Variety’s Power of Women 2017
Each year, Variety highlights five prominent women who are using their clout and influence to bring attention to worthy causes. This year’s honorees are: Jessica Chastain (Planned Parenthood), Chelsea Clinton (Alliance for a Healthier Generation), Gayle King (SEO Scholars), Blake Lively (Child Rescue Coalition), Audra McDonald (Covenant House), and Shari Redstone (Legal Services Corp.).
Jessica Chastain
“It’s very important in our society to protect women who financially don’t have the means to pay for healthcare, and Planned Parenthood does that,” says Jessica Chastain. But the nonprofit, which is 100 years old, has been under fire. The Trump administration and pro-life Republicans are threatening to cut funding for the organization that provides medical services for women, including abortions.
Chelsea Clinton
After Bill Clinton underwent emergency heart bypass surgery in 2004, he reached out to the American Heart Assn. to see what he could do for the organization. He envisioned it would want him to be the poster child for men visiting their doctors more regularly — but the group had another mission in mind: “The American Heart Assn. said, ‘Yes, please talk about that. But what we really need help on is childhood obesity,’” recalls Chelsea Clinton.
Gayle King
Gayle King grew up in a household where it was never a question whether she was going to college. “I couldn’t wait,” she says, of attending the University of Maryland, where she double-majored in psychology and sociology. “Who’s going to be my roommate? What classes am I going to have? Filling out the application form.” But for many children raised in modest-income families, these conversations aren’t part of their upbringing.
Blake Lively
Blake Lively wants to use the power of the web to crack down on child pornography. The movie star (“The Shallows,” “Café Society”) is working with the Child Rescue Coalition on promoting a groundbreaking technology that flags the IP addresses of people who share and download sexually explicit images of minors.
Audra McDonald
The most decorated star on Broadway regularly spends the night on the sidewalk. For the last few years, six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald has joined Sleep Out: Broadway Edition, which invites hundreds of members of the New York theater community to pass an entire night on the street, regardless of weather. The annual event is a fundraiser for Covenant House, the organization that helps homeless teens in 30 cities across six countries.
Shari Redstone
“The entire legal system was built upon the assumption that people would have adequate representation. When they don’t, the system fails and the laws don’t matter,” says Shari Redstone. That’s where Legal Services Corp. comes in. The group that Redstone supports provides funding to 134 legal-aid organizations, which, in turn, give counsel to close to 2 million people.
#RHoA: Porsha and her anger issues! Porsha's Anger Management Gets Tested Again
During the RHoA Reunion there’s footage of the women asking Porsha 20 questions about her anger management treatment, Kenya admitted she probably shouldn't have chased Porsha out into the parking lot. "You are an angry person," Porsha said. "You really are evil." She added that Kenya "not only followed" her across the street, but then got right up in her face. "When I'm trying to better myself, all y'all think is it's something bad," Porsha added.
At that point, Kandi jumped in and Porsha and Kandi started going after each other — with their words (not their fists, thankfully). Kandi started screaming about how she had donated $5,000 to help Porsha during her Celebrity Apprentice stint. Porsha argued that donation was for charity, but Kandi wasn't buying it. Kandi and Porsha were screaming over each other (which made it pretty impossible to hear either one of them), while Andy looked on in rather stunned silence.
Tell Me: Do you think there's any hope for Porsha and Kandi?
#EMPIRE: Lucious Mortality or his Mentality?
Lucious is sick. He’s got a virus that’s made him bedridden, overly paranoid and stressed out. Hakeem asks “does he have ALS again?” It’s a call back to something Cookie mentioned in a previous episode. “No, that’s not how ALS works,” Andre snaps back. There’s a lot being set up here, even in such a small moment.
Last night’s episode made me realize that Empire won’t end until, well, Lucious ends. It was hinted back in season 1, when Lucious’s ALS was the driving force of the plot. The characters also casually talk about death like it’s not a big deal: in the last two episodes alone, people have either threatened to kill Anika or she’s talked about her own fatality: “If I get caught, he’ll kill me.” We’ve seen Lucious off people, we’ve seen Rhonda get pushed off a balcony, we’ve seen Frida Gatz attempt to kill Lucious, we’ve seen Grandma Lea point a gold plated gun at Anika. On top of all this: Andre wants to kill Lucious. One of the themes behind Empire, besides music, love, power and competition, is how murder is a means to eliminate an obstacle, to cover up something, or to gain more power.
Although I don’t like the idea of this show possibly being determined by Lucious’ mortality, I’m prepared to watch him fall, and shamelessly expect it to be an intricate, dramatic, lengthy demise. Lucious’ illness at the beginning of the episode was a way to scare the characters, but also to remind them that he still has the most power, even when he’s vulnerable. When Anika stands over his sick bed, punctures his air bag and threatens to kill him if he doesn’t comply with her, he pulls out a gun that’s been hiding under the blankets. Lucious is probably too weak to shoot it, but the reveal of his armor is enough for Anika to walk away. Lucious still got it, even when he can’t breathe.
Desperate, and doubting that she will live much longer, Anika turns to Cookie. She asks her to take care of Bella as her own, in the event that she gets arrested or killed. Cookie agrees. There must be a reason why this scene is in place, but I hope it isn’t to hint the obvious. If so, that is extremely poor foreshadowing. Perhaps it’s Bella’s other parent, Hakeem, who gets arrested, which will give Cookie even more reason to take care of her step-granddaughter. (h/tRefinery29)
#MUSICNEWS: New Prince Recordings To Be Released This Friday With ‘DELIVERANCE’ EP
In honor of the one year anniversary of Prince‘s passing, RMA (Rogue Music Alliance) is releasing a special EP titled DELIVERANCE, featuring 6 previously unreleased studio recordings from 2006-2008. The title track, “Deliverance,” is available now on iTunes and Apple Music, and the full EP hits stores on Friday (Apr. 21).
DELIVERANCE features 6 new, undiscovered tracks: “Deliverance,” “Man Opera,” which includes a four-movement medley: “I Am,” “Touch Me,” “Sunrise Sunset,” “No One Else;” and an extended version of “I Am.” The songs were written and recorded when Prince was an independent artist, protesting what he saw as an unjust music industry. In the spirit of that independence, and in supporting Prince’s opinion of major label contracts, DELIVERANCE is being released independently via RMA, a Vancouver, WA based record company. The majority of all sales of DELIVERANCE will benefit Prince’s estate.
Prince, and Ian Boxill (2Pac, Gladys Knight, Janet Jackson), co-wrote and co-produced all of the tracks beginning in 2006. After Prince’s untimely passing, Boxill continued their work by spending the past year completing the compositions and arrangements, finishing the production and mixing the songs.
Speaking about the project, Boxill said: “I believe ‘Deliverance’ is a timely release with everything going on in the world today, and in light of the one-year anniversary of his passing. I hope when people hear Prince singing these songs it will bring comfort to many.” He continues, “Prince once told me that he would go to bed every night thinking of ways to bypass major labels and get his music directly to the public. When considering how to release this important work, we decided to go independent because that’s what Prince would have wanted.”
The pre-order for the EP is available now on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon.
The EP disc version of DELIVERANCE will be released nationwide on June 2 at Walmart, Target and other major brick and mortar stores.
#HIPHOPNEWS: Nicki Minaj Teases ‘Regret in Your Tears’ Video
Nicki Minaj meets Mert & Marcus. After previewing her “No Frauds” video, the Queen of the Barbz drops a mini movie for her #3PackFromParis single, “Regret in Your Tears.”
Directed by famed photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, the clip is a tantalizing and dazzling visual that plays with eroticism and intrigue.
From the brief snippet, the mini film will feature underwater scenes as well as a raunchy bedroom shot of Nicki and her leading man. In the teaser, he caresses her breasts while the two cuddle on a bed.
“I’m feeling super generous today,” Nicki wrote on Instagram. “Who’s ready for the #RegretInYourTears VIDEO shot by the legendary, ICONIC #MertAndMarcus?”
Minaj praised her directors for being “the fkn best to ever do it.” She added: “thank you. Love you. ‘Regret in your Tears’ is my fave song of all time. where should I do the premiere for this mini movie? LA? NEW YORK? MIAMI??? Di me lo.”
It’s unclear when “Regret in Your Tears” will drop, but the “No Frauds” video featuring Lil Wayne and Drake is set to premiere Tuesday (Apr. 19) at 12 p.m. EST.
More recently, Nicki appeared in the phone-filled video for Major Lazer’s PARTYNEXTDOOR-assisted “Run Up.” She also collaborated with DNCE on “Kissing Strangers,” which she recently shot a video for too.
Tom Brady Skipping Patriots White House Super Bowl Visit Due to 'Personal Family Matters'
The New England Patriots are set to visit President Donald Trump at the White House today to celebrate their Super Bowl win, but quarterback and Super Bowl 51 MVP Tom Brady just announced that he won’t be in attendance.
The 39-year-old NFL quarterback has a relationship with the President, but never officially confirmed he backed him for the job.
Unfortunately, Tom‘s mother Galynn has been ill with what many believe is cancer. Galynn was able to watch Tom win the Super Bowl live in the stadium. We’re wishing Tom and his family well.
“I am so happy and excited that our team is being honored at the White House today. Our team has accomplished something very special that we are all proud of and will be for years to come. Thank you to the President for hosting this honorary celebration and for supporting our team for as long as I can remember. In light of some recent developments, I am unable to attend today’s ceremony, as I am attending to some personal family matters. Hopefully, if we accomplish the goal of winning a championship in the future years, we will back on the South Lawn again soon. Have a great day!,” via NFL’s Ian Rapoport.
‘Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’ Star Rasheeda Slays Delux Magazine (Double Covers)
Inside the issue, the “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” star talks about life as a reality TV star, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and more.
One thing Rasheeda made very clear is she doesn’t regret doing reality TV:
Ummmmm, life for me has changed a lot since season 1, drastically. I mean of course the popularity level is at an all-time high, so you can’t move around like you used to back in the day. It doesn’t matter where you go, you know it’s been a lot of growth business wise and being able to expand yourself and do great things which is a positive. At the end of the day I think that when you go into something and you have a plan on what you are trying to accomplish and what you are trying to do, it makes it even better to be able to see that growth.
But for the most part it’s a lot and can be really challenging. I don’t have any regrets. I am the type of person who feels like with being on a show as successful as Love and Hip Hop not knowing what I was really getting myself into, I don’t have feelings where I am saying, ‘I wish I would have never did this show.’ I mean it might be a couple of relationships as far as females that I am not going to specifically say that I wish I would’ve never even entertained, but for the most part I look at it like it’s a give and a take.
Vanessa Williams And Tichina Arnold Star In Reality Show Parody ‘Daytime Divas’
Well damn, this is just what we need. Another reality show with women fighting. We thought that era was kind over. Obviously not.
Actually, it’s not a real reality show, per se. It’s a scripted drama about a reality show. It’s called Daytime Divas and we’ve got the first teaser trailer (above) and as you can see, all hell just broke loose … again.
The new VH1 show stars Vanessa Williams and Tichina Arnold, among others.
The drama is based on former The View co-host Star Jones’ book Satan’s Sisters and follows the behind-the-scenes drama on the set of The Lunch Hour, a popular daytime TV show.
The cast and showrunners of the show have been announced. In March, Vanessa Williams was announced as the lead in the series, where she will star as Maxine, the creator and host of a fictional talk show The Lunch Hour. Williams’ co-hosts on the show within a show will be Tichina Arnold as Mo, Chloe Bridges as Kibby, Camille Guaty as Nina, and Fiona Gubelmann as Heather.
Rounding out the cast is VH1 favorite and Hit the Floor star McKinley Freeman, who stars as Maxine’s son and a producer of The Lunch Hour.
Daytime Divas is inspired by Star Jones’ 2011 book “Satan’s Sisters: A Novel of Fiction” and is set behind the scenes of a long-running daytime television show, chronicling the fireworks that erupt daily between the five female co-hosts. On screen, they are best friends with five very different points of view, but behind the scenes, they inhabit a world of power struggles, cat fights and cocktails.
Chris Alberghini and Mike Chessler (Awkward, 90210) are showrunners as well as executive producers. The series is set to premiere later this year.
Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck 'Will Continue to Work Amicably' After Their Divorce
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck filed for divorce this month, nearly two years after announcing their separation.
According to a People source, they “will continue to amicably work at their relationship to make this new phase work for the kids,” Violet, 11, Seraphina, 8, and Samuel, 5.
The plan to file for divorce was apparently mutual: “It was just time. There was no catalyst.”
“Jen waited for the right time,” a source close to Jennifer added. “She wasn’t going to file for divorce while Ben was struggling. She is very proud of him for getting help.”
Ben will reportedly continue to live in the family’s guest house.
“When and if he moves out, it will be when he finds a place suitable for their situation…They want to keep the kids close,” the source added.
Ricky Martin Dances in Tighty-Whities, Channels Tom Cruise for 'Lip Sync Battle'
Ricky Martin is channeling Tom Cruise in Risky Business for his Lip Sync Battle number!
The 45-year-old entertainer performed Bob Seger‘s “Old Time Rock & Roll,” which is the song Tom famously sang in his underwear and shirt for Risky Business.
This week, Ricky will take on Kate Upton, who did an impersonation of Britney Spears for one of her big numbers!
Lip Sync Battle airs on Thursdays at 10/9c on Spike. Be sure to tune in!
Watch a preview of Ricky’s performance HERE
Man Sues Gay Dating App After 1,100 Men Show Up at His House “Aggressively Demanding Sex”
Last Wednesday, New York native, #MatthewHerrick, filed a lawsuit against the creators of the popular dating app for gay and bisexual men, #Grindr, accusing them of product liability, fraud, and deceptive business practices.
In the complaint, Herrick explains that he’s been approached by several people over the last five months, harassing him for sexual encounters. He says about 1,100 individuals, nearly 16 people a day, have shown up at his home and place of employment “aggressively demanding sex,” due to the false information that has been created on the app. According to Herrick, his ex-boyfriend created fake profiles in his name with this false information. He says the fake profiles use his name and likeness to lure in potential suitors. Some profiles reportedly claim he has STD’s, including HIV. In addition, the profiles claim Herrick is into “agreed upon rape fantasy or role play,” which encourages people to force themselves on him.
“My entire life has been stolen from me. My privacy has been taken from me. I’m humiliated daily,” Herrick revealed in an interview with Wired Magazine. “It’s a living hell.”
Although Herrick’s issue is with his ex-boyfriend, he believes Grindr is also at fault for their “dangerous product.” He says that he’s complained to Grindr 50 times since October, to no avail.
“If the manufacturer and seller both know the battery could explode, there’s a duty to inform users of the risk,” Herrick’s attorney tells CNN. “Not to mention a duty to evaluate whether the product is so dangerous it should be removed from the market altogether.”
“Grindr does not use even standard, widely available software programs…routinely used by interactive service providers to control their sites and products and to facilitate the safety and security of their users and the public,” Herrick’s complaint read, adding that even after over 100 reports filed about the fake profiles, the only response Herrick received read, “Thank you for your support.”
On the other hand, the company maintained that their app “cooperates with the law” and uses a “system of digital and human screening tools.”
“While we are constantly improving upon this process, it is important to remember that Grindr is an open platform,” the company reiterated.
What are your thoughts?
Fox News has Cut Ties With Bill O’Reilly!
Bill O’Reilly will no longer be employed at Fox News, the network’s parent company 21st Century Fox said in a statement Wednesday. The decision comes after allegations of him sexually harassing female colleagues prompted protests outside network headquarters and a mass exodus from advertisers.
“After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the Company and Bill O’Reilly have agreed that Bill O’Reilly will not be returning to the Fox New Channel,” the statement read.
O’Reilly confirmed the news later that afternoon in a press release, saying his ousting was provoked by “completely unfounded claims.”
Over the past 20 years at Fox News, I have been extremely proud to launch and lead one of the most successful news programs in history, which has consistently informed and entertained millions of Americans and significantly contributed to building Fox into the dominant news network in television. It is tremendously disheartening that we part ways due to completely unfounded claims. But that is the unfortunate reality many of us in the public eye must live with today. I will always look back on my time at Fox with great pride in the unprecedented success we achieved and with my deepest gratitude to all my dedicated viewers. I wish only the best Fox News Channel.
O’Reilly had said mid-April that he was taking a vacation. The official departure from Fox is an unceremonious end for the host, who had anchored the top-rated cable news show “The O’Reilly Factor” since its inception more than 20 years ago. His stunning exit mirrors that of former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, who launched Fox News in 1996 and abruptly left the network last summer amid widespread sexual harassment allegations.
O’Reilly had said mid-April that he was taking a vacation. The official departure from Fox is an unceremonious end for the host, who had anchored the top-rated cable news show “The O’Reilly Factor” since its inception more than 20 years ago. His stunning exit mirrors that of former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, who launched Fox News in 1996 and abruptly left the network last summer amid widespread sexual harassment allegations.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson will take over O’Reilly’s 8 p.m. time slot next Monday, Fox confirmed. “The O’Reilly Factor” will continue this week with guest hosts Dana Perino on Wednesday and Thursday, and Greg Gutfeld on Friday.
Following a bombshell New York Times report earlier this month indicating O’Reilly and Fox News have paid around $13 million in settlements to address complaints brought by five of his former female colleagues, advertisers began fleeing the show. Within days, more than 50 companies announced they would no longer air spots during the show.
New York magazine reported that Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of 21st Century Fox, had advocated for keeping O’Reilly on board, while sons James and Lachlan had pushed for his departure.
Though 21st Century Fox had pledged to clean up Fox News following the Ailes scandal, the Times revealed that the company continued to privately settle lawsuits with O’Reilly accusers and even renewed the host’s contract, reportedly at more than $20 million a year.
The entertainment and media giant presumably stuck with O’Reilly because he has been a cash cow for Fox News. He’s the linchpin of the network’s primetime lineup and his top-rated show is major draw when it comes to negotiating fees to carry the channel with cable and satellite providers. And “The O’Reilly Factor” brought in around $111 million in advertising dollars over a three-year period.
Demonstrators rally against Fox News television personality Bill O’Reilly outside of the News Corp. and Fox News headquarters in Manhattan on April 18.
But advertisers quickly began to feel the pressure from consumers following the Times report and allegations from a sixth woman, Wendy Walsh, who held a press conference two days after the story was published online.
Mercedes-Benz was the first to announce its departure from the show’s ad schedule. “The allegations are disturbing and, given the importance of women in every aspect of our business, we don’t feel this is a good environment in which to advertise our products right now,” spokeswoman Donna Boland said.
“Fox News was forced to act,” Angelo Carusone, president of progressive watchdog Media Matters and lead organizer behind the @StopOReilly Twitter campaign, said Wednesday. “Without advertisers, Bill O’Reilly’s show was no longer commercially viable. Fox News had no choice but to fire O’Reilly. Accountability came from the outside, not from within. Fox News deserves no accolades, only scorn for the industrial-scale harassment they have forced their employees to endure.”
In initial responses to the Times’ report that O’Reilly inappropriately propositioned women and retaliated against them when they turned him down, both he and the network issued statements saying no accusers ever called Fox’s internal hotline, an 800 number employees can use to anonymously report concerns.
Following the Times’ report, 21st Century Fox announced Sunday that law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison would conduct an investigation into the claims of Walsh, a former guest on O’Reilly’s show who accused him of reneging on a promise to get her a contributor deal after she rebuffed his advances.
On Tuesday, civil rights attorney Lisa Bloom said that an African-American former clerical worker at Fox News, who remains anonymous, had claimed O’Reilly leered at her and called her “hot chocolate.”
Public Advocate Letitia James held a press conference on April 12 in front of Fox News headquarters to demand the network investigate O’Reilly.
Bloom, who also represents Walsh, submitted a request for a second, independent probe to the New York State Division of Human Rights.
Public Advocate Letitia James held a press conference on April 12 in front of Fox News headquarters to demand the network investigate O’Reilly.
Bloom, who also represents Walsh, submitted a request for a second, independent probe to the New York State Division of Human Rights.
That request comes as the U.S. attorney’s office in New York is already investigating 21st Century Fox over whether the company properly notified investors about payments made to Ailes’ accusers.
The recent allegations against O’Reilly aren’t the first time he was dogged by claims of sexual harassment. In 2004, O’Reilly settled a lawsuit filed by former Fox News producer Andrea Mackris, which contended that he spoke to her about sexual fantasies and masturbation.
And Fox News has faced an advertiser boycott before. In a campaign led by the racial justice organization Color of Change in 2009, advertisers began leaving former host Glenn Beck’s show after he called then-President Barack Obama a “racist” with a “deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture.”
But O’Reilly and Fox News weren’t able to weather this latest scandal, which occurred in a different media environment.
“We weren’t in the same type of social media climate that we are in now,” Rashad Robinson, the executive director of Color of Change, told The Huffington Post earlier this month. “The speed and pace of people’s interest is different because of the participation age ... Companies are hearing from their consumers directly through Twitter.”
But Robinson is skeptical of O’Reilly’s ousting indicating any culture change at Fox News.
“While today is an important victory, it hardly absolves Fox News of its decades of racism and sexism,” he said in a statement Wednesday. “Fox News didn’t clean up its act after Roger Ailes was fired, and it won’t just because O’Reilly was fired. We’ll continue to demand accountability from the Murdochs.”
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Kenny
Meet Kenny! You know what to do to see them goods. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PICS and remember they’re NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN NOR ALTER any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
You’re Welcome!
AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘Piggy Crack’
I can’t fault this woman for trying to fix her plumber’s crack situation by buying some panties. The pigtails however…
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
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