V Magazine & VMAN Launch 2022 Special-Edition Calendar with EA7 by Emporio Armani
0New Year, New Calendar! V Magazine & VMAN are celebrating the arrival of the new year with EA7 by Emporio Armani and 12 of the world’s most promising rising athletes for our annual limited-edition calendar! Showcasing exceptional young talent hailing from many points on the globe. stunningly captured by visionary photographer Sølve Sundsbø, the proceeding images convey the glory, strength, and merit of professional athletics—one month at a time.
Alexis Chaparro (Boxer / NYC, USA)
“I wanted to start boxing at 8 years old because I wanted to be a part of the sport my father had been in—I wanted to be like my father. I’m just a real student of the game and love everything about the sport.”
Mia Pachansky: (Martial Artist / Manchester, UK)
“The feeling of thrill that you get from stepping onto the mats is very addictive, and the atmosphere in the venue, even at my first small local competition – it’s always electric.”
Edson Gomes: (Hurdler / Lisbon, Portugal)
“I wanted to take this seriously when I first lost a race. At the time, it was the worst feeling imaginable and from that point onwards, I decided that I would work hard on bettering myself so I wouldn’t feel like that again.”
Jordan Rand: (eSkootr Racer / Colorado Springs, USA)
“The gender inclusivity of eSC is a hugely important factor for me. I love that men and women compete together. Most racing sports are [also] extremely expensive to even dream about getting into [but] eSC has created a sport that is financially accessible to anyone.”
Michael Gunning: (Swimmer / London, UK)
“I always wanted to prove everyone wrong and be the representation I didn’t see growing up. I’m so proud that I’ve managed to smash stereotypes out of the water by competing in 2 World Championships and breaking 4 Jamaican Records. I always focus on my inhabitation and goal to break down the stereotypes of black swimmers all around the world.”
Alix Morillo: (Equestrian / Montpellier, France)
“My mother was a horse rider so I was raised around horses since I was a baby. As soon as a could ride ponies, I was competing in international showjumpers with my fully grown mare ‘Tentation de Brial’.”
Miles Chamley Watson: (Fencer / London, UK)
“When I was 12 years old and I beat an 18-year-old who was on the national team [I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life]. Sports gave me everything—discipline, time management, losing, and adversity. It’s why I work so hard and go so hard with everything I do.”
Holly Fischer: (Tennis Player / London, UK)
“Right now, I’m actually playing tennis at Harvard University on the tennis team. In the future, I think I’d like to work in finance or computer science as those are two subjects that really interest me.”
William Bracewell: (Ballerino / London, UK)
“As a young boy I was pretty badly behaved, so when a friend suggested I go to a ballet class, I was not keen. I think my mum thought it would tire me out, so she made me go—and after my first lesson I was hooked.”
Nataliya Bulycheva: (Gymnast / Moscow, Russia)
“I adored rhythmic gymnastics from my early childhood, after attending world championships that took place in Moscow—I fell in love with it completely. Seeing those beautiful athletes, their performances, their ribbons, their costumes! When I went to school, my mom asked me if I want to dedicate myself to the sport and the decision was made.”
Jeremy Parisi: (Martial Artist / London, UK)
“My cousin is Angelo Parisi, who was the Olympic Champion for France in Moscow in 1980. He was a huge inspiration to me, so my dad took me to my first Judo class after watching him fight. Martial arts is something my father encouraged and I had a natural ability in.”
Kendall Baisden: (Runner / NYC, USA)
“The greatest athlete of all time, Serena Williams, is the reason I wanted to become an athlete in general. And the most decorated track and field athlete of all time, Allyson Felix. I admire how they have paved the way for the upcoming generations of Black female athletes like myself to excel in sports with eloquent regality and intense fierceness.”
#RHOA: Kandi Burruss and Kenya Moore’s Latest Photo With Blaze and Brooklyn Is a Real Look at Motherhood
Kandi Burruss and Kenya Moore recently had some hangout time together along with their little ones — Kandi's daughter, Blaze Tucker, and Kenya's daughter, Brooklyn Doris Daly. Kandi, who was actually the first of the The Real Housewives of Atlanta ladies to meet Brooklyn after she was born, took to Instagram to share a real look at what it's like being a mom with an adorable capture from their day.
"When you trying to get good pics with your little ones but they aren’t having it!" she wrote in the caption of her December 12 post, which featured a moment that Kandi figured most parents could relate to when trying to get their kids to hold still for the camera.
The cute capture showed Kenya and Kandi looking stunning while holding their toddlers — who didn't necessarily have the same inclination to pose along with their moms, as the group picture included a blurred shot of Blaze as well as the back of Brooklyn's head. A couple of their fellow RHOA cast members couldn't help but comment on the precious (and pretty funny) moment. "Awe," wrote Drew Sidora, along with a heart eyes emoji, while Marlo Hampton also commented with several heart emojis.
Kandi seemed to have better luck capturing her 2-year-old little girl's bubbly personality with the most adorable video she recently shared on Instagram. "My Blazey Pooh had her first Christmas program today!" she wrote in the caption of her December 17 post, which featured the toddler running toward her mom wearing a Santa hat and festive Frosty the Snowman-print shirt.
Kandi also shared another group picture with Blaze, which included her husband, Todd Tucker, along with their 5-year-old son, Ace Wells Tucker, and their older daughters Riley and Kaela, sharing some good times as a family.
#NewMusic from Aaliyah & The Weeknd – Poison
There appears to be a posthumous Aaliyah album on the way! Blackground 2.0 has announced that the new project “Unstoppable” is set to come out in 2022. The new song “Poison” featuring The Weeknd will be the lead single off the album.
“Poison” is an old song from Aaliyah’s archive and features songwriting for the late Static Major. The Weeknd adds his touch to the record over the modernized production.
LISTEN HERE
Other features on the upcoming album include Chris Brown, Drake, Snoop Dogg, Ne-Yo and Future. All the songs on the project are unreleased songs from Aaliyah, with most being penned by Static.
#HipHopNews: Mobb Deep Legend The Late Prodigy Being Honored With His Own Street In Queensbridge
The late Prodigy is being posthumously honored in his hometown of Queensbridge, New York with his own street. As reported by Complex, New York Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer revealed “Prodigy Way” will live on the corner of 12th Street and 41st Road in Queensbridge after the City Council approved the proposal earlier this week. The street sign is expected to be unveiled sometime in 2022, although an official date has yet to be disclosed.
Prodigy rose to rap infamy alongside his Mobb Deep partner-in-rhyme Havoc. Together, the duo crafted eight official studio albums, including 1993’s Juvenile Hell, 1995’s The Infamous and 1996’s Hell On Earth. Their debut landed at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums charts. It was ultimately certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2020.
Despite all of Mobb Deep’s apparent success, Prodigy was battling a severe form of sickle cell disease behind the scenes. Diagnosed as an infant, the disease plagued his life and would land him in the hospital multiple times. In June 2017, Prodigy was in Las Vegas as part of The Art of Rap Tour alongside Ghostface Killah, Onyx, KRS-One and the festival’s founder, Ice-T.
Mobb Deep performed on June 17, 2020 in insanely high summer temperatures and Prodigy wound up in the hospital with complications related to his sickle cell disease. But just three days later, Prodigy was dead. The Clark County Medical Examiner determined he died from an accidental choking when an egg became logged in this throat.
Prodigy was only 42 when he passed. He was laid to rest in New York City on the same day U.T.F.O. pioneer Educated Rapper who died from cancer on June 3, 2017. Havoc, LL COOL J, Ice-T, 50 Cent, Questlove, Remy Ma, Fat Joe and countless others attended the service.
'SNL' outlasts omicron for a few more laughs With no live audience, and smaller cast
"Saturday Night Live" outlasted the omicron variant just long enough for one final show of 2021, a year that started with hope and ended with a new pandemic wave impacting weekend laughs again.
"SNL" aired with a limited cast and crew, no live audience, and absent the sounds of scheduled musical guest Charli XCX, who tweeted that her planned performances were not possible with the "limited crew" available.
"Due to the recent spike in the Omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution, there will be no live audience for tonight’s taping of 'Saturday Night Live' and the show will have limited cast and crew," "SNL" tweeted.
The show had echoes of spring 2020, when "Saturday Night Live" was produced, at times, remotely, with sketches taped at cast members' homes in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Once again there were no live sketches from the studios of 30 Rock, but perennial host Tom Hanks and former cast member and head writer Tina Fey came to the rescue.
The night's entertainment included previously recorded sketches mixed in with some classics, like that holiday music video about a gift box performed by Justin Timberlake and former cast member Andy Samberg.
Hanks opened by saying, "Thank you, surviving crew members."
Host Paul Rudd was to be inducted into "SNL's" Five Timers Club, which Hanks said he started to honor celebrities who have hosted five shows. Fey said he started the club "like he started Covid."
The achievement often includes a club smoking jacket and the acknowledgement that the host is still inferior to those who have hosted more, including Hanks and Steve Martin.
Rudd took center stage and said, "Thank you for coming. Thanks for coming. I'm extremely disappointed."
Cast member Kenan Thompson came on-stage and said, "Where is everybody?"
Thompson congratulated Rudd on "hosting the show 4 1/2 times."
Steve Martin sent in a video in which he also recognized the night's five-timer, with the name Paul Rudd patched into the audio as an afterthought.
The first sketch, "Holiday Gifts," had Rudd as the director of a Home Goods commercial trying to get two graying moms, played by Kate McKinnon and Aidy Bryant, to say what they "really want" for Christmas.
"Grandchildren" was their answer, every time.
"The thing about Home Goods is we can’t really sell children," Rudd said.
"Can you check in the back?" Bryant said.
The pair's insistence ultimately had Rudd thinking seriously about the prospect of grandchildren.
He continued: "They don’t blame you for anything. They just play clarinet and get into college."
News segment "Weekend Update" carried on without co-host Colin Jost. Tiny Fey stepped in as his temporary replacement, joining regular Michael Che onstage, surrounded by poinsettias.
Regarding Jost, Fey said, "It's not what you think. He's having work done."
The two then went joke-for-joke, with Che quipping about O.J. Simpson's recent discharge from parole, which stemmed from a 2008 robbery conviction.
"Said O.J., 'I can’t believe I got out of parole early, but I did it. I did it," Che said.
Fey noted that Tesla CEO Elon Musk was chosen as Time magazine's Person of the Year.
"You can read more about it on your phone while your Tesla is self driving you into a lake," she said.
Che wondered aloud why he and Thompson, both Black, were "the only cast members here" amid strict Covid-19 precautions.
Fey referenced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's decision to allow abortion pills to be sent my mail anywhere in the United States, including to states that have severely restricted the right.
But with the U.S. Postal Service's sluggish delivery times, she said, "Your pills should arrive just in time for your child’s first birthday."
Che said a cannabis products and retail company recently claimed to have created the world's largest pot brownie, 850 pounds' worth.
"They came up with the idea after eating the world’s second-largest pot brownie," he said.
"Saturday Night Live is a product of NBC, which is owned by parent company Comcast. Comcast is the owner of NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News.
Rudd closed out the show by encouraging Americans to see the best in things.
"Like life," he said, "SNL" is "unpredictable.
Harvey Weinstein Could Go Free, as Appeals Court Casts Doubt on Conviction
Harvey Weinstein is serving a 23-year sentence on rape and sexual assault charges, which make him ineligible for parole until after his 87th birthday. He’s also facing additional charges in Los Angeles that carry a maximum sentence of 140 years.
But the disgraced producer could go free in just a few months if a New York appeals court overturns his conviction.
Five justices heard arguments on the case on Wednesday, and three of them expressed serious concern about the testimony admitted at trial. One justice, Sallie Manzanet-Daniels, referred to the use of uncharged allegations as “overkill” and “piling on.”
Weinstein’s attorneys are not making any predictions about how the court will rule, but they are feeling optimistic.
“I think it couldn’t have gone better,” said Donna Rotunno, the lead defense lawyer at Weinstein’s trial, who said that the line of questioning felt like “a wish list of how you want something like that to go.”
“We are very happy,” said her co-counsel, Damon Cheronis. “We are very hopeful, based on the appellate court’s questioning, that they see this case for what it is, that evidence that should have never been brought before this jury infected the trial and made it impossible for Mr. Weinstein to get a fair trial.”
The trial judge, Justice James Burke, allowed prosecutors to call three witnesses — Tarale Wulff, Dawn Dunning and Lauren Young — who testified that Weinstein had sexually assaulted them during what they thought were business meetings. Those allegations were not eligible to be charged, but they were used to support the allegations for which Weinstein was on trial.
Burke also ruled that if Weinstein took the stand, prosecutors could cross-examine him about as many as 28 other uncharged acts, including an incident when he threatened to cut off someone’s genitals, and another when he left an employee by the side of the road. Weinstein did not testify, so that evidence was not heard.
At the oral argument on Wednesday, the justices questioned whether those decisions — called Molineux and Sandoval rulings, respectively — served to impugn Weinstein’s character, rather than to shed light on whether he committed the charged offenses.
“He doesn’t get convicted because he’s a bad guy,” said Justice Judith Gische. “He gets convicted for these particular crimes.”
Assistant District Attorney Valerie Figueredo argued that Burke had balanced his rulings and excluded some of the evidence sought by the prosecution.
Julie Rendelman, a defense attorney and former Brooklyn prosecutor, said the D.A.’s office may have erred by asking for too much evidence, even if Burke was willing to allow most of it.
“My mother always said, ‘Don’t be a chazir‘ — a taker,” she said. “Their job is not to get in everything. Their job is to make sure everything is protected. You don’t want to be in the situation they’re in now. You don’t want your case potentially overturned.”
Several attorneys said Thursday that the justices’ questions don’t guarantee that they will order a new trial. It is possible that the justices could fault Burke’s rulings, but uphold the verdict on the grounds that the jury had overwhelming evidence without the extra testimony. It’s also possible that the justices could split, and those who raised the gravest concerns could end up in the minority.
“We’re kind of reading tea leaves here,” said defense attorney Michael Bachner. But, he added, “The New York State court is not bashful about overturning convictions, even in high profile cases.”
Bennett Gershman, a professor at Pace Law School, teaches about Molineux testimony, and suggested that its use in the Weinstein case was “dubious.”
“This proof is dangerous because it carries such tremendous prejudice,” Gershman said. “There are a number of cases the courts have reversed. This is an issue the courts monitor very carefully because they know how devastating this proof can be.”
Weinstein was convicted of third-degree rape of Jessica Mann and first-degree assault of Miriam Haley. He was acquitted of charges pertaining to Annabella Sciorra, who alleged he had raped her at her apartment in the early 1990s. If the appeals court ordered a new trial, prosecutors could call Haley and Mann to testify again, but not Sciorra.
Haley’s attorney, Gloria Allred, said Thursday that if Haley were asked to testify at a retrial, “She will consider it.”
A new district attorney, Alvin Bragg, will be sworn in on Jan. 1. If the conviction is thrown out, he would ultimately have to make the decision about whether to try Weinstein again.
Bragg cited the Weinstein case during his campaign, faulting incumbent Cyrus Vance for not charging Weinstein for the alleged sexual assault of model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez in 2015. Bragg also noted that as chief deputy in the attorney general’s office, he had overseen the state’s civil case against Weinstein and the Weinstein Co.
Defense attorney Jeff Greco predicted that Bragg would face significant pressure to try Weinstein again.
“There’s no way they’re going to punt,” Greco said. “It would be political suicide.”
A spokesman for Vance’s office declined to comment. Bragg’s spokesman said it would be improper for him to comment on a pending case before he has taken office.
Weinstein is currently housed at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, where he is awaiting his trial on 11 other rape and sexual assault charges. That trial is not expected to begin until next summer, at the earliest. If the New York conviction is overturned, Weinstein’s attorneys would likely seek to have him released on bail.
“He would absolutely be bail eligible,” Greco said. “There would be no legal basis to keep him in.”
Rotunno argued that Weinstein did not get due process at his trial, nearly two years ago, and was instead subjected to “emotional decisions.” She said hoped there has been a shift in the overall climate since then.
“That was my beef with this case all along,” she said. “There was this ‘convict at all costs’ mentality. I will continue to be bothered by that.”
Cheronis agreed. “They tried to create this monster we never believed existed,” Cheronis said. “They were allowed to put in evidence that wasn’t relevant, that was prejudicial, and thank God people are now taking it seriously.
Chris Noth's Wife Is 'Very Upset' by Sexual Assault Allegations
Chris Noth wife is said to be “very upset” by the recent sexual assault allegations against her husband.
via Page Six:Actress and businesswoman Tara Wilson, who shares two children with the “Sex and the City” actor, “is not doing well,” a source told The US Sun. Noth has denied the allegations.
One of the three women who have come out with accusations against the actor who played “Mr Big” in “Sex and the City” quoted him as saying monogamy was a “sham” even when married.
“He may be non-monogamous, we have established that his wife didn’t know,” the friend told The Sun. “If anything, he is guilty of that. She is in LA and is very upset… she’s not doing well. They planned to spend Christmas together but that is now unknown.”
The Noths have two sons, Orion, 13, and Keats, 18 months. Noth first met Wilson, now 39, in 2001 when she was bartending at the downtown club, The Cutting Room, which Noth co-owns. They married in a small ceremony in Maui, Hawaii in 2012.
The source said there should not be a rush to judgment, even though Noth has already been dropped by his theatrical agency.
A3 Artists Agency dumped Noth Friday night, Deadline reported. “Chris Noth is no longer a client,” an A3 spokesperson told the outlet.
“There are two sides to every story and people need to know this before they judge,” Noth’s friend told the Sun.
“The Chris I’ve met is not the Chris that’s being described by these women. All his friends are sticking by him. He is a flirt, but not a sleaze. He’s no Weinstein. I believe him and I believe it didn’t go down the way it’s allegedly portrayed.”
The source also said that Noth was “completely baffled and blindsided” by the allegations.
“Chris only knew the story was coming out a few days ago,” they said.
“He is completely baffled and blindsided. He’s absolutely appalled by these allegations, and very confused as to why they are surfacing now, so close to the reboot.”
A representative for Noth — whose character was killed off in the first episode of “Sex and the City” spin-off “And Just Like That…” — dismissed the recent assault claims as “a complete fabrication.”
“The alleged accounts detailed throughout read like a piece of bad fiction,” a rep told The Post in a statement Friday.
The company that was set to buy the tequila business owned by Noth also pulled the plug on the upcoming deal Friday.
Astroworld Festival victims' deaths ruled as accident due to asphyxiation, medical examiner finds
More than a month since the Astroworld Festival tragedy that killed 10 people, we're learning more about the victims' cause of death.
On Thursday, the Harris County Medical Examiner's office ruled all victims died of "compression asphyxia." According to the report, Danish Baig's cause of death was asphyxiation but with a contributory cause of combined toxic effects of cocaine, methamphetamine and ethanol.
Baig died during the Nov. 5 concert while trying to save his fiancée, according to his brother.
The other nine victims of the tragedy were identified as Rodolfo Peña, Madison Dubiski, Franco Patino, Jacob Jurinek, John Hilgert, Axel Acosta, Briana Rodriguez, Bharti Shahani and Ezra Blount.
The victims' deaths were ruled as an accident. As a result of the findings, James Lassiter, the attorney for Shahani's family, released the following statement:
"The medical examiner's findings confirm Bharti's family's worst fears. Their beloved daughter's last living moments were surely marked with suffering, panic, and terror. It's a horrific, inescapable image that no parent should have to endure. But that is the sad reality for the Shahanis and the nine other families that received this terrible news."
Tony Buzbee, who is representing Acosta, also addressed the findings, stating the report confirmed what the family knew - "that (Acosta) was crushed and killed that night by the crowd, through no fault of his own."
Buzbee also added that Acosta's blood had no intoxicants or other like substances.
"Now that we have received the official results, I want to say to our police chief: Shame on you. Shame on you for perpetuating and giving credence to a silly rumor that people were being injected at the concert," Buzbee's statement read.
What was supposed to be a night of fun and full of live music turned into a nightmare when the crowd began pushing their way to the front. Panic began just minutes into Travis Scott's performance as people in the crowd were already in need of medical attention.
The event plan showed only two people had the authority to stop the show: the executive producer and the festival director. Police officials told the Houston Chronicle that Live Nation agreed to cut the show short, but Scott continued his set.
The victims' cause of death was released just one day after the concert stage at Houston's NRG Park was taken down. In the nearly six weeks since tens of thousands of people were crushed into the relatively small space for Scott's third Astroworld music fest in his hometown, investigators, both with various law enforcement agencies and attorneys representing victims, have collected and photographed evidence at the venue, necessitating the stage setup to remain in place
Since the tragedy, numerous lawsuits have been filed, from the victims' families to concertgoers who also find themselves living with the trauma that came from the chaos. Lawyers for the victims and concert organizers have also asked to combine all the lawsuits into one.
Kim Kardashian & Pete Davidson Was seen on a Movie Date in Staten Island
Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson are catching a movie together!
The 41-year-old reality star and the 28-year-old Saturday Night Live cast member were seen arriving at the Atrium Stadium Cinemas early Saturday night (December 18) in Staten Island, New York.
In the new pics, Pete can be seen wearing an green and yellow jacket while Kim sported an all black outfit and maroon velvet heels as they arrived at the theater, with Pete wrapping his arm around her.
According to TMZ, Scott Disick and another friend also joined the new couple for their movie outing.
It looks like Pete and Kim decided to catch an early movie, as he has to head back into the city for the winter finale of Saturday Night Live later in the night. If you missed it, the show announced some big changes for tonight’s episode amid the new Omicron COVID-19 variant.
R. Kelly To Appear In Court For Allegedly Ruining A Man’s Marriage
R. Kelly is under fire yet again R&B superstar R. Kelly is still being accused of ruining a marriage. According to Radar Online, a man from Mississippi by the name of Kenny Bryant will finally have his day in court after years of waiting to face off with the embattled artist.
Kenny filed the lawsuit in 2018, claiming that R. Kelly–whose real name is Robert Kelly–had a 5-year-long affair with his ex-wife Asia Childress. Asia was previously involved with R. Kelly but assured Kenny that their relationship was over prior to their marriage in 2012. Kenny alleged that the “intimate extramarital affair” began in October of that year after R. Kelly performed at a concert nearby.
Sometime during their marriage, Asia convinced Kenny to move to Atlanta, where R. Kelly resided. Eventually, he found out that she was eager to relocate to be closer to the “Ignition (Remix)” singer. Kenny also alleged that R. Kelly gave his ex-wife chlamydia.
Asia later filed for divorce. Today, Kenny, who’s also a sheriff, is suing R. Kelly for “depriving him of his spouse.” He’s demanding undisclosed compensation for the emotional and psychological pain that he claims R. Kelly caused. The lawsuit was put on hold due to the singer’s ongoing legal troubles.
The courts have ordered R. Kelly to testify through videoconferencing as he sits in jail for sex trafficking charges.
Earlier this year, the Grammy Award-winning recording artist was found guilty on nine counts of racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child, kidnapping, bribery, among other charges. He’s expected to be sentenced in May 2022, and he’s also facing another criminal case in Chicago. R. Kelly reportedly denies having any responsibility for the demise of Kenny and Asia’s marriage.
The deposition will take place this month (Dec.).
#RIP: Hip-Hop Icon Kangol Kid From UTFO Has Died Following Battle With Colon Cancer
Socialites, it is with our deepest regret to inform you that Kangol Kid has passed away following his battle with colon cancer.
The sad news broke overnight with Jermaine Dupri being one of a few celebs offering condolences this Saturday morning. “Another one of my brothers, one of the first guys to kick it with me and talk to me on the Fresh Fest, I just sent him a message on 7th with a lotta love and good energy, I hope my words made you smile and laugh, you will be missed but remembered 4 eva, 🕊🕊🕊🕊 #ripkangolkid #Hiphop,” he wrote on Facebook. Ice T also wrote, “Wow… I’m waking up to this awful news.. I spoke on Kangol’s fight with CANCER a couple of weeks ago.. He was a good friend and a True HipHop Legend.. My sincere condolences to his family… Life is Precious and Fragile.. RIP #UTFO.”
Kangol, born Shaun Shiller Fequiere was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in February. In October he revealed on Instagram that he had been hospitalized and was awaiting surgery.
“Please forgive me for not returning calls and more,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “Things have become, and are becoming a little more difficult than imagined. I’ve been admitted again for complications related to my condition. Thank you to those who have been instrumental in my latest ordeal. Your actions have been well received and greatly appreciated. I am blessed to have you by my side through this. I love you all.”
Fans and close celebrity friends are continuing to send their condolences all over social media, with many remember the impact he had on the Hip Hop culture. He was just 55-years-old.
Cardi B fashion dolls scrapped due to quality and COVID-19 concerns
Cardi B is reportedly encouraging fans who purchased a doll made in her likeness to request a refund from the company she partnered with to produce them.
Earlier this year, Cardi teamed up with Real Women Are, an ambitious doll brand that promotes diversity, to create the Cardi B limited edition fashion doll. Both Cardi and Real Women Are encouraged fans to preorder the toy in March during Women’s History Month.
“BARDI GANG!! I’m dropping my own doll TODAY! Inspired by me. Created by me. Designed by me. Thank you @officialrealwomenare This means sooo much. Visit the website now to reserve your doll,” Cardi wrote via an Instagram post. The Real Women Are website also announced that the exclusive dolls would begin shipping in October, however several customers still have not received their orders. And they’re letting Cardi and the company know in their Instagram comments.
“No doll preorder also not cool. Was supposed to be for Christmas. I want my $$ back,” one customer commented on Cardi’s post. “WHERE IS MY DOLL?????” wrote another customer.
“She never talks about the Dolls ever!! Everything else is promoted all week and all month until it drops. SMH we need our money back @iamcardib … “WHEN ARE WE GETTING THEM SHIPPED? IT’S ALMOST 1 YEAR LATER. WE NEED ANSWERS,” an upset buyer wrote.
While Cardi has not publicly addressed the situation, a representative for the “Up” rapper recently told TMZ “the dolls will not be released as a result of COVID-related manufacturing and shipping delays.”
The outlet is reporting that Cardi had concerns with the quality of the dolls, and she has asked the company to refund all pre-sale purchases. Real Women Are reportedly agreed to honor Cardi’s requests, however it’s unclear exactly how much money the company made from preorder sales of the $35 doll.
In March, Cardi visited the “Today” show to promote the doll. “I have a two-year-old and I buy dolls every time I go to Target, and they’re expensive. So, somebody came with this idea to me, and I was like, ‘that is great, I would love for my daughter to play with a doll that looks like me,’” she said at the time. “I mean all these other dolls don’t look like me, I might as well make one for myself.” She told the hosts that the dolls would be available to be purchased in July
Megan Thee Stallion Lands First Look Deal With Netflix
The Hot Girl is coming to Netflix. Megan Thee Stallion has inked an exclusive first look partnership with the streaming giant. Under the terms of the deal, the “Savage” rapper will create and executive produce new series and other projects for Netflix.
“I’ve always had a passion for telling creative and entertaining stories, so I’m thrilled about this partnership with Netflix,” Megan said in a statement. “Venturing into production is the next step in my journey as an entrepreneur and I can’t wait to bring all my ideas to life and for my Hotties to watch.”
Tracey Pakosta, Head of Comedy, Netflix, added: “Megan is a multi-talented creative force who has consistently made her mark on culture. She’s always growing and evolving as an artist, and we’re thrilled that she’s making a home at Netflix for this next chapter in her journey.”
Earlier this month, the 26-year-old Grammy winner became a college graduate, earning a bachelor of science degree in health administration from Texas Southern University, a goal she set out to accomplish in honor of her late mother and late grandmother.
“I want to get my degree because I really want my mom to be proud,” she told People last year. “She saw me going to school before she passed.”
This won’t be Megan’s first time on television. She appeared as a judge on HBO Max’s voguing reality competition series “Legendary,” which has been renewed for a third season.
Dwayne Wade Announces Cannabis Limited Edition Line With Jeeter
Dwayne Wade is adding to his growing portfolio and is getting into the Cannabis game. Wade announced on Thursday that he is partnering with Jeeter for a limited edition Cannabis release.
According to Forbes, the drop includes three exclusive strains and is available in a unique book format mimicking the recent release of Wade’s photographic memoir, Dwyane.
wade jeeter: “If anybody has been following me, you guys have had the opportunity to see this amazing creation from the Jeeter family and myself,” Wade says on Instagram Live. The star unboxed the limited-edition weed item on Jeeter’s Instagram. “Going back to my book Dwyane, it’s really bringing it to life with our collaboration that we are doing.
Jeeter is fast becoming a household name in the California cannabis industry as it holds the most coveted selling position for pre-roll brands in the state.
The line is available now in several locations across California the list of available locations can be found on Jeeter’s website and the Instagram profile.
Spike Lee Inks Multi-Year Partnership with Netflix
*Spike Lee has inked a deal with Netflix that will see the acclaimed director produce and direct a number of narrative projects, while the streaming giant will provide financial support for his “ongoing mission to develop new talent and increase representation in the entertainment industry.”
Lee previously collaborated with Netflix on a number of projects, including the film “Da 5 Bloods” and the TV scripted series “She’s Gotta Have It.”
“There is no better way for me and my company Forty Acres and a Mule Filmworks to begin the new year than renew our partnership with Ted, Scott, and Tendo—da fearless leaders of Netflix,” Lee said in a statement. “Besides my joints, we together will focus on the new diverse storytellers, YOUTH MUST BE SERVED. And dat’s da truth, Ruth. YA-DIG? SHO-NUFF.”
Head of global film Scott Stub added, “Throughout Spike’s incredible career, his writing and directing have remained searing and insightful about our times, while still being incredibly entertaining. We’re privileged to enter this new partnership with Spike and look forward to bringing the next chapter of films from Brooklyn’s very own to the world.”
Most recently, we previously reported that in a span of three days, from August 23rd to 26th, Lee went from staunchly defending his decision to include so-called “9/11 conspiracy theorists” in his eight-hour HBO docuseries, NYC Epicenters 9/11 → 2021½, to removing the entire 30 minutes he had devoted to questioning how the Twin Towers and Building 7 fell. The half-hour was part of the final two-hour episode set to air on the night of the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
Instead of painting a full and accurate picture of the now-excised section, the media seized upon the inclusion of “conspiracy group” Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth and our founder Richard Gage — who, in the words of Slate editor Jeremy Stahl, “is responsible for peddling some of the most pernicious and long-running lies about the 9/11 attacks.”
Kyrie Irving To Rejoin Brooklyn Nets For Road Games
The Brooklyn Nets confirmed that Kyrie Irving would be rejoining the team.
“We believe that the addition of Kyrie will not only make us a better team but allow us to more optimally balance the physical demand on the entire roster,” the team said, according to TMZ.” We look forward to Kyrie’s return to the lineup, as well as getting our entire roster back together on the court.”
Leading up to the announcement, there had been signs that Irving would rejoin the team. Sources told The Athletic and Stadium that Irving had already begun the process to make his return to the Nets and begun COVID-19 testing.
Irving himself teased the idea, posting a video of himself putting on basketball sneakers.
Now, he will be back with the team and available for road games. Since he’s still not vaccinated, he is ineligible to play in New York or Toronto.
This season, the Nets chose not to play Irving over his unwillingness to get vaccinated. In New York City, where the Nets are based, he would’ve had to have been fully vaccinated to play.
Irving refuted reports that he was anti-vax, saying he was actually standing up for local workers who were being bullied into getting the shot to keep their jobs.
McDonald’s to pay Black franchisee $33.5 million to settle racial discrimination lawsuit
McDonald’s Corporation is paying a hefty Mcprice to settle a recent lawsuit. The fast food giant has agreed to shell out $33.5 million to Herb Washington, a Black franchisee who once owned 27 McDonald’s restaurants, according to Cleveland.com.
The outlet reports that McDonalds Corp. has asked Washington to leave his 13 McDonald’s businesses behind and drop his racial discrimination lawsuit. Within a statement, the fast food restaurant stated that “discrimination has no place at McDonalds” and the $33.5 million was “a fair price for the value of the restaurant.”
“While we were confident in the strength of our case, this resolution aligns with McDonald’s values and enables us to continue focusing on our commitments to the communities that we serve,” McDonald’s Corp. said.
Washington, a former Major League Baseball player for the Oakland A’s, initially filed his lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Youngstown, Ohio in February. At the time, he alleged that the fast food burger chain was treating white owners more favorably and denying him and other Black franchisees the opportunity to buy restaurants in affluent areas.
Washington’s lawsuit stated discriminatory practices led to a $700,000 sales gap between Black-owned franchises and McDonald’s restaurants owned by white people. He cited high employee turnover and high operation costs in low-income neighborhoods as two of the reasons why the difference in sales is so significant.
“By relegating Black owners to the oldest stores in the toughest neighborhoods, McDonald’s ensured that Black franchisees would never achieve the levels of success that White franchisees could expect,” the lawsuit said. “Black franchisees must spend more to operate their stores while white franchisees get to realize the full benefit of their labors.”
McDonalds would push back by pointing the blame at Washington for his own misfortunes. “This situation is the result of years of mismanagement by Mr. Washington, whose organization has failed to meet many of our standards on people, operations, guest satisfaction and reinvestment,” the corporation said in a February statement.
In addition to having to deal with Washington’s claims — in September 2020, REVOLT reported that over 50 former Black McDonald’s franchise owners — who were forced to sell close to 200 stores — made similar claims to Washington’s in their own lawsuit filed against McDonald’s.
Washington’s settlement arrives nearly one week after McDonald’s said it plans to launch an initiative to recruit new franchise owners from underrepresented communities, and will devote $250 million over five years to help them buy a McDonald’s restaurant.
The fast food giant says it will dedicate $250 million over five years to help potential franchisees in the U.S. who have difficulty getting funding from other sources to buy a McDonald’s restaurant.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
AVERAGE WALMARTIAN
7 inches that is!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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