member, who shared a video of Hogan's entrance on X, wrote, "Watching Hulk Hogan get annihilated with boos while trying to sell his ripoff Bud Light beer was effing IN-CREDIBLE. And I grew up a Hulkamaniac."
This icy reception can be traced back to Hogan's controversial past. Originally rising to fame in the early '80s, Hogan faced scrutiny when a tape from 2007 emerged, revealing him using a racial slur. In response, WWE cut him from their Hall of Fame in 2015, only to reinstate him three years later.
More recently, Hogan has drawn further ire by becoming a vocal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, even speaking at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden.
Ironically, Hogan's speech during "Monday Night Raw" focused on partnership and unity. "In the past, I've had a whole bunch of partners down the line," Hogan began. "The greatest partner the WWE has ever had, is the fact that tonight, we're making history, and the WWE has tag teamed up with Netflix, the greatest tag team partner of all time."
His attempt to align WWE's new partnership with Netflix to his own storied history in wrestling fell flat with the audience.
Contrasting Hogan's reception, other WWE legends were met with applause and excitement. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson opened the show and later appeared alongside his cousin Roman Reigns.
John Cena also appeared at the event, announcing his 2025 retirement tour and his participation in the upcoming Royal Rumble. The Undertaker was in attendance as well, congratulating Rhea Ripley on her championship win over Liv Morgan.
In the female department, retired fighter Nikki Bella graced the red carpet, making her first red carpet event since her bitter divorce from Artem Chigvintsev in 2024.
Aside from these iconic appearances, the night featured intense matches with Jey Uso defeating Drew McIntyre and CM Punk coming out on top against Seth Rollins in the main event.
This debut on Netflix marks a new chapter for WWE as it aims to reach younger audiences through the popular streaming platform. Yet, as the mixed reactions to Hogan's appearance demonstrate, not all past legends are embraced with the same fondness in today's wrestling community.
Keke Palmer Kisses Woman, Parties With Ex Darius Jackson After Abuse Claim
Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson have sparked reconciliation rumors after spotted partying together. The reunion came more than a year after their messy split in 2023.
The couple, who welcomed a son together, decided to part ways just a few months after the baby's arrival. Their break-up was not without its complications, as some online drama ensued when Jackson criticized Palmer for an outfit she wore to an Usher concert.
The situation escalated in November of 2023 when Palmer took legal action, filing a restraining order against Jackson and accusing him of domestic violence. In a twist, Jackson countered these allegations the following month, accusing Palmer of being the "primary aggressor" and engaging in abusive behaviors. Despite the serious nature of their accusations, they ultimately chose to settle the matter outside of court.
A year since their dispute, two appeared to be on much better terms now. A recent video clip shows Palmer and Jackson hanging out at a house party with Christmas decorations in the background. Palmer clearly had a blast, dancing and kissing one of the women on the lips.
The clip prompted mixed reactions among fans. While some supporters are relieved to see a semblance of harmony for the sake of their son, others remain skeptical as they brought up their bitter breakup.
Speculation about the nature of Palmer and Jackson's relationship has been ongoing. Back in August, rumors of a potential reconciliation began swirling when the two were seen together at a zoo outing with their son.
An Instagram post from Leodis' account, featuring the trio together, sparked widespread curiosity. The caption read, "I had a fun day at the zoo! I'm grateful. Hope you guys had a good weekend," but neither Palmer nor Jackson made any direct comments about their status at the time.
For now, whether Palmer and Jackson are simply co-parents or have rekindled their romantic relationship remains unclear. What is apparent, however, is their effort to maintain a cooperative dynamic for the well-being of their son. As the public watches their story unfold, the hope is that both can find a peaceful, nurturing environment for their family.
The couple, who welcomed a son together, decided to part ways just a few months after the baby's arrival. Their break-up was not without its complications, as some online drama ensued when Jackson criticized Palmer for an outfit she wore to an Usher concert.
The situation escalated in November of 2023 when Palmer took legal action, filing a restraining order against Jackson and accusing him of domestic violence. In a twist, Jackson countered these allegations the following month, accusing Palmer of being the "primary aggressor" and engaging in abusive behaviors. Despite the serious nature of their accusations, they ultimately chose to settle the matter outside of court.
A year since their dispute, two appeared to be on much better terms now. A recent video clip shows Palmer and Jackson hanging out at a house party with Christmas decorations in the background. Palmer clearly had a blast, dancing and kissing one of the women on the lips.
The clip prompted mixed reactions among fans. While some supporters are relieved to see a semblance of harmony for the sake of their son, others remain skeptical as they brought up their bitter breakup.
Speculation about the nature of Palmer and Jackson's relationship has been ongoing. Back in August, rumors of a potential reconciliation began swirling when the two were seen together at a zoo outing with their son.
An Instagram post from Leodis' account, featuring the trio together, sparked widespread curiosity. The caption read, "I had a fun day at the zoo! I'm grateful. Hope you guys had a good weekend," but neither Palmer nor Jackson made any direct comments about their status at the time.
For now, whether Palmer and Jackson are simply co-parents or have rekindled their romantic relationship remains unclear. What is apparent, however, is their effort to maintain a cooperative dynamic for the well-being of their son. As the public watches their story unfold, the hope is that both can find a peaceful, nurturing environment for their family.
Meredith Vieira Mourns The Loss Of Her Husband Richard Cohen
Veteran journalist Richard Cohen, who's married to former "Today" anchor Meredith Vieira, has left an inspirational mark after battling multiple sclerosis for over half a century. He passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 76, surrounded by the warmth and love of his family.
Richard Cohen's long and arduous struggle with multiple sclerosis (MS) began early. Diagnosed at 25, Cohen faced not only the challenges that came with the chronic disease but also two cancer diagnoses during his lifetime.
As a figure in the media industry, his personal battles were often brought to the public's attention, garnering respect, inspiration, and admiration for his resilience and honesty.
On Tuesday, January 7, the "Today" show confirmed Cohen's passing, with co-host Hoda Kotb noting, "He was surrounded by his family and love" at the end, including his wife of 38 years, Meredith Vieira, and their children: Benjamin, 36, Gabriel, 34, and Lily, 32.
Reflecting on Cohen's final days, Kotb mentioned that the family had gathered around Thanksgiving, fearing it might be their last moments together. Instead, they treasured a "glorious month with their dad."
The love and bond shared by Cohen and Vieira were truly unique. Vieira, a renowned journalist and television personality herself, stood steadfastly by Cohen's side throughout their journey together. Their mutual support and humor helped them face trials head-on.
Vieira recalled their early days, admitting that Cohen disclosed his MS diagnosis on their second date. "I told her about the illness, because I sort of learned the hard way to get it on the table," Cohen had shared in a 2019 interview with Yahoo Life.
Vieira's response was unwavering. "I've always been of the school of thought that you could get hit by a bus the next day, any one of us could," she said. "It certainly wasn't enough to scare me off." Over the following decades, their relationship was a testimony to shared strength and unyielding support.
Meredith Vieira's own career adjustments were made with her family's needs in mind. Initially a co-host on "The View", she transitioned to "Today" in 2006 before stepping away from the show in 2011 to spend more time with Cohen and their children. On air, she poignantly remarked, "You can never get enough of [time], and it just keeps ticking away."
Cohen's journey through life was a mixture of immense challenges and remarkable hope. Despite MS leaving him legally blind towards the end, he persisted with a spirit that defied his physical limitations.
In one of his literary works, he expressed the intricacies of hope and his desire for "a long-term relationship with hope." He described his realization that hope was not merely a crutch but something essential, as observed from various perspectives during his research for his book "Chasing Hope."
Richard Cohen's story is more than one of struggle; it's a tale of an enduring love that persevered through countless adversities. His candidness about dealing with chronic illness and his keen sense of humor have left a lasting legacy, both in his family and among the many who looked up to him.
Richard Cohen's long and arduous struggle with multiple sclerosis (MS) began early. Diagnosed at 25, Cohen faced not only the challenges that came with the chronic disease but also two cancer diagnoses during his lifetime.
As a figure in the media industry, his personal battles were often brought to the public's attention, garnering respect, inspiration, and admiration for his resilience and honesty.
On Tuesday, January 7, the "Today" show confirmed Cohen's passing, with co-host Hoda Kotb noting, "He was surrounded by his family and love" at the end, including his wife of 38 years, Meredith Vieira, and their children: Benjamin, 36, Gabriel, 34, and Lily, 32.
Reflecting on Cohen's final days, Kotb mentioned that the family had gathered around Thanksgiving, fearing it might be their last moments together. Instead, they treasured a "glorious month with their dad."
The love and bond shared by Cohen and Vieira were truly unique. Vieira, a renowned journalist and television personality herself, stood steadfastly by Cohen's side throughout their journey together. Their mutual support and humor helped them face trials head-on.
Vieira recalled their early days, admitting that Cohen disclosed his MS diagnosis on their second date. "I told her about the illness, because I sort of learned the hard way to get it on the table," Cohen had shared in a 2019 interview with Yahoo Life.
Vieira's response was unwavering. "I've always been of the school of thought that you could get hit by a bus the next day, any one of us could," she said. "It certainly wasn't enough to scare me off." Over the following decades, their relationship was a testimony to shared strength and unyielding support.
Meredith Vieira's own career adjustments were made with her family's needs in mind. Initially a co-host on "The View", she transitioned to "Today" in 2006 before stepping away from the show in 2011 to spend more time with Cohen and their children. On air, she poignantly remarked, "You can never get enough of [time], and it just keeps ticking away."
Cohen's journey through life was a mixture of immense challenges and remarkable hope. Despite MS leaving him legally blind towards the end, he persisted with a spirit that defied his physical limitations.
In one of his literary works, he expressed the intricacies of hope and his desire for "a long-term relationship with hope." He described his realization that hope was not merely a crutch but something essential, as observed from various perspectives during his research for his book "Chasing Hope."
Richard Cohen's story is more than one of struggle; it's a tale of an enduring love that persevered through countless adversities. His candidness about dealing with chronic illness and his keen sense of humor have left a lasting legacy, both in his family and among the many who looked up to him.
Will Smith shares mysterious message regarding ‘The Matrix’
On Monday (Jan. 6), Will Smith decided to leave the world in suspense with his latest post on social media. Taking to Instagram, the rapper-actor shared a cryptic message regarding 1999’s The Matrix, which he was meant to star in before going in a different direction.
“In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo... Smith turned it down. He chose Wild Wild West, believing it was a better fit for him at the time,” the caption read, mentioning the directors behind The Matrix and its sequels. “But the question remains: What would [it] have been like with Will Smith as Neo?”
“Wake up, Will,” it closed as ominous music became progressively louder in the background. “The Matrix has you...” Notably, his longtime partner, Jada Pinkett Smith, eventually ended up in the iconic series as freedom fighter Niobe.
Back in 2019, Smith detailed his opportunity to appear in the iconic franchise, which to date produced four blockbusters. “The Wachowskis... came in and had only done like one movie. I think it was called Bound,” he said. “They came in and made a pitch for The Matrix. As it turns out, they’re geniuses. But there is a fine line in a pitch meeting between genius and what I experienced in the meeting.” The pitch in question was centered around the now-famous “bullet time” effect, which saw cameras panning around Neo and other characters in a 360-degree sequence.
Smith regretted his decision to turn down The Matrix for Wild Wild West, which ended up being a critical and commercial failure. “I’m not proud of it,” he admitted. Ultimately, he felt that Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and the rest of the cast were great choices. “If I had done it, ‘cause I’m Black, then Morpheus wouldn’t have been Black ‘cause they were looking at Val Kilmer [for that role],” he explained before humorously stating, “I probably would’ve messed The Matrix up. I would’ve ruined it. So, I did y’all a favor.”
“In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo... Smith turned it down. He chose Wild Wild West, believing it was a better fit for him at the time,” the caption read, mentioning the directors behind The Matrix and its sequels. “But the question remains: What would [it] have been like with Will Smith as Neo?”
“Wake up, Will,” it closed as ominous music became progressively louder in the background. “The Matrix has you...” Notably, his longtime partner, Jada Pinkett Smith, eventually ended up in the iconic series as freedom fighter Niobe.
Back in 2019, Smith detailed his opportunity to appear in the iconic franchise, which to date produced four blockbusters. “The Wachowskis... came in and had only done like one movie. I think it was called Bound,” he said. “They came in and made a pitch for The Matrix. As it turns out, they’re geniuses. But there is a fine line in a pitch meeting between genius and what I experienced in the meeting.” The pitch in question was centered around the now-famous “bullet time” effect, which saw cameras panning around Neo and other characters in a 360-degree sequence.
Smith regretted his decision to turn down The Matrix for Wild Wild West, which ended up being a critical and commercial failure. “I’m not proud of it,” he admitted. Ultimately, he felt that Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and the rest of the cast were great choices. “If I had done it, ‘cause I’m Black, then Morpheus wouldn’t have been Black ‘cause they were looking at Val Kilmer [for that role],” he explained before humorously stating, “I probably would’ve messed The Matrix up. I would’ve ruined it. So, I did y’all a favor.”
Vice President Kamala Harris announces new regulation to assist families with medical debt
On Tuesday (Jan. 7), Vice President Kamala Harris announced a new regulation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to remove medical debt from all consumer credit reports. This decision marks a significant step in addressing the financial challenges posed by outstanding bills for scores of United States citizens.
“No one should be denied economic opportunity because they got sick or experienced a medical emergency,” she expressed in a White House press release. “Today, we are building on this meaningful work by announcing an unprecedented final rule that will make it so medical debt is no longer included in your credit score. This will be life-changing for millions of families, making it easier for them to be approved for a car loan, a home loan or a small-business loan. As someone who has spent my entire career fighting to protect consumers and lower medical bills, I know that our historic rule will help more Americans save money, build wealth and thrive.”
The CFPB estimated that this rule will remove $49 billion in medical debt currently reflected on credit reports, which will positively affect 15 million people within the country. The decision also builds on broader efforts by President Joe Biden’s administration, including the utilization of American Rescue Plan funds by states and localities to forgive over $1 billion in unpaid bills for more than 700,000 individuals. It added that, currently, “Jurisdictions are on track to eliminate roughly $15 billion in medical debt for up to nearly 6 million Americans.”
The announcement further explained how medical debt is not always a reflection of someone’s financial responsibility. “[It] is not like other forms of debt because it is often the result of unavoidable medical complications,” it explained before continuing, “Medical bills often contain significant errors, such as inflated or duplicative charges and fees for services never received or already paid.”
“No one should be denied economic opportunity because they got sick or experienced a medical emergency,” she expressed in a White House press release. “Today, we are building on this meaningful work by announcing an unprecedented final rule that will make it so medical debt is no longer included in your credit score. This will be life-changing for millions of families, making it easier for them to be approved for a car loan, a home loan or a small-business loan. As someone who has spent my entire career fighting to protect consumers and lower medical bills, I know that our historic rule will help more Americans save money, build wealth and thrive.”
The CFPB estimated that this rule will remove $49 billion in medical debt currently reflected on credit reports, which will positively affect 15 million people within the country. The decision also builds on broader efforts by President Joe Biden’s administration, including the utilization of American Rescue Plan funds by states and localities to forgive over $1 billion in unpaid bills for more than 700,000 individuals. It added that, currently, “Jurisdictions are on track to eliminate roughly $15 billion in medical debt for up to nearly 6 million Americans.”
The announcement further explained how medical debt is not always a reflection of someone’s financial responsibility. “[It] is not like other forms of debt because it is often the result of unavoidable medical complications,” it explained before continuing, “Medical bills often contain significant errors, such as inflated or duplicative charges and fees for services never received or already paid.”
President-Elect Donald Trump Reveals Plan To Rename The Gulf Of Mexico To ‘Gulf Of America’: ‘We Do Most Of The Work There, It’s Ours’
In a statement earlier today (Jan. 7), the President-elect revealed his plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” claiming that Mexico has been taking advantage of the U.S. on trade and immigration issues.
Speaking at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump stated:
“We’re going to be announcing soon that we’ll be changing — because we do most of the work there, and it’s ours…We’ll be renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring to it.”
Trump noted that the Gulf, which has appeared on maps since the 1500s and spans over half a million square miles, covers a vast territory and that the new name is “appropriate.”
His remarks came as he expressed frustration over the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico and Canada, even threatening tariffs on both countries.
Trump also described Mexico as a “very dangerous place” and suggested Canada merge with the U.S. after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation.
In a statement earlier today (Jan. 7), the President-elect revealed his plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” claiming that Mexico has been taking advantage of the U.S. on trade and immigration issues.
Speaking at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump stated:
“We’re going to be announcing soon that we’ll be changing — because we do most of the work there, and it’s ours…We’ll be renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring to it.”
Trump noted that the Gulf, which has appeared on maps since the 1500s and spans over half a million square miles, covers a vast territory and that the new name is “appropriate.”
His remarks came as he expressed frustration over the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico and Canada, even threatening tariffs on both countries.
Trump also described Mexico as a “very dangerous place” and suggested Canada merge with the U.S. after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Cough Medicine
Even A Transformer Needs Some Cough Medicine Sometimes
EVENING GOODIES: Meet Carlos
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