Kerry Washington for Town and Country - September 2020!
Kerry Washington is the cover star of Town & Country’s September 2020 issue photographed by AB+DM and styled by Law Roach.
Washington comes to T&C to discuss her latest film, The Fight, a documentary she produced which provides rare access to the work and lives of a group of lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The film traces four of the main legal battles surrounding recent administration policies—immigration and border control, transgender military policies, census cases, and reproductive rights—led by five ACLU lawyers: Brigitte Amiri, Joshua Block, Lee Gelernt, Dale Ho, and Chase Strangio.
In her cover story, Kerry opens up about what The Fight means to her, why she considers the ACLU lawyers to be superheroes, and how we can all get involved for the fight for social justice. The Fight is available now on all streaming platforms.
On what The Fight means to her: “I have such deep reverence for what this country can be. I love that this film invites us all into the ‘we’ and to know that we belong here. We have to fight to belong here, but we belong here.”
On why she considers the ACLU lawyers in The Fight to be superheroes: “At [my production company] Simpson Street, we really believe that heroes look like all of us. These lawyers are real life superheroes. What I think they each do so beautifully in the film is show us that while they are taking on the greatest challenges to our civil rights in our lives, they are also just people.”
On how we each get involved in the fight for social justice: “This is such a great moment, because we are in an unprecedented time when people of extraordinary privilege, for lots of reasons, are asking themselves how they can be part of the solution. Whether it is to give your time, give your money, give your heart, speak up in the conversation when somebody says they don’t believe something.”
Get more at Town and Country!
#RHOA: And now for the SIPS☕☕☕! NeNe Leakes’ Swagg Boutique At Sugarloaf Mills Is Shutting Down!
NeNe Leakes’ Swagg Boutique is closing at Sugarloaf Mills in Lawrenceville.
Going-out-of-business signs festooned the outside of her store on a recent Tuesday afternoon. “All Sales Final,” said one sign. A second sign said “Fixtures For Sale.” Another: “50-75% Off.” The store was not open at the time.
Leakes, who has been on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” for much of the past 12 years, opened this location in November 2017 after closing her store in Buckhead. She lives near the mall, which includes a Bass Pro Shops, Burlington Coat Factory, Medieval Times, H&M and a Spencer’s Gifts.
She also owns Swagg Boutiques at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland and Miami Beach. Her Swagg Boutique website also still appears active.
Leakes is represented by JonesWorks, a publicity firm. A spokeswoman there, Jennifer Abel, did not respond for comment.
Leakes closed the Sugarloaf Mills store in March when malls shut down at the start of the pandemic and posted an Instagram video at the time about it. The store did eventually reopen, as did the mall, but brick-and-mortar retail sales for clothing stores have not recovered. Many chains have filed for bankruptcy protection in recent months including Men’s Warehouse, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, J.C. Penney, Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers and Lord & Taylor.
Her co-star Kandi Burruss opened her first TAGS Boutique in Smyrna in 2009, moved the store to Buckhead in 2012 and is now in the same location as her Old Lady Gang restaurant at 177 Peters Street in Castleberry Hill.
#NewMusicVideo from Toni Braxton – Dance!
Legendary singer Toni Braxton has just released the visual for her impactful new single “Dance”. The Mike Ho directed video provides a perfect backdrop to the high energy song.
This is the latest single from Braxton’s upcoming 10th studio album “Spell My Name”. The project is set to release on August 28th, 2020 and she has recently given us a look at the album cover art.
WATCH
“Dance” comes on the heals of the first single from “Spell My Name” called “Do It”. The vibrant remix to the song features Missy Elliott and has been rapidly building on the Adult R&B Radio charts.
#HipHopNews: Cardi B Appears To Be Giving Nicki Minaj Props And Says She’s Still Dominating!
Despite her beef with Nicki Minaj, Cardi B seems to be showing love to one of hip-hop's reigning queens in a new interview.
On Friday (Aug. 7) Cardi B appears to have praised Nicki Minaj during an interview with Nadeska on Apple Music's Beats 1. In a brief section of their conversation, the Bronx rapper salutes a female rapper for her tenure in the rapper game. Cardi doesn't name-drop, but it sounds like she could have been referring to Nicki.
"When I was younger...when I was 6, 7, 8, there was a lot of female rappers and then there was a time when there was no female rappers at all," Cardi responds when asked about the female rappers she looked up to growing up. "I had to keep replaying songs from the early 2000s. Like, I had to keep replaying it, replaying it, replaying it because for a while there wasn't no female rappers. And then, there was one female rapper that dominated for a very long time and she did pretty good and still dominating."
Nicki hit the rap scene in the early 2000s, and garnered a major buzz after dropping her mixtape, Beam Me Up Scotty, in 2009. Her track "I Get Crazy" peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart. Shortly after, Lil Wayne signed Nicki to his Young Money Entertainment record label and she went on to dominate charts, drop hit albums like Pink Friday, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded and The Re-Up and more, and score two No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100: "Trollz" with 6ix9ine and Doja Cat's "Say So."
Nonetheless, this particular conversation Cardi had on Apple Music is one of four parts. The entire interview, which is in promotion of the rapper's new song "Wap" with Megan Thee Stallion, also includes a segment with fellow rappers Mulatto, Sukihana and Rubi Rose, who appear in the visual for the record.
Things haven't been remotely copasetic between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj these days. In fact, their beef allegedly dates back to 2018, over a feature with Future. According to Hollywood Unlocked's Jason Lee, Future and Cardi were supposed to collab on "Drip," which appears on her debut album, Invasion of Privacy. However, the joint effort never came to fruition because the "Anaconda" rhymer supposedly asked Hendrix to either remove himself from the track or be axed from their joint NickiHndrxx Tour.
This incident led to a mountain of tension between the two rappers, dividing portions of female rap fans down the middle. Stans seemingly chose a side as the two artists threw shade at each other online. The dissing eventually led to a physical altercation at the Harper's Bazaar Icons party at New York City's Plaza Hotel during Fashion Week in 2018. Cardi was spotted exiting the event with a knot on her face. During the chaotic exchange, she was seen throwing a shoe towards someone believed to be Nicki Minaj. She can also be heard yelling at Nicki for supposedly liking a negative comment on social media about her and Offset's daughter, Kulture.
Since 2019, the beef between the newly pregnant rapper and Cardi has gone silent. Many fans of both artists have responded to Cardi's comments about Nicki via Twitter, expressing hope for a squashed beef.
Tik Tok Is Planning To Sue The Trump Administration Over Its Ban As Early As Tuesday!
TikTok could sue the Trump administration over its recent executive order as early as Tuesday, NPR reported Saturday, citing a source "directly involved in the forthcoming suit."
President Donald Trump's executive order on Thursday banned US individuals and companies from engaging in business transactions with TikTok parent company Chinese firm ByteDance.
The order – which was followed up by a similar order targeting WeChat, a messaging platform also belonging to a Chinese company – cited concerns for national security.
The order alleged that the app's data collection methods could "allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans' personal and proprietary information."
CIA Analysts stated to the White House that while it is possible for the Chinese government to access data, there was "no evidence" as of yet that it has done so, according to the New York Times.
TikTok's upcoming lawsuit will argue that the order is "unconstitutional" because it did not "give the company a chance to respond," according to NPR. Additionally, NPR reported that the lawsuit will argue that the order's reference to concerns for national security to justify the order is "based on pure speculation and conjecture."
TikTok's spokesperson declined to comment to Business Insider beyond the company's statement issued Friday, which said "there has been, and continues to be, no due process or adherence to the law."
The statement said that Trump's order has a "reliance on unnamed "reports" with no citations, fears that the app 'may be' used for misinformation campaigns with no substantiation of such fear" and added that the company has "made clear that TikTok has never shared user data with the Chinese government, nor censored content at its request." It said that it will "pursue all remedies" to uphold " the rule of law" – " if not by the Administration, then by the US courts."
In early July, both Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that they were looking into a potential ban of the TikTok app in the US. The New York Times reported at the end of July that Microsoft was in talks of a potential acquisition of TikTok. Microsoft publicly announced in early August – days before Trump issued an executive order – that they are continuing conversations for the potential purchase of TikTok's US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand operations.
Meanwhile, a law professor at the University of Nebraska Lincoln told Business Insider's Tyler Sonnemaker and Paige Leskin that Trump's executive orders on TikTok and WeChat are "likely to have First Amendment problems."
The White House did not immediately respond to request for comment.
Nick Cannon Supports Kanye’s Presidential Bid: ‘We Need Another Black Man In Power’!
Kanye West will have at least one vote for president. Mariah Carey‘s ex, Nick Cannon, is supporting Kanye West’s run for president, saying America needs another black man in office.
“I love it!” Cannon said about Kanye’s run for president to TMZ, during a recent visit to Los Angeles International Airport.
“Yeah. We need another black man in power,” Cannon said, affirming that he would vote for Kanye.
Meanwhile, when asked about cancel culture, Cannon, who was fired from his show “Wild N’ Out” by Viacom for anti-Semitic comments, said, “it shouldn’t be cancel culture, it should be counsel culture.”
During the June 30 episode of his YouTube series, Cannon interviewed rapper Richard Griffin, known as Professor Griff, about his dismissal from hip-hop group Public Enemy in 1989 for saying “the Jews are wicked” and are responsible for “the majority of wickedness that goes on across the globe.”
Griffin doubled down on his comments in his interview with “The Masked Singer” host.
“You’re speaking facts,” Cannon agreed. “There’s no reason to be scared of anything when you’re speaking the truth.”
Since then, Cannon has been meeting with rabbis and learning about Judaism at the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
MTV VMA's Will Be Taped Outdoors This Year And Keke Palmer Will Host!
The MTV Video Music Awards are still a go, but they’ll definitely look quite different this year. While the star-studded award show is normally held in New York City’s Barclays Center, this time around it will be held outdoors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
And that’s not the only change that will happen. Viewers are used to seeing their favorite celebrities react in the audience, some even sparking viral memes and GIFs. This year, there’s a chance that the audience will be limited. There could also be no audience at all.
MTV said in a statement:
“The 2020 VMAs will be held on Sunday, August 30th, and pay homage to the incredible resiliency of New York with several outdoor performances around the City with limited or no audience, adhering to all state and city guidelines. In close consultation with state and local health officials?, it became clear at this time that outdoor performances with limited or no audience would be more feasible and safer than an indoor event. The VMAs will highlight the boroughs in an exciting show and return to Barclays Center in 2021. MTV will continue to work closely with the Department of Health, state and local officials, the medical community, and key stakeholders to ensure the safety of all involved.”
The news comes just after TV personality and actress Keke Palmer was announced as the host. Bruce Gillmer, president of music, music talent, programming and events for ViacomCBS Media Networks told MTV News:
“We’re thrilled to have the multitalented Keke Palmer as this year’s ‘VMAs’ host. Keke is an energetic force and a quadruple threat with unmatched comedic wit who will make this year’s show truly unforgettable.”
Keke Palmer also celebrated the news on Instagram. She tapped into her Nickelodeon character True Jackson in a video with the caption,
“I heard y’all was tired of 2020, let’s go back to 2008…Join me as I host the 2020 @vmas on August 30th on @MTV! #VMAs“
Fans Petition to Remove Kylie Jenner From Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘WAP’ Video!
The release of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s collaborative single “WAP” on Friday brought with it an equally vivacious music video, which has since sat at the top of YouTube’s trending page. The video features a slew of famous guests: Normani, Rosalía, Mulatto, Sukihana, Rubi Rose and Kylie Jenner, who makes a dramatic 20-second appearance clad in leopard print. However, some fans aren’t pleased with Jenner’s cameo.
Fans praised Cardi and Megan for spotlighting Black and Brown women, but lamented Jenner’s appearance, who is often accused of appropriating Black culture. Soon enough, a petition appeared on Change.org calling for the removal of Jenner from the video.
Created by the users Nini YouTube, Megan Hotties and Bardo Gangs, the petition’s caption states: “The video was perfect until we saw K and I wanted to throw my phone.” Those who signed the petition agree, with one commenting: “I was happily enjoying my daily cup of Brown women until that culture stealing colonizer showed up and made me spill.” Another signee said, “She is a culture vulture who doesn’t remember how her own complexion looks! Down with the culture vultures!”
Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion Teaming Up for Imminent Single, ‘WAP’
At the time of publication, the petition has more than 50,000 signatures.
Though Cardi did not address Jenner’s cameo specifically, she hinted at the situation on Twitter by writing, “I wanna say thank you to every woman that was a part of my video! The fact that you made time in your schedules means a lot to me! It was so important to me to include different women that are different races and come from different backgrounds, but are so powerful and influential.”
Meanwhile, Twitter users continued to share their opinions on the matter and theories as to why Jenner was involved.
Jenner has yet to respond to the backlash, and instead shared behind-the-scenes photos and footage from the music video shoot on Instagram.
Frank Ocean’s Mother Remembers Late Son Ryan Breaux!
Frank Ocean’s mother is mourning the death of her son Ryan Breaux, who was killed in a fatal car crash over the weekend.
On Wednesday, Katonya Breaux returned to social media to share a photo of her 18-year-old son embracing his mother. The grieving mom did not caption the post, but friends and fans shared their condolences in the comments.
Ryan and his former classmate Ezekiel “Zeek” Bishop, 20, were driving a Tesla in Thousand Oaks, Calif. when it veered off the road and collided with a tree in the center median just after 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. The force of the crash caused the car to burst into flames. They were both pronounced dead at the scene.
The victims were graduates of the Oaks Christian High School Class of 2019. Bishop was a freshman at Cal State Northridge, and played for the OCHS football and track teams.
It’s unclear who was behind the wheel or what caused the crash but speed could have been a factor, according to authorities.
Friends and former classmates took to social media to share heartfelt tributes including Kaia Gerber. “ryan and zeek, my heart is so heavy right now. I can’t put into words how grateful I am for every second I was lucky enough to spend with you,” the model wrote alongside a series of photos. “The two people who made me smile the biggest. I will never forget that. I can still feel you here. I can still hear your laughs.”
Added Gerber, “I promise to keep trying to smile for you, I love you both forever. rest peacefully always by each other’s side.”
Lena Waithe Working On Tv Show About Open Marriages!
Lena Waithe is developing a new TV show about open marriages.
The 'Master of None' star has confirmed she's working on a brand new series currently titled 'Open', which will explore the world of open marriages, which Lena finds "fascinating".
She told The Hollywood Reporter: "I've never been in an open marriage, but it's fascinating to me. Society has such a conservative way of looking at marriage. I do think that we as a nation need to reevaluate what marriage looks like for us as a country - because whatever we have right now, it ain't working."
Lena has already written the pilot episode for the show - which is set to premiere on Amazon - and says the goal for the program is to try and help make non-traditional relationships less taboo.
Nothing else is known about the show as of the time of writing, but it comes as Lena split from her wife Alana Mayo in January, just months after marrying in San Francisco.
They said in a joint statement: "After careful thought and consideration, we have decided to part ways. We have nothing but support for one another and ask that you respect our privacy during this time."
The 'Westworld' actress had previously revealed she and the content executive had married in a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Speaking in November, Lena said: "We snuck and did it. We didn't really make any announcements.
"We went to San Francisco, we went to the courthouse and we got married right in front of Harvey Milk's bust.
"And it was her idea, like all good things are. And we were driving and she was like, 'We should get married at that courthouse.' And I said, 'Cool let's do it.' "
Lena and Alana had been engaged for two years before they tied the knot, following a lengthy relationship.
Breonna Taylor Billboards Around Louisville Organized By Oprah Winfrey!
Oprah Winfrey is once again getting involved in calling for action in the investigation into the death of Breonna Taylor.
Recently, Winfrey honored Taylor by having her be the first person other than Winfrey herself to appear on the cover of the media mogul’s O Magazine. Now, the media mogul is having dozens of billboards installed around Louisville.
The billboards demand that the officers involved in Taylor’s death be charged and arrested. They also direct people to the website of Until Freedom, the national activist group that is relocating to Louisville and led the recent protest on Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s lawn.
Cameron’s office is leading the investigation into the circumstances around Taylor’s death. She was shot dead while three LMPD officers were serving a no-knock drug warrant at her home in March.
With 2020 Election at Stake, Postmaster General Raises Mail-in Ballot Stamp Price, That Could Be an Unconstitutional Poll Tax!
"Can't stress this enough— if the USPS is sabotaged, this will amount to the greatest voter suppression
campaign in history."
In the wake of what was dubbed a "Friday Night Massacre" at the U.S. Postal Service—compounded by news that first-class postage rates, as opposed to cheaper bulk rates, would be charged for processing mail-in ballots in November—calls overnight and into Saturday have gone out for people across the U.S. to rise up in a coordinated fashion to end what many observers warn is a blatant effort by the Trump administration and the GOP to sabotage the federal mail delivery service ahead of this year's elections.
While Republicans in the Senate and the White House negotiating team have both refused to accept Democratic demands to include massive funding for election protections in the next round of Covid-19 relief as a way to have safe and accessible voting for all amid the pandemic, the latest news about what Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a longtime GOP donor and Trump supporter, has been doing since appointed earlier this summer is prompting outrage, accountability, and calls for immediate action.
"This is how they destroy our democracy," warned progressive activist Ady Barkan while pointing to a report by The American Prospect's David Dayen which noted the looming postage hike on mail-in absentee ballots.
According to Dayen:
The Postal Service has informed states that they'll need to pay first-class 55-cent postage to mail ballots to voters, rather than the normal 20-cent bulk rate. That nearly triples the per-ballot cost at a time when tens of millions more will be delivered. The rate change would have to go through the Postal Regulatory Commission and, undoubtedly, litigation. But the time frame for that is incredibly short, as ballots go out very soon.
A side benefit of this money grab is that states and cities may decide they don’t have the money to mail absentee ballots, and will make them harder to get. Which is exactly the worst-case scenario everyone fears.
The American Postal Workers Union (APWU), which represents over 220,000 mail carriers and retirees, on Saturday said it was necessary for all constituents worried about the attacks on the USPS or the integrity of mail-in voting this fall to immediately contact their representatives in the U.S. Senate:
Other outside defenders of the Postal Service said that while agitating members of Congress was vital, the scale of the threat calls for action beyond that.
Madonna Teases New Music-Centered Screenplay With ‘Juno’ Scribe Diablo Cody!
Madonna has found a new quarantine activity. The singer teased at a screenplay she’s working on with Juno writer Diablo Cody with a short Instagram video.
In a black-and-white video posted to social media platform on Friday, Madonna and the Oscar-winning scribe sit on a couch discussing the details of their upcoming music-centered project. As the Tully screenwriter types on her laptop, her collaborator asks her to consider what’s coming up next in the script.
“When the music starts, what’s the song?” Madonna asks Cody. “All these details are important. They’re important.”
Madonna, whose three-album deal with Interscope Records has come to an end, per Billboard; captioned the video, “When you’re stuck in a house with multiple injuries what do you do.? Write a Screenplay with Diablo Cody about [film and music emojis]?”
The video then pans to feature a table covered in different notebooks and papers. The teaser also sees Cody and Madonna discussing an outfit the “Like A Virgin” singer once wore. The latter goes on to describe the clothing ensemble, mentioning garters, her iconic cone bra and a double breasted suit coat.
“Et voilà, an iconic costume,” Madonna says before sticking two nuts up her nostrils.
Hasbro Pulls Troll Dolls From Stores Over Inappropriately Placed Button Which Could Promote Child Abuse!
Hasbro has pulled one of its popular Troll dolls from shelves following backlash from an inappropriately placed button on the dolls presumed private area.
The “Trolls World Tour Giggle and Sing Poppy” doll features a button on her stomach that will prompt the doll to sing and say phrases such as “How about a hug?” The second button which is placed on her bottom under her skirt makes sounds such as “Whee!” and “Oh!” when pressed. A petition began to circulate that drew 157,000 signatures as of Thursday calling for the removal of the toy. The petition claims that the doll is promoting child abuse.
“When you push this button on the doll’s privates she gasps and giggles. This is not okay for a child’s toy! This toy needs to be removed from our stores,” the online petition stated, which took aim at Target, Amazon, Walmart and other major retailers that carry the toy. The call for action goes on to ask, “What will this toy make our innocent, impressionable children think? That it’s fun when someone touches your private area? That pedophilia and child molestation are okay?”
Hasbro responded via spokeswoman Julie Duffy who explained to CNN in a statement that “this feature was designed to react when the doll was seated, but we recognize the placement of the sensor may be perceived as inappropriate.” The statement continues, “This was not intentional and we are happy to provide consumers with a replacement Poppy doll of similar value through our Consumer Care team. We are in the process of removing the item for purchase.”
Derrius Guice Released After Domestic Violence Arrest!
Derrius Guice was released by the Washington Football Team on Friday after being arrested for domestic violence-related charges.
a baseball player wearing a helmet: Derrius Guice was not at Washington’s practice on Friday.© Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Derrius Guice was not at Washington’s practice on Friday.
Guice turned himself in to authorities at Loudoun Adult Detention Center according to the Washington Post. He is facing five charges total, including a felony strangulation charge. The other four charges include: three counts of assault and battery, and one count of destruction of property.
Guice was not at Washington’s practice on Friday.
Here is the team’s statement on the matter:
The 23-year-old entered the league as a second-round draft pick in 2018, but has appeared in only five games for Washington. He suffered a torn ACL in his first preseason game, costing him the entire 2018 season. His 2019 was shortened by both the MCL sprain and a torn meniscus that cost him most of the first half of the year.
a baseball player wearing a helmet: Derrius Guice was not at Washington’s practice on Friday.© Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Derrius Guice was not at Washington’s practice on Friday.
Guice tallied 245 yards and two touchdowns on 42 rushing attempts last season. He recently announced that he had been cleared for football activity.
Kelly Osbourne Shows Off Her 85 Pound Weight Loss!
Kelly Osbourne is looking great! The 35-year-old former Fashion Police panelist took to Instagram earlier this week to share a selfie while out in a car.
“Today I’m feeling #Gucci 💜❤️” Kelly wrote along with the below photo.
Fans and famous friends then took to her comments to praise Kelly for how good she looks.
“You look like a different person with your weight loss much more confident… beautiful!” one fan wrote.
Another fan wrote, “Oh my gosh, you lost a lot of weight.” Kelly then replied, “That’s right mamma Mai I lost 85lbs since I last saw you. Can you believe it? Kaakakaka.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘SAFE KEEPING’
Now that’s how you get pink eye
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
No comments:
Post a Comment