#MAGFAB: EBONY HONORS ANDRÉ LEON TALLEY
New York Fashion Week kicks off this Friday, and it will be without the 6’6 pioneering figure’s presence and vast encyclopedia of fashion history. To celebrate and highlight the decades-long career of the fashion legend, EBONY Magazine unveiled a special February digital cover illustrated by Chicago artist Brandon Breaux; Breaux had also designed John Lewis’ book cover art.
For the tribute to Mr. Talley, EBONY tapped business mogul and model Kimora Lee Simmons – Mr. Talley’s longtime friend – for an exclusive tribute to the creative force, as told to journalist Marjon Carlos.
The Baby Phat CEO detailed her friendship with the man she’s known since the beginning of her modeling career. She dives deeper, sharing moments of how Mr. Talley, known as “the only one,” introduced her to art and architecture and the times he dressed her for the Met Gala. While he is probably best known for his time at Vogue, André had served as a fashion editor at EBONY in the early 1980s, recalling the magazine as a “safe haven” that openly welcomed him and made him feel like family.
With this issue, EBONY’s editor & SVP of Programming Marielle Bobo wanted to take readers beyond the headlines and honor one of its most special alumni who went on to leave a lasting global cultural impact and influence that remains unmatched within our community. As Bobo put it, “He was a culture maker, a culture shifter, and a ceiling breaker. I, along with countless other Black journalists, stand directly on his shoulders as a lasting testament to his legacy. As we celebrate Black History Month and prepare for Fashion Week this February, we had to take this opportunity to honor this man who was Black excellence and achievement personified – a true one-of-one.”
Below, we’ve pulled a few quotes from Kimora’s tribute that will forever speak to the legacy that the southern rooted young boy turned prominent figure left behind.
“There were a few [Black people in fashion], like Patrick Kelly, but André is one of the very few. And coming from the Deep South and just living in that time, and being able to stand on his own two feet and ascend to all the greatness he did… I realized that he’s kind of like a godfather [to me]. We’re like family.”
“We’re always holding each other, kissing, whispering, giggling, covering the mouth, giving a side-eye. Oh, my God! We had code names for everybody in the industry. Life with André was like a kiki—a kiki of the classics.”
“He lived at the intersection of music, fashion, and media–including hip-hop culture. All of your favorite hip-hop glitterati sought him out as a conduit between urban culture and stylists, editors, and designers. That was one of his great gifts—cross-pollination.”
“Fashion owes him a lot. He was one of the only Black people at Vogue forever. One of the only. To me, he is like Anna Wintour. To me, he is alongside Karl Lagerfeld or Yves Saint Laurent. He’s not necessarily a designer, but he’s a creative.”
For more highlights and coverage on André Leon Talley, visit EBONY.com.
#RHOA: NeNe Leakes Has Some Words For The Women Who Are Sending Her Boyfriend DMs
“Real Housewives of Atlanta” star NeNe Leakes received a lot of support and condolences on social media when Gregg Leakes passed away. Gregg had been battling cancer for years. Unfortunately, he died from colon cancer several months ago. The situation was so heartbreaking that it caused many of the other housewives to rally around NeNe. Even Kenya Moore attended the wake held at the Linnethia Lounge. Some fans of the show were even wondering if NeNe could return to RHOA to open up about how she is dealing with adjusting to life as a widow. However, Andy Cohen doesn’t appear to be interested in NeNe’s return after NeNe accused him of being racist.
Interestingly enough, NeNe has found romance with a Liberian businessman. Nyonisela “Nyoni” Sioh is a businessman. And he found success in starting his own custom suit business in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although NeNe seems very happy, she has been receiving some backlash for the relationship. In fact, some people have accused NeNe of moving on from Gregg too fast.
“Married to Medicine” star Dr. Heavenly Kimes said that she didn’t think it was a good look for NeNe to flaunt the man on social media just months after Gregg’s death.
Well, the criticism hasn’t slowed NeNe down at all. She’s still posting about Nyoni on her social media accounts. Recently, she had some words for any of the women who have been sending DMs to her boo.
NeNe Leakes is no stranger to controversial moments. In fact, her departure from “Real Housewives of Atlanta” was very controversial. She called out Andy Cohen and Bravo on social media and in interviews. She accused both of treating her unfairly due to her race. Since making the accusations, Andy Cohen doesn’t appear to be interested in even discussing if NeNe could eventually return to the show. Instead, he told fans recently that it’s Phaedra Parks he would like to see back.
These days NeNe has a lot of people talking about her new romance. Months after Gregg Leakes’ tragic death, NeNe went public with her new man. Nyonisela “Nyoni” Sioh is a Liberian businessman and NeNe has made it clear that he makes her very happy. Despite this, some people believe NeNe has moved on way too fast. And she’s been accused of being tacky for showing off Nyoni on her social media accounts.
Well, the criticism has not made NeNe shy away from sharing details about her boo on social media.
Recently, she playfully interviewed Nyoni on Instagram Live. When she asked him what it’s like to be with her and if it’s “everything,” he said, “She’s everything, she’s the whole wide world.” He continued, “Everything. Can’t get better than that.”
NeNe then asked him, “So I hear that you do custom suits. Would you do some custom suits for my wedding?” Nyoni said he would but he’d only be able to fit her into the schedule in June or July. In response to this, NeNe said, “Not June or July, honey. That’s a long wait. I’m getting married in April so I need to get my designs right over to you.”
After NeNe finished her questions, she had some words for any woman who has been sending Nyoni DMs. “So I will revisit this interview. We will have part two of the interview later on in the week or later on tonight, ladies. And for all of you ladies that are in his DMs…I see you.”
#MusicNews: Chris Brown Responds To Critics Who Say He’s No Longer R&B
Chris Brown has a message for his critics. The singer, who’s known for his genre-crossing hits in pop, hip-hop, and R&B, has some fans worried that he’s abandoning his roots. Upon hearing the criticism, Chris responded to the suggestion that he no longer makes R&B music.
“Heard someone say Chris don’t do R&B NO MORE,” he wrote on his Instagram Story.
However, Chris is about to prove his critics wrong. “ok…… We will see,” he teased.
Based on his post, it appears that his upcoming 10th studio album Breezy will satisfy his R&B fans. Last month, Chris dropped the project’s first single “Iffy.”
Breezy, the follow-up to 2019’s Indigo, will contain 16 tracks, like Chris’ 2005 self-titled debut. “The amount of songs on this one will be the same amount of songs as my first album. KEEP IT CLASSIC… Chris Brown to BREEZY!” he told fans.
If there’s any doubt that he’s abandoned R&B, fans need only to look to his recent collaborations with Gunna and Mario. He is also reportedly featured on Aaliyah’s upcoming album Unstoppable.
#HipHopNews: Snoop Dogg Acquires Death Row Records
Snoop Dogg is now the owner of Death Row Records.
This afternoon (Feb. 9), Business Wire broke the news, revealing that the legendary rapper had bought the Death Row brand from MNRK Music Group. MNRK is overseen by a global investment firm called Blackstone.
Further details on the transaction, such as purchasing price, were not made public.
“I am thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value," Snoop Dogg said in a statement, according to Business Wire. "It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members."
"This is an extremely meaningful moment for me," he continued. "I would like to personally thank the teams at Blackstone, MNRK and especially David Kestnbaum, who worked collaboratively with me over several months to make this exciting homecoming a reality. I’m looking forward to building the next chapter of Death Row Records.”
Death Row was formed by Suge Knight, Dr. Dre and others in the early 1990s. The label released some of the most iconic albums in hip-hop history, including Tupac Shakur's All Eyez on Me, Dre's The Chronic and Snoop's very own Doggystyle.
Despite its iconic catalog, the label faced a tumultuous history by the turn of the century. By 2006 it had filed for bankruptcy and then went through various different owners, even at one point randomly ending up on the books for the toy company Hasbro.
“Snoop is clearly the executive to take Death Row into its next 30 years," said MNRK Music Group’s president and CEO, Chris Taylor, according to Business Wire. "MNRK has been honored to oversee this legendary brand over the last decade and enjoyed introducing it to millions of new fans in 2021 through our award-winning 30th anniversary marketing campaign.”
The announcement comes ahead of Snoop Dogg's highly anticipated Super Bowl Halftime performance, which is scheduled to take place this coming Sunday, Feb. 13
Brooklyn Nets Trade James Harden To Philadelphia 76ers For Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond
PHILADELPHIA -- The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers agreed to a blockbuster deal just hours before the trade deadline, with James Harden and Paul Millsap going to Philadelphia and Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round draft picks going to Brooklyn, the teams announced Thursday.
Brooklyn will receive Philadelphia's unprotected 2022 first-round pick, with the right to defer it to 2023, as well as a top-8-protected 2027 first-round pick, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. That pick would remain top-8 protected in 2028, and will turn into two second-round picks -- and $2 million in cash -- if it doesn't convey in either season, sources said.
The Nets also announced they are waiving DeAndre' Bembry to create roster room for the trade.
The deal allows both teams to move on from unhappy superstars who had been seeking trades.
For Philadelphia, it means the end of what has been a monthslong saga surrounding Simmons, who asked to be traded shortly after the Sixers lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season.
Outside of a brief cameo at practice in mid-October in the middle of training camp, Simmons hasn't been around the team since and has not played in a game this season. Sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that Simmons will continue to work with his therapist to get mentally ready to play in Brooklyn.
"It's a work in progress," one source close to Simmons told Shelburne.
Simmons has already talked to Nets star Kevin Durant and general manager Sean Marks, his agent, Rich Paul, told Wojnarowski. Simmons is eager to join the Nets and ramp up for a return to play this season, according to Paul.
"We've got work to do to get him back to play, but it's a great step in right direction," Paul told Wojnarowski.
While Nets head coach Steve Nash couldn't speak specifically about the trade yet given that it hadn't become official, he did acknowledge an air of relief for his team that the deadline finally passed after all the speculation that hung over the organization.
"I think it's positive for everyone to have the deadline pass," Nash said before Thursday night's loss to the Washington Wizards. "And so there's no more stuff hanging over everyone's head or everyone wondering what's going to happen. I think there's kind of a finality to it that helps everyone move forward."
The relationship between Harden and the Nets, meanwhile, broke down in recent days, with sources telling Wojnarowski that Harden had declined to formally ask for a trade, fearing the backlash of doing so for the second time in a little more than a year.
But after the Nets traded four first-round picks and three swaps, plus center Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert, a little over a year ago after Harden forced his way out of Houston following eight-plus seasons with the Rockets, the former league MVP is now on his way again.
Harden has exercised his $47.4 million player option for the 2022-23 season as part of the trade, a source confirmed to ESPN's Bobby Marks. The 10-time All-Star is eligible to sign a four-year, $223 million extension with Philadelphia in August.
The 76ers canceled practice Thursday afternoon, with coach Doc Rivers saying it was the "human" thing to do, given all the noise that had surrounded his team over the past several months.
"It was strange," Rivers said. "I canceled practice. There's just so much stuff that's gone on, so many rumors. I just thought the human thing to do instead of the coaching thing was just to be very straightforward with our guys and tell them I get it. Everybody's names and all this stuff.
Simmons gives the Brooklyn Nets incredible potential.
"So we'll do shootaround tomorrow with our team, guaranteed."
That team will now include Harden and Millsap but will not include Simmons or Curry, who also happens to be Rivers' son-in-law. Curry is averaging 15 points and 4 assists while shooting 40% from 3-point range, and has developed strong chemistry with Philadelphia superstar center Joel Embiid.
But that wasn't enough to prevent a deal from taking place. The inclusion of Curry allows the 76ers to retain their two premium young players, guard Tyrese Maxey and third-year forward Matisse Thybulle. Drummond will give Brooklyn some additional size inside, something the Nets have lacked this season.
Brooklyn, sources told Wojnarowski, continues to be engaged on deals ahead of the deadline as it continues to reshape its roster.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, can finally move forward with the Simmons situation behind it -- and with Harden reunited with 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, who traded for him in Houston.
The Nets remained the consensus favorites to win the NBA title after Thursday's trade. Caesars Sportsbook kept the Nets at 4-1 to win the championship, while shortening the 76ers from 12-1 to 7-1.
Other oddsmakers, however, dropped Brooklyn back in their NBA title odds. The SuperBook at Westgate Las Vegas moved the Nets from 6-1 to 10-1 on Thursday. The SuperBook has the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns as co-favorites to win the title, each at 9-2. The 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks are next, each at 6-1. The Nets are the favorites at the majority of sportsbooks.
The 76ers sat 3 games out of first place in the Eastern Conference, and Rivers said that was a credit to his players for how they've handled everything that has happened.
"They were great. They all were great. We did watch a little bit of film, we had a lot of laughs together, and I told them about our team and how proud I was of where we were at to this point," he said. "I think a lot of people thought before this year without having our All-Star, our other All-Star, we wouldn't be in this spot, and we are a [3 games] out of the top spot, and that's why in return I thought today, from a coaching standpoint, the right thing to do was to allow you guys to have your day.
"We'll reconvene tomorrow, and where we're at is where we're at."
Where they are at is with Harden -- and without the future of Simmons hanging over them
CEO Byron Allen To Join Billionaire Robert F. Smith In Bid For First Black NFL Team Owner
Move over Robert F. Smith—Byron Allen might become the first black NFL franchise owner!
Allen Media Group CEO Byron Allen is reportedly planning to enter the race for ownership of the Denver Broncos. Allen told Deadline that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft approached him with the idea in Nov. 2019. He said:
“[Goodell and Kraft] asked me to take a good look at buying an NFL team. After serious consideration, I strongly believe I can help effectuate positive changes throughout the league.”
The NFL has been under scrutiny since former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit against three teams. One of those includes the Broncos, but Allen claimed that he’d been eyeing the team prior to the controversy. Reports say that he wanted to take a stab at the unusual opportunity.
Broncos CEO Joe Ellis would like to make a sale by the beginning of the 2022 season. Black billionaire Robert F. Smith has also reportedly entered the bid, which could go up to $4 billion. Both Smith and Allen could potentially become the first black man to own an NFL franchise.
Peyton Manning, Jon Elway, and Brittany Bowlen, daughter of former Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, are also potential buyers.
Rihanna Visits Veterans in Los Angeles, Gets Praise for Her 'Amazing Heart, Time and Energy'
Rihanna is paying her respects to veterans in a special way.
Activist and Mr. Checkpoint app founder Sennett Devermont shared several photos from Rihanna's appearance, thanking her for her "amazing heart, time and energy."
"Thank you @badgalriri for pulling up with all the love and support and most importantly your ears to listen to Veterans," he wrote alongside Instagram photos of the two.
One veteran later discussed the singer's visit, noting that she brought supplies and listened to the stories of several vets.
"I met Rihanna! The greatest singer on earth. She donated clothes, food and she cares about the veterans," he explained in an Instagram video shared by the AFTP Foundation. "United States Army veterans. U.S. Marine veterans. Air Force veterans. She cares about all the veterans. She cares about us and she showed us. And she's going to take care of business."
"Despite all circumstances of how veterans are treated sleeping in tents on asphalt or tiny sheds on land they should call a home, I can say hope and joy was spread to the Veterans," the nonprofit organization captioned the post. "The authenticity of actually caring and listening was beyond the amazing supplies that @badgalriri donated. Rihanna made that happen when she visited the vets today. Honored to have been witness to this!"
The outing comes a week after the singer and her 33-year-old rapper boyfriend — whom she started dating in November 2020 — announced their pregnancy when they were photographed out and about in New York City.
Rihanna debuted her bump while wearing a bright pink jacket that was unbuttoned at the bottom to show off her bump, which was adorned in a gold cross and jewels.
"Having a baby is something she was never focused on, but being with Rocky opened her up to the idea. She couldn't be happier and is so excited to be a mom," a source close to the couple told PEOPLE last week.
Added the source: "She's loving all the changes to her body during pregnancy and has always celebrated pregnant women in her runway shows for Fenty."
"From the very beginning, he's doted on her," another source told PEOPLE. "He's over-the-top romantic and sends her roomfuls of flowers all the time."
"They always have fun together," a separate insider said. "They joke and act goofy. They enjoy life and like to travel. They love being together and are the loves of each other's lives."
Shortly after revealing her pregnancy news, the Fenty Beauty founder showed off her baby bump in a photo posted to Instagram. The singer captioned the image, along with photos from her and A$AP Rocky's pregnancy announcement, "how the gang pulled up to black history month."
In the photo, Rihanna can be seen lifting up a football jersey to reveal her stomach, letting her long, curly hair cascade over her shoulders as she lovingly stares at her bump.
Bob Saget’s Family Releases Statement Revealing His Cause of Death
Bob Saget’s family released a statement revealing that the comedian sustained a head injury before going to sleep, and never woke up, per The Hollywood Reporter.
“Now that we have the final conclusions from the authorities’ investigation, we felt it only proper that the fans hear those conclusions directly from us,” the statement reads. “The authorities have determined that Bob passed from head trauma. They have concluded that he accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it and went to sleep. No drugs or alcohol were involved.”
Saget was found dead in his room at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Orlando last month. Detectives immediately ruled out the possibility of drug use or foul play contributing to his death. He was 65.
The Full House star and former America’s Funniest Home Videos host posted a tweet about 12 hours before authorities were called to his room after his body was discovered by hotel security. He said he was “happily addicted” to stand-up following a two-hour set on the second day of back-to-back appearances to begin his I Don’t Do Negative tour.
Saget’s wife Kelly Rizzo shared a video on Instagram earlier today in remembrance of the late comedian. “One month without this incredible man. Bob truly lived life to its fullest,” she wrote in the caption. “He had so many hardships over the years that he would always tell me “look, life is hard, we need to enjoy it as much as possible.”
Rizzo said her and Saget bonded over “sharing and exploring amazing food around the world,” and the montage shows them at different restaurants or just as they are about to try some new cuisine.
Joe Biden Shuns Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill: ‘I Have Your Back’
Joe Biden‘s administration is slamming Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over his support of a bill that would ban the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.
Opponents of the controversial bill are calling it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill; the legislation is being advanced and supported by Florida republicans and its mission is to block any discussion about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.
A Today reports the bill seeks to discourage “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity” in primary schools “or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.” The bill doesn’t outline what would be deemed appropriate.
Advocates of the bill say the legislation would give more power over the content their children learn. If the bill becomes law, parents would be able to sue the schools over said discussion topics being taught to their children. DeSantis is in favor of the bill, the news outlet reports.
On Tuesday, Biden took to Twitter condemning the bill.
“I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community – especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill – to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are,” Biden’s tweet read.” I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve.”
Anthony "AJ" Johnson from "Friday" and "House Party" cause of death has been revealed.
Actor Anthony Johnson's cause of death has been revealed.
Johnson died at 55 from natural causes stemming from excessive alcohol use, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office.
The autopsy report shows Johnson died at the hospital from multi-system organ failure. His family disclosed to officials that the "Friday" actor drank alcohol on a regular basis and used narcotics occasionally.
Johnson also tested positive for COVID-19, though he didn't present any symptoms of pneumonia. No alcohol or drugs were found in Johnson's system at the time, but the medical examiner ruled the death to be "chronic ethanol use."
The "House Party" actor died in September.
Obituary: Anthony Johnson, 'Friday' actor and comedian, dies at age 55
His rep, LyNea Bell, confirmed the news to USA TODAY at the time, calling Johnson an "iconic legend of stage and screen."
"The world of comedy has truly been shaken, again," Bell said. "He has left with us amazing memories of his laughter, dynamic acting skills, but most of all his enormous personality and heart of gold. We will be in constant prayer for his entire family including his wife Lexis, 3 children, brother Edward 'Peanut' Smith, sister Sheila, and lifetime manager and friend Mike D. Please give them the time they need to process and grieve such a huge loss."
Johnson, who was also known to fans as A.J. Johnson, appeared in several movie roles including as E.Z.E. in 1990's "House Party" and Ezal in the 1995 Ice Cube-Chris Tucker classic "Friday."
Johnson's other acting credits include 1993's "Menace II Society," 1997's "B*A*P*S*," and 1997's "The Jamie Foxx Show." More recently, he starred in 2015's "Office Staff" and 2019's "I Got The Hook Up 2."
His death came less than one year after his "Friday" co-star, Tommy "Tiny" Lister, who played neighborhood bully and felon Deebo, died in December 2020 at age 62.
Lister’s manager, Cindy Cowan, said he was found unconscious in his home in Marina Del Rey, California, at the time. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lori Harvey Celebrates Her 'Love' Michael B. Jordan's 35th Birthday with Sweet Tribute!
Michael B. Jordan is getting so much love on his birthday!
On Wednesday (February 9), the Black Panther actor’s girlfriend Lori Harvey took to social media to pen a sweet tribute to her boyfriend on his 35th birthday.
“Happyyyyy Birthdayyyyy to my big baby!!! Can’t wait to see what amazing things this year brings for you my love 🤍” the 25-year-old model and founder of of SKN by LH wrote on Instagram.
Along with her tribute, Lori shared a photo of she and Michael all dressed up with smiles on the faces while looking lovingly into each other’s eyes.
Michael‘s birthday comes a few weeks after Lori‘s 25th birthday, and even though he wasn’t able to attend her dinner party, he still gave her a big surprise!
All Rise Season 3 Gets Premiere Month at OWN!
All Rise‘s court will officially be back in session this June on its new home OWN, it was announced during the show’s virtual Television Critics Assoc. press tour panel on Wednesday.
On the casting front, Christian Keyes (The Boys, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow) will take over the role of Lola’s husband Robin, who was previously portrayed by Todd Williams. Additionally, Roger Guenveur Smith (Do the Right Thing) will recur as Judge Marshall Thomas.
The third season picks up six months after the conclusion of Season 2, on “the night of the mid-term election as the highly-regarded Judge Lola Carmichael awaits the results of her hotly contested seat, preparing to further push the boundaries of her courtroom in the name of justice,” per the official synopsis.
During an Instagram Live last month, star Simone Missick revealed that the theme of the upcoming run will, fittingly, be “new beginnings.” The actress also teased that “something dramatic happens at the courthouse and somebody might not make it.” Plus, “somebody might be coming into Lola’s life and messing things up,” Missick hinted.
OWN resurrected the cancelled CBS legal drama last September for a 20-episode Season 3. Missick will reprise her role as Judge Lola Carmichael, in addition to serving as an executive producer. The other confirmed returning cast members include Wilson Bethel as Lola’s best friend, Deputy District Attorney Mark Callan; Jessica Camacho as public defender Emily Lopez; J. Alex Brinson as bailiff-turned-lawyer Luke Watkins; Ruthie Ann Miles as Lola’s assistant Sherri Kansky; Lindsay Mendez as court reporter Sara Castillo; and Lindsey Gort as defense attorney Amy Quinn. Marg Helgenberger — who’s in talks to reprise her role as Catherine Willows in CSI: Vegas‘ upcoming second season — also returns in a recurring capacity as Lola’s mentor Judge Lisa Benner. Dee Harris-Lawrence (David Makes Man) will once again serve as showrunner.
“All Rise has been a great performer, achieving strong ratings and growing its share from Season 1 to 2,” OWN president Tina Perry previously said in a statement. “Featuring a strong character front and center, Judge Lola Carmichael’s story reflects our audience with powerful affirmation. A special thanks to Warner Bros. Television and our incredible showrunner and longtime partner Dee Harris-Lawrence. We can’t wait to get started on Season 3 and bring this show back for long-standing and new fans alike.”
Chris Cuomo Wants $60M from CNN Following Termination
*Former CNN host Chris Cuomo is reportedly seeking a massive financial settlement from the network following his ouster.
We reported earlier that Cuomo was canned in December, four days after being suspended after an investigation by state Attorney General Letitia James uncovered his efforts to help his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, respond to accusations of sexual misconduct. The sexual harassment allegations forced Andrew Cuomo to resign in August.
“This is not how I want my time at CNN to end but I have already told you why and how I helped my brother,” Cuomo said in a statement about his firing. “So let me now say as disappointing as this is, I could not be more proud of the team at Cuomo Prime Time and the work we did as CNN’s #1 show in the most competitive time slot. I owe them all and will miss that group of special people who did really important work.”
Cuomo’s firing came after the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James released records that revealed he played a greater role in the defense of Andrew Cuomo than was previously known. Information released by James’ office showed that Chris Cuomo checked with sources to find out if stories about his brother’s accusers were forthcoming and gave detailed feedback on his brother’s statements to the press.
According to multiple reports, Cuomo is prepared to take legal action if CNN fails to pay the remainder of the four-year contract he signed last year. Per New York Post, “his contract was reportedly worth $6 million annually, leaving between $18 million and $20 million that he would be owed, sources said,” the outlet writes.
Multiple sources told Page Six that Cuomo is seeking far more than the $18 million and instead plans to demand up to $60 million. As one source put it, “He wants Megyn Kelly money,” referring to the $69 million she bagged after exiting NBC amid her blackface scandal.
A spokesman for Cuomo told the Wall Street Journal that former CNN President Jeff Zucker knew “about the details of Mr. Cuomo’s support for his brother,” adding, “There were no secrets about this, as other individuals besides Mr. Cuomo can attest.”
One source tells Page Six: “Chris insists he never did anything for his brother Andrew that Zucker didn’t know about.
“His camp believes Zucker wasn’t fired for an inappropriate relationship with Allison Gollust. Everybody knew about that and nobody cared.
“What he believes happened is WarnerMedia found something in their investigation into Chris, perhaps internal memos or documents which revealed more about Zucker’s involvement with Andrew Cuomo. Gollust was just a convenient excuse.”
“Chris intends to fight for every dollar on his contract, and loss of income from the 15 to 20 years left in his career, had Zucker not orchestrated a ‘f–k-job’ on him. He could ask for as much as $80 million but CNN isn’t going to pay that. But there’s an argument he could ask for as much as $60 million”
A second source told Page Six that, “Chris is telling people in the Hamptons he was wrongly fired, humiliated, his career has been ruined, and he wants Megyn Kelly money.”
Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s, From E-Z Rock to Sotheby’s
The Sotheby's exclusive Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 in damier
Luxury sportswear has reached a new zenith in the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1, a collaboration unveiled via the runway last summer that lives now at Sotheby’s, the outlet that offered the first, exclusive chance to purchase the sneakers.
The shoes are to be handled with white gloves by specialized technicians and art handlers only. As with other Sotheby’s items in auctions and exhibitions, there are 24-hour security protocols in place to ensure their safety. In January, when the Air Force 1s arrived in New York, they drew in team members at the auction house’s headquarters like a magnet, pulling them to huddle around in awe as they cracked open the package.
“The box was quite literally covered in red tape,” says Brahm Wachter, the head of streetwear and modern collectibles at Sotheby’s. “It was impressive, and intimidating.”
The auction house today concluded the sale of 200 pairs of the special edition sneakers, the proceeds from which will benefit the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund, which provides support to Black students in fashion. (A retail release of a separate group of pairs is planned for later in the year.) In total, the shoes’ sales amounted to over $25.3 million. The Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s are one of the posthumous sneaker projects left behind by the late Abloh, who died of a rare form of cancer in November 2021 at age 41.
They are his grandest sneakers. They draw the first formal line between Louis Vuitton, where he was the artistic director of menswear, and Nike, where his Off-White collaborations helped sustain the sneaker maker’s cool in the 2010s. Linking disparate spheres was a signature touch of Abloh, who saw the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s as an exercise in hip-hop-style sampling.
They are illicit homage made legit, the realization of style dreamed up by independent Black fashion designers in the 1980s. Long before the shoes were made official, people were customizing Nike Air Force 1s with patterns from brands like Louis Vuitton. Fittingly for a shoe so rich in mythology and wrapped in ideas of intellectual property, the Louis Vuitton-inflected Air Force 1s remain elusive and contentious in their roots.
The details around the sales of the Sotheby’s-exclusive charity pairs show that they were unprecedented even for an auction house that’s been around for a few centuries. When the lots went live on Jan. 26, its website buckled under the pressure of being rushed by eager collectors. The Nike collaboration set a new record for Sotheby’s with over 5,000 bids in a single day.
The Sotheby’s pairs of the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 come in an exclusive leather case. Image via Louis Vuitton
It also quickly surpassed estimates Sotheby’s had set for the shoes’ final prices. That the cheapest pair at auction, a size 6.5, sold for $75,600 and the most expensive, a size 5, went for $352,800 makes the originally projected range of $5,000 to $15,000 seem like a bargain.
“Across all of our auctions, estimates are based on a number of factors such as rarity, provenance, market comparables and more,” Wachter says, addressing the prices. “We estimated these conservatively, and given the tremendous anticipation and demand for the sale, we ultimately wanted the market to set the value for these sneakers.”
The winners of the sneakers will not have access to them immediately. Production for the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s is ongoing, and Sotheby’s says it plans to ship pairs for the winning bidders in the first half of 2022. There’s only been one pair of the style featured in the auction on display in public, but the house wouldn’t confirm if that implies it’s the only finished pair out in the world.
The Damier and monogram printed Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s sold through Sotheby’s will not be available elsewhere, but there are many more versions of the sneaker. Louis Vuitton says that the Spring/Summer 2022 collection featured 47 pairs, which it will display in an upcoming exhibition. That will precede the proper commercial launch of the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s, which will be sold only at Louis Vuitton stores. The brand has not announced pricing.
Then there are the pairs that money cannot buy. Separate from the auction-exclusive version and the forthcoming commercially available pairs is another, more colorful set given to friends of Abloh, Nike, and Louis Vuitton. Among this group are Abloh collaborators like Samuel Ross and hip-hop icons like Nelly, who brought the Air Force 1 to a new audience in the early 2000s. Sarah Andelman, founder of the defunct Parisian fashion retailer Colette, was the first to post one of these pairs, showing them off in a dark blue. Rob Base, the rapper best known for his platinum 1988 single “It Takes Two,” posted the same dark blue pair on Instagram last month.
Rob gave credit to DJ Clark Kent, a man who seemingly owns every Air Force 1 that ever existed, for looping him into the friends-and-family group. The rapper is a fitting recipient given his proximity to an earlier, homemade take on the Louis Vuitton and Nike crossover that set the tone for the current, official collaboration decades ago. He and his partner DJ E-Z Rock also released the album It Takes Two in 1988, with E-Z Rock on the cover wearing a pair of Nike Air Force 1s with Louis Vuitton marks on their swooshes and a matching tracksuit.
That shoe became a quiet piece of footwear lore. When Louis Vuitton introduced its Nike Air Force 1 project last summer, it mentioned by name the late E-Z Rock, who died in 2014 at age 46. His wear on the album cover is not generally recounted among the most significant hip-hop sneaker moments, but it’s a document of the culture’s understanding of a kind of crossover that wouldn’t be embraced by establishment fashion until 30 years later.
Rob in those days had a preference for Bally footwear—he had a red pair on for the same album cover photo shoot—but still found himself envious of E-Z Rock’s customs.
“Oh, wow, I wish I could have got me something done like that,” he thought when he first saw the Air Force 1s decorated with the Louis Vuitton monogram.
It’s long been presumed that the sneakers were made by Daniel Day, the Harlem garmento known as Dapper Dan who outfitted street stars and hip-hop artists of the era with unauthorized, custom-made gear that borrowed the prints of European fashion houses. As recently as last year the atelier claimed the design—in August, Louis Vuitton revised its notes for the Spring/Summer 2022 men’s show that introduced the sneakers to also mention Dapper Dan. Rob Base, who was a regular customer of Day’s, even believed he’d made the sneakers.
“Everybody thought it was Dapper Dan, including myself,” he says.
He recalls it differently now, the recent arrival of the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force shaking 1 the dust off some old memories. Rob ascribes the sneakers that E-Z Rock wore to a friend named Sabrina Lewis. She’d once aspired to make clothes alongside Dapper Dan before deciding to make them herself.
“I had went to him years before that and asked for a job—he wasn’t really very friendly,” Lewis says.
Rather than work for him she started her own small operation, dressing her friends in homemade garments with emblems lifted from high fashion. (She remembers that New York at the time was rife with Dapper Dan imitators—everyone who had access to materials and a sewing machine was trying to put their own clothes together.) The photos of her from this era show her clad in flashy gear, posing next to rap stars like Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie. Lewis used a formula similar to Dapper Dan’s—bringing Louis logos to places where the brand never intended them to be—and essentially bootlegged the bootlegger.
“At that time we couldn’t afford Dapper Dan or high-priced things, so whatever they would get I would cover it,” Lewis says. “I would cut up old pocket books and suitcases and bags that I had.”
She remembers E-Z Rock approaching her asking for custom work, requesting a special ensemble for when it came time for him and Rob to shoot the album cover. She started with the sweatsuit, a brown velour number with chunky Louis Vuitton-monogram sections running down the side and a star planted on the chest. The culmination of the outfit was the sneakers, to which she applied scraps of LV bags, affixing their Swooshes with logos of European affluence.
“I used to sew everything like that by hand,” Lewis says. “I did have a sewing machine but you can’t put the sneakers on a sewing machine, so I did them by hand.”
E-Z Rock’s outfit bore the marks of the French maison, but it was assembled in the Lincoln Houses on the east side of Harlem. Lewis says she charged him around $100 for the whole set and the sneakers.
DJ E-Z Rock’s custom Louis Vuitton Nike Air Force 1s from Dapper Dan. Image via Janette Beckman
Before it was commonplace for fashion brands to collaborate with outside entities and sneaker brands to engage in couture, these kinds of creations were illegal business. Dapper Dan was a martyr for this cause; his original store shuttered in 1992 after Fendi’s copyright lawyers pursued him.
Lewis, who operated on a much smaller scale, says she never attracted litigation. Hers was a word-of-mouth business—you had to know her if you wanted to place an order.
Although she’d studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and eventually did open her own shop, Sugar Love Fashions, in the 1990s, Lewis has since left the business of fashion. She was not aware of the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1, the authorized expression of that cross-pollination, when it emerged last summer. But, having engineered a similar style so long ago, she’s surprised that it didn’t
“I’m actually shocked that it took so long,” Lewis says. “I thought it would have caught on or somebody would have picked it up and ran with the idea from the ‘80s or the ‘90s.”
If the original pair of Air Force 1s that E-Z Rock donned for the album cover is still around, Rob Base doesn’t know where they are. He only recalls his DJ wearing them for the photo shoot and then a few shows after that.
“I don’t even know what happened to half of the jewelry I had,” Rob says now. “I still have a few Dapper Dan suits, but that’s pretty much it.”
The sneaker was the genesis of Nike’s project with Louis Vuitton, one of the first steps toward a future where athletic footwear would democratize fashion. If the physical relic is lost on history, its impact is not.
NFL Player Deshazor Everett Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter In Fatal Crash That Killed His Girlfriend
NFL player Deshazor Everett has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to a fatal car crash in December that killed his girlfriend.
On Tuesday, the Washington Commanders safety turned himself into the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. He was released on a $10,000 bond.
Everett traveled twice the posted 45 miles per hour speed limit in his Nissan GT-R on December 23, 2021, in Virginia. The vehicle went off the road around 9:15 p.m. and crashed into several trees before rolling over.
Olivia S. Peters, 29, of Las Vegas, and a passenger in the car, was taken to StoneSprings Hospital, where she died. Everett was taken to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He spent four days in the hospital before being released.
“Our team continues to investigate this matter as we intend on vigorously defending Mr. Everett against these allegations,” Everett’s attorney, Kaveh Noorishad, told ESPN in a statement. “We continue to ask that judgment be reserved until all facts are fully investigated and litigated in the proper form.”
Everett has been with Washington since 2015 as a special teams player, where he has served as captain since 2018.
Todd Chrisley wants to join ‘RHOBH’ cast
One reality show isn’t enough for Todd Chrisley.Chrisley revealed that he would love to be a cast member on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
“I would be a housewife of Beverly Hills just so that I could be like best friends with Kathy Hilton. I mean, I feel like that she would probably leave Rick for me!” Chrisley joked on Wednesday’s episode of “Behind the Velvet Rope” with David Yontef.
The “Chrisley Knows Best” patriarch, 52, explained that out of all the current cast members, he’d get along best with Erika Jayne, Lisa Rinna and Kathy Hilton, but not so much with Kyle Richards and Dorit Kemsley.
“I love Erika, and Lisa and I are good friends,” he continued. “I think Dorit and I would probably be the ones that would fight, because I think Dorit’s fabulous, but I don’t think anyone is ever going to think she is as fabulous as she does.”
He added, “Kyle and I would probably argue, because she has some menagerie of animals in her home and I don’t. “
However, Chrisley noted that he still thinks Richards is “hot.”
“I only watch, because I think Kyle Richards is hot and I love her sister Kathy,” he said. “That’s the only reason that I really watched that.”
The reality star continued gushing about Hilton, saying that the two would be “best friends.”
“Kathy and I are going to be best friends. Yes. We would be best friends, Kathy and I would be best friends, because she’s got exquisite taste. Her home is stunning. She believes that her mother is still in the room with her, and I believe my dad’s in the room with me,” he said referring to his deceased father and her deceased mother. “So she and I would be great friends.”
“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” Season 12 filming is underway.
Black girl temporarily disqualified from swim meet over BLM-inspired suit
CNN reported, 12-year-old Leidy Gellona was moved by the story of Amir Locke — the 22-year-old who was killed by Minneapolis police executing a no-knock warrant — and chose to honor him with her swimwear. Working alongside her mother Sarah Lyons, she decorated her outfit with the words “Black Lives Matter,” but unbeknownst to her, the message wouldn’t be well-received by organizers of her competition.
After swimming her first race at the Superior High School on Sunday (Feb. 6), Gellona was told that she wouldn’t move on to the next event because her suit “went against USA Swimming‘s policy of no political language.” She refused to change her outfit despite having another option in hand.
“I went to my mom and told her, and I was like ‘I’m not going to take it off’ and my mom was like ‘OK.’ So, she went to talk to the official and she started making phone calls because I said no,” Gellona said in an interview with CNN’s “New Day.” “I felt bad and I felt disrespected because I wanted to show that I mattered.”
Lyons contacted the head of the Duluth NAACP to assist in the situation, and the decision to ban the 12-year-old was eventually reversed by the Duluth YMCA. Gellona was then allowed to rejoin her fellow swimmers and participate in the swim meet.
“The Duluth YMCA is saddened that the student, their family, and teammates had to endure this unacceptable behavior. The Duluth YMCA will continue our ongoing commitment to train all staff and volunteers on diversity, equity, and inclusion,” the organization said in a statement. The official who “inappropriately barred Gellona,” they added, has been banned from future swim meets.
Funk trailblazer Betty Davis dies at 77
Funk trailblazer and model Betty Davis died on Wednesday morning (Feb. 9), Rolling Stone and other outlets report. She was 77 years old.
Betty’s longtime friend Connie Portis confirmed the sad news in a Facebook post.
“It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Betty Davis, a multi-talented music influencer, pioneer rock star, singer, songwriter, arranger, model and fashion icon,” Portis wrote on Wednesday. “Most of all Betty was a friend, aunt, niece and beloved member of her community of Homestead, Pennsylvania and of the worldwide community of friends and fans.”
The post noted that details about an official tribute will be announced later, but “today we cherish her memory as the sweet, thoughtful and reflective person she was.”
According to Portis, Betty’s health “declined rapidly within a two-week period” after she was diagnosed with cancer. However, in a statement to Rolling Stone, Amie Downs, the communications director for the Pennsylvania county where Betty lived; said she died from natural causes.
was known for singing hits like, “Get Ready for Betty,” “It’s My Life,” “If I’m in Luck I Might Get Picked Up” and more. She was also a gifted songwriter and penned “Uptown (to Harlem)” for the Chambers Brothers in 1967.
She released her eponymous debut album in 1973, followed by 1974’s They Say I’m Different and 1975’s Nasty Gal.
Betty was also Miles Davis’ second wife. The couple wed in 1968 and, although they were only married for one year, Betty is widely credited with influencing the jazz icon’s musical evolution, including introducing him to rock legend Jimi Hendrix and funk pioneer Sly Stone.
Betty later left the music industry and moved to Pittsburgh, where she spent her childhood. Her life story was the focus of the 2017 documentary, Betty: They Say I’m Different.
Jim Jones Claims He Was Racially Profiled, Ignored at Gucci Store
Jim Jones is calling out Gucci after feeling disrespected by store management during a recent shopping trip.
via: BET; The Dipset capo was not pleased after he and his crew patronized a Gucci store, only to be ignored by the in-store team and its management. According to The Source, Jones allegedly was getting the run-around when he asked to speak to a manager after wanting to flex a bag on social media.
In a video shared to Jones’ Instagram, the New York rapper detailed his experience, saying that he and his entourage were taken to the VIP area but after almost two hours no one came to help. He complained that they weren’t offered any amenities that come with being in VIP, and when they asked upper management to assist, a Black man was sent to them but even they weren’t helpful to the matter.
“We were ready to drop a big bag,” Jones said, adding that they were ready to spend $29,000 and more at the store, but still no one would attend to them.
“And just like tht s**t went bad in gucci I was more hurt [that the] [B]lack people [were] treating us like [that] more [than] anything,” he added in the caption to his clip. “Very racy and all we wanted was some sparkling water cause I was parched to [have] been [shopping] for a long time[.] I’m usually drunk by [the] time I leave stores like this cause they be [serving that champagne]smh [face palm emoji].”
“This man literally spent over 100k in there in [the] last 3 months and this is how they handle him nasty,” Jones continued. “I told him leave [that s**t] on [the] counter we out gucci be movin dusty Lol S**t is hilarious[,] it never stops.”
Jones added that he wants an apology from the Gucci store managers.
Nun Sentenced For Embezzling Catholic School Funds To Support Gambling Addiction
Nun Sentenced For Embezzling Catholic School Funds To Support Gambling Addiction
The retired principal of a Catholic elementary school in Torrance, and a Los Angeles nun has been sentenced for embezzling the school’s funds to support her gambling addiction.
CBS LA reports that Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, from Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in July to federal wire fraud and money laundering and was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison. She also has to pay back the $825,338 in restitution.
“I have sinned, I’ve broken the law and I have no excuses,” Kreuper said. “My actions were in violation of my vows, my commandments, the law and, above all, the sacred trust that so many had placed in me. I was wrong and I’m profoundly sorry for the pain and suffering I’ve caused so many people.”
During sentencing prosecutors said Kreuper “stole the equivalent of the tuition of 14 different students per year,” adding that the embezzled funds “were intended to further the students’ education, not fund (Kreuper’s) lifestyle.”
“She is very sorry for what she’s done, very remorseful, very ashamed, very embarrassed and accepts full responsibility for her actions,” said Kreuper’s lawyer, Mark Byrne.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
LOVING IS SHARING
They found love in a hopeless place
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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