Dua Lipa Look Beautiful For ELLE’s May Issue!
Dua Lipa covers the May 2020 issue of ELLE magazine photographed by Zoey Grossman and styled by Charles Varenne.
Dua opens up about releasing ‘Future Nostalgia’ during COVID-19, quarantine-life with Anwar and predictions for our post pandemic existence: “I think things will definitely change. I think we’ll tread differently with Mother Nature—we won’t be as careless as we have been. I think we’ll be more empathetic and make moments count. We won’t take things for granted. I think our world is probably going to change forever.”
On releasing her album ‘Future Nostalgia’ during the pandemic: Everything was supposed to culminate with a well-timed media blitz—including a Saturday Night Live appearance on March 28 and the release of this cover story about, well, now. And then a bot alerted her label, Warner Records, that the album had leaked a week early. Before that moment, she too had been weighing a delay. “But I think [the leak] just kind of solidified my choice that I wanted it to be out April 3 anyway,” Lipa says. “This is me going into my celestial beliefs, but it was like, Okay, this is just how it’s meant to be. And I am really grateful that the music is out. The way I write my music, I’m always very open, and I allow myself to be vulnerable. And I feel now more than ever that it’s brought me closer to my listeners. I think it’s important to talk about your emotions and to be vulnerable and to show that you’re human.”
On her quarantine life with Anwar Hadid: “Oh my God, I’ve watched so many shows—Ozark, Tiger King, The Night Of, The Outsider, Servant, did I say Ozark? And lots of movies, too.” She and Hadid also recently cooked octopus, an impulse buy from a farm-to-table app. “We were just buying our normal fish and stuff, and octopus came up. So we said, ‘Okay, let’s try something different.’ It’s about making things fun, coming up with different recipes, trying out things that we’ve never done before.”
Which isn’t to say the past several weeks haven’t been hard: “Of course Anwar misses his family, and soon we’ll hopefully get to go back and see them,” she says. Until recently, the couple’s conversations revolved around when they’d be able to see each other in between Lipa’s upcoming tour dates, “but now that we get all this extra time, we’re just making the most of it,” she says. “And that’s been really nice. We’re trying to see the bright side.”
Dua’s predictions for our post pandemic existence: “I think things will definitely change. I think we’ll tread differently with Mother Nature—we won’t be as careless as we have been. I think we’ll be more empathetic and make moments count. We won’t take things for granted. I think our world is probably going to change forever.”
On how this time might impact her next album: “I don’t feel like we’ll want to be reminded too much of this time. Of course, this is a major moment in history that we won’t forget. But I don’t know whether that’s going to influence where my music is going to go next.”
The issue hits newsstands on April 28.
#RHOA: NeNe Leakes receives faux fur coat from PETA after new song release!
PETA heard NeNe Leakes loud and clear. The animal rights group sent the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star a faux fur coat after hearing her latest single, “Come and Get This, Hunni,” which includes lyrics about PETA and dropping a “mink to the floor.”
“Leakes would drop fur to the floor forever if she saw how minks and other animals are shot, beaten, electrocuted, and even skinned alive in the cruel fur industry,” PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange said in a statement.
“PETA is urging her to join the ranks of Anjelica Huston, Mariah Carey, Kim Cattrall, and other kind celebrities and send us her animal furs so that we can give them to people in homeless shelters or refugee camps — the only ones who have any excuse to wear them.”
PETA sent the 52-year-old reality star Unreal Fur’s Premium Rose Jacket in jet black ($379). Included with the coat was a note urging her to go fur-free permanently.
A rep for Leakes, said that she hadn’t received the coat yet and said that Leakes was never in contact with the organization.
PETA then clarified to us that the new outerwear is still in transit from Australia.
The group previously sent Jennifer Lopez an animal-friendly coat after seeing her furs in “Hustlers.”
#Empire: Taraji P. Henson’s Foundation Offers Free Virtual Therapy for Underserved Communities!
Actress and mental health advocate Taraji P Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) launched a COVID-19 virtual therapy initiative, which will serve communities of color as they navigate major life changes triggered by the coronavirus crisis. “(BLHF) recognizes that during this difficult time, affording the cost of mental health services can be a barrier in the African-American community,” read a statement posted on the BLHF web site. “Having to choose between a meal and mental health is not something that one should ever have to ponder.”
BLHF is a non-profit founded by Henson and executive director Tracie Jade Jenkins in 2018. The organization was named after Henson’s late father, who struggled with mental health issues. The group’s goal, according to its web site, is to “provide support and bring awareness to mental health issues that plague our community.” In a 2019 interview with Variety, Henson explained that this cause is very personal for her.
“We’re walking around broken, wounded and hurt, and we don’t think it’s OK to talk about it,” she told Variety. “We don’t talk about it at home. It’s shunned. It’s something that makes you look weak. We’re told to pray it away. Everyone was always asking me, ‘Do you have a charity?’ Well, dammit, this is going to be my calling, because I’m sick of this. People are killing themselves. People are numbing out on drugs. Not everything is fixed with a pill.”
Now, as the world is ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, BLHF is extending a hand to those underserved communities that might not know where to turn as they struggle to cope. “COVID-19 has had a profound and unprecedented impact on all of our daily lives,” BLHF said on its site. “Social distancing, unemployment, sudden loss, are all drastic changes that can bring, what feels like, unbearable stress and anxiety into anyone’s life.”
Starting on April 15, those in need of emotional support can register here for “up to 5 free therapy sessions with culturally competent clinicians in our Resource Guide,” according to an emailed statement from BLHF. As Henson says, “No one should have to suffer in silence.”
#MusicNews: Kelly Rowland is Sipping ‘Coffee’ Wants Some?
Kelly Rowland is craving some coffee. In her first single since 2019’s anti-bullying song “Crown,” Rowland sings an ode to “coffee and sex in the morning.” “Hmm, they say mornin’ wood do a body good, babe,” she sings. “Clearly you agree, don’t be tryin’ to leave / Stay here with me.” Oop! So, that’s why “Coffee” is stylized in all-caps — it’s urgent. Despite the lyrics, the music video shows Rowland sun-drenched, dipped in sand, coffee-colored skin glowing, and not a man in sight. She and her girls, all different shades of dark skin, just pose on an empty beach, their beauty speaking for itself.
WATCH
‘Coffee’ is about embracing your individuality, sexuality, or imperfections,” Rowland said in a statement. “Not comparing yourself to others. We need to celebrate ourselves more often — with this song, I want you to have yourself in mind. I want to remind women all over to reignite their magic!” Just like the video no men required. Finally, a sexy song that won’t make quarantine any more depressing than it already is.
#HipHopNews: The Game Loses Record Label, ‘Born 2 Rap’ Album In Sexual Assault Judgment!
A woman who accused The Game of sexual assault has seized control of his record label as part of a $7 million judgment against the rapper.
Priscilla Rainey, a former reality dating show contestant, was granted “any and all rights, title, and interest” in any money, property or future payments due to Game’s independent label LA Prolific, which he launched with his last album Born 2 Rap in November.
According to AllHipHop, Rainey now retains ownership of Born 2 Rap and royalties from the album, along with any salary Game may have been paying himself through LA Prolific.
“All third parties who receive notice of this Order are directed to pay any and all money or property due, or to become due, under this Order, directly to Plaintiff either: (1) by check payable to ‘Priscilla Rainey,’ and delivered to Plaintiff’s counsel” until the judgment is satisfied in full,” stated Judge Virginia A. Phillips.
According to the judge, if Game attempts to go against the ruling and collect the money, he could be charged with contempt of court.
Rainey claims the rapper sexually assaulted her at a Chicago sports bar in 2015 while taping his VH1 reality show “She’s Got Game.” She sued him for $10 million in 2015, but he didn’t show up to court and ignored the trial. As a result, the court ordered him to pay $7.13 million in damages to Rainey.
Game has spoken out against his accuser on social media. Earlier this month, Rainey posted a photo of herself in her Porsche with stacks of money in her lap. When someone commented that it was “Game’s money,” she clapped back, writing, “My money bitch, didn’t get a penny from that molester. Got mine from the mud.”
Stevie Wonder Performs Stirring Bill Withers Tribute During ‘One World’ Concert!
Stevie Wonder turned in a soul-stirring performance Saturday to his late friend Bill Withers, who died on April 3, during the “One World: Together at Home” COVID-19 benefit concert.
As the televised portion of the concert got underway, Wonder was introduced by CBS Late Show host Stephen Colbert.
The Grammy-winning singer and songwriter opened by saying, “During hardships like this, we have to lean on each other. My friend, the late Bill Withers, has the perfect song about that and I want us to remember him tonight.”
Wonder then played the piano and sang Withers’ 1972 classic “Lean on Me,” before launching into his own hit “Love’s In Need Of Love Today” from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life.
Wonders’ performance was notable in that he recently had serious health problems. Last summer, he announced during a concert that he would undergo a kidney transplant at the end of the year.
“I’m going to have surgery. I’m going to have a kidney transplant in September of this year,” he said at the time.
Wonder’s reps did not immediately respond to Deadline’s request for comment, however, he appeared in fine form during tonight’s performance.
LISTEN
The singer joined a long list of music artists who participated throughout the day in the massive “Together at Home” concert produced by Global Citizen to support frontline health care workers and the World Health Organization.
Curated by Lady Gaga, the concert included virtual performances by Gaga, the Rolling Stones, John Legend and Sam Smith, Burna Boy, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Andrea Bocelli, and many more.
Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel hosted along with fellow late-night host, Stephen Colbert. The special aired in primetime in the United States on multiple networks, cable channels and streaming services at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Ellen DeGeneres Is Facing Backlash From TV Crew For Variety Of Issues!
The effects of COVID-19 cannot be understated at this point, as many around the world are feeling the effects of the pandemic. This includes TV and film productions across Hollywood, which have shut down due to safety concerns. The Ellen DeGeneres Show is one of the many shows that’s had to shut down and lay off staff, but it would seem many of the show’s employees aren’t exactly pleased with the conditions they’ve been given during this time.
The core stage crew of The Ellen DeGeneres Show is said to be unhappy with the way they’ve been treated by the producers during the coronavirus pandemic. According to Variety, the crew, which includes more than 30 people, was initially kept in the dark about employee compensation for over a month.
The crew did eventually hear back from the producers but, when they did, they were informed that they would experience a 60% reduction in their pay. This figure would also remain steady as the series continues to broadcast episodes.
With the show currently broadcasting remotely, only four of the core crew members are still working, according to the trade’s insiders. They also find these conditions to be in direct contrast with Ellen DeGeneres’ “be kind” mantra.
In the midst of all of this, Warner Bros. Television has insisted that the crew has been paid fairly and consistently. The company also provided a statement on the matter:
Our executive producers and Telepictures are committed to taking care of our staff and crew and have made decisions first and foremost with them in mind.
In addition to all of this, the crew is also said to be unhappy with the fact that Key Stone Media – an audiovisual company – has been contracted to assist with the show during its remote phase. As a result, the bulk of the show’s regular crew has been underutilized.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show is one of the many talks shows that has switch over to the remote format due to our current situation. Others taking up this same approach include The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. It's been a challenge for many of the shows to find content to discuss but, from a technical standpoint, their technical transitions appear to have been relatively smooth.
While The Ellen DeGeneres Show has been a consistent ratings hit, the future of the series has been somewhat in doubt over the past few years. This is mostly due to DeGeneres’ possible desire to leave the show to pursue other projects.
It remains to be seen how the producers behind The Ellen DeGeneres Show handle the situation. But based on the growing backlash, one would assume they’ll be looking to nip this in the bud as soon as possible.
Bill Cosby Will Not Qualify For Early Release As Pandemic Spreads In Prison!
Bill Cosby will likely have to remain in prison as COVID-19 spreads in prison systems. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections revealed that Cosby will not qualify for an early release.
“Based on the criteria exempting sex offenders and knowing his highly publicized case, he would not qualify,” a rep from the Pennsylvania DOC revealed
The early release program “applies to state prison inmates who have been identified as being nonviolent and who otherwise would be eligible for release within the next nine months or who are considered at high risk for complications of coronavirus and are within 12 months of their release.”
Several weeks ago, Cosby’s lawyers filed a motion requesting that the embattled comedian be released from prison.
The motion came after the White House revealed it is considering the release of some elderly and nonviolent federal inmates to reduce the risk of an outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the prison system.
Cosby’s lawyer Andrew Wyatt said in a statement: “We believe it is only a matter of time before Mr. Cosby’s prison likely falls victim to the virus, such a confined space is the perfect place for a virus to spread rapidly, it is hazardous to the prison staff and vulnerable inmates.
“Bill Cosby is no detriment or danger to the community. He can’t go anywhere, he is elderly, he is blind. He can stay under house arrest with an ankle bracelet, as he did before, with his wife taking care of him. Let him do his time at home. (sic)”
One inmate has died of COVID-19 at SCI Phoenix, and 22 inmates have tested positive.
The Instagram Live Battle Between Babyface And Teddy Riley Was A Complete Fail!
The highly anticipated Instagram Live battle between Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Teddy Riley didn't turn out as expected Saturday night.
Issues with the audio, specifically on Riley's end, halted the faceoff between the two legendary producers that drew more than 400,000 viewers. It looked as though Riley was prepared for a concert, unlike Babyface who was sitting in a studio. That may have been Riley's downfall because all viewers heard was playback and echoes whenever it was his turn to play a song. The comments were riddled with jokes about the two producers' age -- Babyface is 62 and Riley is 53 -- and them not being able to use Instagram.
Comedian Lil Duval posted on his Instagram, saying Riley should just use his iPhone to record rather than trying to set up a concert.
Radio host Charlamagne tha God fired off some jokes, posting a meme of two old men at a computer saying it was Riley and his team in the studio. Singer Toni Braxton was live tweeting during the whole debacle, at one point saying that watching the live feed was "like watching old folks use Jitterbug phones."
The battle was supposed to start at 9 p.m., but by 10 p.m. it was apparent the audio needed to be fixed so they stopped and told viewers to come back at 10:30 p.m.
But moments after 10:30 p.m., Babyface suggested it'd be better to postpone the battle.
"Tonight was really special ... it's only right that we postpone this thing and do it at a time when there aren't any technical difficulties and everybody can hear the music the way it needs to be heard," Babyface said in an Instagram video.
Riley later described it on Instagram as "just like a boxing match, something goes wrong we gotta do it again."
Babyface announced the battle last week on his birthday.
Woman Who Alleged She Was Raped Inside Of Chris Brown’s Home Had Case Against Him Dismissed!
According to The Blast, a woman who filed a case against Chris Brown for an alleged sexual assault that happened inside of his home by another person back in 2017 was dismissed.
Legal documents obtained by The Blast stated that on April 16, 2020, the case was filed as a dismissal for all parties involved. The dismissal was filed by Jane Doe, who initially filed the case against Brown.
Gloria Allred’s, Jane Doe’s attorney, law firm filed the document stating for the entire case to be dismissed.
It is not known at this time if Brown settled the case. Reportedly no settlement agreement was mentioned in the document.
Facebook Adds New ‘Care’ Emoji Reactions On Its Main App And In Messenger!
As a lot of us continue to stay indoors, Facebook has become a go-to platform for many people to check in with their friends, family and neighbors during the current coronavirus pandemic. Today, to give us another way of showing support and presence in its apps, the company said it would add a new reaction for “care” — in the forms of an emoji face hugging a heart, and a pulsing heart — that will appear alongside the “thumbs up” for like, the basic heart, and the laughing, shock, sadness, and anger emojis.
This makes “care” the first addition to the list of reactions since it was expanded from a simple “like” button back in 2015 to give people more empathetic, quick responses to posts.
Starting next week, the care emojis will start appearing on Facebook’s main app (the emoji face embracing the heart), while the new reaction will appear on Messenger (in the form of a pulsing heart) from today. You can see the new heart by pressing on an existing reaction to change it, or by creating a new reaction to a chat.
On Facebook, we will launch a seventh Reaction alongside the existing six. The new Care Reaction will start rolling out next week globally and you can use it to react to posts, comments, images, videos, or other content on the app and http://Facebook.com
“We hope these reactions give people additional ways to show their support during the #COVID19 crisis,” a spokesperson noted about the new emojis earlier today. “We know this is an uncertain time, and we wanted people to be able to show their support in ways that let their friends and family know they are thinking of them.”
Ahead of today, it looks like Pedja Ristic, a product designer at Facebook, was testing the reaction on his own posts, another hint it was coming.
This is relatively speaking a pretty small gesture: offering up an emoji in response to a post is not putting food on the table (nor shopping for it, which has become a challenge in itself), giving someone a guarantee of income, making sure that a person is not being misinformed about the scope of the novel coronavirus and how best to deal with that, nor indeed curing anyone who happens to get sick from this awful thing.
But in the scope of Facebook being a crucial part of many people’s support networks, ever more important as people live in isolation, it’s another way to make it more useful and more tuned to the kind of empathy we all need right now.
Facebook has been working on a number of levels to do something useful in the current health crisis. Its work has ranged from making stronger efforts to ferret out and remove misinformation, provide grants to those in media that are working to report the news well, separate grants to small businesses, supporting public health initiatives to get more important messages out, and like many others also donating masks to those in need.
Kobe Bryant’s Daughter, Gianna, Selected As An Honorary Pick In The WNBA Draft!
Gianna Bryant’s dream was to make it to the WNBA.mOn Friday, the league honored that dream posthumously.
Gianna, along with her teammates Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, were selected as honorary draft picks in Friday’s WNBA draft. The three were killed in a helicopter crash outside of Los Angeles in January along with NBA legend Kobe Bryant and five others.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced the three picks in alphabetical order to start the virtual draft, and played messages from their three families.
“Thank you so much for honoring my Gigi and selecting her to be an honorary draft pick this year,” Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, said. “It would have been a dream come true for her. She worked tirelessly every single day. She wanted to be one of the greatest athletes of all time, just like her daddy. So thank you, thank you for honoring my little girl. Kobe and Gigi loved the WNBA. This is his sweatshirt.
“Thank you. I want to congratulate all of this year’s draft picks. So congratulations. Work hard. Never settle. Use that Mamba Mentality.”
‘Gigi would have likely become the best player in the WNBA’
Gianna had huge aspirations to play basketball at the collegiate level, and was reportedly “hellbent” on playing for Geno Auriemma at UConn. Altobelli and Chester also both had college dreams. It was reportedly Altobelli’s goal to play at Oregon.
Gianna already had her sights set on the WNBA, too.
“Gigi would have likely become the best player in the WNBA,” Vanessa Bryant said at their memorial in February. “She would have made a huge difference in women’s basketball.”
Even though Kobe had four daughters, eliminating the possibility of a child of his playing in the NBA, both he and Gianna were more than confident that she’d be the one to carry on his incredible basketball legacy. The two were seemingly always working on her game, visiting and training with Auriemma and Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu — who was selected as the No. 1 overall pick on Friday night — among others, and constantly attending games and studying film.
“The best thing that happens is when we go out and fans will come up to me and she’ll be standing next to me and they’ll be like, ‘Hey you gotta have a boy. You and V got to have a boy, have someone to carry on the tradition, your legacy,’ ” Kobe said in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel in 2018.
“She’s like, ‘Oh, I got this.’ ”
Beyonce Puts Spotlight on How Coronavirus is Affecting the African-American Community!
Beyonce made an appearance during the One World: Together At Home special to speak to the world about the way coronavirus is affecting African Americans.
“Tonight, we celebrate true heroes,” she said in a video message. ”Those who are making the ultimate sacrifice to keep us all safe, fed and healthy. To the doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers who are away from their families to take care of ours, we continue to pray for your safety.
She continued, “To those in the food industry, delivery workers, mail carriers and sanitation employees, who are working so we can be safe in our homes, we thank you for your selfless service.”
Beyonce continued by addressing how Black Americans make up a lot of these workers, so they’re at high risk for the virus.
“Black Americans disproportionately belong to these essential parts of the workforce that do not have the luxury of working from home. African-American communities at large have been severely affected in this crisis,” she said. “Those with pre-existing conditions are at an even higher risk. This virus is killing black people at an alarmingly high rate here in America.”
“A recent report in my home city, Houston, Texas, showed that of Covid-19 deaths within Houston city limits, 57 percent of fatal cases are African-American,” Bey added. “Please protect yourselves. We are one family and we need you, we need your voices and your abilities and your strength all over this world. I know it’s very hard but please be patient, stay encouraged, keep the faith, stay positive and continue to pray for our heroes. Good night, and God bless you.”
Make sure to watch Beyonce‘s performance of “When You Wish Upon a Star” during the Disney special this week!
Ne-Yo Withdraws Divorce Papers From Wife Crystal!
Two months ago R&B singer / songwriter Ne-Yo announced he was leaving his wife of four years, Crystal Renay, with the suspiciously timed release of his new divorce anthem 'Pinky Ring
Ne-Yo has now called off the divorce...According to reports Ne-Yo withdrew his divorce petition, with prejudice, meaning he can file again.
Crystal admitted the formerly estranged couple were back together last week after posting a meme about side chicks missing their men during the COVID19 coronavirus quarantine. After a fan in the comments asked if she missed her man Crystal said he was back home.
Hundreds Crowd Newly Reopened Florida Beaches Even As The State Sees A Spike In Coronavirus Infections!
Minutes after beaches in North Florida were reopened by the governor at 5 p.m. on Friday, hundreds of locals flooded the sand.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced that some beaches and parks in his state could reopen less than three weeks into his statewide stay-home order.
DeSantis urged Floridians to adhere to the social distancing guidelines issued by himself and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which asks that people stay at least six feet away from others and he limited beach activity to exercise, telling residents not to congregate.
Still, many beachgoers in Jacksonville didn't appear to be following the government's order as some sunbathed and gathered with friends on Friday evening.
The rush came on the same day that Florida saw 1,400 new infections — the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases yet. As of Friday, the state, which has become a hotspot of the coronavirus outbreak in the US, had reported over 24,000 cases of the virus and nearly 700 deaths.
DeSantis, who initially left it up to local officials to close their beaches and other establishments, said at a Friday news conference that some counties could start reopening their beaches if they wanted, adding that it was important for people to get fresh air, the Associated Press reported.
"Do it in a good way," DeSantis said. "Do it in a safe way."
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said beaches in Duval County would reopen from 6 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Meanwhile, St. Johns County said it would reopen its beaches from 6 a.m. to noon daily.
a group of people on a beach: People play a game of Spike Ball on the beach in its first open hour on April 17, 2020 in Jacksonville Beach, Fl. David Rosenblum/Getty Images© David Rosenblum/Getty Images People play a game of Spike Ball on the beach in its first open hour on April 17, 2020 in Jacksonville Beach, Fl. David Rosenblum/Getty Images
DeSantis faced backlash after initially refusing to issue a statewide order closing Florida's beaches in March during spring break, leaving local governments to deal with the influx of young people who came to their cities.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘NO GLOVE, NO LOVE’
Sir, I’m not sure you quite understand the purpose of the glove in this situation. Like, it doesn’t count if you start out using a condom, but then take it off halfway through. The result are significantly different.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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