Laura Harrier for V Magazine - Fall 2020!
Actress and next generation superstar Laura Harrier graces the cover of V Magazine Fall 2020 Issue V126. Known for her roles in Netflix show, ‘Hollywood’ and Spike Lee’s ‘BlacKkKlansman,’ Laura Harrier chats with Hollywood legend Halle Berry in an intimate interview discussing their bi-racial identities and the adversities Black women actors face. Harrier opens up on her life’s mission, which is to vividly represent Black women on screen and in a gripping conversation with Berry, she gains insight and advice firsthand on how to persevere in Hollywood.
On young women of color: “I want young black girls to feel seen. Representing young women of color is what I care about most.”
On BLM protests: “It was amazing to be a part of the Black Lives Matter marches — the collective consciousness of people wanting to fight the system, and uplift black people.”
On past trailblazers: “How could Dorothy Dandridge and Lena Horne have had the bravery and foresight? I have so much respect for the women who came before me.”
#RHOA: NeNe Leakes Deletes Her IG Amid Drama Over ‘RHOA’ Contract!
NeNe Leakes has deleted her Instagram page amid questions of whether she’ll return for season 13 of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
Still, her Twitter is going strong as her most recent message urges her fans and followers to “support black women.” She wrote Tuesday night (Aug. 25th):
“Support Black Women, Protect Black Women! You have no idea what they’ve been thru or the WEIGHT they have carried on their backs silently for yearsssssssssss. Thank you! Bye”
Just days before NeNe Leakes tweeted, “I hav protected every1 for years and covered up things i shouldn’t have! I took the beating so others didn’t have too and no one has protected me or stood up for me. Y’all have gone silent and turned the other cheek. You are NOT exempted from getting this same treatment 1 day”
Interestingly enough, “The Real Housewives of Orange County” veteran Tamra Judge possibly suggested NeNe Leakes is no longer on the show. She showed love to “The Real Housewives of New York” star Dorinda Medley on Instagram just hours after her departure from the show was announced.
Tamra Judge included the hashtag #NeNe in a list of other ladies who once starred in the “Real Housewives” franchise like Bethenny Frankel, telling Dorinda Medley:
“it’s pretty amazing on the other side.”
It’s not clear why NeNe Leakes erased her Instagram account, but there has been lots of drama surrounding her role in the upcoming season of “RHOA.” As of last month, she still hadn’t signed her contract and said it was because of the network, not her.
She said on Instagram Live:
“Every single season, when it ends- for at least the last three to four seasons – I’ve been dealing with this. Going back and forth? It’s not me; it’s them. I know a lot of people think it’s me. [They say,] ‘NeNe holds out ’til the last minute…’ A negotiation does take time, but I cannot move their pens any faster than they move them themselves…there’s so much issues with NeNe…One of the issues we have addressed that one side said to my side is, ‘She calls herself a queen- the HBIC. And, quite frankly, we are tired of hearing that.’ Well, I am a queen. I am [my husband] Gregg’s queen. I am [my son] Brent’s queen. I am [my son] Bryson’s queen, and I am a Black queen. So, you won’t be not hearing that anytime soon…I wonder did Porsha get that same call. ‘Cause I know for two reunions, she has worn a crown. So I wonder if she considers herself a queen.”
“Another thing I know was addressed was that I was told that I hit one of the producers, and they could’ve prosecuted me for that if they wanted to. They showed the tape to everybody that was watching. I never hit any producer. It was my camera guy. I grabbed his t-shirt, and his t-shirt tore…I wonder would they prosecute Theresa [Giudice] from [‘Real Housewives of] New Jersey’ when she pushed Andy down at the reunion. Wonder if they had that same conversation with her.”
Why do you think NeNe Leakes deleted her Instagram account?
#NewMusic from Toni Braxton – Gotta Move On (Featuring H.E.R.)!
Toni Braxton’s new album “Spell My Name” is set to come out this Friday, but she wanted to share this new song with us and let us know that she has some great stuff on the way.
LISTEN HERE
“Gotta Move On” is the latest release from the new album. The song features R&B star H.E.R. who has established herself as one of the go to artists in R&B today. The collaboration on this one is a little different than the typicalvocal duet that we see in R&B as H.E.R. instead lends her guitar skills to the track.
#HipHopNews: Nas Debuts ‘Ultra Black’ Video!
Nas is going “Ultra Black.” Less than a week after the release of his album King’s Disease, Nas celebrates all things Black in the uplifting video for the album’s anthemic lead single. The Spike Jordan-directed clip opens with Nas in the kitchen while Hit-Boy cooks up a beat in the living room with a baby girl on his lap. A dapper Nas makes several fashion statements while showcasing powerful images of Black families. Harlem couturier Dapper Dan also makes a cameo.
“Black is beautiful!” declares Nas while standing alongside a Bentley.
WATCH HERE
King’s Disease was released Friday featuring a reunion with The Firm’s Foxy Brown, AZ, and Cormega, plus features from Big Sean, Don Toliver, Anderson .Paak, and more.
Nas recently teamed up with the Pantone Color Institute to launch his very own color, “Ultra Black By Nas,” along with a special line of merch. A portion of the proceeds will go to charity
Halle Berry To Represent Herself In Divorce Proceedings!
Halle Berry is planning to face off against top lawyer Laura Wasser in her divorce battle with ex-husband Olivier Martinez.
The former Bond Girl and the Frenchman split five years ago and now they are signing off on their marriage.
Martinez will be represented by Hollywood heavyweight Wasser, while Halle has opted to cut back on attorney costs and speak for herself
Her former lawyer, Marina Zakiyan Beck, signed off as her representative on 30 July, according to Entertainment Tonight.
The divorce proceedings are expected to be drama free with the main point of contention being custody arrangements surrounding the former couple’s son, Maceo.
Rihanna Reveals Her No. 1 Beauty Icon In Interview With A$AP Rocky!
After launching Fenty Skin at the end of the July, Rihanna asked A$AP Rocky star in the skin care line's campaign. Now, almost two months later, Rocky has interviewed Rihanna for Vogue where she opened up about things like her favorite TV show to watch, who her No. 1 beauty icon is, the part of the beauty industry that she wishes would change and more.
Rihanna is a beauty icon herself with Fenty Skin and the incredible Fenty Beauty line to her name, but her beauty icon is none other than her own mother, Monica. Rih explained to Rocky that her mom used to sell beauty products, and that she wanted to be just like her. Rihanna recalled, "My entire concept of beauty came from her. I was always so intrigued by her. I wanted to dress like her, I wanted to look like her, do my hair like her, do my makeup like her. She was a sales girl for beauty products and perfume, makeup. It's so weird that it has come full circle that all of these ventures are things that have extended my creativity too and has been a part of my brand overall. So, I learn from the best."
As for what she wishes would change in terms of the beauty industry, Rihanna explained that there should be more diversity in its leadership. She said, "I wish that the leaders of the beauty industry were [a] more diverse set of pioneers who have not just experienced the culture, but have experienced on a negligence in the industry when it comes to their skin tone or skin type. I feel like there [are] so many voids to be filled, and we will only know that by the pioneers that have experienced those voids and the lack of their representation in the industry. And I think by having an eclectic array of skin types, skin tones, different cultures and people and representations of religions and cultures, you would have the most information on where to go next."
Here are some fun facts we learned about Rihanna from her interview with A$AP Rocky:
-One of her favorite TV shows to watch is Real Housewives.
-Even though she has a song called "Umbrella," when in comes down to the question of umbrella or jacket, Rih would choose jacket!
-The first thing Rihanna notices is about someone is their face — in particular their skin, teeth and smile. She explained, "The first thing you see is someone's face, unless you're looking at their shoes. I usually tend to look at their skin, their teeth, their smile. And then after that, it's more about like what, whatever energy they're giving off."
Watch Rihanna's full interview with A$AP Rocky HERE!
NBA Playoff Games Postponed After Milwaukee Bucks Boycott in Honor of Jacob Blake!
NBA players are taking a stand against police brutality.
On Wednesday, Aug. 26, the Milwaukee Bucks decided to boycott Game 5 of their playoff series with the Orlando Magic to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.
According to ESPN, the Bucks did not come onto the court before the 4 p.m. EST start time. NBA officials later went into the locker room before learning of the team's boycott.
"Some things are bigger than basketball," Milwaukee Bucks SVP Alex Lasry shared on Twitter. "The stand taken today by the players and org shows that we're fed up. Enough is enough. Change needs to happen. I'm incredibly proud of our guys and we stand 100% behind our players ready to assist and bring about real change."
The Orlando Magic team later issued a statement supporting their competitors.
"Today, we stand united with the NBA Office, the National Basketball Players Association, the Milwaukee Bucks and the rest of the league condemning bigotry, racial injustice and unwarranted use of violence by police against people of color," the statement read.
"The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association today announced that in light of the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to not take the floor today for Game 5 against the Orlando Magic, today's three games–Bucks vs. Magic, Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers-have been postponed. Game 5 of each series will be rescheduled," the NBA said in a release.
As the news broke, many NBA players spoke out on social media in support of the decision.
"Proud of our players! @NBA," Dwyane Wade shared on Twitter. LeBron James added, "F—K THIS MAN!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT."
Additionally, the WNBA postponed three games set to take place Wednesday night.
Atlanta Dream player Elizabeth Williams delivered a statement on behalf of the athletes, which read, "We stand in solidarity with our brothers in the NBA, and will continue this conversation with our brothers and sisters across all leagues and look to take collective action. What we have seen over the last few months, and most recently with the brutal police shooting of Jacob Blake, is overwhelming. And while we hurt for Jacob and his community, we also have an opportunity to keep the focus on the issues and demand change. These moments are why it's important for our fans to stay focused, hear our voices, know our hearts, and connect the dots from what we say to what we do."
Several across the MLB and MLS also opted against playing.
Tennis star Naomi Osaka joined the boycott and said she would not play in the semi-finals of the 2020 Western & Southern Open on Thursday, Aug. 27. She wrote in a statement shared to Twitter, "...before I am an athlete, I am a black woman. And as a black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need attention, rather than watching me play tennis."
The protests come less than a week after Jacob, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot by Wisconsin police officers. The confrontation was videotaped by a bystander and posted on social media.
According to NBC News, who cited a family lawyer, Jacob is paralyzed from the waist down and doctors don't know if the condition is permanent.
Jacob's family reacted to the NBA's decision in a statement on Instagram. "Sports give us an escape from the challenges of everyday life, but times like today require us to steer directly into those challenges and make meaningful change happen, change that will require real sacrifice by all of us," family attorney Ben Crump said in part. "This gesture by the Bucks is an example of that kind of sacrifice and sends a clear message that they won't continue performing for America's entertainment until this ultimate weight is removed from their hearts and minds, insisting on an end to the open season on Black Americans. Athletes like these committed players will lead the way to real change."
Come See The Legendary Clark Sisters’ Live Virtual Experience Concert on Aug. 30th, 2020!
Tickets to The Legendary Clark Sisters’ Virtual Concert Available Now!
Tickets are now available for The Clark Sisters Live Virtual Experience presented by Karew Entertainment. The concert will air Sunday, August 30th at 7pm EST on Facebook Live. This is the first ever virtual concert for the 3x Grammy Award-winning group, and felt it is important to bring joy to their fanbase. With a global pandemic and civil unrest impacting millions in ways unimaginable, this virtual concert experience is a positive reminder of God’s love in the mist of chaos.
With surprise guest appearances, exclusive rehearsal footage and virtual meet and greet options, enjoy a night with The Clark Sisters.
Ticket Prices
General Admission: $12.99
VIP Admission: $19.99.
To purchase virtual concert tickets, visit TheClarkSistersVirtualExperience.com
Also, in addition to the upcoming virtual concert, the deluxe version of their hit album, The Return, will be available for purchase Friday, August 21. This will be inclusive of new music as well as awesome visuals never before seen of The Clark Sisters
'The Masked Singer' Season 4 Premiere Date, Costumes Revealed!
The Masked Singer is set to come back incredibly soon with a new crop of masked celebrity singers. TV Line reported that Season 4 of The Masked Singer would premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Not only did the show reveal when fans can expect to see the next season, but they also showcased a sneak peek at the costumes that the mystery celebrities will be donning when they belt out some tunes on the Masked Singer stage.
On Wednesday, FOX announced that The Masked Singer would premiere on Sept. 23 in its usual 8 p.m. ET time slot. Additionally, they shared the 14 names of the costumes that celebrities will be wearing when they take to the stage. The costumes are Gremlin, Snow Owl, Crocodile, Giraffe, Broccoli, Popcorn, Sea Horse, Jellyfish, Mushroom, Whatchamacallit, Squiggly Monster, Dragon, Baby Alien, and Sun. The network has not yet shared photos of all of these costumes. Although, they did share a teaser for the upcoming season that showcased glimpses of a few of the wild faces, including the Giraffe. A couple of weeks before the Season 4 premiere, FOX will air a pre-season sneak peek special to get fans excited about the new slate of masked singers. This special will air on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. ET.
When the next season of the competition does premiere, there will be some new rules involved. For the first time, fans will have the chance to influence the competition via a vote, as Deadline reported. As part of a virtual audience, viewers will get the opportunity to vote on their favorite performances. These votes will help determine who goes through to the next round of the competition. This new aspect of the series ties back to what executive producer Craig Plestis told Deadline in May about the "bonkers" direction that the show will head in. He told the publication, "I want to increase the bonkers level and keep the production values up. There are things that you're going to see in [Season 4] that you haven't seen anywhere else, not only here but anywhere in the globe."
The Masked Singer's Season 4 premiere will be followed by a brand-new show on the network, I Can See Your Voice, which is produced by the same team that brought audiences the Masked Singer. I Can See Your Voice will be hosted by Ken Jeong, who also serves as a judge on The Masked Singer. The new series will feature a panel comprised of Jeong, actor Cheryl Hines, and The Real co-host Adrienne Bailon-Houghton. According to a press release for the show, there will also be "a rotating panel of celebrity detectives, comprised of comedians and pop culture experts, and a musical superstar."
Ellen DeGeneres' Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Vandalized After QAnon Rally!
Amidst the controversy surrounding her talk show, Ellen DeGeneres' star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was vandalized, as The Blast reported. The publication noted that her star had the word "Pedo" written on it with a purple Sharpie. Individuals who were walking by the star on Tuesday morning noticed that her star was vandalized. This act comes shortly after a QAnon rally was held over the weekend at Hollywood Blvd and Vine.
The city subsequently sent someone to remove all of the marks that had been placed on the talk show host's star. However, as seen in a photo obtained by The Blast, residual marks could still be seen on it. As of right now, it's unclear who vandalized the star. This act of vandalism is believed to be in connection with the QAnon conspiracy theory. DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have been falsely accused by QAnon believers of being involved in a human trafficking ring. The Huffington Post described this dangerous, pro-Donald Trump conspiracy theory by noting, "QAnon believers follow the postings of "Q," an anonymous individual who claims to be a high-ranking official working with Trump to take down a supposed cabal of Satanic-worshipping pedophiles who have breached the highest levels of government, media, and entertainment."
This news comes amidst reports that several former and current staffers have alleged that there is a toxic work environment on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Over the past several months, many individuals have claimed that there has been inappropriate behavior on the set of the talk show, with employees alleging intimidation, racism, and sexual harassment. In light of those allegations, The Ellen DeGeneres Show has fired three of their top producers — Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and Jonathan Norman. Mary Connelly, Andy Lassner, and Derek Westervelt will continue to serve as executive producers with DeGeneres at the helm. Additionally, the show's resident DJ, Stephen' tWitch' Boss has been promoted to an executive producer position.
DeGeneres reportedly apologized to her staffers for what allegedly took place on the set of the talk show. "I'm so so sorry for what this has become. I've left this to be a well-oiled machine, and I realize it's not a machine…its human beings," her message read, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "I apologize for anyone who's feelings I've hurt. I'm not perfect. I'm multi-layered and I learn from my mistakes. I care about each and every one of you. I'm grateful for each and every one of you."
Cardi B Debuts Pink Heart-Shaped Pigtail Hairstyle!
The “WAP” rapper, 27, keeps pushing the limits with her fashion and beauty looks and now, thanks to longtime hairstylist Tokyo Stylez, Cardi’s debuted one of her most incredible hair looks yet.
On Tuesday night, she showed off a pink wig sculpted into two pigtails into the shape of hearts, with squiggly lines and braids as decoration.
Cardi’s fans immediately expressed awe at Tokyo Stylez’s creation. Vanessa Hudgens commented that she was “obsessed” with the scuptural look, and Brielle Biermann said she loved it. “Ready for hunger games,” another person wrote.
Tons of other people not only admired Cardi’s new look — and questioned how the rapper slept with it in place — but also her oversized Moschino zipper-pull earrings ($470).
According to Cardi’s Instagram Stories, where she documented some of the styling process, the look took at least three hours to create. Let’s hope the rapper keeps the daring look for a bit longer.
Biggie’s Famous “King Of New York” Crown To Be Auctioned In Sotheby’s First Hip-Hop Auction!
Sotheby’s, one of the world’s largest brokers of fine and decorative art, jewelry, real estate, and collectibles, will sell Notorious B.I.G.’s crown that was worn during his King of New York photoshoot.
The broker will hold an auction that will reflect how hip-hop has impacted art and culture over nearly 40 years. According to their press release, the event will also serve as the first hip-hop auction to be presented at a major international auction house. Monica Lynch, former president of Tommy Boy Records, organized the event.
Biggie wore the crown in his last photo shoot, just three days before his murder in 1997. Up until now, photographer Barron Claiborne had possession of the crown before offering it to Sotheby’s. Also included in the lot are three specially sized prints of the Brooklyn legend’s photograph, the 10th-anniversary K.O.N.Y. photograph, and the contact sheet, with an estimated value of $200,000 to $300,000.
In total, the auction will showcase over 120 items, including the archive of 22 autographed love letters written by 16-year-old 2Pac to Kathy Loy, his high school sweetheart and fellow student at the Baltimore School for the Arts. The letters are worth an estimated $60,000 to $80,000.
Part of the proceeds will go to the Queens Public Library Foundation, which will help support their Hip-Hop Programs and Building Beats, a nonprofit organization that uses D.J. and music programs to teach tech, entrepreneurial, and leadership skills to the youth.
Cassandra Hatton, Vice President & Senior Specialist in Sotheby’s Books & Manuscripts Department, released a statement calling the auction a “celebration” of hip-hop and its influence.
“Since its birth in the Bronx in the 1970s, Hip Hop has become a global cultural force, whose massive influence continues to shape all realms of culture: music, fashion, design, art, film, social attitudes, language, and more. This sale is a celebration of the origins and early eras of that influence. We are pleased to announce the auction with two renowned and beloved icons whose lives and lyricism continue to resonate—Biggie and Tupac—with lots that offer an introspective look, in their own way, at the personalities behind their respective public personas.”
The auction will take place on on September 15th in New York
Rusten Sheskey ID’d as Kenosha Cop Who Shot Jacob Blake in the Back 7 Times While He Was Walking Away!
Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Justice have identified the cop who shot Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin as Officer Rusten Sheskey, a seven-year veteran of the Kenosha Police Department.
DOJ officials said Kenosha police were sent to a residence near 28th St. and 40th Ave. after a woman called to report that her boyfriend was present and wasn’t supposed to be on the premises. The woman also complained that Blake had taken her keys and “refused to give them back.”
Eyewitnesses said Blake had pulled his car up near “six or seven women shouting at each other on the sidewalk” and “Blake did not say anything to the women.” According to Blake’s attorney, Benjamin Crump, he was “attempting to de-escalate a fight between two other people who officers arrived at the scene.”
During the incident, officers attempted to arrest Blake, and even deployed a Taser in an unsuccessful attempt to stop Blake and subdue him.
Officials said Blake then walked around the vehicle and opened the driver’s side door. While holding onto Blake’s shirt, Officer Sheskey fired his service weapon seven times “into Mr. Blake’s back,” officials said.
Blake’s three children—ages 3, 5 and 8—were inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
DOJ officials noted that Sheskey was the only officer on the scene who fired their weapon. Officials said during the investigation following the incident, Blake “admitted that he had a knife in his possession.”
After the shooting, authorities say they recovered a knife from the driver’s side floorboard of Blake’s vehicle, but no other weapons were found.
Blake was taken to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, where he remained as of Wednesday. His father said he’s paralyzed from the waist down and doctors say he will likely never walk again.
Videos showing the shooting from multiple angles have since gone viral, fueling protests that have been going on across the country since the May 25th killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
The investigation into Blake’s shooting is being conducted by the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol and Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department. The officers involved have all been placed on administrative leave.
Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA Sells Rights To Half Of His Music Catalog In New Business Deal!
Wu-Tang Clan member RZA has sold off the rights to half of his entire music catalog.
According to Variety, RZA has sold half of his music to the music company Hipgnosis Songs. The company now owns 50 percent of his catalog, which comes out to about 407 tracks. Hipgnosis also acquired the rights to music from #JackAntonoff, #Timbaland, and No ID.
Following the news, RZA wrote a statement about the new collaboration. “I wear various hats in my artistic expressions, but the one that has been so deeply reflective of my life’s journey is my songwriting. I’m honored to partner up with Merck and the Hipgnosis team to usher my songs into an exciting future.”
Hipgnosis Songs founder Merck Mercuriadis shared RZA’s excitement in his own statement, saying, “RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan did not invent hip-hop, but they took it from being fun to something that represented a true reflection of what the streets and being Black in America was really like. They were and are the most authentic band and brand in hip-hop, and it all starts with RZA’s vision, his songs, and his struggle, manifested in music, that could show the entire world what was really going on. He is now globally recognized as a true renaissance man of hip-hop, and most would argue that he is the GOAT.”
On top of his new business ventures, RZA is also coming together with Good Humor to write a new ice cream truck song due to the infamous ice truck song’s racist history. The original ice truck song “Turkey In The Straw,” was used by blackface minstrel show actors, who adopted it and wrote its racist lyrics. RZA says his new song aims to “make a new ice cream jingle for a new era.” He says he wants “to make a melody that includes all communities that’s good for every driver, every kid.”
Macaulay Culkin is Trolling Fans on His 40th Birthday!
Macaulay Culkin is 40! The Home Alone actor is celebrating his birthday today, Wednesday (August 26) by making his fans feel old.
“Hey guys, wanna feel old? I’m 40. You’re welcome,” Macaulay first tweeted. He then added, “It’s my gift to the world: I make people feel old. I’m no longer a kid, that’s my job.”
Now that he’s 40, Macaulay said he’s ready to “start” his midlife crisis, and he’s asking fans for some help with it.
“Since I’m 40 I think it’s about time to start my midlife crisis. I’m thinking of picking up surfing. Do you all have any suggestions?” Macaulay tweeted. “Do any of you have photoshop skill? Can you put my head on a surfer so I can get an idea of how cool I’d look?”
In honor of his birthday, Macaulay‘s girlfriend Brenda Song took to Instagram to wish him a happy birthday.
“Happy 40th birthday to this magical being. I could sit here and write endlessly about how wonderful, kind, loving, genuine, loyal, honest, brilliant and hilarious you are, and how grateful I am that I get to share and do this life thing with you,” Brenda wrote. “But firstly, that would take me an eternity and secondly, you won’t even see this because you don’t ever use instagram. Hahaha. My unicorn that I never thought could exist, I am luckiest person in the world because I am loved by you.”
Earlier this year, it was announced that Macaulay is joining this hit TV show franchise!
Taylor Swift Fan Accidentally Gets Hands On A Box Of Signed 'Folklore' CDs!
Taylor Swift had fans in a frenzy when word spread that she shipped signed copies of folklore to select record stores around the country. However, things didn't go exactly as planned for one of those stores when a superfan found herself holding the shipped box of autographed CDs.
The Swiftie, who has been identified as Brandy Baenen, made her way to the Exclusive Co. shop in Green Day, Wisconsin on Saturday (August 22) and ended up signing off for the UPS drop off package, which held 30 autographed copies of the record-breaking LP. While manager Tom Smith knew that the arrival was heading his way, the store didn’t open 10:00 am and the delivery arrived 15 minutes prior. Despite the temptation, Baenen walked into the store with the box and handed it over to Smith.
"I said, 'Thank you for not walking off with this,'" the record store manager recalled of the incident. "She goes, 'Taylor would have not wanted me to walk off with this.'"
Speaking with the Green Bay Press Gazette, Smith said that the entire box could have easily gone for $9,000 online, but he was pleased that the superfan did the right thing. "It's really endearing," he added. "Taylor Swift does so much good with her celebrity, and you can see how it also trickles down to her fans."
Smith also shared his appreciation for Swift's big move, admitting that showing love to independent record stores speaks volumes for someone of her stature. "Before the internet, the record stores were the ones doing all the heavy lifting and helping make and break artists," he explained. "It's not like Taylor is up and coming and has to jump through hoops to get her name out there. She has made it, so to see her showing this love to indie stores is really great and appreciated."
Washington Redskin’s Owner Dan Snyder Accused of Propositioning Cheerleaders; Treated Women “Like Servants”!
The Washington Post has provided more details from its probe into the allegations of a toxic work environment behind the scenes of the Washington Redskin’s football team, including new allegations against team owner Dan Snyder.
According to the Bleacher Report, the Post interviewed over 100 current and former employees. It examined internal documents and records from the team, obtaining evidence that portrays Snyder as allegedly “[presiding] over an organization in which women say they have been marginalized, discriminated against and exploited.”
In the words of the notorious outlet, “This is what the NFL gets for not scraping Daniel Snyder off its shoe before now.” Especially now that the soft porn videos displaying cheerleaders and the phrase “the good bits” has landed in the hands of the Washington Post. According to the publication, outtakes of nipples and crotches accidentally shown but intentionally collected were captured for the pleasure of some of the “pervs” in the Washington football organization’s upper management.
And now Snyder’s allies and owners have been reluctant to force a sale of the Washington Redskins due to his “shoddy” business practices, all because they never got rid of him.
Former cheerleader Tiffany Bacon Scourby was one of the many who spoke out about her experience while being associated with the organization and recalled the time she was at a 2004 charity event at the Washington Hilton. It was then that Snyder suggested she go upstairs to a hotel room with one of his old high school buddies, Anthony Roberts.
Scourby said Snyder motioned over to Roberts, an ophthalmologist for the team, and said, “go upstairs and get to know each other better.” Following the proposition, she discussed it with cheerleader director Donald Wells, who admitted to the Post that Scourby was “more or less propositioned.”
Susan Miller was another person who spoke out against the billionaire and his franchise. She served as the president of an employee referral agency in Virginia. She provided more insight into how bad things had gotten when she explained that she stopped directing people to work for the Washington Football Team because of the general atmosphere as well as Snyder’s behavior.
“He denigrated people,” she said. “He treated women like servants.”
In July, the Post interviewed 15 women who accused team officials Larry Michael and Alex Santos of sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Michael was the team’s former senior vice president of content and radio broadcast, and Santos was the former director of pro personnel. Notably, at that time, the Post stated that “none of the women accused Snyder or former longtime team president Bruce Allen of inappropriate behavior with women, but they expressed skepticism that the men were unaware of the behavior they allege.”
Subsequent to the report going public, Snyder issued a statement confirming the organization was bringing in an outside law firm “to do a full, unbiased investigation and make any and all requisite recommendations.”
But, the July investigation was not the first time the team faced backlash for how it treated female employees. In May 2018, the New York Times’ Juliet Mancur broke the news that during a 2013 cheerleading squad trip to Costa Rica for the team’s calendar shoot, the franchise allowed some sponsors and suite holders to obtain up-close access to the photoshoots and some sponsors selected cheerleaders to be their “personal escorts at a nightclub.”
It doesn’t stop there; female interns are said to have been treated like “fresh meat to a pack of wolves” while interning at the team’s headquarters, in an environment that consisted of constant unwanted advances and pervasive harassment. It got so bad that the women formed a secret support group.
The revelations suggest exactly what the Post has highlighted that due to the team’s upper management negligence, they now find themselves guilty by association for not nipping the problem in the bud a while back. Furthermore, if they choose not to “overthrow” Snyder from his throne, they will “own his franchise’s misdeeds, past, and future.”
According to the NFL rules set in place, owners can vote a forced sale if one “has been or is guilty of conducted detrimental to the welfare of the League or professional football.” How Snyder’s fellow owners respond to the new discovery will say a lot.
People would like to see beyond the routine punishment of an NFL in-house investigation, which is followed by a commissioner fine. Instead, they want to see justice that will show those in power that they can’t do anything they want and get away with it.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘UP IN SMOKE’
Ah yes, as the great poet Nate Dogg once said “Heyyyeyyy………smoke weed everyday.”
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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