Angela Bassett for Backstage Magazine - 1st April 2021!
“I’ve always said: I want to be a working actor, I want to be paid fairly, and I want to do work that inspires me”
It was snowing in New Haven when Angela Bassett decided she was going to be a professional actor—or try to be one, anyway.
“It was the first snow, this beautiful snow. I’m a Florida girl, and I have made a decision that I am going to pursue this crazy idea,” she remembers. “Hell or high water, and we’ll see what happens.”
The alternative path, which Bassett was weighing at that moment in her junior year at Yale as she watched the snowflakes float to the ground outside, was molecular biophysics and biochemistry. “What would be a more difficult route for me?” she asked herself. “Well, both are difficult—so pursue the one you’re passionate about, the one that you love.” Fortunately for us, that wasn’t the path of molecular biophysics.
She applied and was admitted to the Yale School of Drama, into a class of 17 out of roughly 10 times as many applicants. To be an actor, she posits, “was such an almost impossibility for someone who looked like me, who was [from] where I was from, that I wanted to be as practical as possible by supporting it with technique and education and foundation.” From there, it was on to New York, where she hoofed it in (mostly) Off-Broadway shows and hustled on soap operas and in industrials.
“I’ve always thought each job is because of a different reason. Sometimes it’s just an idea that I want to put out into space.”
When she eventually decided to try her luck at a pilot season in Los Angeles, the assumption was that she’d be driven back east shortly thereafter. “I decided to go out for six months—it was either six weeks or six months,” she says on a recent Saturday afternoon video call. “Well, anyway, it’s turned into many years now!”
It’s also turned into an Oscar nomination, seven Emmy nominations, and decades of canonical roles in film and on TV, all of which have molded hers into one of the most roundly respected names in the business. “I’ve always said: I want to be a working actor, I want to be paid fairly, and I want to do work that inspires me,” Bassett says of her only overarching career strategy. Those three tentpoles are evident in most every project she’s done—and notably absent from those projects she’s declined.
Long before Hollywood, New York, or Yale, an undying love for performance started for Bassett where it does for so many who choose to go down that haphazard path: at the theater. Specifically, on a trip to Washington, D.C., at age 15 to see James Earl Jones in the Kennedy Center’s production of “Of Mice and Men.” “[I remember] just being wrecked emotionally and being literally the last person to leave the auditorium, crying. I couldn’t believe that this make-believe could make me feel this deeply, this passionately, [and that it] could bring tears,” she remembers, adding with a devilish grin: “I thought, How great would it be if I could make someone else feel that awful?”
She returned to her small St. Petersburg, Florida, community “infatuated” with the performing arts, but with very little opportunity to harness them herself. Occasionally, at her church (“if it were a fifth Sunday”), they’d let the younger folks put on the service, which she seized as a chance to write and act in short plays. “I’d put on one of my great-grandmother’s dresses, use a brown pencil and draw lines on my face, [and] put baby powder in my hair,” she says with a laugh. “You know, try and get people to give more, be more generous!”
Get more at Backstage!
#RHOA: Drew Sidora Reveals She May Need a Hysterectomy!
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star, 35, revealed to Page Six this week that she was diagnosed in 2020 with adenomyosis, a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows into the uterine wall, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The mom of three said that she may need to get a hysterectomy to treat the condition.
"What I'm dealing with as a woman, as a mother … this is serious for me," Sidora told the outlet.
The reality star also said she seeking a second opinion about the surgery from Married to Medicine's Dr. Jackie Walters.
"I want to be careful before I have another surgery," Sidora explained.
Sidora's health announcement comes after her recent quarrel with fellow RHOA star Kenya Moore, who suggested Sidora should get a "tummy tuck."
Moore, 50, tweeted the comment after she refused to do a "booty bounce" contest during Sunday's RHOA episode and Sidora called her out for having work done on her behind.
"What's the problem? Girl, you paid for that booty, bounce it," Sidora said of Moore during the episode.
Sidora told Page Six that she doesn't regret her remarks on the show.
"It's one thing to talk about what we go through as women versus someone who's unnatural and gets butt shots," the actress said.
Sidora also spoke candidly about gaining weight while at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking of the photo Moore shared, Sidora said said she "was in the house gaining a nice amount of quarantine weight" and "it wasn't a good day for me."
"It's been tough," she added.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays (8 p.m. ET) on Bravo.
#MusicNews: Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak To Release 'Leave The Door Open' Live Single!
Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak's Silk Sonic venture is releasing a special edition of their single, "Leave the Door Open (Live)."
On Tuesday (March 30), it was announced that a jewel case CD single of their track featuring cover art from their 2021 Grammy performance will be available for purchase on Friday. The song features the minute-long intro track by Parliament-Funkadelic bassist Bootsy Collins. "Due to popular demand (and by demand I mean andy’s close relatives and 2 people I employ) we proudly present, #LeaveTheDoorOpen LIVE!," Mars captioned the announcement post via social media, adding "Swear this is even more collectible."
The song serves as the lead single from the duo's debut album, An Evening With Silk Sonic. The LP, which doesn't have a release date just yet, might feature H.E.R. and Victoria Monét as the two recently shared some suspect posts about auditioning for the pair.
Silk Sonic's "Leave the Door Open (Live)" CD single is available for pre-order and will be on sale through April 5.
#HipHopNews: Lauren London Pays Tribute To Nipsey Hussle On 2nd Anniversary Of His Death!
It’s been two years since the world lost Nipsey Hussle.
On the second anniversary of his passing, Lauren London is reflecting on the events that changed her life forever. Taking to Instagram, the actress shared a photo of Nipsey with her 10 million followers along with some touching words.
“The Day Of Ermias’ transition changed the course of my life forever,” she began. “2 years, and it feels like yesterday and eternity all at the same time. Grief and Healing have been constant companions on this journey.”
An emotional London continued to pay tribute to her soulmate and father of her son. “In Honor of His life and demonstration… May all of Heaven exalt Your name for all You did on Earth and beyond. Brave and Beloved Soul, Ermias. You are missed deeply. You are loved immensely. You will forever be. I love you eternally,” said London, who Nipsey affectionately called “Boogie.”
The couple, who have a 4-year-old son named Kross, began dating in 2013 after meeting on social media. Last year, London revealed how she’s been coping with her grief since Nipsey was killed outside his Marathon Clothing store on March 31, 2019.
“I don’t always wake up on the enlightened side of the bed and the days that I don’t, I let myself ’cause I’m human,” she told Jada Pinkett-Smith on “Red Table Talk.” “I let myself be human and I’m gentle with myself, and I find things that matter and so I try to live with a purpose.”
The hip-hop community including Nas, 2 Chainz, Swizz Beatz, and DJ Khaled also paid tribute to the Crenshaw legend, who would have been 35.
Tyler Perry Calls on DOJ to Investigate ‘Unconstitutional Voter Suppression Law’!
Tyler Perry shared his thoughts on Tuesday about the new restrictive voting laws passed in Georgia this past week, as well as on calls from some corners in Hollywood to boycott filming in the state.
“As a Georgia resident and business owner I’ve been here a few times with the anti-abortion bill and the LGBTQ discrimination bill. They all sent a shockwave through Georgia and the nation but none of them managed to succeed. I’m resting my hope in the DOJ taking a hard look at this unconstitutional voter suppression law that harkens to the Jim Crow era,” Perry said in a statement.
Signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp with protesters outside of the state Capitol, the new voting legislation requires that Georgia voters who want to request an absentee or mail-in ballot must submit the number of their driver’s license or state ID card. It also makes it a crime to provide food and water to voters waiting in line outside of polling places, and while it requires that at least one drop-off box for ballots be placed in each county, they must be inside a government building and can only be accessed during business hours.
The law has been criticized by Democrats and voting rights groups as a veiled attempt at voter suppression against Black residents, passed along party lines by Republicans in response to the surge of Black turnout that gave Joe Biden a critical victory in the state over Donald Trump in the 2020 election and which swung the state’s two Senate seats to Democrats. President Biden called the law “Jim Crow in the 21st century” while newly seated Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock urged Democrats to pass federal voting rights laws to counter the state legislation, even if it meant removing the Senate filibuster that requires 60 votes to get a bill passed.
“How are you going to insist on protecting minority rights in the Senate while refusing to protect minority rights in the society?” Warnock asked during an interview on CNN on Sunday.
Meanwhile in Hollywood, the voting law’s passage revived calls among some filmmakers and actors to pull movie shoots from Georgia, which has become a hotbed of film and TV production in recent years with dozens of major blockbusters being filmed there, including “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Endgame.”
James Mangold, director of “Logan” and “Ford v Ferrari,” said he would not shoot his next film in the state, while “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill voiced his support for the idea on Twitter as well. Similar boycott calls briefly were sparked in 2019 when the state signed a bill prohibiting abortions after six weeks of pregnancy except for some special circumstances.
Perry, who became the first Black filmmaker to own his own production studio with the creation of Tyler Perry Studios in 2006, has his offices and production sets based in Atlanta, where Black voting organizers worked to turn out support for Biden and the two Senate races this past winter. Perry reminded his Hollywood peers of that victory and that Gov. Kemp will be up for re-election next year, when Stacey Abrams, the former Georgia State House Minority Leader whom Kemp narrowly defeated in 2018, is expected to run again.
“As some consider boycotting, please remember that we did turn Georgia blue and there is a gubernatorial race on the horizon – that’s the beauty of a democracy.”
Tom Hanks' son Chet Hanks accused of abusing, threatening girlfriend in Sugar Land home!
The girlfriend of Tom Hanks' son, Chester Marlon Hanks, has filed a protective order against him in Fort Bend County after he threatened and abused her on multiple occasions, court documents allege.
Hanks, who goes by Chet, began dating his girlfriend in March 2019.
Derek Chauvin trial live coverage: Ex-cop told onlooker George Floyd was big, 'probably on something'
The first incident occurred on Oct. 18, 2020 at the Windsor Court luxury hotel in New Orleans while Hanks was filming for the show "Your Honor."
According to the woman, the trouble began when she said she wanted to leave the hotel for food, but Hanks wanted her to stay in the room and order through Postmates. While they were out, his girlfriend alleges Hanks grabbed her wrist forcefully, saying that they were going back to the room.
The woman says she was able to break away from him as he made statements like, "Why don't you want to be with me?"
Later in the night when the couple was back in the hotel room, things escalated.
While she was lying in bed, she claims Hanks shoved and verbally harassed her, telling her that, "he would not allow what happened with his mom and dad's relationship to happen to ours."
The protective order shows that when his girlfriend tried to leave, Hanks grabbed her right arm, knocking over tables. She described grabbing her backpack in an attempt to leave, but Hanks again allegedly would not let go, dragging her away from the door and accusing her of taking his phone.
Hanks is accused of swinging her by her backpack, causing it to break, then pushing her into a table and calling her a "ghetto black bitch."
The struggle continued, with her saying he threatened her multiple times, including that, "He was Chet Hanks and I wasn't s---,' and "if I left, he would jump off of the balcony."
Even though security arrived and asked to speak with the woman directly, she says that Hanks stayed by the door, and she told them everything was fine out of fear of future issues and tarnishing his name and brand.
A second incident allegedly happened a week after Hanks returned to their Sugar Land home around Dec. 22, 2020.
According to the protective order, Hanks threatened to kill her and himself even as her 9-year-old twins were in the home. After New Year's, the victim alleges, those types of threats continued while she had family over.
On Jan. 6, 2021, Hanks' girlfriend says things got even worse when she told Hanks she was leaving him. Around Jan. 8, 2021, she recalls in the court document that she returned to their Sugar Land home to move her belongings.
As she was packing, Hanks followed her and questioned her. While in the kitchen, Hanks put his hand on a knife and moved toward her, the protective order said.
The woman says she picked up a pot and swung it in the air to try to get away, but he grabbed her wrist. Eventually, the altercation moved outside in front of the home, where he allegedly wrestled to grab her phone as she recorded him and kicked her.
"During this process, I was screaming and asking for help," she said in the court documents. "A man driving by stopped, yelled for Chet to get off me and called the police."
The victim goes on to say that at one point, Hanks ran back into the house to look for his gun, which she hid earlier after he said he was having suicidal thoughts.
It ended when she was finally able to call the police through her assistant's phone since they had not yet arrived while Hanks drove off.
Under the protective order, Hanks is barred from communicating directly with his girlfriend, except through an attorney, and from coming within 200 feet of her. He also can't possess a firearm.
Hanks attorney, Marty D. Singer, who says the claims against his client are false. In a statement, Singer said:
"The day after Chet Hanks confronted (his girlfriend) about stealing money from his credit card, while (she) was accompanied by a huge male carrying a gun she viciously attacked Chet with a knife, which caused him to profusely bleed. It is all on video and the undisputed video tells the whole story. Her claims are completely false, fabricated and fictional."
Singer adds Hanks is suing his girlfriend over money she allegedly stole to pay for travel expenses for her, her friend, and for rent, among other things, totaling $5,759 in fraudulent charges to Hanks' debit card. The girlfriend is also accused of stealing Hanks' property, including a couch, a bed and a flat screen TV.
If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation and need help, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Kevin Durant Apologizes To Michael Rapaport After Homophobic Rant!
A heated back-and-forth between NBA star Kevin Durant and the actor Michael Rapaport exploded into public view on Tuesday after Rapaport posted screenshots of direct messages in which the Brooklyn Nets forward appeared to use homophobic, misogynistic and profane language.
“I receive threats and disgusting messages DAILY, but never in my wildest dreams did I think (Kevin Durant) would be among them,” Rapaport wrote on Tuesday afternoon. “The (snake emoji) himself is now threatening me, bringing up my wife and wants to fight. This is supposed to be America’s sweetheart right?”
In a private conversation which appears to date back to last year, the 11-time All-Star attacked the 51-year-old actor and sports podcaster with a flurry of highly profane insults. Durant went on to challenge Rapaport to a fistfight on the streets on New York City before asking for his home address.
“Your wife doesn’t even respect your bitch ass,” Durant wrote.
According to the screenshots, the confrontation began when Rapaport criticized Durant’s post-game interview with TNT analyst Charles Barkley after Brooklyn’s season-opening victory over the Golden State Warriors in December.
Rapaport tweeted at the time: “KD seemed deeply in his feelings with the (TNT) crew after the game. DAMNIT he’s super sensitive about everything. Don’t do the interview.”
Durant responded by calling Rapaport a “bitch”, a “pussy”, a “pale pasty cum guzzling bitch” and a “piece of shit”, followed by a series of insults invoking the actor’s wife.
The 32-year-old Durant appeared to confirm the authenticity of the direct messages in a tweet on Tuesday, then made a tepid attempt to defuse the situation in Rapaport’s Instagram comments, writing: “my bad I apologize”.
Durant could be subject to NBA discipline in light of the league’s precedent for punishing anti-gay rhetoric. The late Kobe Bryant and LA Clippers guard Rajon Rondo were both fined for using homophobic slurs.
Previously, Durant has been caught on multiple occasions using both primary and burner Twitter accounts to defend himself from criticism on the social media platform.
In 2017, shortly after he joined Golden State as a free agent, he responded to a fan who asked for “one legitimate reason” for Durant’s decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder. Writing in the third person, the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player responded by saying “he didn’t like the organization or playing for Billy Donovan” and that “his roster wasn’t that good, it was just him and [Russell Westbrook]”.
Durant signed a four-year, $164m contract to join the Nets two summers ago in a sign-and-trade deal with the Warriors.
Sarah Palin confirms she’s had COVID-19 diagnosis, urges folks to wear masks!
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she tested positive for COVID-19 and is urging people to take steps to guard against the coronavirus, such as wearing masks in public.
“Through it all, I view wearing that cumbersome mask indoors in a crowd as not only allowing the newfound luxury of being incognito, but trust it’s better than doing nothing to slow the spread,” Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, told People magazine.
“And history will show we Masked Singer visitors were masked before being masked was cool,” she said in her statement, referring to the TV show on which she once appeared.
It was not clear when Palin, 57, tested positive. She told the magazine that other members of her family tested positive as well.
She said her case shows “anyone can catch this.”
“I strongly encourage everyone to use common sense to avoid spreading this and every other virus out there,” Palin said, in urging vigilance but not fear.
She said she also advised “reprioritizing some personal time and resources to ensure as healthy a lifestyle as you can create so when viruses do hit, you have at least some armor to fight it.”
Romeo Miller Says LAPD Officer Held Him at Gunpoint!
Romeo Miller recounts when he was held at gunpoint by a Los Angeles police officer while visiting the University of California, Los Angeles. "UCLA, you better have that camera recording, because they don't play no games. But the guy pulled me over at gunpoint, a Black cop, and was like, 'Is this a stolen vehicle?'" he said, while re-enacting the dangerous moment on FOX Soul's The Mix. "I'm like, bro, relax. Just come check my registration and get my driving license."
"Is this a stolen vehicle?" he said again, acting as the officer. "And then he saw it was me and was like, 'Oh, Romeo Miller? Oh, you're good. I thought you were just some random Black dude.'"
Miller goes on to say how the incident makes him worry for his brothers. His two brothers Hercy and Mercy Miller could also find themselves in that same situation, he tells his other hosts Zonnique (T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle), Romeo Miller (Ex On The Beach/Peak), Anton Peeples (Mr. Mom), newcomer Jamie DuBose, and Jazz Anderson (TV personality & rapper). "I don't care, you don't have to be 'some random Black dude.' My brothers ain't famous. They're bigger than me –– these guys are 6'4, 6'5. These guys are 'intimidating Black men.' I have little brothers that literally look like grown men," he said. "What are they going to go through when they don't realize 'Oh I know you from TV? You're not a threat, or this or that.' It's sad that we're seen as threatening. I been through that situation too many times." he said.
While he claims his brothers aren't famous, one could say it's only a matter of time. Hercy Miller seems to be following in his father's –– Hip-Hop legend Percy Miller –– basketball legacy. The younger Miller recently announced he'll be attending HBCU Tennessee State University in the fall to play Basketball. "Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been taught to be a leader and to not follow the crowd. I want to make a change. I want to make a difference,” he told ESPN, per the Grio, of his decision. “I know with me, I can change the narrative of people thinking that you need to go to a big school to become a pro or just to be great, and that’s not true.”
When his father was asked how he feels about his son's choice, “This is so big for the culture with my son going to an HBCU and going to Tennessee State. This is going to change the narrative. This is about economic empowerment and teaching that, and being able to make sure that these HBCU’s are in the spotlight,” he told the outlet. “I think this is a movement. I think so many kids behind him will be coming to do this now – I’m talking about top athletes like Hercy.”
Tiger Woods Update: Investigators Find Cause of Crash!
Investigators involved in the Tiger Woods accident have determined the cause of the crash that happened in February. However, they are not releasing the results of the investigation due to "privacy issues." Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva spoke to reporters on Wednesday, confirming the investigation has concluded. However, he wouldn't reveal the details of the investigation until he gets permission from Woods' team.
"A cause has been determined, the investigation has concluded," Villanueva said per TMZ. "We have reached out to Tiger Woods and his personnel ... There's some privacy issues on releasing information on the investigation so we're going to ask them if they waive the privacy and then we will be able to do a full release on all the information regarding the accident."
Woods suffered serious injures in the Feb. 23 crash that occurred outside the Los Angeles area. He was driving a Genesis SUV and crossed two oncoming lanes and "uprooted a tree on a downhill stretch that police said is known for wrecks," according to ABC News. Currently, Woods is at his home in Florida recovering from multiple surgeries.
Earlier this month, Villanueva said the crash was "purely an accident," which drew some criticism. “We have all the contents of the black box, we’ve got everything,” Villanueva said on Wednesday. “It’s completed, signed, sealed and delivered. However, we can’t release it without the permission of the people involved in the collision.”
Experts have had their share of questions about the investigation. USA Today spoke with multiple forensic experts, and they said "Woods was inattentive or asleep when his vehicle went straight into a median instead of staying with his lane as it curved right." It was reported that Woods had no recollection of driving or even how the accident occurred when talking to sheriff's deputies.
Jonathan Cherney, a former police detective, told USA Today that the fact Woods couldn't remember driving at all is at all indicates impairment. “I do know significant head injuries can cause people to not know what happened or forget what happened,” Cherney said. "The fact that he doesn’t remember driving at all is also indicative and consistent with the objective symptom of impaired driving." Before the accident, Woods was recovering from back surgery in December. He was looking to take part in this year's Masters Tournament which begins next week.
Tyra Banks will return as host of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ for season 30!
Despite some hiccups, Tyra Banks is staying put as the host of ABC’s hit dancing competition series.
Judges Len Goodman, Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli are also all expected to return for the show’s landmark 30th season.
Last year, the supermodel-turned-business mogul took over the helm of the show in a controversial move that saw longtime hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews put out to pasture.
The former “America’s Next Top Model” creator also took the reins as an executive producer on the show, which eventually saw a ratings bump of 9% among adults 18-49, and ranked as the #1 show in its two-hour time slot.
The success came despite the dragging Banks endured on social media from die-hard fans who criticized everything from her outlandish fashion choices and bold hairstyles to missed cues and on-air mishaps.
“I know that when you come into something that has been around for a long time, some people are not going to be comfortable with that,” the Emmy Award-winning former talk show host said about the challenges. “But obviously I still took the opportunity. That’s just who I am. I go toward risk. I go toward putting myself out there. I go toward taking a chance.”
The premiere date for season 30, as well as a new slate of celebrity dancers and their pro partners, will be announced at a later date.
Naya Rivera’s final role: Catwoman in upcoming ‘Batman’ movie!
Naya Rivera’s final role has been revealed — and it’s one she was born to play.
The outspoken actress and former child star — who was already an industry veteran at 33 years old — completed her voice work as Catwoman/Selina Kyle in “Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One” before her tragic death last summer, the Hollywood Reporter has announced.
Rivera, who famously starred as catty Santana Lopez in Ryan Murphy’s high school musical series “Glee,” disappeared July 8, 2020, while boating with her 4-year-old son on Lake Piru in California. Her body was found July 13 and the official autopsy listed her cause of death as drowning.
After going swimming, authorities said Rivera fought to rescue her little boy as their boat drifted — but didn’t have the strength to save herself.
“Supernatural” star Jensen Ackles, 43, stars opposite Rivera in the animated film as Batman/Bruce Wayne.
“Superman: Man of Tomorrow” director Chris Palmer is helming the two-part project from Warner Bros. Animation and DC Comics, which features a script by Tim Sheridan. “The Long Halloween” comic book series by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale ran for 13 issues between 1996 and 1997. The action revolved around the Dark Knight early in his crime-fighting career amid a Gotham plagued by a killer, known as Holiday, who wreaked havoc once a month.
The plotlines were considered influential by fans, particularly for the use of Harvey Dent/Two-Face, which reportedly helped inform “The Dark Knight” auteur Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Batman film trilogy. The Hollywood Reporter said that “The Long Halloween” comic books were even rumored to have some influence on Matt Reeves’ COVID-stalled “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson.
The upcoming animated film will also feature the vocal talents of Josh Duhamel (soon to be seen opposite Jennifer Lopez in “Shotgun Wedding”) as Harvey Dent, Billy Burke (“Twilight”) as James Gordon, Titus Welliver (“Bosch”) as Carmine Falcone, Amy Landecker (“Transparent”) as Barbara Gordon and “The Boys” star Jack Quaid (who’s the son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan) as Alberto, among others.
No official release date for “Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One” has been announced at this time.
It was announced in February that Rivera’s role as Collette in the third season of the Starz series “Step Up: High Water” would be assumed by fellow actress-singer Christina Milian, 39. The Grammy nominee said at the time that she was “so excited to join the ‘Step Up’ family. I know I have massive shoes to fill. Naya was incredible. I hope to honor Naya, her family, friends and fans with a great performance.”
GoFundMe for DC UberEats driver killed in botched carjacking raises more than $1 million!
A GoFundMe page for a Pakistani immigrant who was brutally killed in an armed carjacking by two teen girls in Washington, D.C. last week, surpassed $1 million on Tuesday.
The page was set up after the death of 66-year-old Mohammad Anwar, to help his family with funeral and other expenses.
Anwar, an Uber Eats delivery driver, died on the afternoon of March 23, 2021 after the two teens – ages 13 and 15 – Tased him while attempting to carjack him near the Navy Yard metro station. The incident caused his car to crash and rollover, forcing Anwar to be fatally flung from the car.
The teen girls were arrested the following day and charged with felony murder and armed carjacking. They are due back in court on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.
According to his GoFundMe page, Anwar was a Pakistani immigrant "who came to the United States to create a better life for him and his family."
The page describes him as a "beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend who always provided a smile when you needed one."
"Words cannot describe how our family is feeling currently," the page says. "Devastation, confusion, shock, anger, heartache, and anguish are just a few that come to mind. We will carry him with us always, but it doesn’t take the pain away of losing him so tragically and so unexpectedly soon."
Anwar was reportedly the financial provider for his family. The GoFundMe donations will help provide a traditional Islamic funeral for him and assist his family with the loss of income.
Jada Pinkett Smith says she was 'infatuated' with 2 women in her early 20s: 'I've swooned a lot'!
On the latest episode of "Red Table Talk," the star said she's been "infatuated" with a woman twice.
"I've swooned two times, early, early on. Like [when I was] 20," Pinkett Smith said.
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Jada Pinkett Smith says she's only ever felt attracted to men, but she has been "infatuated" with a woman on two occasions.
"I love being amongst women, but I never could connect to women romantically," the 49-year-old actress said on the latest episode of "Red Table Talk" on Facebook Watch released Wednesday. "But that's not to say that it couldn't be. You just never know."
Pinkett Smith's comment came at the start of the episode before she and cohosts Adrienne Banfield Norris (her mother) and Willow Smith (her daughter) had a conversation with actress Niecy Nash, who has two ex-husbands and is now married to Jessica Betts.
Prior to Nash and her wife's interview, Pinkett Smith asked her two family members if they've ever been attracted to women.
Banfield Norris said that she never felt that way or allowed herself to "experiment with it," though she "always had an interest."
As for Willow, the 20-year-old star said: "I've had my fair share of swooning and feeling, 'She's so beautiful, she's so talented.'"
"I've swooned a lot, I will say that," Pinkett Smith, who's been married to Will Smith since 1997, said in agreement. "I've had two times [when] I've been infatuated with a woman. I've swooned two times, early, early on. Like [when I was] 20."
In response, Willow said that she hasn't "been in love with a woman just yet, but I definitely feel like it could happen. Because I've had very strong feelings for women before."
New Graphic Novel About Congressman John Lewis Will Be Released In August!
A new graphic novel, “Run: Book One,” about Congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis will debut on August 3. The book describes Lewis’s life after the Voting Rights Act was signed in 1965.
“Lewis recounts the highs and lows of a movement fighting to harness their hard-won legal protections to become an electoral force as the Vietnam War consumes that American political landscape — all while the forces of white supremacy gather to mount a decades-long campaign to destroy the dream of the ‘Beloved Community’ that John Lewis, Dr. King, and so many others worked to build,” Abrams said.
Long-time partner Andrew Aydin and illustrators Nate Powell and L. Fury will define Lewis’s reflections. Lewis, Aydin, and Powell won a National Book Award in 2016 for their book “March.”
Millions of Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine doses ruined by mistake!
Future shipments of Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine have been halted in the US after a mistake at a manufacturing plant ruined 15 million doses and raised questions about quality control, according to a report on Wednesday.
The workers at Emergent BioSolutions’ Baltimore plant mixed up the ingredients for J&J’s single-dose vaccine and another COVID-19 inoculation being produced there several weeks ago, The New York Times reported.
The error doesn’t affect J&J doses currently being delivered and used nationwide, as those were produced in the Netherlands, the report said.
However, it has caused ten of millions of doses that were going to come from the Baltimore factory — and were to be delivered within the next month — to be put into question, according to the Times.
The Food and Drug Administration in investigating the mixup, which federal officials have attributed to human error, the report said.
Meanwhile, J&J is said to be taking steps to tighten its control over Emergent BioSolutions’ work to avoid future lapses in quality. The biopharmaceutical company is a manufacturing partner of both J&J and AstraZeneca.
Federal officials still expect to have enough doses to meet President Biden’s goal of having enough vaccine for every US adult by the end of May.
The other two vaccines approved by the feds, from Pfizer and Moderna, are continuing to be delivered as expected.
Lil Nas X’s Controversial ‘Satan Shoes’ Pulled By Judge!
A federal judge has blocked the Air Max 97 sneakers from selling any further.
As previously reported, Lil Nas X suggested each pair, that has a satanic theme, includes a drop of human blood.
Nike took legal action against MSCHF Product Studio, the company that teamed up with Lil Nas X for the product, arguing that it could negatively impact its brand. Nike also requested a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.
MSCHF said in a letter to the judge Wednesday (March 31st), that the shoes are
“not typical sneakers, but rather individually-numbered works of art that were sold to collectors for $1,018 each.”
It added that similar to a pair of Jesus shoes, Lil Nas X’s sneakers will be shown as artistic work and could be in museums. It was noted that Nike could later include the Jesus shoes in question in the lawsuit.
Nike’s legal team said in court documents that the company has
“submitted evidence that even sophisticated sneakerheads were confused.”
Nike also said some vowed to boycott the athletic brand, believing it was associated with the shoe. Nike’s lawyers added,
“We have submitted numerous evidence that some consumers are saying they will never buy Nike shoes ever again.”
U.S. District Judge Eric Komitee asked,
“How much tarnishment is required?”
Nike’s lawyer Kyle Schneider responded,
“There’s no bright line but the more famous the mark — and we think Nike’s swoosh is one of most famous mark of all time — the more protection it is afforded.”
MSCHF’s lawyer argued,
“There’s no statements that Nike is affiliated.”
MSCHF also pointed out that all of the shoes have already been shipped, except one pair, adding:
“There’s no basis for a recall. They are not doing this for money. It’s about the message.”
But Nike challenged the statement and said some celebrities, like Miley Cyrus, have already been connected to the shoe. It also claimed some shoes could have been shipped after its lawsuit was filed.
In the end, the judge ruled that Nike sufficiently pled its case. A hearing for a longer injunction will be held at a later date.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘BIG MAC’
Now he’s on the prowl to find a nice chocolate shake to go with that man meal.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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