Cynthia Erivo for DuJour - Spring 2021!
The Emmy, Tony and Grammy award-winning actress believes in the power of possibility
The ascension of Cynthia Erivo could one day make for its own riveting biopic. A pivotal scene would come just over five years ago, when her debut in the revival of The Color Purple, a musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel produced by Oprah Winfrey, struck Broadway like a lightning bolt. Her soaring, gut-punch performance of Celie’s eleven o’clock number “I’m Here” routinely led to a rare, show-stopping ovation. While the ferocity of her voice left audiences slack-jawed, its emotional intensity knocked the wind out of them for good measure.
“I didn’t make the connection that it would eventually be the thing that changes the trajectory of my career and my life,” says the London-born actor and singer. That big break propelled her into a rare echelon of performers, earning her Tony, Grammy and Emmy awards. Hollywood almost instantly came knocking at her dressing room door, and she appeared soon afterward in Bad Times at the El Royale and Steve McQueen’s Widows. Erivo’s first shot at an EGOT came last year, with dual Oscar nominations for her leading turn as Harriet Tubman in Harriet and for co-writing and performing an original song for the film.
Now, the 34-year-old is embodying one of her greatest idols in Genius: Aretha, the third season of National Geographic’s anthology series. Erivo acknowledges the overwhelming responsibility of playing a music titan like Aretha Franklin, but as a self-professed geek when it comes to vocal performance, she was also excited to dive into her homework. “I really wanted to find out what she was doing in one song to another,” says Erivo, who ultimately sang in each one of the series’ eight episodes live on set. She was conscious of avoiding mimicry, a potential trap when playing any musician. “I wanted to pay homage to the way she would think and the choices she would make, because they were really specific,” Erivo says.
The respect was mutual. Erivo recalls first meeting Franklin backstage at The Color Purple. “You can really sing!” Franklin told her later that year, after watching Erivo perform at the Kennedy Center Honors. (One audience shot shows Franklin, who died in 2018, with her eyes closed, mouthing along to Erivo’s performance.) Her collaborators point out that Erivo pairs her extraordinary talents with humility and diligence. “Cynthia is the ultimate professional,” says Courtney B. Vance, who plays Aretha’s father, C.J. Franklin, in the series. “She’s very warm and engaging. She comes ready to go.” Genius executive producer and director Anthony Hemingway notes that Erivo’s drive to do the Queen of Soul justice continued all the way through production. “She and I never stopped looking for the moments to convey the complexities, colors and nuances of Aretha’s humanity,” Hemingway says.
Get more at DuJour!
#RHOA: Marlo Hampton Storms Out After A Heated Confrontation With Kenya & Porsha!
Things went WAY left during the April 4 episode of ‘RHOA’, when an argument erupted between Marlo, Kenya and Porsha!
The Real Housewives of Atlanta were still on their girls’ getaway in New Orleans during the April 4 episode, when a dinner with rapper/bounce artist Big Freedia took a nasty turn. It all began when Kandi Burruss called out Marlo Hampton for unnecessarily inserting herself into the drama between Porsha Williams and Kenya Moore.
Porsha previously revealed that she’s no longer able to trust Marlo, who recently reconnected with Kenya, who has refused to drop her ongoing inquiry into the alleged sex Porsha had with Bolo, the stripper who performed at Cynthia Bailey‘s bachelorette party.
“Both of y’all — Porsha, I love you to death,” Marlo said, as the ladies ate the dinner they made with Big Freedia. “[Kenya] would never be able to have me cross you in no kind of way. Kenya, I’m moving baby steps with you, but I love where we’re at and it feels good.”
Kenya wasn’t happy with that, though, because she’s adamant that Porsha had sex with the stripper, and according to her, anyone who’s willing to let Porsha go without confirming it isn’t “telling the whole truth.”
“Porsha told me it did not happen and that’s what we’re going with,” Marlo told Kenya, who then said Marlo is making this “messy” by airing their drama out in front of Big Freedia. Marlo was fine with that and she actually suggested that Porsha and Kenya have a one-on-one conversation — privately — to squash their beef once and for all.
However, Porsha wasn’t interested in doing that either. “I no longer have anything else to say,” Porsha told Marlo.
Marlo then said she’s willing to let the whole thing go if both women agree to not name the other while conversing with her. But when both Porsha and Kenya say that they don’t speak about the other while talking to Marlo, Marlo bugged out.
“Both of you have me in an uncomfortable position,” she said. “Both of you motherf***ers talked to me about each when I wasn’t there!”
Porsha didn’t love being called a “motherf***er”, so that also set her off and lead to a bunch of bleeps.
Meanwhile, Marlo didn’t love getting yelled at so she decided to leave the dinner altogether. “I’mma do you, and I’mma do you. Goodnight with y’all fake a**es. Goodnight, fake-a** b***hes. Goodnight!” Marlo yelled, as she stormed out of the restaurant.
Later, when the ladies arrived back in Atlanta — fortunately, they escaped a wicked hurricane making its way towards New Orleans — Porsha told Cynthia that she’s drawling a line in the sand when it comes to her relationship with Marlo.
Want more drama? New episodes of The Real Housewives of Atlanta air Sundays at 8pm on Bravo.
#MusicNews: Chris Brown Teases ‘Song Of The Summer’ With H.E.R!
It’s not summer yet, but Chris Brown is ready to drop a heater.
On Friday, the R&B superstar revealed that he and H.E.R. have teamed up for another collaboration, and even went as far as to declare it the “song of the summer.”
“Me and @hermusicofficial have the song of the summer,” he wrote on IG Stories.
Fresh off her Song of the Year Grammy win for “I Can’t Breathe” and Oscar nomination for “Fight for You,” H.E.R. reposted it and added, “What he said
The two have toured together and collaborated on tracks including 2019’s “Come Together” and last year’s remix to “Slide.”
Chris is no stranger to creating summer anthems. Last year, he dominated the airwaves with his Young Thug-assisted single “Go Crazy,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s unclear where their new collaboration will land, but Chris has been working on his long-awaited 10th studio album, Breezy. Meanwhile, H.E.R. is gearing up for her own album. She was recently in the studio with Dallas Austin and DJ Khaled.
#HipHopNews: Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” video sets record after surpassing 1 billion views on YouTube!
Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” video was record breaking since the first day it was released on YouTube. Directed by Colin Tilley and filmed within two days in Los Angeles, the hyper-sexual visual premiered on VEVO via YouTube on August 19, 2014. Nicki shared it at midnight and 19.6 million views later, it became the most watched video within a 24-hour time frame on the platform.
Now, Nik’s ass-shaking anthem has reached new heights. Confirmed by Chart Data, the video for “Anaconda” surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube Saturday (April 3). And Nicki becomes the first female rapper with a solo song to reach the monumental milestone. She now has six music videos with more than a billion views, joining Katy Perry and Rihanna as the only female artists that have achieved such a feat.
It’s no surprise Ms. Minaj’s NSFW video would one day surpass this mark. Upon its release — six years ago — it was the most talked about event for days. Co-workers circled around desktops discreetly to watch it, journalists penned think pieces based on its femininity, parodies were made, and the Internet created millions of bootylicious memes that circulated throughout every social media site.
Minaj, at the time, claimed the video promoted sexual empowerment, especially for voluptuous women. “I wanted to reinstate something,” Minaj told ABC News. “Because of the shift in pop culture, even hip hop men are really glorifying the less curvy body.
“I wanted to say, ‘Hey ladies, you’re beautiful,’” Minaj added. “Hopefully, this changes things and maybe it won’t change things, but I love it.”
In a feature interview with GQ Magazine, two months later, Minaj downplayed the hype surrounding the video. “I don’t know what there is to really talk about,” she said. “I’m being serious. I just see the video as being a normal video … I think the video is about what girls do. Girls love being with other girls, and when you go back to us being younger, we would have slumber parties and we’d be dancing with our friends.”
The Pinkprint track was produced by Polow Da Don and Da Internz. “Anaconda” samples Sir Mix-A-Lot’s 1992 banger “Baby Got Back.” Both the song and music video received his stamp of approval.
“Ok after watching @NICKIMINAJ Anaconda 37times I only have one word to sum up my feelings. DAMNNNNN!!!!!!” he tweeted.
Check out the video below one more time HERE
Here’s The SAG Awards 2021 Winners List!
Sunday’s 27th annual SAG Awards, honoring the top performances in television and movies, was a gloriously short pre-taped program, wrapping up in just one hour.
However, it featured the first ever presentation of SAG awards to people of color in all four top big screen acting categories.
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” stars Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman took top film acting honors — and made history as the first lead black film actors to do so in the same year in the process. Meanwhile, supporting actors Yuh-Jung Youn of “Minari” and Daniel Kaluuya of “Judas and the Black Messiah” furthered this historic moment with wins in their big screen categories.
But before we get into that: The COVID-stalled, pre-taped April 4 show — a potential barometer for the Oscars later this month — was originally scheduled for Jan. 24, but SAG-AFTRA unions postponed the show to March 14. Then, the Grammy Awards, which were set for Jan. 31, moved its ceremony to the same day as the SAGs — which further escalated scheduling conflicts. A week after the Recording Academy moved its day, SAG-AFTRA rescheduled
The pandemic has done a number on Hollywood ceremonies as a whole, pushing the Golden Globes from the first Sunday of the year to Feb. 28 and the Oscars to April 25 from its usual February date.
Alas, the 2021 SAGs featured appearances by a long list of 2021 nominees, including Riz Ahmed, Sterling K. Brown, Daveed Diggs, Ethan Hawke, Dan Levy and Jason Sudeikis. Other A-list talent peppered the broadcast including Lily Collins, Common, Ted Danson, Cynthia Erivo, Jimmy Fallon, Josh Gad, Mindy Kaling, Helen Mirren, Rita Moreno and Daisy Ridley.
Here’s the full rundown of SAG Awards nominees and winners, from “Minari” to “The Crown.” The following list is presented in the order they were announced Sunday:
Best stunt ensemble in a series
“The Boys”
“Cobra Kai”
“Lovecraft Country”
*Winner: “The Mandalorian”
“Westworld”
Best stunt ensemble in a motion picture
“Da 5 Bloods”
“Mulan”
“News of the World”
“The Trial of the Chicago 7”
*Winner: “Wonder Woman 1984”
Best actor in a TV movie or limited series
Bill Camp, “The Queen’s Gambit”
Daveed Diggs, “Hamilton”
Hugh Grant, “The Undoing”
Ethan Hawke, “The Good Lord Bird”
*Winner: Mark Ruffalo, “I Know This Much Is True”
Best actress in a TV movie or limited series
Cate Blanchett, “Mrs. America”
Michaela Coel, “I May Destroy You”
Nicole Kidman, “The Undoing”
*Winner: Anya Taylor-Joy, “The Queen’s Gambit”
Best actor in a comedy series
Nicholas Hoult, “The Great”
Dan Levy, “Schitt’s Creek”
Eugene Levy, “Schitt’s Creek”
*Winner: Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso”
Ramy Youssef, “Ramy”
Best actress in a comedy series
Christina Applegate, “Dead to Me”
Linda Cardellini, “Dead to Me”
Kaley Cuoco, “The Flight Attendant”
Annie Murphy, “Schitt’s Creek”
*Winner: Catherine O’Hara, “Schitt’s Creek”
Best ensemble in a comedy series
“Dead to Me”
“The Flight Attendant”
“The Great”
*Winner: “Schitt’s Creek”
“Ted Lasso”
Best supporting actor in a motion picture
Sacha Baron Cohen, “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
Chadwick Boseman, “Da 5 Bloods”
*Winner: Daniel Kaluuya, “Judas and the Black Messiah”
Jared Leto, “The Little Things”
Leslie Odom Jr., “One Night in Miami”
Best supporting actress in a motion picture
Maria Bakalova, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”
Glenn Close, “Hillbilly Elegy”
Olivia Colman, “The Father”
*Winner: Youn Yuh-jung, “Minari”
Helena Zengel, “News of the World”
Best actress in a drama series
*Winner: Gillian Anderson, “The Crown”
Olivia Colman, “The Crown”
Emma Corrin, “The Crown”
Julia Garner, “Ozark”
Laura Linney, “Ozark”
Best actor in a drama series
*Winner: Jason Bateman, “Ozark”
Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us”
Josh O’Connor, “The Crown”
Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”
Regé-Jean Page, “Bridgerton”
"Ozark" stars Laura Linney and Jason Bateman.
“Ozark” stars Laura Linney and Jason Bateman.
Netflix
Best ensemble in a drama series
“Better Call Saul”
“Bridgerton”
*Winner: “The Crown”
“Lovecraft Country”
“Ozark”
A scene from "The Crown" on Netflix.
Josh O’Connor plays Prince Charles opposite Emma Corrin’s Princess Diana in “The Crown.”
Des Willie/Netflix
Best actress in a motion picture
Amy Adams, “Hillbilly Elegy”
*Winner: Viola Davis, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
Vanessa Kirby, “Pieces of a Woman”
Frances McDormand, “Nomadland”
Carey Mulligan, “Promising Young Woman”
Best actor in a motion picture
Riz Ahmed, “Sound of Metal”
*Winner: Chadwick Boseman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
Anthony Hopkins, “The Father”
Gary Oldman, “Mank”
Steven Yeun, “Minari”
Chadwick Boseman in a scene from "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."
Chadwick Boseman in a scene from “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
David Lee/Netflix
Best cast in a motion picture
“Da 5 Bloods”
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
“Minari”
“One Night In Miami”
*Winner: “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
Congrats to all the winners!
RHOSLC’s Jen Shah Says She’s Learned Who Her ‘True Friends Are’ After Arrest!
Hours after pleading not guilty to fraud and money laundering charges, Jen Shah maintained her innocence relating to her arrest in a long-running telemarketing scheme.
“Thank you for being loyal, believing in me and not believing the hype,” the 47-year-old Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star wrote on Saturday, April 3, via Instagram. “This journey has showed me who my true friends are. All my love. #ShahSquad.”
Shah wrote alongside a “Free Jen” sweatshirt created by Christian Gray Snow. She later reposted supportive messages from fans, adding, “I love you. Thank you to my real ones.”
The Bravo personality and one of her assistants who appeared on RHOSLC, Stuart Smith, were arrested in Utah on Tuesday, March 30, after they were accused of defrauding “hundreds” of people, many over the age of 55, by selling “lead lists” for nonexistent business opportunities.
“Jennifer Shah, who portrays herself as a wealthy and successful businessperson on ‘reality’ television, and Stuart Smith, who is portrayed as Shah’s ‘first assistant,’ allegedly generated and sold ‘lead lists’ of innocent individuals for other members of their scheme to repeatedly scam,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said on Tuesday. “In actual reality and as alleged, the so-called business opportunities pushed on the victims by Shah, Smith, and their co-conspirators were just fraudulent schemes, motivated by greed, to steal victims’ money. Now, these defendants face time in prison for their alleged crimes.”
During a virtual hearing on Friday, April 2, Shah pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Smith also pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for October.
Bravo cameras were rolling at the time of Shah’s arrest.
“Jen was filming with a few of the other women present when she was arrested. The women were completely shocked when Jen was taken away,” the source told Us, noting that the group, which also includes Meredith Marks, Whitney Rose, Heather Gay, Lisa Barlow and Mary Cosby, was preparing for a trip to Colorado at the time. “Jen’s future this season remains unclear. If she will go back to filming or not, no one is really sure, she hasn’t resumed filming yet.”
Gay, 46, is the only RHOSLC star to comment on the scandal, telling writer and Bravo viewer Evan Ross Katz that she was “SHOOKETH” on Thursday, April 1. The Beauty Lab and Laser owner later alluded to the drama when she thanked Real Housewives of Dallas’ Tiffany Moon for sending candles.
“Its been quite a week…” Gay wrote on Friday. “@tiffanymoonmd I might need some more Aroma-Sthesia candles. Is there anything stronger than propofol? 😳 #tgif #goodfriday.”
Joseline Hernandez Claims Faith Evans Has Cheated on Stevie J!
Stevie J and his wife, R&B singer Faith Evans, recently appeared on OWN’s series Behind Every Man. While discussing their love story, Evans explained why they broke up at one point before they got married. She explained that Stevie J was still involved with his ex-girlfriend Joseline Hernandez so she ended their relationship.
“I wasn’t quite sure whether or not he was still involved with his ex,” she said. “So you know when you kind of told me you guys weren’t together and then shortly thereafter, finding out you still kinda were, I think that’s probably when I stepped away because I’m not a man-stealer, a homewrecker. It was way too much for me. This was the main thing: if you not really serious, please don’t do this to our friendship.”
As seen on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, Stevie J, born Steven Jordan, was known for his cheating ways. During the first two seasons of the show, he was involved in a love triangle with Hernandez and Mimi Faust, the mother of his daughter Eva.
When a clip from the show was posted on Onsite’s Instagram page, Hernandez saw it and wasn’t happy with what Evans said and unleashed a slew of insults against the “Never Let You Go” singer, including claims that she had cheated on Jordan.
“I ain’t been with that man in 4 years,” she wrote in the comments section. “I’m happily with @balisticbeats. Every time my TV shows bout to drop this ol wore down melted b**** got something to say to stay relevant. B**** you a h** your own husband told me and my husband last week you cheated on him with young n***** and you do all the time.”
Besides alleging that the Love & Hip Hop star said Evans has been unfaithful, Hernandez claimed that Evans’ son hurt she and Stevie J’s daughter Bonnie Bella.
“I have your husband on recording begging for my forgiveness cause Bonnie could have gotten killed by that animal you call son. That’s why she’s never been under your care since,” she continued. “B**** go make a song. And FYI you been sucking stevie d*** for years before I dropped his sorry a**. Bye h**. And go Watch my 3 TV shows that’s are currently playing on national TV and streaming Networks.”
Essence Atkins and Tahj Mowry reunite for new TV series with Tisha Campbell!
Tisha Campbell and Essence Atkins will star in the upcoming ABC comedy pilot “Black Don’t Crack.” The series will also star Tahj Mowry, Beth Grant, Sherri Shepard and Isaiah Mustafa.
The project is written and executive produced by Regina Hicks while Viola Davis is one of the executive producers on the project as well.
According to Deadline, “’Black Don’t Crack’ centers around three former sorority sisters, played by Shepard, Atkins and Campbell, who lost touch after college and reunite during a pivotal point in their lives. They realize sometimes it’s okay to crack and when you do, no one will be there for you like your friends.”
“Black Don’t Crack” will reunite Mowry and Atkins as well. The two previously played brother and sister on the 90’s comedy series “Smart Guy.”
“Words can’t even begin to describe how awesome God is or how grateful and excited I am to be a part of this new ABC project that stars the incredible and awesome[ly] talented artists @sherrieshepherd @bethgrantactor @isaiahmustafa and my former baby brother, now grown a– incredible super dope brother in Christ @tahj_mowry (yup ‘Smart Guy’ in the building). God is showing off and I am honored and humbled by his generosity,” Atkins posted on Instagram.
Campbell, who also announced in February that she has a new talk show coming with her best friend Tichina Arnold, was elated about the show as well and posted her excitement to IG.
“Okay yall this is gonna be fun as hell! Very excited to co-star next to these beautiful women and my girls @sherrieshepherd and @essence_says on the new @reginayhicks project for @abctv called ‘Black Don’t Crack’ executive produced by the dynamic duo @violadavis #JuliusTennon with @juveeproductions along with someone I’ve also wanted to work with for a long time @larrywilmore Also in the cast is my nephew, in my head, @tahj_mowry @bethgrantactor and @isaiahmustafa,” Campbell captioned.
Mowry will play Shepard’s son in the series.
Stanford wins first national title since 1992 with 54-53 win over Pac-12 foe Arizona!
No. 1 overall seed Stanford got the job done in a season unlike any other and one that kept it on the road for most of the season.
The Cardinal outlasted No. 3 seed Arizona, 54-53, in the NCAA women's basketball national championship game from San Antonio on Sunday night. It is Stanford's first title since 1992 and the third overall for the program, all under head coach Tara VanDerveer. Stanford is the first team in either men's or women's tournament to pull off one-point wins in the national semifinal and national championship games, per ESPN.
Arizona senior Aari McDonald missed the final shot at the buzzer as Stanford created trouble on the inbound and trapped her up top with four defenders. McDonald's shot hit the back iron as the buzzer light went off and the Stanford players stormed midcourt in celebration.
It was the Wildcats' first national title appearance; their previous best performance was the Sweet 16. The all-Pac-12 final was the first for the conference in men's or women's basketball history.
Prince Jackson Pays Tribute to Sister Paris Jackson on Her 23rd Birthday!
Prince Jackson is one proud big brother. On April 3, the son of the late Michael Jackson and his ex-wife Debbie Rowe gushed over his younger sister Paris Jackson in an Instagram post celebrating her 23rd birthday.
Prince, 24, shared two photos of him and the Star actress, writing in the caption, "It's crazy to think that you're my lil sister @parisjackson. You've grown and learned so much and I couldn't be prouder of the woman you are and the path you're going down. I like these photos cause I think it shows our duality, the yin and the yang, I love you yabyab HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Keep doin what you're doin you're so awesome and I hope you have a great day!!"
He also shared a video wishing Paris a happy birthday to his Instagram Story, which Paris reposted on her own account.
Prince wasn't the only family member to send Paris love on her big day. Her cousin, TJ Jackson, who was previously named co-guardian of her, Prince and their brother Bigi Jackson, also sent her birthday wishes, which Paris shared on her Instagram Story.
Paris' friend Cara Delevingne also shared a birthday message to the singer, writing on her Instagram Story, "happy birthday angel, i feel soooo lucky to have you in my life through it all, you are a real one and that is rare. thank f--k for you, also thank you for still loving me even when i am an ass crack."
Cara even scored Paris an awesome birthday gift: a personalized message from Jack Black, which Paris excitedly shared to social media.
Paris recently opened up about her and her siblings' life with their famous father, who died in 2009.
"It was difficult, a blessing, a privilege to be able to experience so much at a young age," Paris told Naomi Campbell on her YouTube series No Filter earlier this year. "And my dad was really good about making sure we were cultured, making sure we were educated, and not just showing us like, the glitz and glam, like hotel-hopping five-star places. But it was also like, we saw everything. We saw third-world countries and we saw like, every part of the spectrum."
And throughout it all, it seems Paris and Prince have stayed close as ever.
Mariah Carey Hits One of Her Famous High Notes as She Gets Her First Dose of COVID Vaccine!
Mariah Carey is ready to get back to singing! The five-time Grammy winner, 52, hit one of her famous high notes on Saturday as she celebrated getting her first dose of the COVID vaccine. She posted a video of the moment to Instagram, writing in the caption, "Vaccine side effect: G6."
"They're having a medical narrative, but I'm here," she spoke over the doctors, while addressing her 10 million Instagram followers in the video. "Excited and nervous a little bit about getting this shot. This is distracting them from doing their job, but you know how I am. I just talk and don't really think about it."
The mom of two continued, "Here we are, all the way from that first post, washing my hands with Roc and Roe in New York, trying to encourage people to really be safe. You know, we're still in this battle together."
During her vaccination appointment, she tried to pose with her hand on her hip, but the doctor asked her to relax it. "I'm filming, that's the problem. I'm in my filming stance," she explained.
The "We Belong Together" artist let out a high shriek as the needle went into her shoulder. "It's only part one, it's only part one," she noted. "Here we are, hoping for the best, encouraging you guys to do it when you can. We're all in this together, as we've said. Love you much!"
Carey previously posted a video in March 2020 of herself and her twins, daughter Monroe and son Moroccan, both 9, washing their hands while singing the O.D.B. remix of her 1995 single "Fantasy" for 20 seconds.
Carey recently admitted that having some downtime from performing during the lockdown has been good for her. She gave a glimpse at her quarantine when she appeared on the podcast Questlove Supreme in January.
"Honestly, for me this whole year with COVID and everything, not having to sing for my supper and travel around and not get the right amount of sleep or just be put on this thing where there's a certain amount of stress, for me, that takes away a lot of stuff," she told host Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson.
"Taking off work has really helped my voice," she continued. "I think in a lot of ways, just being able to have, like, stress-free. And everyone's like, 'Oh, you've got to get back in a studio. Like, you gotta, like, get back to singing.' And I'm like, 'I know.'"
Nike In Hot Water Over USPS Inspired Air Force 1 Experimental!
The United States Postal Service recently put out a statement against Nike’s upcoming release of its Priority Mail inspired Air Force 1 Experimental.
“The Postal Service, which receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations, protects its intellectual property,” the statement read. “Officially licensed products sold in the marketplace expand the affinity for the Postal Service brand and provide incremental revenue through royalties that directly support it. Sales of unauthorized and unlicensed products deny support to the hardworking women and men of the Postal Service.”
Although the official USPS logos were absent, the AF1 shoe’s design includes the signature red, white, and blue color scheme and a shipping label on the heel.
“This is an unfortunate situation where a large brand such as Nike, which aggressively protects its own intellectual property, has chosen to leverage another brand for its own gain,” the statement continued. “The Postal Service is disappointed in Nike’s response to repeated attempts to come to a solution. The Postal Service will take whatever actions it deems necessary to protect its valuable IP rights.”
The controversy between the USPS and Nike arrives on the heels of Nike’s lawsuit against Brooklyn-based company MSCHF over its Air Max 97 “Satan Shoes” over trademark infringement. MSCHF designed the controversial shoes in collaboration with Lil Nas X. A judge awarded the shoe giant a restraining order, even though the shoes had sold out after immediately being placed on sale.
Nike has not responded.
Zendaya To Voice Lola Bunny In ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’!
Following the release of the first trailer for Space Jam: A New Legacy, it was revealed that Zendaya will be the voice of Lola Bunny in the film.
On Saturday, April 3, Entertainment Weekly revealed that the Malcolm & Marie star is set to voice the fan-favorite character Lola Bunny alongside LeBron James in the Space Jam sequel. This comes after some controversy surrounding the differences between the Lola Bunny character everyone remembers versus the version they’re introducing in A New Legacy.
The film’s director, Malcolm D. Lee, wants to introduce a more “fully realized” character to the franchise in contrast to the original Space Jam, in which Lola was more sexualized than she needed to be.
“Lola was not politically correct,” Lee previously told EW. “This is a kids’ movie, why is she in a crop top? It just felt unnecessary, but at the same time there’s a long history of that in cartoons.”
Lee continued, “We reworked a lot of things, not only her look, like making sure she had an appropriate length on her shorts and was feminine without being objectified, but gave her a real voice,” explained Lee. “For us, it was, let’s ground her athletic prowess, her leadership skills, and make her as full a character as the others.”
Zendaya was pretty excited for the big news to come out, posting about her involvement in the movie onto her Instagram Story on Saturday. She uploaded a photo of a Lola Bunny Space Jam poster before posting a photo of herself dressed in basketball attire as a little girl. “Cinematic parallels,” she joked.
Welcome to the Jam, @Zendaya 🏀 https://t.co/BAp4UZuwkf pic.twitter.com/Z9wYts9IFp
All the fun hits the big screen and HBO MAX on July 16th, 2021.
DMX's Family To Hold Prayer Vigil Outside Of Hospital!
DMX's family will hold a prayer vigil outside the New York hospital where the 50-year-old rapper remains on life support following a heart attack.
According to TMZ and the Associated Press, the Ruff Ryders to the Rescue Foundation will host the vigil outside of White Plains Hospital at 5 p.m. ET.
DMZ, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was hospitalized on Friday (April 2) after suffering a heart attack that reportedly stemmed from a drug overdose, per TMZ. The rapper remains on life support and continues to face "serious health issues," his family said in a statement.
"We ask that you please keep Earl/DMXand us in your thoughts, wishes, and prayers as well as respect our privacy as we face these challenges," the family added.
DMX is currently in a "vegetative state," his manager, Nakia Walker, told The New York Times on Sunday (April 4). "We're just praying," he said.
Nakia also told Buzzfeed News that DMX is "still in the same condition — in a vegetative state, [with] lung and brain failure and no brain activity."
As multiple outlets reported, DMX's fiancee and his mother have been allowed to visit him in the ICU, where he remains on life support. Sources told TMZ, some of DMX's children are also flying in to see him.
On Sunday, Ruff Ryders Motorcycle Club paid tribute to DMX with a vigil of their own outside White Plains hospital. In footage of the vigil, shared by Fox5 New York’s Lisa Evers, dozens of bikers were shown wearing Ruff Ryders gear as they blasted DMX's records.
Angry Woman Climbs Into Burger King Drive-Thru Window With A Gun Due To Long Wait Time!
Police in Memphis have released photos of a woman who reportedly became so angry about the long wait time at a Burger King restaurant’s drive-thru that she shot at employees.
According to WREG.com, officers were called to the Burger King in southeast Memphis after a report of shots fired. Employees told cops that an angry customer erupted and started a verbal altercation while standing in the drive-thru.
That’s when witnesses said the woman grabbed a gun from inside her vehicle, reached in through the drive-thru window, and began firing shots at the employees.
The panicked workers fled the chaotic scene through the back door. Thankfully no one was hurt, police said.
Anyone with any information on the woman’s identity in the photos is advised to contact Memphis police.
Krispy Kreme To Release Two Limited-Edition Oreo Cookie Glazed Donuts!
Krispy Kreme will be collaborating with Oreo to make two brand new treats available. The Famous Glaze Waterfall will be transferred to cover donuts in rich cookies and cream coating.
The Oreo Glazed Doughnut and the Oreo Cookie Over-The-Top Doughnut are two limited-edition donuts added to the menu. The first donut is topped with crumbled Oreo bits and an icing drizzle before being coated in the fresh glaze and stuffed with cookies and Krispy Kreme’s signature Kreme. The second is topped with Kreme and chocolate icing, and an Oreo cookie is placed on top.
Starting Monday, the new donuts will be available at participating Krispy Kreme locations around the country, but only for a limited time.
Consumers who show their COVID vaccination card will receive a free Original Glazed donut at locations nationwide.
The agreement is valid until the end of 2021 and does not include any further purchases.
Additionally, vaccinated individuals can return to Krispy Kreme and earn their free treat at any time during the year as long as they display their vaccination card.
Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme chief marketing officer, told USA Today, “We wanted it to be big enough to sort of catch people’s attention and spread awareness,” adding that, “I think anything anyone can do to help show support for those getting the vaccine is a good thing right now and so we’re just trying to do what little we can.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘ONE PIECE’
Which spandex onesie do you guys prefer? Potato or what I believe might be camouflage. I can’t really see because it blends in so well.
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
No comments:
Post a Comment