Viola Davis and Stacey Abrams for Variety - Feb 2021!
A-list actress Viola Davis and political power-player Stacey Abrams are both titans in their own fields.
And the pair of high-profile women talked about their responsibility to fight for a better world while in conversation for Variety's Black Women Of Awards Season issue.
During the chat Viola, 55, explained how her awards season clout is just another avenue for advocacy, telling Stacey, 47: 'It's a platform. It's another microphone. It's another opportunity to open my mouth and speak a really fundamental truth about Hollywood and this business and, really, America.'
Viola, who has an Oscar for her role in 2016's Fences, is earning rave reviews for her role in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, an adaptation of the August Wilson play of the same name.
'It was interesting to play a woman who has that inside of her, but that other part that says, "You may not see me, but I see me,"' Davis told Abrams of her character, a revered blues singer from the 1920s.
'...It was a joy to play someone who was that emotionally free and Black,' the How To Get Away With Murder star said of the role.
'With Ma, she had the freedom of being absolutely who she was because she gave herself permission. I wanted to honor her. I want to honor all the Black people that I portray.'
But to play complex characters like Ma, Viola had to forge her own path.
'I took the reins out of necessity,' she told Stacey of her career. 'There aren't movies that are being done and developed with anyone like me in mind.
'I'm a 55-year-old dark-skinned woman in Hollywood. I'm still in the "maid," the "urban mother crying over her dead son's body in the middle of the road" category. I'm not seen as sexual.
'The most basic fundamentals of what makes a woman do not trickle down to me. For me to get those roles and be seen in that way, I had to create and develop them myself.'
Stacey's political career took her down a similar route, as she told Viola: 'I think that one of the reasons you and your characters resonate with me so much is that you seem so intentional about how you are going to reconcile your space and how you're going to enter this world.'
Now, Abrams is also looking towards her own awards season success, with her documentary All In: The Fight For Democracy already pegged as a contender in the Oscar's Best Documentary Feature category.
'It's an extraordinary thing to know that the intent of the film has been recognized,' she said of the project, which followed the story of her 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race against Republican Brian Kemp, a race which was plagued with allegations of voter suppression.
Kemp ended up winning by fewer than 55,000 votes. While Abrams accepted the results of the election she made a point not to concede, telling Georgians 'democracy failed' them during a November 2018 speech.
Talking about All In, Stacey said: 'The goal was to provide Americans with the tools they needed to identify and mitigate voter suppression and that constant attack on their citizenship.'
Among those tools: a desire for retribution.'Sometimes we need to vote out of revenge,' Abrams, who founded the organization Fight Fair after her campaign to combat voter suppression, explained.
'Your failure to do your job to serve me is cause enough for me to remove you from office. I think vengeance gets a bad rap. We see it as sort of evil. If you aren't willing to do your job, you don’t deserve your job.'
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is available on Netflix now. All In can be streamed on Amazon Prime.
The Philadelphia Eagles Have traded Carson Wentz to The Indianapolis Colts!
It’s done. Carson Wentz is headed to Indianapolis.I The return is far less that what Philadelphia had been reportedly been hoping to receive in exchange for the former No. 2 overall pick. It had been said that the Eagles were initially looking for a return similar to what the Lions received for Matthew Stafford, or at least a first-round pick. Now according to Mike Garafolo, the only way the 2022 second-round pick turns into a first is if Wentz plays 75% of the team’s snaps, or he plays 70% and the Colts make the playoffs.
With Wentz off the board, Ryan Pace and the Bears now must turn their attention to another potential starting quarterback. The crown jewel of the offseason, Deshaun Watson, is still out there. So are rumors that others could be available for trade, like Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota, Sam Darnold or Jimmy Garoppolo. There are also plenty of free agent QBs on the market, like Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Jacoby Brissett and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Teams can begin signing free agents once the new league year begins on March 17th.
#RHOA: Kandi Burruss Reveals What Annoys Her the Most About Each of Her Castmates!
Kandi Burruss is spilling the tea on her Real Housewives of Atlanta castmates.
While appearing virtually as a guest on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen Sunday, the 44-year-old reality star took part in a segment titled "What Makes You Feel Crabby Cakes," where she dished about her fellow RHOA costars' most annoying traits.
When first asked by host Andy Cohen what irks her about Porsha Williams, Burruss said that she would get annoyed every time Williams, 39, said, "Blame it on the Henny."
"I don't want to hear you blaming anything else on ... alcohol — no," she said. "That's a wrap."
The singer and music producer then said that Kenya Moore calling her "off the show" about Burruss not having her back on the Bravo series was one incident that annoyed her.
"We can't debate everything that happens on this show, it's not going to work. We can't talk about this stuff no more, it's done," Buruss said of Moore, 50.
Cynthia Bailey escaped Burruss' list of annoyances, telling Cohen that she couldn't think of anything that irritates her about the newly married reality star, before revealing that hearing about newcomer Drew Sidora's "heel or Achilles ankle injury" is what annoyed her most about The Game actress, 35.
And as for Marlo Hampton? Burruss explained that she was "she was super sensitive this season."
"She got upset a lot," the OLG restaurateur continued. "I mean, y'all haven't seen some of that stuff yet — and I don't know how much [Bravo] is going to show — but especially like when we went to New Orleans and different things, she got ... sensitive about a lot of things this year."
Wrapping up the segment, Cohen, 52, then asked Burruss about her thoughts on new addition LaToya Ali.
"I'm mad at LaToya right now because she was supposed to come meet up with me three times and stood me up three times," Burruss explained. "Like, literally [saying], 'Oh, I'm on my way' and then ... you don't hear from her."
The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays (8 p.m. ET) on Bravo.
R.I.P. Prince Markie Dee, Of The Fat Boys Has Died at 52!
Mark Anthony Morales, known to rap fans worldwide by his stage name Prince Markie Dee, has died. As one-third of the ’80s rap trio The Fat Boys, Prince Markie Dee helped establish the sound of old-school hip-hop (mixed with a healthy dose of self-deprecating comedy), before embarking on a solo career that saw him produce for some of the biggest artists in the business. Per Variety, Morales was 52. No cause of death has been announced.
A Brooklyn native, Morales—already teamed up with Damon “Kool Rock-Ski” Wimbley and Darren “The Human Beat-Box” Robinson—came to musical prominence in the early ’80s, when “The Disco 3" won a dance and rap contest held at Radio City Music Hall. Renamed as The Fat Boys after an initial European tour, Prince Markie Dee and his groupmates embraced a public image that sometimes had them dismissed as a “novelty” act—but rarely by people who actually knew anything about rap. Introducing sounds like beatboxing to the musical mainstream, and working with producer Kurtis Blow, the early Fat Boys album might be frequently food-focused, but they also featured clever rhymes, addictive hooks, and a technical proficiency that undercut any accusations of the group being a “mere” comedy group.
A series of popular commercials for Swatch led to the trio also becoming film stars, lending their talents first to 1985's Krush Groove, and then eventually to 1987's Disorderlies, allowing Morales and his friends to become a popular face for the rising tide of rap. But though The Fat Boys continued to release well-received albums throughout the 1980s—with Crushin’, featuring a collaboration with The Beach Boys, scoring their only Platinum release—changing tastes in rap music in the 1990s led to a slow decline in the group’s fortunes. Prince Markie Dee left the group to explore his solo prospects in the early ’90s, releasing his first solo album, Free, in 1992. Winding its way from rap toward R&B, Free was a moderate success, with “Typical Reasons (Swing My Way)” landing at No. 1 on Billboard’s rap charts.
Morales then embarked on a career as a producer, with his list of collaborators in the 1990s reading like a who’s who of major musical trends: Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Marc Anthony, and Craig Mac all worked with him and used his tunes (including on Blige’s first big hit, “Real Love”). In 1995, the death of Robinson ended any hopes for a possible true Fat Boys reunion, although Wimbley and Morales reportedly played at least a few gigs together in later years, with Doug E. Fresh serving as their beatboxer. Morales spent much of the intervening years on the radio, hosting and DJ-ing stations in and around Miami.
Prince Markie Dee’s death was announced online today by his manager, Louis Gregory. He was memorialized online by many this evening—perhaps most notably by Questlove, who highlighted how many boundaries The Fat Boys broke with their rise to the national consciousness.
#NewMusic from Sevyn Streeter ‘Guilty’ (Featuring Chris Brown & A$AP Ferg)!
Sevyn Streeter has reunited with her long time collaborator Chris Brown on the new song ‘Guilty”. The groovy record which also features A$AP Ferg will appear on Sevyn’s much anticipated sophomore project “Drunken Wordz, Sober Thoughtz” which will be released on eOne. This will be Sevyn’s first independent album as her last project “Girl Disrupted” was released on Atlantic Records.
LISTEN HERE
Sevyn has released a few songs off her project already including the single “HMU” which came out last year. She also helped co-write “Talk 2 Me Baby” by The Bonfyre on her debut album “Love, Lust & Let Downs: Chapter One”.
#HipHopNews: Tory Lanez roasted on social media after revealing massive hair loss!
Tory Lanez might want to see about a gettting refund on his hair restoration procedure after it has been revealed that it is not working out. At all.
The disgraced rapper, songwriter and producer, whom most hip-hop fans believe injured Megan Thee Stallion in Los Angeles in July 2020, has failed to fix his follicle foibles and fans find it funny.
Worse, Lanez made a production of his procedure two years ago when he went on Big Boy TV show to discuss the upcoming process.
“It’s not Bosley, though … that’s when they slice your head and do all this weird s—. I didn’t do that. My s— is more so natural,” Lanez said in 2019.
“I met a doctor that does hair restoration — that is specifically for African American and Latino hair. So, basically, I was going away on my corners. They help me do the restoration.”
Well, it appears the process has not worked out.
On Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, the photos of Lanez’s patchy hair at the N.O.R.E Celebrity Basketball Tournament in Miami went viral nationally, and fans gleefully grinded him into the pavement on YouTube and Twitter.
One YouTube observer said: “Dat boy tory got a toilet bowl seat on his head π,” while another commented, “Here’s what’s crazy… There was a barber right there on the court to save that boi life… Tory wildin π΄πΎππ.”
Man Arrested In Hit-And-Run Death Of Nicki Minaj’s Father!
MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — A 70-year-old man arrested Wednesday in the hit-and-run death of rapper Nicki Minaj’s father stopped briefly to ask the injured man if he was OK but didn’t call for help, police said.
Charles Polevich faces charges of leaving the scene of an incident and tampering with physical evidence in connection with the death last week of 64-year-old Robert Maraj on New York’s Long Island.
Polevich, who splits time between Long Island and Guam, where he runs an environmental consulting business, is free on bail following an arraignment in Nassau County court. As a result of his arrest, his driver’s license has been suspended, he was ordered to surrender his passport and a judge said he can’t leave the state.
“He was absolutely aware of what happened,” Nassau County Police Detective Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said at a news conference.
“He got out of the car and he looked at the deceased, got into his car, and made the conscious decision to leave instead of dialing 911, instead of calling an ambulance for the man,” Fitzpatrick said. “He went home and secluded the vehicle. He’s well aware of what he did.”
Polevich’s lawyer, Michael Scotto, described what happened as a tragic accident and said their thoughts were with Maraj’s family.
Maraj was struck by a car at 6:15 p.m. Friday while walking along Roslyn Road in Mineola. He was taken to a hospital and was pronounced dead on Saturday.
Polevich exited his car after hitting Maraj, stood over him and asked if he was OK before walking back to his car and fleeing the scene, police said. Polevich went home and parked his car in a detached garage in an attempt to conceal it from view, police said.
Polevich surrendered Wednesday after detectives used pieces of surveillance video to track the car involved in the crash — a white, 1992 Volvo station wagon — to Polevich’s Mineola home, Fitzpatrick said.
Minaj, 38, was born Onika Tanya Maraj in Trinidad and was raised in the New York City borough of Queens. She has not made any public statement about her father’s death.
Minaj’s mother, Carol Maraj, told Newsday that the family was relieved a suspect was being charged in his death.
“I’m very, very, very happy about the arrest,” Carol Maraj said.
Minaj has spoken in the past about having a strained relationship with her father.
In interviews, she said Robert Maraj suffered from drug addiction and was abusive toward her mother, once setting fire to their house with her inside.
Minaj referenced her father in the 2008 song, “Autobiography,” rapping: “They shoulda thrown the book at you, ’cause I hate you so much that it burn when I look at you.”
Robert Maraj called his daughter’s claims “exaggerated.”
Regina King To Star In, Produce “Shirley Chisolm” Biopic!
Four-time Emmy Award winner Regina King is slated to star as Shirley Chisholm in an upcoming feature biopic. King will also serve as a producer on the project.
According to Variety, the biopic will center on Chisholm’s historic 1972 presidential campaign. Just four years prior, she became the first African-American woman in Congress.
“Shirley Chisholm’s fearless determination has been an inspiration to so many of us, and with this film, we hope to inspire many generations to come,” King said in a statement.
King will produce the film under her company, Royal Ties Productions, with sister Reina Kings. Joining King behind the scenes is Participant’s Jeff Skoll and Anikah McLaren, who will serve as executive producers. Oscar-winning filmmaker John Ridley will serve as director.
“Shirley Chisholm’s life as a politician and her groundbreaking career in Washington is a critical part of American history that is far too often overlooked,” Participant CEO David Linde said in a statement.
“We are thrilled to partner with John, Regina, Reina, and a tremendously talented creative team to share the story of this remarkable woman with audiences everywhere.
Throughout the pandemic, King has continued to deliver praise-worthy projects, including her recent feature directorial debut One Night in Miami. The project poses an opportunity to make King the first Black woman nominated for best director at the Oscars.
“Regina’s passion for bringing a complete and very human portrait of Shirley to life has been evident since literally the day we first met,” Ridley said. “I’m very thankful to both Regina and Reina trusting me to partner in telling the story of this truly remarkable individual.
Lauryn Hill Makes History As First Female Rapper To Reach Riaa Diamond Status!
Lauryn Hill’s debut and only album officially reached a Diamond status, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Over the years, fans always wanted another album or project from Lauryn. In January, Lauryn explained why during an interview for Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest albums podcast (Lauryn’s album was included in the list). According to Lauryn, after she dropped her first album, no one from her label asked her how they can help her make another one.
“The wild thing is no one from my label has ever called me and asked how can we help you make another album, EVER…EVER. Did I say ever? Ever!”
She continued,
“After the Miseducation, there were scores of tentacled obstructionists, politics, repressing agendas, unrealistic expectations, and saboteurs EVERYWHERE. People had included me in their own narratives of THEIR successes as it pertained to my album, and if this contradicted my experience, I was considered an enemy.”
The former Fugee member is now up there with other icons like Eminem, 2Pac, Outkast, The Notorious B.I.G., and the Beastie Boys who also have Diamond status.
Blue joined her Ivy Park designer mom, 30, to model the label's highly-anticipated "Icy Park" capsule collection (dropping at adidas.com on Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. EST), and it looks like she's already inherited her mom's modeling finesse.
In addition to posing in various brown bralettes, slouchy pants, jackets and even a bucket hat, the star wore a puffer stole over her shoulders and a matching thong bodysuit which revealed her butt as she turned to the side in the campaign video circulating on social media.
"My Beautiful grandbaby Blue Ivy looking like a little super model in her Ivy Park," Knowles-Lawson captioned the Instagram. "Swing your hair Blue ,!!!!! She inserted herself into this shoot. No she was not supposed to be in it ! She was just hanging out and got dressed and I guess she said 'I'm not gonna tell you what I could do I'm gonna show you.' I love that aggressive spirit My Blue Blue!!!! ❤️"
The proud mom of three recently spoke to British Vogue for her December cover story, revealing that she and Blue have a special relationship when it comes to celebrating each other's accomplishments.
Boosie Badazz Doubles Down Amid Backlash Over Lori Harvey ‘Body Count’ Comments!
Boosie Badazz has found himself at the center of a backlash once again after he felt the need to share his thoughts on Lori Harvey’s dating history.
In a recent interview on VladTV, the Baton Rouge rapper said, “I think we need to stop giving the women the power with situations like this.” He suggested that male bachelors get plenty of criticism, but it’s not the same for women. “We gotta start giving the bachelors, the men, who are running through a beautiful woman like this the credit, who not housing her, running through her.”
Understandably, his comments were met with plenty of criticism. In a new post on Instagram captioned “fuck yall I said what I said,” Boosie has doubled down on his comments and suggested that Harvey has been “passed around.”
“I wake up to all these Lori Harvey fans on my ass…talkin’ bout’ I’m hating on Lori,” he started the clip, filmed in his car. “Why would I wanna hate on Lori for? I just say y’all got it fucked up saying ‘Let’s go!’ If you sayin’ ‘let’s go’ that means you want your daughter to fuck seven or eight, nine n***as in a couple months…in the industry,” said Boosie, who is a father to eight children with six different women.
“If that’s cool with you, for your daughter doing that…then I can’t say shit,” he continued. “But what’s wrong with y’all motherfuckers is…y’all salute the woman who get passed around, but y’all dog the woman who stick by they n***a when they n***a fuck over. Y’all dog the real bitches who stick by they n***a, but y’all salute the bitches who go from hand to hand. The world fucked up.” He went on to suggest that any celebrity couple in which the woman “sticks by” their partner is called “stupid” by the internet.
In the original interview that sparked the backlash, Boosie said he would never marry “a woman like that,” but he still says he’d sleep with her. “I’m just trying to fuck,” he said. “I just want a beautiful good girl.”
He was slammed on social media for what he said in the interview, but this is far from the first time he’s caused controversy for outdated and demeaning comments. Last year he was criticized for making hurtful comments about Dwyane Wade’s trans daughter Zaya. Mike Tyson even confronted the rapper, questioning why he would say such transphobic and homophobic things without fully understanding the weight of his words.
Prayers Up: Jeezy’s Mom Passed Away, Jeezy Makes A Statement!
The rapper Jeezy lost his mother. He shared the news via Instagram. In a post he said,
“You taught me to be a man when I was a boy. Made me man up be a father when I was a kid. Raised me to be a natural born leader when I was lost. You lifted me when I was down. Inspired me when I had no inspiration.”
Jeezy went on to say, “Always told me I was Bigger than my circumstances. My Super Hero. Feared nothing or no one.. No obstacle or set backs. One of the only people in the world I could trust. When I had nothing or no one, I had you Mamma. You was hard on me. I thank you for that. You gave me confidence when I didn’t have any. Made me feel like I can put the world on my back and walk barefoot. You never judged or down talked my dreams. Or my downfalls.”
He continued, “You just encouraged. I thank GOD you got a glimpse of the Man and Woman you raised and all the good we gave to world all because you gave it to us. My faith is strong. I know God has you now. We let heaven borrow our Angel. Kiss my brother Michael. Tell em we love him. And to take care of you. You are in a better place. Dancing and singing to your favorite songs. With that beautiful smile on your face… I will continue to make you proud. I LOVE YOU MOMMA. FORVER MY MOMMA’S BABY. Don’t you worry, I got Trina and the Family. Rest in Heaven our Queen.” Take a look:
It’s not clear what the cause of death is. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jeezy and his family during this difficult time.
Anderson Cooper Spills On Living With Ex-Partner To Raise His Son!
Anderson Cooper's fatherhood journey has him living with his ex-partner Benjamin Maisani as he raises his son, Wyatt.
During Cooper's recent appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the CNN anchor, 53, opened up about the set-up, admitting that he and Maisani, 48, still get along quite well. "We actually still live in the same house because we get along really well," he detailed. "It works out. It was interesting because he wasn’t really sure he wanted to have a kid, which was one of the reasons we probably broke up. But then he came around on the idea, and now he is just such a great parent."
Asked if he and his longterm ex-boyfriend might get back together one day, Anderson didn't share much optimism. "No, it's not going to happen," he replied.
However, having another child to join baby Wyatt might be on the table in the future. "I don’t know. Yes, I would love to. I think it would be great for him to have a sibling. I’m not sure I could handle another," he explained to the daytime talk show host. "[He’s] really such an easy kid. He’s still sleeping, like, 12 and a half hours every night. He eats his sweet peas and his mushed little cauliflower. He’s such a happy little chappy. It's such a joy."
Cooper and Maisani called it quits in March 2018 after nine years of dating. Despite rumors of a reconciliation, it's clear that Cooper has moved onto a new chapter.
2 Arrested In Woman's Shooting At Camp Creek Movie Theater!
EAST POINT, Ga. — Two people have been arrested in connection to the shooting of a woman at an Atlanta movie theater last month, police said.
Atlanta Police said Camryn King, 20, and Yvonne Crawford, 22, were arrested by US Marshals in connection to the Jan. 9 shooting.
According to police, officers responded just after 9 p.m. to the Walgreens in the 3800 block of Princeton Lakes Parkway after getting reports of a person shot.
When they got there, they found the 22-year-old victim, Rickell Etheridge, who they said had been shot in the shoulder. According to their investigation, the victim and her wife had been in the nearby AMC movie theater watching a movie, and when a group behind them got "disruptive," police said Etheridge told them to be quiet. According to previous reporting, an argument began.
"Shortly after that a gunshot was heard inside the theater," police said. Moments later, Etheridge realized she had been shot, left the theater and called 911, police said.
Days later, police released surveillance images from inside the theater of a man and woman who they suspected in the shooting. The pair were later identified as King and Crawford.
Police said they secured warrants for the two and charged them with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Both were found in Indiana and arrested. Police said they will be extradited to Atlanta to face charges.
Tessica Brown Makes First Statement Since Getting Surgery To Remove Gorilla Glue Out Her Hair!
Tessica revealed her new look on Instagram and wrote the first statement post-surgery. She began with the phrase “I am not my hair,” quoting the classic India Aire song. She went on to say that she loves the people that have been supporting her. Take a look:
“#IAMNOTMAHAIR Shout out to @supa_dee0223 over at BELOW ZERO for my new cut, if your comfortable with your hair let see those pictures also wanted you guys to know I love y’all so much The good outweighed the bad And I am forever grateful.”
The last few weeks have been hell for Tessica. She shared a video online explaining how she put gorilla glue in her hair as a substitute for strong hair spray. She quickly learned gorilla glue isn’t meant for hair, and Tessica was stuck with the same hairstyle for over a month. She ultimately needed surgery to get it removed.
Some online users accused her of clout chasing but she denied that. Tessica reportedly sent a cease and desist letter to a blog calling her out for lying about the situation.
People online donated over $20,000 to her GoFundMe me, Tessica plans on donating some of the money to charity.
Golden Globes 2021 presenters include Awkwafina, Cynthia Erivo and more!
‘Bridgerton’ has cast a new leading lady
Oscars 2021: These are the movies that advanced to the next round of voting
The first batch of presenters for the 2021 Golden Globes is here and it includes some of last year’s winners and fan favorites.
Phoenix won best actor at the Globes last year for “Joker,” while Zellweger won best actress for “Judy,” both in the drama categories. Awkwafina scored best actress in a comedy for her work in “The Farewell,” marking the first time an Asian-American ever won the award. Erivo was nominated for her portrayal as Harriet Tubman in “Harriet,” while 2011’s “Bridesmaids,” written by Wiig and Mumolo, was nominated for best comedy.
The group will join Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, who — for the first time in Globes history — will carry out their hosting duties from opposite sides of the country. Fey, 50, will be stationed in New York at Rockefeller Center’s Rainbow Room, and Poehler, 49, will be at the usual venue, the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.
More presenters will be revealed before the show, which airs Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern on NBC.
Golden Globe nominations 2021: See the full list of nominees
The Globes, which honor the best performances and productions in film and television for the previous year, are usually held on the first Sunday of the year, but the Hollywood Foreign Press Association pushed back the 2021 ceremony due to COVID-19. The Oscars, usually held in February, were also delayed this year, to April 25.
While the format for the show — believed to be both in-person and virtual — is still unknown, Poehler told Seth Meyers in January that she was 100% clueless as to how they plan to pull it off.
“We just have a few final questions,” she said. “When, how, why, where and what? Just those, that’s all we need to find out. But we’re going to figure it out.”
“It will be a tonic for all of us to see the two of you,” Meyers said.
Transgender Woman Killed In “Violent And Vicious” Attack In Miami!
Police in Miami are looking for the killer in the “violent and vicious” murder of a transgender woman earlier this month.
According to NBC Miami, Alexus Braxton, 45, was found inside her home at the Carmel at the California Condominiums after her family grew concerned.
“Whoever did this, you need to come forward,” the victim’s sister, Neki, told the outlet. “You hurting our family. You hurting everyone around us, and we want to know, why, why, why would you do it? What would the reason be for you to do such a crime and do such an act on a beautiful person?”
Braxton’s family was unsuccessful in contacting her, prompting her mother and sister to go to her house and check on her. Upon arrival, they felt something was wrong and contacted the police. When an officer opened the door, he discovered Braxton.
“The family was left with no closure, and they’re suffering tremendously because of the death and the manner in which our victim was murdered,” Miami-Dade Police Detective Juan Segovia said in a video statement.
According to Human Rights Campaign, Braxton’s death is at least the sixth violent death of a transgender person this year. There were 44 recorded deaths of transgender and gender non-conforming people in 2020, which, according to the agency, was the deadliest year recorded since they began keeping track of violence in 2013.
Police have been passing out flyers and talking to people in the area. Surveillance video recovered from the complex shows an individual who may have information.
“Maybe somebody heard something that night, maybe somebody saw something that was out of place, something suspicious that they haven’t come forth with,” Segovia said.
Police are urging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477). Police are offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
Trump Plaza Casino in Atlantic City Demolished!
Former President Donald Trump’s Atlantic City casino, Trump Plaza Casino, was demolished on Wednesday. The once-successful casino was opened in 1984 and closed down in 2014. The casino was a hot spot for celebrities, athletes, and movie stars.
“Everyone from Hulk Hogan to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it was the whole gamut of personalities,” Bernie Dillon, the events manager from 1984 to 1991, told the Associated Press. “It was like that a lot: You had Madonna and Sean Penn walking in, Barbra Streisand and Don Johnson, Muhammad Ali would be there, Oprah sitting with Donald ringside.”
Carl C. Icahn, an investor, bought the casino out of bankruptcy in 2016. There are no clear plans for the property, but Marty Small, Atlantic City’s mayor, hopes it becomes a destination for families.
“This is the best property in town,” Small said. “You don’t get this opportunity often.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
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