Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa for W Magazine - Music Issue 2020!
Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa cover the latest issue of W Magazine photographed by Colin Dodgson.
Megan Thee Stallion
“I love the fact that I have a voice, and I love the fact that I do inspire a lot of girls, and I didn’t realize it at first. I was just being me,” Megan had told me back in New York. “Some of the things I say, I realized that some women might really wanna say them. So I just keep all of these things in the back of my mind when I’m writing. I’m not gon’ say I feel pressure, but sometimes I will get a little tingly because I just want to put out the best music for my fans as possible. I don’t like to disappoint them. So when I’m recording, I’m super hard on myself. I’m just always like, Okay, I need to go harder than that. I’ll write and rewrite a verse about eight times.”
Dua Lipa
“Whether it’s about abortion rights or women’s rights, the comments always tend to be the complete opposite of what I said, and I get quite surprised, like, Why do these people follow me if they don’t know what I stand for? Everyone deserves their opinion, but I just think that my duty is to speak up about the things that are really important for a fairer world. I want a safe space for all my fans and listeners and for people around the world. We just want to be more open and nonjudgmental, and that’s how we can see a brighter future. I really believe that.”
Style Credits:
Megan Thee Stallion: Miu Miu Sweater and Leggings
Styled by EJ King
Dua Lipa: Marc Jacobs T-shirt | Balenciaga Skirt | Clash de Cartier Hoop | Wolford Tights | Stylist’s own large hoops
Styled by Sara Moonves
#RHOA: Why Fans Think Shereé Whitfield Is Hinting Return for Season 13!
Shereé Whitfield is one of the original cast members of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The reality TV personality was a full-time star during the first four seasons. Whitfield returned as a friend in season 8 and was upgraded to a housewife again for the following two seasons. The entrepreneur has been gone for two years and fans are thinking she’s hinting a return for Season 13.
As the new season of the Housewives franchise show is filming in Atlanta, there’s always speculation as to who will be holding a peach in the upcoming season. Whitfield’s name came up recently after fans believed she was hinting a return to the series.
“She’s Baaackkkkk…..What i miss yall????” she posted on Instagram along with a set of photos where she looks fabulous. “Feeling great, healthy, and happy.”
Fans took this post meaning that she was returning to the show as she said she was back. If true, Whitfield would make history as the first Housewives to return to the show full-time two times.
Whitfield has already left RHOA and returned for a short stint, fans won’t put it past her accepting a peach once again. As season 12 of the series wrapped up on Bravo, Whitfield was invited to Watch What Happens Live. During the late-night show, Andy Cohen asked if she would come back.
“I would never say never,” Whitfield said. “We had a good time over there. When we’re having a good time it’s good… I’m in a different place right now and I would not say no.”
The personality did not give a definitive answer and seems to be game if approached to return to RHOA.
In a separate interview, Whitfield acknowledged she was happy with her life. However, she said that if they offered her a peach, she would need to have a talk with executives.
“I’m feeling good,” she told Hollywood Life. “I’m just living simple, focusing on the things that I love which is health and wellness right now and empower and inspire other women. [Bravo and I] would have to have some conversations. Like I said, when I’m with the girls, sometimes we have an amazing time and it’s an amazing platform, no doubt.”
The Real Housewives of Atlanta is set to return this fall on Bravo.
#MusicNews: PJ Morton Reveals Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist For ‘Gospel According To PJ’ Album!
PJ Morton may be the hardest working man in soul business, but he spreads his wings in other genres as well. He gets it in on the pop and rock side of things as a member of Maroon 5, and for his latest project the multiple GRAMMY winner will return to his religious roots for his first gospel album, Gospel According To PJ: From The Songbook Of PJ Morton. He announced that this collection was coming last September, and he is finally answering fans' prayers with word of its official release on Friday, August 28th.
In addition to revealing the release date, PJ has unveiled the album cover and provided a sneak peek of the tracklist. The cover art – an old family photograph of a smiling young PJ sitting on his father Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr.'s knee surrounded by his mother Dr. Debra Brown Morton and older sister – is straight outta the '80s. The vintage photo of cutie-patootie PJ is a heartwarming touch.
nwhile, the star-studded tracklist is a heartstopper with a who's who of gospel greats joining Morton on this passion project.Of course, there's Mary Mary and Le'Andria Johnson, whose heavenly harmonies were featured on the lead single "All In His Plan." Gospel music legends The Clark Sisters, Commissioned, Kim Burrell, Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin are in the number alongside J Moss, Smokie Norful, Zacardi Cortez and a few more singers who'll be sharing their inspirational interpretations of songs from PJ Morton's catalog. Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr. will also be heard throughout the album in conversation with his son on "Dad's Interlude."More details are forthcoming for Gospel According To PJ: From The Songbook Of PJ Morton, but the album will be available for pre-order now!
#HipHopNews: Cardi B Wishes More Male Rappers Would Speak Up About Breonna!
Cardi B wants more of her male counterparts to help raise awareness about the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Taylor, a Black 26-year-old emergency medical technician, was shot and killed by police when they mistakenly entered her Louisville, Ky. home with a “no-knock warrant” on March 13. The cops who fatally shot her have yet to be arrested, which has caused protests against the police department and support from many people who want to see justice served. In an interview with Elle magazine, published on Aug. 11, Bardi said she would like to hear more men in the rap game pushing for action in the case.
“A woman like Breonna Taylor, she was young. She looked like she was listening to your music," Cardi said. "She looked like she was your fan. You should stick up for her.”
Cardi further expounded on the controversial case saying “That is so insane to me. [I saw] Breonna Taylor’s name everywhere, but I didn’t really know her story. What they did to her is really fucked up. Really fucked up. What’s the excuse? Why is the cop not in jail? Wasn’t what he did a crime? It’s a crime! And no apology. No apology. No video of the cop coming out crying, ‘I fucked up. I don’t this. I don’t that.’ Nothing. It’s nothing. I don’t even know how her mom still holds her head up. Unbelievable.”
While Cardi wishes more would be said by men in her profession, there have been some solid contributions from male rappers seeking justice in the case. Kanye West donated $2 million to a fund in support of Breonna Taylor's family and others. YBN Cordae was arrested during a Breonna Taylor protest. Other artists have joined in protests as well.
Bill Cosby’s Lawyers Argue For New Trial, Call The Sex Crimes Conviction “Fundamentally Unfair”!
Bill Cosby’s lawyers have filed an appeal, seeking a new trial for the 83 year old comedian and actor. The lawyers are arguing that it was “fundamentally unfair” to allow prosecutors to use the disgraced comedian’s deposition from an earlier sex abuse lawsuit filed against him. The appeal, which was filed with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, claims that Bill Cosby agreed to testify in the civil suit under the promise made with a prosecutor that he would not be charged in that case.
The deposition included damaging testimony about multiple sexual encounters Bill had with young women over the years and admitted that he used quaaludes to sedate women that he wanted to grope. He was found guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in his mansion back in 2004 and is being held at a maximum security prison outside of Philadelphia after he was sentenced to 3 to 10 years in prison in September of 2018. His conviction was seen as a huge moment for the #MeToo movement.
Bill Cosby’s lawyers won the right to appeal the decision two months ago. They claim that the trial was unfair to Bill because prosecutors brought five accusers who shared their testimony with the jury a series of uncharged sexual misconduct claims, with some claims dating back to the 1970s. These testimonies along with the deposition according to the lawyers, were “irrelevant evidence that served no legitimate non-propensity purpose.”
agreed to testify in the lawsuit,
“Although the evidence was purportedly allowed for a limited purpose, the prosecution’s closing argument shows that the jury was urged to return a verdict against Cosby based on a depiction of him, unsupported by actual evidence, as a predator who drugged and raped women for decades.”
Back in July, we reported that he still owes his lawyers $2.75 million in legal fees, according to reports. Last year (2019), Bill was ordered by a judge to pay his lawyers, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, after attempting to challenge the bill. Although the actor and his insurance, AIG, have paid over $4 million towards the bill, his debt is still overdue. Due to a 10% interest rate, Bill’s balance has now increased to $2.98 million.
What are your thoughts on Bill Cosby’s lawyers appealing his conviction and arguing for a new trial?\
Tyler Perry & BET Networks’ BET+ Streamer Crosses 1 Million Subscribers!
BET+, the SVOD service operated by a joint venture between Tyler Perry Studios and the BET Networks, has crossed the 1 million subscriber mark, I have learned. The milestone comes a month before the streamer’s one-year anniversary. Reps for BET could not be reached for comment.
Launched on Sept. 19, BET+ features original films and TV series as well as programs from the BET library. The platform’s slate of original series includes shows from Perry, starting with drama Ruthless and comedy Bruh, as well as Tracy Oliver’s First Wives Club and the Will Packer-produced Bigger, both renewed for a second season.
Next up for the service is the Aug. 27 premiere of Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Farewell Play.
Drake Shares Sweaty Shirtless Selfie After a Workout!
Drake is showing off his hot bod! The 33-year-old entertainer took to his Instagram Story on Saturday (August 15) to share a photo of himself posing shirtless and looking sweaty after a workout.
Drake did write a caption with the photo, but did put three of the huffing emojis along with his post.
A few days before, Drake teamed up with Lil Durk to release his new song – and music video – titled “Laugh Now Cry Later.”
Madonna Set To Fly To Jamaica For Weekend-Long 62nd Birthday Bash!
It’s my party and I’ll fly if I want to! Madonna has decided to hop on a plane to celebrate her birthday in a balmy tropical paradise, in spite of the pandemic — but it’s left some of her pals out in the cold.
Sources tell us that Madge is having a party for her 62nd birthday at the stunning Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Montego Bay, Jamaica, which is the island home of boldface names including Ralph Lauren and Paul McCartney. It has also hosted guests from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to Grace Kelly.
But insiders tell us that some friends, including her BFF and longtime manager Guy Oseary, won’t be making the trip to “La Isla Bonita.”
“Guy’s skipping it because of COVID,” said a source.
The Material Girl’s birthday was Sunday, but we’re told it’ll be a weekend-long affair.
Madonna, of course, has been a controversial figure in the pandemic. After calling the virus “the great equalizer” in an infamous bathtub soliloquy back in March, she flew — as Page Six first reported — from London to New York at the height of the state’s lockdown to attend a birthday party for Steven Klein in the Hamptons. Folks quarantining at home were shocked to see the pop icon snuggling up to Klein at his Bridgehampton estate.
Meanwhile, she also tested positive for antibodies in April, and declared on Instagram she was going out “to breathe in the COVID-19 air.”
Oseary, meanwhile, has been much more cautious about his reveling.
As we reported in May, the power manager — who has hosted an Oscars party with Madonna for years — rivaled WME’s Richard Weitz for hottest Zoom party in Hollywood. Oseary’s bash attracted Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Leo DiCaprio, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and David Spade, among others.
Reps did not respond to a request for comment.
10 of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s employees test positive for COVID-19!
COVID-19 is hitting home for employees of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s production company, Westbrook Inc., as at least 10 have tested positive for the virus.
LA County’s public health website lists nine staff members with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus cases at the company’s Calabasas office, The Jasmine Brand reported.
In a moment of transparency, Westbrook Inc. later revealed in a statement, “We received 10 positive tests and the crew members quarantined and remain in quarantine. All 10 people were retested and have received negative results. We will continue to follow all official guidelines and safety protocols.”
The Smiths founded Westbrook Inc. in 2019, establishing itself as the parent company of Westbrook Studios, Will’s television and film production company. Westbrook’s portfolio also includes Red Table Talk Productions, which produces Jada’s Facebook Watch series of the same name.
In a March episode, Jada featured renowned epidemiologist Dr. Osterholm, who explained just how COVID-19 is spread while Will interviewed Dr. Anthony Fauci on his Snapchat quarantine show in April. The actor also did a Zoom concert with friend and musical partner DJ Jazzy Jeff, who has also battled coronavirus.
Disney Introduces First Bisexual Character!
Disney is making strides with inclusivity, as can be seen with the incorporation of it’s first lead bisexual TV character on its “The Owl House” series.
“I was very open about my intention to put queer kids in the main cast. I’m a horrible liar, so sneaking it in would’ve been hard,” series creator, Dana Terrace, who identifies as bisexual, tweeted. “I was told by certain Disney leadership that I could not represent any form of bi or gay relationship on the channel.” She added, “Luckily, my stubbornness paid off, and now I am very supported by current Disney leadership.”
“The Owl House” series follows 14-year-old Dominican-American, Luz Noceda, on her journey to become a witch despite her lack of magical powers. While the character is not Disney’s first LGBTQ+ character, Luz serves as the first bisexual character to make a Disney debut on a television series.
Kanye West Takes Subtle Jab At Taylor Swift In Latest Twitter Thread!
Kanye West seemingly shaded Taylor Swift on Friday by bringing up quite a touchy subject in their years-long feud.
The 43-year-old rapper and 2020 presidential hopeful announced on Friday he was going on "another Twitter tirade." West tweeted close to 40 times about a myriad of things including his Gap clothing line and the most unused emojis.
"There's so many lonely emojis man," West tweeted.
In tweets, West said he refrained from using a snake emoji for obvious reasons.
"Not gonna use a snake emoji cause you know why...I'm not sure if Christians are allowed to use snake emojis," West quipped.
Fans who have been following the West-Swift feud know the snake emoji helped to drive a wedge between the artists. It began when West's wife, Kim Kardashian, posted a video in 2016 to prove Swift approved of a lyric in his song "Famous" which refers to the "Lover" singer as a "b---h."
Swift argued the video wasn't solid evidence. Kardashian doubled down on her claims that Swift is a "snake" by tweeting a bunch of snake emojis on National Snake Day.
"Wait it’s legit National Snake Day?!?!?They have holidays for everybody, I mean everything these days!" Kardashian wrote
Sharon Stone Lashes out at Anti-Mask Protesters After Sister Battling Lupus Diagnosed With Coronavirus!
Sharon Stone revealed her sister Kelly Stone was diagnosed with COVID-19 and lashed out at people who have refused to wear masks. Stone said Kelly already struggles with lupus, meaning she does not have an immune system, and was tested positive for the coronavirus after one trip to the pharmacy. The Casino star shared photos of Kelly's hospital room and urged others to wear face masks to help slow the spread of the virus.
"My sister Kelly, who already has lupus, now has COVID-19. This is her hospital room. One of you Non-Mask wearers did this," Stone wrote. "She does not have an immune system. The only place she went was the pharmacy." According to Stone, Kelly lives in a county were you can only take a test if you show symptoms of COVID-19 and even then, you are forced to wait five days for a result. "Can YOU FACE THIS ROOM ALONE? Wear a mask! For yourself and others. Please," Stone wrote, adding a purple heart emoji.
Several of Stone's famous friends shared their prayers for her sister. "I am so terribly sorry for your sweet sister Kelly I hope that she gets well soon," Andie MacDowell wrote. "I hope she’s ok. That is just so scary," Chelsea Handler added. "Oh Sharon I’m so sorry. So scary. I am praying she heals quickly," Debra Messing wrote, adding a praying-hands emoji.
On Sunday, Stone shared a photo of Kelly with her husband Bruce, taken on March 13. "Drove to our paradise in Montana. We thought COVID wouldn’t and couldn’t find us. No shopping, no parties, barely saw a human. Now fighting for a breath. You don’t want COVID," Kelly wrote in the original caption on her own Instagram page.
Kelly also shared a video from her hospital bed on Saturday night, illuminated only by a flashlight, with the ventilator audible in the background. "I beg you to know that this is real," Kelly said in the clip. "I'm gasping for every breath with oxygen. Please do this for the people you love. Stand behind more tests, more masks, demanding everyone to wear a mask. You never, ever want to feel like this. I promise you. I only have love in my heart and it is breaking for people who can't breathe."
This is not the first time the coronavirus pandemic has personally impacted Stone. In April, Eileen Mitzman, whom Stone called her "adopted grandmother," died of the coronavirus. Before Mitzman's death, Stone shared a passionate video about Mitzman and called on her followers to scream out their windows so Mitzman did not have to die alone. "I want you to know that I respect those of you who have lost your loved ones and couldn’t be there with them," she told her followers. "I respect the deaths that are happening at this time. I do not take them lightly and I do not think they were deserved."
‘Black-ish’ Stars Tracee Ellis Ross & Anthony Anderson On Upcoming Season: “We Never Shy Away From Anything That’s Happening In The World”!
From police brutality to the intricacies of Black women’s hair, for six seasons now ABC’s Black-ish has boldly tackled issues and conversations that pertain to the Black experience in America. The stories are told through the eyes of the Johnson Family, led by Andre and Bow, who are played by Emmy nominees Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, respectively.
“I’m proud of the stories that we tell,” said Anderson, who was accompanied by Ross during ABC’s presentation at Deadline’s Contenders Television: The Nominees all-day event. “This show has just been filled with beautiful moments since the pilot and until now leading into Season 7.”
Anderson couldn’t hand-pick a specific moment that stood out, but Ross noted this past season’s “Hair Day” episode where Diane (Marsai Martin) embarks on a hair journey. “It was just a special episode,” said Ross. “It was told in a really different way than we usually tell stories. It took a dive into a subject that is not often explored, Black women and our hair. I think we took a leap in how we were doing. I thought that was interesting.”
While the show is currently mapping out the direction for Season 7, Ross postulated that the next season is “going to stay in line with the DNA of Black-ish. “There’s a lot happening in our world, so I’m sure Black-ish is going to touch on some of it,” she said, noting that the cast has done their first two table reads on Zoom.
“We never shy away from anything that’s happening in the world and in particular our community,” said Anderson. “Black-ish being Black-ish, with our finger on the pulse of what’s happening, in particular within our community, you can rest assured that we will be dealing with the majority of it.”
Halle Berry, 54, Celebrates Her Birthday Weekend With Jaw-Dropping Bikini Shoot!
On Friday, Halle Berry marked her 54th birthday with a shot of her skateboarding in a T-shirt and bikini bottoms, musing, “life just gets better and better!” Judging by how she spent her birthday weekend, she’s not wrong.
Clearly on a hot streak of channeling her Bond-girl-emerging-from-the-surf persona from Die Another Day, the Oscar winner posted sultry footage of her strutting along the beach in a lingerie-inspired black bikini featuring a series of revealing cut-outs and crisscross straps.
“Leo season in full effect,” the birthday girl, who played Bond girl Giacinta "Jinx" Johnson, proudly captioned the video.
While her bikini moment no doubt left many speechless, fans and friends couldn’t resist commenting.
“Miss Berry, Miss Berry, Miss Berry!” wrote rocker Lenny Kravitz.
“I fainted,” joked an impressed Mindy Kaling.
Chris Rock responded with a series of flame emojis, while Reese Witherspoon had this to say: “Holy macaroni!” “Wowza,” added Natalie Portman, while Elise Neal, Storm Reid, Ashanti and other stars offered their own praise and birthday wishes.
In a follow-up post, Berry shared that she was headed to Las Vegas to continue her celebrations and attend UFC 252. What can we say: One total knockout deserves another.
Gucci Mane and Wife Keyshia Ka'oir Are Expecting Their First Child Together!
Gucci Mane is going to be a dad again! He and wife Keyshia Ka'oir are expecting their first child together.
The "Wake Up the Sky" rapper shared the happy news via Instagram on Friday. He posted a photo of Ka'oir posing in black lingerie, with straps and lace outlining her baby bump.
"My wife pregnant my life is great @keyshiakaoir ❤️🔥🥶," the 40-year-old rapper captioned the pic. Ka'oir shared a snap from the same photo shoot but of a different angle, cheekily confirming the pregnancy in her caption.
Gucci, whose real name is Radric Delantic Davis, and Ka'oir wed in October 2017 in a lavished ceremony that they documented for the show Gucci Mane and Keyshia Ka'oir: The Mane Event.
Back in 2019, Ka'Oir tweeted that she hoped to one day have a son with her husband, writing, "I think it’s time I get off birth control & have us the cutest lil baby boy."
Both are already parents -- the Atlanta-based rapper has a 12-year-old son, Keitheon, with his ex, Sheena Evans, while the 35-year-old Jamaica-born model has two daughters and a son from a previous relationship.
A Florida Sheriff Allegedly Had His Mistress Arrested—Now He’s Behind Bars For Tampering With Evidence!
The Sherriff of Clay County, FL, Darryl Daniels, confessed to his wife that he was having an affair with an employee of his for six years. Then, he has his mistress arrested.
In May 2019, Daniels came clean to his wife Denise about his affair with one of his correctional officers, Cierra Smith. Daniels and Smith met in 2013 when he was the chief of Jacksonville’s jails, and she was undergoing her first week of job orientation as a new corrections officer, WJXX reports. The pair exchanged contact information and began meeting weekly for sex. Over the six-year-long affair, the two took a vacation to Costa Rica together, and when Smith married another man just two years into the affair, Daniels gave the bridal toast at her wedding.
Smith’s husband caught on eventually though, and alerted his wife’s new bosses, in addition to confronting Daniels. That’s when Daniels knew it was only a matter of time before his own marriage crumbled and decided to confess. The week after Daniels told his wife Denise, he and Smith planned to still see each other for their weekly meeting. It would be their first since their secret had come out, but this time Daniels had one of his own. He was setting Smith up.
When Daniels saw Smith’s car approaching their regular meeting spot, he allegedly radioed emergency dispatch, calling for backup. He told them he was being followed by a stalker in a Jeep and was in “imminent danger.”
Smith was arrested and held in police custody for six hours before deputies decided they didn’t actually have probable cause to book her on stalking charges, so she was released. Now, following a year-long investigation, Florida authorities arrested Daniels, charging him with one felony count of tampering with evidence, as well as three misdemeanor counts of giving false information to other law enforcement officials, according to the Florida Times-Union. He was later released without bond.
Daniels has acknowledged and publicly apologized to his wife Denise for the affair, but as far as his attempt to have Smith arrested, he claims he’s innocent. With the scandal surfacing publicly just days before he is up for reelection, Daniels has refused to resign or drop out of the race. He calls the whole thing “suspicious” timing, but assures the incident will not affect his job performance.
“I want you to look past the smokescreen of dirty politics,” he said in a video Thursday. “One thing I take ownership of as a man is my failures as a husband. That has nothing to do with me as a sheriff.”
With five new, hopeful candidates taking on Daniels in Tuesday’s elections, the sheriff’s lawyer, Matt Kachergus, alleges authorities issued the warrant this week in order to in an effort to “influence the outcome of that election.”
“The question that I want you to ask yourself, and I don’t have the answer to it, is this: Why today? Why couldn’t it wait? Unless there was some ulterior motive behind the decisions to impact a political race,” Daniels said.
During the time of the initial probe in June 2019, an anonymous letter was sent to had been sent to state officials, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, from an alleged Clay County Sheriff’s Office employee. “He is losing touch with reality and appears violent, ” the employee wrote of Daniels. “We are concerned about not only our reputation of the Sheriff’s Office but also our safety. … PLEASE HELP US!” The anonymous employee urged DeSantis to fire Daniels and claimed that the sheriff threatened to “murder” staff members who spoke openly to state investigators or leaked any information on social media.
Daniels’s office refused to comment on the anonymous allegations publicly, Smith has now resigned from her job, and Daniels’s wife has filed for divorce.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘CHIPS & DIP’
Whatever, it’s 2020. You do you my man. Go celebrate Cinco de August. In fact, count me in. I could go for a whole mess of nachos right now.
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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