John Boyega for The Evening Standard! Experience With “Random Checks” At The Airport Is Sad But Not Surprising
Making it on time to an audition is an understandably stressful situation for actors. On top of memorizing lines, dressing the part, and zoning out the competition, actors have to maintain their composure regardless of how their day is going. Star Wars star John Boyega told the Evening Standard that no Jedi mind-trick could stop him for avoiding random checks at the airport when he would fly into the United States for auditions. Prior to gaining fame as Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the British actor told the publication he felt his check-ins weren't so random after the third or fourth time.
He said, "I used to fly back and forth when I was hustling and auditioning for things in L.A. I'd get cheap flights and stay there for two weeks or whatever. And every time I was getting these random checks. Every. Single. Time. I wish I remembered the airline because I called them out on it, too. Like, 'This stuff ain't right.' They said it was a problem Stateside. They gave me a letter and it stopped. But before that it was consistent."
The 25-year-old Nigerian-British actor's frustrating experience is shared with many people of color who fly. Fellow Star Wars actor Riz Ahmed penned a revealing essay in The Guardian in Sept. 2016 not only about being typecast as a "radical Muslim" but also enduring racial profiling at a British airport.
Boyega told the Evening Standard that these checks aren't happening as frequently now. Although he credits this to his acting fame, he still hopes and deserves to not be seen as a suspicious person. "I understand that [these things] are for our safety but when you fly a lot and it happens three or four times there's an element of, 'Okay, I'm still not a terrorist,'" he said.
Living in a post-9/11 and now a Trump era in which many people of color are either being banned, scoped out, or flat out discriminated against for their religious beliefs and race should put us all on edge. One could argue that based on America's checkered history with racism and Islamophobia that hate is indeed the American way. But it doesn't have to be the future. Fame or not, celebrities are not immune to discrimination. Hopefully, turning a spotlight on this issue will cause a shift in policies. Until then, calling out unjust actions should become more routine.
#RHoA: Apollo Nida’s Fiancée Defends Him After Ex Phaedra Parks’ ‘RHOA’ Reunion Diss
Sherien Almufti says the locked-up star has been 'judged & ridiculed!'
(Radar) While Apollo Nida is behind bars serving his 8-year prison sentence for fraud, his fiancée is coming to his defense against his ex-wife Phaedra Parks‘ jabs!
On part one of The Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion, Parks, 43, slammed Nida for contesting their divorce when she already paid him $100,000.
Sherien Almufti took to Instagram to defend her future husband’s character amid the claims.
“You have been misunderstood, judged and ridiculed but you never allowed it to bring you down,” Almufti captioned a photo of Nida. “The strength you have gives me life. You’re such an amazing person inside and out. One day the world will see that! In the meantime, stay prayed up, stay strong and keep pushing.”
She added, “Love you so much, can’t wait for the day we reunite, it’s going to be magical!” Almufti has slammed Parks over social media in the past.
“Catching up on the #RHOA like wow!! So your s**t does stink after all. #TeamApolloandSherien.” Almufti captioned a photo of her watching the show in December.
She then called Parks a hypocrite over social media after she slammed co-star Kenya Moore for throwing her and Cynthia Bailey a divorce party.
“I’m appalled that they would think that the breakup of a family is the cause for celebration and with the host being the trifling woman who was texting my husband. Disgusting and disgraceful,” Parks said in a text to Porsha Williams.
Moore confronted Parks by saying, “You’ve said it so many times that you are in the best place that you have ever been in.”
Nida proposed to the New Jersey real estate agent while serving time at Fort Dix Correctional Facility.
#EMPIRE: Look at Jussie Smollet and his Neph Josiah!
Empire’s Jussie Smollet Brother to Jurnee Smollet-Bell spend sometime with his Nephew her son Josiah. Look at them together.
So cute! ‘EMPIRE’ is back on Wednesday at 9PM on FOX!
#NEWMUSIC from New Music: Frank Ocean – Lens
You know things aren’t the same when Frank Ocean continues dropping new music on almost a weekly basis.
After releasing “Chanel” and “Biking,” the singer-songwriter returns this week with the song “Lens,” and a remix version featuring rapper Travis Scott. Ocean premiered the song on his “blonded Radio,” but the remix hasn’t had an official release yet.
Frank plays around with a vocoder effect on his vocal over the subtle production, while he sings about Mariah Carey, Rally’s, and freeways, before touching on his partner’s timeless qualities.
“Ain’t seen rainbows in the sky since college / This thing won’t last unless we’re both lyin’ / Fake flowers, no water needed / Real life drowned by the weekend / No wins, call it timeless / No ends ’cause you’re timeless,” he sings.
“Lens V2” follows with an extended version of the original, and Scott comes through with vocal effects too. “Cameras on me, I need tints,” he sings. “Smiling but inside, I’m feeling bent / Come direct please, I can’t take no hints.”
There has been no word if Frank is plotting another album release yet, or if he’s just sharing tracks that didn’t make his two 2016 projects, Endless or blonde.
Take a listen to “Lens” HERE
#HIPHOPNEWS: Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Damn.’ Tops Billboard 200
King Kendrick rules the Billboard 200. The Compton rapper’s critically-acclaimed third major label studio album DAMN. tops the coveted chart in its first week of availability.
Official numbers won’t be in until Monday, but projections have now grown from the previous tally (480,000-510,000). According to HITS Daily Double, the final number will be a whopping 610,000 equivalent album units.
This astonishing figure doesn’t just make this Kung Fu Kenny’s largest week to date. It also marks the biggest debut of the year so far, surpassing Drake’s More Life, which sold an impressive 505,000 units in its opening week.
Streaming has played an important role on the Billboard 200 all year and DAMN. is no exception. The TDE/Aftermath/Interscope project has reportedly racked up more than 60 percent of its sales from 300 million streams. Drake still holds the streaming title with more than 385 million streams that first week.
DAMN. isn’t the only K-Dot album set to reach the Top 40. good kid, m.A.A.d. city — released in 2012 — is now slated to appear at No. 28 with 14,000 units.
Recently, Man-Man broke down his latest LP. “It’s an album about my own self-discipline,” he told Beats 1. “That’s my favorite word this past year, discipline and obedience, and how to control your own emotions and how to even speak that truth on a record, to expose yourself even more, to have that closer connection with another human, and have them relate to it.”
Destiny’s Child Reunites To Celebrate Kelly Rowland’s Book Release
Destiny’s Child reunites for a night. Beyoncé and Michelle Williams were on hand to celebrate the launch of Kelly Rowland’s first book Whoa, Baby!, even sharing a group photo that made fans hopeful for a musical reunion.
The trio posed with their hands to their face, much like Kelly does on the animated cover of her book. Sitting in the middle, Queen Bey held up the new mommy book with pride.
Whoa, Baby!: A Guide for New Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out (And Wonder What the #*@& Just Happened) holds a special place in Queen Bey’s heart since she is currently expecting twins. Not to mention, she and Jay Z also have a 5-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy.
The pregnant superstar showed off her growing belly in a series of beautiful photographs on Instagram. Looking stylish in knee-high boots, sunglasses, and a flowy dress, ‘Yoncé continued somewhat of a trend that she’s been showcasing on social media.
Bey has shared many special moments throughout her pregnancy, starting with the internet-breaking announcement photo. Since then, she’s continued to unleash fabulous photos, including artistic collages and slideshow videos.
This marks the first time Bey, Michelle, and Kelly reunited in public since November, when the trio played along with the popular Mannequin Challenge.
Jesse Williams & Wife Aryn Drake-Lee Split, File for Divorce After Nearly 5 Years of Marriage
Jesse Williams and his wife Aryn Drake-Lee have split up after nearly five years of marriage.
The 35-year-old Grey’s Anatomy star and his wife had papers filed last week to start the process of their divorce – though it is unclear who filed the papers first. Sources tell TMZ that the split is amicable.
Jesse and Aryn have two kids together: son, Maceo and daughter, Sadie. They married on September 1, 2012.
Mel B Admits to Consensual Sex with Nanny?
Last week Mel B's ex-nanny Lorraine Giles filed a defamation of character lawsuit after Mel accused Lorraine of getting pregnant by her estranged husband Stephen Belafonte and trying to extort the former Spice Girl with videos of the trio having sex, which Mel claimed she was forced into
Maybe forced was too strong a word... Sources close to Mel B tell TMZ Mel's husband Stephen Belafonte hired Lorraine Giles as their nanny and then convinced Mel and Lorraine to engage in three-way sex with him, in an arrangement that lasted for 7 years.
The insider claims the deal was broken, however, after Mel found out they were also having sex without her.
Serena Williams Pens Heartfelt Message To Her Baby In Celebration Of Her No. 1 WTA Ranking
What a time to be alive for Serena Williams!
A week after announcing she was 20 weeks pregnant with her first child, the mommy-to-be has clutched WTA’s no. 1 ranking.
Not the mention, she learned of her no. 1 ranking her her fiancé’s birthday!
Serena celebrated by taking to social media to share a heartfelt message with her unborn child.
My Dearest Baby,
You gave me the strength I didn’t know I had. You taught me the true meaning of serenity and peace. I can’t wait to meet you. I can’t wait for you to join the players box next year.
But most importantly, I am so happy to share being number one in the world with you…. once again today. On @alexisohanian bday. 😉 from the world’s oldest number one to the world’s youngest number one.
-Your Mommy
Too sweet! Congratulations!
Faye Dunaway Speaks Out About Oscars Best Picture Mistake: 'I Felt Very Guilty'
Faye Dunaway is opening up for the first time about the moment she and Warren Beatty announced the wrong winner for Best Picture at the 2017 Oscars.
While it was later revealed that the two were handed the wrong envelope, the 76-year-old Bonnie and Clyde actress said she was “completely stunned” at the time and thought Warren might have been joking.
“We took the card out, and he didn’t say anything,” Faye told Lester Holt on NBC Nightly News. “He paused, he looked over me, off stage… and I finally said, ‘You’re impossible!’”
“I thought he was joking,” she went on. “I thought he was stalling. Warren’s like that, he kind of holds the power… but it’s part of his charm. I read the name of the film on the card.”
“You don’t know what has happened,” she added. “I [felt] very guilty — I thought I could have done something, surely, why couldn’t I have seen Emma Stone’s name on the card?
Happy Days' Erin Moran's Cause of Death Revealed “Cancer”
Erin Moran, beloved actress who starred as Joanie Cunningham on the hit TV show Happy Days, passed away at the age of 56 years old, likely from cancer.
“A joint investigation into Mrs. Moran’s death was conducted by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and the Harrison County Coroner’s Office. A subsequent autopsy revealed that Mrs. Moran likely succumbed to complications of stage 4 cancer,” Sheriff Rod Seelye told Fox News. The type of cancer was not indicated.
No narcotics were found in her residence, but the toxicology results are still pending. Erin was found dead at her home in New Salisbury, Indiana on Saturday (April 22).
Our thoughts are with Erin‘s loved ones during this time.
Donald Trump Walk Of Fame Star Vandalized Again ... 'F' Marks the Spot
Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was vandalized again, only this time with a magic marker ... instead of a pick ax.
Someone scribbled "F*** Trump" on the President's star on Hollywood Blvd. at some point this weekend. Law enforcement sources at LAPD tell us tell us they were not aware of the vandalism.
You'll recall ... James Otis utterly destroyed Trump's star with a pick ax back in October, and even copped to the crime. We broke the story ... he ended up avoiding jail time in a plea bargain.
After Otis' handiwork the whole star had to be replaced -- and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce says they run about $30k.
This time shouldn't take more than a little solvent and a lot of elbow grease.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Tattooed Tim
Meet Tattooed Tim! So you know what to do to see more. Just 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?
‘A GHOSTLY INVASION’
No need for the ghostly dramatics, I’m already scared out of my mind.
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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