Naomi Osaka for Vogue Japan - August 2021!
Tennis superstar and Louis Vuitton‘s ambassador Naomi Osaka returned to social to share her cover of Vogue Japan‘s August 2021 edition lensed by fashion photographer Zoey Grossman. Patti Wilson was the stylist ,with hair done by Martin Christopher Harper, and makeup by Autumn Moultrie.
The four-time Grand Slam champion announced yesterday that she is withdrawing from Wimbledon, her team provided the statement: “Naomi won’t be playing Wimbledon this year. She is taking some personal time with friends and family. She will be ready for the Olympics and is excited to play in front of her home fans.” Just few weeks back she also withdrew from Roland Garros following the news conference controversy – Naomi refused to participate in post-match conferences because negative questions and comments affected her mental health (she was fined $15,000).
After withdrawing from Roland Garros she posted the announcement on her social media: “The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that. Anyone that knows me knows I’m introverted, and anyone that sees me at the tournaments will notice that I am often wearing headphones as that dulls my anxiety. Though the tennis press has always been kind to me (and I wanna apologize especially to all the cool journalists who I may have hurt), I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media. I get really nervous and find it stressful to always try to engage and give you the best answers I can.“
Issue on newsstands now.
#RHOA: Porsha Williams Celebrates 40th Birthday With Sexy Bikini Pics!
Porsha Williams is celebrating her 40th birthday with some sultry selfies.
The “RHOA” star posed in a black bikini in two snaps posted to Instagram on Tuesday with the caption, “Hello 40 🤗 #BirthdayGirl 🎉.”
Her fiancé, Simon Guobadia, commented, “Happy Birthday my love. Let’s get this party started🎊🎁🍾🎉🎂.”
Her former “Real Housewives” co-star Kim Zolciak, 43, chimed in, “Happy Birthday Beautiful!! Welcome to the 40’s club ❤️.”
Williams celebrated her birthday a little early with a trip to Cabo — and another sexy bikini pic on Instagram.
Williams has a lot to celebrate this upcoming year as she recently landed a three-part special about her life.
The Bravo limited series is set to begin shooting sometime this summer.
She is also planning three wedding celebrations with Guobadia — who is in the midst of a divorce from Williams’ “RHOA” co-star Falynn Guobadia — after getting engaged in May, just a month into their relationship.
“He’s African, so we’re going to have a native law and custom ceremony, and a regular wedding, and then we’re going to have another wedding at one of the houses that is out of the country,” she revealed on “Dish Nation.”
A rep for Williams didn’t immediately get back to us.
#MusicNews: Conya Doss ‘Through Rose-Colored Glasses’!
Singer-songwriter Conya Doss has remained a favorite among music lovers because of the consistent quality and authenticity of her sound. As the indie soul diva nears the 20-year mark of her industry debut, she delivers another collection of captivating soul tunes in her ninth studio album, Through Rose-Colored Glasses.
Along with Myron Davis and Rodney Jones, Conya serves as one of the album's main producers, further guiding its sound and vision. While amorous love is the main focus, there are also lessons that can be applied to various kinds of relationships and life experiences. Beyond that, it's just an incredible collection of music that proves why we need to give Ms. Doss her flowers right now.Through Rose-Colored Glasses features slow grooves and mid-tempo jams that are thoughtful, heartfelt and infectious. Breezy tune "Take It Away" opens the set on a high note with sultry vibes, underscored by rhythmic beats and guitar. Songs like "Not Trading You In" and "Long Haul" speak to admiration, respect and devotion in a committed relationship. Conya temporarily shifts gears, focusing on a different kind of love with the uplifting anthem "Black Is Beautiful." Upbeat tracks are featured as well, with "Come Get This Love" and "How We Gone Be Friends" enticing us to grab someone to dance with.Speaking of friends, a handful of them are featured throughout the album.
STREAM IT HERE
The album is currently available for purchase directly from the artist or via major digital retailers. Also keep up with Conya Doss on Twitter and Instagram.
#HipHopNews: J. Cole Announces ‘The Off-Season Tour’ With 21 Savage!
J. Cole is taking the show back on the road. After teasing a tour, the Dreamville boss has announced dates for “The Off-Season Tour.” The 17-date arena trek kicks off Sept. 24 in Miami before visiting cities across the U.S. including Atlanta, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Chicago, and Las Vegas, wrapping in Los Angeles on Oct. 21. He will be joined by 21 Savage as well as special guest Morray.
The month-long trek, Cole’s first since 2018’s “KOD Tour,” comes in support of his sixth studio album The Off-Season, which topped the Billboard 200 and featured appearances from 21 Savage, Lil Baby, and Morray.
A pre-sale begins Wednesday, June 23, while tickets go on sale to the public starting Friday, June 25, at 10 a.m. local time.
Additionally, Cole has announced that his Dreamville Fest will return to Raleigh, North Carolina in April 2022 after taking two years off due to the pandemic.
THE OFF-SEASON TOUR DATES
Sept. 24 – Miami, FL – FTX Arena*^
Sept. 25 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center*^
Sept. 27 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena^
Sept. 28 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum Complex*^
Sept. 29 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center*^
Oct. 1 – Boston, MA – TD Garden*^
Oct. 2 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center*^
Oct. 4 – Washington DC – Capital One Arena*^
Oct. 5 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena*^
Oct. 7 – Chicago, IL – United Center*^
Oct. 10 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center*^
Oct. 11 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Arena*^
Oct. 14 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena*^
Oct. 16 – Las Vegas – MGM Grand Garden Arena*^
Oct. 17 – Phoenix, AZ – Phoenix Suns Arena*^
Oct. 20 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena*^
Oct. 21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum*^
* With 21 Savage | ^ With Special Guest Morray
O. J. Simpson Says He’s Played With Gay Football Players During His Time In The NFL After Las Vegas Raider Carl Nassib Came Out!
Famous retired football player O. J. Simpson shared with the world that he has played with many gay football players following Carl Nassib announcing his sexuality. Carl Nassib is a defensive end player for the Las Vegas Raiders. Recently the 28-year-old athlete announced he was gay, making him the first active NFL player to publicly do so. Not too long after Nassib’s announcement, O. J. Simpson took to his Twitter account and shared a video showing his support for the defensive lineman. O. J. Simpson also shared that gay athletes are “everywhere.” He said,
“Aye [Nassib], more power to you, man. That’s terrific.You know, over the years people have asked me ‘Hey man, did you play with gay athletes?’ Of course, I did. They’re everywhere in every profession. It’s no different in football as there would be in whatever. You know, postoffice workers or police officers, any profession, you have it.”
He added, “I mean they may not come out. But, they are there. Trust me.”
What are your thoughts on what O. J. Simpson had to say?
Verzuz Clarifies Toni Braxton And Mary J. Blige Battle Has Not Been Confirmed!
Yesterday, social media went into a frenzy after a flyer began to circulate that the next VERZUZ battle will be between Toni Braxton and Mary J. Blige.
The alleged battle was slated to take place on July 4th. However, after fans started to second guess if the battle between these two legends was legit, VERZUZ took to Twitter to clear up the rumors.
After a fan tweeted, “So… is there any truth behind this Toni Braxton and Mary J. Blige, Versus happening on July 4th? I need answers! #ToniBraxton #MaryJBlige #VERZUZ”
VERZUZ responded to the tweet and said, “We love both ladies, but this is not a confirmed #VERZUZ event. Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements on our future shows.”
Would you want to see Toni Braxton and Mary J. Blige participate in a battle?
Regina King Looks FAB in off-the-shoulder black mini dress with dramatic sleeves at The Moth Ball in NYC!
She's an acclaimed actress and director with an Oscar and four Emmys to her name.
And on Tuesday in New York City, Regina King was the honoree at the 2021 Moth Ball.
The star, 50, put on quite a show in a gorgeous black mini dress with dramatic sleeves.
King's off-the-shoulder frock was a mix of brocade and semi-sheer fabric that formed horizontal lines across her body and it had a slightly ruffled neckline.
The If Beale Street Could Talk actress wore her hair piled on top of her head and she went bare-legged in pointy toe black heels.
Joining King at the red carpet event was Kemp Powers who wrote the screenplay, adapted from his own play, for her directorial feature debut One Night In Miami.
Both were selected to be honored at the charity gala for elevating 'more inclusive and diverse stories through their brilliant and important work.'
One Night In Miami, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video in January, imagines what might have happened had Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown met up and talked about their parts in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
King is following it up by directing a film adaptation of the comic book series Bitter Root, about a family of Black monster hunters.
The film, set amid the Harlem Renaissance, will be produced by Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, according to Variety.
The Image Comics story is set in 1924 in Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood and follows a fractured family of once-great monster hunters confronted with an overwhelming evil force that arrives in New York City.
IKEA Manager Apologizes for Juneteenth Menu Featuring Fried Chicken and Watermelon!
None of the staffers who helped create the menu were Black, an employee at the Atlanta location tells CBS. The manager at an IKEA store in Atlanta, Georgia, apologized publicly after facing criticism for a Juneteenth food menu that featured dishes including watermelon, fried chicken, and collard greens.
CBS News reported that the manager sent an internal email to staff addressing the issue. The manager’s email allegedly read, “I truly apologize if the menu came off as subjective. It was created with the best of intentions by a few of our coworkers who believed they were representing their culture and tradition with these foods of celebration.”
Anonymous employees of the Atlanta IKEA who spoke to CBS said many employees were considering quitting and 33 called out of work from the Swedish-owned chain furniture store after learning about the menu.
“You cannot say serving watermelon on Juneteenth is a soul food menu when you don’t even know the history — they used to feed slaves watermelon during the slavery time,” the worker said. “It caused a lot of people to be upset. People actually wanted to quit. People weren’t coming back to work.”
Rachel Lindsay Calls Out ‘Bachelor Klan’ Inside Bachelor Nation as Hateful, Racist and Misogynistic
Huffington Post editor Philip Lewis posted a screenshot of the proposed menu, which you can view below. The full meal included fried chicken, watermelon, candied yams, macaroni and cheese, collared greens and potato salad.
IKEA told CBS Atlanta station WGCL-TV they made adjustments to the menu after concerns were raised but some employees told the station a different story. “They just delayed the menu by a day, thinking that everybody who was upset stayed home on Juneteenth and wouldn’t notice on Sunday, which just added insult to injury.”
According to CBS, “the store manager told WGCL management deeply apologizes for what happened and realizes they got the menu wrong.”
The so-called revised menu apparently included collard greens, corn bread, mashed potatoes and meatloaf. Employees were sent the menu via email, according to WGCL.
One employee told CBS, “I’m just frankly disappointed in the learning process — you shouldn’t learn after you have insulted all of your Black employees.”
Another IKEA worker pointed out to WGCL that there wasn’t a single Black employee working at the Atlanta store that was asked to give their input on the menu. “None of the coworkers who sat down to create the menu, no one was black,” the person said.
People on social media were also quick to criticize the ill-informed menu decision.
Taraji P Henson reveals plans for her Empire spin-off show have been postponed!
Taraji P Henson has revealed her Empire spin-off is now on hold. The hit TV show was set to be add a new spin-off series, but the 50-year-old actress has shared that plans for the show have been paused for the time being.
The performer previously portrayed music mogul Cookie Lyon on the Lee Daniels and Danny Strong-created program, which ended after a six-season run that concluded in 2020.
Speaking about the spin-off series, which was originally due to air last year, Henson explained to Entertainment Tonight: 'I think we're gonna put it to rest for a sec.'
The Hustle & Flow actress expressed that she was in favor of the spin-off's team taking time off in order to work on a solid story that would please Empire's fans.
'For me, the script has to be right. It has to be worthy of the audience. We have to give the audience something incredible, and sometimes, I think you need time, time away,' she said.
'I think absence makes the heart grow fonder,' she added.
Plans for an Empire spin-off were first announced last summer, and Henson was initially set to both produce and star in the potential series, which would have focused on Cookie's activities following the show's conclusion.
However, it was reported last December that Fox, the program's original network, had passed on the project and that it was actively being shopped around to other potential buyers.
In the short term, Henson is preparing to host the BET Awards this weekend, and she is feeling excited ahead of the ceremony in Los Angeles.
The actress is keen to help people to 'forget about the woes and the troubles of the world'.
She also told the media outlet about her big plans for the red carpet and noted: 'It's all about the fashion. I would have to say for this one, it's about the entrance.
Henson also remarked that she would attempt to bring her vivacious personality to the forefront during her hosting gig and that she was excited to be taking charge of the annual awards ceremony.
'I'm always going to try to make you laugh and forget about the woes and the troubles of the world, so look forward to a lot of fun, a lot of laughter, because that's what I like to do,' she said.
Taraji also revealed that the upcoming show would focus on celebrating the influence and achievements of women of African-American descent.
She said: 'What I love particularly about this year is that we are celebrating the Black woman.
'This is the year of the Black woman because the Black woman has made incredible strides in changing history, politics, music - you name it, we done it,' she added.
Kobe Bryant’s Wife Settles Lawsuit Against Helicopter Company Over Deadly Crash!
Kobe Bryant’s widow Vanessa Bryant has reached a settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit against a helicopter company over the fatal crash that killed her husband, their daughter Giana and seven others.
via: The Blast: According to legal documents, obtained by The Blast, Vanessa Bryant entered into a confidential settlement with the company that included family members of others who were tragically killed in the accident. As we reported, Vanessa filed the lawsuit claiming the company was responsible, along with the pilot, for deciding to fly on a foggy morning.
As you know, Kobe Bryant was traveling with daughter Gianna and seven others to a youth basketball tournament north of Los Angeles. The chopper crashed into a hillside near Calabasas after appearing to get lost in the fog. The parties filed a “joint notice of settlement and joint request to vacate discovery deadlines.” A judge still needs to sign off on the settlement, but in most cases, it is just a formality.
“Plaintiffs and Defendants jointly report that they have agreed to settle their claims in the above-entitled action,” the documents state.
In the lawsuit, Vanessa claimed, “Island Express Helicopters authorized, directed and/or permitted a flight with full knowledge that the subject helicopter was flying into unsafe weather conditions.” Kobe’s wife also claimed the pilot Ara Zobayan failed to “use ordinary care in piloting the subject aircraft.” She continued, Kobe and her daughter died “as a direct result of the negligent conduct of Zobayan” for which “the company is vicariously liable in all respects.”
The lawsuit accuses the pilot of negligence including failure to abort the flight and not monitoring and assessing the weather properly.
At this point, it is unclear what the financial terms of the settlement are for the Bryant family, but as you can imagine, Vanessa was suing for loss of potential earning compacity of one of the top paid athletes ever. We are guessing the final settlement was in the millions.
In the final report, investigators believed one of the issues with the deadly flight was the pilot’s inability to cancel the fight due to the celebrity status of the passengers. In other words, he might have known it was dangerous to fly that fateful morning but didn’t want to cancel on Kobe Bryant.
This isn’t the only lawsuit filed by Vanessa Bryant, as we reported, she is also suing the County of Los Angeles — after Sheriff deputies took photos from the crash scene and disseminate them throughout the department. According to reports, one of the deputies showed a patron inside of a local bar, and the person reported the incident to the department. Several weeks ago, Vanessa’s legal team was given the ability to name the police officers involved in the incident.
That case is ongoing.
Arrow 's Stephen Amell Addresses Claim He Was "Forcibly Removed" From Flight After Fight With Wife!
Stephen Amell is setting the record straight on the controversy surrounding his recent flight.
On Wednesday, June 23, TMZ reported that the Arrow alum was "forcibly removed" from a plane after allegedly "screaming" at wife Cassandra Jean. Shortly after the news emerged, Stephen took to Twitter to address the claims. "My wife and I got into an argument Monday afternoon on a Delta flight from Austin to LA," the 40-year-old star wrote. "I was asked to lower my voice and I did. Approximately 10 minutes later I was asked to leave the flight. And I did so immediately. I was not forcibly removed."
Stephen, who tied the knot with Cassandra in 2012, went on to note that he booked a flight home with Southwest two hours later and had no issues getting home. "I let my emotions get the better of me, end of story," he concluded. "Must be a slow news cycle."
The airline also confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday. "Delta flight 966 on June 21 took a brief, eight minute departure delay after an unruly customer was deplaned from the aircraft prior to departure in Austin," a spokesperson, who did not name Stephen as the customer, told E! News. "The flight arrived ahead of schedule at Los Angeles International Airport."
Stephen, year-old daughter Mavi with his wife, had been in Austin to attend the ATX Television Festival. While Cassandra has not spoken out about the scene just yet, she did post about the ATX event on Instagram, writing alongside a picture with the actor, "We had a pretty good time @atxfestival."
Michael B. Jordan Says He’ll Rename Rum Brand After Appropriation Criticism!
Michael B. Jordan says he’ll be renaming his rum brand, J’Ouvert, after many critics ― including rapper Nicki Minaj ― demanded he change the name as it appropriated from Caribbean culture.
On Tuesday, the “Black Panther” actor posted on his Instagram Stories that he never meant to “offend or hurt a culture (we love & respect) & hoped to celebrate.”
He said after “a lot of learning” and “engaging in countless community conversations,” he’d be changing the brand’s name and sincerely apologized.
The brand had taken its name from J’Ouvert, an annual party held as part of Carnival in many Caribbean islands that celebrates emancipation and often takes place at daybreak. Images of the brand’s rum box set circulated on social media this week, showing the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.
Billie Eilish Apologizes For Using An Anti-Asian Slur: ‘I Am Appalled And Embarrassed’!
A TikTok user who goes by @lcxvy posted old videos of Billie Eilish in which the “Bad Guy” singer allegedly mocked an Asian accent. In another clip, Eilish appears to say the ethnic slur “c—k,” referring to someone of Chinese descent. Following days of backlash, the singer is now breaking her silence to issue a public apology.
The entertainer posted a lengthy statement on her Instagram Story apologizing for her actions, explaining that she did not know its was a derogatory meaning at the time she recorded her video: ” I love you guys, and many of you have been asking me to address this. and this is something that i WANT to address because i’m being labeled something that i am not,” Eilish began her statement. “there’s a video edit going around of me when i was 13 or 14 where i mouthed a word from a song that at the time i didn’t know was a derogatory term used against members of the asian community. i am appalled and embarrassed and want to barf that i ever mouthed along to that word.”
She went on to say, “this song was the only time i’d ever heard that word as it was never used around me by anyone in my family. Regardless of my ignorance and age at the time, nothing excuses the fact is that it was hurtful. And for that i am sorry.”
“The other video in that edited clip is me speaking in a silly gibberish made up voice… something i started doing as a kid and have done my whole life when talking to my pets, friends, and family. It is absolute gibberish and just me goofing around, and is in NO way an imitation of anyone or any language, accent, or culture in the SLIGHTEST,” Eilish wrote. “anyone who knows me has seen me goofing around with voices my whole life.”
Despite denying that the video portrays her mocking the Asian community, the star was willing to take full responsibility for the fact that it made many feel upset.
“Regardless of how it was interpreted i did not mean for any of my actions to have caused hurt to others and it absolutely breaks my heart that it is being labeled now in a way that might cause pain to people hearing it,” the star concluded. “i not only believe in, but have always worked hard to use my platform to fight for inclusion, kindness, tolerance, equity and equality. We all need to continue having conversations, listening and learning. I hear you and i love you. Thank you for taking the time to read this.”
Don Lemon Addresses Tucker Carlson’s 'Ignorance' Following Racist Comments!
On Don Lemon Tonight Tuesday, Lemon responded to an attack by Fox News host Tucker Carlson a night earlier. Though Carlson bizarrely accused Lemon, a Black man, of having a white supremacist cookie jar in his kitchen, that wasn’t the part that Lemon wanted to address.
“Don Lemon lives in a $4.3 million home in Sag Harbor, New York,” Carlson said on Monday. “No, he does not live in Section 8 housing, he lives in one of the whitest towns in America. In fact, 80%. Sag Harbor is just 3% African-American.”
“I want to fill you in on something that is going on over at the Fox propaganda network,” Lemon said Tuesday night. “I don't usually respond to these things. I don't like to punch down, and I would like to focus on issues on this show that are important to you other than someone taking pot shots at me.”
Carlson’s attack came in response to Lemon saying in an interview that Black people and white people live in two different realities in the United States. Lemon took exception with Carlson’s assertion that he hasn’t lived that experience because of his success.
“Section 8 housing,” Lemon said. “Let me simply just say this: If you think that a Black person who doesn't live in public housing can’t experience or understand racism in this country, well, that just says much more about you and your ignorance on these issues than it does about me.”
Coronavirus Outbreak At Florida Government Building Leaves 2 Dead, 4 Hospitalized. Vaccinated Person Unaffected!
A COVID-19 outbreak in a Florida government building has left two people dead and four others hospitalized.
The outbreak originated in the IT department last week. One person outside of the department also tested positive for COVID-19.
Of the six people infected, five were hospitalized. According to Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes, an epidemiologist, one person who died had been hospitalized before passing away, while the other had not.
The lone IT employee who was not infected had been vaccinated, Hopes told CNN’s Erin Burnett.
The building was closed on Friday but reopened on Monday without a mask requirement in place. Employees can choose to mask up or not, but Hopes encourages unvaccinated workers to wear them. The county is making sure they are available for all employees and visitors.
“Clearly masks work, but the vaccine is more important at this point,” the county administrator said.
Manatee County will offer a coronavirus vaccine clinic for employees at the administration
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘REAL DOLL FEATURED AT WALMART’
Real Doll Walmart Recently a real doll has rolled into Walmart. We’ll call her Barbie, pun intended since she’s made of plastic. Barbie is a faux sugar baby who likes long rolls on the beach, and riding near the self checkout. Her dislikes are her lover’s grandson who constantly puts her in the toy box, and telling grandpa she’s “fake.”
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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