Zendaya Rocks Haute Couture in 3 Covers for InStyle’s ‘Best Dressed’ Issue!
InStyle’s BEST DRESSED issue has arrived featuring cover star Zendaya. A master of her craft onscreen and off, Zendaya is always in control of her career, her private life, and her style.
On struggling with social media: “I haven’t been posting, and my fans probably hate it, which I understand. But I get too overwhelmed with having to post things, and if I think too much about it, I’m not gonna do it. It’s not worth it.'”
On her new movie Dune: “We’ll see what the world thinks. But I had such a fun time. I think [director] Denis [Villeneuve] is one of the most extraordinary filmmakers we have — he’s just so consistent and thoughtful. I loved working with him, although it wasn’t for very long. We’ll see how the first one goes, but I’m ready to do a second. Whenever they call, I’m here. [Co-star] Timothée [Chalamet] is an extraordinary talent and just a lovely person—he’s become my family.”
On what makes her nervous: “Messing up. Making mistakes. Not being the best I can possibly be at something. Failure. Again, that’s a Virgo thing. If something is not perfect or the best, then I feel like I might as well have not even done it. I turn something into being the worst thing, even if it was fine. But it’s not fine to me.”
On what she would change in the industry: “Other than becoming a director, my dream is to create my own things. I would love to make films that allow space for young up-and-coming artists, writers, and filmmakers — because especially with Black talent, it’s not a lack thereof; it’s a lack of opportunity. I’d like to give those opportunities: Partner upcoming filmmakers with different writers and mentorships, connect them with the actors they want to see in their films, and create those special bonds. And make sure they get paid and taken care of.”
On diverse talent: “Even with photo shoots, I’m now at the point where I can request photographers to work with. But before that, if I didn’t choose them, I never had the opportunity to work with Black photographers — and that is disgraceful, if you ask me. I feel lucky to be able to find new talent or work with people like [InStyle photographers] Ahmad [Barber] and Donté [Maurice], who are so talented”
Issue is on newsstands now.
William Shatner gets emotional after historic Blue Origin flight He is the Oldest to go into space at 90!
William Shatner can now say he's gone boldly where no man (his age) has gone before.
He's certainly not the first person to visit space, but as of Wednesday, the "Star Trek" veteran is the oldest. At 90, the actor joined Blue Origin, founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2000, for its second human spaceflight. Shatner and three others were launched in a New Shepard rocket from the aerospace company's West Texas launch site just before 11 a.m. EDT.
The crew safely landed back on Earth several minutes later, when Shatner could be heard saying the experience was "unlike anything they described." All four passengers on board gave a thumbs up to the recovery crew upon landing to indicate they were OK.
Bezos greeted the passengers with a double thumbs-up outside the landing capsule, followed by the passengers' family and friends, who cheered and applauded.
"In a way it's indescribable," Shatner told Bezos. "Not only is it different than what you thought, it happened so quickly. The impression I had that I never expected to have is the shooting up: There's blue sky –" he paused as Bezos sprayed a bottle of champagne.
"Everybody in the world needs to do this. Everybody in the world needs to see it," Shatner continued. "It was unbelievable. The little things – the weightless – but to see the blue color (of the sky) whip by you and now you're staring into blackness. … And then it's gone. It was so moving. This experience did something unbelievable. "
An emotional Shatner reiterated to Bezos how in awe he was of what he saw and how it prompted him to consider life and death.
"What you have given me is the most profound experience I can imagine," he told Bezos. "I hope I never recover from this."
Shatner, best known for playing Captain James T. Kirk in the "Star Trek" franchise, said in a press release on Oct. 4 that he had "heard about space for a long time now" and was "taking the opportunity to see it for myself."
But Shatner also admitted to being nervous to go to space.
"I'm terrified!" he said during New York Comic Con last Thursday, according to Space.com. "I know!...I'm Captain bloody Kirk and I'm terrified!"
The launch had been scheduled for Tuesday but forecasted high winds prompted a delay to the following day. Blue Origin announced prior to the launch that it would last just 10 minutes, with the fully automated capsule reaching a maximum altitude of about 66 miles before parachuting back into the desert.
'Best day ever':Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin rocket touch down after historic spaceflight
Along with Shatner, the spaceflight passengers in Blue Origin's second human spaceflight included Blue Origin's vice president of mission and flight operations Audrey Powers, a former NASA engineer and tech entrepreneur Chris Boshuizen and the founder of a clinical trials software company Glen de Vries. The latter two passengers paid for tickets for the flight – Blue Origin has not publicly disclosed the price of tickets, though Bezos has previously said totals of tickets sold were nearing $100 million.
A statement on Blue Origin’s website added that New Shepard NS-18 met all mission requirements and the astronauts were prepared through training.
Blue Origin's first human spaceflight launched on July 20, when it flew Bezos, Bezos' brother Mark, Mercury 13 aviator Wally Funk (formerly the oldest person in space) and 18-year-old student Oliver Daemen (son of a hedge fund manager) to suborbital space.
#RHOA: Cynthia Bailey & Mike Hill Had their First Anniversary Celebration and it was Incredible!
Cynthia Bailey and Mike Hill rang in one year of marriage on October 10, and to celebrate, The Real Housewives of Atlanta couple enjoyed a delicious variety of food and drinks.
When they arrived at the West Hollywood EDITION hotel, the RHOA alum and her husband found touching surprises in their room, including a beautiful dessert, framed photos of the couple, and a Veuve Clicquot bottle. "This is sooo sweet," Cynthia captioned an Instagram Story video.
Cynthia and Mike started their day with a plate of oysters, and later, they went to dinner at Mastro's, where they enjoyed a candle-lit dessert with a "happy anniversary" message on the plate. Cynthia gave a special shoutout to the cake, writing in an Instagram post,“May our marriage always be as buttery as the butter cake at [Mastro's] thank you for a beautiful evening!” In a comment, Drew Sidora declared, "That butta cake is ridiculous."
It's no surprise that the couple celebrated their special day with a stunning cake. At their wedding, they had a sparkling white and gold vanilla cake "with raspberry filling & cream cheese frosting" that was topped with real flowers. However, they ultimately decided to offer their guests a different sweet treat. Cynthia explained at the time: "My cake was beautiful but decided to serve guests individual desserts in jars instead of cutting & serving cake."
#NewMusic from Kelis – Midnight Snacks!
It’s been awhile since we’ve heard some new music from Kelis, but she returns with the new single “Midnight Snacks”. The sound of the track is a throwback to the early vibes of Kelis’ career with the groundbreaking music she gave us.
The song also comes with an accompanying video which was directed by Adrienne Raquel. The visual is a retro yet futuristic dreamscape inspired by the allure of the 1990’s and paired with the glamour of the 1970’s.
This is the first new music that Kelis has released since her 2014 album “Food”.
Kelis adds about the creation of the song:
“I heard the beat, thought it was dope, and the first thing that came to mind was “Midnight Snacks.” The FaNaTix were like, what are you talking about? And I was like, it makes you feel like a midnight snack! And that was it.”
LISTEN
The released comes on the heels of the 20th anniversary of Kelis’ groundbreaking debut album “Kaleidoscope” celebrated last year.
#HipHopNews: Fat Joe Calls Dababy 'The New 2pac!
Hip Hop comparisons are just as prevalent as the conversation between raps fans of who’s the greatest of all time. People will debate who’ll be the next in line to follow their elders’ footsteps, and most opinions aren’t taken seriously.
Fat Joe recently took part in the debates during the one-night-only return of BET’s popular Rap City show, and fans are scratching their heads at his choices. During the special broadcast of Rap City ’21, Big Tigger asked Joey Crack which modern rapper would he compare to the late Tupac Shakur.
After thinking about it briefly, Fat Joe admitted it was a hard decision but named DaBaby as 2Pac’s heir. Big Tigger carefully accepted Joe’s answer, then asked who would be the next Fat Joe. According to the Bronx legend, his heir is an underground rapper named Nems out of Coney Island, Brooklyn and the rapper got word Fat Joe was praising him and shared it on his Instagram.
DaBaby caught wind of Joe’s comments and reposted the clip on his Instagram page. However, DaBaby said the critics would never give him that credit despite his accomplishments already.
“Agreed. but they gone salt that down too Crack,” wrote DaBaby in the caption of his post.
Social media was quick to ridicule Fat Joe for his seemingly outlandish claim. Many took to the comment section wherever the video was posted and dragged Fat Joe for making such comments.
“I see why they call him crack now cause he high af,” wrote one fan while another said, “Stop comparing artists to Tupac and let Em be themselves.”
Some did agree with Fat Joe’s take when it comes to the controversy both rappers have faced. 2Pac was one of the most outspoken rappers in history and never held his tongue on any topic. DaBaby normally doesn’t filter anything he says and found himself in a heap of trouble after making homophobic remarks at 2021 Rolling Loud Miami.
Cardi B Rocks Chain Bra And Fishnets At Dancehall-Themed Birthday Party!
Welcome to Cardi's party! The "WAP" rapper celebrated her 29th birthday with a dancehall-themed bash at LA River Studios on Monday night, decked out in a Laurel DeWitt chain bra, Chanel accessories, hot pants and cutout tights. Husband Offset stayed close by her side, dressed in all black and layers of diamond chains. Here are a few looks from the night!
What a Night!
Smokey Robinson Nearly Died of COVID During 11-Day Hospital Stay!
Smokey Robinson has revealed that he spent 11 days in a Los Angeles hospital and almost died after contracting COVID-19 last December.
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Robinson, 81, recalled his “frightening” encounter with the virus, which he called “terribly debilitating.”
Although he did not lose his ability to taste or smell, the virus threatened his vocal cords, leaving him unsure of whether or not he would ever be able to sing again. “I could barely even talk,” the singer-songwriter explained. “Even when I got home I was hoarse, I could not try to sing because I was afraid. … I had to work on my vocal cords and get myself back together.”
Unsure of how he contracted the virus, Robinson suspected that something was wrong when he started feeling “weird and funny after coming in off the road” just before Christmas. He was quarantining away from his family when a second COVID test came back positive. Only 48 hours later, the singer was rushed to the hospital when his breathing started to decline.
Robinson said that the virus left him so exhausted that four or five days of his stay are wiped from his memory.
Despite the “severity” of his condition, Robinson said that doctors attributed his recovery to his physical fitness – to which he has redoubled his commitment in hopes of minimizing his chances of contracting the virus again.
“Before I got the virus I would work out two or three times a week. I have been doing yoga, stretching and positions for 40 years,” he said. “Now I work out almost every day, because I don’t want to get the virus again even though I’ve had both of my shots.”
Part of Robinson’s recovery involved slowly regaining his voice through performances, starting at 40 minutes and gradually increasing his sets to a full two or two-and-a-half hours.
The “Being With You” and “The Tracks of My Tears” singer, whose myriad accolades include the Rock & Roll Hall of Fam, 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize and 2002 National Medal of the Arts, is next set to appear at the 25th Power of Love gala. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to Keep Memory Alive, a foundation that supports Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in its fight against neurocognitive diseases.
“They do such a wonderful thing treating these ailments connected to the brain, from Alzheimer’s to dementia, it’s very important,” said Robinson, who will be honored along with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. “… I don’t know why they are honoring me, but I am very honored to be honored by them.”
Damon Wayans Says Dave Chappelle’s Netflix Special Freed Comedian ‘Slaves’!
“Someone needs to look us in the eye and say, ‘You’re no longer free in this country,’ ” Wayans said of backlash to “The Closer”
Comedian Damon Wayans told TMZ that the latest Dave Chappelle Netflix special, The Closer, “freed the slaves.”
“The comedians. We were slaves to PC culture,” Wayans opined in an impromptu interview, when asked about his longtime friend’s controversial stand-up offering. “As an artist, he’s Van Gogh with his ear off. He’s trying to tell us, ‘It’s okay.’ ”
“I’ve always been free,” Wayans noted, but he felt that Chappelle was saying, “all that I have, I’m not afraid to lose it for the sake of freedom of speech.”
“You can’t edit yourself,” said Wayans. “Comedians … we’re like … Mercedes makes a great car, but they gotta crash a lot of them before they perfect it.”
Asked about the backlash The Closer has received — the comedy special features several minutes of jokes about transgender people — he responded: “I can’t speak about the content of the show. But what I say is there’s a bigger conversation we need to have. Someone needs to look us in the eye and say, ‘You’re no longer free in this country. You’re not free to say what you want; you say what we want you to say. Otherwise, we will cancel you.’ That’s the discussion we need to have.”
Chappelle, said Wayans, is a “unicorn and amazing.”
In The Closer, Chappelle states, “Gender is a fact. Every human being in this room, every human being on earth, had to pass through the legs of a woman to be on earth. That is a fact.”
In an email to employees, Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of the streaming giant Netflix, which has presented several of Chappelle’s comedy specials, wrote: “Several of you have also asked where we draw the line on hate. We don’t allow titles on Netflix that are designed to incite hate or violence, and we don’t believe The Closer crosses that line.”
“I recognize, however, that distinguishing between commentary and harm is hard, especially with stand-up comedy, which exists to push boundaries,” Sarandos opined to staff. “Some people find the art of stand-up to be mean-spirited but our members enjoy it, and it’s an important part of our content offering.”
GLAAD, the LGBTQ media advocacy organization, has condemned the special and issued a statement about it on Monday, writing, “Netflix has a policy that content ‘designed to incite hate or violence’ is not allowed on the platform, but we all know that anti-LGBTQ content does exactly that. While Netflix is home to groundbreaking LGBTQ stories, now is the time for Netflix execs to listen to LGBTQ employees, industry leaders, and audiences, and commit to living up to their own standards
Ricarlo Flanagan Dead - 'Last Comic Standing' Semifinalist Dies from COVID-19 at Age 40!
Ricarlo Flanagan has sadly passed away. It has been announced that the stand-up comedian, actor, and rapper had died over the weekend after a battle with COVID-19. He was 40-years-old.
“Sadly this pandemic has taken the life of an extremely talented performer and even nicer human being. Ricarlo will be greatly missed,” Ricarlo‘s agent Stu Golfman of KMR Talent shared in a statement with Variety.
Ricarlo first revealed earlier this month that he had COVID, tweeting, “This COVID is no joke. I don’t wish this on anybody.”
His friends have created a GoFundMe campaign to help provide assistance to Ricarlo’s family.
“The news of a loved one’s death is never something easy to hear, let alone if you are far away from the individual,” reads the GoFundMe’s description. “Our dear friend has suddenly passed away and sadly was far from his family. Ricarlo Flanagan was a loving son, grandson, cousin, nephew and friend with many amazing talents. He brought laughter to every room he walked in. We would like to get him home to his family in Cleveland, Ohio, so his family can put him to rest. We ask that you please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Please help us with any contribution you are able to give. This will be greatly appreciated, not only by us but most importantly by his family.”
Ricarlo competed on the ninth season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2015, where he was a semifinalist. He also had recurring roles on Showtime’s Shameless and Disney+’s Walk the Prank.
Our thoughts are with Ricarlo Flanagan‘s loved ones during this difficult time.
#RIP🙏🌺💔😢 Deon Estus, Vocalist and bassist for Wham!, has died at 65!
Deon Estus, a singer and musician who played bass guitar for the '80s pop group Wham!, has died, according to a post on his Twitter page.
He was 65.
"It is with real sadness I post that Deon Estus passed away this morning," read the post. "Deon was mostly known as the third member of Wham! Deon was passionate about music and loved interacting with his loyal fans."
In addition to playing and touring with Wham!, Estus had collaborations with Tina Turner, Annie Lennox, Elton John, Aaron Neville and other artists. His single, "Heaven Help Me," which also featured vocals by George Michael, reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1989.
Andrew Ridgeley, who played guitar and sang backup vocals in Wham!, paid tribute to Estus on Tuesday, calling him "a lavishly gifted bass guitarist, a charismatic & impish character & a rock of the WHAM! rhythm section."
Ridgeley added, "He lives large in the memory, he radiated warmth, humour & life's illuminating light, my heartfelt commiserations go out to his family."
Michael, who died in 2016, has a verified Twitter account maintained by Sony Music.
"We're sad to hear that our friend Deon Estus has passed away," read a tribute posted to the page. "Deon was not only an unbelievably talented bass player but also a much loved and treasured member of Wham! and of George's musical family. His wonderful spirit & his talent will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Deon."
‘Until He Is Eligible To Be A Full Participant The Nets Won’t Let Kyrie Irving Play Or Practice!
Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks said Tuesday that Kyrie Irving’s decision to not comply with New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate left the organization with “no choice” but to send him away from the team until he’s able to fully participate.
via: Uproxx: Aside from the Ben Simmons trade saga in Philadelphia, nothing has consumed NBA headlines this preseason like the Kyrie Irving situation in Brooklyn.
The All-Star guard is one of the few remaining players who have refused to get the vaccine, and is the only one to do so in a market that has a vaccine mandate for going to work. As such, Irving is ineligible to play in Brooklyn’s home games and, while the city determined he could practice with the team at their “private office” of a practice facility, that meant 42 games (41 home games and one game at Madison Square Garden) where Irving wouldn’t be able to play.
Steve Nash spoke matter of factly about the situation recently, noting that the team was going to have to figure things out like “when, where, and how much” Irving would play. That seemed to indicate they might accommodate him as a part-time player, but on Monday night, Irving didn’t travel with the team to Philadelphia for a preseason game, an indication that no decision had yet been made. There were reports that the Nets top brass would get together along with fellow stars Kevin Durant and James Harden to talk through what this season should look like with Kyrie, and on Tuesday morning, the team came to it’s decision.
Kyrie Irving will not be part of the Nets team until he can be a full participant.
That means the Nets will move forward without Irving until one of two things happen. He either gets the vaccine and can play in home games, or New York lifts its vaccine mandate. It would seem the former is incredibly unlikely, given Irving knew he was going to lose half of his game checks this season and still chose not to get vaccinated. As for the latter, it’s possible that could happen next spring if things improve, but also seems like it isn’t something the Nets or Irving can bank on for certain.
For now, the Nets will move forward with Durant, Harden, and their stacked roster of veteran stars, which is more than capable of holding their place as a championship contender. However, it certainly shrinks the margin for error for the Nets, particularly on the injury front, and could help open the door for other teams to catch up to them.
UPDATE: Sean Marks would speak to the media shortly after the Nets released the initial statement, and explained more fully how they came to the decision and why they chose not to have Kyrie play at all, noting it wouldn’t be fair to anyone, including Irving.
Some were wondering if this meant Irving was suspended for the season or what the official designation would be, but Marks confirmed the only salary Kyrie will lose are the home games he’s ineligible for and that he’ll be paid for road games, he just won’t be with the team.
Last season Kyrie missed a bunch of games due to “personal issues,” the season before he didn’t want to participate in the NBA “bubble.”
Gabby Petito Autopsy: Coroner Says Death Caused By Strangulation!
The Wyoming medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Gabby Petito said Tuesday that the 22-year-old’s death was caused by strangulation.
Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue made the announcement during a virtual news conference.
“After a detailed investigation by our forensic pathologist, our anthropologist and local law enforcement, with assistance from the FBI, the Teton County Coroner Office is filing the following verdict in the death of Gabrielle Venora Petito. We hereby find the cause and manner of death to be: the cause, death by strangulation, and manner is homicide,” he said.
Blue initially ruled Petito’s manner of death a homicide pending final autopsy results.
He said that law enforcement took DNA samples from Petito’s body and that she was not pregnant.
The time of death was estimated to be three to four weeks before Petito’s body was found, Blue said.
He added that under Wyoming state law, only cause and manner of death are released after an autopsy is conducted, and said that no other information about her death would be released.
Petito’s body was discovered in the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area of Bridger-Teton National Forest, near Grand Teton National Park, on Sept. 19 — eight days after her family reported her missing and nearly three weeks after her 23-year-old fiancé, Brian Laundrie, returned home from a cross-country road trip without her.
Laundrie was called a person of interest by police in North Port, Fla., where he and Petito lived with Laundrie’s parents before embarking on their trip. Laundrie’s parents reported him missing on Sept. 17, four days after they told police he told them he was going for a hike in a nearby nature reserve.
Authorities have been scouring the 24,565-acre Carlton Reserve for Laundrie ever since. There have also been unconfirmed sightings of Laundrie along the Appalachian Trail, in Canada and in Mexico. TV personalities, including Duane Chapman — known as Dog the Bounty Hunter — and longtime “America’s Most Wanted” host John Walsh, have joined in the search.
Petito’s family has issued public pleas for Laundrie’s parents to cooperate with authorities. Police say the Laundries initially did not share “any helpful details” in the search for Petito.
The FBI executed a search warrant at their home a day after the discovery of Petito’s body.
One debit card belonging to Petito.
“While this warrant allows law enforcement to arrest Mr. Laundrie, the FBI and our partners across the country continue to investigate the facts and circumstances of Ms. Petito’s homicide,” Michael Schneider, FBI special agent in charge, said in a statement announcing the warrant. “We urge individuals with knowledge of Mr. Laundrie’s role in this matter or his current whereabouts to contact the FBI.”
In a statement released after the coroner’s findings Tuesday, Steven Bertolino, the Laundrie family’s lawyer, said, “Gabby Petito’s death at such a young age is a tragedy.”
“While Brian Laundrie is currently charged with the unauthorized use of a debit card belonging to Gabby, Brian is only considered a person of interest in relation to Gabby Petito’s demise,” the statement read. “At this time Brian is still missing and when he is located we will address the fraud charge pending against him.”
The case has garnered widespread national media attention — as well as criticism of news outlets for not covering similar cases involving people of color. It has also drawn intense interest on social media, with online sleuths scouring the couple’s posts on Instagram for potential clues.
Petito and Laundrie had spent months visiting national parks in their converted 2012 Ford Transit van, documenting the trip on social media.
Petito’s family, who live on Long Island, said they lost contact with her in late August and reported her missing on Sept. 11 — 10 days after Laundrie returned home to Florida in the van without her.
As media coverage of her disappearance intensified, police in Moab, Utah, released body camera footage of officers pulling the young couple’s van over near Arches National Park on Aug. 12 following a report of a “domestic problem” between the pair outside a natural food store.
The footage showed Laundrie with scratches on his face and a visibly distraught Petito wiping away tears while telling one officer that the couple had been fighting and were struggling with “personal issues.”
“I’m sorry,” Petito told the officer. “We’ve just been fighting this morning. Some personal issues.”
After questioning the couple separately for more than an hour, officers concluded that Petito had been the aggressor in the incident, but neither Laundrie nor Petito wanted to press charges.
“I do not believe the situation escalated to the level of a domestic assault as much as that of a mental health crisis,” the officers concluded in their report.
They instead decided to separate the couple for the night. Laundrie was taken to a motel and Petito was allowed to stay in the van. The pair reunited soon after and continued on their trip.
But according to audio from a 911 call, a witness told police that he saw Laundrie slap Petito multiple times in the parking lot of the natural food store. The city of Moab has launched an independent investigation into the police department’s handling of the incident, and Moab Police Chief Bret Edge has taken a leave of absence pending results of the probe.
Nicole Brown’s Sister Blasts Kim Kardashian Over “Distasteful” OJ Simpson SNL Joke!
Nicole Brown’s sister Tanya Brown wasn’t too happy with Kim Kardashian’s Saturday night live joke about the O.J. Simpson trial, and her sister Nicole’s murder.
Kardashian hosted the Saturday, October 9, episode of the and had the crowd in tears with her monologue that didn’t spare anyone! Kardashian spoke about her late father, Robert Kardashian, who represented OJ during his trial for Nicole’s murder.
“Now, you know, my father was and still is such an influence and inspiration to me, and I credit him with really opening up my eyes to racial injustice. It’s because of him that I met my first Black person,” Kim said in her monologue. “Want to take a stab in the dark at who it was?”
She added, “I know it’s sort of weird to remember the first Black person you met but O.J. does leave a mark — or several. Or none at all. I still don’t know.”
TMZ spoke with Brown who said the OJ jokes were distasteful and reflect negatively upon Kardashian, whose mother Kris was Nicole’s best friend.
Brown said the monologue was “beyond inappropriate” and “insensitive” and doesn’t believe if Kardashians ever truly cared for Nicole.
Billy Porter Reveals Sexual Abuse As A Child Was Confusing And Nurturing!
In a new interview with People Magazine, actor Billy Porter has opened up about the sexual abuse he suffered as a child at the hands of his stepfather.
The actor and singer, who holds an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards shares how the awful events still affect him today.
Porter revealed that his stepfather began abusing him after they spoke about the birds and the bees. He began to abuse Porter at least twice a week for five years.
“As a child, I became a grown man. In my mind, I lived that experience as if it was an affair. Because it was loving, it was nurturing, it was confusing. ‘Cause it was touch. It was what I needed; it was the illusion of care, of a big, strong man caring for me. Still, to this day, I’m not okay.”
For many years this was a conversation the black community has not been ready to discuss. Many girls and boys are often abused by someone close to them.We salute Billy Porter for his bravery while sharing his testimony.
Usher And Girlfriend Jenn Goicoechea Welcome Baby Boy!
Usher and his girlfriend Jenn Goicoechea have welcomed their new baby boy.
On Tuesday (Oct. 12), the “U Got It Bad” singer took to Instagram to announce the arrival of his son. “Hi my name is Sire Castrello Raymond” he captioned a black and white image of the newborn. “I am the newest addition to the Raymond crew. I was born Sept. 29, 2021 at 6:42 pm weighing 7 lbs 13 oz. Hear me roar … A.K.A Ra Ra. [Baby Libra] Gang #demraymondboys.”
Back in May, the pair revealed that they were expecting their second child together. In June, Goicoechea showed off her growing baby bump on the red carpet for the iHeartRadio Music Awards, which Usher hosted.
Last September, the pair, who have been dating since 2019, welcomed their daughter Sovereign Bo Raymond. The Confessions singer shared a photo of himself holding her tiny finger to share the exciting news with his fans and followers. He also revealed how challenging it was to expect a newborn at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been a tough time for everybody; so [it’s] great to have this incredible news, this new arrival. [We’re] really anticipating it,” he said during an appearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden” last year. “I think everybody’s had the opportunity to just take a beat back and realize what really matters in this time — it’s family. It is coming closer to your loved ones and appreciating the ones that you have while you have them.”
Usher previously expressed his excitement for the birth of his fourth child, sharing that he and his girlfriend “can’t wait” for their new addition. “I’m definitely enjoying this little baby boom of ours,” he said during an appearance on “Good Morning America.”
“This new addition to the family has just been exciting,” he added.
Congratulations to the happy couple.
Facing 'Serious' Health Complications The Wendy Williams Show Taps Guest Hosts Ahead of Premiere!
Wendy Williams' return to television has been delayed once more. Amid Williams' ongoing health issues, her namesake talk show will return for season 13 on Monday without her, the syndicated series announced in a statement posted on Instagram Tuesday.
"The Wendy Williams Show will start airing originals on Monday, October 18, with an exciting lineup of guest hosts and panels to be announced shortly," the statement read. "Wendy continues to be under medical supervision and meets with her medical team on a daily basis. She is making progress but is experiencing serious complications as a direct result of Graves' Disease and her thyroid condition. It has been determined that more time is needed before she is able to return to her live hosting duties."
"Wendy is a valued and stalwart member of the Debmar-Mercury family and has been so for 12 years. We want her health to be her top priority," the statement continued. "As soon as she's ready, she will be back in her treasured purple chair. We very much appreciate the respect for Wendy's privacy, as well as all the good wishes from her fans, station partners and advertisers."
The season 13 premiere, originally set for Sept. 20, was pushed to Oct. 4 after Williams, 57, tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19 amid other health struggles.
It was then pushed back for a second time to Oct. 18, with the show announcing late last month that Williams had recovered from COVID but was still dealing with additional health issues.
Williams last took time off from her talk show in May 2020 due to health concerns surrounding her battle with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease that results in an overactive thyroid gland.
Addressing her experience with the immune system disorder in 2018, Williams told PEOPLE she had been diagnosed with it 19 years prior.
"I had a storm going in my body is the best way I can explain it," she said. "It came from me neglecting my six-month endocrinology appointment. I have Graves' disease and hyperthyroid. If you have one you don't necessarily have to have the other, but I have both."
Season 13 of The Wendy Williams Show premieres Monday (check local listings).
Coachella Festival Reverses Mandatory-Vaccination Policy!
In a surprise move, the Coachella festival has reversed its plan to require vaccinations for ticketholders to its April 2022 events, and instead will only require proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours of the event (although proof of full vaccination will work as well).
Curiously, the announcement was made Tuesday afternoon via the festival’s Instagram story — not on its main Instagram page or on Twitter, where the most recent post, dating from August, says proof of full vaccination is required for all shows from Coachella promoter Goldenvoice.
“After seeing first-hand the low transmission data and successful implementation of safety protocols at our other festivals this past month, we feel confident we can update our health policy to allow for:
Negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event
OR
Proof of full vaccination.”
The timing of the policy reversal — not to mention the reversal itself — is puzzling, because the festival is months away and tickets have long since sold out.
Reps for Goldenvoice, which is owned by AEG, did not immediately respond to Variety’s questions about the seemingly intentionally obscured announcement; in the music world, Instagram stories are usually used by artists for insider-fan announcements, not by major concert promoters for serious health-policy updates. While the new policy is not in line with AEG’s full-vaccination requirement, also announced in August, the company did allow that “the vaccination policy will be implemented as an open-ended one, with any changes or reversals informed by updates relating to infection rates, transmission data, variant developments, and local and federal regulations.”
Brian Goldner Dies: Hasbro CEO & ‘Transformers’ EP Who Led Toy Giant’s Push Into Entertainment Was 58!
Brian Goldner, chief executive of Hasbro and Transformers executive producer, has died of cancer several days after taking a medical leave from the Pawtucket, R.I.-based toy and entertainment giant. He was 58.
The transformational exec was key in expanding the company into entertainment, leading Transformers and G.I. Joe to the big screen. Under Goldner, Hasbro acquired Canada’s independent Entertainment One studio in 2019, selling off its music business.
“It is with deep and profound sadness that Hasbro announces the passing of beloved leader and longtime Chairman and CEO Brian D. Goldner,” the company said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.
Goldner first disclosed his cancer diagnosis in 2020, saying he had been undergoing treatment since 2014. Hasbro announced Oct. 10 that he would take an indefinite leave of absence for medical reasons.
“Since joining the company more than two decades ago, Brian has been the heart and soul of Hasbro. As a charismatic and passionate leader in both the play and entertainment industries, Brian’s work brought joy and laughter to children and families around the world. His visionary leadership, kindness, and generosity made him beloved by the Hasbro community and everyone he touched. On behalf of the Hasbro family, we extend our deepest, heartfelt condolences to his wife, daughter, and entire family,” said Rich Stoddart, interim CEO.
Goldner was also a director of ViacomCBS, whose chair Shari Redstone called him “an exceptionally dedicated member of our Board, whose guidance and leadership played a key role not only in the combination of Viacom and CBS but in the execution of the vision that has significantly shaped the company and will take us well into the future.” CEO Bob Bakish said Goldner “uniquely understood the powerful connection between play and entertainment.”
“On behalf of everyone at Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon, we are saddened by the news of Brian Goldner’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family,” Brian Robins, chairman-CEO of Paramount and Nickelodeon, said in a statement. “Brian was an incredible partner and collaborator with us on so many beloved franchise titles including G.I. Joe and Transformers, and he was a visionary leader in evolving Hasbro into a global content company. He will be sorely missed.”
Goldner joined Hasbro in 2000 and quickly was recognized as a visionary in the industry. He was named CEO in 2008 and became chairman in 2015. He was instrumental in transforming the company into a global play and entertainment leader, expanding beyond toys and games into TV, movies and digital gaming, including the 2019 acquisition of independent entertainment studio Entertainment One in 2019 for $3.8 billion. It sold eOne’s music business to investment firm Blackstone for $385 million in cash.
The company’s content portfolio includes Peppa Pig for TV as well as film franchises Transformers, G.I. Joe and My Little Pony — the latter has a new movie on Netflix (My Little Pony: A New Generation). G.I. Joe‘s latest installment Snake Eyes was released in July. Other Hasbro brands include Magic: The Gathering, Nerf, Play-Doh, Monopoly, Dungeons & Dragons, Power Rangers and and PJ Masks.
Said Edward Philip, lead independent director of Hasbro’s board of directors: “Brian’s passing is a tremendous loss for Hasbro and the world. Brian was universally admired and respected in the industry, and throughout his over 20 years at Hasbro, his inspiring leadership and exuberance left an indelible mark on everything and everyone he touched. A mentor and friend to so many, his passion and creativity took Hasbro to new heights. Our love and thoughts are with his wife, daughter, and family during this extraordinarily sad time.”
Hasbro was founded in 1923 by Henry and Hillel Hassenfeld. According the company’s website, it first sold textile remnants, then moved into school supplies. The first toys in the 1940 were doctor and nurse kits. Mr. Potato Head in 1952 revolutionized the toy industry becoming the first toy ever advertised on TV. It launched the iconic G.I. Joe action figure in the 1960s. (Hasbro invented the term “action figure” to market to boys.) My Little Pony and Transformers came in the 1980s. The first Transformers movie was in 2007. Goldner launched Hasbro Studios in 2009, the year after being named CEO, the first outsider — non-family member — to lead the company.
Hasbro inked a licensing deal with Disney consumer production for the Princess and Frozen brands. It acquired animation studio Boulder Media in 2016. It acquired Saban’s Power Rangers and launched Magic: The Gathering Arena in 2018.
Goldner is survived by his wife and daughter. He lost his 23-year-old son in 2015.
Southwest Airlines Pilots Union Says Faulty I.T. Caused Flight Cancellations!
Southwest Airlines pilots’ union blames the company’s mass cancellations on ongoing I.T. problems, which have plagued the airlines for years.
As of Monday, more than 2,000 Southwest flights had been canceled since Friday. This has left thousands of passengers stranded and unaware of when they will reach their destinations. Many have pointed to the airline’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate as the reason for the delays, considering that they began immediately after the pilot’s union attempted to block the order—however, Capt. Casey Murray, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, said that the real issue is “operational difficulties” that they’ve warned the company about for years.
“It’s been going on for years, and of course, this Summer was a prime example, and then this weekend. Our issue is, there is a lot of internal processes at Southwest that are failing. It’s I.T. related as well, and what we’re not seeing really are solutions to what’s occurring,” Murray explained. He warned that Southwest would continue to face mass cancellations and outages if it refused to update its I.T. system soon.
Regarding the union’s move to block the airline COVID-19 mandate, Murray says they were only trying to get the company to “have some discussions around the vaccine,” as the long-term medical effects remain unknown to many pilots and other employees.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
SHORT SHORTS
When your butt says it needs a new shorts
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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