Beyoncé For ELLE’s January Issue!
For the January 2020 issue of ELLE, Beyoncé posed for a series of cinematic vignettes she dreamed up with her Lemonade collaborator, Queen & Slim director Melina Matsoukas. Shot in a nondescript corner of L.A.’s Crenshaw neighborhood, Beyoncé models pieces from her IVY PARK x adidas collection at the local hair salon, bodega, laundromat, and wig shop, proof that you, too, can be a stylish superhero in your own life, no matter where you live and who you are.
As she unveils her new adidas partnership for IVY PARK—a brand she now owns outright, making her one of the youngest women, and the only African American woman, to exercise 100 percent ownership of an athleisure brand—Beyoncé offers a rare opportunity for fans: full access. In an intimate ‘Ask Me Anything’ session with her Beyhive, the superstar opens up about motherhood, love, reclaiming her IVY PARK line and her quest for purpose.
She also talks about the new collection and having a leap of faith with IVY PARK: “I took a chance on myself when I bought my company back. We all have the confidence in us to take chances and bet on ourselves.”
See below highlights from the interview.
I have been waiting for more IVY PARK. What are you giving us with your partnership with adidas? —via Facebook
BKC: “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. And I’m proud to do that with adidas. I am excited for you to see the campaign for the first collection of this new partnership. It 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. This new line is fun and lends itself to creativity, the ultimate power. I focused on designing a unisex collection of footwear and apparel because I saw so many men in IVY PARK. The way they have embraced the brand is an unexpected gift. I appreciate the beauty of gender-neutral clothing and breaking the so-called fashion rules. I took a chance on myself when I bought my company back. We all have the confidence in us to take chances and bet on ourselves.”
I connected with Lemonade and I almost passed out when I saw Homecoming. You brought it and made me want to stand up and scream your name!! What’s up with the people who give out awards?
Were you disappointed not winning? Because you know, you already won with me. —via Instagram
BKC: “I began to search for deeper meaning when life began to teach me lessons I didn’t know I needed. Success looks different to me now. I learned that all pain and loss is in fact a gift. Having miscarriages taught me that I had to mother myself before I could be a mother to someone else. Then I had Blue, and the quest for my purpose became so much deeper. I died and was reborn in my relationship, and the quest for self became even stronger. It’s difficult for me to go backwards. Being “number one” was no longer my priority. My true win is creating art and a legacy that will live far beyond me. That’s fulfilling.”
You have worked with several female directors. Why is that important to you? —via Facebook
BKC: “Melina Matsoukas has inspired me to own and redefine what it means to be a director. As a woman, if you are too opinionated, too strong-willed, too anything, you are disregarded. I’ve seen this happen to Melina, but she handles it with respect and grace. Melina is a rarity; she has the sensibility to understand fashion, photography, storytelling, history, and culture and is able to seamlessly incorporate those components into her work. I have trusted Melina for over a decade and created some of my best work with her—from visuals for my music to tour content and now a fashion shoot. I was so excited to work with her on this shoot for ELLE, because working with Melina is effortless. We have a natural way of collaborating because of our friendship and mutual respect for each other. There’s no politics, no ego; it’s just about being in the moment and creating dope art. Pioneers like Kasi Lemmons, Julie Dash, and Euzhan Palcy have amazing catalogs, and women like Lena Waithe, dream hampton, Adria Petty, Diane Martel, Darnell Martin, and Ava DuVernay have added to the dialogue. And I am lucky to have worked with most of these talented women.”
As the chairwoman and CEO of your company, Parkwood Entertainment, what are some of the measures you have put in place to assure women executives have an equal say? —via email
BKC: “It’s always been important to me to hire women. I believe in giving a voice to people who are not always heard. One of the first presidents of my company was a woman. My current GM, head of production, head of PR, and other leaders are women. I hire women not to be token voices in the company but to lead. I believe women are more balanced and think with compassion in deciding what’s best for the business. They see the big picture absent of personal agendas. Most women are loyal and commit with 100 percent follow-through.”
What stresses you out? You always look like you are in control. —via Instagram
BKC: “I think the most stressful thing for me is balancing work and life. Making sure I am present for my kids—dropping Blue off at school, taking Rumi and Sir to their activities, making time for date nights with my husband, and being home in time to have dinner with my family—all while running a company can be challenging. Juggling all of those roles can be stressful, but I think that’s life for any working mom.”
What do you do with your clothes after you wear them? I am certain you won’t wear them again. May I have them? —via Instagram
BKC: “I think it’s important to have great basics that you can wear again and again. Versatility is a big part of the IVY PARK line and what inspires me. You can create your own style by experimenting and taking chances and continually reinventing your look with all of these pieces. I also donate my personal clothes to great charities that support women getting back on their feet. And I save my special pieces for my daughters! “I give my daughter my custom dresses, so she gon’ be litty. Vintage pieces by the time she hit the city, yeah-ah!!”
After 25 years in the game, how do you not lose yourself? —via email
BKC: “The predictable rock star DNA is a myth. I believe you don’t have to accept dysfunction to be successful. This is not to say that I have not struggled. I have the same pain that life brings to everyone else. I try to shift the stigma that says with fame there has to be drama. It is how you relate to your hardships and use that to evolve. And I try to keep real ones around me.”
Everybody’s weight fluctuates. How does it make you feel when people are constantly commenting on your appearance? —via Instagram
BKC: “If someone told me 15 years ago that my body would go through so many changes and fluctuations, and that I would feel more womanly and secure with my curves, I would not have believed them. But children and maturity have taught me to value myself beyond my physical appearance and really understand that I am more than enough no matter what stage I’m at in life. Giving zero f—s is the most liberating place to be. Also knowing true beauty is something you cannot see. I wish more people focused on discovering the beauty within themselves rather than critiquing other folks’ grills.”
You’re at karaoke. What does Beyoncé sing? —via Instagram
BKC: “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” and “Hotel California” (the guitar solo is my jam)!!
#RHOA: NeNe Leakes Calls Out Andy Cohen for Comment on Her Dress!
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes has blasted Andy Cohen for making a comment about how she recycled an outfit on the show.
During an episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Cohen pointed out that one of the outfits that Leakes sports on RHOA had previously made a memorable appearance.
"By the way, one of Nene’s confessional looks this year is the same dress she wore to our big doorbell show in L.A. where the strap broke, so I guess she fixed her strap, which we love," he said.
When the observation ignited laughter, Cohen added, "Was that shady? I didn’t mean for that to be shady."
Leakes, 51, was not impressed with the comment, taking to Instagram to voice her disgust.
"Can somebody please tell me what was the point of this?” she wrote. "Like i don’t get it. That was 2 years ago i wore this dress ONCE, so i can’t sit in a confessional with it on @bravoandy How many times have you recycled your suits and ties? #pointless #messy why you care?”
“It’s enough that we #RHOA ladies come for each other and now we have to worry about executives coming for us!” her post continued. “No i mean coming for me! It’s not cool. Wasn’t you interviewing those girls? What you mad about? Y’all stay coming for me but soon as i say something or do something I’m wrong🤷🏽♀️ I DONT APPRECIATE THIS AT ALL.”
Leakes then posted a slideshow of screenshots of an article complimenting the likes of Michelle Obama and Kim Kardashian West for the way they have recycled outfits or created different looks from the same dress.
“Not sure why women who are public figures can’t repeat an outfit but these ladies did it fabulously and i will continue to do so whenever i feel like it,” Leakes captioned the post. “I love my clothes.”
Meanwhile, Cohen appears to have no remorse. He responded to a tweet reading, "Andy you know it was shady," with a gif of Leakes saying, "I said what I said."
LOL!
#Empire: Amanda Detmer, 'Empire' Actress, Arrested for DUI and Leaving the Scene!
"Empire" actress Amanda Detmer is in hot water after cops say she left the scene of a traffic collision, and was driving under the influence.
This isn't the first arrest scandal facing the Empire cast this year — Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) was arrested in February by police for allegedly filing a false police report in which he claimed he was a victim of a hate crime. Charges were dropped, and Smollett maintains his innocence, although the city of Chicago is currently seeking reimbursement from the actor to cover $130,000 in police investigation fees. Smollett has refused to pay the fee at this point.
While Smollett's character was written out of Empire at the end of Season 5 after his arrest, Vivica A. Fox (Candace Mason) teased that he could be making his return in the show's final season, set to end in 2020. In an interview with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live! last month, Fox admitted of creator Lee Daniels' decision to cut Smollett from the series, "That was tough. He's family. He's always gonna be family. Love him to death, but there was just too much drama surrounding the circumstances."
That being said, Fox said she is "of course" still in touch with her former co-star, saying, "I love him. And who knows? Don't count him out. Y'all may see him."
When Cohen asked, "On Empire?" Fox simply batted her eyelashes, leading fans to think Smollett could be back in some way as the show comes to an end.
#MusicNews: Mary J. Blige Releases “HERstory Vol.1” Compilation of Her Hits!
The legendary Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige puts a significant portion of her legacy on display with the release of the “HERstory Vol.1” compilation.
Included on the project are some of her biggest hits, remixes, and never before heard rare versions of her songs.
LISTEN HERE
The release comes during a year where we did not get a new album from Blige, but certainly did get some impactful singles. She released the joint single with Nas called “Thriving” which was a kickoff to a Nationwide tour between the pair. She also released additional singles “Stay With Me” and “Know”.
Now the wait is on for her upcoming album which will be her first since 2017.
#HipHopNews: Report: Juice Wrld Swallowed Pills To Hide From Feds!
Juice WRLD allegedly suffered a fatal overdose when he swallowed painkillers in an attempt to hide them from the feds.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ that the pilot who was flying the rapper’s private plane from Los Angeles to Chicago on Sunday alerted authorities that Juice and his crew had weapons on the plane. When they landed, FBI and FAA agents were waiting for them.
At some point after the jet landed, Juice was reportedly seen swallowing several Percocet pills in what could have been an attempt to hide them. The pills may have contributed to his death.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office performed at autopsy on Monday, but additional testing, including toxicology, cardiac pathology, and neuropathology, is still needed before an official cause of death can be determined.
Paramedics spent 40 minutes treating the rapper after he suffered a seizure before transporting him to a nearby hospital at 2:55 a.m. Doctors pronounced him dead when they arrived at 3:06 a.m.
In addition to pills, feds seized 70 pounds of weed in vacuum-sealed bags that were stashed inside suitcases, along with three registered guns. Two of Juice’s associates were arrested for gun possession.
Lizzo Shows Off Thong While Twerking At Lakers Game!
Lizzo gets loose at the Lake Show. The “Truth Hurts” rapper was courtside as the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on Sunday night, but it was her outfit that stole the spotlight.
While the Laker Girls performed her hit “Juice,” Lizzo decided to join in. She got up and started twerking in a black T-shirt dress before turning around and revealing her cut-out booty in a thong. The moment was captured on the Jumbotron as the crowd cheered her on.
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The 31-year-old hasn’t been shy to show off her booty and the rest of her body on Instagram, posting several nude selfies.
On Monday, Lizzo dropped the uplifting video for her hit single “Good as Hell,” which takes place during homecoming week at Louisiana’s Southern University. The song is currently No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
After her breakout year, Lizzo is now heading into 2020 with eight Grammy nominations, the most of any artist.
The Golden Globes Has Shut Out Broadcast TV for the First Time Ever!
History has been made at the Golden Globes and the broadcast TV networks are most likely not happy about it at all.
The nominations for the 2020 Golden Globe Awards were announced this morning and for the first time in the history of the awards show, broadcast TV networks received no nominations.
If you’re unsure what a broadcast TV network is, they are the five major commercial networks that are national free-to-air networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and The CW.
Netflix had the most nominations of any network this year with 17 while HBO was a close second with 15.
The following networks received nominations this year:
Netflix – 17
HBO – 15
Hulu – 5
Amazon Prime Video – 5
FX – 4
Apple TV+ – 3
Showtime – 3
BBC America – 2
Cassie & Husband Alex Fine Welcome Daughter Frankie, the Newlyweds’ First Child Together!
Cassie got her Christmas present a few weeks early. The singer has welcomed a child into the world and is a now a first-time mom.
Several outlets report Cassie gave birth to a baby girl on Friday (Dec. 6) in Los Angeles, weighing 8 lbs., 4 oz. Cassie and her husband Alex Fine named their daughter Frankie Fine.
The new parents or their reps have yet to confirm the birth, however, they have been anxiously been awaiting her arrival since publicly announcing they were expecting back in June.
“We couldn’t be more excited and happy to have this little girl come into our lives,” the couple said in a joint statement back in June. “We are so blessed.”
Fine—a trainer and professional bull rider—then shared a heartfelt letter he written to his soon-to-be daughter on Instagram.
“I will be the first man in your life and will show you the greatest love and affection now and forever,” he wrote. “I never thought my heart could grow bigger after meeting your mother… then I found out we were having you and I instantly felt a love that is so indescribable.”
Cassie and Fine went public with their relationship in last December, just a few months after Cassie ended her decade-long relationship with Diddy.
The couple became engaged in August 2019 and tied the knot just two weeks later.
Cassie explained the rushed nuptials in an interview with Hatch Collection’s HATCHLAND blog.
“At first, I was NOT down with the idea of being a pregnant bride!” she said.
“I dreamed of having champagne and dancing at our wedding! However, once I weighed the amount of time we would have to wait (hello, birth, and breastfeeding), I realized what I cared about was being his wife and our family, not about whether I was pregnant or not at our wedding.”
And now, baby makes three.
We wish many congratulations to Cassie and Fine as they begin their new parenthood journey with Baby Frankie.
Rihanna Leaves Annabel's Club After a Night Out in London!
Rihanna makes her way out of the private members club Annabel’s after a night out on Monday evening (December 9) in London, England.
The 31-year-old entertainer has been in London for the past week after winning an award at the Fashion Awards for her brand Fenty last Monday.
Rihanna recently released a special coffee table book and she promoted it with a new Instagram video earlier in the day.
“ghetto grinch. #ThisShitIsHeavy ….I teamed up with @thehaasbrothers to create this stand inspired by my tatted hands to hold it up! The FENTY X PHAIDON edition of my book is available exclusively at therihannabook.com,” she wrote.
#BoxOfficeMojo: 'Frozen II' Threepeats Atop Weekend Box Office!
It was yet another weekend atop the weekend box office for Disney's Frozen II, which has now topped $900 million globally, well on its way to becoming the studio's sixth 2019 release to top the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office. Meanwhile, while Focus Features saw Dark Waters finish just outside the top five in its nationwide expansion this weekend, STX's release of Playmobil failed to make the top ten, delivering the third worst opening ever for a film debuting in over 2,000 locations.
At the top of the box office is Frozen II, dipping -59.7% with an estimated $34.7 million for a domestic cume totaling $337.6 million, making it the seventh highest grossing release of the year so far domestically. For some perspective, it wasn't until the original film's 61st day in release that it topped $337 million domestically, before going on to gross over $400 million after 57 weeks in release.
In addition to the domestic performance, Frozen II added another $90.2 million internationally, for an overseas cume that now totals over $582 million and a global tally that now stands just shy of $920 million. This means the animated feature will soon become the eighth 2019 release to top $1 billion globally, of which Disney has released six.
In second place is Lionsgate's release of Knives Out, which dipped just -47% for an estimated $14.15 million three-day and a domestic cume that now stands at $63.5 million. The film also added another $18.7 million internationally, pushing the overseas cume to $60.6 million for a global cume that is now just shy of $125 million. The film's top overseas market remains China with $23.6 million while it has still yet to open in Brazil (Dec 12), Germany (Jan 2) and Japan (Jan 31).
It's a close race for third with the edge currently going to Fox's Ford v Ferrari, but just $7,000 separates it from Universal and Makeready's Queen & Slim as both films generated an estimated $6.5 million this weekend. Ford v Ferrari is now in its fourth week in release with a domestic cume totaling over $91 million while it also added another $8.3 million internationally for an international cume totaling $76.5 million and a global tally that now stands at $167.6 million. As for Queen & Slim it is entering its sophomore frame, dipping just -45% following its holiday weekend debut with a domestic cume that now stands at $26.9 million.
Rounding out the top five is Sony's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood with an estimated $5.2 million, pushing the film's domestic cume over $43 million as it enters its third week in release.
Next weekend sees several new releases make their way to theaters including the wide releases of Jumanji: The Next Level, Clint Eastwood's Richard Jewell and Black Christmas. Meanwhile, Uncut Gems and Bombshell will begin their limited releases as they begin their awards season runs.
Kanye West Went Full-On Silver Surfer For His 'Mary' Opera Performance!
To deliver the story of the birth of Jesus, Mr. West went full-on Silver Surfer (Fantastic 4 reference) painting his entire body silver for his second opera, Mary
Presented on a floating barge in Miami's Biscayne Bay on the final day of Art Basel, Ye and his more than 100 similarly-painted choir members read scriptures of Jesus' birth and performed both holiday classics, gospel favorites, and a few of Ye's previous bangers.
Like his first-ever opera, Nebuchadnezzar, which he presented in Los Angeles last month, Mary started late. However, instead of being delayed by more than two hours, Ye's Sunday (December 8) show got started just one hour after its original 3 p.m. start time. #Progress
And similarly to his first opera, Ye surfaced at the end of the show to take his bow—in his silver paint costume, of course — but just as quick as he appeared he disappeared on an awaiting speedboat 45 minutes after the opera began.
On Thursday (December 5), the Jesus is King rapper announced that he was presenting Mary. "A Kanye West Opera — Mary — Directed by Vanessa Beecroft," Ye wrote on twitter along with the Bible verse Luke 1:30-31: "And the angel said unto her, 'Fear not, Mary: For though hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in they womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.'"
Despite the quick turnaround, Kanye reportedly filled the Miami Marine Stadium's seats, with Chance The Rapper even being a part of the crowd that viewed the opera.
R&B Singer Syleena Johnson Sheds 50 Pounds, Competes In First Fitness Competition!
Hard work and dedication always pay off…just ask Syleena Johnson.
The R&B singer and “Sister Circle” host has undergone a pretty inspiring transformation.
Syleena has lost 50 pounds through diet and exercise and she even competed in the NPC Texas Cup on Saturday.
In a post on her Instagram page, Syleena Johnson shared a photo of her transformation with a quote from Serena Williams.
“You can be whatever size you are, and you can be beautiful both inside and out. We’re always told what’s beautiful and what’s not, and that’s not right.”
-Serena Williams .
#MondayMotivation #Woman#Preorder #Weightloss #explorepage #selflove #transformation #figurecompetitor #zetashaveheart #fitnessmotivation #fitandfiner #50poundsdownandcounting #inkredible #momentumgym #kdwitthemuscle
Here’s 5 Things to Know About Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi!
2019 is already proving to be an unforgettable year for the new Miss Universe.
On Sunday, Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi was announced the winner of the coveted competition, which was held at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Taking the first runner-up title was Miss Puerto Rico Madison Anderson, while Miss Mexico Sofía Aragón earned the second runner-up title.
For Tunzi's final statement of the night, she really made an impact with her words.
"I grew up in ha world where a woman who looks like me with my kind of skin and my kind of hair was never considered to be beautiful," Miss South Africa said. "And I think that's time that stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine."
For the fifth consecutive year, Steve Harvey returned as the host while Olivia Culpo and Vanessa Lachey took viewers and audience members alike behind-the-scenes, as they served as backstage correspondents.
In honor of Miss South Africa winning Miss Universe 2019, here are a few fun facts about her!
1. Making History:
Miss South Africa's win marks a special one. Not only does this make three wins for the country but Tunzi is the first black woman to earn the title since Leila Lopes was crowned Miss Universe 2011. Moreover, all four major pageant winners of the Miss Universe Organization are black women! Now, that's something to celebrate.
2. Beauty on the Inside and Out:
The 26-year-old pageant queen is a huge advocate for natural beauty. According to her page on the Miss Universe site, she hopes to "encourages women to love themselves the way they are."
3. Using Her Platform to Make Changes:
Tunzi is an activist who fights against gender-based violence. "I'm asking the people of South Africa to be part of the fabric of my Miss Universe National Costume by writing love letters that pledge support for the women of this country," she captioned a recent Instagram post. "It is my hope that these pledges will start, and continue a conversation around gender-based violence. We have to start the narration where right-thinking people act as role models for those who think it's okay to mistreat women."
4. Beauty and Brains... and Books:
The 26-year-old is an avid reader and lover of books, all thanks to her grandma. "The first book I ever picked up to read belonged to my grandmother. She gifted it to me because I loved sitting on her lap pretending to read whenever she was doing it...," Tunzi shared. "Till today, even with her horrible eye sight you will never catch her without a book in her hand.
Because of her I have a thirst for knowledge and a love for reading. She sparked a flame in me to always want to do more and to be more."
5. She's One Heck of a Model:
Take one look at her Instagram and you'll see a multitude of glamour shots of her modeling fabulous fashion pieces. With her taking on the new title of Miss Universe 2019, hopefully we see her serving more lewks!
Congratulations to Tunzi and all of the Miss Universe contestants. Tonight was certainly one to remember!
Walmart Apologizes for Selling Christmas Sweaters Showing Santa Snorting Cocaine & Doing Other Inappropriate Things!
Walmart is apologizing after several inappropriate Christmas-themed “ugly” sweaters were sold on its Canadian website by a third-party seller
One of the sweaters (pictured above) showed a wide-eyed Santa Claus sitting in front of a table with three lines of cocaine and the words “let it snow.”
The very detailed (and hilarious) product description on Walmart.ca read:
“We all know how snow works. It’s white, powdery and the best snow comes straight from South America. That’s bad news for jolly old St. Nick, who lives far away in the North Pole.
“That’s why Santa really likes to savour the moment when he gets his hands on some quality, grade A, Colombian snow. He packs it in perfect lines on his coffee table and then takes a big whiff to smell the high quality aroma of the snow.
“It’s exactly what he needs to get inspired for Christmas Eve. This Men’s Let It Snow Ugly Christmas Sweater captures that moment when Santa is finally ready to enjoy that sweet, imported snow.”
Another inappropriate sweater design featured an upside-down snowman with its carrot nose and jingle bells suggestive of genitals, while another showed a pantsless Santa roasting his “chestnuts” in front of a fireplace.
A third sweater, called the “Santa Probe Ugly Christmas Sweater,” showed Mr. Claus lying prone with his pants halfway down and an alien preparing to place a probe in his rectum.
“Well, let’s just say if you’re going to zip around the world using flying reindeer to deliver gifts to millions of homes in a single night, you probably should expect some inquisitive aliens to eventually wonder how you can do it,” its product description read.
A fourth sweater showed a “naughty” Santa with his pants down once again, this time, with Mrs. Claus behind him cracking a whip.
The sweaters, made by clothing company FUN Wear, were being sold on Walmart Marketplace, a service similar to Amazon that allows approved third-parties to sell products on Walmart’s websites.
After the sweaters went viral when customers posted screenshots on social media, Walmart removed them from their website and issued an apology.
“These sweaters, sold by a third-party seller on Walmart.ca, do not represent Walmart’s values and have no place on our website,” a spokesperson said in a statement, per Global News.
“We have removed these products from our marketplace. We apologize for any unintended offense this may have caused.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘CAPTION THIS’
Gotta do it for the ‘Gram y’all. The only thing I love more than seeing people out in random public places doing photoshoots is a good ol’ caption contest! So please amuse me people!
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Phil
Meet Phil! 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 ALL!!!
EFREM
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