Andra Day and Lee Daniels for FLAUNT Magazine Dawn Chorus Issue 2021!
And yet every morning is a chance to define yourself anew. So new feature film The United States Vs. Billie Holiday fearlessly takes on Baldwin’s challenge, to deliver a stirring redefinition of the life of the enigmatic diva. In the skilled hands of director Lee Daniels (The Butler, The Paperboy, Precious) the immortal jazz icon known as Lady Day has been resurrected in all her glory, glamor, and grit via an incandescent, 2021 Golden-Globe winning performance for Best Actress from Andra Day (previously a musician best known for her smash hit “Rise Up”).
Both love story and exposé, we witness the triumphs and tears from behind Holiday’s eyes as Federal Narcotics Agents savagely exploit the singer’s personal demons in their effort to destroy the one woman with a voice that just couldn’t be silenced. The radical re-envisioning of history is the product of years of research on the part of screenwriter, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Suzan-Lori Parks (who also happens to have been mentored by James Baldwin himself): “In telling this part of Billie Holiday’s story,” she remarks, following my interview with Day and Daniels, “how the United States Government came after her because she insisted on singing ‘Strange Fruit’—the truth I embraced—and the truth that I hope the viewer takes away—will provide a new way of appreciating Ms. Holiday’s legacy.”
On a Thursday evening prior to Globes weekend, I had the privilege of conversing for an hour with Day and Daniels about bringing back Billie, on what would have been the big night of their gala red-carpet premiere—but in a virtual world—well, wasn’t. Witness below this dynamic chemistry between director and his sonorous conduit, as we consider the notion of birdsong, cages, and taking flight.
Lee Daniels: Can I just tell you something, Flaunt magazine? I am in a really sad mood today.
Oh, I’m sorry.
LD: I’m in a sad mood because I cannot be with my star. I’ve never experienced this in my life. We normally have an audience, where I’m looking at her or him and they are looking at me. And we would be in a room of 2,000 plus people today. And that is not happening. It’s very weird as a filmmaker to experience that. And it’s really weird not to experience that with someone who I can’t say enough about. I just cannot say enough about Andra as an artist and as an actor. I want her to feel this, not just for me, but a little for me, but really because I’ve experienced it, and I know it. She’s experienced it as a singer, but this is different, something else that she’s never played in—a playground that she’s never played in. And so I just I’m trying not to become sad about this.
Oh my God. I feel so sad for you both.
LD: It’s very weird for me, right?
I wasn’t going to mention this, but I was actually at the premiere of The Paperboy in Cannes. So I’ve seen… how it should be today.
LD: How long ago was that?
Almost 10 years ago now—2012.
LD: Yes. And how long, how long was that standing ovation? So Andra can hear, it was like 16 minutes. 16 minutes of people—maybe 17 minutes—of just people never leaving their seat and just clapping till their hands fell off. Yeah, that is what she deserves for this. So it’s hard for me.
I definitely think you guys deserve to have a premiere.
LD: I cannot believe we’re airing our dirty laundry in front of people, Andra.
Andra Day: I know, but I feel it too. Like, I just am like ‘Ugh,’ because you know what this feels like…I don’t know. You remember being sad leaving the set, but you guys just kept encouraging me like, ‘Don’t worry, we’re gonna see each other during the premieres, during all the press, duh duh duh.’ So, when that was stripped away, I feel like it was a part of me like, ‘Damn, I can’t feel that, I can’t fill that hole now.’
LD: It’s ironic that you were there at The Paperboy… Because that is what this would have been… I just know it. I’d felt it with Precious; I know what this movie does to the audience. That’s what? That’s the gift that God has given me.
#RHOA: LaToya Ali's Recent Instagram Post Has Fans Wondering About Her Relationship Status!
LaToya Ali is keeping her Instagram followers on their toes. The Real Housewives of Atlanta friend, who has noted that she is "getting a divorce" this season, recently shared a post that has people wondering if she’s in a new relationship.
“Welp I guess I got caught,” LaToya captioned a March 13 post, in which she is seen walking across the street with a man she tagged as personal trainer Von Rhe’. She also added the hashtag “besties” to her post, which had a few followers questioning the status of their relationship. In response to one comment that said, “I’m here for it if y’all are a thing,” and another that read, “Girl we know that’s your man,” LaToya simply replied with a bunch of side-eye emojis.
In a March 6 post, Von shared a series of photos of the duo cozied up to one another alongside an extremely heartfelt caption. “I could not tell you if I loved you the first moment I saw you, or if was the second or third or fourth. But I remember the first moment I looked at you walking toward me and realized that somehow the rest of the world seemed to vanish when I was with you,” he wrote.
LaToya also commented on the post to add, "Love you," with some heart emojis.
In addition to their Instagram posts, LaToya and Von have even created a YouTube channel together, where they created a February 18 video titled “Is LaToya Forever and Von Rhe’ DATING?”
“Everybody wants to know if we are dating, but Von and I, we are just best friends. We’re just best friends,” LaToya said in the video.
“We have a wonderful time together. We enjoy each other’s time. And honestly, me and her, we have both recently got out of long term relationships and we’re both very hurt from our relationships,” Von chimed in. “When we met each other we were more focused on having fun and enjoying one another and being that friend and companion that you can just go to and talk to about anything. It’s no filter with us.”
The pair even joked that when Von gets a girlfriend, LaToya will “be the third wheel.” They soon went on to come to an agreement about their relationship: “You know those couples that they say, ‘Okay, we’re best friends, but if we don’t find a man within five years, we’ll marry each other,’” said LaToya, to which Von chimed in and said, “We should do that. But five years is long, can we make it three?”
Want more RHOA? New episodes air Sundays at 8/7c
#MusicNews: Keyshia Cole Announces Her Retirement From Music!
Keyshia Cole has announced that she plans to retire from music. Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Keyshia left her followers in disbelief with her shocking revelation.
“I’m retiring,” she tweeted in response to a fan who told her that her new single was “buzzing up the charts.”
Another fan questioned if she was telling the truth. “I’m not lying,” replied Keyshia, while shooting down claims that she was hacked.
Before she hangs up the mic, she plans to release another album, but on her own timeline. “I’m already contracted to do so, I wouldn’t do that to @BMG ,myself, or my fans,” said Keyshia. “But I’m gonna have to move at my pace with this one. #Album8.”
The mother of two wants to focus on her family. When asked why she decided to retire, she responded, “My children.” Cole has two sons–Daniel Jr., 11, and Tobias, 19 months.
Last month, Keyshia debuted her new single “I Don’t Wanna Be in Love” following her long-awaited Verzuz with Ashanti. The song is her first official release on her label, Hearts & Stars, in partnership with BMG. She had been in the studio working on her eighth studio album, the follow-up to 2017’s 11:11 Reset.
Pop Smoke Has Longest-Running No. 1 On R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart Since 1990!
Pop Smoke’s legacy lives on. The late rapper’s posthumous debut, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, has spent the most weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart since M.C. Hammer’s Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt Em in 1990.
With 18 weeks in charge, Shoot for the Stars passes Eminem’s Recovery, which topped the chart for 16 weeks, and is currently tied with Michael Jackson’s Bad for the title. Next week, the album could tie Prince’s Purple Rain, while the current leader is Jackson’s Thriller at 37 weeks.
Additionally, Shoot for the Stars is currently No. 1 on the Top Rap Albums chart and sits at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The album, which was released in July 2020, has produced three platinum songs (“Hello,” “Got It On Me,” and “Something Special”), three 2x platinum songs (“Mood Swings,” “The Woo,” and “What You Know About Love”), one 3x platinum (“Dior”), and the 4x platinum “For the Night.”
Pop Smoke, who was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Performance (“Dior”), can be seen making his acting debut in Eddie Huang’s film Boogie. The soundtrack also includes two new songs from Pop, “AP” and “No Cap (Remix).”
Kanye West Is Worth $6.6 Billion, Thanks to His Yeezy Brand!
Kanye West is raking in the dough! The 43-year-old rapper is worth $6.6 billion, a significant increase from the amount that West was reported as being worth back in April 2020 by Forbes, PEOPLE confirms.
Led by his sneaker and apparel business Yeezy, which is now in partnership with Adidas AG and Gap Inc., the business is valued between $3.2 billion and $4.7 billion by UBS Group AG.
The value of the new Gap collaboration with Yeezy, which is scheduled to hit stores this summer, "could be worth as much as $970 million of that total," Bloomberg reported, citing a bank estimate.
The "Famous" rapper also has $122 million in cash and stock and $110 million from his music catalog, alongside $1.7 billion in other assets, including estranged wife Kim Kardashian's SKIMS business. (Kardashian filed for divorce in mid-February. The couple share four children: daughters North, 7½, and Chicago, 3, and sons Saint, 5, and Psalm, who will turn 2 in May.)
West currently has full ownership and creative control of the Yeezy brand by himself and previously signed a 10-year agreement to design and sell clothes under the Yeezy Gap label last year, Bloomberg adds.
There, West will craft items for men, women and kids. The arrangement excludes footwear, however, as Yeezy's partnership with Adidas lasts until 2026.
Citing the document obtained by their outlet, Bloomberg noted that the new Gap line is expected "to break $150 million in sales in its first full year in 2022."
Stacey Abrams, John Legend & More Speak Out Against Anti-Asian Violence!
Celebrities and political figures are standing in solidarity with Asian Americans following a deadly shooting in Atlanta.
John Legend, Common, Stacey Abrams, Kim Kardashian, and LeBron James are among many public figures who are sharing the hashtags #StopAsianHate and #StopAAPIHate after eight people, many of them of Asian descent, were killed in a series of shootings that took place at massage parlors in the Atlanta area on Tuesday (March 16).
According to multiple outlets, Robert Aaron Long, a 21-year-old white male suspect, has been charged with at least four counts of murder and one count of assault. While Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds said during a press conference on Wednesday (March 17) that when officials interviewed the suspect he claimed the attacks were not racially motivated, the shooting comes amid a surge in anti-Asian violence and hate crimes nationwide.
The shooting prompted a number of celebrities and political figures to condemn the killings and speak out against Anti-Asian violence
Vanessa Bryant Names Officers Who Allegedly Took Kobe, Gianna Helicopter Crash Photos!
In an Instagram post Wednesday, Vanessa Bryant named four Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies who allegedly took and shared unauthorized graphic photos of the helicopter crash that killed her husband Kobe, daughter Gianna and seven others.
Bryant posted images of lawsuit documents she filed against Los Angeles County, the sheriff’s department, the county fire department and the four deputies in question. Those names were initially redacted while a judge determined whether they could be revealed, a decision that went in her favor earlier this month.
The screenshots included the names of the four deputies and some disturbing allegations about what those deputies did with the photos of the crash victims.
Bryant shared several photos of the lawsuit to her Instagram, including the front page of the lawsuit that listed the defendant names in full.
A second part of the lawsuit she shared included allegations that one deputy, officer Joey Cruz, showed photos of the accident to a bartender.
Cruz allegedly "boasted" to a bartender at the Baja California Bar and Grill in Norwalk, California, two days after the crash photos that he had responded to the crash and allegedly showed photos of the accident that he took. The bartender then reportedly approached another table of guests at the restaurant and explained what had happened, something one of the customers described as “very, very disturbing.”
That customer filed an official complaint with the Sheriff’s department while sitting in his car after leaving the restaurant, as it “did not sit well with [him] at all.”
Cruz is also accused of showing the photos to his niece — he allegedly made "a crude remark about the state of the victims' remains" before doing so — and to another bar patron, something he is seen zooming in on in security camera footage at the bar. Another officer, Deputy Michael Russell, allegedly sent photos to a friend he "plays video games nightly" with.
Bryant’s lawsuit alleged that within 48 hours of the crash, photos had spread to at least 10 members of the department. It also claims that one deputy in particular had taken between 25 and 100 photos of the crash scene on his personal cell phone.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva, according to the lawsuit, allegedly called those deputies who had taken the photos into his office, and said that if they deleted the photos that they would not face discipline. He also reportedly didn’t tell internal affairs about the breach of privacy, and no investigation was started until news of the photos was made public.
Deshaun Watson Facing Three Lawsuits Accusing Him of Sexual Assault During Massages!
Deshaun Watson is reportedly facing not just one, not just two, but THREE separate civil lawsuits from women accusing the Houston Texans quarterback of sexually assaulting them during massages.
Via Sports Illustrated:
After announcing the first lawsuit on Tuesday, Houston attorney Tony Buzbee posted on social media about a second suit on Wednesday and later that evening, Buzbee announced in a post that a third lawsuit—this one “the most egregious” to date—had been filed as well.
The first two lawsuits allege inappropriate conduct during massages on two different occasions by two different individuals, the first being a licensed massage therapist and the other being a masseuse with the goal of being a licensed massage therapist one day.
The second lawsuit says, “Watson’s behavior is part of a disturbing pattern of preying on vulnerable women.”
Buzbee declined to go into details about the third lawsuit, but addressed any perceptions that the suits had anything to do with gaining notoriety or financial gain.
“I’ve been doing this a long time. I don’t need ‘fame’…,” Buzbee wrote. “I’m not pursuing these cases for the money, and every woman who has filed thus far has only plead the minimum amount to invoke the court’s jurisdiction ($500). This isn’t about the money!!”
In the second filing, Watson allegedly booked the massage through Instagram, and flew the masseuse from Atlanta to Houston in August 2020. Prior to arrival, they discussed what he was looking for, and allegedly asked her to specifically focus on his “glutes and his groin area and asked if she was comfortable with working on those areas.”
The lawsuit states that she arrived at the hotel where the massage was to take place, but when she went to the room, the Texans quarterback was nude and allegedly refused to cover up with a towel despite multiple requests, stating that he “gets hot too easily.”
The filing says that Watson allegedly asked the woman to focus on the “inner part of his anus” and towards his “genitals.”
When the Texans quarterback flipped onto his back, the woman handed him a towel to cover up, which he refused. She became uncomfortable shortly after, and ended the massage, asking to leave.
“Watson grabbed her hand and started to rub her arm, pulling her towards him, saying ‘It is okay, it is okay.’ Plaintiff pulled away,” according to the lawsuit.
The filing also states that the masseuse only received half of her payment, but was “so disturbed” that she didn’t ask for the second half.
The first lawsuit was filed on Tuesday and appeared on the Harris County district clerk’s website Wednesday morning. The incident took place in March 2020, and the lawsuit says it was “apparent that Watson wanted the massage for only one reason—sex.”
“As she was trying to figure out how to extricate herself from the situation, Watson continued to aggressively attempt to steer the conversation to how Plaintiff was not rubbing him the way he wanted. Several times he specifically kept trying to direct her to his penis,” the lawsuit says. “At one point, he purposely exposed the tip of his penis from under the towel.”
The lawsuit claims the quarterback was “fully erect,” and he “moved his body so he could expose himself more.” It also alleges Watson “purposefully touched the Plaintiff’s hand” with the tip of his penis.
The Plaintiff, listed as “Jane Doe” in the case, quickly ended the session, and according to the lawsuit, Watson told her, “I know you have a career and reputation, and I know you would hate for someone to mess with yours, just like I don’t want anyone messing with mine.”
Buzbee, who represents the Plaintiffs in both cases, said on social media that four cases against Watson, but only two have been filed so far.
ESPN reported that the Texans issued a statement earlier on Wednesday.
“We became aware of a civil lawsuit involving Deshaun Watson through a social media post last night,” the team’s statement said. “This is the first time we heard of the matter, and we hope to learn more soon. We take accusations of this nature that involve anyone within the Houston Texans organization seriously. We will await further information before making any additional statements on this incident.”
Watson responded to the claims from Buzbee on social media Tuesday night, denying the allegations. Watson said Tuesday that he had not seen the complaint yet.
We’re not saying we don’t believe these women, but the timing of these allegations is VERY interesting, to say the least…
Sherriff Who Said Spa Shooter Had a 'Bad Day' Previously Posted a Racist Shirt Blaming China for the Pandemic!
The Georgia cop who said the man accused of killing six Asian women and two others in shootings at spas in the Atlanta area had “a bad day” previously shared a photo of racist T-shirts on social media.
via Buzzfeed: In a Facebook post from April 2020, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Capt. Jay Baker shared an image of T-shirts based off the Corona beer label that said “Covid 19 IMPORTED VIRUS FROM CHY-NA.”
“Love my shirt,” Baker wrote. “Get yours while they last.'”
Baker did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but after BuzzFeed News asked about the shirt, the public Facebook post became unavailable.
At their press conference about the shootings on Wednesday, police said it was too early to determine if the suspect was motivated by race, but added that the suspect told officials he had sex addiction issues and targeted the businesses because he wanted to “take out that temptation.”
As director of communications and community relations at the sheriff’s office, Baker was among the law enforcement speakers who gave an update on the investigation.
Speaking to reporters about the suspect’s explanation for the shootings, which he allegedly admitted to, Baker said it was “a really bad day” for the shooter.
His comments and officials’ decision to focus on the suspect’s narrative amid a spate of increased hate incidents against Asian Americans have been widely criticized.
A report published Tuesday by the organization Stop AAPI Hate found nearly 3,800 reported hate incidents targeting Asian Americans in the past year, in part due to racist scapegoating over COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, former president Donald Trump repeatedly called the disease the “China Virus” and “Kung Flu.”
Of the incidents documented by the group, 68% involved verbal harassment, and 11% involved physical assault. The report also showed that women reported attacks at more than twice the rate of men.
Maya Rudolph To Headline Apple TV+ Comedy Series From Alan Yang & Matt Hubbard!
Apple TV+ has given a straight-to-series order to a half-hour comedy series starring Emmy Award-winner Maya Rudolph and created by Emmy winners Alan Yang and Matt Hubbard.
The untitled series reunites the trio who worked together on the 2018 Amazon comedy series Forever, also created by Yang and Hubbard and starring Saturday Night Live alums Rudolph and Fred Armisen.
On the new Apple series, Rudolph will play Molly, a woman whose seemingly perfect life is upended after her husband leaves her with nothing but 87 billion dollars.
Creators/writers Yang and Hubbard executive produce alongside Rudolph through her production company, Animal Pictures, with the company’s Natasha Lyonne and Danielle Renfrew Behrens also executive producing. Additionally, Dave Becky executive produces. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group where Yang and Hubbard have had overall deals, will serve as the studio.
This is the latest Apple comedy series headlined by an SNL former/current star, along the Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award-winning Ted Lasso, toplined by Jason Sudeikis; and the upcoming The Shrink Next Door, starring Will Ferrell; and Schmigadoon! with Cecily Strong.
Last year, Rudolph became a rare double acting Emmy winner in the same year for her guest appearances on SNL as Kamala Harris and her voiceover work on Netflix’s Big Mouth. She is repped by WME, 3 Arts Entertainment and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum.
This marks the second collaboration between Apple TV+ and Yang, joining Independent Spirit Award and NAACP Image Award-nominated anthology series, Little America, also from Uni TV. Parks & Recreation alum Yang won a writing Emmy Award for Netflix’s Master Of None, shared with Aziz Ansari, with whom he co-created the comedy series. He is repped by WME and McKuin Frankel Whitehead.
Fellow Parks & Rec alum Hubbard won a writing Emmy for NBC’s 30 Rock and shared in the show’s Outstanding Comedy Series win. He also worked on NBC’s Superstore. Hubbard is repped by UTA and Hansen Jacobson Teller.
Kevin Frazier Dragged For Asking Black Women To Educate Sharon Osbourne On Racism!
Entertainment Tonight's Kevin Frazier was dragged on social media after asking black female celebrities to educate Sharon Osbourne on racism. During Osbourne's interview with Frazier, she claimed she was blindsided by Sheryl Underwood's line of questioning regarding her friend Piers Morgan. She also claimed that she was set up based on a pact that she and her co-host made with eachother, where they promised to never surprise on another with questions if they believed the other host had not been prepped.
She also revealed that she has since apologized to Sheryl, saying, “I love Sheryl. I’ve apologized to Sheryl. She’s not gotten back and I can understand Sheryl needs her time.” She added, “I should never have dismissed her feelings on national tv, ever. But I said it and I have to own it. And I was so angry. I cannot begin to tell you. Not with Sheryl, not with Elaine but with a company that I worked at for 11 years.”
After the interview, Frazier wrote via Instagram, “At some point we all have to reach a point where we can sit together and have tough conversations about race. I don’t know what happens next for @SharonOsbourne but I do know, it is time for a meaningful conversation, a learning moment. She is ready."
He continued, "Let’s get @chrisbharrison, let’s get @michaelericdyson, #meghanmarkle, Sharon, @amandaseales, @sherylunderwood @hollyrpeete y’all suggest some names and have a summit. Let’s move FORWARD!”
AMANDA SEALES RESPONDS
Amanda Seales responded, saying, “How bout you put your energy into providing a safe space for those on the show who have been terrorized by her rampant racism/classism/xenophobia. Y’all STAY CAPIN FOR THESE KARENS!..You must be outta yo g*td*mn mind.”
She later said, “First of all, it is not the responsibility of Black to educate white folks on how they can not be trash ass folks. They f*ckin made up racism, why the f*ck we gotta teach you how to not be racist. To expect us to do that and as a Black person try to rally up Black folks into that space is one, just foolish, and not respectful of our time and of our energy. And on another level, completely devoid of any consideration for the fact that Sheryl and Holly have been at the brunt of this woman’s racist b*llsh*t. So basically, you’re asking victims to come and have a nice little sit down with their attacker so this b*tch can feel better? No, we are not on the rehabilitate white people train."
KEVIN RESPONDS
Kevin responded to Amanda, saying, ”Listen, I was suggesting that there be a place, in the mainstream where people (like Sheryl and Holly) could actually express their feelings without being muted or muzzled (and I can tell you that there were people who worked to mute Hollys voice after she left). That in the same arena where the transgressions occurred that they could be corrected."
He continued, ”We are rarely given an opportunity to speak freely in those forums. The people I mentioned and the voices I suggested are people who I think have something important to say. Unfortunately that message was not delivered or received well. Ok… As for my interview with Sharon, it was 90 mins long and there was a lot said that was not reflected in what made the air. It also was done before the latest article detailing other transgressions. That has been addressed. “
Grammys Fans Upset After Beyonce's History-Making Announcement Steals Megan Thee Stallion's Spotlight!
The Grammy Awards is receiving some pushback from fans after host Trevor Noah, according to some viewers, overshadowed Megan Thee Stallion's win to announce Beyoncé's history-making moment. During the Sunday night awards ceremony, Beyoncé made history when she and Megan's "Savage" remix won Best Rap Song, pushing the singer to 27 total wins and tying her with bluegrass singer Alison Krauss place as the most-decorated singer, male or female, in Grammys history.
Beyoncé and Megan beat out "The Bigger Picture" by Lil Baby, "The Box" by Roddy Ricch, "Laugh Now Cry Later" by Drake featuring Lil Durk and "Rockstar" by DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch to snag the award in the category and took the stage together to accept the honor, with Megan delivering a speech, who gave shout outs to several people, including her collaborator. She said that those who know her know that "ever since I was little, you know that when I grow up, I'm going to be like the rap-Beyoncé. That was my goal. I love her work ethic; I love how she is; I love the way she carried herself." She thanked Beyoncé for her “encouraging words all the time."
However, as the two left the stage, they were interrupted by Noah, who took a moment to recognize Beyoncé’s history-making win. The Daily Show host stopped the two from leaving the stage, turning to the camera to tell viewers, "We want everyone to know that right now Grammy history has been made." He went on to note that with the win, "Beyoncé has just tied the all-time record for most Grammy wins ever by a female artist and by any singer, male or female. So congratulations, Queen Bee."
While Megan happily cheered on Beyoncé, who appeared shocked to learn she had made history, viewers thought it rude of Noah to announce the history-making moment when Megan was getting her chance in the spotlight and celebrating her win. As one person said, they believed Beyoncé wanted the win "to be Megan's moment," with somebody else writing that they “wouldn’t have used Megan’s moment to announce B breaking the record.”
As viewers know, later in the night, Beyoncé went on to make history again when she snagged her 28th win, taking home the award Best R&B Performance, which pushed her across the 27-awards mark and had her surpass Krauss in total wins.
Own Announces ‘Iyanla Fix My Life’ Will Be Airing Its Last Season This Spring!
The popular show ‘Iyanla Fix My Life’ is coming to an end after OWN wraps up one of its longest-running series with final episodes airing this spring.
“The minute Iyanla stepped onto the stage of The Oprah Show, I knew she had a talent that was meant to be shared, and I am glad that she created the perfect vehicle to provide OWN viewers with her healing magic,” said Winfrey, “Sunsetting the series is bittersweet. I’m very thankful for her and the work she does and looks forward to what unfolds next from her gift of teaching people to be better versions of themselves.”
The series, which has 150 episodes, will start airing its final episodes on April 10, with a 2 hour fair well special being released May 22.
Vanzant said, “The time I have spent creating and working on Fix My Life has been nothing short of phenomenal,” adding that, “In my heart of hearts, I believe that Fix My Life has contributed to the creation of a new genre of television programming, where people get to speak and see how to address issues that have been taboo. To have a network, a production team, and a crew that could stand in and participates in the manifestation of this vision has been humbling and most rewarding. My prayer is that Fix My Life will be standard for others who have the vision and courage to bring personal healing work to the television screen.”
Nick Cannon Speaks On His Growth From Past Anti-Semitic Comments: “It’s Not About Cancel Culture, It’s About Counsel Culture”!
Nick Cannon is speaking out about his past anti-Semitic remarks, stating that he is “not seeking forgiveness” and that he wishes to be “on the right side of history.”
Cannon opened up about the remarks he made during a podcast episode last summer that contributed to his temporary dismissal from ViacomCBS and the loss of his show “Wild N’ Out” in an interview with ABC anchor Linsey Davis on “Soul of a Country” on Tuesday.
“I’m not looking for forgiveness; I’m looking for a change,” he explained.
Cannon had a tense talk with Richard “Professor Griff” Griffin on his “Cannon’s Class” podcast last July. Cannon praised Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and supported anti-Semitic conspiracy theories during the debate.
Cannon was fired immediately, and ViacomCBS condemned his comments, saying it “denounces all forms of anti-Semitism.” Cannon initially declined to apologize and insisted on owning his ViacomCBS-owned show “Wild ‘N Out.” Cannon took to Twitter two days later to apologize.
Cannon claims he’s still learning after several months. “I hurt people; I’m (going) to lean into it. I want to understand why I hurt you, what did I say, what are these tropes, educate me.”
Cannon’s method of moving “into it” has been to invite rabbis and Jewish leaders onto the same radio show where he made the anti-Semitic remarks in the first place. Rabbi Abraham Cooper immediately spoke out against Cannon after the uproar. He said in a tweet that the interview was for someone interested in getting a Ph.D. in “Jew-hatred.” Since then, the two have made amends and spoken about further educating him on the topic.
“It’s not about cancel culture, it’s about counsel culture,” Cannon told Davis.
“My journey is not going to stop whether the person watching this forgives me or not. I’m still going to hopefully do this process and be on the right side of history.”
ViacomCBS restored its contract with Cannon in February, and the company announced the VH1 sketch-comedy series “Wild ‘N Out” will resume production with Cannon as host. In a statement to USA Today, MTV Entertainment Group said Cannon has “taken responsibility for his comments” and “worked to educate himself” through conversations with Jewish leaders.
Kodak Black Walks Back Megan Thee Stallion Criticism: 'You Good Queen'!
Kodak Black wants the world to know that his recent comments about Megan The Stallion were made in jest.
After accusing the recent three-time Grammy-winner of building a "career off of taking one Lil piece of [his] sh*t," the South Florida rapper took to Instagram on Tuesday (May 16) to let her know that his comments were not to be taken seriously.
“Congratulations Tho Lol,” Kodak commented on Meg's latest Instagram post, per Complex. “I Just Be Bullsh*tting You Good Black Queen I Salute That Sh*t #KeepItUp.”
Shortly after Megan won three awards at Sunday's (March 14) Grammys, Kodak asked his fans on Twitter “Who Shoulda Said Dat?” He later tweeted about someone who made “a whole career off of taking one Lil piece of my sh*t," adding, “Baby ain’t have to go out her way to give my credit but the opportunity came to her instead when they asked that question on tv smh and they be on some Black Lives Matter sh*t y’all don’t even be fa this sh*t fr."
Kodak's mentioning of "asked that question on TV” appeared to be in reference to a 2020 interview Megan had with Keke Palmer, where they discussed the origins of the phrase “drive the boat" — Kodak's alleged original catchphrase.
"Which hip-hop star created the catchphrase 'Drive the Boat,' and what does it mean?" Keke asked her co-hosts Michael Strahan and Sara Haines during a segment with Megan on ABC's Strahan, Sara & Keke.
"I think Megan did it," Michael said.
"OK, but you need to finish the answer," KeKe responded. "What does it mean?"
"'Drive the Boat'—I can't say it because it's not able to be consumed on daytime television," the former football star replied.
"You got it right. Ding ding ding ...," Keke said. "Michael, you're right. It's about consumption and [Megan's] the originator of it."
While Megan didn't take credit for originating the phrase, she did raise her hands in agreement.
Kodak, who was incarcerated at the time, later took to Instagram to call out Megan for taking credit for the "drive the boat phrase," writing, "I Really Wanna Go Bad On Lil One but I’m Keepin This Sh*t Pretty."
As fans know, Megan used "drive the boat" in her 2019 single "Hot Girl Summer," in which she raps, "Let me drive the boat, kiss me in a Rolls/ It go down on that brown, now we goin' both ways."
However, it should be noted that Kodak first popularized the phrase earlier that year when he said it during an Instagram Live video while on a boat.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘SALTY DOG’
Looks like this little philly injured that leg from swinging it open too many times!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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