Glamour UK(Digital Issue), March 2021-Women of the Year, Naomi Osaka!
Fresh from her win at the Australian Open, tennis star Naomi Osaka underlines why she is a champion both on and off the court as she claims yet another title: Sports Gamechanger at GLAMOUR UK’s Women of The Year Awards 2021. Here, Naomi opens up to Josh Smith about racism and how the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement inspired her to use her voice for change.
When Naomi Osaka pulled her visor over her face to conceal her tears during the trophy ceremony for her first Grand Slam win against Serena Williams at the US Open in 2018 – with boos echoing around the stadium after Serena’s heated argument with the umpire over points deducted for code violations – no one could have anticipated how much of a gamechanger she would become, both on and off the court. But as the world of sport and beyond has learned since that shock win, no one can underestimate the power of this 23-year-old.
Two years after becoming the first Japanese person to win a Grand Slam, Naomi is a former world No.1 – she is currently ranked No.2 – with four Grand Slam titles lined up on her mantlepiece (two at the US Open in 2018 and 2020 and another two at the Australian Open in 2019 and last month). She has also become the highest-paid female athlete in the world – EVER. According to Forbes, Naomi made $37.4 million between 2019 and 2020 in prize money and endorsements from brands including Nike, Mastercard, Beats By Dre, Playstation and Nissan. Most recently, she has become the face of Louis Vuitton. Naomi describes these opportunities as “somewhat gamechanging”, although the sheer amount of money involved even eclipses the earnings of sporting greats Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, whose selling power was previously deemed unmatchable.
I ask her how much she has personally changed since that tearful moment in 2018. “I don’t feel that different,” she replies. “But I do feel more confident and prouder of myself that all of my hard work starting from the age of three paid off. I think the moment you win a Grand Slam, there is more pressure on you to perform so that is challenging, but I’m always excited to walk into those high-pressure matches knowing I can prove myself time after time.”
Naomi’s career and her champion mindset have been brewing for 20 years. When she was three, her Japanese mother, Tamaki Osaka, and Haitian father, Leonard Francois, moved her and her elder sister, Mari (also a professional tennis player) from Japan to Leonard’s parents’ home in Long Island, New York. Naomi soon picked up a tennis racquet after her father watched a then-teenage Venus and Serena Williams compete on TV. With zero tennis experience and inspired by the tenacious Richard Williams, who famously trained his daughters to Grand Slam glory, Leonard became the coach for the Osaka sisters, using a selection of books and DVDs for inspiration.
Soon Naomi became solely focused on just one thing: becoming a professional tennis player, and as a young girl she favoured the public tennis courts of Long Island over parties. I wonder, considering her meteoric and determined rise and the sacrifices that have inevitably come with that, what is she most proud of? “I think winning the latest US Open [in September 2020] was a very proud moment,” she answers without hesitation. “Being in a bubble, not having a crowd [because of the pandemic] all while dealing with the news of the civil unrest our nation was dealing with. It was important to bring to light and have people start talking about the names of Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, Philando Castile, Tamir Rice, and George Floyd. I was making a point and I was proud to wear their names across my face walking onto the court.”
Naomi is referring to the fact that she wore seven different face masks for each stage of the tournament, each emblazoned with the names of a Black people who died at the hands of police brutality in America. Coming at the time of the Black Lives Matter movement’s resurgence, and with protests against racial injustice sweeping the globe, the move said just as much about Naomi’s power as her serve. “I wanted my voice to reach different people and the entire world,” she says.
“But I felt the most proud of myself when my parents said they were proud of me during that moment,” Naomi continues, reflecting on the close relationship she has with her mum and dad, both of whom travels with her. “I never want anything to hurt them. I know that everyone sees the positive of it and everything, but at the same time, I started getting death threats [from trolls on social media], so I didn’t want them to be hurt. But my mom and dad were really supportive, so I was happy!”
“I am a Black and Japanese woman. Seeing the injustices faced by Black Americans made me sick to my stomach. I felt it was the right time to use my voice and my platform to let people know my stance on the matter and not be silent.
It is evident the Black Lives Matter movement has had a profound effect on Naomi. “It affected me personally because I am a Black and Japanese woman,” she discloses. “Seeing the injustices faced by Black Americans made me sick to my stomach. I felt it was the right time to use my voice and my platform to let people know my stance on the matter and not be silent.
Get more at Glamour!
#RHOA: HOT or NOT? Cynthia Bailey Goes Short With a New Honey Blonde Bob Hairstyle!
The RHOA cast member went for a much shorter style for her latest interview look.
With over 25 years of a successful modeling career under her belt, it’s never too surprising when Cynthia Bailey pulls off a stunning new look. It’s literally her job! Whether she’s sporting sexy swimwear or showing off her incredibly glamorous collection of jewelry and luxury watches, The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member never ceases to slay, and her interview looks serve as consistent proof of this.
Cynthia kicked off Season 13 of RHOA by serving up two truly fabulous hairstyles for her interview looks. In one, she opted for golden blonde beach waves that cascaded down to her waist. In her second look, Cynthia kept the long blonde locks, but styled them in a more windswept-style curl. Now that she’s unveiled her latest interview ensemble, it appears that the lightly-hued hair is here to stay for a little while longer.
In a March 7 Instagram post, Cynthia posed for a few selfies while filming her interviews. “Love my new RHOA confessional look!” Cynthia captioned the post, in which she debuted a new blonde bob hairstyle. Styled in soft, effortless, beach waves, Cynthia’s new 'do is the perfect complement to the dramatic puff statement shoulders and plunging neckline of her white Jovani jumpsuit. Cynthia’s look also featured some bold lilac eye makeup and a classic nude lip.
#MusicNews: Philadelphia’s Favorite Musical Couple Kindred The Family Soul is Readying New Album ‘Auntie & Unc’!
Spring is on the horizon, and so is the release of a new Kindred The Family Soul album! Our married faves, Aja Graydon Dantzler and Fatin Dantzler, will drop their seventh album overall and first in almost five years when they debut Auntie & Unc on Saturday, March 27th. The crooning couple introduced the new project with the single "The Best Things" back in November, and they've steadily been gearing up for its release, recently premiering the song's music video on their website.
"The Best Things" visual finds Aja and Fatin in a winter wonderland filmed out and about in Philadelphia. They are enjoying the snow and each other as they build a snowman, have a snowball fight and even make snow angels. In between all this fun and frolicking like big kids, they keep each other warm with hugs and cuddles. You can truly see and feel the love.Aja and Fatin are keeping details about Auntie & Unc close to their vests at the moment, but they are rolling out sneak previews on social media to whet fans' appetites.
We can't wait to see and hear more sneak peeks from these lovebirds or get Auntie & Unc in our music collections later this month.
#HipHopNews: R.I.P. Remembering THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. (MAY 21, 1972 – MARCH 9, 1997)!
1997: Every year since the death of The Notorious B.I.G. on March 9, 1997, hip-hop has paid homage to one of the most legendary lyricists of all time. Tuesday marked the 24th anniversary of the day we lost Biggie Smalls.
The rapper, born Christopher Wallace, was gunned down during a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in 1997. In an autopsy report released in December of 2012, it stated he was hit by four bullets, killed only by one. No arrests were ever made in the case.
Even as questions still arise from his passing, Biggie’s impact has inspired and invigorated the hip-hop community as a whole for years. Fans, rappers, other artists, DJs and club promoters have always viewed March 9 as a day of celebration for the Brooklyn native’s life and catalog. Two of Biggie Smalls' studio albums—1994’s Ready to Die and 1997’s Life After Death—were widely successful and portrayed his underground reputation on a commercial level. These albums housed classic tracks such as “Gimme the Loot,” “Juicy,” “Hypnotize” and “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems.”
Biggie was especially a huge influence on Lil’ Kim, who made her mark as a member of his Junior M.A.F.I.A. crew. During an interview with MTV News in 2013, Bun B asked Kim, “How was it dealing with the loss of Biggie for you in this industry?” Her response was candid and revealed that she was just now getting over the fact.
"I never celebrate that day. It's so funny because I can always feel when that day is approaching. I get so depressed. I get so sad. It happens before March, in February. I can feel it coming and I used to all say 'no.' So to answer Bun B, I'm just now getting over that fact, and it's how many years later," she said.
Now 24 years after his death, Biggie’s legacy will never be forgotten. So rock your COOGI sweaters and shades today in honor of the man who paved the way for many MCs in the rap game. In honor of the Black Frank White's passing and his monumental effect on hip-hop as a whole, XXL looks back on the rapper's best moments.
Queen Elizabeth Finally Releases Statement On Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Interview!
Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday finally broke her silence over the allegations Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leveled in their Sunday TV sit-down, saying that “the whole family is saddened” and that the “issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning” — although “recollections may vary.”
The queen — addressing the pair’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey — said in a statement, “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.
“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately,” the queen said.
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members,” she added.
Harry and Meghan shattered royal protocol by sitting down with Winfrey and dishing on everything from Kate Middleton once making Markle cry, to the prince’s extremely strained relationship with dad Prince Charles and brother Prince William, to their most troubling claim — that someone in the royal family expressed “concerns” to Harry about “how dark” their son Archie’s skin would be. Markle is biracial.
Harry said racism was a “large part” of why he and Meghan fled the UK.
But neither he nor Markle would publicly name the alleged racist royal — leaving it to Winfrey to say Harry only told her it wasn’t the queen or her husband, Prince Philip.
The Palace, under the queen’s directive, took its time issuing a statement in response to the damning interview because it has been terrified that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will name the person if it
challenging her grandson and his wife’s accusations — while at the same time suggesting there may have been a misinterpretation of the intent of the unnamed royal’s comment.
“A denial [of Harry and Meghan’s claims] could lead the Sussexes [to] breaking their vow and naming the member of the royal family who discussed their son’s skin color. There is a lack of trust,” a senior Palace source told the Standard before the queen issued her statement.
“It could lead to the Sussexes naming names, and it blowing up again,” the source said, referring to the royal scandal.
A royal household source said of Charles, “You could say the boss feels let down by what the Sussexes have said.
“The prince is proud of the diversity of this country and believes the diversity of Britain’s modern society is its greatest strength,” the source said.
“He wholeheartedly believes that our country owes a huge debt of gratitude to the rich diversity of cultures that make up our society and going forward is at the heart of what we can be as a nation He truly believes the diversity of our society gives us so much to celebrate.”
Harry said during the blistering sit-down that he felt his father, the heir to the British throne, “really let him down” and griped about being cut off financially. Body-language experts have said Prince Harry was clearly displaying “suppressed anger” at his royal pop while talking.
Charles was said to be left in a “state of despair’‘ over his youngest son’s comments.
The senior palace source told the Standard that Charles has “supported the duke and duchess more than he would care to say.
“The feeling is it will be better to try to build bridges with the couple and to embrace them,” the source added of the crown prince’s stance at the moment.
“However, this incendiary interview has caused pain and division. Trust is an issue,” the source said.
“For Harry to say he feels ‘let down’ seems a little rich when you consider what he has done. The duke of Sussex continues to say he respects his grandmother, but he has ridden roughshod over the institution she represents. Time is said to be a great healer. Let’s hope so.”
A royal source added to The Post on Tuesday, “At the heart of all of this there is a family.
“They should be given the opportunity to discuss the issues raised privately, as a family.
“It has been important for us to carefully consider any response before issuing. And of course, releasing something today meant viewers in the UK had the opportunity to watch the interview, if they wished to, first,” the source said.
“Diversity, equality, inclusion and mental health are important subjects, and highlighting that has formed part of the work of members of the royal family for many years.”
OH? Eva Marcille Claims Janice Dickinson Told Her To 'Get Your Nose Fixed' With ANTM Prize Money
Eva Marcille spoke out against "America's Next Top Model" judge Janice Dickinson as she recalled her time on the show. In a new episode of "The Undressing Room" podcast, the former "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star shared that she got some unsolicited advice from Janice after winning Cycle 3 of the show.
"When I won 'Top Model', the first thing I was told was -- outside of [Tyra Banks]' 'Congratulations' -- Janice Dickinson said, 'Now you can take your money and go get your nose fixed,' " Eva told her co-hosts Lore'l and Dominique Da Diva. She went on to say sarcastically, "Um... I didn't know my nose was broke. I didn't know there was anything wrong with it. It's working."
The TV personality went on to say, "This is the same nose, same big lips, same everything. My point is people always have something to say, especially when you are in the light, they have something to say about your aesthetics, good or bad. There's always something that someone's going to have to say about you."
"So the question is, is at what point do you stop listening to the world and start listening to yourself?" Eva concluded her message. Janice has yet to respond to Eva's comment.
Eva isn't the only former "ANTM" contestant who slammed the show's panelist member. Earlier this year, Lisa D'Amato took to Instagram to recount her awful experience on the show, risking being sued for breach of contract. She accused Tyra of using her childhood trauma against her, writing on January 29, "Remember when I had an opportunity to ask you one question in season 5 - a modeling question - and I came in and asked you a question that wasn't about modeling and you kicked me out? Can I get that question back?"
"I did it knowing that this was a breach of contract, still, because I felt like it was my duty to warn other girls that were going to audition for 'America's Next Top Model' to know that what you guys do and the way that you guys would poke me and use my childhood trauma against me, day in and day out," Lisa, who finished in sixth place in Cycle 5, continued. "It was just so f***ed up, and it broke my heart. Like, how could you do that?"
"You, Tyra, you knew very well the horrible trauma that my mom inflicted on me, and you also talk so much about how you wouldn't be where you are without your mother and how powerful she is," the winner of "ANTM: All Stars" season 17 further alleged. "So knowing that, you still did that to me and continued to do it to other girls, even after I spoke publicly about it."
Rihanna Rocking Baggy Camo Pants While Out To Dinner in Santa Monica!
Rihanna pairs a baggy pair of pants with chic heels and white sunglasses as she arrives for a late night dinner on Tuesday night (March 9) in Santa Monica, Calif.
The 33-year-old singer completed her eclectic look with a faux fur stole, baseball hat and face mask as she stepped into the Giorgio Baldi restaurant for a bite to eat.
Rihanna is a big fan of the restaurant it seems, as she was spotted there just a few days earlier.
During her dinner outing the first time, Rihanna wore a vibrant red dress and leopard coat, which proved that she can pull off any fashion style.
Ryan Murphy Responds After Naya Rivera's Father Says He Broke Promise About College Fund for Her!
Murphy, alongside "Glee" co-creators Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, had pledged to create a college fund for Naya's son, Josey, after her tragic death.
Ryan Murphy didn't wait long to respond after Naya Rivera's father, George, launched a flame war directed at the "Glee" creator for what he alleges are "broken promises" regarding a promised college fund for Naya's 5-year-old son, Josey.
It was clear from the start that George Rivera was hoping to stoke the flames, as he specifically posted, "Get the glee tweeters on this," when he started his campaign late Monday afternoon.
Replying to a nearly year-old thread about Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan's promise to start a fund for Josey, George wrote, "Everyone needs to know what Ryan Murphy really did ... or didn’t do !!! I’m about to blow up this story .... and make sure he’s knows that I know ...."
"When you are part of the Hollywood elite, some people treat others as they are 'less than' .... vocalize a good game , but it’s as shallow as the sets on stage , that they create," he continued. "Promises made in public, only to fade with time and excuses .... even in a unexplainable tragedy ..."
He concluded his thoughts with the phrases, "Broken Promises..... fake outrage .... hollow gestures ..... no phone call."
As you might expect, fans of the late "Glee" star, who died tragically while swimming with Josey on July 8, 2020, were quick to get riled up, calling out Murphy et al for lying about setting up the fund.
Within an hour, Murphy jumped online to quickly set the record straight, assuring the rising rabble among Naya's fanbase that things are still happening on that front.
He reiterated that all three main remain determined to create the fund for Josey through the Naya Rivera Estate. "We have been in repeated conversations with the appropriate executors of her estate," he said.
In other words, while George may not have heard from the trio of Hollywood producers, that doesn't meant that things aren't happening behind the scenes to get this trust set up in Josey's name.
There are likely multiple executors of Naya's estate, so it's possible that George is out of the loop on this one.
Regardless of what is or isn't going on, the back-and-forth got Ryan Murphy's name trending, and it seams the hour lead that George's story had to simmer and stoke the flames of outrage was enough.
Even in the comments to Murphy's explanation about the current status of the college fund, it was clear that him insisting that everything was still moving ahead did little to change the vitriol spilling out all across the Twittersphere.
Brandy to Star in Hip-Hop Drama 'Queens'!
The Grammy winner will also contribute original music to the pilot from 'Scandal' veteran Zahir McGhee.
Grammy-winning singer and actress Brandy has joined the cast of ABC's pilot Queens.
Brandy will star opposite Eve, Naturi Naughton and Pepi Sonuga in the drama from writer Zahir McGhee (Scandal) and ABC Signature. The show centers on four women in their 40s who reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches— a '90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.
Brandy will play Naomi, who 20 years ago was better known as Xplicit Lyrics, the musical engine of the Nasty Bitches. An artist with boundless talent, Naomi was sure she'd achieve more success after the group broke up – but she didn't. When the group gets back together, Naomi is reunited with the only man she ever loved, as well as the rival bandmate who stole that man from her. But what Naomi wants more than anything is to build a relationship with the daughter she was never really there for.
In addition to acting, Brandy will also contribute original music to Queens. Eve and Naughton (Power) are playing two other members of the group, while Sonuga (Freeform's Famous in Love) plays a rising hip hop star.
Brandy's most recent TV role was on Fox's Star. Her credits also include Moesha, the 1997 Cinderella opposite Whitney Houston and The Game. She's repped by CAA, Ryan Ramsey of SALXCO, Sonja Norwood of Norwood & Norwood and Stephen Barnes of Morris Yorn.
Beyoncé Applauds Meghan Markle for Her "Courage" After Oprah Winfrey Tell-All!
Beyoncé is standing up for Meghan Markle amid continued debate over her recent televised interview.
After Meghan and Prince Harry's much-anticipated sit-down with Oprah Winfrey on Sunday, March 7 created a litany of hot-button talking points, the music superstar took to her website on March 9 to praise the Suits alum.
"Thank you Meghan for your courage and leadership," Beyoncé wrote. "We are all strengthened by you."
The "Formation" performer's post included a sweet photo of herself chatting with Meghan at the U.K. premiere for Beyoncé's movie The Lion King in July 2019.
At the time, a royal insider told E! News that Beyoncé and Meghan had never met before, saying, "It's early days in that relationship! But I think safe to say that they definitely struck up an instant clear rapport, bonding over their kids."
Beyoncé has previously been vocal about sexism in the entertainment industry. During her segment for the virtual commencement ceremony Dear Class of 2020 in June 2020, she explained why she was compelled to start her own company.
"Not enough Black women had a seat at the table," the star shared. "So I had to go and chop down that wood and build my own table."
Meghan and Harry's exchange with Oprah has spurred no shortage of responses on all sides of the spectrum. In one high-profile example, Piers Morgan will not return as co-host of the British daytime chat series Good Morning Britain after he walked off the set during the March 9 episode in which he was confronted over his controversial statements about the duchess.
New Group of T.I. and Tiny Accusers Includes High School Student!
Last week attorney Tyrone Blackburn claimed he was representing 8 clients accusing rapper T.I. and his wife Tiny of sexual misconduct
Now six more accusers have come forward including a woman who was in high school at the time of the alleged abuse...
From The Daily Mail
Rapper T.I. and his wife Tiny have been accused of sexual assault by six more women, including a member of the military, a stripper and a high school student.
Their allegations include claims from a 22-year-old who once worked as an intern at one of the rapper's studios when she was in high school.
She described an alleged incident when she was 17 and working for the couple on T.I.'s tour bus when she claims his wife gave her a drink and two pills that made her 'hot and and sweaty… [and she] began hallucinating and felt like she was floating.'
She claims that Tiny took her to the back of the tour bus to 'cool off' and that T.I. came over next and started commenting on her appearance.
She says she then blacked out and woke up 'naked on a bed… bleeding from her vagina. She also felt discomfort in her anus.'
The next day, she claims she was taken home by one of the couple's employees who said 'she needs to learn to keep her mouth shut' and 'if she did not that bad things could happen to her and her family.'
She claims that she started losing control of her bowels in her sleep and was taken to the hospital where she was told she'd suffered 'trauma to her anal cavity due to intense anal penetration.'
The member of the military said she was 22 in 2005 when she met the pair in a club in L.A.
She described going back to a hotel with them but said she started feeling 'dizzy and light-headed' after taking just one sip of Tiny's drink.
She claims that three of them got into the shower where Tiny washed both her and T.I. Afterwards, she said Tiny tried to give her a 'back butt massage'.
The woman, who was in the US Air Force, said T.I. then told her he wanted to put his foot in her vagina.
The woman said no but then apparently passed out and woke up 'with a very sore vagina and a towel covering her.'
Former NBA All-Star forward Blake Griffin signs deal with Brooklyn Nets!
Six-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin has signed a deal with the Brooklyn Nets for the rest of the season, the team announced Monday.
The Nets are using one of their veteran-minimum-contract slots to sign Griffin, sources told ESPN.
Griffin informed Nets general manager Sean Marks of his decision to join Brooklyn's championship chase on Sunday evening, a reunion of sorts with his former LA Clippers teammate DeAndre Jordan.
"We're fortunate to be able to add a player of Blake's caliber to our roster at this point in the season," Marks said in a statement. "Blake is a versatile frontcourt player with a long track record of success in our league, and we're excited about the impact he'll make for us both on and off the court in Brooklyn."
Griffin had interest from most of the NBA's top playoff contenders and cleared waivers on Sunday night after agreeing to a buyout on the remaining $56.5 million left on his contract with the Detroit Pistons on Friday.
The Nets imagine Griffin, 31, as a small-ball center alternative off the bench.
Brooklyn has solidified itself as a championship contender with the addition of James Harden to a roster that includes Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Because Brooklyn will be in the luxury tax next season, the most it could offer Griffin as a free agent is the $5.9 million taxpayer mid-level exception, according to reporting by ESPN's Bobby Marks. However, Griffin will earn $29.8 million from Detroit next year and has $255 million in career earnings.
Detroit has entered a full-fledged rebuild under the first-year general manager Troy Weaver and the opportunity to play the franchise's younger players has taken precedent for the Pistons.
Griffin was traded less than a season into a five-year, $171 million max deal with the Clippers, arriving in Detroit in late-January 2018.
Injuries have dramatically altered Griffin's game, eliminating the high-flying rim attacks that marked his All-Star career. He now leans heavily on the 3-point shot and his ability to make plays for others.
Griffin averaged 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 20 games for Detroit this season.
Lady Gaga’s Dognapping and Shooting Incident Reportedly Part of a Gang Initiation!
It appears that the dognapping of Lady Gaga’s two French bulldogs and shooting of her dogwalker might have been no regular incident.
According to TMZ, a source told the outlet that cops believe the incident may have been part of a gang initiation. Similar crimes have reportedly taken place around the Los Angeles area and could have been the M.O. in Gaga’s case.
The woman who returned the dogs back to the singer also reportedly hasn’t yet gotten her $500,000 reward, with authorities telling Gaga to hold off until they make sure the woman wasn’t part of the theft. The police apparently don’t think that woman was involved, but they’re still looking into it. Gaga is ready to pay the woman once she’s cleared.
TMZ writes that footage of the incident leans into the gang initiation theory, due to the fact that the thieves could have easily taken off with the dogs without shooting Ryan Fischer, the dogwalker, in the chest. Fischer had been shot multiple times and was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
The dognappers had gotten away with stealing Koji and Gustav, while Gaga’s third dog escaped. Days after the incident, a woman handed the dogs over to officers at an LAPD station, saying she found the dogs and wanted to bring them in.
Michelle Obama Will Be Inducted Into National Women’s Hall of Fame!
Michelle Obama has been named one of nine powerful women to be inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame this year.
The announcement came on Monday, which was also International Women’s Day. The former first lady turned author and advocate was praised by the NWHF for creating Let’s Move!, an initiative focused on ending childhood obesity, and Let Girls Learn, which supports the education of girls worldwide.
In a press release about this year’s inductees, NWHF wrote, “Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most influential and iconic women of the 21st century.” They went on to add that during Obama’s time in the White House, she transformed it into “the People’s House” and has continued to be a “role model for women and young girls everywhere.”
Other 2021 inductees include author Joy Harjo, PepsiCo’s first female CEO Indra Nooyi, and NASA’s first African American female engineer Katherine Johnson. The induction reception will take place in person on October 2nd, with COVID-19 protocols in place at the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York. The ceremony will also be live-streamed.
The 'Powerpuff Girls' Casts Its Stars for it’s Live-Action Series!
With every superhero property getting the live-action treatment these days, it was only a matter of time before Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles joined in. According to a report coming from Variety, the CW is developing a live-action The Powerpuff Girls series. But there’s a twist to these animated favorites this time. The series will focus on the girls not as little kids, but as disaffected adults. The series is being developed by the unlikely pairing of Diablo Cody and Greg Berlanti. And according to The Hollywood Reporter they have their cast for the pilot: Dove Cameron will play Bubbles Utonium, Chloe Bennet will play Blossom Utonium, and Yana Perrault joins as Buttercup Utonium.
According to the original report, the new show will see the heroes of as “disillusioned twenty-somethings who resent having lost their childhood to crime fighting.” Will they agree to reunite now that the world needs them more than ever? Well, they’d better, or there’s not going to be much of a show! It’s unknown at this point just how much the show will adhere to the formula and characters of the classic cartoon. It’s hard to imagine a live-action version of Mojo Jojo, for example.
In the original cartoon show, Professor Utonium accidentally created his super powered team of kids. This occurred when he used his own “Chemical X” and combined it with “sugar, spice, and everything nice.” Suddenly, he had three crime fighting kids on his hands. The original Powerpuff Girls series was a sensation for Cartoon Network when it first aired from 1998-2005. It returned in a rebooted form on Cartoon Network in 2016. That version featured slightly redesigned characters, and ran for three seasons.
Diablo Cody gained accolades for films like Juno and Jennifer’s Body. But she has worked in television before, with her series The United States of Tara for Showtime. The Powerpuff Girls series secured a pilot (written by Cody and Heather Regnier). If it continues, it would mark Greg Berlanti’s fifteenth comic book series on the air overall. While many might scoff at the idea of a PPG live-action series, this combo of creators has us at least interested.
CBS The Equalizer Starring Queen Latifah has been Renewed for Season 2!
This year’s Super Bowl lead-out program, CBS’ The Equalizer, has scored a touchdown in the form of an early Season 2 renewal.
“The Equalizer has proven more than equal to the task of engaging viewers and racking up wins on Sunday night,” CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl said in a statement. “We’re extremely proud to see this outstanding broadcast drama, led by Queen Latifah, punch through the competitive landscape and return for a second season.”
In this post-Super Bowl slot, The Equalizer on Feb. 7 debuted to north of 20 million total viewers — the largest audience for any entertainment program since the February 2020 Academy Awards — along with a 5.1 demo rating. In three outings since then, it has averaged 8 million viewers and higher than a 0.8 demo rating (in Live+Same Day numbers), always and easily delivering its Sunday time slot’s largest audience.
Among all dramas airing on CBS this season, The Equalizer (based on its regularly scheduled airings) ranks second in total audience (trailing only NCIS) and No. 3 in the demo.
A reimagining of the 1980s series starring Edward Woodward, The Equalizer stars Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, an enigmatic woman who uses her extensive skills as a former CIA operative to help those with nowhere else to turn. Rounding out the freshman drama’s ensemble are Chris Noth, Lorraine Toussaint, Tory Kittles, Adam Goldberg, Liza Lapira and Laya DeLeon Hayes.
Following Oprah- and Grammys-related preemptions and such, The Equalizer will resume its freshman run on Sunday, March 28 at 8/7c.
CBS previously gave early renewals to Monday sitcoms The Neighborhood and Bob Hearts Abishola.
Death Penalty Off the Table for Tim Norman and Co-Defendants in Murder Case!
Last year fans of the OWN network reality show 'Welcome to Sweetie Pies' were stunned after co-star Tim Norman was arrested for the murder of his nephew in a plot to collect on a $450,000.00 insurance policy
Tim will not face the death penalty if convicted...
From Fox 2 Now
Prosecutors confirmed that they will not seek the death penalty in cases against any of the three people charged in a murder-for-hire conspiracy plot to kill Andre Montgomery Jr., grandson of the owner of the Sweetie Pies restaurants.
Travell Anthony Hill was the last person charged in the conspiracy. Friday’s court filing regarding his case does not give a reason for the decision.
Tim is being held without bond until trial.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING’
If everyone could please take their seats…wait. No! I meant sit in them, not actually take them. They have not been paid for, you will get stopped at the door
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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