3/18/24

The Daily Buzz For Mar 19☕📰☕

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!

#MAGFABl Jeffrey Wright for Ebony Magazine!

ODE TO JEFFREY WRIGHT: IT’S ALL LOVE via Ebony
It takes a great deal of love and care to bring a role to life the way Oscar-nominated actor Jeffrey Wright does. Not only does he put on for the Black community through his portrayals, but he inspires the masses to imagine greatness for one another. In this homage to his career, we lean into his own inspirations, the impact of American Fiction and more.

Love is most commonly classified in four ways: storge (familial); philia (friendship); eros (romantic) and agape (“Godlike” for your fellow human). In the African diasporic community, we like to think there is an additional type that belongs strictly to us: BLACK LOVE. Black love foundationally shows up in our persistence to exist every day; it’s radical and distinctively ours. It emanates not solely in our DNA but in how we create meaning for ourselves. We choose it, as the late Gloria Jean Watkins, also known as “bell hooks,” defined while affirming that it is more than a feeling but an action. Before her time, writers like Alain Locke, (dubbed “Dean of the New Negro Movement” or Harlem Renaissance) captured the lifeblood of Black love in how our community exudes it through creative mediums such as art and literature.

Love requires fierce imagination and execution—no one embodies this conception better than Jeffrey Wright.
As an actor, Wright’s archetype is rooted in a genuine love of storytelling. Fortunately, this adoration has resulted in a body of work that presents a variance of Black life. When Wright shows up on screen, he commands your attention with an infectious energy that moves the viewer to feel what he intends to articulate. When he arrived on set for EBONY’s cover shoot, the room was still for a quick moment in an undeniable consensus that we were all in the presence of greatness.

In short, he deserves all the things.
Once Wright was suited and ready to go, the vibe instantaneously transformed into a Motown-laced reverie in which the past was both realized, reflected and honored. To watch Wright behind the scenes was to have a front-row seat to the care that he has poured into his craft over the span of his career. He genuinely sits in a bespoke genre of his invention. The fruits of his labor manifested in a recent Oscar nomination for his latest film, American Fiction. Serendipitously, this acknowledgment comes exactly three decades after his Tony Award win for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in Angels in America—way overdue. There’s even a bit of irony for this to be the project that earns him a nomination, given the subject matter of the film. But how does an institution best pay homage to a man who has taken on many of the most iconic portrayals, from Jean-Michel Basquiat to Muddy Waters and Martin Luther King Jr.? And that’s just to name the ones he believes he’d personally enjoy a guy’s night out with.

Once the shoot wrapped, we hopped in a black car service to Wright’s next destination. As the driver buzzed through the streets of Brooklyn, Wright spoke intently and humbly on the role of an artist in a way that resembled Black contemporary figures like James Baldwin, whom he missed taking a guest lecture course with while he was enrolled at Amherst College. “It’s one of the regrets of my life,” Wright recalls. “I think he only gave three lectures. I was playing lacrosse, and I got injured that year. I am embarrassed to say that I missed his lectures, and he passed away not too long after that. I don’t even care to speak about it.”

It’s one of the regrets of my life. I think he only gave three lectures. I was playing lacrosse and I got injured that year. I am embarrassed to say that I missed his lectures and he passed away not too long after that. I don’t even care to speak about it.”
The D.C. native is widely recognized for his range and the incomparable uniqueness he gives to the characters he takes on. Whether fictional or nonfictional, each interpretation is never the same. Few Black actors have been able to play a multitude of roles that chronicle Black historical figures yet are unrecognizable in each one. This speaks to the singularity of his gift, which he attributes to his time spent in Western Massachusetts. It was there where he honed his acting chops, soaked up the breadth of endless artistic opportunity and developed lifelong friendships.

“As an actor, [Western Massachusetts] is where it begins for me. I hadn’t done anything before that. What was wonderful about my time at Amherst College was that I found the freedom to explore outside of what I thought were my primary interests because of the Five College Consortium. It’s a beautiful area, but there was also a really interesting group of thinkers and artists around the school,” he ruminated. “[Ekwueme] Michael Thelwell taught there and his wife was the head of a theater group at UMASS Amherst that did a range of really interesting work. The first piece I did was an adaptation of Wallace Terry’s novel Bloods which is about black Vietnam veterans and their recollection of their experiences. This was the beginning of my pathway as an actor and it leads directly back to Western Mass. The first day I was in an acting class, I was asked to perform a scene. I knew at that moment that this was what I was going to be doing for a while. I am indebted to that place.”

Since its release at the end of 2023, American Fiction, Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut, has generated dialogue across groups about the duplicity of America’s commodification of Blackness—Black literature specifically.

“IN CREATING THIS CHARACTER, THERE WERE SO MANY INTERESTING, FORTUNATE AND NOT-SO-FORTUNATE OVERLAPS BETWEEN MONK’S CIRCUMSTANCES AND MY OWN…I’VE NEVER BEEN ASKED TO PLAY WITHIN A DYNAMIC LIKE THIS BEFORE ON SCREEN.”

Based on novelist Percival Everett’s 2001 book Erasure, American Fiction delves into how the Black community reckons with the knowing of self-preservation versus selling out.  Splendidly satirical, the film entertains a multitude of perspectives on the matter through each character’s accordance with one another. Wright plays Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a Boston-born writer who struggles with maintaining his authenticity in a publishing marketplace that leans heavily on adulterated “Black” stories that bring validity to banal generalizations.

The character Monk is full circle for Wright in many ways. Not only did the role bring him back to a state that he accredits his earliest beginnings to, but it paralleled tropes that reflect his own reality. “In creating this character, there were so many interesting, fortunate and not-so-fortunate overlaps between Monk’s circumstances and my own. Less so in terms of his professional or personal frustration but more so relative to the pressures that he’s experiencing regarding responsibilities to family and caretaking,” said Wright. “My mother passed away a little over a year before I got this script from Cord, so it was that side of the story that really struck me on an intimate emotional level. I found myself saying, ‘I’ve never been asked to play within a dynamic like this before on screen.’ It was that aspect of the film that is the antidote to the absurdity of the satirical side of the film.”

During his conversation with EBONY, Wright shared more of his thoughts about the place of Black imagination, creating meaningful work and doing it all from a place of love.

“At its best, it’s the artistic community that shows us the way forward.”

EBONY: Congratulations on American Fiction’s Oscar nominations. How does it feel for the film to be recognized in this way?
Jeffrey Wright: I’m really pleased that the film was acknowledged in such a broad way by our colleagues. Being nominated for Best Picture is reflective of the work that everyone did to make this story. Having Sterling [K. Brown] being acknowledged for his work, Cord being acknowledged for his screenplay and Laura Karpman for her score just reflect the type of collaboration that went into making this film. That’s the best part about what we do; it takes a lot of different parts, a lot of different hands, a lot of different talents and skills. Everyone involved in this film was passionate about the story, first and foremost. It’s just really cool to be acknowledged.

You seem to give your all and complete dedication to every project you touch. Is there such a thing as a work-life balance that is achieved with that?

What I do is just a job like anybody else’s job.  I go to work, I do my job, and then I go home. I try not to think about my work when I’m not on set. I used to when I was younger and had the time and space to think about a role almost 24 hours a day. Like with Basquiat, he was constantly on my mind. I was constantly thinking, referencing and trying to find him while walking through New York City. As I got older, I couldn’t afford to do that anymore. I have children, responsibilities to family and things like that. I don’t have any difficulty separating the facts of my life from the fiction of the stories. As I’m sure you know, it’s just part of the job.

Without question, you’ve been a leading man for some of the most iconic films and plays in history. What guides you when you decide to sign on to a role?

I choose roles because they’re interesting to me; therefore, they might be interesting to audiences. I choose them because they seem to be about smart things and people, and they are crafted in smart ways by smart collaborators. That’s what I like to dive into. I like to dive into stories that are ideally new for audiences and not retracing old steps. That keeps me interested, engaged and focused.

“WE’RE RISING ABOVE VIA THE POWER OF OUR IMAGINATION, ABSOLUTELY IN SPITE OF.”
With your storied career, I can’t imagine that you have not been mentored or championed by others. Who have been influences who encouraged you to stand in your convictions and find your own agency as an actor?

There’s a line from Angels in America where Tony Kushner writes, “Everyone who makes it in this world makes it because someone older and more powerful takes an interest.” There were many such people in my life during my career. Chief among them is George C. Wolfe, who directed Rustin. George and I have worked on I don’t know how many projects since we first worked together on Angels on Broadway in 1993. But there were directors when I was even younger, like Hal Scott, who gave me my first equity job in a role that Lorraine Hansberry had written for him in a play called Les Blanc. He was head of the theater department at Rutgers but cast me in my first legitimate role down in Washington at Arena Stage. Joe Dowling, an Irish director, hired me early on four or five times. Lloyd Richards at Yale Repertory Theater and the Yale Drama School provided space for me to work three years in a row after I moved to New York on three separate plays. They took an interest in me.

Then there were actors early on who gave me a bit of advice. Sidney Poitier, whom I first worked with on my first major role in a major production, the miniseries Separate but Equal, took an interest. Albert Hall and Cleavon Little, who worked on the film, were incredibly gracious toward me and supportive and appreciative even though I was young and had no idea what I was doing. They took an interest in me. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Wes Anderson on multiple occasions. He’s said that he has seen every bit of theater that I’ve done in New York prior to writing the role for me in French Dispatch, which is one of the most beautiful pieces of writing that anyone’s ever offered me.

I don’t have enough digits to count all the people who have taught, assisted and collaborated with me in my career in a way that allows me the position I enjoy today. Another wonderful part about this work is that we don’t do it alone.
“EVERYONE HAS ACCESS AND THE RIGHT TO THE OWNERSHIP OF FREEDOM… NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE.”

What is one of the greatest lessons you’ve taken with you thus far?
I’ve been fortunate to find some ideal artists who really shaped the nature of my career. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to avoid those who detract from the quality and enjoyment of the work. I’ve learned to choose more wisely.  I’d like to think so.

In the film, Monk leans into a vivid stream of imagination to become Stagg R. Leigh and critique the publishing system. Can you expound on the power of Black imagination in shaping the future?
The work that we do is born entirely of the imagination. I’ve made my career, fed my children, supported my family, been fortunate enough to travel the world and have access to rooms across the spectrum on account of my imagination. But the imagination is not just a playground. Imagination is how we look toward the future. It drives the choices that we make based on what we perceive is coming next. So there’s often a disparagement or under-appreciation of the artistic folks in our society across the board. But at its best, it’s the artistic community that shows us the way forward.

It’s them that shine perspective on the future based on an understanding of the past but also an imagining—or reimagining—of what comes next. That’s the role of the creative community. In regard to the Black community in America, very often we didn’t have the material things or opportunities, so the power to conjure through imagination has always been heightened. It’s a powerful tool that changes the cultural landscape forever. But still, we’re rising above via the power of our imagination, absolutely in spite of.

While under the guise of his pseudonym, Monk says “Words belong to everybody.” What do you feel belongs to everyone?
“As far as our country goes, I think everyone has access and the right to the ownership of the freedoms it offers and to the rights of citizenship here—no matter who they are. There’s a type of freedom—creative freedom, intellectual freedom, freedom to be alive in one’s own skin, freedom to be an individual—that belongs to all of us. No matter what the resistance out there is to that, it is ours. It applies to the sense of place we have in this country and society. We’re here. When we seize on that idea, it gives us a greater sense of power and ability to overcome the things that frustrate us. Still, we just keep pushing.”


#RHOA: Sanya Richards-Ross Exits 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Ahead of Season 16
After just two seasons, Sanya Richards-Ross is departing The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
During the March 14 episode of his Sirius XM show, Andy Cohen Live, Bravo host Andy Cohen confirmed that the Olympic track and field star, 39, has decided to step away from the series amid the unusually long hiatus in between filming seasons 15 and 16.

"How do you feel about Kandi [Burruss], Sanya and Marlo [Hampton] leaving the show?" Cohen, 55 asked his guest, Mariah Smith.
The clip was quickly picked up and posted to social media channels by viewers who shared their shock at Cohen so "casually" revealing that yet another big name was leaving RHOA after Kandi Burruss and Marlo Hampton were previously confirmed to be exiting.

"Andy casually announced Sanya is leaving #RHOA although it was never officially announced in the press," one fan wrote in a tweet.
Sanya -- who welcomed her second child with her husband, Aaron Ross, in December -- has yet to publicly announce her departure on social media or in an interview like her former co-stars have done. ​​

Her exit from the franchise comes after Burruss, 47, first shared with ET at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards in early February that she would not be returning to the show after 14 seasons. She is the longest-running Housewife in the franchise's history.
"I've been going back and forth and I think because they gave us such a long break, I had a lot of time to do other things and I've got some big announcements to make coming soon, so yeah," Burruss explained. "I mean, I love the girls, they're my friends, I'm still gonna see them and hang out with them. And Bravo is my family, I love them as well, but you know."

Weeks later, Hampton, 47, also confirmed she was leaving the series ahead of season 16, telling People that her contract with the long-running Bravo series ended at the end of season 15, which wrapped filming in January 2023.


#NewMusic from Tamar Braxton Releases New Single “Notice Me”

R&B superstar Tamar Braxton returns with the surprise new single “Notice Me”.
The captivating ballad was co-written by Braxton along with Nyerere Davidson and Amber Smith. It offers a heartfelt exploration of love, vulnerability, and the longing for acknowledgment. With her signature soulful vocals, Braxton effortlessly conveys the raw emotions that resonate deeply with listeners.

Also releasing is an accompanying visual which beautifully complements the song’s message, adding an additional layer of depth and emotion to the overall experience.

LISTEN AND WATCH HERE

This is the first new offering from Tamar Braxton since she released the chart topping hit single “Changed” in 2023, followed by her collaborative single with the We Sound Crazy Podcast on the song “You Bring The Love”.


#HipHopNews: PARTYNEXTDOOR Announces 'PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 (P4)' Release Date
PARTYNEXTDOOR’s next project is coming sooner than you think. On Thursday (March 14) night, the R&B singer announced the release date for his next eponymous album, PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 (P4).
During his SXSW concert, PND revealed that the upcoming body of work will hit streaming platforms on April 26. To coincide with the big news, he also dropped “R E A L W O M A N” today (March 15).

On the song, he crooned, “Shawty met a boss like me and put 100 down on a condo downtown with me/ Shawty is experienced, put a period when we drunk drivin’ that Bentley/ Last night, we were sippin’ Henny and now we doin’ deals/ Tomorrow, we’ll be hungover and hangin’ here, baby/ Huh, life is good; the worst is over now.”

PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 (P4) is expected to include other pre-released singles, such as “R E S E N T M E N T” and “H e r O l d F r i e n d s.” It will serve as a follow-up to 2021’s re-release of COLOURS. Before that, PARTYNEXTDOOR 3 (P3) came out in 2016 with a lone feature from Drake on “Come and See Me.”

In the comment section of DJ Akademiks’ repost, fans were evidently excited about the project under one condition: PND brings back the old vibes. One user wrote, “Better sound like 2016 PARTYNEXTDOOR.” Another person shared, “I would’ve cared in 2017, but bro’s music nowadays does not hit the same anymore. I really only listen to his older stuff and leaks.”
During a recent cover story with Billboard, PND revealed that PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 (P4) is the “hardest” he’s ever worked on an album. “This is the proudest I’ve felt,” the artist said. “I’m excited to grind even more for the next [one]. I’m in love with how hard you should work for it.”


#BoxOfficeNews: ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ repeats at No. 1 But DUNE has grossed over 500 Million at the US Box Office

“ Kung Fu Panda 4 ” stayed at the top of the North American box office in its second weekend in theaters. The Universal and DreamWorks Animation movie earned $30 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The franchise featuring the voice of Jack Black is responsible for over $1.9 billion at the box office since it launched in 2008 and spawned several animated series, shorts, video games and a holiday special. The fourth installment, playing in 4,067 locations in North America, has already made $107.7 million domestically.

There were several new movies arriving in over 1,000 theaters (or expanding) this weekend, including Lionsgate’s Mark Wahlberg dog movie “ Arthur the King,” Focus Features’ comedic satire “The American Society of Magical Negroes” and A24’s Kristen Stewart-led bodybuilding thriller “ Love Lies Bleeding.”

But the charts still belonged to the franchises, including “ Dune: Part Two,” which came in a very close second in its third weekend, with $29.1 million. That’s down only 37% from last weekend. It’s now made $205.3 million domestically. The first film, which was released simultaneously in theaters and on streaming, capped out at around $435 million globally, while “Part Two” is already at almost $500 million worldwide.

“ Arthur the King ” did the best of the newcomers, landing in third place with $7.5 million from 3,003 locations. The studio went into the weekend expecting something in the $8 million to $10 million range. Its low production cost and international presales should yield profits. Directed by Simon Cellan Jones and written by Michael Brandt, the movie is based on the true story of an adventure racer who befriends a stray dog on a perilous 435-mile trek in the Dominican Republic. Simu Liu plays one of Wahlberg’s teammates. With an A CinemaScore, the studio is hoping positive word of mouth will boost sales in the coming weeks.

“ Love Lies Bleeding ” opened in 1,362 locations to $2.5 million. Written and directed by Rose Glass (” Saint Maud ″), it’s a pulpy ’80s-set Western thriller about an isolated gym manager (Stewart) and a bodybuilder (Katy O’Brian) passing through town.
“The American Society of Magical Negroes” opened in 1,147 theaters and made an estimated $1.3 million. According to exit data, 52% of the opening weekend audience was Black. The movie, written and directed by Kobi Libii, is a satire about a secret society of Black people dedicated to making white lives easier. Justice Smith and David Alan Grier star.

In the first weekend following the Oscars, “ Poor Things ” added $2.3 million globally, bumping its total to $112.6 million.
Next weekend, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” will arrive in theaters, armed with proton packs and brand name recognition.
“When there’s not a newcomer dominating the marketplace, it makes for a rather slow weekend,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. “Now we’re just waiting for ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ and ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.’ That combo should take us out of the month of March on a high note.”

He added: “We’re going to have to have a lot of patience until we get to May and ‘The Fall Guy’ and the summer movie season. But there’s some great movies on the way.”
Estimated ticket sales are for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore.

1. “Kung Fu Panda 4,” $30 million.
2. “Dune: Part Two,” $29.1 million
3. “Arthur the King,” $7.5 million.
4. “Imaginary,” $5.6 million.
5. “Cabrini, ”$2.8 million.
6. “Love Lies Bleeding,” $2.5 million.
7. “Bob Marley: One Love,” $2.3 million.
8. “One Life,” $1.7 million
9. “The American Society of Magical Negroes,” $1.3 million
10. “Ordinary Angels,” $1 million.



Lenny Kravitz Looks Incredible In New Shirtless Photos
Lenny Kravitz is looking better than ever. The 59-year-old musician and actor shared a photo of his shirtless body, revealing that age is no excuse when it comes to fitness and to truly incredible abs.
The photo shows him in jeans and sunglasses, with no shirt on. He appears to be looking up at the sun, with his hands tucked in his pockets. “Standing in love and gratitude,” he captioned the post, prompting a flurry of praise in the comments section.

“Lenny is in better shape than most of the new generations and he is freaking 59,” wrote a viewer. “We too, as the viewers of this photograph are also standing in love and gratitude,” wrote a second person.
“And just like…. I’m headed to the gym!!!” wrote Kelly Rowland.
Lenny Kravitz is often questioned about his ageless looks and incredible body, with him explaining that while he does care for himself, doing all of what’s expected for someone whose abs look that good, he’s also pretty blessed in the genetics department.

“I mean, do I watch what I put into my body? Yes. Do I take care of myself? Yes. Do I eat organically and vegan and blah, blah, blah? Yeah. Do I work out and take care of my body and my limbs? Yes, I do all of that. So, I have that and I’ve been trained in that from a young age, but also it’s the genes. It’s my family genes,” he said to GQ. “It’s also the fact that I love doing what I do: I love making music and being an artist. I think they’re all contributors.”


David Guetta Beams With Happiness As He Announces Birth Of First Child With GF Jessica Ledon

Congratulations are in order for David Guetta and Jessica Ledon. The "When Love Takes Over" artist beamed with happiness as he revealed that he and his actress girlfriend have welcomed their first child together.

On Sunday, March 17, the 56-year-old disc jockey made use of Instagram to announce the happy news. In the caption of his new joint post with the 32-year-old Cuban-born actress, he penned, "Love is in the air," adding a red heart emoji. He went on to unveil their baby's name by simply writing, "Welcome Cyan."
In the same post, David and Jessica treated social media users to a first photo of their little family. In the heartwarming picture, it could be seen that he was flashing his radiant smile as he looked straight at the camera. He was photographed placing his cheek on hers as he put his hand on her hair.

Meanwhile, Jessica was pictured looking in another direction while cradling their bundle of joy. The perfect pair appeared to have no problem with showing off Cyan's face to the public as it was clearly seen in the snap. Cyan, who was sporting a yellow tee, was peacefully sleeping on his mother's chest.

After revealing the exciting news, David and Jessica quickly received congratulatory messages from Instagram users. Among them were famous artists, including fellow disc jockey Steve Aoki. The "Just Hold On" artist exclaimed, "Congrats!!!!" Similarly, DJ Tiesto penned, "I am so happy for you two!! Congrats brother!" adding a red heart emoji.
David and Jessica started their romantic relationship in 2015. Two years into their romance, he gave her a promise ring. In 2022, it was reported that the two had gone their separate ways. However, a source spilled at the time, "They haven't completely cut contact so some of us are hoping they will patch things up."

Aside from Cyan, David has two other children. He shares son Elvis and daughter Angie with his former wife Cathy. The music producer and Cathy were married for 22 years before calling it quits in 2014.


Journalist Wants 'Evil' Jay-Z To Be Investigated For His Alleged Mistress' Sudden Passing
Jay-Z could be the next Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, according to a journalist. Liz Crokin, who was set to write a tell-all about Jigga's allegedly mistress Cathy White, has publicly called for an investigation into her sudden passing in 2011.
Liz, who was set to interview Cathy just days before she died, wants the rapper to be investigated in connection to his alleged mistress' death. "It's only a matter of time before spirit cooking Jay Z is exposed like Diddy," she posted on X, formerly Twitter.

"There's a reason Kanye said Jay's got murderers. I would know," the journalist added. She went on claiming, "He's evil to the core. I pray there will be justice for Cathy White one day."
Cathy had allegedly been caught creeping with Jay-Z in 2010, when he's already married to Beyonce Knowles, and the rumors were spreading like wildfire. According to Liz, who used to work for Star Magazine, Cathy initially denied that she knew Jay-Z and partied with him, but after Liz confronted Cathy with pictures of her, Jay-Z and Diddy at Tao nightclub in Las Vegas, Cathy said she would consider going public with her story.

However, that story never happened because Cathy died shortly afterwards. Liz said she strongly feels that the fitness and beauty expert was murdered and did not suffer a brain aneurysm like her autopsy report said.
"I found it highly suspicious that a seemingly healthy 28-year-old woman would drop dead from an aneurism," Liz wrote. She said sources told her that Cathy had planned to go public about her alleged affair with Jay-Z prior to her death. Liz noted that days after she learned about Cathy's passing, Beyonce announced her pregnancy with Blue Ivy's at the 2011 MTV VMAs.

"It would've been a PR nightmare for Beyonce and Jay Z if Cathy did a tell-all around the time they had crafted her over-the-top pregnancy announcement," the journalist claimed. She went on insisting that media outlets at the time alleged that Cathy's friend Claudia Jordan was convinced an "A-list rapper had her friend killed."


Parents Accuse Diddy's Charter School of Being Violent and Dysfunctional Place for Kids

Students and families affiliated with Capital Prep, co-founded by Diddy, claim the entertainment mogul’s charter school did a disservice to children who attended.
Diddy co-launched the East Harlem school with Dr. Steve Perry in 2016, and in 2018 pledged $1 million for its expansion into the Bronx. However, last November Capital Prep cut ties with him amid his ongoing sexual assault lawsuits.

Now adding to the mounting controversy around the Bad Boy Records founder, a new report from The Cut reveals many issues with Capital Prep, including the accusation that Diddy had no involvement with the school beyond photo ops, guest appearances, and the school's grand opening in 2016.

Fourteen sources told The Cut about alleged frequent violence at Capital Prep, along with "unstable" leadership, and frequent teacher resignation. These issues were most apparent at the height of the pandemic during both virtual learning and when students, including those who were unhoused, returned for in-person classes in 2021. According to The Cut, teachers began to not show up for virtual classes, and by the end of 2020, 80 percent of teachers had left Capital Prep altogether.

When students did return to school after quarantine, some were enrolled in courses they had previously taken, or were "sitting in the cafeteria receiving no instruction for hours.” Dysfunction among teachers reflected on the student body, especially upperclassmen who were unable to transfer their credits or enroll in college due to ineligible transcripts.

“Darnell’s transcripts had classes he’d never taken, passing classes that he never took, failing classes that he was never in,” one parent, Shirley Payne, said about inaccuracies found on her son’s transcripts.
“I thought if Diddy is funding and attaching his name to something, it would be run very tightly, that he was going to give our kids what he didn’t have at that age,” parent Shakemia Harris said. Harris’ daughter Madison was enrolled at Capital Prep as an 11-year-old in 2017.

In addition to the many academic issues, violence during the school day was reportedly ongoing. Fights were rampant when the school nearly doubled in size, expanding to include a tenth grade, and again when Capital Prep relocated to 129th and Madison. Not only was the area more violent than its previous East 104th Street address, but Capital Prep began locking out students who were late, ultimately causing families to protest the disorderly conditions. In addition it violence between students, cops were called on students for things like uniform violations.

“Like other schools, we wrestled with deep community safety concerns, exacerbated by increased violence in both the local community and New York City,” the school said.
Allegedly absent from these issues was Diddy, although parents tried to contact him and his team.
“I was emailing the teachers. I was emailing leadership. I was emailing everyone. No one is responding to me,” said Payne.
Due to Capital Prep's alleged messy recordkeeping, some students were unequipped with the tools needed to acquire a higher education. Capital Prep claimed that 100 percent of students were accepted into four-year colleges; however, at least one student failed out of his first college semester, while another was accepted into three colleges but didn't attend because of depression exacerbated by the school.

Despite the controversy, 500 students from grades six through 12 still currently attend Capital Prep.


Kyrie Irving Stunned The Nuggets With A Midrange Lefty Hook Shot To Win At The Buzzer
Kyrie Irving has quite the catalogue of completely insane shots over the course of his NBA career, and on Sunday afternoon, he might have had his most impressive make yet. With things tied up in a Western Conference showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets, Irving hit a shot at the buzzer to give Dallas a much-needed 107-105 win.

But it wasn’t just a pull-up from three, or a crazy layup, or anything else we’ve come to expect out of Irving. Instead, it was a completely ridiculous running lefty hook from midrange despite a contest from Nikola Jokic.
Like many of us, Luka Doncic was in a state of total shock after the shot went in.

Doncic played a big part in even getting Dallas to this point. With less than 30 seconds remaining and the game tied at 102, Jamal Murray pulled up from deep to give Denver the lead.
On the ensuing inbound, Doncic was able to answer the bell, as he managed to get open for an excellent look from behind the top of the 3-point line.

WATCH

The Mavs were able to stop Murray from hitting a game-winner on the next possession, which gave Dallas a chance to get a walk-off winner. And fortunately for them, Irving was able to make it happen.

 
Blaise Taylor, Former College Football Star, Charged With Fatally Poisoning His Pregnant Girlfriend

Blaise Taylor, a former football star at Arkansas State, has been arrested and charged with fatally poisoning his pregnant girlfriend, Jade Benning, and their unborn child.
In February 2023, Blaise allegedly poisoned Jade “without her knowledge while visiting her Lebanon Pike apartment” in Nashville.

Later that night, Jade Benning, who was 5 months pregnant, was rushed to the hospital after Blaise Taylor contacted authorities and told them she appeared to be having “an allergic reaction.”
The baby died two days later, and tragically, Jade also passed on March 6, 2023, which happened to be her 25th birthday.
Following the death of his girlfriend and baby, Blaise Taylor relocated to Utah.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said Taylor, 28, was indicted on two charges of first-degree murder in the 2023 deaths of his girlfriend and unborn baby.
He was arrested on Thursday and is currently held without bail at the Cache County Jail in Logan, Utah.
MNPD is now working with authorities to arrange for Blaise Taylor’s return to Nashville.
At the time of his arrest, Blaise was employed as a football analyst at Utah State.

USU released the following statement:
We are aware of the arrest of former employee Blaise Taylor, who left the university on March 1, 2024, to begin a new role at another institution.

Taylor had worked as an analyst with the USU football brogan since July 1, 2023.
The university is not involved in this law enforcement matter.


Lil Nas X Just Ran a Half Marathon in a Pair of Designer Shoes—and Left in a Wheelchair
Lil Nas X ran the New York City Half Marathon for the first time over the weekend—and had a pretty rough time of it. The singer and rapper, known for hits like 'Industry Baby' and 'Old Town Road,' allegedly couldn't find a pair of running shoes in time— and so he ended up repping Coach, the fashion brand he has been a spokesmodel for since 2022.

He ran the entire 13-mile track in a pair of Coach distressed leather high-top sneakers, which might make for some strong drip but are in no way made for endurance running.

According to Page Six, Nas did very little to no training for the event, having reportedly never ran for longer than three miles at a time—and even then, only on a treadmill. The half marathon apparently marked the first time that the musician went running outdoors.
Lil Nas X completed the 21-kilometer race with a final time of 2:32:53, but running 13 miles with insufficient training, not to mention highly unsuitable footwear, took a physical toll: he shared a video on his Instagram Story after the race showing that his legs were so fatigued he had ended up needing a wheelchair.

"Well... the race went well," he joked. "It's giving race!"
The next morning, he posted a video to his Instagram Story from his bed, chiding his cat for jumping on his legs, which he claims are in quite a lot of pain right now... and understandably so.

That isn't to say the 24-year-old rapper isn't in otherwise great shape. Cardio notwithstanding, Nas stays in the gym, and has frequently shared glimpses of his workouts—as well as his lean physique and shredded six-pack abs—on social media. He's also known for performing shirtless, and most recently, showed off his sculpted muscles at last year's Met Gala, going nearly nude and covering his entire body in silver paint.


Idris Elba reveals ‘dream’ of building eco city on island off Sierra Leone

Idris Elba has shared details of his “dream” to turn an island off the coast of Sierra Leone, the country where his father was born, into an environmentallyfriendly smart city.

The actor is working with his childhood friend to develop Sherbro, which is roughly the size of the Isle of Man, after the island was given enough autonomy by the west African nation’s government to allow the work to go ahead.
“Originally, we went there thinking how could we bring tourism to the most incredible 19 miles of beachfront,” Elba told the BBC. But his friend Siaka Stevens said it became apparent Sierra Leone was not yet prepared for such an influx of tourists.

Instead, the pair – who grew up together in east London – decided to embark on a more ambitious project. Their company, Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP), has reached agreements with the Sierra Leonean government, as well as several major firms, to build an eco city as a public-private partnership.
They have agreed a deal with the energy company Octopus to build Sierra Leone’s first windfarm on the island, which lacks mains electricity and is a two-hour ferry trip from the mainland. Elba said a sustainable approach to developing the project would be central throughout the development.

Equally important will be respecting local culture and sensibilities, with Elba expressing his hope to create a “culturally diverse international city that blends African tradition, dynamism, and pride with state-of-the-art infrastructure and services”.
“The character of the island hopefully will remain intact. It’s a beautiful, green part of the world and we don’t want to disturb that,” he said.

He added: “It’s about being self-reliant, it’s about bringing an economy that feeds itself and has growth potential. I’m very keen to reframe the way Africa is viewed … as an aid model. This opportunity is completely different.”
He and Stevens have defined three key principles for the project. Among them is developing “based on African cultural values and principles, which prioritise community, collaboration, and respect for nature”.

They also said they planned to design the infrastructure in a way that was adaptable to “changing social, economic and environmental conditions” and to follow “eco city principles”, such as building in a way that is “environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and resilient to climate change”.
Stevens said that the development on the island would be “fuelled by clean energy sources”.

The pair said they had also sought to consult residents of the island; saying they have each visited several times to meet local leaders.
Last month, Lloyds of London announced it was to take up a role in the project, but said at the time that Stevens and Elba’s company was still in the process of putting together feasibility studies with the government of Sierra Leone.

Elba and Stevens have said they hoped to break ground on the project within about a year of those studies starting, but they have stressed that this is a process that is likely to last decades.
Feasibility is a key question for the project, for which SAP reportedly hopes to raise billions of dollars from various sources.

The US-Senegalese singer Akon is another artist who announced a plan to build a futuristic city in his ancestral homeland. The first phase of his project was due to be completed by late last year. But, as the Guardian reported in December, the project has been beset by delays and controversy – with only a youth centre and the shell of what is planned to be the “welcome centre” having been built so far.

While Akon received praise for the planned city’s Afrofuturistic aesthetic, there has been scepticism as to whether it will ever come to pass, fuelled by a lack of detail around the plans.

Elba, for his part, has been clear about where his strengths lie. “Never in my lifetime would I have thought I could build the foundation for a new smart-city … I’m not qualified for that. But I am qualified to dream big,” he said.
“It’s a dream, you know, but I work in the make-believe business.”

He added: “Part of me wants to build that beautiful retirement home for my mum.”
The actor told the broadcaster his late father would probably think the dream too big. But he said he would be proud, and tell his son “If you’re going to do it, make sure you do it properly. You do it good, you do it with all your heart because that’s the best you can do”.


Tiffany Haddish Paints Mystery ‘Not Drinking’ Because She’s ‘Trying to Get Pregnant’
*Is she or isn’t she? That’s the question, as Tiffany Haddish opted for sober status with motivations of “trying to get pregnant.
Co-hosting Elton John’s star-studded AIDS Foundation Oscar party, the “Girls Trip” fixture was noticeably avoiding the good stuff. When asked about her anti-booze mind state at the annual event, an attendee revealed to Page Six that Haddish simply answered, “I am trying to get pregnant.”

Although it is unclear whether the funny woman’s response was her comedic way of dealing with scrutiny surrounding her sobriety after being arrested late last year for a DUI, another source mentioned that “It didn’t feel like [she was joking]. She said it numerous times.”

Countering the claim, Page Six noted comments from a source close to Haddish. According to the Haddish source, the “Back on the Strip” entertainer’s reply “was likely a joke,” despite her desire to be a mother.
“She is serious about her sobriety,” the source confessed to Page Six. “She’s kept it, and is very into her health right now. She’s going through her changes and is doing amazing.”

Whether Haddish was truthful remains up in the air. At this time, there is no official word from her rep on the situation.
In the meanwhile, the word about Haddish’s appearance at the Oscar party was a good one. Along with “The Last O.G.” star, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka assumed co-hosting duties at the event, which drew the likes of Heidi Klum, Patricia Arquette, Tim Allen, Jane Seymour, Michaela Jae Rodriguez, Mario Cantone and Sandra Lee, among others. More than $10.8 million was raised to help John’s foundation.

“She was having the time of her life!” another source shared with Page Six about Haddish, who “bid on nearly everything in the auction.”
“She was jovial and hilarious,” the source added. “She was the bright light in the room, making fun of herself and her dress. She ruled that room.”


Caitlyn Jenner & Lamar Odom To Launch New Podcast Together Called ‘Keeping Up With Sports’

This is unexpected! Caitlyn Jenner has partnered with Lamar Odom to create a podcast, “Keeping Up With Sports.” The podcast appears to pay homage to the popular reality TV series “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” which once starred Lamar Odom and Caitlyn Jenner.

Podcaster Mystic Zach Hirsch, who hosts multiple podcasts, including “Running It Back With Pac and Zach,” will co-host the podcast with Lamar Odom and Caitlyn Jenner.

Their first episode is reportedly set to debut in a few weeks, with former boxing star Sugar Ray Leonard as the first special guest. Other reported future guests include a variety of athletes, such as boxer Bryce Hall and world champion boxer Zab Judah.
Odom hasn’t made an official announcement about the new podcast, but he reposted news about it on his Instagram story on Monday (March 18).

It comes as no surprise that the former NBA star and Jenner have started a sports podcast. In 1976, Jenner won a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Montreal.
On the other hand, Odom won championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010. He was also named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2011.

The pair were also once members of the Kardashian family. The former decathlete was married to Kris Jenner for over two decades before they called it quits in 2015. Their marriage was before Bruce Jenner’s transition to Caitlin Jenner. Their divorce was highly publicized on the E!’s former reality show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”

Meanwhile, Odom was married to Khloé Kardashian before they divorced in 2016.
It’s unclear if the Kardashian family is in any way affected by the two exes teaming up for this podcast, but Caitlyn has made it clear that she and her ex-wife don’t speak to each other anymore

While speaking to UK Daytime talk show “This Morning” last year, Caitlyn revealed,
“If there’s any communication, my manager kind of talks to her, and when you have as many kids as I have, you’re closer to some than you are to others… I certainly see them, and we do this and that. I’m much closer to the Jenner side, but Kris, I don’t really have any more contact with her. It’s kind of sad because we went through a lot.”

What do you think about Lamar Odom and Caitlyn Jenner launching a new podcast together?


Wayne Brady Speaks On The “Biggest Misconception” Surrounding Pansexuality
Wayne Brady explains the biggest misconception about pansexuality.
While attending the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards on Thursday evening in Los Angeles, Brady shared with PEOPLE that he empathizes with individuals who find the term confusing. He admitted to needing to “research” the topic himself.

“I had to do research and find out what it was that I was,” Brady, who identifies as pansexual, says. “I think the biggest misconception — and I even make a joke about it onstage tonight — is that people think that you’re an indecisive bisexual. It’s like, no, no, no, no, no. Let me set you straight.”

He added, “What the definition basically boils down to is, regardless of gender, regardless. So that means that I am happily free to fall in love with anybody here. If you’re gay, if you’re straight, if you’re non-binary, trans, I don’t care.”
Following his disclosure last year, Brady characterized his pansexuality to PEOPLE as being akin to being “bisexual — with an open mind.” He revealed that the passing of Robin Williams in 2014 profoundly impacted him, sparking an unexpected journey of self-exploration.

Apart from engaging in therapy to comprehend his lack of fulfillment in certain areas of life and seeking treatment for “love addiction,” he found himself pondering the question, “Wayne, um, are you gay?”
“And the answer was no because despite having been in all of these unsuccessful relationships and now dealing with what I know can be diagnosed as love addiction, I started to go, ‘Okay, I’m feeling something, but I just don’t know how to get there,'” Brady added.


Queen Latifah Joins Princess Tiana And Louis For A Magical Day At Walt Disney World

Award-winning singer and actor Queen Latifah experienced a day of magic and laughter at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The iconic star was spotted dancing and sharing laughs with Princess Tiana and Louis from Disney’s beloved film “The Princess and the Frog.”

Captured in heartwarming snapshots by photographer Olga Thompson, Queen Latifah embraced the whimsical atmosphere of the Magic Kingdom Park. The joyful encounter took place near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the newest attraction set to open in Summer 2024.
Queen Latifah’s visit to Tiana and Louis was just the beginning of her enchanting day at Walt Disney World. After meeting her new jazz-loving friends, the acclaimed artist embarked on a magical adventure through the iconic park with her family by her side.

As fans eagerly anticipate the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Queen Latifah’s visit serves as a reminder of the timeless allure and enchantment found within the magical world of Disney. With unforgettable moments and cherished memories awaiting guests at every turn, Walt Disney World continues to be a place where dreams come true for visitors of all ages.


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Cute Kitty

She's cute but she's not happy maybe?


HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM 

3/17/24

The Daily Buzz For Mar 18☕📰☕

 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!

#FASHIONFAB: Da’Vine Joy Randolph in Valdrin Sahiti

We thought her dress for the main event was a perfect representation of how far she’s come as a star, but we had no idea she was going to outdo herself later that night. Hat tip to her stylist they finish the look off beautifully. Love the hair and the black lip. She’s been working so hard to campaign and set herself up as a prestige actress that it’s actually fun to see her embrace being a hottie now that the pressure’s off her.
Style Credits:
– Valdrin Sahiti Dress
– De Beers Jewelry
Styled by Wayman + Micah | Hair by Tai Simon| Makeup by Sheika Daley


#RHOA: Alum NeNe Leakes Claims Porsha Williams Refused to Film With Her
NeNe Leakes slammed former Real Housewives of Atlanta costar Porsha Williams for allegedly refusing to work with her on the set of Netflix’s The Upshaws.
In a series of posts shared via Instagram Story on Friday, March 15, Leakes, 56, shared that her management company had approached her with an offer from The Upshaws (starring Mike Epps and Wanda Sykes) saying the series was “interested in casting [her] for a part” in an episode directed by Kim Fields.

“I was excited to do it. It’s a comedy, I love comedy [and] I used to have a comedy show … so comedy is something I love to do and was really happy to do it,” Leakes said. “They told me that Porsha Williams Guobadia was also playing in this particular series. She would be side-by-side with me. I was excited, I hadn’t seen Porsha. We always have a good laugh when we see each other, so I was like, ‘Me and Porsha gonna kill this part.’”

The former RHOA star reportedly landed in Los Angeles and went to the Upshaws set expecting to see Williams, 42, at the show’s rehearsal, but she was a no-show. “Porsha never came,” Leakes said. “Production called me and asked me if I had any issues with any Housewives because they were going to be recasting the other position.”

“I was later told that Porsha did not show up and said that she did not want to work with me, that we had had issues from the past and she did not want to work with me,” Leakes said, adding that she was “shocked” and “more than disappointed” by the outcome. She added that she and Williams had “double-dated a few times,” taking trips together to places like Miami, Dubai and Las Vegas.
“I am shocked to hear that Porsha would go to a production company and say that she doesn’t want to work with me because we’ve had a lot of issues in the past. What lots of issues did we have in the past?” Leakes asked. “We don’t have any issues that we can’t work together. We are professionals.”

In 2019, Williams publicly called out Leakes for “fat-shaming” her just days after giving birth to her first child. Leakes later served Williams with a cease and desist letter after she shared screenshots via Instagram of text messages Leakes had sent her at the time, wherein she allegedly called Williams “a lying ass fat hungry bitch,” among other things.

“We’ve had petty things, we’re on a reality show,” Leakes said via Instagram Story in 2024. “So we obviously are gonna have some sort of issues. But we’ve not had anything where we could not work together. I’m sad and disappointed that Porsha would go to any company and say that she’s had issues with me and that we cannot work together. That is a lie.”

Leakes also claimed she had texted Williams before posting to her Instagram Story, who allegedly replied saying she was “going through a divorce and [Leakes] didn’t reach out to little sis.” Williams filed for divorce from her husband Simon Guobadia in February after 15 months of marriage.

“The bottom line is, Porsha did not want to share the spotlight. That’s it. And professionals can share the spotlight,” Leakes concluded in her video. “Porsha is not a star. She is a Bravolebrity. Be clear.”
In December 2018, a source shared with Us Weekly that Williams was being iced out by Leakes. “There’s no reason that NeNe and Porsha can’t be friends,” the source said at the time. “It’s on NeNe’s end. There’s nothing Porsha can do to maintain a friendship with NeNe if it’s going to be like this.”


#NewMusic from Tank “Before We Get Started” Featuring Fabolous

R&B icon Tank has just unleashed his new single “Before We Get Started” featuring rapper Fabolous via R&B Money/Atlantic Records.
The song was produced by Bizness Boi and Dirk Pate and adds a hint of nostalgia, blending contemporary R&B vibes with Tank’s distinctive style.

LISTEN HERE 

The accompanying music video, directed by Taj & Dre, celebrates the R&B genre. As Tank joyously commemorates his success as an R&B hitmaker, the video becomes a vibrant homage to the genre’s rich esthetic and enduring allure.


#HipHopNews: Cardi B Explains Why She Didn't Release Her Remix To Ice Spice's "Munch (Feelin' U)"
Cardi B provided insight on a few topics in her life during her interview with Speedy Morman. For the first time since Ice Spice’s ascension, Cardi B shared why she did not officially release her remix to “Munch (Feelin’ U).”
Complex reported, “In an interview with Speedy Morman for ‘360 With Speedy,’ Cardi was asked about the rumors she recorded a remix for the song alongside Central Cee. ‘I don’t know about Central Cee, but I did do a thing for Ice Spice, but I just did not like how it sounded,’ she shared at the 32:30 point of the episode, seen above. ‘I love the record, I did not like how I sound. You know, it being on a drill beat, it’s not as easy as it looks… I was like, ‘They’re gonna drag me, and they’re going to drag the song bad.””

She continued, stating, “I’m really good at being more aggressive than being, like, more sexy. I feel like I’m better off being aggressive than being sexy. So, I just felt like it was not giving, I was like, ‘I don’t even want to do this to this girl.’ The record is already great, I don’t want to f**k it up. I just hated my verse… I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is embarrassing. I can’t catch the beat for s**t.’ Doing drill music is not as easy as people think it is.”

The official remix of the record featured Nicki Minaj, serving as the two New York emcees’ first official collaboration. Cardi B also used the interview to detail her experience with cosmetic surgery, her relationship with Offset, her new album and more.
Although Cardi hasn’t formally announced her sophomore LP’s title or release date, she hinted that it would arrive before 2024 ends. On her Instagram Story, she stated, “I’m not letting my anxiety, I’m not letting what haters say, I’m not letting what fans say [stop me]… I’ve got no choice because I’m dropping my album this year.”


2024 NAACP Image Award Winners List: Fantasia, Taraji Usher, ‘The Color Purple’ And More

After a week’s worth of dinners, brunches, fashion shows, and finally, the big night, The 2024 NAACP Image Awards wrapped Saturday (March 16) after honoring the biggest names and best talent of the last year.
While most winners will come as no surprise to some, as the organization has been slowly handing out awards all week, Saturday’s broadcast brought out the big guns, with Fantasia, Taraji P. Henson and The Color Purple taking home awards in addition to those won before show. Usher also has a big night, taking home Entertainer Of The Year and President’s Award trophies.

Check out the full winners list below.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Andra Day
Usher  
Outstanding Motion Picture
The Color Purple

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Fantasia Barrino – The Color Purple
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Colman Domingo – Rustin
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Colman Domingo – The Color Purple

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Taraji P. Henson – The Color Purple
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
India Amarteifio – Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Damson Idris – Snowfall
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Mike Epps – The Upshaws
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture
Cord Jefferson – American Fiction

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
Ava DuVernay – Origin

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Chloe Bailey – Praise This

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Keith Powers – The Perfect Find

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Swarm

Outstanding Talk Series
The Jennifer Hudson Show

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Sherri Shepherd – Sherri

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Gail Bean – Snowfall

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Adrian Holmes – Bel-Air

Outstanding Drama Series
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgeton Story

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Ayo Edebiri – The Bear

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
William Stanford Davis – Abbott Elementary

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi – The Color Purple

Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary

Outstanding Youth Performance (Motion Picture)
Mila Davis-Kent – Creed III

Outstanding Social Media Personality
Angel Laketa Moore

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Phylicia Rashad – Heaven Down Here

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Don Cheadle – Secret Invasion

Outstanding International Motion Picture
Brother

Outstanding Music Video
Chris Brown – “Sensational” feat. Davido & Lojay

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
DC Young Fly – Celebrity Squares

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)
Wild ‘N Out

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)
20/20 – “Kerry Washington: Thicker Than Water – A Conversation with Robin Roberts”

Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)
A Black Lady Sketch Show

Outstanding Children’s Program
Gracie’s Corner

Outstanding Performance in a Short Form Series
Leslie Jones – The Daily Show After The Cut

Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama
Doggyland

Outstanding Short Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction
I Was a Soul Train Dancer

Outstanding Short Form Documentary (Film)
Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games

Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)
The After

Outstanding Short Form (Animated)
Lil’ Ruby

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture)
Issa Rae – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)
Kyla Pratt – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder

Outstanding News and Information Podcast
Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams

Outstanding Podcast – Limited Series/Short Form
Wakanda Forever: The Official Black Panther Podcast

Outstanding Podcast – Scripted Series
Yes We Cannabis

Outstanding Arts, Sports and Entertainment Podcast
Here’s The Thing

Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast
The 85 South Show with Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly and Chico Bean

Outstanding Lifestyle / Self-Help Podcast
Black Money Tree

Outstanding International Song
“Me & U” – Tems

Outstanding Jazz Album
Brand New Life – Brandee Younger

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song
“All Yours” – Kierra Sheard feat. Anthony Brown

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album
Father’s Day – Kirk Franklin

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)
“How We Roll” – Ciara feat. Chris Brown

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
“Sensational” – Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
The Color Purple – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Various Producers

Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – Jongnic Bontemps

Outstanding Male Artist
“Good Good” – Usher with 21 Savage x Summer Walker

Outstanding Female Artist
“The Journey” – H.E.R.

Outstanding New Artist
Jaguar II РVictoria Mon̩t

Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song
“Cobra” – Megan Thee Stallion

Outstanding Album
Jaguar II РVictoria Mon̩t

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
Family Lore – Elizabeth Acevedo

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
The New Brownies’ Book – Karida L. Brown and Charly Palmer

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
Rootless – Krystle Zara Appiah

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography
Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement – Dr. Tanisha C. Ford

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
Historically Black Phrases: From ‘I Ain’t One of Your Lil’ Friends’ to ‘Who All Gon’ Be There?’ – Jarrett Hill and Tre’vell Anderson

Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel
The Talk – Darrin Bell

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
Suddenly We – Evie Shockley

Outstanding Literary Work – Children
CROWNED: Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora – Kahran Bethencourt

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
Everyone’s Thinking It – Aleema Omotoni

Congrats to all the winners!


Wendy Williams’ Guardian Calls Lifetime Doc “Blatant Exploitation” In Lawsuit

In unsealed legal documents, a court-appointed guardian for Wendy Williams is taking on A+E networks regarding the shocking documentary chronicling the former television hosts’ recent health and wellness issues.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the lawsuit describes Where Is Wendy Williams as “blatant exploitation,” claiming the network filmed the footage without the proper permissions. Sabrina Morrissey, acting as Williams’ guardian, suggests the 59-year-old did not have the legal or mental capacity to authorize her participation, and that she was presented the idea under false pretenses.

“This blatant exploitation of a vulnerable woman with a serious medical condition who is beloved by millions within and outside of the African American community is disgusting, and it cannot be allowed,” reads the complaint, per THR.
According to the report, Morrissey attempted to block the documentary’s release, and was granted a temporary restraining order before the decision was overturned by a judge citing the First Amendment. William Selby, Williams’ manager on the project and also an executive producer alongside the broadcaster and her son Kevin Hunter Jr., was alleged to have creative control.

Selby, however, claimed to have been as shocked as Morrissey when the trailer for the documentary was allegedly released without notification.
According to the filing, it remains unclear who authorized the creation of The Wendy Experience, the company that signed off on a contract with Entertainment One to authorize footage of Williams. Allegedly created after Williams’ legal guardianship was established, the signature is said to be “not clearly legible; however, it is highly distinguishable from W.W.H.’s signature.

Williams’ publicist has also publicly spoken out against the documentary, saying “There were a lot of good moments. None of those good moments were shown.”  Per THR, A+E issued its own statement saying, “We look forward to the unsealing of our papers as well, as they tell a very different story.”

In an interview published by TODAY, the filmmakers claimed to not have been aware of Williams’ diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and dementia during the production process.
“I think we all ultimately wanted to shed light on this period of time in Wendy’s life to help understand what she was going through,” detailed showrunner Erica Hanson.

“I can totally understand how, at times, it’s hard to watch. It was hard at times to film, but we wanted to be honest in painting a real picture of her isolation and her struggle with addiction. We didn’t know that she had dementia. We didn’t know that it was confusing at times. Some days, Wendy was on and very Wendy. Other days, she wasn’t. We all felt this was a complex and sensitive story to tell, and we all felt a great responsibility to do it with dignity and sensitivity.”


Celine Dion Flashes Smile In Rare Pic With Three Sons Amid Stiff-Person Syndrome Battle
Celine Dion appeared to be in good spirits amid her battle with Stiff-Person Syndrome. In a rare picture with her three sons with her late husband Rene Angelil, the "My Heart Will Go On" hitmaker could be seen flashing a huge smile.
In the snap, which was posted on Instagram on Friday, March 15, the 55-year-old posed between 13-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson and behind Rene-Charles Angelil, 23. She kicked off her caption, "Today the world recognizes International SPS Awareness Day. As many of you know, in the fall of 2022, I was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS)."

"Trying to overcome this autoimmune disorder has been one of the hardest experiences of my life, but I remain determined to one day get back onto the stage and to live as normal of a life as possible," the musician added. "I am deeply grateful for the love and support from my kids, family, team and all of you!"
Celine went on to note, "I want to send my encouragement and support to all those around the world that have been affected by SPS. I want you to know you can do it! We can do it!" She then concluded, "Love Celine xx."

Celine announced her diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disease that caused her spasms, in December 2022. The health issue forced her to cancel all remaining concerts of her "Courage World Tour".
I'm so sorry to disappoint all of you once again... and even though it breaks my heart, it's best that we cancel everything until I'm really ready to be back on stage," she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, last year. "I'm not giving up… and I can't wait to see you again! - Celine xx."


Jimmie Allen's Ex-Manager Drops Sexual Assault And Rape Lawsuit Against The Singer
Allen is now off the hook in the sexual assault and rape lawsuit filed by his former manager. The woman, identified as Jane Doe, reportedly dismissed her complaint on Thursday, March 14 in the Middle Tennessee District Court

"FeganScott can confirm that Jane Doe and Jimmie Allen have reached a mutual accord as to Plaintiff's claims and Mr. Allen's counterclaims and have agreed to dismiss them," a legal representative for the woman told PEOPLE. The decision reflects only that both parties desire to move past litigation."

Jane Doe initially filed her complaint in May 2023. She named Jimmie, his former management company, Wide Open Music, and its founder, Ash Bowers as defendants.
While Jimmie can now breathe a sigh of relief, Jane Doe still plans to sue Wide Open Music and Ash. She argued that they knew about Jimmie's alleged behavior, did nothing to protect her and fired her when she complained about it.

The first case might be dismissed, but there was another woman who has been suing Jimmie for allegedly filming her during sex. In court documents filed in June last year, Jane Doe No. 2 said she met Jimmie on a plane in 2022. At that time, she did not know who he was and he reportedly asked for her phone number.

The accuser and Jimmie had since been engaged in "daily" long-distance communication over the phone. At that time, the musician was still married to Alexis Gale but he told the woman that they had separated and wanted to marry her.
In July 2022, the woman and Jimmie had a trip to Las Vegas and that's when things turned south. She claimed Jimmie "sexually assaulted" her in his hotel room before passing out. Once she went to leave the room, she noticed that the crooner "surreptitiously and, without her consent, placed his cell phone in the closet facing the bed and had been videotaping the entire event."

Jane Doe No. 2 stated in her lawsuit that she was unable to wake Jimmie up to delete the alleged recording, so she took his phone and brought it to police. In her complaint, the woman said she's suffered "extreme emotional distress, including anxiety and depression," and has been unable to "trust" in the wake of the alleged incident. Thus she's suing Jimmie for assault, battery, invasion of privacy and infliction of emotional distress.


'Squid Game' actor O Yeong-su gets suspended sentence in sexual harassment case

South Korean actor O Yeong-su, who starred in the first season of the hit Netflix series "Squid Game", was convicted on Friday on charges of sexual harassment and handed a suspended prison sentence, a court official said.

The Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Court sentenced O to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, as well as 40 hours of attendance at a sexual violence treatment programme, the court official said by telephone
The 79-year-old actor, who was charged with two counts of sexual harassment in 2017, had denied the accusations.

As he was leaving the court, O told reporters he planned to appeal against the decision. He has seven days to appeal or the ruling will be upheld.
O was indicted in 2022 and prosecutors had previously sought a sentence of one year in prison, according to media reports. Womenlink, a women's rights group in South Korea, welcomed the ruling and urged O to apologise to the victim.

The controversy over the accusations of sexual harassment saw him dropping out of an upcoming film in South Korea.


Dr. Dre Says He Had 3 Strokes After a Brain Aneurysm in 2021
Dr. Dre is opening up about his health. During a recent conversation on the SiriusXM show This Life of Mine With James Corden, the rapper reflected on the life-threatening brain aneurysm he had in 2021, and revealed that he had three subsequent strokes following his hospitalization.

Recalling how it began, Dre explained that he woke up with extreme head pain, and his son and a friend convinced him that he needed to go to urgent care, where he was told his condition was "serious."
"Next thing you know, I’m blacking out," he said. "I’m in and out of consciousness, and I ended up in the ICU. I was there for two weeks. I’m hearing the doctors coming in and saying, you don’t know how lucky you are... It’s just something that you can’t control that just happens and during those two weeks, I had three strokes."

Dre added that one of the more frightening aspects to the ordeal was that the doctors couldn't pinpoint an exact cause of his aneurysm. "Nobody could give me an answer," he continued. "I had no idea that I had high blood pressure or anything like that because I’m on my health shit. I’m lifting weights, I’m running, I’m doing everything I can to keep myself healthy... High blood pressure in Black men, that’s just what it is. They call it the silent killer. You just have no idea, so you know, you have to keep your shit checked."

Looking back on the experience, Dre says that it "makes you appreciate being alive that’s for sure," adding: "It’s crazy, so now knowing that I had no control over that. It’s just something that could happen out of the blue. You wake up and you go, shit. OK, I’m here."


Chris Tucker addresses outrage over joke stealing

Katt Williams’ explosive “Club Shay Shay” interview that kicked off the year and flipped the comedy world upside down is still a talking point, even when the comic’s name is not mentioned. The Emmy Award winner held nothing back when calling out his peers like Cedric the Entertainer for allegedly stealing a joke.

The accusation has been addressed by Cedric a few times since the podcast episode aired, and now Chris Tucker has chimed in on the matter. In a recent interview with Atlanta radio station V-103, the Friday star said that joke stealing is a real part of their world of comedy, but the brotherhood shared between peers is far more prominent. “I tell people, like, ‘Everybody’s a part of my success’ — every comedian I ever saw in the comedy clubs, every actor — because we all picked up each other’s game. So, we all together on this,” he began.

“We like magicians, we watch each other, we don’t tell secrets. We have a problem with each other, we should say it when we see each other... say, ‘Hey man, you stole my joke’ or ‘Man, that sounds like my joke’… you know, work it out amongst each other,” added Tucker without name-dropping Williams or those who have publicly addressed similar frustrations since the viral interview.
Moreover, Tucker said that shared experiences often blur the lines of where a joke originated. “Sometimes stuff sounds like yo’ stuff. You might — and I did joke about Black presidents years ago, I’ve heard that before — so everybody has their own story. We all go through the same thing, like we all ate cereal when we were kids, we all got a mama and a daddy, so some stuff may sound like yo’ joke, and some people do steal. But that’s when you… gotta keep your game up, you gotta come up with some more material. You know, keep writing… and some stuff you do, and they cannot steal ‘cause everybody knows, ‘Wait a minute, now that’s Chris Tucker’s stuff’ or such and such.”

Elsewhere in the discussion, Tucker, who is making his return to the spotlight with “The Legend Tour," promised that he is back for good and has several other projects in the works. So, it's safe to say that fans can get used to seeing him more often again.


Bruno Mars Has Allegedly Racked Up $50 Million In Gambling Debt At MGM
As the history books reflect, Bruno Mars is a diamond single-making machine. However, according to reports, the “24K Magic” singer has a problem with the color green.
According to NewsNation, Mars has allegedly racked up over $50 million in gambling debt at MGM. A source close to the matter spilled the chips with the outlet. “He owed millions to the MGM,” they said.

“[MGM] basically owns him,” they continued. “He makes $90 million a year off of the deal he did with the casino, but then he has to pay back his debt. [He will] only make $1.5 million per night after taxes.”
Mars has become a staple in Las Vegas’ entertainment thanks to his residencies (including a solo run and one as part of Silk Sonic). But, based on NewsNation‘s report, the Grammy Award winner’s forthcoming series of shows at Park MGM isn’t about fan demand but more about making good on his supposed outstanding balance.

Although Mars and none of his representatives have commented on the allegation, he’s been candid about his love for casinos. For example, in 2016, he and James Corden jammed out during his “Carpool Karaoke” segment on Late Late Show, and Mars joked about his gambling kick.

With the allegations out, Mars’ 2013 story with GQ has resurfaced. In the interview, the singer reflected on how his love for gambling started back when he was 19 years old. “I used to be like a loudmouth,” he said. “You know the guy, people would want to take his money. If you do get them to lose, they’re out for you, they’re gunning for you. And that’s when they’re weak. And that’s when you jump or pounce on them.”

Mars went on to detail his first major loss of a hundred dollars. “I remember my first bet,” he said. “My hand was shaking, and a guy called me out on it and embarrassed me,” he said. “You gotta lose. You just have to lose to win, to understand.”
Bruno Mars has not addressed the claims.


Michael Imperioli responds to climate protestors who crashed his and Jeremy Strong's Broadway show: 'Wild'

"No hard feelings," the Emmy winner wrote after helping physically escort one protester from the theater.
Michael Imperioli has reacted to his “wild” night after climate protestors crashed Thursday’s preview performance of his new Broadway show, An Enemy of the People.

In video footage from the event published online, at least three Extinction Rebellion activists can be seen being physically escorted out of the Circle in the Square Theater — including one by Imperioli himself — after they disrupted the play to protest the ongoing climate crisis, shouting, “There’s no Broadway on a dead planet!”

"Tonight was wild….no hard feelings, Extinction Rebellion Crew. Michael is on your side, but Mayor Stockmann is not. Much love," Imperioli wrote on social media after the performance, referring to his character in the play.
Their protest echoes the premise of Henrik Ibsen's 1882 play. The revival, which stars Imperioli and Succession's Jeremy Strong, follows a doctor (Strong) who discovers that the town’s drinking water is poisoning residents, only to be silenced by local officials, including his brother (Imperioli).

The protestors took a stand during a unique break in the play in which a bar is brought out on stage and theatergoers are offered the chance to have a drink as its characters mill about. Actors were called to leave the stage while the protestors were removed, but many remained in character throughout the disruption, with Strong and Imperioli reacting to Extinction Rebellion as if the interruption were part of the script.

In another clip from the performance, a protestor can be heard shouting that "governments have failed us,” prompting Strong to shout back, “He’s right.”

“He’s not right!” Imperioli replied.
After the final protestor was removed from the theater, Imperioli said, "Go back to drama school."
Representatives for An Enemy of the People declined to provide a statement to EW.

In a press release obtained by EW, Extinction Rebellion claimed that their interruption of the show was intended to "peacefully protest against the use of fossil fuels." They are demanding that "the government tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, halt biodiversity loss, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
"This action follows a tradition of nonviolent civil disobedience in arts and theater, such as Parisian students’ occupation of the Odéon theater in 1968— not to mention theater itself as a powerful medium for provoking social change," the release read in part. "Today’s action highlights the failure of governments and corporations to treat climate and ecological breakdown as the crisis it is."

An Enemy of the People is set to open at the Circle in the Square Theater on March 18.


Pornhub Pulls Out of Texas Over Age-Verification Law Protest
*Due to objections regarding a state law mandating age verification to deter minors from accessing the site, Pornhub has disabled its services in Texas.
In a statement, the popular pornography site noted that it made the “difficult decision” to “disable access” in Texas, Complex reports.

“As you may know, your elected officials in Texas are requiring us to verify your age before allowing you access to our website,” reads the message displayed to users in the state. “Not only does this impinge on the rights of adults to access protected speech, it fails strict scrutiny by employing the least effective and yet also most restrictive means of accomplishing Texas’s stated purpose of allegedly protecting minors.”

Earlier this year, Pornhub blocked access in North Carolina and Montana over bills regulating access for underage users. The site is also unavailable in Mississippi, Utah, and Virginia.
“Providing identification every time you want to visit an adult platform is not an effective solution for protecting users online, and in fact, will put minors and your privacy at risk,” the message on Pornhub’s website states.

“The safety of our users is one of our biggest concerns. We believe that the only effective solution for protecting minors and adults alike is to verify users’ age on their device and to either deny or allow access to age-restricted materials and websites based on that verification,” the message continues.

The company claims that the age verification procedures will redirect users to other websites lacking adequate safety measures.
“Texas has a right to protect its children from the detrimental effects of pornographic content,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, per Houston Chronicle.
Paxton had previously initiated legal action against Pornhub’s parent company in an attempt to compel its adherence to the law.

“I look forward to holding any company accountable that violates our age verification laws intended to prevent minors from being exposed to harmful, obscene material on the internet,” Paxton added.


Tracee Ellis Ross Shuts Down The Possibility Of A ‘Girlfriends’ Reboot: “The Ship Has Sailed”

Tracee Ellis Ross says a ‘Girlfriends’ reboot is not happening! During a recent interview with VIBE, Ross, who portrayed Joan in the show, discussed the possibility of a return to the hit series.
“The cast has always wanted to do it, but I’ll be honest with you, the ship has sailed,” Ross said. “I don’t think it’s ever going to happen. I think it would be a miracle.”
Despite a reboot is unlikely, Ross says the cast including Persia White, Golden Brooks, Jill Marie Jones and Reggie Hayes, still keep in contact with each other.

“We have a thread of me and the girls and we text all the time,” Ross added. “We talk about it, but I think we’re all at different places in our lives and our careers now. I think there was a point 10 years ago and then when they we were all game, but we couldn’t get the powers that be to .get on board.”

She continued, “We’ve tried numerous times as a cast to make it happen, but unfortunately, we don’t own the rights to the show. We are not the producers. We are not Mara Brock Akil, CBS Paramount, or whoever the people are that own the show. Golden, Persia, Jill, Reggie and I have been game. We’ve all talked about it, but I genuinely don’t think it’s ever going to happen at this point.”

Nonetheless, Ross also recognized the fans’ longing for a reboot, stating that she, too, feels “heartbroken” over its cancellation but has since come to terms with it.
“The truth is, I think we have been broken-hearted in the past, but now we are past being broken-hearted,” Ross said. “We’re so happy that the audience still loves the show, and still wants it, but I don’t think it’s ever going to happen.”


Saucy Santana Speaks On His “Strategic Game Plan” For Navigating Homophobia In Hip-Hop
Saucy Santana recently joined the dating app Grindr‘s Who’s The A**hole? podcast where he opened up about his upbringing in Florida and rap career as a successful and openly gay man.

During his sit-down with host, Katya, the “Material Gworl” star talked about homophobia in Hip-Hop and if it still exists in 2024.
“It’s definitely real,” he began. “Coming into rap, I was strategic. I said I was going to rap from a girl’s standpoint and I remember when my song came out, it went viral. I remember 2019, 2020, I couldn’t be in certain rooms. Dudes was like ‘nah’ — not necessarily rude to me, but you could just feel the energy. But one thing about me, once you be around me, people love me.”

“I’ve been around street dudes and hood hyper-masculine boys, and my game plan was: I was always mean. I was stiff,” he continued. “A lot of times men have a stigma that gays are gonna come around and, ‘Oh I wanna suck your d*ck’ and we’re gonna start twerking and all that, and I would be in the room like, ‘You could never touch me bi**h.'”

Speaking to gaining the respect in Hip-Hop that he felt he rightfully deserved, he added, “Once my accolades started speaking for me, I had so many different men in rap like, ‘Bro keep going.’ Drake done FaceTimed me with Caresha, Jack Harlow… I get so much respect from different dudes outside now.”

However, despite the long road it took to become a charting artist with features from icons like Madonna, Santana admitted, “I still got a long way to go,” due to the “older generation of rappers still not having it.”
Elsewhere in the convo, the 30-year-old spoke on growing up in Florida and not always being accepted, but leaning on the love he had for himself.

“I grew up middle class,” he said. “I always say ‘I’m a hood bi**h’ or ‘I’m ghetto’ but I didn’t grow up like that. Once I turned maybe like 15, 16, I’m like, ‘Okay, I wanna go to the projects.’ I started smoking Black & Mild’s… I wanted to see the streets and the hood, and what was the difference. I remember I used to walk up and down the road to the projects with my f**king c**chie cutters on, my crop tops, my face beat — I used to cause an up f**king roar. I was me, I was free. I didn’t give a f**k.”

“I went through so many different things with dudes in the hood and people feeling like, ‘You ain’t supposed– can’t be in this space. They wasn’t having it,” he expressed. “I was standing my ground like, ‘No, yes I am. I’m finna be right out here.‘ And I gained my credentials and I started gaining my respect, slowly, but surely, in the streets.”


Man captured in Trenton after killing 3 family members in Bucks County, police say

A man accused of killing his stepmother, teen sister and the mother of his two children in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was captured by police in Trenton, New Jersey.
Andre Gordon, 26, was found walking through the streets of Trenton and trying to blend in with the crowd early Saturday evening after two separate shootings left three of his family members dead and two different communities across two states in complete shock, investigators said.

Investigators say 26-year-old Andre Gordon shot and killed his 52-year-old stepmother, 13-year-old sister and the 25-year-old mother of his two children in Bucks County. Gordon then barricaded himself inside a home in Trenton, New Jersey, and took hostages, according to officials.

The ordeal began Saturday around 8:30 a.m. on Southard Street in Trenton, New Jersey. Sonya Hansen said she was sitting in her car with her grandson when a man -- who police later identified as Gordon -- approached the vehicle while armed with a gun.
“And then he pulled the gun out and my grandson seen the gun, he’s only 9-years-old, he jumped out the car and ran,” Hansen said. “And then I see my grandson run so I jumped over the car, over the seat, and then I ran to my daughter’s house.”

Gordon stole Hansen's vehicle, drove it to a home on Viewpoint Lane in Levittown, Pennsylvania, around 8:50 a.m. and forced his way inside the house, according to officials.

Gordon then allegedly shot and killed his 52-year-old stepmother, Karen Gordon, as well as his 13-year-old sister, Kera Gordon, inside the home. Three other family members, including another 13-year-old, were also inside the home at the time, officials said. Gordon searched for the other three family members but left after he couldn't find them, according to investigators.
Shortly after, around 9 a.m., Gordon broke into another home about two miles away on Edgewood Lane in Levittown, investigators said. Once inside, he killed the mother of his two children, 25-year-old Taylor Daniel, according to officials. Their two children were also inside the home as well as Daniel's mother and a fourth family member.

Police said Gordon bludgeoned Daniel's mother with his weapon. She is currently recovering at the hospital.
Police said Gordon then carjacked another person at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Dollar General store on the 1200 block of Bristol Pike in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. The driver was not injured.

Officials believe Gordon was armed with an AR-15 style weapon during the murders and carjacking incidents.
Investigators said they later recovered the stolen vehicle, a 2016 dark gray Honda CRV.
Police are seeking 26 year-old Andre Gordon, who is believed to be driving this stolen vehicle after killing three people in Levittown on Saturday morning.

After the shootings, a shelter-in-place was in effect for about three hours in Falls Township before it was lifted.
Investigators later determined that Gordon was barricaded inside a home with other people inside on the 100 block of Phillips Avenue in Trenton, New Jersey. Police and SWAT team members arrived and surrounded the home around 10:30 a.m., at one point breaking the windows and throwing tear gas inside.

Police tried to contact Gordon inside the home but were unable to.
Shortly before 3 p.m., SkyForce10 captured police bringing people out of the second floor window of the home and then down a ladder to safety.
At some point, investigators learned that Gordon was no longer inside the house, however.
“He was at that house at one point but before we were able to establish a perimeter, he slipped out,” Trenton Police Director Steven Wilson said. "At some point we did receive information that the suspect may be on the street.”

Gordon was later found by police unarmed and walking on New York Avenue in Trenton around 5 p.m., according to investigators.

“Trenton Police patrol officers were the ones who apprehended him,” Wilson said. “When they grabbed him he was identified.”
Marissa Ridorfino said she witnessed the arrest.
“They had guns drawn but the guy didn’t have any weapons on him,” she said. “So he got down but started getting up again. But then they got him down and then they just tackled him.”
Police have not yet determined how long Gordon was walking around in Trenton before he was captured. They also have not yet recovered his weapon, investigators said.

Neighbors in Trenton told NBC10 they were shocked a murder suspect was walking through their community for what may have been several hours.
“It was actually kind of crazy that he wasn’t even in the house,” Ridorfino said.
Gordon is currently in custody at Trenton Police headquarters and will later be extradited back to Pennsylvania.
Police also said all of the people inside the home on Phillips Avenue are accounted for and no one was injured.


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Just Milk

Hoarding milk to the newest level


HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM

Followers