9/20/21

The Daily Buzz For Sep 21 ☕📰☕

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Super Model Alek Wek Shares Her Design Artistry in Fall 2021 Weekend Max Mara Collaboration!

South Sudanese-British top model, artist and designer Alek Wek has long focused on the fashion industry’s perception of beauty. Oprah Winfrey said that “If Alek had been on the cover of a magazine when when I was growing up, I would have had a different concept of who I was." Forbes Magazine in 2013 featured Wek on the cover of Forbes Life Africa as ‘The Beauty That Tumbled From War.’


In Fall 2021 Alek Wek collaborates with Weekend Max Mara on a Signature capsule collection. Mixing “African culture with a London calling vibe and a touch of Boho,” the United Nations’ Good Will Ambassador combined references from her origins in South Sudan with the shared needs for versatility among today’s women on the move.

“A.World by Alek Wek,” is a joyful and colorful capsule with direct inspo from Wek’s own artworks.  Photographer Ethan James Green [IG] captures key pieces from the collection styled by Tonne Goodman./ Makeup by Dick Page

Read about Alek Wek’s 2013 entry into the UNHCR National Goodwill Ambassador role. At the time Alek reminded us that “Today, it is three-times more likely that a girl in South Sudan will die in childbirth than make it to the eighth grade.”


Wek’s 2012-2013 comment about the daunting challenges facing refugees resonates today, as we struggle to bring Afghan people out of reinstalled Taliban rule in the country.


“I have always felt it important to support the efforts of organizations that help refugees rebuild their lives. As a refugee from South Sudan, I understand what it is like to be forced from your home. It’s painful, scary and can separate you from your loved ones.”

Alek Wek………FAB!



#RHOA: IT’S OFFICIAL! Shereé Whitfield Seemingly Confirms Her Return to ‘RHOA!’

Shereé Whitfield stirred the pot on Thursday, Sept. 16, after sharing a message surrounding her alleged “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” return.


This initial post comes amid shakeup rumors claiming that the 51-year-old would be returning to the franchise while some current cast members would be replaced. Whitfield was initially a part of “RHOA” from seasons one through four before returning as a “friend of the show” in season eight. She ultimately came back as a full-time cast member in seasons nine and 10 prior to departing from the show for a final time in 2018.


In the initial Instagram Story, the mother of three wrote, “Fall is coming and the shade is high,” alongside a relieved face emoji. Although Whitfield didn’t disclose any additional information to what or whom she was referring in the upload, fans automatically assumed that she was announcing her comeback.

“Is she telling us she’s filming and will be in the next season of RHOA.”

“I hope she’s hinting at coming back to Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

“She’s back.”

Sheree Whitfield shares a message surrounding her alleged return to “RHOA.”

“This better be her way of saying she’s back for good 🔥🔥.”

“Basically she coming back to RHOA.

Despite the allegations, Whitfield has yet to publicly address the rumors. Although the former “RHOA” has remained mum, her former co-star Kandi Burruss disclosed she would love if Whitfield returned.

Burruss said during an interview with “Housewives Nightcap” segment of “Access Hollywood” in July, “I always love Sheree. She’s always good TV to me. She’s had some very explosive moments in some of these past seasons. So, I’m here for it, honestly. If they decide that they want Sheree to come back, I’m here for it. I always considered myself to have a good relationship with Sheree. I mean, we’ve had our moments on the show where sometimes we didn’t see eye to eye. But for the most part, you know, I still see her outside of the show sometimes. We still run into each other, and I’ve got much love for Sheree.”



#MusicNews: After 30 Years Earth, Wind, & Fire Score their First Top 10 R&B Single!

Earth, Wind & Fire has secured their first top 10 in 28 years on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart, as “You Want My Love” featuring Lucky Daye hits No. 9 this week.


The world-renowned band’s last top 10 was “Sunday Morning” in October 1993. The song, which reached No. 10, appeared on their album Millennium released that same year.


Daye’s previous top 10 included his debut 2018 single “Roll Some Mo,” climbing to the number eight position in spring 2019. The Grammy-nominated track is lifted from his debut album Painted, among Rated R&B’s best R&B albums of 2019.

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Demonte Pose worked behind the boards on “You Want My Love,” a reimagined take on Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1975 B-side “Can’t Hide Love.”


Earth, Wind & Fire plan to release collaborations like the one with Daye through a deal with Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). Their last album, Now, Then & Forever, was released in 2013.



#HipHopNews: Here Are the First Week Projections for Lil Nas X's 'MONTERO'!

Lil Nas X‘s debut studio album MONTERO is projected to big numbers in its first week on the Billboard 200.

According to HITS Daily Double, the record is forecasted to earn between 130,000 to 140,000 in total activity including 17,000 to 20,000 in album sales. Hip Hop By The Numbers adds that MONTERO will be going head-to-head against Drake‘s Certified Lover Boy, which logged its second week a top the Billboard 200 with 236,000 equivalent album units.


The 17-track record featured guest appearances from Jack Harlow on “INDUSTRY BABY,” Doja Cat on “SCOOP,” Elton John on “ONE OF ME,” Megan Thee Stallion on “DOLLA SIGN SLIME” and Miley Cyrus on “AM I DREAMING,” while the likes of Take a Daytrip, Kanye West, Roy Lenzo and Omer Fedi contributed to the production side.


In related news, Lil Nas X and Jean Paul Gaultier have teamed up for a surprise drop on September 20.



The Emmys 2021: Here’s The Full Winners List!

"The Crown" and "The Queen's Gambit" were the big winners at the 73rd Emmy Awards, with each series earning 11 awards. "Saturday Night Live" followed behind with eight Emmys, and "Ted Lasso" and "The Mandalorian" won seven apiece.


During Sunday's telecast, "The Crown" won the outstanding drama series award, "Ted Lasso" took home the outstanding comedy award and "The Queen’s Gambit" received the Emmy for outstanding limited or anthology series.

Josh O'Connor won the Emmy for lead actor in drama for "The Crown," while Olivia Colman received the lead actress award for her performance in the show. Gillian Anderson and Tobias Menzies also won the awards for supporting actress and actor in a drama series, respectively, for their performances.


"Mare of Easttown" stars also had a big night.

Kate Winslet won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a limited series for her performance in the HBO show, while her co-stars Evan Peters and Julianne Nicholson won the awards for supporting actor and actress in limited series for their performances.


Jean Smart won the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her performance in "Hacks," while Jason Sudeikis took home the outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for "Ted Lasso." Hannah Waddingham and Brett Goldstein received the supporting actress and actor in a comedy awards, respectively, for their performances in "Ted Lasso."


Cedric the Entertainer hosted the in-person ceremony at The Event Deck at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. All in attendance had to provide proof of full vaccination and proof of a negative COVID-19 test, which had to be taken on or after Sept. 17. The number of nominees permitted to attend the show was also reduced this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Award-winning actress, dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen received the 2021 Governors Award during the telecast.


Here is the winners list from 2021 Emmys:

Drama series

“The Boys”

"Bridgerton"

“The Crown” - WINNER

"The Handmaid’s Tale"

"Lovecraft Country"

"The Mandalorian"

"Pose"

"This Is Us"


Lead actor in a drama series

Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us”

Jonathan Majors, “Lovecraft Country”

Josh O'Connor, “The Crown” - WINNER

Regé-Jean Page, "Bridgerton"

Billy Porter, “Pose”

Matthew Rhys, "Perry Mason"


Lead actress in a drama series

Uzo Aduba, “In Treatment”

Olivia Colman, “The Crown” - WINNER

Emma Corrin, "The Crown"

Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale”

Mj Rodriguez, "Pose"

Jurnee Smollett, "Lovecraft Country"


Limited series

“I May Destroy You”

“Mare of Easttown”

“The Queen’s Gambit” - WINNER

"The Underground Railroad"

“WandaVision”


Lead actor in limited series or movie

Paul Bettany, "WandaVision"

Hugh Grant, “The Undoing”

Ewan McGregor, “Halston” - WINNER

Lin-Manuel Miranda, "Hamilton"

Leslie Odom Jr., “Hamilton”


Lead actress in a limited series or movie

Michaela Coel, “I May Destroy You”

Cynthia Erivo, "Genius: Aretha"

Elizabeth Olsen, “WandaVision”

Anya Taylor-Joy, "The Queen’s Gambit"

Kate Winslet, “Mare of Easttown” - WINNER


Lead actress in a comedy series

Aidy Bryant, “Shrill”

Kaley Cuoco, “The Flight Attendant”

Allison Janney, “Mom”

Tracee Ellis Ross, “black-ish”

Jean Smart, “Hacks” - WINNER


Comedy series

“black-ish”

“Cobra Kai”

“Emily in Paris”

“The Flight Attendant”

“Hacks”

“The Kominsky Method”

“Pen15”

"Ted Lasso" - WINNER


Lead actor in a comedy series

Anthony Anderson, “black-ish”

Michael Douglas, “The Kominsky Method”

William H. Macy, “Shameless”

Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso” - WINNER

Kenan Thompson, “Kenan”


Supporting actress in a comedy series

Aidy Bryant, "Saturday Night Live"

Hannah Einbinder, "Hacks"

Kate McKinnon, "Saturday Night Live"

Rosie Perez, "The Flight Attendant"

Cecily Strong, "Saturday Night Live"

Juno Temple, "Ted Lasso"

Hannah Waddingham, "Ted Lasso" - WINNER


Supporting actor in a comedy series

Carl Clemons-Hopkins, "Hacks"

Brett Goldstein, "Ted Lasso" - WINNER

Brendan Hunt, "Ted Lasso"

Nick Mohammed, "Ted Lasso"

Paul Reiser, "The Kominsky Method"

Jeremy Swift, "Ted Lasso"

Kenan Thompson, "Saturday Night Live"

Bowen Yang, "Saturday Night Live"


Supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie

Renée Elise Goldsberry, "Hamilton"

Kathryn Hahn, "WandaVision"

Moses Ingram, "The Queen’s Gambit"

Julianne Nicholson, "Mare of Easttown" - WINNER

Jean Smart, "Mare of Easttown"

Phillipa Soo, "Hamilton"


Supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie

Thomas Brodie-Sangster, "The Queen’s Gambit"

Daveed Diggs, "Hamilton"

Paapa Essiedu, "I May Destroy You"

Jonathan Groff, "Hamilton"

Evan Peters, "Mare of Easttown" - WINNER

Anthony Ramos, "Hamilton"


Supporting actress in a drama series

Gillian Anderson, "The Crown" - WINNER

Madeline Brewer, "The Handmaid’s Tale"

Helena Bonham Carter, "The Crown"

Ann Dowd, "The Handmaid’s Tale"

Aunjanue Ellis, "Lovecraft Country"

Emerald Fennell, "The Crown"

Yvonne Strahovski, "The Handmaid’s Tale"

Samira Wiley, "The Handmaid’s Tale"


Supporting actor in a drama series

Giancarlo Esposito, "The Mandalorian"

O-T Fagbenle, "The Handmaid’s Tale"

John Lithgow, "Perry Mason"

Tobias Menzies, "The Crown" - WINNER

Max Minghella, "The Handmaid’s Tale"

Chris Sullivan, "This Is Us"

Bradley Whitford, "The Handmaid’s Tale"

Michael K. Williams, "Lovecraft Country"


Variety talk series

"Conan"

"The Daily Show with Trevor Noah"

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

"Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" - WINNER

"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"


Competition program

"The Amazing Race"

"Nailed It!"

"RuPaul's Drag Race" - WINNER

"Top Chef"

"The Voice"


Congrats to all the winners!



TRAGIC: Body Found Matching Description Of Gabby Petito!

Law enforcement said that human remains discovered near Grand Teton National Park match the description of Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old lifestyle blogger who recently disappeared while on a road trip in a van with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie.

The FBI announced the tragic discovery at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, ending multi-agency search efforts that captured attention nationwide.


“On behalf of the FBI personnel and our partners, I would like to extend sincere and heartfelt condolences to Gabby’s family,” FBI agent Charles Jones said. “As every parent can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for the family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Jones said that the cause of death has not yet been determined. He also said authorities had not fully identified the body, though he offered condolences to Petito’s family.


“Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby. The cause of death has not been determined at this time. We appreciate your continued support and patience as we work through this process,” Jones said.


Laundrie’s family released a statement later Sunday, calling the news “heartbreaking.”

The body was found earlier Sunday near Grand Teton National Park, which was the last place Petito was seen. The discovery was first reported by Fox News, citing a local coroner. The Teton County coroner also confirmed to BuzzFeed News that a body was found in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Petito was near the end of a “van life” cross-country road trip with Laundrie when she went missing. Her 23-year-old fiancé raised speculation about his involvement in Petito’s disappearance when he returned to his parents’ home in Florida on Sept. 1 without her.


Police said Laundrie was not willing to talk with investigators about Petito’s disappearance. He has since vanished himself, with the FBI launching an investigation into his whereabouts on Friday.



Kim Kardashian’s lawyer denies existence of second Ray J sex tape!

Ray J’s former manager Wack 100 said on Bootleg Kev’s podcast this week that he has “part two” of the KKW Beauty founder and “One Wish” crooner’s infamous sex tape, but Kim’s attorney has shot down Wack’s claims as a desperate attempt for attention.


“The claim that there is an unreleased sex tape is unequivocally false,” Marty Singer told Page Six in a statement on Sunday.

“It is unfortunate that people make these statements to try and get their 15 minutes of fame.”

Wack claimed the second sex tape he allegedly has in his possession is “more graphic and better than” the one that was famously released, l launching the reality star to fame. In a bizarre twist, Wack offered it up to Kim’s estranged husband Kanye West so he could sell it as an NFT.


“I would never give it to anybody but Kanye,” he said. “That’s the mother of his children.”

Wack further stated he would probably “gift” the tape to either West or Ray, 40, because they’re both fathers.

“We can’t put that out there in the world like that,” he said. “That’s disrespectful.”

Strangely enough, he did not offer the video up to the Skims founder.


A rep for Ray J didn’t return Page Six’s request for comment.

During the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” reunion earlier this summer, Kim credited the success of the show to her sex tape with Ray.

“Looking back, probably not,” Kardashian, 40, admitted when asked by host Andy Cohen if the show would’ve launched the way it did without the tape.


The former couple made the tape with a handheld camcorder while in Cabo to celebrate Kardashian’s 23rd birthday in 2002, and it was released by Vivid Entertainment as “Kim Kardashian, Superstar” five years later.


She later confessed to taking ecstasy before filming the tape.



Adele and Boyfriend Rich Paul are Instagram-Official!

Rumors have been swirling for months about the status of Adele’s relationship status, but now she is making it official on her Instagram account.


via: Page Six: The “Turning Tables” singer took the major step this weekend, posting a black-and-white photo booth picture of her and the sports super agent agent from Anthony Davis and now-wife Marlen P’s lavish wedding on Saturday in Los Angeles.

Adele stunned in a black Schiaparelli gown that featured a white off-the-shoulder overlay. Paul looked handsome in a velvet tuxedo.


As is tradition with celebrity debuts, Adele put the headline-making picture last in her photo dump. She captioned the series with a simple red-heart emoji.

The British songstress and Paul first sparked dating rumors when they were spotted sitting together at Game 5 of the NBA Finals in July — just two months after teasing they had been “hanging out.”

Multiple sources exclusively confirmed the relationship to Page Six after the public outing, with one insider telling us, “They are [definitely] dating.”


Since then, the couple has taking their romance public at even more events and outings. They attended Robert Kraft’s birthday party together in late July alongside a plethora of A-list names, including Jon Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Meek Mill, Billie Jean King and Gayle King. We also heard Lionel Richie performed and David Spade did stand-up for the high-profile crowd.

In August, the “Rolling in the Deep” singer, 33, and Paul, 39, were seen grabbing dinner with a group of friends in West Hollywood.


Adele was previously married to Simon Konecki, with whom she shares 8-year-old son Angelo. They finalized their divorce in March.



RuPaul Makes History With Most Emmy Wins for a Person of Color!

Condragulations! RuPaul is breaking even more records.

The RuPaul’s Drag Race host just notched a new record, and now has the most Emmy wins by a person of color as of Sunday’s (September 19) 2021 Emmy Awards.


RuPaul now has 11 wins, following the show’s win for Outstanding Competition Program, making it most-awarded reality competition show at the Emmys. He was previously tied with cinematographer Donald A. Morgan.


“Wow, thank you so much to the Academy and all of you gorgeous people here tonight. All of the people at World of Wonder and Viacom-CBS who have been so wonderful, but really thanks to all of our lovely children on our show from around the world. You know, they are so gracious to tell their stories of courage and how to navigate this difficult life, even more difficult today. This is for you. And for the kids out there watching. You have a tribe that is waiting for you. We are waiting for you, baby, come on to Mama Ru. Thank you so much,” he said during the speech.



A Washington D.C. event platform hopes to bring more hip hop artists to 2021 “Art All Night” festival!

A Washington, DC based event company is hoping to increase attendance at the city’s annual “Art All Night” events this year.

COVID-19 turned the 2020 edition of the two-day event into a virtual affair, but this year, DC’s free overnight arts festival is back in-person. The festival is presented by Mayor Muriel Bowser in partnership with 16 participating neighborhoods and Business Improvement Districts, with support from the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities (DCCAH) and the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). DC Now Events, which serves as a liaison for companies and event organizers to identify demographics to properly curate their events, is touting its services as “Art All Night” returns.


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The event platform’s director of brand partnerships, Nels Cephas, believes “DC Now Events opens up a whole new realm of opportunities for all events and networking needs in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.”


In a press release, the company recalled connecting several hip hop artists to event organizers in need of entertainment. “They had no idea this event was happening in NW DC. [DC Now Events] is really that hub to find their ideal venues they had no idea existed, contact the venues, and contact events to showcase new music,” Cephas said in the press release. “Plus, they can contact that person who is curating that event to perform at their next event. If you’re not a part of the DC art world you may not know about these art events.”


DisgoFever, a 30-year-old Maryland rapper, used the company to land several gigs during “Art All Night” and elsewhere throughout the city. “Through DC Now Events, DisgoFeva was able to get three-to-four shows per month using DC Now Events as a source to find events where he could perform,” Cephas said. “Between 2018-2019, he was able to perform at the Fillmore Silver Spring, and at a showcase for Roc Nation A&R Rell Carter at the Howard Theatre. He was also able to get featured on The HuffPost, and get his new music on BET, solely based off just following and connecting with DC Now Events.”


“Artists in other states can also use the platform to build a fan base in the DMV,” Cephas added. According to the “Art All Night” website, there are currently over 100 artists slated to showcase their work with different activations throughout the city. From Sept. 24 through Sept. 25 Mayor Bowser and her arts committee plans to bring “visual and performing arts, including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, dance, theater, film, and poetry, to indoor and outdoor public and private spaces, including local businesses and restaurants.”



Chris Rock Reveals He Has COVID-19; “Trust Me You Don’t Want This”!

On Sunday, comedian Chris Rock told his fans that he tested positive for COVID-19.

The 56-year-old tweeted, “Hey guys I just found out I have COVID.”

“Trust me you don’t want this. Get vaccinated,” he urged.


In May, Rock revealed during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that he received the vaccine against the virus and even talked about choosing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.


“I’m two-shots Rock, that’s what they call me,” but then said he chose to do the single-dose option from Johnson & Johnson.

“That’s the food stamps of vaccines,” he joked.

Prior to that appearance, Rock sat down with Gayle King on CBS Sunday Morning and said he couldn’t wait to get vaccinated. They also spoke on the hesitation of getting the vaccine among the Black community.

“I’m gonna put it this way — Do I take Tylenol when I get a headache? Yes,” he said, defending the vaccine. “Do I know what’s in Tylenol? I don’t know what’s in Tylenol, Gayle. I just know my headache’s gone. Do I know what’s in a Big Mac, Gayle? No. I just know it’s delicious.”



#BoxOfficeNews: 'Shang-Chi' Tops Box Office For 3rd Straight Weekend!

NEW YORK -- “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is the top film at the box office for the third straight weekend, but the muted reception for Clint Eastwood's “Cry Macho” suggests older moviegoers still aren't as eager to return to theaters.

Marvel's “Chang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, collected an estimated $21.7 million in ticket sales over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. The Walt Disney Co. release has held better in theaters than most films during the pandemic. Its 37% drop in the third weekend is the best third-week hold for any Marvel movie ever.


“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” Marvel's first Asian superhero movie, has earned an estimated $320.6 million worldwide. The only trouble for “Shang-Chi” thus far is a lack of a release date in China, which hasn't cleared the film for release in the country, the world's largest but highly censored film market.


While “Shang-Chi” is playing only in theaters, Warner Bros. released “Cry Macho” simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max — as the studio has all 2021 films. During the pandemic, younger moviegoers have been more likely to flock to theaters, and the audience for “Cry Macho” was 89% over the age of 35, Warner Bros. said. The film, which Eastwood directed and stars in as a former rodeo star hired to bring a young man home from Mexico, opened with an estimated $4.5 million.


Warner Bros., which has distributed 44 films with Eastwood for a total of $3.8 billion in box office, only celebrated the 91-year-old director's latest. “Clint Eastwood is a Warner Bros. institution,” said Toby Emmerich, chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, in a statement. To celebrate Eastwood's 50 years of directing, the studio will re-release six of his films — from “Dirty Harry” to “American Sniper” — in theaters and on HBO Max this fall.


The soft debut of “Cry Macho” allowed Disney's “Free Guy,” with Ryan Reynolds, to take the No. 2 spot in its sixth week of release with $5.2 million. It has grossed $108.6 million in the U.S. and Canada, and $298 million globally.

“Copshop,” an action thriller starring Gerard Butler and Frank Grillo, also struggled to make an impression. The Open Road and Briarcliff release launched with $2.3 million.


In limited release, Searchlight Pictures' “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” starring Jessica Chastain as the televangelist, debuted in 450 theaters with about $700,000 in ticket sales. It expands to more than 1,000 theaters next week.



Toni Braxton, Along With Sister Tamar Braxton, Support Sons At Runway Show!

Toni Braxton, with the help of her sister Tamar Braxton, cheered on her sons Diezel and Denim Braxton at the Marcell Von Berlin runway show on September 16, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Tamar Braxton took to her Instagram on Friday to share a video of her cheering on her nephews along with the caption: “So listen!! Y’all know @denimbraxton and @diezel.braxton are like my children and I was so proud to see them walk in this EPIC fashion show for @marcellvonberlin Like I’m in love with the ENTIRE collection.”


Among the celebrities in attendance were actress Niecy Nash and her wife Jessica Betts, along with rapper Yung Miami.

Tamar continued, “Also to add to it @niecynash1 and @jessicabettsmusic had me cracking up and I was secretly rubbing on they shoulders so that Infectious love they possess can rub off on me and ANYONE who knows me knows that it’s @yungmiami305 for meeeeeeee everytime ALL the time. She’s so beautiful[sic].”

Diezel and Denim modeled several looks from Marcell’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection, many of which were unisex clothing.

“The menswear collection is an extension of the women’s wardrobe. But for me gender doesn’t need to dictate the way people dress or in what section you go shopping. Many Marcell von Berlin pieces can be worn unisex. It’s more about choosing clothes as an individual rather than based on your gender,”  designer Marcell Pustul tells Forbes.


In June, Toni Braxton celebrated her son Diezel, 18, as he graduated from high school. “Congratulations @diezel.braxton! Mom is so proud of you,” the musician wrote on Instagram, adding that her son would be heading off to college in fall. “Howard University here he comes!”


Toni Braxton’s sons, who are now both in college, are with her ex-husband Keri Lewis.



Actress Kym Whitley Compared Marlon Wayans' Penis to a Baseball Bat!

Actor and comedian Marlon Wayans is currently working hard to shed his "dad bod" and get back to his G.I. Joe-era six-pack. But as of this week, another part of his body is being discussed. In a recent interview with Uncensored, comedic actress Kym Whitley shared the story of how she once saw Wayans' penis through his sweat pants—and mistook it for a wiffle bat.


Whitley, who appeared opposite Wayans as a guest star on the sitcom The Wayans Bros. in 1998, recalled that when she finally booked the gig after months of trying out, and first arrived on set and met Wayans, she was immediately distracted by the fact that his red sweats showed a visible dickprint—and soon learned that the comedian's "blessed" endowment was well-known at the time.


"All of a sudden, he had on these red sweat pants, and I thought he was trying to be funny, because he was a fool, and I kept looking, I said, 'This boy done put a little bat in his shorts, in his red sweat pants,' and I was looking at it, I was laughing, I was like, 'Stop being silly! Boy, you crazy... Y'all see this? He's so silly'... Nobody laughed... Over the speaker they're like, 'Oh, she's seen it.' I was like, 'Seen it?' I was like, 'That's real? First of all, you need to put a rope on that thing and tie it up, whatever that is.'"


"And then, for that whole week I was distracted," she continued, "and they were like, 'He has a reputation in Hollywood, he just is blessed. He's blessed.' And it's burned into my brain."



Kerry Washington honors late Michael K. Williams at Emmys 2021!

Kerry Washington paid tribute to the “brilliantly talented” Michael K. Williams at the 2021 Emmy Awards, nearly two weeks after the actor’s death.

“Michael was — it’s crazy to say ‘was’ — was a brilliantly talented actor and a generous human being who has left us far too soon,” she said Sunday while presenting the nominees for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. “Michael, I know you’re here because you wouldn’t miss this. Your excellence, your artistry will endure.”


The “Scandal” alum, 44, had previously spoken out immediately after the news of Williams’ death broke, tweeting, “So heartbroken. @BKBMG thank you for the beauty and joy you brought to the world. Sending love and prayers to your friends, family and everyone who adored you me included. We adore you Sir.”

The prolific actor, who died on Sept. 6, was nominated for his role on HBO’s “Lovecraft Country.”


His nephew Dominic Dupont was set to accept the award on his late uncle’s behalf had he won. The honor, however, went to Tobias Menzies for “The Crown.”

Other nominees in the category were actors John Lithgow (“Perry Mason”); Max Minghella, Bradley Whitford and O-T Fagbenle (all of “The Handmaid’s Tale”); Giancarlo Esposito (“The Mandalorian”) and Chris Sullivan (“This Is Us”).

Although Williams did not win, the “Wire” actor was no stranger to being nominated at the Emmy Awards throughout his life.


He had been nominated four times before. One of the nods was for producing the Vice documentary “Raised in the System,” which centered on Dupont, 43, who served more than two decades in jail for murder before then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo commuted his sentence in 2017.

Dupont spoke to The Post shortly after Williams’ untimely death, calling him an “amazing uncle” who supported him during his prison stint.

“Michael was instrumental in helping me get through the process of the prison experience,” Dupont said.


The public speaker continued, “He would work really hard to be a mentor to me and encourage me to stay focused on the important things.”



That Tourist Melee at Carmines? The altercation was due to a racial slur??

(via NYT) Three Black women from Texas were arrested, but a lawyer for one called it “mutual combat” after they were called a racial slur.

New information emerged on Saturday about a brawl outside a popular Italian restaurant in Manhattan that raises questions about initial accounts of the altercation, in which the police said they arrested three women from Texas after they attacked a hostess who had asked them to provide proof of their vaccination status.

In a statement on Thursday, the police said that they had responded to an assault in front of Carmine’s on the Upper West Side of Manhattan involving a 24-year-old hostess, who told them that she got into a dispute with three women after she requested to see their Covid-19 vaccination cards. The three women were charged with assault and criminal mischief.


But on Saturday, lawyers for both Carmine’s and the women said that the three women had, in fact, provided documentation of Covid vaccinations. The altercation began after two men who joined their party several minutes later were unable to provide proof, the lawyers for both sides said.


Security camera footage reviewed by The New York Times shows three women, who were with several other people, being ushered into the restaurant after showing documentation near the entrance. Several minutes later, three men arrive to join the group, but only one of the three shows a vaccination card, lawyers for both sides said. A short time later, after the three women, who are Black, have joined the men outside, the fight breaks out.

Justin Moore, a lawyer who represents one of the women, Kaeita Nkeenge Rankin, said that the hostess used a racial slur and spoke condescendingly to the patrons, suggesting that their vaccination cards were fake. He also said the Texas women claim that the hostess assaulted them.


“The hostess begins spouting out derogatory comments, and speaking with two of the women; they claim that the N-word is being spewed out” Mr. Moore said in an interview. “They also heard the hostess say, ‘Yeah, you guys can leave my restaurant,’ or something very aggressive like that. When Dr. Rankin hears that, she turns around and addresses the hostess. She tells her: ‘This isn’t your restaurant. You’re just a staff member here. Please address us with respect.’”


The restaurant denied the allegations that racism played a role in the conflict.

“Nothing about this incident suggests race was an issue,” Carolyn Richmond, a lawyer who represents the restaurant, wrote in an email. “The pandemic has added a key responsibility to the host position — insuring the safety and health of all employees and guests by checking for proof of vaccination in compliance with New York City law.”


“The idea that anyone would become violent as an employee performs this necessary function is anathema to New York, the hospitality industry and New Yorkers in general,” she added. “As all of the women showed proof of vaccination they were all permitted to enter and were in fact seated inside.”

Amid the dueling accounts, a Black Lives Matter activist said his group planned to demonstrate outside Carmine’s on Monday to protest the treatment of Black patrons. “Restaurants are using vaccine mandates to enforce their racist beliefs and excluding Black patrons,” said Hawk Newsome, the co-founder and chairman of Black Lives Matter Greater New York.


Restaurants across New York City have been grappling with how best to adhere to the new mandate from Mayor Bill de Blasio that requires people to prove they have received at least one dose of a virus vaccine before dining indoors. The city began enforcing the rule on Monday.

Most of the burden of enforcement has fallen on restaurant employees, particularly front-of-house staff members who are typically the first to engage with customers.


In addition to Dr. Rankin, 44, police identified the other women who were arrested as Tyonnie Keshay Rankin, 21, of Humble, Texas, and Sally Rechelle Lewis, 49, of Houston. They were released with a court date of Oct. 5.

In the Thursday statement, the police said the three women had struck the hostess, who has not been identified, “multiple times with closed fists.” It also said that the hostess had sustained “bruises and scratches to her face, chest and arm.” She is resting at home, a representative for the restaurant said.


The footage reviewed by The Times does not include sound, but it suggests tension was already brewing between the hostess and the patrons before the melee began.


In the footage, after the two men were denied entry, a server, wearing a white apron, comes out and talks to the hostess, making hand gestures as if explaining something. Then, footage shows the party of six leaving the restaurant. The hostess leans forward and says something, and the server pulls her back with her arms around her shoulder and gives it a tap, possibly to prevent her from engaging with them.


One of the women, Dr. Rankin, says something to the hostess, pointing a finger at her before getting into what appears to be a verbal dispute with other restaurant staff members, shaking her head. She and the others are led away by another employee, who is Black. Moments later, the party is led back inside the restaurant by its manager. The party crosses paths with the hostess who exits the restaurant.


Footage from inside the hallway shows the hostess brushing past the women as she exits, at which point the women appear to do a double take before pursuing her out the door. It is not clear what occurred in that moment or what might have motivated them to follow her.

Footage from outside the restaurant shows the hostess coming out. Seconds later, one of the patrons, who is wearing glasses, goes up to her from behind, speaks into her ear before shoving her and pulling at her collar. The hostess pushes back and claws back while others try to break them apart.


The melee moves off camera, and one of the attackers is hauled away by one of the servers and one of the men who wasn’t allowed in, while staff pull the hostess away, trying to calm her down.



T.I. And Tiny Won’t Face Charges For Alleged Sexual Assault In Los Angeles!

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has chosen not to move forward with sexual abuse charges against T.I. and Tiny Harris in relation to a woman who claimed she was drugged and sexually assaulted by the couple after meeting them in a nightclub back in 2005. First reported by TMZ, prosecutors at the L.A. District Attorneys Office explained they declined to press charges against the couple because the incident allegedly happened and was subsequently reported outside the jurisdiction’s 10-year statute of limitations.


Shawn Holley, one of T.I. and Tiny’s attorneys, told the outlet in a statement: “Mr. and Mrs. Harris are pleased, but not surprised, by the District Attorney’s decision to dismiss these meritless allegations. We appreciate the DA’s careful review of the case and are grateful to be able to put the matter behind us and move on.”


Tyrone A. Blackburn, an attorney representing 11 of T.I. and Tiny’s accusers, previously requested that the couple be criminally investigated at both the state and criminal levels in two states — one of which was California. Throughout his time representing the alleged victims, the attorney has been adamant about the fact that his clients faced “forced drugging, kidnapping, rape, and intimidation” at the hands of T.I. and Tiny, born Clifford Harris and Tameka Cottle.


The couple’s VH1 series T.I. And Tiny: Friends And Family Hustle suspended its production as a result of the allegations back in February



Biden administration speeds up deportation flights for Haitians in growing Texas migrant camp!

DEL RIO — The Biden administration said Saturday it was accelerating deportation flights and sending 400 federal agents to Del Rio to seize control of an escalating crisis as thousands of mostly Haitian immigrants continued streaming to the Texas city’s border, camping out in squalid conditions under its international bridge.


Customs and Border Protection temporarily shuttered its ports of entry there late Friday and re-routed international traffic 57 miles east to the nearby city of Eagle Pass, a move local officials worried could cost millions in trade losses if the closure lasts.

CBP is coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard to move migrants from Del Rio to other processing locations, Department of Homeland Security officials said in the statement Saturday. About 2,000 had already been transferred, but overnight the camp grew to more than 14,600 migrants — the most Val Verde County has ever seen at once, local officials said. DHS said it was securing extra transportation to expedite deportation flights to Haiti and other countries in the next 72 hours.


The situation in Del Rio, nearly three hours west of San Antonio, spiraled this week as more than 15,000 migrants, many of them from Haiti, arrived at the border in recent days, settling in a makeshift camp under the bridge as they waited for CBP agents to process their petitions to stay in the United States. Conditions quickly deteriorated, and Gov. Greg Abbott sent National Guard and Department of Public Safety troopers to assist federal agents in securing the area. The number of migrants arriving there nearly doubled over the past few days, said Val Verde County Judge Lewis Owens, a Democrat


“The numbers are just staggering,” he said.


He said 10 more buses carrying migrants arrived at the border city overnight and two more Saturday, blaming his Mexican counterpart in Ciudad Acuña for not doing more to stop through-migration on that country’s side. Most of the migrants are of Haitian origin, with the remainder largely from Cuba, Venezuela and Honduras, he said.

“We have 15,000 people here and why did they come to Del Rio? They came to Del Rio and crossed to Del Rio because the Mexican government allowed it to happen on the Mexican side,” Owens said. “Nobody has ever seen something like this here, in terms of the scale.”


Acuña Mayor Roberto De los Santos Vásquez could not immediately be reached for comment.

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a San Antonio Republican whose south Texas border district includes Del Rio, said the Biden administration’s processing of 2,000 migrants in 24 hours was a remarkable feat and praised its decision to speed up expulsion flights. He said as many as 10 flights from Del Rio were planned for the next week.

But he urged the White House to rapidly re-implement a controversial Trump-era policy known as “Remain in Mexico,” or the Migrant Protection Protocols, that forced migrants to wait in Mexico while they pursued their asylum cases in the U.S. Biden had rescinded the policy, but a string of recent court rulings have ordered the administration to implement it once more.


“The sooner the administration can reinstall the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy, that will help alleviate some of that stress in Del Rio, and I think the administration is going to have no choice,” Gonzales said.


He said many of the migrants arriving in Del Rio were originally from Haiti but had fled after that country’s devastating 2010 earthquake and lived elsewhere in Central and South America, complicating their quick return to Haiti. He noted the organized nature of this recent migration wave, in which Haitian migrants were arriving by busloads and with specific instructions sent through Whatsapp.

“This goes well beyond Haiti and goes well beyond Del Rio,” Gonzales said. “It's kind of a blueprint for the next border community and the next foreign community coming here.”


The Biden administration’s efforts Saturday to quickly return these migrants come as the White House continues to use a pandemic health order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year and known as Title 42 to rapidly expel migrants to Mexico or their home countries without the opportunity to ask for asylum. A federal judge last week blocked the Biden administration from using Title 42 to expel migrant families but stayed the order for 14 days. The Biden administration appealed that ruling Friday.

“The majority of migrants continue to be expelled under CDC’s Title 42 authority. Those who cannot be expelled under Title 42 and do not have a legal basis to remain will be placed in expedited removal proceedings,” DHS officials said in Saturday’s statement. “The Biden Administration has reiterated that our borders are not open, and people should not make the dangerous journey.”


Late Saturday, law enforcement had set up barricades on the state road heading toward the bridge. Parked Department of Public Safety patrol cars blocked any traffic.


Fleets of law enforcement and emergency vehicles drove around throughout the day retrieving migrants, some of whom passed out from dehydration in the camp, local officials said. In the past week, at least five migrants from the camp have given birth in Del Rio Hospitals, the Val Verde County judge said.


Migrants have arrived in Del Rio in past years, but this is the first time the city has seen so many at once, officials and residents here said. The situation has aggravated tensions here between those who want to help migrants and those who want them immediately sent back. A few dozen residents waving U.S. and Trump flags, including Alma Arredondo Lynch, protested Saturday about what she called the diversion of local resources to help migrants.


Many migrants who are released only pass through Del Rio, taking flights or charter buses to their final destinations across the country to reunite with their families already in the U.S.

Santiago Pardo, a volunteer with the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition, said he flew from Chicago to help because he said it was his “responsibility to protect those who request protection and treat humans as humans.”


“Everyone is an immigrant. For some of us it's one generation back, for some people it’s like 20 generations back,” he said.

Some say Del Rio is a welcoming town but simply doesn’t have the resources to accommodate so many migrants.

“We want to help, but at the same we have to realize our capabilities and capacity,” said Francisco Lopez Jr., chair of the Val Verde County Republican Party.


Stelin Jean, 29, has been camping underneath Del Rio’s international bridge since earlier this week with his wife, their daughter and his wife’s son. The Haitian family fled their country for Bolivia in July before making the trek to the U.S.


Jean said he hopes that relatives in New York find an immigration attorney who can help them find a way to stay in the U.S.

“I’m afraid,” Jean said. “We have two children and there’s no quality of life” in Haiti.

The Caribbean island nation was battered by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in August shortly after its president was assassinated in July, the latest episode in years of political instability and turmoil. The Biden administration extended a type of provisional residency known as temporary protected status to Haitians who arrived in the United States before May and briefly stopped their deportation flights. Plans to expel them again have angered advocates.


The crisis in Del Rio prompted a fresh round of criticism from Republicans, including Abbott, who has hammered Biden repeatedly for this year’s record border crossing attempts. Many migrants are immediately sent back under the health order but increasingly more have been allowed to stay in the United States pending the resolution of their immigration cases.


Speaking in Fort Worth Friday, Abbott said the U.S. Department of Defense and DHS have told the state that many migrants will be temporarily relocated to Arizona, California and perhaps Laredo to relieve pressure in Del Rio.

“But one thing that we know for a fact and that is, there's nothing but uncertainty and indecision by the Biden administration about exactly what they're going to do,” Abbott said.


Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano also declared a local state of disaster Friday and requested assistance from the state to help deter more migrants from entering the city. He said the city of 35,000, which already has seen an unprecedented spike in attempted border crossings this year, expects 8,000 additional migrants to arrive in the coming days.


The Del Rio sector, which spans 47 mostly rural counties, is the second-busiest CBP sector. Nearly 215,000 migrants have been apprehended there since October, and Val Verde County was the first to start prosecuting migrants for criminal trespassing under a state deterrence initiative Abbott started this summer.

Lozano did not immediately return a call seeking comment Saturday but told the Washington Post that the situation was “no longer sustainable or acceptable.”


“We now have [the equivalent of] one-third of the population of the city of Del Rio, Texas, in a confined space under the international bridge,” he said. “I had thought the alarm was set on Monday but this is a nuclear bomb alarm.”



Boxing Star Manny Pacquiao to Run for Philippines President!

Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines will be running for president in next year’s elections. Pacquiao, who is now a senator, accepted the nomination of a faction he leads of the ruling PDFP-Laban party at the national convention on Sunday. The move immediately turned him into a strong contender against President Rodrigo Duterte’s candidate. Pacquiao, considered one of the greatest boxers of all time and the only one to hold world titles in eight divisions, has been highly critical of Duterte in recent months. “I am a fighter, and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring,” the 42-year-old Pacquiao said as he accepted the nomination.


Until earlier this year, Pacquiao was supportive of Duterte, the populist president who became infamous around the world for his bloody war on drugs that has killed thousands. But in July Pacquiao was ousted as the leader of the PDFP-Laban party after he challenged Duterte, claiming his government is plagued by corruption and has too cozy of a relationship with China. The International Criminal Court has said it will launch an investigation into killings under Duterte’s administration.


Duterte is forbidden by the constitution to seek a second six-year term but has accepted the nomination to be the vice presidential candidate of another faction of the PDFP-Laban party. Critics have called the move a ploy for Duterte to hold on to power. That faction nominated Duterte’s close ally Christopher “Bong” Go to be the presidential candidate. Go has said he doesn’t want to run for president. And while the party says it wants him to reconsider, some are suggesting Duterte’s Daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, could lead the ticket.


Despite his strong name recognition and popularity, polls show Pacquiao trailing Duterte’s daughter.



AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES

Courtesy of P.o.WM

IT’S NOT UNDERWEAR IF IT IS AN OUTERWEAR

In a hurry this morning?



HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!

EFREM

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