#FASHIONFILES: Zendaya for Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami Capsule Collection Ad Campaign
Personifying the vivacious spirit of the re-edition collection in a kaleidoscopic campaign, House Ambassador Zendaya showcases the iconic designs by artist Takashi Murakami.
Louis Vuitton x Murakami
Two decades after the iconic collaboration with Takashi Murakami, the House presents a striking re-edition featuring the exuberant designs of the renowned Japanese artist. At the intersection of past and present, the collection invigorates Louis Vuitton signatures with a playful flair, reviving the essence of Y2K pop culture.
Personifying the vivacious spirit of the re-edition collection in a kaleidoscopic campaign, House Ambassador Zendaya showcases the iconic designs by artist Takashi Murakami.
Two decades after the iconic collaboration with Takashi Murakami, the House presents a striking re-edition featuring the exuberant designs of the renowned Japanese artist. At the intersection of past and present, the collection invigorates Louis Vuitton signatures with a playful flair, reviving the essence of Y2K pop culture.
#RHOP: The Real Housewives of Potomac Recap: Woe is Mia
I am a person who loves an agenda, plan, or template – something that gives a clear picture of where we are at present, where we need to go, and our plan to get there. Give me a goal and a map to study, and then we can work spontaneity into our journey toward that goal. It’s a big part of what resonates for me about reality TV: while the show is technically unscripted, there is a formula to the storytelling, and the magic is found in the organic moments in between those coordinated points. Despite every cast member’s carefully laid plans, there is always a moment when their curated mask falls and we get an unexpected raw insight into their real emotions, motivations, or frustrations.
That said, as we begin our descent into the back half of this season of Potomac – one that, despite its failings, is still a significant improvement over the months-long humiliation ritual that was season 8 — I find myself a little lost in the weeds of the women’s stories. Some things are completely out of production’s control: They could not have possibly predicted that Karen’s DUI would go to a jury trial as the season was airing, rendering her storyline effectively moot and increasingly embarrassing with each passing episode. But even beyond Karen’s massive humbling (I keep looking at her in that crimped blonde wig in Panama and wondering if it’s the same unit that was fried and laid to the side in that bodycam footage), there are some glaring gaps in the women’s arcs that are making this season feel choppy, unfinished, and a bit incoherent.
The most blatant example of this is Keiarna, who has been transitioned into a pivotal part of the cast after production sent Jassi upstairs into the ether like Judy Winslow on Family Matters. Keiarna is an undeniably stunning woman who seems to be doing quite fine for herself, but we are 13 episodes into the season and only just now finding out that her and Greg started dating only a month after his divorce was finalized and are building a house together; she is also suing Deborah, which we knew because the Bravo bloggers covered it in real time. This information is all well and good, but none of this has been fleshed out in a way that makes me curious to see more of Keiarna’s life. She runs a spa, helps out her man at work, and is waiting for a ring; you can find 30 women in the exact same circumstances at a U Street happy hour in DC. For now, her story in its totality seems less than the sum of its parts, and I am struggling to understand why she was upgraded from friend of; perhaps they thought we would care more about the fallout of the Keiarna-Deborah conflict, but Deborah was clearly in the wrong so there is simply not much to discuss.
While the lack of connective tissue in Keiarna’s story is hard to ignore, she’s far from an anomaly in this cast. Gizelle hasn’t talked about much beyond sending her kids to college and grieving her father, all in passing; Ashley is out of ways to talk about a separation that is taking as long as Brad and Angelina’s split; Wendy has invented so many new ways to remind us that it’s her 40th birthday that Party City shut down in protest. They can’t pay me enough to care about Stacey Facetiming TJ with his shirt off, and Jassi seems to be perfectly fine accepting her new future as a stepmother so there is simply nothing to discuss.
None of the women seem to be willing to share enough of themselves for production to meaningfully tell a story about their lives, which not only has a negative impact on entertainment value, it also leaves a massive storyline-shaped hole that has been consumed by Mia and Jacqueline, the corporeal manifestation of the twin Mia absorbed while still in the womb. Where the other women have been frustratingly reserved in sharing their current trials and tribulations, Mia is freely bringing us into her tornado, and absent further developments from the rest of the ensemble, both the cast and viewers have no choice but to participate. As a result, Potomac is regressing into a weekly episode of Maury Povich, which is clearly wearing the women’s patience thin, but not so much that they are ready to do something about it.
Entirely too much airtime this week was dedicated to navigating the ins and outs of Mia’s tumultuous family life. We start the episode in the morning, with Mia frantically trying to understand what Gordon did with her children. I can certainly empathize with the panic of trying to understand why your estranged husband (whom she has seemingly since reconciled with and left Inc behind in the New Year) took your children across state lines without your consent or knowledge, but so much of the decision-making left me confused. Mia’s children have phones, or at the very least iPads, which we have all seen on screen – were her children not responding to her messages? Did she not have location services on their devices so she could at least confirm they were likely around her former nanny? Why would Gordon think you are on vacation with Inc when filming trips require call times from production that can easily be corroborated via email? For such a concerning situation, basic facts around how it was being handled simply did not add up – and while I would normally chalk that up to the recklessness that can be born out of stress-induced panic, nothing Mia ever does inspires me to offer her the benefit of the doubt.
Despite my skepticism, Jacqueline spares no time in starting to let the other women know the seriousness of the situation that Mia was dealing with this morning. Mia was having a panic attack and fearful of what Gordon could do to the kids, she earnestly tells them while shopping, and further reinforces in the Sprinter. In a cast full of mothers, the women are naturally sympathetic, triggered by the idea that something that frightening could happen to them too – only to be a little flummoxed at the full picture as more details started to come out. If Gordon is such a risk with the children, why is she so reluctant to take control of the custody? How were the kids able to send photos if they were out of reach the entire morning? Most befuddlingly, if Gordon’s antics had Mia so stressed, which everyone can understand, why is her plan to go from Panama to visiting Inc in Atlanta, and not straight to your children to make sure that they are safe? As Ashley points out, she would have simply left the trip if there was this much uncertainty involving the location and safety of her children. Mia’s impulsive choices, and the consequences of those decisions, are now the rollercoaster that is driving the season, and no one is enjoying this. As Gizelle openly stated, being Mia’s friend is exhausting — but they’re getting paid for that privilege, so they will have to make do.
While the women are clearly over entertaining this crazy train, absent anything to compete with this story, they are forced to humor it, and Mia remains unflappable, secure in the fact that she is sharing all parts of her life. Mia wields the word “authentic” as a weapon; it is a warning shot to the rest of the cast that none of them are ready to spill their dirty secrets the way that she is, whether out of self-dignity or self-preservation. None of them are willing to admit to potentially sharing her husband with their childhood best friend – or his best friend, or whatever actually happened that I don’t care enough to get to the root of. Jacqueline continues to feebly endorse her best friend’s antics, only to find herself getting ridiculed by either Mia or the rest of the women under the slightest bit of pressure, where she ends up trying to fill the time by uncomfortably letting us know that she has “a WAP,” a term she thinks she’s using to sound cool and hip but only ends up feeling pathetic and desperate.
We have rapidly found ourselves in an untenable situation, where the women clearly feel that they are being held hostage by Mia’s antics yet are unwilling to offer up enough of their own lives to mitigate the damage being caused by the Thorntons’ penchant for dramatics. Left between a rock and a hard place, Ashley and Gizelle slowly begin to mount their defensive strike against Mia, starting with Ashley pressing Mia about how she spoke about Gizelle’s daughters while shopping, a confrontation Mia immediately rebuffed. Unbowed, Ashley resumes the conflict at dinner, expressing her frustrations with Mia’s behavior. Wendy points out that, if the events she has been relaying are all true, then her children aren’t in safe hands and she should be pursuing custody, an action that Mia seems unnaturally resistant to. Gizelle, however, is clearly the most irritated with Mia, no longer buying into her shenanigans and taking the moment to let the audience know that Mia privately apologized for her remarks about Gizelle’s daughters off camera while she presents herself as doubling and tripling down for the audience. While Gizelle may claim that the root of her frustration is purely about how Mia came for her children, it feels like there’s another strain of this resentment emerging. Gizelle is usually able to weaponize the tools of pride and dignity to manipulate the cast via lingering rumors and secrets; that is an impossible tactic to employ with Mia, whose signature trait as a reality star, for better or worse, is her shamelessness. While it is clear that a takedown is starting to heat up, I need this standoff to get to a boil sooner rather than later.
Next week, the sapphic duo of Jacqueline and Mia becomes a triangle once Ashley decides to get in the mix. See you all then!
That said, as we begin our descent into the back half of this season of Potomac – one that, despite its failings, is still a significant improvement over the months-long humiliation ritual that was season 8 — I find myself a little lost in the weeds of the women’s stories. Some things are completely out of production’s control: They could not have possibly predicted that Karen’s DUI would go to a jury trial as the season was airing, rendering her storyline effectively moot and increasingly embarrassing with each passing episode. But even beyond Karen’s massive humbling (I keep looking at her in that crimped blonde wig in Panama and wondering if it’s the same unit that was fried and laid to the side in that bodycam footage), there are some glaring gaps in the women’s arcs that are making this season feel choppy, unfinished, and a bit incoherent.
The most blatant example of this is Keiarna, who has been transitioned into a pivotal part of the cast after production sent Jassi upstairs into the ether like Judy Winslow on Family Matters. Keiarna is an undeniably stunning woman who seems to be doing quite fine for herself, but we are 13 episodes into the season and only just now finding out that her and Greg started dating only a month after his divorce was finalized and are building a house together; she is also suing Deborah, which we knew because the Bravo bloggers covered it in real time. This information is all well and good, but none of this has been fleshed out in a way that makes me curious to see more of Keiarna’s life. She runs a spa, helps out her man at work, and is waiting for a ring; you can find 30 women in the exact same circumstances at a U Street happy hour in DC. For now, her story in its totality seems less than the sum of its parts, and I am struggling to understand why she was upgraded from friend of; perhaps they thought we would care more about the fallout of the Keiarna-Deborah conflict, but Deborah was clearly in the wrong so there is simply not much to discuss.
While the lack of connective tissue in Keiarna’s story is hard to ignore, she’s far from an anomaly in this cast. Gizelle hasn’t talked about much beyond sending her kids to college and grieving her father, all in passing; Ashley is out of ways to talk about a separation that is taking as long as Brad and Angelina’s split; Wendy has invented so many new ways to remind us that it’s her 40th birthday that Party City shut down in protest. They can’t pay me enough to care about Stacey Facetiming TJ with his shirt off, and Jassi seems to be perfectly fine accepting her new future as a stepmother so there is simply nothing to discuss.
None of the women seem to be willing to share enough of themselves for production to meaningfully tell a story about their lives, which not only has a negative impact on entertainment value, it also leaves a massive storyline-shaped hole that has been consumed by Mia and Jacqueline, the corporeal manifestation of the twin Mia absorbed while still in the womb. Where the other women have been frustratingly reserved in sharing their current trials and tribulations, Mia is freely bringing us into her tornado, and absent further developments from the rest of the ensemble, both the cast and viewers have no choice but to participate. As a result, Potomac is regressing into a weekly episode of Maury Povich, which is clearly wearing the women’s patience thin, but not so much that they are ready to do something about it.
Entirely too much airtime this week was dedicated to navigating the ins and outs of Mia’s tumultuous family life. We start the episode in the morning, with Mia frantically trying to understand what Gordon did with her children. I can certainly empathize with the panic of trying to understand why your estranged husband (whom she has seemingly since reconciled with and left Inc behind in the New Year) took your children across state lines without your consent or knowledge, but so much of the decision-making left me confused. Mia’s children have phones, or at the very least iPads, which we have all seen on screen – were her children not responding to her messages? Did she not have location services on their devices so she could at least confirm they were likely around her former nanny? Why would Gordon think you are on vacation with Inc when filming trips require call times from production that can easily be corroborated via email? For such a concerning situation, basic facts around how it was being handled simply did not add up – and while I would normally chalk that up to the recklessness that can be born out of stress-induced panic, nothing Mia ever does inspires me to offer her the benefit of the doubt.
Despite my skepticism, Jacqueline spares no time in starting to let the other women know the seriousness of the situation that Mia was dealing with this morning. Mia was having a panic attack and fearful of what Gordon could do to the kids, she earnestly tells them while shopping, and further reinforces in the Sprinter. In a cast full of mothers, the women are naturally sympathetic, triggered by the idea that something that frightening could happen to them too – only to be a little flummoxed at the full picture as more details started to come out. If Gordon is such a risk with the children, why is she so reluctant to take control of the custody? How were the kids able to send photos if they were out of reach the entire morning? Most befuddlingly, if Gordon’s antics had Mia so stressed, which everyone can understand, why is her plan to go from Panama to visiting Inc in Atlanta, and not straight to your children to make sure that they are safe? As Ashley points out, she would have simply left the trip if there was this much uncertainty involving the location and safety of her children. Mia’s impulsive choices, and the consequences of those decisions, are now the rollercoaster that is driving the season, and no one is enjoying this. As Gizelle openly stated, being Mia’s friend is exhausting — but they’re getting paid for that privilege, so they will have to make do.
While the women are clearly over entertaining this crazy train, absent anything to compete with this story, they are forced to humor it, and Mia remains unflappable, secure in the fact that she is sharing all parts of her life. Mia wields the word “authentic” as a weapon; it is a warning shot to the rest of the cast that none of them are ready to spill their dirty secrets the way that she is, whether out of self-dignity or self-preservation. None of them are willing to admit to potentially sharing her husband with their childhood best friend – or his best friend, or whatever actually happened that I don’t care enough to get to the root of. Jacqueline continues to feebly endorse her best friend’s antics, only to find herself getting ridiculed by either Mia or the rest of the women under the slightest bit of pressure, where she ends up trying to fill the time by uncomfortably letting us know that she has “a WAP,” a term she thinks she’s using to sound cool and hip but only ends up feeling pathetic and desperate.
We have rapidly found ourselves in an untenable situation, where the women clearly feel that they are being held hostage by Mia’s antics yet are unwilling to offer up enough of their own lives to mitigate the damage being caused by the Thorntons’ penchant for dramatics. Left between a rock and a hard place, Ashley and Gizelle slowly begin to mount their defensive strike against Mia, starting with Ashley pressing Mia about how she spoke about Gizelle’s daughters while shopping, a confrontation Mia immediately rebuffed. Unbowed, Ashley resumes the conflict at dinner, expressing her frustrations with Mia’s behavior. Wendy points out that, if the events she has been relaying are all true, then her children aren’t in safe hands and she should be pursuing custody, an action that Mia seems unnaturally resistant to. Gizelle, however, is clearly the most irritated with Mia, no longer buying into her shenanigans and taking the moment to let the audience know that Mia privately apologized for her remarks about Gizelle’s daughters off camera while she presents herself as doubling and tripling down for the audience. While Gizelle may claim that the root of her frustration is purely about how Mia came for her children, it feels like there’s another strain of this resentment emerging. Gizelle is usually able to weaponize the tools of pride and dignity to manipulate the cast via lingering rumors and secrets; that is an impossible tactic to employ with Mia, whose signature trait as a reality star, for better or worse, is her shamelessness. While it is clear that a takedown is starting to heat up, I need this standoff to get to a boil sooner rather than later.
Next week, the sapphic duo of Jacqueline and Mia becomes a triangle once Ashley decides to get in the mix. See you all then!
#MusicNews: New Edition’s ‘Heart Break’ Album to Be Reissued on Vinyl
Legendary R&B group New Edition‘s fifth studio album, Heart Break, will be reissued on vinyl on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14).
The 1988 album will be pressed on standard 2LP black vinyl ($32.99) and on 2LP clear vinyl ($37.99). Both versions are available for preorder.
Heart Break was released June 20, 1988, via MCA Records and peaked at No. 3 on Billboard‘s R&B Albums chart.
Months after the album’s release, it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over one million copies. It was later certified 2x platinum in 1994 for exceeding two million sales in the U.S.
Heart Break was the then-new member Johnny Gill‘s first album appearance following Bobby Brown‘s solo exit. (Coincidentally, Heart Break was released the same day as Brown’s second solo album, Don’t Be Cruel.)
The Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-helmed album spawned timeless hits such as the Hot 100 top 10 “If It Isn’t Love” and “Can You Stand the Rain,” which topped Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart (now called Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs). In 2023, the latter song was certified 2x platinum by the RIAA, while “If It Isn’t Love” was certified platinum.
Two days before New Edition’s Heart Break vinyl reissue, the group will begin the fourth extension of their Las Vegas residency at Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas.
“We’re coming back, Las Vegas! 2024 marked a milestone year for all of us in New Edition as we presented our first-ever residency at Encore Theater,” New Edition said in a joint statement.
“It has been an honor to share our music with thousands of our fans over these last 15 shows, and we look forward to making new memories with our fans here at Wynn Las Vegas in 2025.”
The residency features all members of New Edition: Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, and Johnny Gill.
Legendary R&B group New Edition‘s fifth studio album, Heart Break, will be reissued on vinyl on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14).
The 1988 album will be pressed on standard 2LP black vinyl ($32.99) and on 2LP clear vinyl ($37.99). Both versions are available for preorder.
Heart Break was released June 20, 1988, via MCA Records and peaked at No. 3 on Billboard‘s R&B Albums chart.
Months after the album’s release, it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over one million copies. It was later certified 2x platinum in 1994 for exceeding two million sales in the U.S.
Heart Break was the then-new member Johnny Gill‘s first album appearance following Bobby Brown‘s solo exit. (Coincidentally, Heart Break was released the same day as Brown’s second solo album, Don’t Be Cruel.)
The Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-helmed album spawned timeless hits such as the Hot 100 top 10 “If It Isn’t Love” and “Can You Stand the Rain,” which topped Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart (now called Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs). In 2023, the latter song was certified 2x platinum by the RIAA, while “If It Isn’t Love” was certified platinum.
Two days before New Edition’s Heart Break vinyl reissue, the group will begin the fourth extension of their Las Vegas residency at Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas.
“We’re coming back, Las Vegas! 2024 marked a milestone year for all of us in New Edition as we presented our first-ever residency at Encore Theater,” New Edition said in a joint statement.
“It has been an honor to share our music with thousands of our fans over these last 15 shows, and we look forward to making new memories with our fans here at Wynn Las Vegas in 2025.”
The residency features all members of New Edition: Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, and Johnny Gill.
#HipHopNews: Drake Claims Leaked DM About Universal Music Group Dispute Is Fake
Drake has denied sending a message to celebrity stylist Chris Blake Griffith discussing his legal battle with Universal Music Group.
In alleged Instagram DM posted by Griffith himself on Tuesday (January 7), Drizzy purportedly outlines his intention behind the bombshell legal action his longtime record label.
He allegedly wrote: “Me and Universal is like if Nike was funding a campaign about Lebron cheating on his wife… not adidas or Reebok… Nike the company he been with since he started…my situation is not no street shit.”
The 6 God continued: “Everybody before me that tried the label was too eccentric so they wrote them off as crazy and they never had to pay for their sins and mistakes.
“I’m going to change that and make the building a safer place for every artist moving forward.”
The pair’s alleged conversation also touched upon Griffith’s claim that NFL player Stefon Diggs tried to drug and rape him, with Drake writing: “You asking me to post a tape about you ratting on people g.”
After the fashion designer’s post made waves online, Drake, through Akademiks, denied sending the messages.
Ak wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “This is a fake DM. Drake called buddy a Rat….. he got mad and made up some fake DM to try to make the blogs and go viral. end of story,” adding: “Source – THE BOY.”
Drake filed two pre-action petitions against UMG in November, claiming they used streaming bots and payola to artificially boost the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss song “Not Like Us.”
He also accused the music giant — the parent company of his label Republic Records and Kendrick’s longtime home of Interscope — of defamation for releasing a track that labels him a pedophile.
A court hearing to determine whether Drizzy is allowed to depose people from UMG and iHeartMedia regarding his claims of illegal radio payments was recently delayed until later this month following a miscommunication.
Initially set for December 20, it will now go ahead on January 13 in Bexar County, Texas.
A second hearing relating to Drake’s other legal filing against UMG and Spotify is set to take place just days later on January 16 in New York.
In alleged Instagram DM posted by Griffith himself on Tuesday (January 7), Drizzy purportedly outlines his intention behind the bombshell legal action his longtime record label.
He allegedly wrote: “Me and Universal is like if Nike was funding a campaign about Lebron cheating on his wife… not adidas or Reebok… Nike the company he been with since he started…my situation is not no street shit.”
The 6 God continued: “Everybody before me that tried the label was too eccentric so they wrote them off as crazy and they never had to pay for their sins and mistakes.
“I’m going to change that and make the building a safer place for every artist moving forward.”
The pair’s alleged conversation also touched upon Griffith’s claim that NFL player Stefon Diggs tried to drug and rape him, with Drake writing: “You asking me to post a tape about you ratting on people g.”
After the fashion designer’s post made waves online, Drake, through Akademiks, denied sending the messages.
Ak wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “This is a fake DM. Drake called buddy a Rat….. he got mad and made up some fake DM to try to make the blogs and go viral. end of story,” adding: “Source – THE BOY.”
Drake filed two pre-action petitions against UMG in November, claiming they used streaming bots and payola to artificially boost the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss song “Not Like Us.”
He also accused the music giant — the parent company of his label Republic Records and Kendrick’s longtime home of Interscope — of defamation for releasing a track that labels him a pedophile.
A court hearing to determine whether Drizzy is allowed to depose people from UMG and iHeartMedia regarding his claims of illegal radio payments was recently delayed until later this month following a miscommunication.
Initially set for December 20, it will now go ahead on January 13 in Bexar County, Texas.
A second hearing relating to Drake’s other legal filing against UMG and Spotify is set to take place just days later on January 16 in New York.
Will Smith Will Not Star In ‘The Matrix,’ Despite Suggestive Teaser
US actor and recording artist Will Smith performs on Sunset Stage as part of the Rock In Rio Festival at Cidade do Rock on September 19, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Wagner Meier/Getty Images
Will Smith is one of the most loved and lauded actors of all time, so anything he does related to a possible upcoming film makes headlines. Unfortunately, for those who thought he was going to star in a forthcoming The Matrix sequel, that will not be the case.
Insiders confirmed via The Hollywood Reporter that the 56-year-old is not slated to be the lead guy in the Drew Goddard-directed film. This curiosity was sparked by an Instagram post from the Fresh Prince himself on Monday (Jan. 6).
He shared a video that said, “In 1997, the Wachowski’s offered Will Smith the role of Neo in The Matrix. Smith turned it down. He chose Wild Wild West, believing it was a better fit for him at the time. But the question remains: What would The Matrix have been like with Will Smith as Neo? Wake up, Will… The Matrix has you…”
While Will Smith may not be in The Matrix, he has given fans plenty over the last few years. In 2024, he starred in the latest iteration of the Bad Boys series titled Bad Boys: Ride Or Die. Two years prior, he starred in Emancipation, and in 2021 he starred in King Richard, the role which yielded him his first and only Oscar for Best Actor.
While insiders cleared up the confusion regarding The Matrix, Smith took it upon himself to clear up the rumors and jokes about him being tied to Diddy amid the mogul being in jail for racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
“The world we’re in right now, it’s really hard for y’all to discern what’s real and what’s true,” he said during a recent performance in San Diego. “I been seeing y’all memes and stuff. People been making memes. I see the memes. Some of the stuff is funny. I haven’t addressed any of this publicly but I just wanna say this very clearly: I don’t got sh*t to do with Puffy so y’all can stop all them memes. Y’all can stop all of that bullsh*t. I ain’t been nowhere near no damn freak-off.”
US actor and recording artist Will Smith performs on Sunset Stage as part of the Rock In Rio Festival at Cidade do Rock on September 19, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Wagner Meier/Getty Images
Will Smith is one of the most loved and lauded actors of all time, so anything he does related to a possible upcoming film makes headlines. Unfortunately, for those who thought he was going to star in a forthcoming The Matrix sequel, that will not be the case.
Insiders confirmed via The Hollywood Reporter that the 56-year-old is not slated to be the lead guy in the Drew Goddard-directed film. This curiosity was sparked by an Instagram post from the Fresh Prince himself on Monday (Jan. 6).
He shared a video that said, “In 1997, the Wachowski’s offered Will Smith the role of Neo in The Matrix. Smith turned it down. He chose Wild Wild West, believing it was a better fit for him at the time. But the question remains: What would The Matrix have been like with Will Smith as Neo? Wake up, Will… The Matrix has you…”
While Will Smith may not be in The Matrix, he has given fans plenty over the last few years. In 2024, he starred in the latest iteration of the Bad Boys series titled Bad Boys: Ride Or Die. Two years prior, he starred in Emancipation, and in 2021 he starred in King Richard, the role which yielded him his first and only Oscar for Best Actor.
While insiders cleared up the confusion regarding The Matrix, Smith took it upon himself to clear up the rumors and jokes about him being tied to Diddy amid the mogul being in jail for racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
“The world we’re in right now, it’s really hard for y’all to discern what’s real and what’s true,” he said during a recent performance in San Diego. “I been seeing y’all memes and stuff. People been making memes. I see the memes. Some of the stuff is funny. I haven’t addressed any of this publicly but I just wanna say this very clearly: I don’t got sh*t to do with Puffy so y’all can stop all them memes. Y’all can stop all of that bullsh*t. I ain’t been nowhere near no damn freak-off.”
Tasha K Accuses Cardi B Of Financial Bullying & Career Sabotage
The feud between Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B and YouTuber Tasha K is far from over.
In new court documents, Tasha K, whose real name is Latasha Kebe, accuses Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Cephus, of trying to ruin her financially and hurt her career.
Here’s what’s happening in their ongoing legal drama.
Tasha K says Cardi B is using her power and resources to make her financial situation worse.
She also claims Cardi interfered in her 2023 bankruptcy case, making it harder for her to bounce back from their previous legal battle.
According to Tasha K, Cardi is trying to control the terms of any settlement in a way that would limit her freedom to speak on her blog and social media.
Since Tasha K relies on her bold commentary, these terms could seriously affect her career.
This feud began with a 2022 defamation case where Cardi B sued Tasha K for spreading false rumors about her.
Cardi won the case and was awarded $3.4 million in damages.
In 2023, Tasha K filed for bankruptcy, saying she couldn’t afford to pay the judgment.
But Cardi’s lawyers questioned whether Tasha K was really broke or just trying to avoid paying.
They even filed paperwork to get the bankruptcy case dismissed.
Now, Tasha K is asking the court to let her create her own plan to pay off her debts.
She says Cardi’s demands are not only unfair but also an attack on her right to free speech.
Tasha K argues that these demands would harm her ability to keep working and earning a living.
What Happens Next?
The court’s decision will be a major turning point.
If Tasha K’s bankruptcy case moves forward, she might be able to negotiate a repayment plan.
If Cardi B succeeds in getting the case dismissed, Tasha K could face even bigger financial problems.
The Bigger Picture
This legal fight raises important questions about free speech and accountability online.
Tasha K says she has the right to share her opinions, but Cardi B’s case shows the serious consequences of spreading false information.
In new court documents, Tasha K, whose real name is Latasha Kebe, accuses Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Cephus, of trying to ruin her financially and hurt her career.
Here’s what’s happening in their ongoing legal drama.
Tasha K says Cardi B is using her power and resources to make her financial situation worse.
She also claims Cardi interfered in her 2023 bankruptcy case, making it harder for her to bounce back from their previous legal battle.
According to Tasha K, Cardi is trying to control the terms of any settlement in a way that would limit her freedom to speak on her blog and social media.
Since Tasha K relies on her bold commentary, these terms could seriously affect her career.
This feud began with a 2022 defamation case where Cardi B sued Tasha K for spreading false rumors about her.
Cardi won the case and was awarded $3.4 million in damages.
In 2023, Tasha K filed for bankruptcy, saying she couldn’t afford to pay the judgment.
But Cardi’s lawyers questioned whether Tasha K was really broke or just trying to avoid paying.
They even filed paperwork to get the bankruptcy case dismissed.
Now, Tasha K is asking the court to let her create her own plan to pay off her debts.
She says Cardi’s demands are not only unfair but also an attack on her right to free speech.
Tasha K argues that these demands would harm her ability to keep working and earning a living.
What Happens Next?
The court’s decision will be a major turning point.
If Tasha K’s bankruptcy case moves forward, she might be able to negotiate a repayment plan.
If Cardi B succeeds in getting the case dismissed, Tasha K could face even bigger financial problems.
The Bigger Picture
This legal fight raises important questions about free speech and accountability online.
Tasha K says she has the right to share her opinions, but Cardi B’s case shows the serious consequences of spreading false information.
T.I. & Tiny Harris face $53.6M loss in OMG Doll case
In an unprecedented legal showdown that has captured the attention of both entertainment and legal circles, T.I. and Tameka “Tiny” Harris initially secured a remarkable $71.4 million verdict against MGA Entertainment, the powerhouse behind LOL Surprise! OMG Dolls. The case centered on allegations that MGA had misappropriated the distinctive trade dress of the OMG Girlz, a musical group that featured their daughter, Zonnique Pullins. However, a federal judge’s intervention has dramatically altered the landscape of this high-stakes battle, proposing a substantial reduction that would leave the Harrises with $17.8 million.
This dramatic shift in the case’s outcome represents one of the most significant reductions in entertainment industry litigation history. The initial victory had been celebrated as a watershed moment for artists seeking to protect their intellectual property rights, particularly in cases involving cultural appropriation and creative expression.
Legal intricacies and cultural impact
The core of the dispute extends beyond mere financial compensation, delving deep into the realm of cultural appropriation and intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry. The initial jury verdict represented a groundbreaking moment in the protection of artistic expression, particularly within the African American entertainment community. The judge‘s subsequent decision to reduce the punitive damages by $53.6 million, however, introduces complex questions about how the legal system values and safeguards cultural identity.
The case has highlighted the challenges in quantifying damages when dealing with cultural appropriation claims. Legal experts point out that traditional methods of calculating damages may not adequately address the nuanced nature of cultural influence and artistic innovation. The substantial reduction in punitive damages suggests a need for new frameworks in evaluating such cases.
Entertainment industry implications
This case has sent ripples through the entertainment industry, prompting serious discussions about the boundaries of creative inspiration versus unauthorized appropriation. The significant reduction in damages raises critical questions about how the legal system quantifies cultural influence and artistic innovation. For industry professionals, this case serves as a crucial precedent in understanding the parameters of trade dress protection and the potential consequences of perceived infringement.
The entertainment sector now faces the challenge of establishing clearer guidelines for protecting artistic expression while allowing for creative inspiration. Major companies and independent artists alike are closely monitoring this case for insights into how they can better protect their intellectual property without stifling creativity.
Cultural identity protection
The Harris family’s battle against MGA Entertainment transcends typical intellectual property disputes, highlighting the broader struggle for recognition and protection of African American cultural expressions in commercial spaces. The OMG Girlz, known for their distinctive style and musical contributions, represent a larger narrative about the preservation of authentic artistic identity in an increasingly commercialized entertainment landscape.
This case has brought attention to the importance of protecting cultural expressions in an era where appropriation can quickly lead to commercial exploitation. The reduction in damages has sparked conversations about the value placed on cultural contributions and the mechanisms available for their protection.
Future legal precedent
The judge’s decision to substantially reduce the damages award could significantly impact future cases involving similar claims of cultural appropriation and trade dress infringement. Legal experts suggest this case may influence how courts approach the valuation of cultural products and intellectual property rights, particularly in cases where the distinction between inspiration and infringement becomes blurred.
The reduction in punitive damages may also influence how future plaintiffs structure their claims and present evidence of damages. This could lead to more sophisticated approaches in demonstrating the economic impact of cultural appropriation and trade dress infringement.
Moving forward
As the dust settles on this landmark case, the entertainment industry watches closely to see how this decision will shape future approaches to protecting artistic expression and cultural identity. The reduction in damages, while substantial, does not diminish the importance of the underlying issues raised by the case. The Harris family’s persistence in pursuing justice highlights the ongoing need for robust protection of creative rights in the entertainment industry.
The case has also sparked discussions about potential legislative reforms to better address cultural appropriation and intellectual property protection in the digital age. Industry stakeholders are calling for clearer guidelines and more comprehensive frameworks for protecting artistic expression while fostering creativity and innovation.
In an unprecedented legal showdown that has captured the attention of both entertainment and legal circles, T.I. and Tameka “Tiny” Harris initially secured a remarkable $71.4 million verdict against MGA Entertainment, the powerhouse behind LOL Surprise! OMG Dolls. The case centered on allegations that MGA had misappropriated the distinctive trade dress of the OMG Girlz, a musical group that featured their daughter, Zonnique Pullins. However, a federal judge’s intervention has dramatically altered the landscape of this high-stakes battle, proposing a substantial reduction that would leave the Harrises with $17.8 million.
This dramatic shift in the case’s outcome represents one of the most significant reductions in entertainment industry litigation history. The initial victory had been celebrated as a watershed moment for artists seeking to protect their intellectual property rights, particularly in cases involving cultural appropriation and creative expression.
Legal intricacies and cultural impact
The core of the dispute extends beyond mere financial compensation, delving deep into the realm of cultural appropriation and intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry. The initial jury verdict represented a groundbreaking moment in the protection of artistic expression, particularly within the African American entertainment community. The judge‘s subsequent decision to reduce the punitive damages by $53.6 million, however, introduces complex questions about how the legal system values and safeguards cultural identity.
The case has highlighted the challenges in quantifying damages when dealing with cultural appropriation claims. Legal experts point out that traditional methods of calculating damages may not adequately address the nuanced nature of cultural influence and artistic innovation. The substantial reduction in punitive damages suggests a need for new frameworks in evaluating such cases.
Entertainment industry implications
This case has sent ripples through the entertainment industry, prompting serious discussions about the boundaries of creative inspiration versus unauthorized appropriation. The significant reduction in damages raises critical questions about how the legal system quantifies cultural influence and artistic innovation. For industry professionals, this case serves as a crucial precedent in understanding the parameters of trade dress protection and the potential consequences of perceived infringement.
The entertainment sector now faces the challenge of establishing clearer guidelines for protecting artistic expression while allowing for creative inspiration. Major companies and independent artists alike are closely monitoring this case for insights into how they can better protect their intellectual property without stifling creativity.
Cultural identity protection
The Harris family’s battle against MGA Entertainment transcends typical intellectual property disputes, highlighting the broader struggle for recognition and protection of African American cultural expressions in commercial spaces. The OMG Girlz, known for their distinctive style and musical contributions, represent a larger narrative about the preservation of authentic artistic identity in an increasingly commercialized entertainment landscape.
This case has brought attention to the importance of protecting cultural expressions in an era where appropriation can quickly lead to commercial exploitation. The reduction in damages has sparked conversations about the value placed on cultural contributions and the mechanisms available for their protection.
Future legal precedent
The judge’s decision to substantially reduce the damages award could significantly impact future cases involving similar claims of cultural appropriation and trade dress infringement. Legal experts suggest this case may influence how courts approach the valuation of cultural products and intellectual property rights, particularly in cases where the distinction between inspiration and infringement becomes blurred.
The reduction in punitive damages may also influence how future plaintiffs structure their claims and present evidence of damages. This could lead to more sophisticated approaches in demonstrating the economic impact of cultural appropriation and trade dress infringement.
Moving forward
As the dust settles on this landmark case, the entertainment industry watches closely to see how this decision will shape future approaches to protecting artistic expression and cultural identity. The reduction in damages, while substantial, does not diminish the importance of the underlying issues raised by the case. The Harris family’s persistence in pursuing justice highlights the ongoing need for robust protection of creative rights in the entertainment industry.
The case has also sparked discussions about potential legislative reforms to better address cultural appropriation and intellectual property protection in the digital age. Industry stakeholders are calling for clearer guidelines and more comprehensive frameworks for protecting artistic expression while fostering creativity and innovation.
Dwight Howard warns Shaq that they will throw hands
Dwight Howard issued a warning to Shaquille O’Neal that if he doesn’t keep his name out of his mouth there will be a physical showdown.
Howard said he has grown tired of Shaq allegedly criticizing him for nearly 20 years, and the former Orlando Magic great wondered aloud if he needs to see O’Neal and settle their beef in person.
Speaking on “The GAUDs Show” podcast, Howard began by praising Shaq for his NBA career and business ventures. He added that he’s “never wanted to be Shaq on any level,” though he has incorporated elements of his business sense.
Dwight Howard warns Shaq to keep his name out of his mouth
“Never disrespected him,” Howard said. “But he’s always had something to say. There’s times where I’ve gotten upset and I’m like, ‘Yo, Shaq, this gotta stop, man.’ I tried to [talk to him].”
Howard continued: “At this point, I’m like, do we need to throw hands? What are we doing?”
Since the podcast aired, Shaq told his fans on X that he found humor in the situation.
Shaq responds forcefully
“The fact u think I care about u is funny,” he wrote, adding that he “won’t ever bring your name up again,” denouncing Howard as both a “sensitive big man” and “a jokester that can’t take a joke.”
Howard pushed back, calling Shaq “insecure” and arguing that he’s been “talking sh-t” for two decades.
Howard provides his retort to Shaq’s insult
“I hope you don’t bring my name up again,” Howard said. “Fifty-two years old tweeting me. And still hating. … You always been jealous.”
Howard said he has grown tired of Shaq allegedly criticizing him for nearly 20 years, and the former Orlando Magic great wondered aloud if he needs to see O’Neal and settle their beef in person.
Speaking on “The GAUDs Show” podcast, Howard began by praising Shaq for his NBA career and business ventures. He added that he’s “never wanted to be Shaq on any level,” though he has incorporated elements of his business sense.
Dwight Howard warns Shaq to keep his name out of his mouth
“Never disrespected him,” Howard said. “But he’s always had something to say. There’s times where I’ve gotten upset and I’m like, ‘Yo, Shaq, this gotta stop, man.’ I tried to [talk to him].”
Howard continued: “At this point, I’m like, do we need to throw hands? What are we doing?”
Since the podcast aired, Shaq told his fans on X that he found humor in the situation.
Shaq responds forcefully
“The fact u think I care about u is funny,” he wrote, adding that he “won’t ever bring your name up again,” denouncing Howard as both a “sensitive big man” and “a jokester that can’t take a joke.”
Howard pushed back, calling Shaq “insecure” and arguing that he’s been “talking sh-t” for two decades.
Howard provides his retort to Shaq’s insult
“I hope you don’t bring my name up again,” Howard said. “Fifty-two years old tweeting me. And still hating. … You always been jealous.”
Angel Reese Reveals She Wants To Model In Paris Fashion Week
Angel Reese has big dreams that extend beyond the basketball court.
In a newly published interview with Vogue Magazine, Reese discussed her passion for both basketball and fashion, noting that while the sport runs in her family, her love for fashion is just as strong.
She recalled her childhood, saying,
“I was always in my mom’s closet, putting on her stuff. I liked to carry a purse. Hair done. I wanted to look put together. I still do.”
Reese also shared her childhood admiration for “America’s Next Top Model,” and revealed that there’s still one goal she’s determined to achieve:
“One day, I’d like to model in a real fashion show; maybe Paris Fashion Week, that’s still on my to-do list.”
Angel Reese has big dreams that extend beyond the basketball court.
In a newly published interview with Vogue Magazine, Reese discussed her passion for both basketball and fashion, noting that while the sport runs in her family, her love for fashion is just as strong.
She recalled her childhood, saying,
“I was always in my mom’s closet, putting on her stuff. I liked to carry a purse. Hair done. I wanted to look put together. I still do.”
Reese also shared her childhood admiration for “America’s Next Top Model,” and revealed that there’s still one goal she’s determined to achieve:
“One day, I’d like to model in a real fashion show; maybe Paris Fashion Week, that’s still on my to-do list.”
Jennifer Lopez Walks Away w/ $5 Million Engagement Ring In Ben Affleck Divorce
Jennifer Lopez will be keeping her $5 million engagement ring in her divorce settlement with Ben Affleck.
After nearly two years of marriage, Lopez and Affleck finalized their divorce on January 6, 2025, following Lopez’s filing for dissolution in August 2024. Court documents obtained by PEOPLE show that Affleck waived any claim to Lopez’s assets, including her jewelry.
The 8.5-carat, radiant-cut green diamond ring Affleck gave her in 2021, valued at over $5 million, is one of the items she will keep.
Good for her!
After nearly two years of marriage, Lopez and Affleck finalized their divorce on January 6, 2025, following Lopez’s filing for dissolution in August 2024. Court documents obtained by PEOPLE show that Affleck waived any claim to Lopez’s assets, including her jewelry.
The 8.5-carat, radiant-cut green diamond ring Affleck gave her in 2021, valued at over $5 million, is one of the items she will keep.
Good for her!
Brandy To Release Her ‘Raw & Inspiring’ Memoir This Fall
Brandy is releasing a memoir! The famed singer and actress announced that she will tell her story from growing up in Mississippi to becoming the legend she is today.
She’s set to open up about “the unimaginable lows” such as heartbreak to dealing with bullying and navigating self love, according to People Magazine.
A statement on the book reveals:
“Brandy’s raw and inspiring memoir is a testament to hope, resilience and the strength needed to make peace with the past.”
Brandy also said: I am so excited to finally share my full story in book form. This memoir is the result of countless hours of reflection, work and healing. I hope readers will find comfort and inspiration in these pages.”
She also released a statement via Instagram, calling it a “vulnerable” experience.
The untitled memoir will be released on Oct. 7, 2025.
Brandy is releasing a memoir! The famed singer and actress announced that she will tell her story from growing up in Mississippi to becoming the legend she is today.
She’s set to open up about “the unimaginable lows” such as heartbreak to dealing with bullying and navigating self love, according to People Magazine.
A statement on the book reveals:
“Brandy’s raw and inspiring memoir is a testament to hope, resilience and the strength needed to make peace with the past.”
Brandy also said: I am so excited to finally share my full story in book form. This memoir is the result of countless hours of reflection, work and healing. I hope readers will find comfort and inspiration in these pages.”
She also released a statement via Instagram, calling it a “vulnerable” experience.
The untitled memoir will be released on Oct. 7, 2025.
Post Malone Leaves $20K Tip For Single Mother Bartending On Christmas Eve
The bartender and single mother took to Instagram to share a few selfies with the “Rockstar” artist, writing:
“Going into work Christmas Eve I was so sad I had to leave baby girl to go to work. Oblivious that god would send me a Christmas miracle. This is hands down the most humble, personable celebrity I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. He changed my life on Christmas f**king Eve, and I will forever be grateful.”
In an interview with Music Mayhem, the woman revealed that Post was joined by country star Shaboozey and their entourage before they both performed as guest features during the NFL Christmas Day Halftime Show headlined by Beyoncé.
Despite the bill already being settled, Post returned to purchase a cheap item so he could leave the generous $20K tip. The woman said the gesture brought her to tears as she thanked him, sharing in the interview:
“I immediately broke down crying. It was already a very emotional night, being away from home… I know I was crying and thanking him, but he has no idea exactly how much this meant to me.”
Wendy Williams’ Brother Sells ‘Free Wendy’ Merch While Fighting To Move Her To Florida
Wendy Williams’ brother, Tommy Williams, is selling “Free Wendy” merchandise as part of his efforts to move his sister to Florida and free her from her guardianship.
In an interview with The U.S. Sun, Tommy shared how much he enjoyed spending time with Wendy during her recent trip to Florida for her son Kevin Hunter Jr.’s graduation. He’s optimistic about her moving to Florida, saying,
“That’s something that’s been in my heart and her heart.
Tommy also revealed he launched “Free Wendy” merch, including t-shirts and mugs, to raise awareness of what’s allegedly going on with his sister:
“She’s not free now, with her liberties, or with what she wants to do. It’s a movement.”
Wendy has been under a court-ordered guardianship since May 2022 and battling multiple health issues. While her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, recently stated that Wendy is “cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated,” her family and friends have claimed otherwise.
Wendy Williams’ brother, Tommy Williams, is selling “Free Wendy” merchandise as part of his efforts to move his sister to Florida and free her from her guardianship.
In an interview with The U.S. Sun, Tommy shared how much he enjoyed spending time with Wendy during her recent trip to Florida for her son Kevin Hunter Jr.’s graduation. He’s optimistic about her moving to Florida, saying,
“That’s something that’s been in my heart and her heart.
Tommy also revealed he launched “Free Wendy” merch, including t-shirts and mugs, to raise awareness of what’s allegedly going on with his sister:
“She’s not free now, with her liberties, or with what she wants to do. It’s a movement.”
Wendy has been under a court-ordered guardianship since May 2022 and battling multiple health issues. While her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, recently stated that Wendy is “cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated,” her family and friends have claimed otherwise.
‘The View’ Set To Expand To Weekends w/ Lighter, Pop-Culture-Focused Segments Starting Jan. 11
ABC News is giving “The View” fans even more to enjoy with the debut of “The Weekend View” premiering on January 11!
This new half-hour weekend segment will air on ABC News Live and feature the show’s popular Friday panel: Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro.
The weekend edition will offer a deeper dive into the week’s top stories, with an extended “Hot Topics” segment and highlights from the show’s “Behind the Table” podcast.
Karin Gilford, senior vice president of Digital Media, ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks, stated about the new edition:
“It’s an opportunity for us to extend the conversation, give viewers more of what they love from the connection they feel for the show. We really think ‘Weekend View,’ in addition to what we’ve done on podcasting — we’ve always had a great short form and social presence for the show — is kind of the next frontier.”
Aimed at bringing a more relaxed, lifestyle-focused vibe, “The Weekend View” will cover pop culture alongside the usual hot topics but with a lighter tone compared to the weekday show. The series will premiere at 7:30 a.m. on Saturdays and run throughout the weekend.
This new half-hour weekend segment will air on ABC News Live and feature the show’s popular Friday panel: Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro.
The weekend edition will offer a deeper dive into the week’s top stories, with an extended “Hot Topics” segment and highlights from the show’s “Behind the Table” podcast.
Karin Gilford, senior vice president of Digital Media, ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks, stated about the new edition:
“It’s an opportunity for us to extend the conversation, give viewers more of what they love from the connection they feel for the show. We really think ‘Weekend View,’ in addition to what we’ve done on podcasting — we’ve always had a great short form and social presence for the show — is kind of the next frontier.”
Aimed at bringing a more relaxed, lifestyle-focused vibe, “The Weekend View” will cover pop culture alongside the usual hot topics but with a lighter tone compared to the weekday show. The series will premiere at 7:30 a.m. on Saturdays and run throughout the weekend.
Sunny Hostin's Husband Accused of Fraud
The View co-host, Sunny Hostin's husband, Dr. Emmanuel Hostin, facing federal insurance fraud charges...
From The Daily Mail
The long-time husband of The View co-host Sunny Hostin is starting the New Year under a cloud after being accused of federal insurance fraud.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Hostin is among nearly 200 defendants named in one of the largest RICO cases ever filed in New York.
He and many of the others are accused or getting kickbacks by performing surgery and fraudulently billing a company that insures taxi companies and Uber and Lyft drivers.
‘Hostin knowingly provided fraudulent medical and other healthcare services including arthroscopic surgeries,’ the lawsuit, filed on December 17, claims.
The View co-host, Sunny Hostin's husband, Dr. Emmanuel Hostin, facing federal insurance fraud charges...
From The Daily Mail
The long-time husband of The View co-host Sunny Hostin is starting the New Year under a cloud after being accused of federal insurance fraud.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Hostin is among nearly 200 defendants named in one of the largest RICO cases ever filed in New York.
He and many of the others are accused or getting kickbacks by performing surgery and fraudulently billing a company that insures taxi companies and Uber and Lyft drivers.
‘Hostin knowingly provided fraudulent medical and other healthcare services including arthroscopic surgeries,’ the lawsuit, filed on December 17, claims.
The insurance firm American Transit was then billed ‘in exchange for kickbacks and/or other compensation which were disguised as dividends or other cash distributions.’
Hostin's attorney Daniel Thwaites told DailyMail.com his client 'denies each and every allegation' and called the lawsuit a 'blanket, scattershot, meritless lawsuit by a near-bankrupt insurance carrier'.
‘It is meant to intimidate and harass doctors from collecting for care given to American Transit insureds and their passengers,’ Thwaites said.
He said Hostin has an ‘impeccable’ record, adding: ‘American Transit has rushed into the lawsuit without ever conducting an examination of Dr. Hostin or expressing any concerns to his lawyers.
‘The real story here is about an insurance carrier abusing the legal system to limit and restrict health care benefits to its insureds and their passengers, and write off its proper obligations,’ Thwaites said.
Sunny Hostin, 56, has been married to the doctor for nearly quarter of a century. They tied the knot in 1998 and have two children and live in a palatial 10-bed, 10-bath estate in Purchase, New York.
Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ Family Calls Out Widow Allison Holker For Claiming He Used Drugs, Enforcing NDAs At Funeral
It has been just a little over two years since Stephen “tWitch” Boss died via suicide and the wounds are still fresh for his family. They recently expressed their anger toward his mistress Allison Holker for claiming he used drugs while alive and forcing people to sign non-disclosure agreements to attend his funeral.
Holker and Boss had been married since 2013 after both contending on So You Think You Can Dance. They conceived two children together, and Boss later adopted Holker’s daughter whom she had with her former fiancé. The couple was seemingly unassailable, but the 36-year-old dancer’s recent interview with People has drawn the ire of her late husband’s family.
“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,” she told the publication. “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 claimed she found a myriad of drugs in his shoeboxes, namely mushrooms, pills, and other substances that required her to look them up on her phone. Boss’ family was not fond of this allegation, and his cousin Elle aired out Holker on X.
“He wasn’t an addict,” Elle wrote. “He smoked weed and was actively trying to quit. He wasn’t some junkie.” Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ cousin took things further and claimed that Allison Holker had not permitted his family to see his three children.
“I’m so tired of keeping my f**king mouth shut bro,” Elle added. “You did our family so mf dirty […] Yeah idgaf about an NDA. This crazy woman made me and his actual family including his mother sign an NDA just to even attend the funeral […] She’s been trying to tarnish his legacy and refuses to let the Boss family see the children. Only to exploit and LIE on my cousin. Hell no.”
Courtney Ann Platt, a close friend of Boss, jumped in and called out Holker for using all of this publicity to promote her upcoming memoir This Far. “We all had to sign some weird NDA to attend his funeral (even his own mother who you’ve treated like garbage this entire time and let’s just remember you wouldn’t have even had a husband if it wasn’t for her) not to share anything or ruin his name,” Platt wrote on Instagram. “As if that was on anyone’s mind in the first place and here you go and write a book with all the dirty laundry smearing his name and attempting to dim the bright loyal, loving, light that was your husband, my friend.”
Courtney Ann Platt didn’t stop there, either. She pointed out how Allison Holker stopped using the “Boss” last name 48 hours after he died and shared pages of his journal with the public. “What a joke,” she wrote. “Yes, he took his own life which is a fact all of us still can’t fathom and he was clearly having mental health issues, hurting so deeply and this is your example of empathy? Of your love?”
Holker and Boss had been married since 2013 after both contending on So You Think You Can Dance. They conceived two children together, and Boss later adopted Holker’s daughter whom she had with her former fiancé. The couple was seemingly unassailable, but the 36-year-old dancer’s recent interview with People has drawn the ire of her late husband’s family.
“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,” she told the publication. “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 claimed she found a myriad of drugs in his shoeboxes, namely mushrooms, pills, and other substances that required her to look them up on her phone. Boss’ family was not fond of this allegation, and his cousin Elle aired out Holker on X.
“He wasn’t an addict,” Elle wrote. “He smoked weed and was actively trying to quit. He wasn’t some junkie.” Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ cousin took things further and claimed that Allison Holker had not permitted his family to see his three children.
“I’m so tired of keeping my f**king mouth shut bro,” Elle added. “You did our family so mf dirty […] Yeah idgaf about an NDA. This crazy woman made me and his actual family including his mother sign an NDA just to even attend the funeral […] She’s been trying to tarnish his legacy and refuses to let the Boss family see the children. Only to exploit and LIE on my cousin. Hell no.”
Courtney Ann Platt, a close friend of Boss, jumped in and called out Holker for using all of this publicity to promote her upcoming memoir This Far. “We all had to sign some weird NDA to attend his funeral (even his own mother who you’ve treated like garbage this entire time and let’s just remember you wouldn’t have even had a husband if it wasn’t for her) not to share anything or ruin his name,” Platt wrote on Instagram. “As if that was on anyone’s mind in the first place and here you go and write a book with all the dirty laundry smearing his name and attempting to dim the bright loyal, loving, light that was your husband, my friend.”
Courtney Ann Platt didn’t stop there, either. She pointed out how Allison Holker stopped using the “Boss” last name 48 hours after he died and shared pages of his journal with the public. “What a joke,” she wrote. “Yes, he took his own life which is a fact all of us still can’t fathom and he was clearly having mental health issues, hurting so deeply and this is your example of empathy? Of your love?”
Trey Songz’s Lawyer Claims $11 Million Judgment In Battery Case Will “Ruin” Singer’s Life
Trey Songz was allegedly unaware of the lawsuit until the default judgment was ordered.
Trey Songz‘s legal team is fighting back after the singer was ordered to pay a $11 million judgment. According to In Touch Weekly, the alleged victim in the battery lawsuit Tyrelle Dunn, demanded the request to be thrown out. According to his lawyer, the R&B performer was not aware of the lawsuit until the aforementioned default judgment was made public last year.
“Good cause exists to set aside the default judgment because [Tyrelle] did not properly effectuate service of process of the summons and complaint on [Trey] pursuant to Nevada or California law. [Trey] did not know about this lawsuit until a few days ago, on November 27, 2024, upon which he promptly engaged counsel and filed this Motion,” the 40-year-old’s lawyer detailed.
“[Trey] promptly engaged civil defense counsel over the Thanksgiving holiday and filed this Motion to set aside the default judgment the next week. [Trey] deserves to have his day in court to defend himself, rather than being subjected to a massive default judgment which was improperly obtained in an underlying case that [Trey] knew nothing about until a week prior to filing this Motion. The enforcement of this default judgment will be devastating to [Trey] and will ruin his life.”
Trey Songz, legal name Tremaine Neverson, was ordered to pay $11 million to Dunn, a former police officer, in November 2024. In 2021, he was accused of holding Dunn’s wife against her will in a hotel room. Dunn claims in an attempt to rescue his wife, he was assaulted by the “Already Taken” singer and others, suffering fractured eye sockets and scarring.
Trey Songz was reportedly cleared of any criminal wrongdoing after an investigation that included statements, mobile phone inquiries, and a search warrant for the singer’s DNA.
Last April, Trey Songz settled a $25 million sexual assault lawsuit accusing him of rape with a Jane Doe for an undisclosed amount.
Trey Songz was allegedly unaware of the lawsuit until the default judgment was ordered.
Trey Songz‘s legal team is fighting back after the singer was ordered to pay a $11 million judgment. According to In Touch Weekly, the alleged victim in the battery lawsuit Tyrelle Dunn, demanded the request to be thrown out. According to his lawyer, the R&B performer was not aware of the lawsuit until the aforementioned default judgment was made public last year.
“Good cause exists to set aside the default judgment because [Tyrelle] did not properly effectuate service of process of the summons and complaint on [Trey] pursuant to Nevada or California law. [Trey] did not know about this lawsuit until a few days ago, on November 27, 2024, upon which he promptly engaged counsel and filed this Motion,” the 40-year-old’s lawyer detailed.
“[Trey] promptly engaged civil defense counsel over the Thanksgiving holiday and filed this Motion to set aside the default judgment the next week. [Trey] deserves to have his day in court to defend himself, rather than being subjected to a massive default judgment which was improperly obtained in an underlying case that [Trey] knew nothing about until a week prior to filing this Motion. The enforcement of this default judgment will be devastating to [Trey] and will ruin his life.”
Trey Songz, legal name Tremaine Neverson, was ordered to pay $11 million to Dunn, a former police officer, in November 2024. In 2021, he was accused of holding Dunn’s wife against her will in a hotel room. Dunn claims in an attempt to rescue his wife, he was assaulted by the “Already Taken” singer and others, suffering fractured eye sockets and scarring.
Trey Songz was reportedly cleared of any criminal wrongdoing after an investigation that included statements, mobile phone inquiries, and a search warrant for the singer’s DNA.
Last April, Trey Songz settled a $25 million sexual assault lawsuit accusing him of rape with a Jane Doe for an undisclosed amount.
Major brush fires burning in SoCal amid powerful windstorm
A windstorm that forecasters described as potentially destructive and life-threatening is impacting a large swath of Southern California, dramatically raising the risk of wildfires for the next several days.
Firefighters are battling a fire in the foothills of Pacific Palisades, a Los Angeles coastal neighborhood. Another brush fire erupted in the evening in the Eaton Canyon area near Altadena, prompting mandatory evacuations. Then late Tuesday night, the Hurst Fire erupted in the Sylmar area.
Winds are expected to peak in the early hours of Wednesday, when gusts could reach 80 mph, the National Weather Service said. Isolated gusts could top 100 mph in mountains and foothills.
Red flag warnings are in effect and will and remain in place until 6 p.m. Thursday for the Malibu coast, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, the Santa Clarita Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the 5 Freeway and 14 Freeway corridors.
Firefighters are battling a fire in the foothills of Pacific Palisades, a Los Angeles coastal neighborhood. Another brush fire erupted in the evening in the Eaton Canyon area near Altadena, prompting mandatory evacuations. Then late Tuesday night, the Hurst Fire erupted in the Sylmar area.
Winds are expected to peak in the early hours of Wednesday, when gusts could reach 80 mph, the National Weather Service said. Isolated gusts could top 100 mph in mountains and foothills.
Red flag warnings are in effect and will and remain in place until 6 p.m. Thursday for the Malibu coast, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, the Santa Clarita Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the 5 Freeway and 14 Freeway corridors.
S’mores and Toast-Yay! Girl Scout Cookie Flavors Will be Retired After This Year
Girl Scout cookie enthusiasts, this is your last chance to enjoy two beloved flavors before they’re gone for good. The Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has announced that S’mores and Toast-Yay! cookies will be discontinued after the 2025 cookie season. S’mores, introduced in 2017, and Toast-Yay!, which debuted in 2021, will soon be retired.
In a first, GSUSA has given advance notice of a cookie’s retirement to give customers an opportunity to stock up. Whether this move will lead to a resale frenzy like the one sparked by the discontinuation of Raspberry Rally in 2023 remains to be seen.
Both flavors will remain available throughout the 2025 season, while supplies last, and can be purchased at local cookie booths or online through the Girl Scout Cookie Finder. The 2025 cookie season officially begins January 7, offering a lineup that includes fan favorites like Thin Mints, Samoas, and Trefoils, as well as newer options such as Adventurefuls and Lemon-Ups.
The cookie season runs from January through April, depending on location, and supports local councils and troops while helping Girl Scouts develop life skills like leadership and entrepreneurship.
“Girl Scout Cookie season is about so much more than selling the iconic cookies people know and love,” said Wendy Lou, GSUSA Chief Revenue Officer. “The funds girls earn throughout the season directly power their journeys in leadership, entrepreneurship, and community building. The sweet success of each sale shows how much girls can achieve when they set their minds to it.”
Girl Scout cookie enthusiasts, this is your last chance to enjoy two beloved flavors before they’re gone for good. The Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has announced that S’mores and Toast-Yay! cookies will be discontinued after the 2025 cookie season. S’mores, introduced in 2017, and Toast-Yay!, which debuted in 2021, will soon be retired.
In a first, GSUSA has given advance notice of a cookie’s retirement to give customers an opportunity to stock up. Whether this move will lead to a resale frenzy like the one sparked by the discontinuation of Raspberry Rally in 2023 remains to be seen.
Both flavors will remain available throughout the 2025 season, while supplies last, and can be purchased at local cookie booths or online through the Girl Scout Cookie Finder. The 2025 cookie season officially begins January 7, offering a lineup that includes fan favorites like Thin Mints, Samoas, and Trefoils, as well as newer options such as Adventurefuls and Lemon-Ups.
The cookie season runs from January through April, depending on location, and supports local councils and troops while helping Girl Scouts develop life skills like leadership and entrepreneurship.
“Girl Scout Cookie season is about so much more than selling the iconic cookies people know and love,” said Wendy Lou, GSUSA Chief Revenue Officer. “The funds girls earn throughout the season directly power their journeys in leadership, entrepreneurship, and community building. The sweet success of each sale shows how much girls can achieve when they set their minds to it.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Regrets are Instant
My mother always told me to wear clean underwear in case this happened.
EVENING GOODIES: Meet Myke
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HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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