Michelle Obama for People - December 2019!
Michelle Obama's Incredible 2019, from Breaking Records with Her Book to Being Praised by Beyoncé
The former first lady conquered 2019 with her record-breaking memoir, a Grammy nomination and more
Mrs. Obama’s Becoming is slated to be one of the most — if not the most — . Since its Nov. 13, 2018 release, more than 11 million copies of The New York Times bestseller have been sold.
“We believe this could be the most successful memoir in history,” Thomas Rabe, head of one of Penguin Random House’s parent companies, said in March 2019, .
The former first lady’s intimate memoir sold two million copies within two weeks, making it the best-selling book of 2018, according to . The hardcover edition also sold more copies than any other book published in the U.S. last year, according to a press release from her sold-out .
Her Book Breaks Records...
Mrs. Obama’s Becoming is slated to be one of the most — if not the most — popular memoirs ever written. Since its Nov. 13, 2018 release, more than 11 million copies of The New York Times bestseller have been sold.
“We believe this could be the most successful memoir in history,” Thomas Rabe, head of one of Penguin Random House’s parent companies, said in March 2019, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The former first lady’s intimate memoir sold two million copies within two weeks, making it the best-selling book of 2018, according to Fortune. The hardcover edition also sold more copies than any other book published in the U.S. last year, according to a press release from her sold-out book tour.
...and Is 'Becoming' a Companion Journal
The success of the blockbuster memoir also led to the release of Obama’s new companion journal, Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice. The project, which hit shelves Nov. 19, 2019, was created to help readers document their own journeys through life.
It “includes more than 150 inspiring questions and quotes that resonate with key themes in Mrs. Obama’s memoir and that are designed to help readers reflect on their personal and family history, their goals, challenges, and dreams,” according to publisher Penguin Random House.
What’s more: She just announced that she’ll donate $500,000 in proceeds from Becoming and its related merchandise to girls’ education.
She Lands a Grammy Nomination
Mrs. Obama was “thrilled” to learn that she earned her first Grammy nomination for the audiobook version of her memoir, which she narrated.
“So thrilled to receive a #GRAMMYs nomination!” Obama tweeted on Nov. 20, 2019. “This past year has been such a meaningful, exhilarating ride. I’ve loved hearing your stories and continuing down the road of becoming together. Thank you for every ounce of love and support you’ve shared so generously.”
Does this mean we’re going to get a FLOTUS moment at the Grammys? Fingers crossed.
Tom Hanks Thinks She's Great
The former first lady was emotional as she accepted the Tom Hanks Caregiver CHampion award for service to military caregivers in October 2019, at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes gala.
“You all changed me forever,” a teary-eyed Obama said during her acceptance speech. “You have changed the way I see service, you’ve changed the way I see war, you’ve changed the way I see this entire country.”
“I was like most Americans, sadly, I had absolutely no idea what the life of a military family member was like,” Obama continued. “ … But that all changed back when my husband was first campaigning for president and I had the great fortune to be able to sit down with groups of military spouses. And, yeah, you better believe their stories blew me away.”
While in the White House, Obama joined former Vice President Joe Biden in creating Joining Forces, an initiative that rallied Americans around active service members, veterans, and their families.
She Released a Netflix Special
With her husband, former president Barack Obama, the former first lady released the first project from their production deal with Netflix: a documentary about post-industrial Ohio called American Factory. “Those first scenes of those folks on the floor in their uniforms, that was my background, that was my father,” she said of the film’s personal impact. “And that was reflected in this film.”
Up next on the Obamas’ slate: a children’s show for preschoolers called Listen to Your Vegetables & Eat Your Parents, a narrative film adaptation of the biography Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, and a new series from Nashville creator Callie Khouri called Bloom.
Viola Davis Will Play Her on TV
The Oscar-winning actress will play Mrs. Obama in First Ladies, a new anthology series in development at Showtime. The one-hour drama will focus on the personal and political lives of famous first ladies, and season 1 will include Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt and Betty Ford.
“In the East Wing of the White House, many of history’s most impactful and world changing decisions have been hidden from view, made by America’s charismatic, complex and dynamic First Ladies,” the logline reads. “This series will peel back the curtain on the personal and political lives of our most enigmatic heroes.”
She's Named World's Most Admired Women
Obama took the No. 1 spot on the world’s most admired women list, according to an annual study by YouGov, which interviewed more than 42,000 people from 41 countries. Obama was named by almost 9 percent of the respondents — a figure which increased to 15.4 percent when looking at results from just the United States.
Her competition, according to the poll, is Oprah Winfrey, who came in second, followed by Angelina Jolie, Queen Elizabeth II and Emma Watson.
She's Recognized for Her Influence
Just how influential is Michelle Obama? Beyoncé took a minute to write a few words about the inspiring leader and icon for Time’s annual list of most influential people.
“She would’ve been impactful simply by being in the White House, the first African-American First Lady. But she also used her position of power to improve the world around her,” the singer wrote. “I am so grateful that my daughters and my son live in a world where Michelle Obama shines as a beacon of hope who inspires all of us to do better and to be better.”
The Edition of Michelle Obama on People is on Newsstands Friday!
#RHOA: Kenya's Baby Gift to Porsha Prompts Furious Eva to Storm Out of Bailey-Que!
Sunday's episode of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" documented the party, but it began with Kenya Moore revealing to Porsha Williams that she and Marc Daly let baby Brooklyn sleep in their bed with them. She admitted they hadn't had sex in ages. Porsha was shocked and told Kenya she and Marc "had to connect sexually." Kenya teared up as she said she didn't like where they were as a couple
Later, NeNe Leakes invited Marlo Hampton and Yovana to her house. After having stormed out on Marlo last episode for urging her to make up with Cynthia Bailey, NeNe told Marlo there was a side to Cynthia no one knew about.
That's when Yovana revealed she had met up with Cynthia two months prior, where Cynthia allegedly proceeded to talk all kinds of smack about NeNe. "Her exact words were, 'Being friends with you is toxic, a burden,'" Yovana said. NeNe was beside herself.
Later, Cynthia threw her annual Bailey-Que. Porsha couldn't find a sitter, so she asked if she could bring PJ. Cynthia then extended the invite to everyone's babies after initially telling Kenya she couldn't bring Brooklyn. Needless to say, Kenya showed up to the party still salty about that.
Before the event began, Kenya revealed to Kandi Burruss she was going to give the doll Eva Marcille had given her for baby Brooklyn to Porsha for baby Pilar. Kenya felt it wasn't given to her with good energy. (BunnyGate, anyone?) Kenya was still upset over the fact that Eva didn't bring her kids to Brooklyn's party because Eva didn't feel she knew Kenya all that well.
Eva was the first to arrive. The rest trickled in. Yovana showed up and let Cynthia know that NeNe was upset over what the former had said about the latter in recent interviews with the press. Yovana maintained Cynthia was "talking shit" to her about NeNe, but Cynthia defended herself, saying she was simply telling Yovana how she felt about NeNe.
In walked Porsha, and out came Kenya's gift for her. The note read, "I hope the energy of this gift makes your daughter smile." As Porsha pulled out the doll, Kenya explained, "She had another home at first..." Taken aback by the comment, Porsha asked who she was living with before. That's when Kenya began to say the doll had been given to her by someone else. "I felt like her energy was better in your home," Moore explained.
That's when Porsha realized which doll she had received. "Kenya, this is shady. This doll is for your daughter, and whatever [Eva] felt for you, I doubt it had anything to do with your daughter," Porsha said, handing back the doll. "You have to fix this because we're not gonna start like this! You're not gonna re-gift something from her. We 'bout to fix this right now." So Porsha walked out to where Eva was sitting and told her Kenya had re-gifted her doll.
The whole group soon followed, and a screaming match ensued shortly after. Kenya put Eva on the spot and asked what about her "energy" was so off that she couldn't bring her kids to her daughter's party. Eva maintained she didn't use the word energy. When Bravo played back the moment in question, it was actually Cynthia who used the word.
"I didn't do anything to you, and I feel like you're making a problem with me, and there isn't a problem. You don't want a problem with me!" Kenya hurled across the table. Eva replied, "Vice versa."
"If you got your feelings hurt..." Eva began to say. "I didn't get my feelings hurt because I would have to care about you to get my feelings hurt," Kenya interrupted. Apparently, her issue with Eva dates back to last year's Bailey-Que, where Cynthia told Kenya that Eva allegedly started a rumor that Cynthia was paying Will to date her. "The streets did say that," Marlo said to Cynthia at the time.
"That's between you and Cynthia," Kenya said. As Cynthia tried to explain she and Eva were past that situation, Kenya cut her off. "Why are you interrupting me? I'm talking!" Kenya shouted at Cynthia, who was sitting right next to her. Kenya briefly went off on Cynthia, who managed to stand her ground.
Eventually, the spotlight was shined on Eva and Marlo, who still blatantly hate each other. Marlo kept calling Eva fake and broke and a liar, and Eva kept insisting Marlo was mean and miserable and not a mother. The name-calling only got nastier. "Stop living above your means, darling!" Marlo said about three times before Eva got up and left the party.
Later, Cynthia decided (with the group's help) to hand out some medals (best twerker, shadiest, etc.). When "thirstiest" came up, Yovana said she was speaking on behalf of NeNe by nominating Tanya Sam. Tanya was beyond insulted, so Porsha stepped in and gave the award to Yovana.
The ladies then decided that, instead of naming someone the most insecure, they'd go around the room and reveal an insecurity. Kenya said, "Never finding the love that I feel is unconditional." The women were all a little taken aback, as not everyone was aware of her marital problems.
"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on Bravo.
#Empire: Mario’s ‘Empire’ role brought him to Chicago, now the singer’s ‘second home’!
Mario has been hanging out in Chicago since September of last year, when he first arrived for his recurring role on “Empire.” Getty Images
Since becoming a series regular on “Empire,” Mario has been spending a lot of time in Chicago — and the singer-actor doesn’t plan on leaving once the final season wraps.
“I stayed in hotels the first couple of months and I was like over it, so I was like, ‘You know what, I’m just going to get a place here.’ After that, things were a lot more settled for me, I felt at home,” he said in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times.
He’s been out and about the city since September of last year, when he arrived for his recurring role as Devon, a singer Cookie Lyons (Taraji P. Henson) discovers on Instagram, and wants to manage. While he’s not on set, he drives with his two pit bulls — Halle and Bishop — to parks or one of Chicago’s many dog-friendly beaches, and goes out to eat to his favorite Chicago restaurants, including Maple & Ash (which has the pescatarian’s preferred seafood offerings) and Le Colonial.
Things have changed since Mario first spent time in Chicago, back in the early 2000s, when he released the albums “Mario” and “Turning Point” and was touring.
“It’s like my second home, so I have a different relationship with it now. I know more people. ... I’m getting involved with more people on the ground here. … I recognize the expanded part of Chicago now; it’s a lot bigger than I thought it was, and there’s a lot more opportunity here than I thought. ... There’s just a lot more going on than you would realize if you don’t spend time here,” he said.
Another thing he learned about Chicago?
“How quick the seasons change. I came mid- to end of summer and before I knew it, it was already freezing. There’s no interim, there’s no warning signs,” said the singer.
But Mario doesn’t mind the cold. In fact, he loves this type of weather.
“I grew up shoveling snow and eating snow ice cream … I’m used to it,” said the Baltimore native. As for Halle, his Red Nose pit, not so much. “All she knows is, like, the desert.”
Halle might have to adapt to the cold, because Mario said he won’t be ditching Chicago just because “Empire” is wrapping.
“I definitely feel like I want to keep a place in Chicago … It’s a city that I’ll continue to come back and keep visiting and, you know, maybe have some of my own businesses here whether it be a restaurant or some cool health shop or something like that. Something creative and fun,” he said.
But just because he’s spending more time here doesn’t mean his tastes have changed. The star prefers thin crust pizza over deep dish, and even though he doesn’t eat hot dogs, if he did, toppings would include relish, mustard, jalapeños — and, yes, ketchup.
One thing that remains the same as when “Let Me Love You” came out is that his Chicago fans still love him. He recently sold out two Wintrust Arena shows here while touring his first studio album in 10 years, “Dancing Shadows,” and gets stopped all the time by fans who want him to FaceTime or call their loved ones.
“They feel like they’re a part of your family or something like that — it’s really intimate,” he said.
Right after “Turning Point” came out, Mario had roles in “Step Up” and “Freedom Writers,” which put his acting chops on the map. More recently, Mario starred as Benjamin Coffin III in Fox’s live performance of the Broadway musical “Rent.” Being on “Empire” gives the 33-year-old the chance to show viewers what he can do, wrapped in a perfect little package.
He first saw the show while on tour, which is when he usually catches up on TV.
“From a creative perspective, I thought it was a really cool show for the culture,” he said. “... It gives people such a really close proximity of what it is like to be an artist.”
Mario hasn’t been able to write any of the shows’ music, but he said he really loves some of the songs his character has sung, and could even see some of the music being on a Mario album. One ballad in particular, “Slow Burn,” which Devon sings with Treasure, resonated with the artist.
“It’s a really good song,” he said. “... We’re saying to each other, ‘Let’s let this particular relationship that we’re experiencing have a slow burn, like let’s not rush it, let’s allow it to really build. And whatever it’s going to be, it’s going to be, but let’s at least enjoy what we have now.’ ”
#MusicNews: Drake Named Spotify’s Most-streamed Artists Of The Decade; Beyonce & Rihanna Make Female List!
Rapper Drake and Pop Superstar Ed Sheeran were both named Spotify’s Most Streamed Artists of The Decade, according to consolidated figures from the past 10 years show.
Drake officially topped the list with a staggering 28 billion streams on the global streaming service; “One Dance” was the second most-streamed song. Based on more than 248 million users’ listening habits worldwide, Sheeran notched the second spot with the help of his hit single “Shape of You,” which was streamed over 2.3 billion times to lead all songs.
While Drake and Sheeran had the top streamed songs, Post Malone’s “Rockstar” featuring 21 Savage, The Chainsmokers’ “Closer” featuring Halsey and Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” round out the top five. Rounding out the top five overall most streams are Post Malone, followed by Ariana Grande and Eminem.
For 2019, it was rapper Post Malone who took the top spot with more than 6.5 billion streams, followed by Billie Eilish, who also secured in excess of 6 billion. Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, and Bad Bunny completed the top-five rundown. Meanwhile, the Most Streamed Song of 2019 was “Señorita” by Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes, which scored more than a billion streams.
Most Streamed Artists of the Decade (Global)
Drake
Ed Sheeran
Post Malone
Ariana Grande
Eminem
Most Streamed Female Artists of the Decade (Global)
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Taylor Swift
Sia
Beyoncé
Most Streamed Tracks of the Decade (Global)
‘Shape of You’ – Ed Sheeran
‘One Dance’ – Drake, Kyla, WizKid
‘rockstar’ – 21 Savage, Post Malone
‘Closer’ – Halsey, The Chainsmokers
‘Thinking out Loud’ – Ed Sheeran
2019 Most Streamed Artists
Post Malone
Billie Eilish
Ariana Grande
Ed Sheeran
Bad Bunny
2019 Most Streamed Albums
‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’ – Billie Eilish
‘Hollywood’s Bleeding’ – Post Malone
‘thank u, next’ – Ariana Grande
‘No.6 Collaborations Project’ – Ed Sheeran
‘Shawn Mendes’ – Shawn Mendes
2019 Most Streamed Tracks
‘Señorita’ – Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes
‘bad guy’ – Billie Eilish
‘Sunflower’ – Post Malone, Swae Lee
‘7 Rings’ – Ariana Grande
‘Old Town Road – Remix’ – Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus
#HipHopNews: French Montana To Drop New Album Friday!
French Montana is back on his grind. Just days after being released from the hospital, the rapper is readying his third album Montana for release this Friday. Taking to social media, French made the big announcement.
“CANT KEEP ME DOWN !!” he wrote. “Been workin hard on my new album and I’m so proud to announce it’s coming THIS FRIDAY !!! #MONTANA The music is keepin my spirit alive 🙏🏼💪🏼 THANK YOU to my fans, love y’all for ridin with me thru this journey.”
French was hospitalized last month after reportedly suffering cardiac issues. He was released from the ICU over a week later. “Thank you Everyone for all of the prayers, love and support,” French said upon his release. “I’m finally out of ICU and am getting better one day at a time.”
Montana, which was originally due Nov. 6, follows 2017’s Jungle Rules. The album has spawned a series of collaborations with City Girls (“Wiggle It”), Gunna (“Suicide Doors”), and Cardi B and Post Malone (“Writing on the Wall”). Most recently, he dropped “Twisted” featuring Juicy J, Logic, and A$AP Rocky.
“This album right here is my best work up to date,” French told Beats 1 earlier this year. “I think the space where I’m at and just the experiences … and when I did ‘Unforgettable’ and Jungle Rules, I felt like losing Chinx, Max B getting 75 years, me going dark hole for a little bit trying to get myself together. Everybody that used to motivate you is not there to motivate you no more. So now you gotta find your own motivation.”
George Zimmerman sues Trayvon Martin's family for $100 million in damages!
The lawyer for the former neighborhood watchman alleges that a key witness was an "imposter."
The former Florida neighborhood watchman who was acquitted of killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin seven years ago is suing the dead teenager’s family and others who were involved in the racially charged case that divided the nation for $100 million.
George Zimmerman claims in a lawsuit filed by his lawyer, conservative nonprofit Judicial Watch founder Larry Klayman, that the case against him rested on false evidence and is alleging abuse of civil process and conspiracy.
Specifically, the suit contends that the prosecution’s key witness against Zimmerman at his 2013 murder trial, Rachel Jeantel, was an “imposter and fake witness.”
Benjamin Crump, who is also named in the suit, is the lawyer for Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin. He released a statement that dismissed the lawsuit as “another failed attempt to defend the indefensible and a shameless attempt to profit off the lives and grief of others.”
“This plaintiff continues to display a callous disregard for everyone but himself, revictimizing individuals whose lives were shattered by his own misguided actions,” the statement said. "He would have us believe that he is the innocent victim of a deep conspiracy, despite the complete lack of any credible evidence to support his outlandish claims. This tale defies all logic, and it’s time to close the door on these baseless imaginings.”
Klayman also contends his client was defamed by Crump, who wrote about the case in a new book “Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People.” His publisher, HarperCollins, is also a defendant in the suit. HarperCollins did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday.
There was also no immediate comment from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or the State of Florida, who are also listed as defendants in the lawsuit.
Martin, who lived in Miami, was killed on Feb. 26, 2012, while he was walking to his father’s girlfriend’s home in a gated community in Sanford, a city near Orlando.
Zimmerman, who regularly patrolled the development, encountered the unarmed black teenager as he was returning from a 7-Eleven where he had purchased a package of Skittles and an Arizona Watermelon Fruit Juice cocktail.
There is no dispute that Zimmerman fatally shot Martin. But state prosecutors contended that Zimmerman racially profiled the hoodie-clad Martin and continued to tail the teenager even after a police dispatcher told him that was not necessary.
Zimmerman’s lawyers claimed he shot the teenager in self-defense after Martin jumped him and beat him up. His acquittal sparked protests nationwide but the Justice Department decided not to bring a civil rights case against Zimmerman.
In the complaint, Klayman says Sanford Police initially ruled that the fatal shooting was done in self-defense.
“A week later, Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump produced a recorded audio tape of ‘Diamond Eugene’ whom he said was Trayvon’s 16-year-old girlfriend who was on the phone with Trayvon just before the altercation,” Klayman alleges in the complaint. “However, two weeks later, 18-year-old Rachel Jeantel, the alleged imposter, appeared before prosecutors claiming to be ‘Diamond Eugene’ and provided false statements to incriminate Zimmerman based on coaching from others.”
Klayman says there is “newly discovered evidence” in a recently published book and documentary by Joel Gilbert called “The Trayvon Hoax: Unmasking the Witness Fraud That Divided America.” Both contend Jeantel was not Martin's girlfriend and had not been speaking on the phone with him.
“The research also allegedly reveals that Trayvon’s real girlfriend and legitimate phone witness was in fact Miami resident Brittany Diamond Eugene, who was switched out for Jeantel when Eugene refused to bear false witness against Zimmerman,” Klayman alleges.
Rachel Jeantel of Miami and Brittany Diamond Eugene of West Park, Florida, are listed as defendants in the suit. NBC News reached out to both by email and got no immediate response.
Gilbert is a frequent InfoWars guest who has produced movies that have falsely claimed that former President Barack Obama's real father was a Chicago communist, that Paul McCartney is dead and Elvis Presley is alive.
Meanwhile, activist Marie Rattigan filed a complaint against Klayman with the Florida Bar alleging that “in an effort to revictimize the family of Trayvon Martin” he filed a “frivolous complaint.” She also noted that Klayman listed the home addresses of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit but not of Zimmerman “to protect him from the same harm he intends to unleash on the defendants.”
NBC Opening Formal Investigation Into ‘America’s Got Talent’ After Meeting With Ousted Judge Gabrielle Union!
NBC is launching a deeper investigation into its reality competition series “America’s Got Talent,” eight days after Variety exclusively reported that judge Gabrielle Union would not return to the series amid complaints of toxic culture on set.
Union and the network sat for five hours in a fact-finding meeting on Tuesday evening, both parties said, prompting a deeper probe from NBC.
“The initial conversation was candid and productive. While there will be a further investigation to get a deeper understanding of the facts, we are working with Gabrielle to come to a positive resolution,” an NBC spokesperson said.
Union tweeted Wednesday that she shared her “unfiltered truth” in the discussion, which according to multiple Variety sources included racial insensitivity in the show’s content and directed at Union herself.
“We had a lengthy 5-hour, and what I thought to be, productive meeting yesterday. I was able to, again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change,” she tweeted ahead of NBC’s announcement.
A portion of “America’s Got Talent” is shot on the NBC lot in North Hollywood and was the site of specific grievances including an inappropriate joke from guest judge Jay Leno and, according to another report, frequent indoor smoking from executive producer Simon Cowell. Union is allergic to cigarette smoke, the report said, and developed an ongoing bronchial infection as a result.
A series of high profile celebrities including Ellen Pompeo, Ariana Grande, Patricia Arquette and Kerry Washington came forward in support of Union in the days following the report. Union’s husband Dwyane Wade praised her outspokenness and ask for an answer to why his wife was fired from the show. Womens’ advocacy group Time’s Up issued a scathing statement accusing NBC of protecting powerful men at the expense of women who speak out.
“America’s Got Talent” is wholly owned by Cowell and his Syco Entertainment. UK content producer Fremantle mounts the show, with NBC serving as distributor. Union’s concerns were voiced with top producers and a dedicated NBC executive assigned to the show, but not escalated to higher levels within the companies or investigated at the time, many insiders said.
Chris Brown Reveals His New Rainbow Hair Look!
The R&B superstar, who recently welcomed a second child, has unveiled his new rainbow hairstyle. Taking to Instagram Wednesday, Breezy showed off the multi-colored pattern, which he describes as “Willy Wonka x Jurassic Park.”
The colorful ‘do drew a wide range of reactions from Team Breezy. “You can pull off any hairstyle, any color & you still gon be fine af!” wrote one fan, while another added, “if u like it.. thas all what matters.”
Chris has been known to switch up his look. He previously donned bleached blond hair and even a Goku-inspired style with flames.
Last month, Chris became a father of two. He and model Ammika Harris welcomed their son, whose name is reportedly Aeko.
Brown recently struck a deal in his case involving an illegal Capuchin monkey he purchased back in 2017. According to TMZ, Chris is prohibited from buying any monkeys until June 2020. He also must pay $35,000 to the monkey retreat facility where his former pet is now living. If he abides by the terms, all charges will be dropped after June 6.
Justin Timberlake Apologizes To Wife After Holding Hands With Actress Alisha Wainwright: I Drank Too
Much & Regret My Behavior!
Justin Timberlake is breaking his silence, addressing photos that surfaced of him allegedly holding hands with actress Alisha Wainwright. The singer/producer, who is married to Jessica Biel, released a statement on social media admitting that he had drunk too much and had a lapse in judgment. See his statement below.
As previously reported, last month, he was spotted holding hands with was actress Alisha Wainwright, who recently starred in Netflix’s new action series “Raising Dion” and is Justin Timberlake’s co-star in the forthcoming film Palmer.
According to reports, the two were dining at The Absinthe House in New Orleans and photographed holding hands under the table Thursday (Nov. 21). They were also seen laughing and smiling at the bar.
An alleged video also shows Justin Timberlake putting his arm around Alisha Wainwright’s waist. He wasn’t wearing his wedding ring at the time.
A witness also said he took her hand and put it on his knee while she rubbed his leg. There’s speculation that he was drunk as he was reportedly stumbling and at one point leaned against a wall to hold him up.
One source who was the bar shut down any rumors that they’re romantically involved and said they’re
”just friends.”The insider also said,“Several cast members were there and it was just a cast gathering. Nothing remotely romantic is going on with Justin and Alisha. The whole cast is shooting out there and like to hang out together. They were very much in public and nothing inappropriate was happening.”
Timberlake and Jessica Biel have been married since 2012. They also have four-year-old son Silas together.
What are your thoughts on Justin’s statement?
Florida Dad Arrested After Leaving Son on the Side of the Road Because He Thought He Was Gay!
A Florida man has been arrested on child abuse charges after he left his juvenile son on the side of a highway after suspecting that the boy was gay.
Police said 30-year-old Evenaud Julmeus dropped his son off near the Haines City Police Department with a duffel bag filled with clothes, but no money or food.
The local precinct was closed at the time, however, a witness saw the incident and reported it to authorities.
Police said the boy, who is a preteen, was “very upset and crying.” He told police his father was angry with him because he thought he was gay.
The boy said he and his dad got into an argument after his dad found him watching gay porn on his phone, immediately leading to the father’s suspicions that his son was a homosexual.
The boy said Julmeus told him to pack his bags and get in the car. When they arrived on Highway 27 near the Haines City Police Department, the boy said Julmeus ordered him to get out and told him: “Police will find you a new home.”
After abandoning his son on the side of the road, Julmeus returned home, the police report states.
When the boy’s mother asked Julmeus where their son was, he told her what he did and if she wanted to go get him, he’s at the police department. The woman then immediately left the house to find her son.
Evenaud Julmeus was arrested Sunday (Dec. 1) and charged with three counts of negligent child abuse without bodily harm.
Police said Julmeus had fled the home before they arrived to arrest him, leaving two young children alone with no supervision, which explains the other two negligent child abuse charges.
Lady Gaga Will Perform At Pre-Super Bowl Concert, Super Saturday Night!
Lady Gaga is coming back to the Super Bowl stage – but not on game day.
It was just announced the mother of monsters will be headlining at the Super Bowl, but her performance will be the day before the game in Miami on February 2. Gaga will take the stage at the AT&T TV Super Saturday Night concert. AT&T shared the news with fans on Wednesday, saying that tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, December 10.
“Year after year, in cities all across the country, we’ve built specially-curated venues from the ground up to provide both our mega-star performers and their adoring fans a one-night-only concert experience they will not forget. And this year will be no different,” Valerie Vargas, Senior Vice President of Advertising and Creative Services at AT&T, said in a statement. “In Miami, we’re going to go big and bold – two words synonymous with Lady Gaga. Over the course of her career, she has undoubtedly delivered the most epic performances that have defined a generation.”
The last time we saw the songstress at the Super Bowl was back in 2017 during the game’s Half Time Show. “I’ve had some incredible experiences performing at the Super Bowl,” the “Shallow” singer said. “And am very excited to join the party again this year headlining AT&T TV Super Saturday Night!”
This year Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will be co-headlining the show together. “I’m so honored to be taking on one of the world’s biggest stages in the company of a fellow female artist to represent Latinos and Latinas from the U.S. and all over the world—and to top it off, on my birthday! This is a true American dream, and we are going to bring the show of a lifetime!”
Billy Dee Williams Clarify 'Feminine' and 'Masculine' Comments: 'What the Hell is Gender Fluid?'
"Star Wars" star Billy Dee Williams is clarifying comments he made regarding his use of gender-fluid pronouns, using "himself" and "herself" to refer to himself, emphasizing that he wasn't trying to say he was gender fluid.
In fact, the 82-year-old "Star Wars" legend said he wasn't even familiar with the term in a new interview with The Undefeated. He says that his initial comments were simply misunderstood, or perhaps it's that he didn't understand how his comments could be seen as he was unfamiliar with how gender-fluid is described.
In fact, when he saw the interpretation of his comments spreading across the internet, Williams said he asked someone, "What the hell is gender fluid?" admitting he'd never heard the term before. And once it was explained to him,
"What I was talking about was about men getting in touch with their softer side of themselves," he explained. "There's a phrase that was coined by Carl G. Jung ... that's 'Anima animus.' And anima means that is the female counterpart of the male self and the animus is the male counterpart of the female."
"So that's what I was referring to," he said. "I was talking about men getting in touch with the female side of themselves. I wasn't talking about sex, I wasn't talking about gay or straight."
He went on to conclude, "I'm not gay -- by any stretch of the imagination. Not that I have anything against gay people. But personally? Not gay." Which, frankly, still suggests he may not fully understand what gender-fluid means, as it's not about orientation as much as it's about a person not identifying themselves as one particular gender over another ... thus the confusion when he said he used both male and female descriptors for himself.
In a recent interview with Esquire Williams revealed that he uses both "himself" and "herself" for self-description.
"I never tried to be anything except myself," he said. "I think of myself as a relatively colorful character who doesn't take himself or herself too seriously.. I also see myself as feminine as well as masculine. I'm a very soft person. I'm not afraid to show that side of myself."
The media extrapolated those comments to mean that he was coming out as gender-fluid, but that was not the case. Instead, Williams was saying that he is a straight man who is in touch with what he defines as his softer, more feminine side.
Billy Dee Williams reprises his role as Lando Calrissian in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," in theaters December 20.
Kid Rock's Little Caesars Arena restaurant to close; decision follows controversial video!
One of the signature restaurants at Little Caesars Arena will no longer bear Kid Rock's name.
Ilitch Holdings announced early Wednesday that the musician has "voluntarily decided not to renew" his licensing agreement for Kid Rock's Made in Detroit restaurant, one of four full-service eateries at LCA since the arena's 2017 opening.
A statement attributed to Chris Granger, president of sports and entertainment for Ilitch Holdings, said a new concept will be introduced in the space that "aligns with our community and company values.”
A Detroit activist group, meanwhile, gathered Wednesday along Woodward and called for the space to be transformed into a minority-owned restaurant — though that may not be possible because of existing contractual arrangements at LCA.
The announcement comes days after the emergence of a video in which Kid Rock, onstage at his Nashville restaurant and apparently drunk, directed a graphic rant toward Oprah Winfrey. The Ilitch statement did not directly cite that incident.
“We have been in contact with Kid Rock," Granger's statement read. "He has voluntarily decided not to renew his licensing agreement for the Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit restaurant which comes up for renewal in April. We are in the business of amazing and inspiring our fans and guests through an incredible array of world-class sporting and live entertainment events. As our venues are open, inviting, inclusive, and respectful to all, we look forward to bringing on an exciting new concept that aligns with our community and company values.”
The Made in Detroit restaurant features rock- and Southern-themed food offerings, along with the array of Kid Rock memorabilia. The concept is an extension of Rock's Made in Detroit merchandise brand, which he purchased in 2005.
The restaurant, which occupies a premium, high-profile spot on LCA's Woodward-facing side, was the target of protests when the arena opened with six Kid Rock concerts in September 2017. Demonstrators led by the Michigan National Action Network (NAN) blasted the selection of Rock as arena opener, citing his past use of the Confederate flag and other controversial conduct.
About a dozen NAN supporters gathered Wednesday across from the restaurant for a previously announced media event to address the recent Kid Rock footage and denounce his disparagement of Winfrey.
The Rev. Charles Williams II, local NAN president, said he was "calling on the Ilitches" to turn the Made in Detroit space into a minority-owned restaurant — "specifically black-owned," he said.
That may not be possible: Restaurants, concessions and other food operations at LCA are contracted to the New York hospitality company Delaware North. Kid Rock has not owned or managed the Made in Detroit restaurant, but simply licensed his name and image rights. He also gave initial input on menu items and loaned memorabilia for the space.
Williams said the group was gathered Wednesday to "send a clear-cut message, and this is: Thank you and see you later, Kid Rock," later adding, "good riddance."
Earlier Wednesday, Rock confirmed the non-renewal of his LCA agreement. Writing on Facebook, he touted his record of financial support for various Detroit groups and declared that "trying to label me racist is a joke."
"I guess the millions of dollars I pumped into that town was not enough," he wrote. "I will let the NAN network and others go ahead and take the wheel now. Good luck."
Willie Nelson Has Quit Smoking Marijuana!
Despite his longtime love for marijuana, Willie Nelson has come to the end of the road with getting high.
As per a new interview with Houston's KSAT TV, the country titan, 86, explained that he has ditched smoking weed because it has contributed to his breathing issues, which caused the star to cancel a string of tour dates earlier this year. "Singing out there for an hour is a good workout. Your lungs are the biggest muscle you've got," he explained. "I have abused my lungs quite a bit in the past, so breathing is a little more difficult these days and I have to be careful. I started smoking cedar bark, went from that to cigarettes to whatever, and that almost killed me."
Nelson's revelation is a big surprise, considering he's known for his love of cannabis and even has his own line called Willie's Reserve. Back in April, he told Rolling Stone that marijuana saved his life because it gave him an alternative to smoking cigarettes. "I used to smoke two or three packs of cigarettes a day and drank whatever was there to drink and I had pneumonia for or five times, my lung collapsed, I almost died, so I said, 'Wait a minute, I ain’t getting that high off of Chesterfields,' so I threw out the cigarettes, rolled up 20 joints, stuck it in there, and I haven’t had a cigarette since," he explained. "I haven’t drank that much either, because one will make me want the other — I smoke a cigarette, I wanna drink a whiskey. I wouldn’t be alive [without marijuana]. It saved my life, really."
Despite his late age, Nelson has continued on with his stage show, but his health has certainly become worrisome for fans. Just last summer, he withdrew from his appearance at the Outlaw Music Festival due to illness and was forced to cancel several tour dates earlier in 2018. Back in 2017, the altitude forced the singer to halt a show. "I am sorry to have to cut the SLC show short tonight," he wrote on Twitter. "The altitude got to me. I am feeling better now & headed for lower ground."
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘ANIMALS OF MADAGASCAR’
Didn’t know the had a Walmart in Madagascar. Ditch the lemur dude, I’m guessing you don’t need extra reasons for people to avoid you.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Kimo Bear
Meet Kimo Bear! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSFW!
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Enjoy!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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