Normani for Fader Magazine- Winter 2020!
Normani’s true self. Flying solo and hard at work on her debut, the former Fifth Harmony member is ready to show the world who she really is.
The artificial turf that lines the walls of Wonderland is bright green and dingy in the fluorescent light. Running her hands down its spiky surface, Normani is looking for clues. They could be anywhere — tucked in a corner, freed only after finding some hidden lever or button — and we’re running out of time.
“Should we ask for a hint?” Normani asks the room, which is full of friends and handlers, after a couple minutes of searching. All we’ve found is a set of four kooky-looking hats. We’ve already consulted the set of instructions we received — a riddle suggests we need to be looking for tea — but are stumped on where to begin. We all raise our hands, and a voice crackles from a hidden speaker: “Match the hats to the heads on the walls.”
It is a hot and sunny fall day on Melrose Boulevard in Los Angeles, and Normani, her crew, and I are in a pocket replica of Wonderland at the city’s #1 ranked escape room company, 60out.
Moments earlier, we listened to our objective: Alice has been accused of stealing from the Red Queen, and we have an hour to build a case that proves her innocence. A professed fan of escape rooms, Normani quickly takes the lead, rifling through some prop luggage and diplomatically suggesting new ideas whenever we get stuck.
The 23-year-old singer, dancer, performer, and former Fifth Harmony member’s mind is still ticking after a very busy year. From March through June, she was on the road with Ariana Grande, opening for the pop star’s Sweetener World Tour before finally releasing her debut single, “Motivation,” in August — her first major release since Fifth Harmony announced an indefinite hiatus in March of last year. A brass-inflected stadium-pop number, the song and its accompanying video trended at the top of on YouTube upon release, and her subsequent live performance of the track at the 2019 VMAs only served to prolong the feverish online conversation.
While making the rounds this September at New York Fashion Week, Normani landed a short but significant cameo in Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty lingerie show, along with pretty much the highest compliment a rising performer can receive: “NORMANIIIIII you bad BIH!!!! Ugh why can’t I be you,” Rihanna gushed in a tweet after the show. Early in my trip to L.A., Normani brings it up, beaming: “[She’s] somebody that I've looked up to for a very long time. There's nothing that she can't do. I hope to follow in her footsteps one day.”
The importance of this juncture in Normani’s career is not lost on her. The story of Fifth Harmony is one of resilience in which five young women of color formed a girl group manufactured by a wealthy white man on a national television competition show, finished in third place, and was still the most famous act from their season. What followed: intense public scrutiny, a rigorous recording and performing schedule, and a messy, public split that ground all that busyness to a halt. Now that that time in her life is behind her, Normani faces another challenge just months out from the release of her debut album: She has to decide which version of herself she wants to introduce to the world.
Get more at The Fader!
#RHOA: Kandi Burruss Lands In Trouble After Making This Revelation About Her Daughter, Riley Burruss!
The latest episode of the hit Bravo series The Real Housewives of Atlanta shocked viewers with the revelation that Kandi Burruss pays $5,547 every month for the fancy two-bedroom apartment of her 16-year-old daughter, Riley Burruss.
Being the daughter of a famous mother has its perks, and Riley is no exception, as Kandi’s connections in New York secured her child with an internship at a prestigious law firm in the big city.
Kandi thought that since her girl was going to be on her own in New York City, then she needed a new place to stay.
However, what Riley received was more than the ordinary intern is used to, as the apartment she is going to live in has an enormous rooftop terrace, and the place offers a beautiful view to the city.
43-year-old Kandi, accompanied by her spouse, Todd Tucker, their son, Ace, 3, and Todd’s 23-year-old daughter, Kaela, visited Riley’s future new home for a final inspection before the teenage settled in.
It seems that the reality TV star was impressed because when she saw the luxurious apartment, Kandi excitedly stated that Riley was living the life and later added, “She moving on up, like the Jeffersons” regarding her daughter
Meanwhile, Todd also appeared moved by the privileged life Riley was leading by stating that even she was only sixteen, she got a Porsche and a high-rise apartment in the city.
However, even though Riley gets to enjoy a beautiful apartment and a vehicle, she still has a lot to learn, for example, the teenager was totally unaware that not every freezer had ice makers or that she has to clean her bathroom herself — something she has never done before.
One person had this reaction to the video: “Everyone doesn’t want their children to suffer and struggle. Some ppl don’t feel the need to add that pain into their children’s lives. Unfortunately, you grow spoiled, but you can still teach children to be still grateful compassionate beings.”
Another Instagrammer wrote: “I agree with Todd..even though her mom has money..does mean that she does..learn to struggle and make it on your own first..that’s spoiling a child of that age..that’s crazy.”
This social media user revealed: “Wow, she said she thought every freezer has an ice maker, just spoiled, but hey, when I moved at 18, I insisted on a fridge with the ice maker on the door. 🤣”
This is a new phase for the whole family.
Beyoncé reveals sneak peek of Her New Ivy Park Adidas merchandise line!
Beyoncé’s starting the new year with a splash.
The “Lemonade” singer, 38, is on the cover of the January Issue of Elle magazine wearing pieces from the forthcoming collaboration between her activewear brand Ivy Park and Adidas.
The new partnership will introduce footwear for the first time. The collection will also feature gender-neutral styles going forward after Beyoncé said she noticed so many male fans wearing her clothes.
“My mother instilled in me the idea that creativity starts with taking a leap of faith—telling your fears they are not allowed where you are headed,” she told Elle in response to a fan question. “[The Adidas collection] incorporates my personal style and expands that to include something for everyone. I love experimenting with fashion, mixing high and low, sportswear with couture, even masculine and feminine.”
The designs, modeled by the star herself, feature a maroon and orange color scheme with track suits, body suits and a deconstructed and embellished take on the classic Adidas stripes and aesthetic. She also posted a series of customized “Ivy Park” jewelry on Instagram, though it’s unclear if they will be part of the launch.
Adidas announced Bey as their new creative partner in April to design a new collection as well as relaunch Ivy Park, which initially launched with Topshop in 2016. After purchasing the brand back from Topshop in late 2018, Beyoncé will retain full ownership of Ivy Park under Adidas. She will also debut a program aimed at empowering the next generation of athletes and creatives “driving positive change in the world through sport.”
The Ivy Park x Adidas collection drops on January 18.
Taraji P. Henson Says She Developed Anxiety After Trayvon Martin Shooting!
Taraji P. Henson opens up about anxiety, mental health, menopause, and the myth that black women have to be strong at all times, in a new cover story for Self Magazine.
In one portion of the interview, Henson explains how Trayvon Martin’s death served as a turning point in her mental health journey. “All my life I've been bubbly and the life of the party,” said the Empire star. “Things started to shift for me when Trayvon Martin —when that happened.”
Martin, 17, was gunned down in 2012 on his way home from the store. His killer, George Zimmerman, was later acquitted of second degree murder. Adding insult to injury, Zimmerman recently filed a $100 million lawsuit against Martin’s family.
Henson’s son, Marcell Johnson, is close in age to Martin. “That's when I noticed anxiety started kicking in,” she says explaining a fear that many black people face daily.
“They're not going to [recognize] Taraji's son out here on these streets,” added Henson. “It's me that is the star. He's not.”
Henson fears are shared by her 95-year-old grandmother. “She worries about her children, her children's children, and her great-grandbabies because she knows that at any given moment you can be picked on or killed for the color of your skin.”
Later in the interview, Henson talks about depression and explains how generational trauma carried over from slavery, everyday racism and the current political climate, can be overwhelming for black people. “[It’s] 2019, going on 2020, with even more microaggressions against us every day that we got to see on the news…and we're supposed to be okay. It's a lot.”
Henson, who launched The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation last year, has been an advocate for erasing the stigma around mental health in the black community
#NewMusic from Tamika Scott Drowns Her Sorrows With Some Help From Her Friends In ‘Go Outside In The Rain’!
Tamika Scott is best known as one-fourth of the legendary R&B group Xscape. Recently reunited with her partners in crime, Scott is now taking some time to do her own thing with her debut EP, Family Affair. We got our first taste of the project back in August with the loosie “Almost Over.” Now, with just a week left until the release of her EP, the seasoned songstress has released her second single, a cover of “Go Outside in the Rain.”Originally released by Milira in 1991, "Go Outside in the Rain" is about not wanting to face the world after heartbreak.
There’s no question that Tamika would be able to tackle the throwback ballad and do Milira proud. The production and vocal arrangement remain largely the same, but Tamika makes the song her own while still paying homage to the original.The song also has an appropriately rain-soaked video to accompany it. The concept for the clip is that with the love and support of good friends, you can get over heartbreak.
The video starts with Tamika’s home girls (played by actress/comedian Patrice Lovely and singer/reality show star Trina Braxton) calling and texting her to see how she’s doing, trying to pull her out of her depression. But Tamika ain’t trying to hear it. She’s not going out in that dreary weather. She’d much rather be in the house, in her feelings, in her collection of luxurious robes perfect for crying and carrying on. Of course, her friends refuse to take no for an answer and come to her door with lots of wine and lots of hugs. Of course, you know any song with rain in the title is obligated to have the singer actually go outside in the rain and do a dramatic performance, and Tamika doesn't disappoint at the end of this clip.
Get somewhere dry and watch the video for Tamika Scott’s “Go Outside in the Rain” right BELOW
Also be on the lookout for her Family Affair EP dropping on December 13th.
#HipHopNews: Juice Wrld Dies At Age 21 After Suffering Seizure!
CHICAGO, IL – Multi-platinum rap star Juice Wrld has been pronounced dead. He was 21.
According to TMZ, the ‘Lucid Dreams’ rapper (born Jarad Anthony Higgins) suffered a seizure while walking through Chicago’s Midway airport on Sunday morning (December 8).
When paramedics arrived on the scene, law enforcement sources reported he was bleeding from the mouth. Although he was still conscious while being transported to the hospital, he was pronounced dead not too long after arrival.
As of press time, Juice Wrld’s cause of death is unclear. Despite never disclosing any health issues, he openly admitted to a lean addiction in July but declared he was officially done with the habit.
Juice’s popularity exploded in 2017 with his Nick Mira-produced track “Lucid Dreams,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and is currently 5x platinum with nearly a billion streams on Spotify alone.
Ummmmmmm, SORRY Beyonce Is Not Doing a Las Vegas Residency!
Beyonce is not doing a Las Vegas residency, her rep has confirmed!
It’s “absolutely not true,” the rep stated. Rumors that Queen Bey would be hitting the strip began circulating Saturday after website LoveBScott posted a story citing “sources” that said she would announce the residency in the first half of 2020. The report said the residency would have made Beyonce the highest-paid entertainer in the city.
The “Lemonade” mastermind has performed in Vegas before, releasing the “I Am… Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas” album, which was recorded over a few dates during her “I Am…” world tour, in 2009.
The news had, predictably, gotten Beyonce fans riled up, with some claiming that there was no way the star would agree to a residency rather than releasing a new album and touring in support. Others felt that the mother of three might like the steadiness of a residency as opposed to a world tour.
Beyonce’s most recent work includes “The Lion King: The Gift,” her companion album to the “Lion King” soundtrack, as well as her track “Spirit” for the blockbuster film. She’s up for four Grammy awards, including pop vocal album for “The Gift,” pop solo performance and song written for visual media for “Spirit,” and music film for her documentary “Homecoming.”
“Homecoming” was nominated for six Emmys, including pre-recorded variety special, directing for a variety special, and writing for a variety special. It also received nods in the music direction, production design for a variety special, and costumes for a nonfiction, variety, or reality program.
South Africa wins Miss Universe with talk of leadership for women; Puerto Rico is runner-up!
And the winner is … South Africa! Out of 90 contestants, Zozibini Tunzi took the crown for Miss Universe 2019, with Madison Anderson, Miss Puerto Rico, coming in as first runner-up.
In 2018, South Africa’s Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters crowned Catriona Gray of the Philippines and, on Sunday, Gray and her country returned the compliment, anointing South Africa’s Tunzi after a spirited competition among 20 semifinalists.
Anderson, Miss Puerto Rico, urged girls and young women to “be yourself” in her answer to the final question posed by host Steve Harvey.
Tunzi blew everyone away with her quote on the importance of teaching young women leadership, and to “take up space,” which caused the crowd to go wild.
“I think one of the most important things we should be teaching young girls today is leadership,” she said. “It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time – not because we don’t want to but because of what society has labeled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings in the world, and that we should be given every opportunity. And that is what we should be teaching these young girls – to take up space. Nothing as important as taking up space in society.”
The tail end of her answer was drowned out by raucous cheers.
Harvey played it fairly straight during this, his fifth time hosting and the 68th Miss Universe contest, this one held at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta
'Wonder Woman 1984' Trailer Reunites Gal Gadot & Chris Pine WATCH!
The first official trailer for the upcoming superhero movie Wonder Woman 1984 has been released!
Gal Gadot and director Patty Jenkins traveled to Brazil to debut the trailer at the CCXP event, which was live streamed on Twitter.
The new trailer reunites Gal‘s Wonder Woman and Chris Pine‘s Steve Trevor, who was originally believed to be dead after the first film.
We’re also introduced to Wonder Woman’s new foes Max Lord (Pedro Pascal) and The Cheetah (Kristen Wiig) in the trailer. Also returning for the sequel will be Robin Wright as Antiope and Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta.
WATCH
Wonder Woman 1984 hits theaters on June 5, 2020
Tamron Hall Denies That She ‘Blew A Gasket’ Over Kelly Clarkson’s Show Being Renewed!
Tamron Hall has come forward to deny that she was frustrated that Kelly Clarkson’s television show was renewed before hers. According to reports, once Hall heard about Clarkson’s show being renewed for a season two, she screamed ‘We would have gotten an early renewal too if you were all doing a better job!’ during a staff meeting. The former Today anchor says this is 100 percent false.
“It’s ironic that a few days after I said on my show that I’ve seen ‘men storm out of rooms, puffing and huffing, and no one says anything’ while ‘women [who] speak up [are viewed] as difficult’ that someone would leak a false story about me being difficult,” she wrote on Instagram. “As I said live on my show while defending Gabrielle Union, women are perceived as ‘difficult’ when they speak up. I have never once complained about Kelly’s renewal – I am so happy for my fellow Texan. I’m excited about my show and I can’t wait for season 2!!”
An insider allegedly told The Daily Mail that Hall was becoming difficult to work with due to her being worried about the success of The Tamron Hall Show.
“She wasn’t mad per se that Kelly’s show got picked up for a second season, but she’s apparently frustrated with the direction of her show and afraid of it becoming a failure after walking away from her job at NBC and banking everything on this opportunity working. She’s been on edge since the show launched, but each week she’s become more and more difficult to work with.”
The insider also alleged that Hall micromanaged the staff of her show.
“Either she’s having a hard time grasping that concept or just doesn’t care, but it has created a very challenging climate behind the scenes.”
Besides Hall, Disney TV’s Senior Vice President of Syndication, Daytime, & Sports William Burton also denied allegations that Hall was difficult and unhappy with the direction of her show.
‘We had an extremely successful launch. Disney, Tamron, and Bill Geddie are all very pleased with the direction and performance of the show, and we look forward to our continued success,” Burton told The Daily Mail.
The Tamron Hall Show premiered back in September on ABC
Barack & Michelle Obama Just Bought a $11.75M, 7-Bedroom Martha's Vineyard Estate!
The Obamas just turned one of their favorite vacation spots into their new home.
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama this week purchased a 6,892-square-foot home on Martha’s Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts, according to the Vineyard Gazette and TMZ.
The seven-bedroom island mansion was sold Wednesday for $11.75 million to a trust.
The deed also names as trustee James F. Reynolds, a Chicago investment banker who has been friends with President Obama, 58, since he was a state senator in Illinois. Reynolds was a member of Obama’s national finance committee during the 2008 presidential election.
According to the Gazette and TMZ, the former first couple rented their new home over the summer before buying it.
The Martha’s Vineyard property sits on 29.3 acres and features seven bedrooms, eight-and-a-half baths and several stone fireplaces. It is located in Edgartown and was built in 2001.
The house is next to the Edgartown Great Pond and has views of the ocean.
The home was sold by Wycliffe Grousbeck and Corinne Basler Grousbeck. Wycliffe is the owner of the Boston Celtics.
A spokeswoman for the Obamas had no comment.
Kanye West To Headline Youth Christian Conference In January!
Kanye West is making his faith-based rounds! The rapper is slated to headline a Christian youth conference, Strength to Stand Student Bible Conference, which is for sixth graders to college, next month.
The leader of the conference, Scott Dawson, explained why he believed Kanye West was the best option.
“I realized that, although this is a worldwide megastar, he was a brother in Christ. He told me his testimony. He told me his struggles, what he was still going through. He said he’s been delivered, but he’s on a growth journey with Jesus.”
He said that Kanye West told him,
“After prayer and deliberation, I want you to know that I’m not considering it: I’m coming. I’ll be there for your January conference.”
Interestingly enough, the conference sold out shortly after Kanye West was announced as the headliner.
He replaced John Crist for January’s In November, John Crist was “removed due to a moral failure.”
The announcement comes almost a year after Kanye started his now infamous Sunday Service performances. He’s also reportedly said that he doesn’t plan on doing any more secular music, and will stick to gospel only. He released his first gospel album, Jesus Is King, on Oct. 25.
What do you think about Kanye headlining the conference?
Gucci Goes After Alleged Counterfeiters In New Lawsuit!
Gucci is not playing with the fraudsters anymore! The luxury designer brand has sued over three dozen websites accused of selling knock-off shoes, clothes and accessories while appropriating the brand name.
According to the brand’s complaint, the websites siphon customer traffic from Gucci and essentially operate within a black market network for fake designer products. Gucci said in the suit that it spends “significant monetary resources” to ward off counterfeiters, and have asked for millions in statutory damages: $2 million for each counterfeit item the web sites sold.
“The exponential growth of counterfeiting over the Internet has created an environment that requires companies, such as Gucci, to file a large number of lawsuits, often it later turns out, against the same individuals and groups, in order to protect both consumers and itself from the ill effects of confusion and the erosion of the goodwill associated with the Gucci brand,” the company said in the suit.
The websites named in the suit are registered in the U.S. and overseas, and run by unknown businesses, according to the complaint. Gucci, which sued the defendants for various trademark violations under the Lanham Act, also sought a restraining order and injunctions to block the companies from selling alleged counterfeit Gucci products.
“If defendants’ counterfeiting and infringing, cybersquatting and unfairly competitive activities, and their illegal marketplace enterprise, are not preliminarily and permanently enjoined by this court, Gucci and the consuming public will continue to be harmed,” Gucci said in the suit.
Zoe Saldana Calls Out Internet Trolls Sharing Fake Nude Photos of Her!
Zoe Saldana made time to clap back at Internet trolls who are posting a fake NSFW image of the actress on social media.
“Whoever the f–k you are, stop posting this false picture of me,” Saldana captioned the since-deleted Instagram post. According to The Daily Mail, where you can see the photo in question, she threatened to “report immediately” anyone who shares it.
“Let it be known I am no victim and I do not suffer in silence,” she wrote of the image. “I have never, nor will I ever have pictures like this taken of my body or myself.”
She added, “This is not a real picture for anyone reading this. This is violating, offensive and insulting for women.”
The advent of deepfake videos have celebrities and politicians understandably concerned. As noted by CNET, “Deepfakes are video forgeries that make people appear to be doing or saying things they aren’t. Deepfake software has made manipulated videos accessible and increasingly harder to detect as fake,” the outlet writes.
“I defend myself and defend all women that cannot speak for themselves,” Saldana wrote in her post. “You will not hide like a coward on this platform and think you can get away with it.”
In related news, the actress has completed filming this year for James Cameron’s forthcoming “Avatar” sequel.
The official Avatar Twitter account shared a behind-the-scenes photo Friday to mark the end of the production, and offered a look at a craft called the “Sea Dragon.”
“That’s a wrap, Na’vi Nation!” the photo was captioned. “It’s our last day of live-action filming in 2019, and we’re celebrating with a sneak peek. Check out this photo of the aft well deck section of the Sea Dragon, a massive mothership that carries an array of other sea-going craft in the sequels.”
“Avatar 2” is expected to arrive in theaters on December 17, 2021. Three additional sequels are planned.
Iggy Azalea and Playboi Carti Are Reportedly Expecting A Baby!
Australian rapper, Iggy Azalea, and boyfriend Playboi Carti are reportedly expecting a baby together.
According to Hollywood Unlocked, Iggy is six months pregnant with the couple’s first child together. Iggy and Carti had previously sparked engagement rumors in July when Azalea was spotted sporting a huge rock on her ring finger.
The couple began dating in 2018 and there is no word yet on when they plan to make a formal announcement or if they are expecting a boy or girl.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
'TRAP DOOR'
Would make a lot more sense if that was the Charmin bear back there.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Alejandro Bear
Meet Alejandro! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
Enjoy!
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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