2/1/22

The Daily Buzz For Feb 2 ☕πŸ“°☕

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!

Minnie’s Makeover: Cartoon mouse ditches longtime dress for pantsuit

After 93 years of entertaining the world alongside her sweetheart Mickey, Minnie Mouse is ditching her iconic dress and going for something more modern.


In honor of the 30th anniversary of Disneyland Paris, which falls on Women’s History Month in March, the character will unveil her fresh look designed by Stella McCartney, daughter of singer-songwriter Paul McCartney.


In an artist rendering, Minnie is wearing a dark blue and black polka-dotted pantsuit with matching bow. Disneyland Paris debuted her new look on their Twitter account Tuesday.

In an interview with D23, The Official Disney Fan Club, McCartney called Minnie’s new outfit “a symbol of progress for a new generation.”


“I am delighted to be working with the one, the only, the iconic Minnie Mouse,” says McCartney. “I have designed a custom outfit for her in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Disneyland Paris. Minnie has always had a special place in my heart. We share the same values. What I love about Minnie is the fact that she embodies happiness, self-expression, authenticity, and that she inspires people of all ages around the world. Plus, she has such great style!”



#RHOA: Kandi Burruss Shares Where She Stands with LaToya Ali Today

Back in Season 13 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, LaToya Ali was mixing it up with the ladies. And, in addition to not holding back in her friendships with the cast, her personal life also caused a bit of a buzz.

So, fans might be wondering what LaToya is up to these days. Well, we have an answer, thanks to Kandi Burruss. The RHOA cast member revealed that she still keeps in touch with LaToya.


"We representing for the mamas making moves! Happy to see my girl [LaToya]!" Kandi shared from a recent hangout over the weekend. LaToya left a sweet comment on the photo, writing, "Yaaassss yaaasss yaaassss I love you [Kandi]."


LaToya Ali's Recent Instagram Post Has Fans Wondering About Her Relationship Status

In fact, LaToya also shared the photo to her Instagram feed, adding, "I always have the time of my life when I’m with this beauty [Kandi]." She also shared the hashtag "moms making moves."

LaToya seems to be keeping very busy, and her Instagram profile notes that, these days, she's "encouraging women to laugh [and] embrace their true selves by sharing my life as Queen." Of course, if there's anything fans should know about LaToya it's that, in addition to being busy in her work life, she's also a loving mom to her three kids, who, if you scroll through her Instagram feed, clearly keep her busy. "Dear my 3 children, I love you more than life itself, but sometimes I feel like pulling my hair out," she wrote several weeks ago. "Mom life."


In fact, LaToya has never been shy about letting fans into her home life with her kids, sharing silly updates on what it's like to raise them — and it looks like she's loving every sometimes-chaotic minute of it.



Anthony Hamilton And Musiq Soulchild To Face Off In Valentine’s Day ‘Verzuz’

What happens when an endearing Southern charmer battles a soulful Philly jawn hit-for-hit? We get a Verzuz matchup between R&B heavyweights, Anthony Hamilton and Musiq Soulchild.

After a brief run on the rumor mill, the news was confirmed on Monday (Jan. 31). The crooners will face off on Tuesday, Feb. 15, live at Avalon Hollywood in a Valentine’s Day Verzuz special. Tickets for the event are now available on the official Verzuz website.


The show will begin with a DJ battle at 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET and the main event is set to kick off at 6:15 p.m. PT/9:15 p.m. ET.


In light of the exciting news, Musiq wrote on Instagram, “You Asked & We Heard You!” Meanwhile, Hamilton teased that “Charlene already asking for tickets.”


Speaking of R&B and Verzuz, Jaheim challenged Usher to participate in the musical battle earlier this month. The “Put That Woman First” singer wanted all the smoke when he shared his request on Instagram and gave the Atlanta-bred superstar “one month” to “step up.”


Other potential opponents for Jaheim posed by Black Twitter include Joe, Carl Thomas, and Lyfe Jennings, but Lyfe already hilariously expressed that he wants no parts in that Verzuz challenge. With 30 days almost up, apparently, neither does Usher.



#HipHopNews: Kodak Black Responds To People Calling Him Ugly

Kodak Black has been called many things, but ugly is the one word he doesn’t like.

On Friday (Jan. 28), Kodak Black posted a video on his Instagram account responding to people who are calling him ugly. In the clip, Yak is chilling inside a vehicle and goes on a rant about why he doesn't consider himself ugly.

"Y’all stop playin’ with me, man," he said. "Sometime people in the ShadeRoom comments try to play me like I’m ugly or somethin’. I never been ugly and I’m rich as fuck. And I fuck good, ya heard me?


Kodak, who might be a kleptomaniac lately, further explained why he’s a handsome person to some women.


"I mean, you know it sound cool, look cool when y’all try to down a nigga in the comments, like, 'We do know our bitches don’t want to fuck on him,' 'Who let him get ’em pregnant' and all of this crazy-ass shit," he said.


"Bitch, you fool!" he continued. "I jump in any of y'all hoes DMs and y’all gon’ bite back. I catch y’all ass in public and I’m flashin' on me, y’all gon' do it, homie. I fuck amazin’, ya heard me? And I’m rich as hell. You can't beat it."


It’s unclear what sparked Kodak to go on a diatribe about people calling him ugly. It appears the South Florida rapper may be responding to critics after he publicly announced two weeks ago that he welcomed a new baby girl named Queen Yuri Kapri with his girlfriend Maranda Johnson. "What's crazy is, you know, today 1/21/22. My baby girl coming," he said. "I can't wait to see her. She coming today. That's great. Queen Yuri. All the missing pieces that I didn't have, she got. She a Z queen."


Yak also celebrated one year of being out of prison and thanked former President Donald Trump who commuted his sentence on federal gun charges last January before he left office. "I want to thank Trump, Donald Trump, the honorable president," stated the "Super Gremlin" rapper. "The honorable D.T. Without him, I wouldn't be here with y'all right now. My family, my fans and friends. So, everybody thank that boy. He freed me. On 1/20/21."



IT'S OFFICIAL! Legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady announced his retirement Tuesday after 22 record-breaking seasons.

Tom Brady is officially retiring from the NFL.

Brady, 44, announced on Instagram Tuesday morning that he would be retiring. That announcement came after he said on his podcast released Monday night that he was still going through the process of a retirement decision.


"I have always believed the sport of football is an 'all-in' proposition — if a 100% competitive commitment isn't there, you won't succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game," Brady wrote. "There is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life.


"This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore. I have loved my NFL career and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention."


You can view his statement in full below:


Brady's retirement was first reported over the weekend, but the Buccaneers said that they hadn't been informed of Brady's future plans at the time.


The seven-time Super Bowl champion retires after the Buccaneers were knocked out of the NFL playoffs by the Los Angeles Rams. The Bucs trailed 27-3 in that game before coming back to tie it at 27-27. The Rams kicked a field goal as time expired to advance to the NFC championship game, effectively ending Brady's career. The loss came a year after the Buccaneers beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl in Brady's first season in Tampa Bay.


Brady retires as the player with the most Super Bowls in NFL history and an assured spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as soon as he's eligible for enshrinement in five years.


Brady also leaves the NFL unlike many older players — his play didn't drop off as he aged. Brady was 485-of-719 passing for 5,319 yards and 43 touchdowns in 2021. He led the NFL in completions, attempts, yards and TDs this season and will likely finish in the top two of NFL MVP voting with Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. If Brady wins the MVP award, he’ll finish his career as a four-time NFL MVP. Brady is currently tied with Rodgers, Jim Brown and Johnny Unitas at three. Only Peyton Manning (5) has more MVPs.


Brady retires as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, quarterback wins in both the regular and postseason, Super Bowl appearances (10) and Super Bowl victories (7).


Retirement statement doesn't mention the Patriots

Brady's statement thanks the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization, coach Bruce Arians, general manager Jason Licht, the fans and others involved in his career throughout the past two decades. It does not, however, make any mention of the New England Patriots or owner Robert Kraft or head coach Bill Belichick.


It's a glaring omission from a quarterback who won six Super Bowls and spent 20 seasons in New England. By now, you know how Brady rose to prominence and led New England's run of dominance in the 2000s. And that his departure from the team at the end of the 2019 season wasn't the most pleasant.


But it's still striking to not see any mention of New England or anyone involved with the organization in Brady's farewell address.


Brady had teased possible retirement after loss

Brady's retirement isn't all that surprising, even without the news on Saturday that he would be stepping away from the NFL. He was non-committal after the loss to the Rams about his NFL future and said on his "Let's Go" podcast in the hours after the loss that it pained his wife Gisele Bundchen to see him get hit on the field.


"It pains her to see me get hit out there," he said on last week's podcast. "And she deserves what she needs from me as a husband, and my kids deserve what they need from me as a dad."


Brady and Bundchen have been married since 2009 and have two children together. He has a son from a previous relationship with actress Bridget Moynahan.



Hoda Kotb and fiancΓ© Joel Schiffman break up after 8 years: 'We are better as friends and parents'

Hoda Kotb has split from fiancΓ© Joel Schiffman after eight years together.

The Today show anchor — who shares daughters Haley Joy, 4, and Hope Catherine, 2, with the businessman — announced the news during the third hour of the morning show on Monday.


"Joel and I have had a lot of prayerful and really meaningful conversations over the holidays and we decided that we're better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple," the 57-year-old newswoman said on Today With Hoda & Jenna. "So we decided we are going to start this new year and begin it on our new path as loving parents to our adorably delightful children — and as friends."

Explaining why they split, Kotb said, "It's not like something happened. They say sometimes relationships are meant to be there for a reason, a season or for a lifetime. I feel like ours was meant to be there for a season."


Kotb said viewers had been asking why she wasn't wearing her engagement ring. She admitted feeling "weird" and "awkward" sharing the news publicly and had been "struggling with" what to say. However, "often we share the joyous pieces of our life," she said. "The engagement... The adoption of my children and all the joy." She said she's sharing the breakup because life isn't always "a pretty picture."


Plus, she added, "I think "a lot of women know what this feels like in this moment to be changing course in life. I feel really brave in this moment."


Kotb called Schiffman, 63, a "great guy" and "kind and loving person." She said they are "both good" and are focused on co-parenting "those two lovely kids."

The pair quietly started dating before making their romance public in 2015. They got engaged in 2019. They adopted Haley in 2017 and Hope in 2019.


Kotb said she was "terrified" to discuss adoption with Schiffman after they first started dating because he already had an adult daughter at that point. Kotb recalled mustering up the nerve — and that began their adoption journey.


"I said I chose right," she recalled in October. "I chose a man who chose my happiness over his convenience maybe in that moment."

Kotb announced her plan last year to adopt a third child, noting that the paperwork was in and they were just waiting for a match.



#BABYNEWS: Da Brat And Jesseca Dupart Announce They're 'Extending' Their Family

January is going out with a bang — and plenty of baby news!


Rapper Da Brat and her fiancΓ©e, Kaleidoscope Hair founder Jesseca Dupart, shared that they’re “extending” their family. They shared the news with fans on Instagram. Both ladies embraced Dupart’s stomach, offering up a baby bump emoji to make it clear what kind of “extending” they were talking about.

This will be the first child for Shawntae “Da Brat” Harris and the fourth for Dupart, who has two sons and a daughter (who recently made Dupart a grandmother for the first time!) from previous relationships. The pair went public with their relationship in 2020 and afterward, starred in the weTV series Brat Loves Judy, which aired this past summer. Now they’re looking to add a little one to their love story, dropping the news a few weeks from their wedding date: 2-22-22!



#SIPS: Is This Real Reason Adele Postponed Her Vegas Residency

Just hours before the first show was set to take place, Adele sadly announced that she was postponing her sold-out, highly-anticipated Las Vegas residency on Jan. 20. In a tearful Instagram video, the singer said she was “gutted” about her show, explaining “Weekends With Adele” was not ready while half of her team was battling COVID. “It’s been impossible to finish the show and I can’t give you what I have right now,” she expressed.


Though the dates will be rescheduled, she felt “embarrassed” by the last-minute announcement. “I’m going to finish my show. I’m going to get it to where it’s supposed to be. I’m so sorry. We’ve been up against so much,” said the “Easy On Me” singer.

She graciously spoke to some fans via FaceTime who were at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for opening weekend on Jan. 21. as reports alluded that the 33-year-old singer was unhappy with certain elements of the set design.


However, it’s now being alleged that the real reason for the postponement is due to romantic strife with Adele’s boyfriend, sports agent Rich Paul. Daily Mail reported she was “crying through rehearsals and interrupting them to take phone calls with Paul.”


Shortly after the residency postponement, Adele pulled out of her scheduled performance at the BRIT Awards, scheduled for Feb. 8, for undisclosed reasons. The 30 singer has not spoken on the claims, but has received an outpouring of love and support amid the tragic news. Poet Amanda Gorman wrote, “We love you—thank you for doing what is right even when it isn’t easy.” Niecy Nash wrote, “Sometimes a setback is really a ‘set up’ in disguise for something better to happen. we will be there when you’re ready!!!”


Keith Urban will replace Adele for the weekends of Mar. 25 and Apr. 1, but many predict the residency may not be rescheduled until 2023



Alicia Keys Reacts To Janet Jackson Having A Crush On Her

Alicia Keys is getting the ultimate co-sign from Janet Jackson.

The “LALA” singer posted a screenshot of an article from 2008, where Janet admitted she had a crush on her. In the interview with E! Online, the pop icon said that she would date Keys if she were to have a “lesbian fling.”

“I always knew I was BAE But when @janetjackson says it πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯,” a flattered Alicia wrote in her Instagram caption.


She also promoted Jackson’s new documentary, which aired on Friday and Saturday on Lifetime and A&E. “Make sure you watch OUR Sis, THE ICON’s Doc,” she said.

After sharing Janet’s comment, Alicia’s famous followers reacted including Ariana DeBose and Brandi Carlile. “Ok. Props for life – the lesbians now bow down to you,” wrote her “Beautiful Noise” collaborator.


Gunna chimed in, adding, “For P she turn πŸ…Ώ️esbian !”

Keys also responded to a comment from someone who said she should feel “validated” by the comment.

“I kinda did feel some kind of way !!!! πŸ‘‘πŸ‘‘πŸ‘‘,” she wrote.


During her two-part documentary, which featured never-before-seen home videos, Janet opened up about the deaths of her father Joe and brother Michael, romantic relationships with James DeBarge, RenΓ© Elizondo Jr, and Jermaine Dupri, and her infamous Super Bowl halftime show with Justin Timberlake.



Whoopi Goldberg Apologizes for Holocaust Comments

Whoopi Goldberg is speaking out with an apology after she received backlash for the comments she made about the Holocaust on the latest episode of The View.

The talk show host claimed that the Holocaust was not about race.


“Let’s be truthful about it because Holocaust isn’t about race,” she said. “It’s not about race. It’s not about race. It’s about man’s inhumanity to man.”


She added, “These are two white groups of people! The minute you turn it into race it goes down this alley. Let’s talk about it for what it is. It’s how people treat each other. It doesn’t matter if you’re Black or white, Jews, it’s each other.”


Now, Whoopi is apologizing to fans after hearing the backlash.


“On today’s show, I said the Holocaust ‘is not about race, but about man’s inhumanity to man.’ I should have said it is about both. As Jonathan Greenblatt from the Anti-Defamation League shared, ‘The Holocaust was about the Nazi’s systematic annihilation of the Jewish people – who they deemed to be an inferior race.’ I stand corrected,” Whoopi said.

She concluded, “The Jewish people around the world have always had my support and that will never waiver. I’m sorry for the hurt I have caused. Written with my sincerest apologies, Whoopi Goldberg.”



Big Sean and JhenΓ© Aiko Mistaken for Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. on Rams Jumbotron

There was a celeb mixup during Sunday's NFL Championship Game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

Big Sean and JhenΓ© Aiko appeared on the jumbotron together at one point, but they were labeled as a different famous couple: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.

While Gellar, 44, did attend the game in L.A., she was not there with her husband. Instead, she enjoyed the game with her friend Elsa Collins.


The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star joked about the mistake on her Instagram page, captioning a picture of the jumbotron moment, "@bigsean do you get mistaken for me as often as I get mistaken for you?"

"Um…my big moment at the game?!?" she added on her Story. "It's funny though…not the first time I've been mistaken for @bigsean."


Big Sean, 33, didn't comment on Gellar's post, but he did share his own picture of his confused face when he and Aiko, also 33, appeared onscreen with the wrong names. The two artists, who frequently collaborate on their music, have been dating since 2016.

Gellar and Prinze, meanwhile, have been married for nearly 20 years and share two children: daughter Charlotte Grace, 12, and son Rocky James, 9.


The pair met while filming the 1997 horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer, and wed in 2002.

Last year, they told PEOPLE that they had been friends for a while before going on a dinner date together, but the dynamic of their relationship shifted after that evening.


"We've had many dinners before. We were supposed to go with someone else, and the third person didn't make it out, and we decided to still go," Gellar said. "We were just two people at dinner catching up. We had a long car ride and a long dinner, and things just happened."

Prinze, 45, added that after that special night, he didn't want to be with anyone else.


"I didn't go on dates with other girls nor did I even want to pursue dates with other girls," he said. "One day, I just knew we're going to get married and that I was going to propose. I didn't know when or how."



Thandiwe Newton Blasts ‘Tragic’ Sean Penn For Saying Men Have Become ‘Feminised’

Thandiwe Newton has blasted Sean Penn after he claimed men in America had become “feminised”.

Taking to Twitter to address Penn’s comments which he made to The Independent, Newton called him a “jibbering fool”.


The Westworld actor mocked Penn’s views with a series of tweets: “Dude what are you saying? Like for real? You’re a jibbering fool…you used to be sexy but now you’re just tragic.”


She also wrote of the Mystic River star and two-time Oscar winner: “In front of your daughter!? That poor little mite. Thank God her Mum’s so dope. Please stop ruining the brilliance of Licorice Pizza with this nonsense.”

In an interview last week with The Independent, Penn said: ““I think that men have, in my view, become quite feminised.”


He added: “I have these very strong women in my life who do not take masculinity as a sign of oppression toward them. There are a lot of, I think, cowardly genes that lead to people surrendering their jeans and putting on a skirt.”


Penn had been promoting his new film Flag Day which he stars in alongside his daughter, Dylan. Penn also directs the film which has received mixed reviews.



Rihanna’s Dad On Pregnancy News: ‘She’s Going To Be A Good Mom’

Rihanna has made it no secret that she wants to be a mom.

Now, the superstar has confirmed her first pregnancy by strolling through Harlem with boyfriend A$AP Rocky — and her growing belly on full display.


“I’m ecstatic,” the singer’s dad, Ronald Fenty, told Page Six from his home in Barbados on Monday, adding: “I’m so happy that I jumped for joy. I’m still so excited.

“Rihanna always said that she wanted children, she loves kids. She always takes care of her cousins’ kids…she’s going to be a good mom.”

Fenty met Rocky after his daughter brought him home to the Caribbean island in December 2020, calling him “a very cool guy” and adding: “I like him.”


Rihanna and her father, a former alcoholic and crack addict, have had a troubled relationship over the years.


Last September, Rihanna scrapped the lawsuit she had brought against her dad, accusing him of misusing her name to benefit his own entertainment company, just weeks before they were meant to meet in court. It’s believed they settled the case.


After a long dispute, Rihanna and Ronald appear to be on speaking terms again.

Now Fenty seems to have reconciled with his daughter (real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty). He told Page Six that Rihanna called him with the news that he will be a grandpa on Sunday night.


“I just got the news from her last night, and she sent me some photos,” he said. “I’m just over the moon. She’s beautiful inside and out.”


The singer, who found global fame at 17 with her version of “Pon de Replay,” told British Vogue in 2020 that she had turned her attention to motherhood after her long-term relationship with Saudi billionaire businessman Hassan Jameel ended.


She said: “Since I turned 32, I’m realizing life is really short.

“You don’t have a lot of time to tolerate s–t, you know? You put so much on your plate. When you’re overwhelmed, you need to start cutting things out. And I’m overwhelmed too much…I know I will want to live differently.”


Asked where she pictured herself in 10 years, she replied: “Ten years? I’ll be 42! I’ll be ancient…I’ll have kids — three or four of ’em.”

Rihanna even made it clear that she could be a single mom, saying: “Hell, yeah!”


“I feel like society makes me want to feel like, ‘Oh, you got it wrong…’ They diminish you as a mother if there’s not a dad in your kids’ lives. But the only thing that matters is happiness, that’s the only healthy relationship between a parent and a child. That’s the only thing that can raise a child truly, is love.”


But she won’t have to do it on her own as she appears to be fully committed to Rocky (real name Rakim Mayers).


An onlooker at Carbone restaurant in Soho earlier this month saw the couple as they shared an intimate dinner, telling Page Six: “Rocky was looking at Rihanna adoringly, and Rihanna looked so gorgeous. The hostess had to move them to a different table to accommodate Rihanna’s bump, and when she got up she was stroking her stomach.”


Both equally successful and fashionable — Rocky has appeared on the cover of GQ 



Gayle King Agrees To New Deal With CBS News

Gayle King’s outstanding run with CBS News and CBS Mornings will continue. King revealed to Deadline she has signed an extension.


King revealed the signing to her fans on her SiriusXM show Gayle King in the House. “I officially signed on the dotted line. So I will be with CBS a little longer,” King said. The terms of her deal have not been disclosed.


Prior to inking a new deal, King was being recruited by other networks. There was also belief that her new grandchild would create a move to New York.

“I don’t know why people thought that just because you have a grandchild now all of a sudden you just want to give up your career and go sit in California,” King said. “No. I still, you know, I still feel that in many ways I’m just getting started. So I celebrated my 10 year anniversary, that was always great fun.”


King has been with CBS This Morning since 2012.



Bob Saget’s family and friends attend memorial event at comedy club

Friends and family including John Stamos, Jim Carrey and Kelly Rizzo flocked to The Comedy Store to honor the late Bob Saget.

Hordes of Bob Saget’s loved ones, including widow Kelly Rizzo and friends John Stamos and Chris Rock, attended a special “impromptu” event Sunday night to pay tribute to the late actor at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood.


“After Bob’s fancy funeral we threw him a small impromptu punk rock shiva upstairs at the @thecomedystore,” Jeff Ross, who was also in attendance, wrote in a post to Instagram Sunday. “We laughed and cried for four hours. Tonight we are doing it again in the Main Room for his friends and family.”


Ross, 56, added, “If Bob ever made you smile and you have it in your heart or wallet please donate to @srfcure. It’s a terrible disease that mostly affects women. Finding a cure is a mission that meant a lot to Bob personally…🍸L’Chaim!”


Rizzo — who did her first stand-up routine in honor of her late husband — also posted about the event on social media.

“So remember when I said you’ll never see me do standup?? Well I guess I got a couple jokes in but paying tribute to my legendary and incredible husband on stage at @thecomedystore where his career began over 40 years ago was the honor of my life,” she wrote. “I know he would’ve gotten a huge kick out of me being up on stage there backed up by Jim Carrey, @chrisrock @therealjeffreyross @johnmayer and @johnstamos – I know it made him smile big.”


Saget’s daughters Aubrey, 35, Lara, 32, and Jennifer, 29, were seen arriving to the function as well as Rizzo, who was dressed in a black leather skirt and a brown sweater.


Rizzo attended the starry event honoring her late husband.

Meanwhile, Jim Carrey was photographed in good spirits as he entered the venue wearing a big furry coat while clutching a bottle of water.


Darren Criss arrived in all-black while holding his guitar, suggesting that the former “Glee” star, 34, could have taken to the stage to perform a song.


Rock, 56, also showed up dressed casually in jeans, a black sweater and glasses while wearing headphones over his ears.

Others in attendance included Stamos’ wife, Caitlin McHugh, Jackson Browne, Seth Green, Clare Great and Paul Rodriguez.


His “Full House” co-star and good friend Stamos was seen arriving in all black.

Saget was found dead at the age of 65 in his hotel room in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 9. His cause of death has yet to be revealed, though there were no signs of foul play or drug use, according to authorities.


Over 100 A-listers turned up to mourn Saget at his Jan. 14 funeral, including Dave Chappelle, John Mayer, Howie Mandel and Kathy Griffin. His “Full House” co-star Stamos, 58, delivered an emotional eulogy in which he called Saget “a guardian angel with the dirtiest mouth and a heart as big and benevolent as forever.”


Saget shared his daughters with ex-wife Sherri Kramer, to whom he was married from 1982 to 1997. He wed Rizzo in 2018.



Nick Cannon confirms he's expecting his eighth child

Nick Cannon has confirmed that he is expecting his eighth child.

On Monday (Jan. 31), the “Wild ‘N Out” host revealed that he and model Bre Tiesi are expecting a baby boy on his eponymous talk show. Cannon shared tweets from fans who made jokes about him having another child. He also shared a photo of himself with Tiesi from their gender reveal party, which took place last Saturday (Jan. 29).


The Love Don’t Cost A Thing actor said he was hesitant to announce the new baby due to the recent passing of his 5-month-old son Zen, who died last month from a rare brain cancer. “So even going through all of that, this was always in the back of my mind, like, ‘What is the right time? How do I share this?'” he said. “No one, we didn’t expect Zen to pass away … All of the news was so unexpected.”


“I wanted to definitely respect the grieving process with Alyssa, and Bre was respectful enough — She held off making our announcements and speaking on social media,” Cannon continued. “She’s a very, you know, in the public eye type of person, but keeps her stuff private as well.”


The 41-year-old said he and Tiesi wanted to hold off the news as long as they could, but photos from the gender reveal were leaked to media outlets.


Previously, Cannon told People that his children will always be his number one priority, although people question his “nonconventional” family and “unorthodox” lifestyle.


“It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality,” Cannon told the outlet. “And it’s really just having quality moments with my children, quality moments with my family. Had a lot of quality moments with Zen in his short time here. I always say time is a manmade thing, but love and energy is a godsend.”



Federal judge rejects plea agreement in Travis McMichael hate crime charge

U.S. District Judge Lisa G. Wood said she wanted to hear from “all concerned” before signing off on the agreement.


A federal judge has rejected the plea deal on hate crime charges reached by federal prosecutors and Travis McMichael, one of the men convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery.

According to The Washington Post, on Monday (Jan. 31), U.S. District Judge Lisa G. Wood said she wanted to hear from “all concerned” before signing off on the deal. Attorneys for both Travis and his father Gregory McMichael said they need additional time before choosing whether to change their pleas.


As previously reported, the McMichaels reached a plea agreement with prosecutors that would have helped them avoid their upcoming federal hate crime trial for Arbery’s death. In the plea deal, which was filed on Sunday (Jan. 30), U.S. Justice Department prosecutors asked the U.S. District Court to “dispose” of those charges. Willam “Roddie” Bryan, who was also convicted of murdering Arbery, was not named in the suggested agreement. The men were anticipated to confess to using force or threat of force to “intimidate and interfere” with the 25-year-old because he was Black.


However, Attorney Lee Merritt, who represents Arbery’s mother Wanda Cooper-Jones, denounced the agreements, calling them a “back room deal” and a “betrayal to the Arbery family who is devastated.” Merritt called the proposed deal, which would allow the McMichaels to serve the first 30 years of their life prison sentences in federal custody rather than a harsher Georgia prison, a “huge accommodation to the men who hunted down and murdered Ahmaud Arbery.”


“Wanda Cooper-Jones kept her promise to Ahmaud Arbery to get her son justice. Today the DOJ is attempting to ‘snatch defeat from the jaws of victory,’” Merritt said in a tweet. “We will not allow it.”


The next hearing has been scheduled for Friday (Feb. 4). If their not guilty pleas are not changed, the federal hate crime trial will begin with jury selection on Feb. 7



Australian Megachurch Brian Houston Founder Steps Down Amid Allegations He Concealed Child Sex Abuse

The founder of an Australia-based megachurch is stepping down as leader to fight charges that accuse him of concealing child sex abuse.

Brian Houston, who leads Hillsong Church, allegedly knew his father, Frank, abused a boy in the 1970s. He never came forward with the information.


“​​These allegations came as a shock to me, and it is my intention to vigorously defend them,” Houston wrote in a statement posted to Hillsong’s website.

Houston said that under the advice of outside legal counsel, it was recommended by Hillsong’s board that he step down. He agreed to step aside while the case played out in court. He estimates it could take the better part of the year due to court backlogs.


“The result is that the Hillsong Global Board feel it is in my and the church’s best interest for this to happen, so I have agreed to step aside from all ministry responsibilities until the end of the year,” he said.


He denies any wrongdoing and “welcomes the opportunity to set the record straight.”

Houston founded Hillsong with his wife, Bobbie, in Australia in 1983. It now has locations in 30 countries. The church boasts a global attendance of 150,000 per week, including celebrities.



Howard, Southern University and Four Other HBCUs Receive Bomb Threats

*As our headline notes Howard University and other historically black colleges and universities received bomb threats Monday morning, disrupting campus operations and launching police investigations.


The schools, Southern University and A&M, Howard University, Bethune-Cookman University, Albany State University, Bowie State University and Delaware State University all received bomb threats Monday morning, according to campus spokespeople or social media posts.


Five schools continue to investigate the threat and remain either on lockdown or have issued shelter in place orders.

Southern University and A&M College received a bomb threat this morning, according to a statement from Southern in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.


Classes were canceled and students are to remain in their dorm rooms until an all-clear is issued. University operations were also suspended until further notice.


A Washington Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson confirmed to CNN that at Howard University the “scene has been cleared with no hazardous materials found.”

It’s the second time this month that a number of HBCUs received bomb threats that in some cases led schools to relocate students, faculty and staff while searches were performed.


On January 5, at least three HBCUs, including Howard University, received bomb threats. Nothing was found on any of the campuses that received threats, university officials said.



Brooklyn Man Charged After Fatally Stabbing His Mother

A Brooklyn pastor was fatally stabbed by her adult son during a domestic altercation.


Kenji Francis, 40, stabbed his 61-year-old mother Tracey Syndor to death in their Brooklyn home over the weekend after the two got into a dispute. So far, no details about the dispute itself have been released. According to the New York Post, the incident took place just after 2 p.m. on Saturday at their home on Wynona Street near Livonia Avenue in New Lots. Police say Syndor was lying in a pool of her own blood with cuts all over her face and neck.

The news outlet reports Syndor was immediately taken to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Her son has been arrested and charged with murder and unlawful activity with a dangerous weapon. Police say Francis doesn’t have any criminal or psychiatric history.

Syndor was just appointed to her role as pastor two months ago. Bishop J. Carl Henderson, the senior pastor at her church, Upper Room Baptist Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, released a statement on Syndor’s death via Facebook.


“Please keep the Sydnor, Francis, Chambers and Upper Room Family in prayer as we mourn the loss of our Mother, sister, cousin, friend and Executive Pastor, Pastor Tracey Sydnor,” Henderson wrote, the New York Post reports. “Further information will be released in the days to come.”



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

Courtesy of P.O.Wm

ANOTHER BATCH

I think they are not done



HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!

EFREM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Followers