#FASHIONFAB: VMAS 2026: Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter in Dolce & Gabbana
Madonna proved once again that she’s the queen of the VMAs by winning seven of the little astronaut trophies 46 years after her first, iconic-to-Gen X appearance at the ceremony. For the record, she and her spiritual granddaughter Sabrina Carpenter won Best Collaboration for “Bring Your Love,” but the legend went on to win Artist of the Year, Best Dance, Best Long Form Video, Best Cinematography, Best Choreography, and Best Album. She also delivered a killer set with Sabrina and Charli xcx. In every way but one, the night was a triumph for her.
Madonna proved once again that she’s the queen of the VMAs by winning seven of the little astronaut trophies 46 years after her first, iconic-to-Gen X appearance at the ceremony. For the record, she and her spiritual granddaughter Sabrina Carpenter won Best Collaboration for “Bring Your Love,” but the legend went on to win Artist of the Year, Best Dance, Best Long Form Video, Best Cinematography, Best Choreography, and Best Album. She also delivered a killer set with Sabrina and Charli xcx. In every way but one, the night was a triumph for her.
#RHOA: Cynthia Bailey Is a Hands-On Caregiver to Her Mother
Cynthia Bailey shared her experience as a hands-on caregiver to her mother, Barbara Ford Morris, in a recent interview.
Ford Morris was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in 2022. The reality star who stole our hearts on The Real Housewives of Atlanta refused to outsource hermother’ss well-being to others. She decided that she would be intimately involved in her mother’s care physically and not just financially or emotionally.
“When my mom was diagnosed, it was a no-brainer for me to step in as her caregiver,” Bailey told EBONY. “For me, it wasn’t about ‘Okay, how much will all of this cost, I’ll pay for it.’ I wanted to be there physically because it’s what she would and has done for me. My mother is my rock and has been there for me in all aspects of my life: from the birth of my daughter to dealing with my own health issues.”
Bailey has been transparent about her health challenges and the way that she has adapted her behavior to account for the way one’s body changes after aging. She spoke to Black Health Matters about her methods for ongoing weight management and skin care. Caring for yourself is a crucial aspect of being a caregiver.
“Caregivers of patients with cancer can experience significant emotional, physical, and financial stress, which can hurt their health,” according to a 2024 report in the Galen Medical Journal. Caregiving is a huge undertaking. It looks different for everyone
Barbara Ford Morris received her diagnosis as the result of a recommended mammogram. These types of screenings help detect cancer at earlier stages, when there are generally more treatment options. She went into treatment right away.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women who are 40 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every 2 years.” Those who are at a higher risk for breast cancer should be screened more frequently. Missed routine screenings can lead to more advanced cases. Tina Knowles revealed that missing a mammogram caused her breast cancer to be discovered at stage 1 instead of stage 0. It was still early enough for her case to have a successful outcome.
The delay was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which many routine screenings were removed from hospital schedules. “I forgot that I didn’t go to get my test two years before I thought I had,” Knowles told PEOPLE in 2025 during the press tour for her memoir Matriarch. “Because Covid came and they called me and canceled me and they said, we’ll call you when we start testing again. And I just thought I had done it. So you cannot play around with that.”
“It’s important not to slack on your mammograms,” she added. “And I think as women, sometimes we get so busy and we get so wrapped up and running around, but you must go get your test. Because if I had not gotten my test early, I mean, I shudder to think what could have happened to me,” she added.
Bailey strongly encourages screenings. “Early detection is so critical,” Bailey continued.
“As someone who is an advocate for health and wellness, especially for Black women, I can’t stress enough how important it is to go to your doctor when something isn’t right and to do your at-home exams.” Her fellow reality stars Monyetta Shaw-Carter and Guerdy Abraira have advocated for early screenings after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Screenings are extremely important for Black women who have a higher risk of mortality from breast cancer. “Black women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women, despite being less likely to be diagnosed with it,” according to the American Cancer Society. They can not afford to miss mammograms.
Mental health should not be ignored during cancer treatment. Cancer patients can face depression, anxiety, and other forms of psychological distress. In some cases, this can impact their physical outcomes.
“Words are power,” Bailey said. “In addition to all that I did for my mom, I was intentional about arming her with an energetic, strong, positive mindset to make her feel like we’re going to get through this. And, even if we don’t, we’re going to make the best of the situation. That is also part of the healing process. They have to feel like they will be okay, actually to be okay.”
Ford Morris was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in 2022. The reality star who stole our hearts on The Real Housewives of Atlanta refused to outsource hermother’ss well-being to others. She decided that she would be intimately involved in her mother’s care physically and not just financially or emotionally.
“When my mom was diagnosed, it was a no-brainer for me to step in as her caregiver,” Bailey told EBONY. “For me, it wasn’t about ‘Okay, how much will all of this cost, I’ll pay for it.’ I wanted to be there physically because it’s what she would and has done for me. My mother is my rock and has been there for me in all aspects of my life: from the birth of my daughter to dealing with my own health issues.”
Bailey has been transparent about her health challenges and the way that she has adapted her behavior to account for the way one’s body changes after aging. She spoke to Black Health Matters about her methods for ongoing weight management and skin care. Caring for yourself is a crucial aspect of being a caregiver.
“Caregivers of patients with cancer can experience significant emotional, physical, and financial stress, which can hurt their health,” according to a 2024 report in the Galen Medical Journal. Caregiving is a huge undertaking. It looks different for everyone
Barbara Ford Morris received her diagnosis as the result of a recommended mammogram. These types of screenings help detect cancer at earlier stages, when there are generally more treatment options. She went into treatment right away.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women who are 40 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every 2 years.” Those who are at a higher risk for breast cancer should be screened more frequently. Missed routine screenings can lead to more advanced cases. Tina Knowles revealed that missing a mammogram caused her breast cancer to be discovered at stage 1 instead of stage 0. It was still early enough for her case to have a successful outcome.
The delay was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which many routine screenings were removed from hospital schedules. “I forgot that I didn’t go to get my test two years before I thought I had,” Knowles told PEOPLE in 2025 during the press tour for her memoir Matriarch. “Because Covid came and they called me and canceled me and they said, we’ll call you when we start testing again. And I just thought I had done it. So you cannot play around with that.”
“It’s important not to slack on your mammograms,” she added. “And I think as women, sometimes we get so busy and we get so wrapped up and running around, but you must go get your test. Because if I had not gotten my test early, I mean, I shudder to think what could have happened to me,” she added.
Bailey strongly encourages screenings. “Early detection is so critical,” Bailey continued.
“As someone who is an advocate for health and wellness, especially for Black women, I can’t stress enough how important it is to go to your doctor when something isn’t right and to do your at-home exams.” Her fellow reality stars Monyetta Shaw-Carter and Guerdy Abraira have advocated for early screenings after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Screenings are extremely important for Black women who have a higher risk of mortality from breast cancer. “Black women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women, despite being less likely to be diagnosed with it,” according to the American Cancer Society. They can not afford to miss mammograms.
Mental health should not be ignored during cancer treatment. Cancer patients can face depression, anxiety, and other forms of psychological distress. In some cases, this can impact their physical outcomes.
“Words are power,” Bailey said. “In addition to all that I did for my mom, I was intentional about arming her with an energetic, strong, positive mindset to make her feel like we’re going to get through this. And, even if we don’t, we’re going to make the best of the situation. That is also part of the healing process. They have to feel like they will be okay, actually to be okay.”
#NewMusic from Kem and Producer DJ Camper “One Love” (Camp Mix)
Three-time Grammy-nominated R&B mainstay Kem has officially released a brand-new reimagining of his track, “One Love.” For the official “Camp Mix,” the veteran vocalist tapped highly acclaimed, Grammy-nominated producer DJ Camper to bring a fresh, contemporary energy to the record.
Book Studio Time
The newly released “Camp Mix” effortlessly bridges the gap between classic, sophisticated soul and modern R&B. By bringing DJ Camper behind the boards, the track benefits from the producer’s signature lush, groove-heavy instrumentation and hard-hitting percussion.
Three-time Grammy-nominated R&B mainstay Kem has officially released a brand-new reimagining of his track, “One Love.” For the official “Camp Mix,” the veteran vocalist tapped highly acclaimed, Grammy-nominated producer DJ Camper to bring a fresh, contemporary energy to the record.
Book Studio Time
The newly released “Camp Mix” effortlessly bridges the gap between classic, sophisticated soul and modern R&B. By bringing DJ Camper behind the boards, the track benefits from the producer’s signature lush, groove-heavy instrumentation and hard-hitting percussion.
LISTEN HERE
Camper’s dynamic production style provides a vibrant new backdrop for Kem’s notoriously smooth, romantic vocal delivery. The result is a reimagined anthem that preserves the deep emotional core and elegance of Kem’s original artistry while injecting it with a distinct, head-nodding bounce tailored for today’s contemporary R&B landscape.
“One Love” (Camp Mix) is available to stream and download now across all major digital platforms.
#HipHopNews: B.G. & Juvenile Want A Hot Boys Biopic
A Hot Boys movie could be a “blockbuster,” according to B.G., while Juvenile thinks the story may need a full series.
Hollywood could have a New Orleans Rap story waiting if B.G. and Juvenile get their way. During a recent conversation on Still 400, the longtime Cash Money collaborators floated the idea of turning the Hot Boys’ history into a film, with B.G. arguing that their story could carry the same kind of weight as Straight Outta Compton.
Around the 55-minute mark of the Sept. 16 episode, B.G. said a Hot Boys movie could be a “blockbuster.” Juvenile immediately started calling out studios that might want to make it happen. “The sh*t I’ve been through, sh*t you’ve been through, sh*t Wayne been through,” he said, according to Complex. “All of us done been through some sh*t. We all got a story to tell.”
The idea has not been announced as an actual film project. For now, it is a pitch from two members of a group whose history stretches well past its three-album run. B.G., Juvenile, Lil Wayne, and Turk formed the Hot Boys under Cash Money in the late 1990s, helping establish the label before each member’s career took a different turn.
Juvenile suggested the story might work better as a limited series, giving each member enough room to tell his own side. He and B.G. also made clear that they would not want a screenwriter relying on AI to construct the script. They preferred people who lived through the era to shape how it is told.
The timing makes the idea less hypothetical than it might have sounded a few years ago. The Hot Boys have been reconnecting publicly, with Turk recently sharing footage of himself rehearsing with Wayne, Juvenile, B.G., and Mannie Fresh. Juvenile previously said the group had begun working on new music, though a full Hot Boys album has not yet arrived.
Moreover, B.G. already has another film project nearing production. Complex reports that a solo biopic about his life, from growing up in New Orleans to his rise with Cash Money, is expected to begin filming in the city soon.
Hollywood could have a New Orleans Rap story waiting if B.G. and Juvenile get their way. During a recent conversation on Still 400, the longtime Cash Money collaborators floated the idea of turning the Hot Boys’ history into a film, with B.G. arguing that their story could carry the same kind of weight as Straight Outta Compton.
Around the 55-minute mark of the Sept. 16 episode, B.G. said a Hot Boys movie could be a “blockbuster.” Juvenile immediately started calling out studios that might want to make it happen. “The sh*t I’ve been through, sh*t you’ve been through, sh*t Wayne been through,” he said, according to Complex. “All of us done been through some sh*t. We all got a story to tell.”
The idea has not been announced as an actual film project. For now, it is a pitch from two members of a group whose history stretches well past its three-album run. B.G., Juvenile, Lil Wayne, and Turk formed the Hot Boys under Cash Money in the late 1990s, helping establish the label before each member’s career took a different turn.
Juvenile suggested the story might work better as a limited series, giving each member enough room to tell his own side. He and B.G. also made clear that they would not want a screenwriter relying on AI to construct the script. They preferred people who lived through the era to shape how it is told.
The timing makes the idea less hypothetical than it might have sounded a few years ago. The Hot Boys have been reconnecting publicly, with Turk recently sharing footage of himself rehearsing with Wayne, Juvenile, B.G., and Mannie Fresh. Juvenile previously said the group had begun working on new music, though a full Hot Boys album has not yet arrived.
Moreover, B.G. already has another film project nearing production. Complex reports that a solo biopic about his life, from growing up in New Orleans to his rise with Cash Money, is expected to begin filming in the city soon.
Stevie Wonder Shares Unreleased 'Songs in the Key of Life' Tracks as Album Turns 50
Stevie Wonder has surprised fans with the release of a new EP celebrating the 50th anniversary of Songs in the Key of Life.
On Monday (September 28), Wonder shared four unreleased songs from the sessions behind his classic 1976 album: "It's Easier," "My Life Story of Love," "I Can See the Sun in Late December" and "I'm Into Livin'."
Wonder wrote and produced all four songs, while former Supremes member Susaye Greene co-wrote "My Life Story of Love." Wonderlove players were involved in the song's creation, among them Nathan Watts on bass, Gregory Phillinganes on Fender Rhodes, Michael Sembello on electric guitar, Ben Bridges, saxophonist Jim Horn and Raymond Pounds.
"We've lived with Songs in the Key of Life for 50 years, but there's still more to hear," Wonder said in a statement. "We didn't add these songs to the album, but they were part of what I was feeling and discovering as we made it. They bring me back to that time in my life, and now they get to become part of yours."
Released via Tamla, the original Songs in the Key of Life debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, only the third album to enter at the top and the first by an American artist. "I Wish" and "Sir Duke" both went to No. 1 on the Hot 100.
It won Album of the Year at the 19th Grammy Awards, Wonder's third consecutive victory in the category after Innervisions and Fulfillingness' First Finale. The record has sold more than 10 million copies in the U.S. and entered the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2005.
Wonder takes the album back on the road next month. The sold-out Songs in the Key of Life Performances: 50th Anniversary Tour opens October 13 in Birmingham, England, hits Madison Square Garden on November 19 and closes December 19 in Los Angeles.
Stevie Wonder has surprised fans with the release of a new EP celebrating the 50th anniversary of Songs in the Key of Life.
On Monday (September 28), Wonder shared four unreleased songs from the sessions behind his classic 1976 album: "It's Easier," "My Life Story of Love," "I Can See the Sun in Late December" and "I'm Into Livin'."
Wonder wrote and produced all four songs, while former Supremes member Susaye Greene co-wrote "My Life Story of Love." Wonderlove players were involved in the song's creation, among them Nathan Watts on bass, Gregory Phillinganes on Fender Rhodes, Michael Sembello on electric guitar, Ben Bridges, saxophonist Jim Horn and Raymond Pounds.
"We've lived with Songs in the Key of Life for 50 years, but there's still more to hear," Wonder said in a statement. "We didn't add these songs to the album, but they were part of what I was feeling and discovering as we made it. They bring me back to that time in my life, and now they get to become part of yours."
Released via Tamla, the original Songs in the Key of Life debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, only the third album to enter at the top and the first by an American artist. "I Wish" and "Sir Duke" both went to No. 1 on the Hot 100.
It won Album of the Year at the 19th Grammy Awards, Wonder's third consecutive victory in the category after Innervisions and Fulfillingness' First Finale. The record has sold more than 10 million copies in the U.S. and entered the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2005.
Wonder takes the album back on the road next month. The sold-out Songs in the Key of Life Performances: 50th Anniversary Tour opens October 13 in Birmingham, England, hits Madison Square Garden on November 19 and closes December 19 in Los Angeles.
Tyler Perry's Final Netflix Movie Is Officially One of the Biggest Hits on Streaming
Tyler Perry is having another characteristically busy year. His Netflix drama Beauty in Black wrapped its third season in late August and already has a fourth on the way, while his prison romance Doing Life is set to hit the streamer on October 2. That follows two other 2026 releases in Joe's College Road Trip and the theatrical Madea's Destination Wedding.
With that much output, it usually takes something a little more distinctive for one Perry title to stand out from the rest, and his newest movie appears to qualify. Rather than another original, it brings back one of the most popular titles in his filmography. The movie is Why Did I Get Married Again?, which arrived on Netflix on September 9 and has already surged to number two on the platform's global movie rankings per FlixPatrol, sitting behind only The Whisper Man.
Why Did I Get Married Again? had a strong day-one debut, and Perry's standards at Netflix are already fairly high, given that Straw became one of the streamer's biggest films of 2025 and Mea Culpa opened at No. 1 on the English-language chart before that. Still, there's a case that this launch means a little more, because it's the first test of whether a Perry title from the theatrical era could carry its audience over to streaming. So far, the answer appears to be yes. The original Why Did I Get Married? was a theatrical hit in 2007, opening at number one, and 2010's Why Did I Get Married Too? did even bigger business.
Then the series simply stopped, and fans spent a decade and a half asking about it. Sharon Leal, who returns as Dianne, told USA Today she's been stopped on the street countless times by people saying, "Tell Tyler to do another one!" Perry's explanation for the long pause was characteristically loose. "What happens with me is that I write and let the characters speak," he said, adding, "As I'm getting older and they are getting older, our lives are changing."
The new film reflects how both the characters and their relationships have aged, which is a somewhat less common choice for a legacy sequel. Why Did I Get Married Again? sends the old friend group to Italy for the wedding of Angela and Marcus's daughter, with the drama coming from the kids repeating their parents' mistakes while the parents wince in recognition. Taraji P. Henson joins the ensemble as Roselyn, a supposedly longtime member of the group that viewers are somehow meeting for the first time — a retcon fans would be willing to forgive considering the casting. The one absence that stings is Janet Jackson, whose Patricia was arguably the original films' emotional center.
Perry addressed it in an interview with The Culture Creators, saying, "Well, Janet, at the time, she was doing residency in Vegas. So we couldn't work out the time. But who knows what will happen in the future." A fourth entry would not be hard to imagine, and Perry has already shown with Beauty in Black how quickly he can move when Netflix's numbers suggest an audience is there. If this movie holds anywhere close to its current chart position through the weekend, the case for some kind of follow-up, potentially even one involving Jackson, may become easier to make.
With that much output, it usually takes something a little more distinctive for one Perry title to stand out from the rest, and his newest movie appears to qualify. Rather than another original, it brings back one of the most popular titles in his filmography. The movie is Why Did I Get Married Again?, which arrived on Netflix on September 9 and has already surged to number two on the platform's global movie rankings per FlixPatrol, sitting behind only The Whisper Man.
Why Did I Get Married Again? had a strong day-one debut, and Perry's standards at Netflix are already fairly high, given that Straw became one of the streamer's biggest films of 2025 and Mea Culpa opened at No. 1 on the English-language chart before that. Still, there's a case that this launch means a little more, because it's the first test of whether a Perry title from the theatrical era could carry its audience over to streaming. So far, the answer appears to be yes. The original Why Did I Get Married? was a theatrical hit in 2007, opening at number one, and 2010's Why Did I Get Married Too? did even bigger business.
Then the series simply stopped, and fans spent a decade and a half asking about it. Sharon Leal, who returns as Dianne, told USA Today she's been stopped on the street countless times by people saying, "Tell Tyler to do another one!" Perry's explanation for the long pause was characteristically loose. "What happens with me is that I write and let the characters speak," he said, adding, "As I'm getting older and they are getting older, our lives are changing."
The new film reflects how both the characters and their relationships have aged, which is a somewhat less common choice for a legacy sequel. Why Did I Get Married Again? sends the old friend group to Italy for the wedding of Angela and Marcus's daughter, with the drama coming from the kids repeating their parents' mistakes while the parents wince in recognition. Taraji P. Henson joins the ensemble as Roselyn, a supposedly longtime member of the group that viewers are somehow meeting for the first time — a retcon fans would be willing to forgive considering the casting. The one absence that stings is Janet Jackson, whose Patricia was arguably the original films' emotional center.
Perry addressed it in an interview with The Culture Creators, saying, "Well, Janet, at the time, she was doing residency in Vegas. So we couldn't work out the time. But who knows what will happen in the future." A fourth entry would not be hard to imagine, and Perry has already shown with Beauty in Black how quickly he can move when Netflix's numbers suggest an audience is there. If this movie holds anywhere close to its current chart position through the weekend, the case for some kind of follow-up, potentially even one involving Jackson, may become easier to make.
Raye breaks silence on Michael B. Jordan dating rumours
Raye has addressed rumours that she and Michael B. Jordan are dating.
The Where Is My Husband singer and Sinners actor first sparked romance rumours after they were spotted on a roller coaster together at Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park in California in August.
Raye addressed the rumours on the red carpet at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.
The 28-year-old was asked by Extra if she was "doing something with Michael B. Jordan" and for details on the top-secret project.
Keeping tight-lipped, Raye said, "I'm technically not allowed to talk about it because I might get in trouble."
When quizzed on whether there was any truth to the romance rumours, she quipped, "No, we're just friends who like roller coasters."
During the awards show, the British singer performed I Will Overcome and Where Is My Husband live and later took part in a George Michael tribute medley alongside Adam Lambert, Sombr and Teddy Swims.
Raye, real name Rachel Keen, received widespread acclaim in March for her second album, This Music May Contain Hope, which stormed the Spotify charts, achieving almost 16 million streams within 24 hours.
She told her fans earlier this year that she will not write songs for her third album until she falls in love.
"My third album is going to be called And Then She Fell In Love, and I'm not going to write a single song of that album, not one single song is getting written, until I fall in love," she said during a TikTok livestream.
"So my next album is going to be called And Then She Fell In Love. I will fall in love, and then I'll write an album, and every song is going to be like, 'I love love, I'm in love, love forever, she's in love, it's a lovely day to be loved.' I will write that album when I fall in love."
Raye has addressed rumours that she and Michael B. Jordan are dating.
The Where Is My Husband singer and Sinners actor first sparked romance rumours after they were spotted on a roller coaster together at Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park in California in August.
Raye addressed the rumours on the red carpet at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.
The 28-year-old was asked by Extra if she was "doing something with Michael B. Jordan" and for details on the top-secret project.
Keeping tight-lipped, Raye said, "I'm technically not allowed to talk about it because I might get in trouble."
When quizzed on whether there was any truth to the romance rumours, she quipped, "No, we're just friends who like roller coasters."
During the awards show, the British singer performed I Will Overcome and Where Is My Husband live and later took part in a George Michael tribute medley alongside Adam Lambert, Sombr and Teddy Swims.
Raye, real name Rachel Keen, received widespread acclaim in March for her second album, This Music May Contain Hope, which stormed the Spotify charts, achieving almost 16 million streams within 24 hours.
She told her fans earlier this year that she will not write songs for her third album until she falls in love.
"My third album is going to be called And Then She Fell In Love, and I'm not going to write a single song of that album, not one single song is getting written, until I fall in love," she said during a TikTok livestream.
"So my next album is going to be called And Then She Fell In Love. I will fall in love, and then I'll write an album, and every song is going to be like, 'I love love, I'm in love, love forever, she's in love, it's a lovely day to be loved.' I will write that album when I fall in love."
“Michael” Wraps: Michael Jackson movie ends box office run with 1.028 billion a BLOCKBUSTER
Michael Jackson conquered the billion dollar box office as Michael ended its historic theatrical run as the highest grossing biopic ever made.
The Antoine Fuqua directed movie starring Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson finished with approximately $1.028 billion worldwide, placing the King of Pop’s life story among an elite collection of movies to cross the billion dollar threshold.
Box Office Mojo lists the final worldwide haul at $1,028,706,645. The movie earned $372,303,388 in the United States and Canada while international audiences contributed another $656,403,257.
That means nearly two thirds of the movie’s ticket sales came from outside North America, an appropriate finish for a movie centered on an entertainer whose reach extended around the planet.
Michael the first biopic to cross $1 billion worldwide, a feat no biographical movie had accomplished before.
The movie had already passed Bohemian Rhapsody to become the biggest music biopic before eventually overtaking Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer for the overall biographical movie record.
Guinness World Records also recognized Michael as the highest grossing music biopic.
The movie arrived in theaters in April with plenty of attention and immediately showed its commercial strength. Michael opened with $97.2 million domestically and generated more than $217 million worldwide during its opening weekend.
The performance became even more striking as the year unfolded.
Michael finished among a small group of 2026 releases that crossed $1 billion worldwide. Spider-Man: Brand New Day leads the year with roughly $2.5 billion globally while Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has climbed to approximately $1.75 billion. Toy Story 5 also cleared $1 billion while The Super Mario Galaxy Movie finished at approximately $1.012 billion.
Jaafar Jackson portrayed his late uncle in the movie, which follows Michael Jackson from his childhood with The Jackson 5 through his emergence as one of the biggest entertainers in music history. Colman Domingo portrays Joseph Jackson while Nia Long plays Katherine Jackson.
The film was produced with the cooperation of the Michael Jackson estate and distributed domestically by Lionsgate. Universal handled much of its international release.
The Antoine Fuqua directed movie starring Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson finished with approximately $1.028 billion worldwide, placing the King of Pop’s life story among an elite collection of movies to cross the billion dollar threshold.
Box Office Mojo lists the final worldwide haul at $1,028,706,645. The movie earned $372,303,388 in the United States and Canada while international audiences contributed another $656,403,257.
That means nearly two thirds of the movie’s ticket sales came from outside North America, an appropriate finish for a movie centered on an entertainer whose reach extended around the planet.
Michael the first biopic to cross $1 billion worldwide, a feat no biographical movie had accomplished before.
The movie had already passed Bohemian Rhapsody to become the biggest music biopic before eventually overtaking Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer for the overall biographical movie record.
Guinness World Records also recognized Michael as the highest grossing music biopic.
The movie arrived in theaters in April with plenty of attention and immediately showed its commercial strength. Michael opened with $97.2 million domestically and generated more than $217 million worldwide during its opening weekend.
The performance became even more striking as the year unfolded.
Michael finished among a small group of 2026 releases that crossed $1 billion worldwide. Spider-Man: Brand New Day leads the year with roughly $2.5 billion globally while Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has climbed to approximately $1.75 billion. Toy Story 5 also cleared $1 billion while The Super Mario Galaxy Movie finished at approximately $1.012 billion.
Jaafar Jackson portrayed his late uncle in the movie, which follows Michael Jackson from his childhood with The Jackson 5 through his emergence as one of the biggest entertainers in music history. Colman Domingo portrays Joseph Jackson while Nia Long plays Katherine Jackson.
The film was produced with the cooperation of the Michael Jackson estate and distributed domestically by Lionsgate. Universal handled much of its international release.
The Calypso legend #RIPMightySparrow dies at age 91
The Caribbean has lost one of its most influential musical figures following the death of legendary calypsonian Mighty Sparrow at the age of 91.
Slinger Francisco, known worldwide as the Mighty Sparrow and celebrated as the “Calypso King of the World”, died in New York on Sunday 27 September following a brief illness.
His family confirmed that he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Trinidad and Tobago’s calypso icon, Slinger Francisco, known to the world as ‘The Mighty Sparrow’,” the family said in a statement.
Born in Grenada on 9 July 1935, Francisco moved to Trinidad as a young child and went on to become one of the most important figures in the history of calypso.
His breakthrough came in 1956 with Jean and Dinah, a recording that established the young performer as a major force in Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival and launched a remarkable career spanning seven decades.
Mighty Sparrow became renowned for combining memorable melodies with sharp wit, humour and incisive commentary on politics, relationships and Caribbean society. His extensive catalogue includes classics such as Jean and Dinah, Dan Is the Man, Congo Man, Slave, Obeah Wedding and Doh Back Back.
His achievements in Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival competitions were equally significant. Sparrow won the Calypso King, later Calypso Monarch, title eight times and also captured eight Road March crowns.
However, his influence extended far beyond competition.
Through recordings, performances and international touring, Sparrow helped take calypso from Trinidad and Tobago to audiences across the Caribbean, North America, Britain and beyond, becoming one of the genre’s most recognisable global ambassadors.
His music and songwriting influenced generations of calypsonians and Caribbean artists, while his voice became synonymous with the sound and spirit of the region.
News of his passing brings to a close an extraordinary chapter in Caribbean music and culture.
Mighty Sparrow leaves behind a vast body of work documenting decades of Caribbean life, humour, politics and social change, ensuring his legacy will endure for generations to come.
The Caribbean has lost one of its most influential musical figures following the death of legendary calypsonian Mighty Sparrow at the age of 91.
Slinger Francisco, known worldwide as the Mighty Sparrow and celebrated as the “Calypso King of the World”, died in New York on Sunday 27 September following a brief illness.
His family confirmed that he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Trinidad and Tobago’s calypso icon, Slinger Francisco, known to the world as ‘The Mighty Sparrow’,” the family said in a statement.
Born in Grenada on 9 July 1935, Francisco moved to Trinidad as a young child and went on to become one of the most important figures in the history of calypso.
His breakthrough came in 1956 with Jean and Dinah, a recording that established the young performer as a major force in Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival and launched a remarkable career spanning seven decades.
Mighty Sparrow became renowned for combining memorable melodies with sharp wit, humour and incisive commentary on politics, relationships and Caribbean society. His extensive catalogue includes classics such as Jean and Dinah, Dan Is the Man, Congo Man, Slave, Obeah Wedding and Doh Back Back.
His achievements in Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival competitions were equally significant. Sparrow won the Calypso King, later Calypso Monarch, title eight times and also captured eight Road March crowns.
However, his influence extended far beyond competition.
Through recordings, performances and international touring, Sparrow helped take calypso from Trinidad and Tobago to audiences across the Caribbean, North America, Britain and beyond, becoming one of the genre’s most recognisable global ambassadors.
His music and songwriting influenced generations of calypsonians and Caribbean artists, while his voice became synonymous with the sound and spirit of the region.
News of his passing brings to a close an extraordinary chapter in Caribbean music and culture.
Mighty Sparrow leaves behind a vast body of work documenting decades of Caribbean life, humour, politics and social change, ensuring his legacy will endure for generations to come.
Children Of Blood And Bone author Tomi Adeyemi says she won't watch film adaptation
It's been about two months since Tomi Adeyemi denounced the film adaptation of her YA novel Children Of Blood And Bone, calling the experience of making it "the worst thing I have ever had to live through." Needless to say, her decision to share this sentiment publicly and about six months before anyone had the chance to see the film led many to wonder what exactly went so wrong. There was reportedly tension on the set between Adeyemi and lead actor Amandla Stenberg, which may or may not have been triggered by some online backlash against Stenberg's casting. But we're not going to get any clarity on the situation from Adeyemi's latest interview, though she still doesn't really have anything nice to say about the project.
"I still don't plan to watch it, but it's not really for me to watch," the author says in an interview published this weekend in The Guardian. When asked if she would ever let another one of her novels be adapted for the big screen again, she just says, "Never." (The rights to Children Of Blood And Bone were optioned before its 2018 publication; it's not immediately clear whether the rights to either follow up novel have already been purchased.) When asked about the casting controversy, Adeyemi just says, "With a film, the director makes every decision. With my book I can talk about every choice down to the commas, because that's truly in my hands. So there's nothing for me to add, other than the clarity that these aren't my choices." This is vague enough to not really help elucidate anything, but it's worth mentioning that Gina Prince-Bythewood, the director of the film, co-wrote the screenplay with Adeyemi, so we could guess there was at least some collaboration going on.
"I still don't plan to watch it, but it's not really for me to watch," the author says in an interview published this weekend in The Guardian. When asked if she would ever let another one of her novels be adapted for the big screen again, she just says, "Never." (The rights to Children Of Blood And Bone were optioned before its 2018 publication; it's not immediately clear whether the rights to either follow up novel have already been purchased.) When asked about the casting controversy, Adeyemi just says, "With a film, the director makes every decision. With my book I can talk about every choice down to the commas, because that's truly in my hands. So there's nothing for me to add, other than the clarity that these aren't my choices." This is vague enough to not really help elucidate anything, but it's worth mentioning that Gina Prince-Bythewood, the director of the film, co-wrote the screenplay with Adeyemi, so we could guess there was at least some collaboration going on.
R&B artist Jacquees arrested after being found passed out in vehicle, police say
R&B singer Jacquees was arrested on DUI and other charges after police said he was found passed out inside a vehicle in Hollywood and later became combative with first responders.
Jacquees, whose real name is Rodriquez Jacquees Broadnax, 32, was arrested Sunday near North 62nd Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard.
Hollywood Police said officers received a call shortly before 8 a.m. about a person passed out inside a vehicle.
Police said Broadnax became combative with first responders while being taken to a hospital.
Broadnax appeared in bond court Monday and was given a total bond of $3,500.
He faces charges of DUI, resisting an officer without violence and battery on an officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician.
Jacquees is best known for his 2016 single “B.E.D.” and his 2018 hit “You.”
Jacquees, whose real name is Rodriquez Jacquees Broadnax, 32, was arrested Sunday near North 62nd Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard.
Hollywood Police said officers received a call shortly before 8 a.m. about a person passed out inside a vehicle.
Police said Broadnax became combative with first responders while being taken to a hospital.
Broadnax appeared in bond court Monday and was given a total bond of $3,500.
He faces charges of DUI, resisting an officer without violence and battery on an officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician.
Jacquees is best known for his 2016 single “B.E.D.” and his 2018 hit “You.”
#RIPDennisHaskins Dies at 75: ‘Saved by the Bell’ Actor Played Principal Belding
Dennis Haskins has sadly passed away at the age of 75. The actor was best known for playing Principal Richard Belding on the beloved series Saved by the Bell, a role that he reprised on multiple spinoff shows. The character was known for the saying, “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?”
Haskins‘ death was confirmed by his agent, though a cause is not known as of this time. It has been reported that the actor suffered from Parkinson’s disease.
Jay Schachter, who was the actor’s agent, told TMZ, “It’s a tragic loss. Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more. He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans.”
“He always had time for them, no matter what. He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly,” he added.
The news was broken after a karaoke bar posted a tribute to Dennis.
Dimples Karaoke, an establishment that Haskins frequented in Tennessee, broke the news in a tribute post.
Dennis was a staple at Dimples. A lot of people thought he owned it, but he didn’t. He just loved the place and its people. He enjoyed singing for people, meeting them, and taking selfies with his fans. Dimples closed down about 11 years ago, and people still associate him with his beloved “second home.” He was known to most as Mr. Belding from Saved by the Bell, but to us, he was much more than that.
About eight years ago, he became ill. He had been silent about his fight with Parkinson’s, among other health concerns, because he did not want the attention. He did not want to have to tell people. He would say, “What do I even say?” So I respected his wishes and stayed quiet, and I helped him through his journey into the next chapter of his life.
Late last night, that journey ended for him. He is now at peace and is probably entertaining the people in the sky. Just know that if you tried to reach out to him in the last few years, I did read your messages to him, and you were heard.
After I said my final goodbyes to him last night, I was across the hall signing some paperwork. I looked up and saw that the room he had been in was a gift from the Mario Lopez Golf Classic, and somehow, that made me feel a little better.
What a cool and amazing life he had. Rest in peace, Dennis. You were very much loved and will never be forgotten.
We’re sending our thoughts and condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time.
Haskins‘ death was confirmed by his agent, though a cause is not known as of this time. It has been reported that the actor suffered from Parkinson’s disease.
Jay Schachter, who was the actor’s agent, told TMZ, “It’s a tragic loss. Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more. He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans.”
“He always had time for them, no matter what. He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly,” he added.
The news was broken after a karaoke bar posted a tribute to Dennis.
Dimples Karaoke, an establishment that Haskins frequented in Tennessee, broke the news in a tribute post.
Dennis was a staple at Dimples. A lot of people thought he owned it, but he didn’t. He just loved the place and its people. He enjoyed singing for people, meeting them, and taking selfies with his fans. Dimples closed down about 11 years ago, and people still associate him with his beloved “second home.” He was known to most as Mr. Belding from Saved by the Bell, but to us, he was much more than that.
About eight years ago, he became ill. He had been silent about his fight with Parkinson’s, among other health concerns, because he did not want the attention. He did not want to have to tell people. He would say, “What do I even say?” So I respected his wishes and stayed quiet, and I helped him through his journey into the next chapter of his life.
Late last night, that journey ended for him. He is now at peace and is probably entertaining the people in the sky. Just know that if you tried to reach out to him in the last few years, I did read your messages to him, and you were heard.
After I said my final goodbyes to him last night, I was across the hall signing some paperwork. I looked up and saw that the room he had been in was a gift from the Mario Lopez Golf Classic, and somehow, that made me feel a little better.
What a cool and amazing life he had. Rest in peace, Dennis. You were very much loved and will never be forgotten.
We’re sending our thoughts and condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time.
Gabourey Sidibe’s Husband Brandon Frankel Poses in His Underwear to Celebrate ‘AHS’ Going to No. 1
Gabourey Sidibe‘s husband Brandon Frankel is celebrating the success of her new show by stripping down for a thirst trap photo.
Gabby returns as Queenie in American Horror Story: 13, which is number one on the Hulu charts after the three-episode premiere last week.
Brandon told fans that if the show went to number one, he’d share more thirst traps. And he did!
“If you all make American Horror Story 13 Number 1 on streaming, I’ll drop some more thirst traps that are more in line with what my wife asked for. IYKYK. Don’t let me down,” Brandon wrote last week.
Gabby responded, “Mind you, I didn’t tell him to do this. I actually advise against this but the man like to be naked on the internet. It is what it is.”
After the show went to #1 on the chart, Brandon said that he knew it would.
“The joke was the show was never not gonna be No. 1, but I love a good excuse to be half naked and support my wife. I’m a man of my word. Paying the tax. You’re welcome or I’m sorry,” he wrote on Threads. See the photo below!
Gabourey Sidibe and Brandon Frankel have been married since 2021
Gabby and Brandon went public at the beginning of 2020 and announced their engagement later that year.
The couple got married in March 2021. They welcomed twins, a boy and a girl, into the world in 2024.
Gabourey Sidibe‘s husband Brandon Frankel is celebrating the success of her new show by stripping down for a thirst trap photo.
Gabby returns as Queenie in American Horror Story: 13, which is number one on the Hulu charts after the three-episode premiere last week.
Brandon told fans that if the show went to number one, he’d share more thirst traps. And he did!
“If you all make American Horror Story 13 Number 1 on streaming, I’ll drop some more thirst traps that are more in line with what my wife asked for. IYKYK. Don’t let me down,” Brandon wrote last week.
Gabby responded, “Mind you, I didn’t tell him to do this. I actually advise against this but the man like to be naked on the internet. It is what it is.”
After the show went to #1 on the chart, Brandon said that he knew it would.
“The joke was the show was never not gonna be No. 1, but I love a good excuse to be half naked and support my wife. I’m a man of my word. Paying the tax. You’re welcome or I’m sorry,” he wrote on Threads. See the photo below!
Gabourey Sidibe and Brandon Frankel have been married since 2021
Gabby and Brandon went public at the beginning of 2020 and announced their engagement later that year.
The couple got married in March 2021. They welcomed twins, a boy and a girl, into the world in 2024.
Jay-Z Requests Revival of Extortion Case Against Tony Buzbee After Retraction
Jay-Z has petitioned for California's Second Appellate District to reinstate his extortion and defamation suit against attorney Tony Buzbee.
A Jane Doe accuser recently recanted her claims that Jay-Z and Diddy raped her in 2000 when she was 13 years old.
The rapper's original suit was dismissed in last year under California's anti-SLAPP law, which was upheld by the appellate panel this month for lack of evidence that Buzbee knowingly made false accusations.
Jay-Z seeks to press forward with an extortion lawsuit against Tony Buzbee after the lawyer’s former client denied being raped by him.
As reported by Rolling Stone, the 24-time Grammy winning rapper, real name Shawn Carter, filed a petition for rehearing, requesting the Second Appellate District look into its refusal to reinstate the suit against Buzbee. The filing comes after Jay-Z’s former accuser, known as Jane Doe, walked back allegations that she was raped by him and Diddy, who’s currently serving time for Mann Act violations, in 2000.
"Jane Doe's declaration proves that discovery would yield evidence supporting Carter's claims," the petition reads, according to Rolling Stone. "Fairness and due process require this court to grant rehearing."
The woman issued a statement last Thursday (Sept. 24), denying that she ever encountered or spoke to Jay-Z. She added that she was not threatened by Carter or any or his colleagues, and that denied being paid for the retraction.
While attempting to dismiss the lawsuit last year, Jay-Z claimed that his business lost $20 million due to the rape allegations. The Brooklyn native also claimed that Buzbee was pursuing a legal shakedown of him, despite the lawyer dismissing a sexual assault lawsuit against Jay-Z and Diddy last February.
Jay-Z has petitioned for California's Second Appellate District to reinstate his extortion and defamation suit against attorney Tony Buzbee.
A Jane Doe accuser recently recanted her claims that Jay-Z and Diddy raped her in 2000 when she was 13 years old.
The rapper's original suit was dismissed in last year under California's anti-SLAPP law, which was upheld by the appellate panel this month for lack of evidence that Buzbee knowingly made false accusations.
Jay-Z seeks to press forward with an extortion lawsuit against Tony Buzbee after the lawyer’s former client denied being raped by him.
As reported by Rolling Stone, the 24-time Grammy winning rapper, real name Shawn Carter, filed a petition for rehearing, requesting the Second Appellate District look into its refusal to reinstate the suit against Buzbee. The filing comes after Jay-Z’s former accuser, known as Jane Doe, walked back allegations that she was raped by him and Diddy, who’s currently serving time for Mann Act violations, in 2000.
"Jane Doe's declaration proves that discovery would yield evidence supporting Carter's claims," the petition reads, according to Rolling Stone. "Fairness and due process require this court to grant rehearing."
The woman issued a statement last Thursday (Sept. 24), denying that she ever encountered or spoke to Jay-Z. She added that she was not threatened by Carter or any or his colleagues, and that denied being paid for the retraction.
While attempting to dismiss the lawsuit last year, Jay-Z claimed that his business lost $20 million due to the rape allegations. The Brooklyn native also claimed that Buzbee was pursuing a legal shakedown of him, despite the lawyer dismissing a sexual assault lawsuit against Jay-Z and Diddy last February.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Face forward First?
I guess he couldn't wait.
AND NOW Meet:
It's! You can see more HERE
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Enjoy!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
