#MAGFAB: Laverne Cox Talks Career, Confidence, and Turning 50 for HEALTH Magazine
Actress and advocate Laverne Cox is opening up about her inspiring career and how she protects her mental health. In a new interview with Health, she discusses feeling her best and finding love at 50, and how she’s developed a routine that prioritizes both her mental and physical health.
On finding love at 50: “The falling-in-love process has been overwhelming. The work is to be able to receive it and feel I’m worthy of the love…I can’t believe I’m being treated this well, after all these years. It’s taken me nearly 50 years to get here. It can be overwhelming. Love has to be constantly renewed and cared for. When you’re really vulnerable with someone, there’s something beautiful and incredible about that…It is an honor to be loved and to love.”
On going to therapy: “When you have trauma, eventually it needs to be reprocessed. What I’m working on with my therapist now is building up my resourcing, so that when it’s time to reprocess the trauma, it’s not re-traumatizing. You don’t want to flood yourself revisiting that trauma because that can keep you from healing—you have to go slowly.”
On staying grounded: “For me, it’s about breathing and feeling my feet on the floor. Smell is also really big for me. The smell of lavender or vanilla can really calm me. And I’m very tactile. I have a fuzzy robe that I wear, that I will rub and it just makes me feel good. Even just rubbing my arms, sort of caressing myself, is a soothing thing that lets my body know it’s safe.”
On advocacy and her mental health: “I think of the violence against trans people—it has really [messed] me up. There were anti-trans bills introduced into state legislatures in 2021. Many of them use language like ‘biologically male but thinks they’re a girl.’ They don’t actually use the word transgender. It’s language that literally erases us as trans people. So, I’ve really found myself needing to protect my mental health.”
On turning 50 with wisdom and caring for her body: “In some ways, I feel like I’m in the prime of my life. I think I look better than I’ve ever looked, and I’ve evolved so much. I’m turning 50 with some wisdom. I know some things, which is really nice. Could I know more? Absolutely. But I’m moving through the world with integrity, and that’s something I’m proud of.”
“I started dance classes again and it’s so much fun. I hate working out, so getting in a rhythm has been a struggle. When I go to the gym, it becomes goal-oriented and not process-oriented. When I start thinking about the results, it’s not a good space for me to be in. I’m better when I focus on the journey. I want to turn 50 and be healthy. That’s part of the reason I started dance classes again. I want to feel good in my body, mind, and spirit.”
The April issue of Health magazine will be on sale March 11th.
Jussie Smollett Gets 150 Days In Jail For Faking Hate Crime Against Himself. Screamed I am not SUCIDAL during his Sentencing holding The Black Power fist!
Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months probation by a Chicago judge on Thursday for lying to police about a politically charged robbery and hate crime that he staged against himself.
Smollett, 39, was found guilty in December of five out of six counts of felony disorderly conduct for making false reports to police.
The former “Empire” actor, who insisted on his innocence after his sentence was read, had potentially faced up to three years in prison for each count, though Judge James Linn said Thursday he did not believe the case as it stood could result in multiple consecutive three-year terms.
Pointing to Smollett’s family history of fighting social injustice, however, Linn said in his sentencing, "The hypocrisy is just astounding."
"The only thing I can find is that you really craved the attention," he added.
The performer, who is Black and gay, claimed to be the victim of a January 2019 attack in Chicago that grabbed international headlines. Smollett had claimed that two men tied a noose around his neck and shouted racist, homophobic and pro-Trump remarks at him.
Smollett had actually paid two brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, to stage the attack, prosecutors argued during his trial. The siblings used racist and homophobic slurs against Smollett while wearing red caps similar to former President Trump's "Make America Great Again" ones and included a rope as part of the fake attack to "make it look like a hate crime."
Several of Smollett’s friends and family members appeared in court to plead for leniency. Molly Smollett, the entertainer’s 92-year-old grandmother, told the court, “What the media may not know is that Jussie is what I call a justice warrior. He has been active against injustice all his life.”
“I ask you, the judge, not to send him to prison. If you do, send me along with him,” Molly Smollett said.
Statements supporting Smollett, who on the advice of counsel declined to comment on Thursday, were also read on behalf of the Black Lives Matter movement, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, actor Samuel L. Jackson and Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Push Coalition.
At the beginning of Smollett’s sentencing, one of his defense attorneys, Tina Glandian, unsuccessfully argued a motion for a new trial. One of the issues she raised was that the defense should have played a greater role during jury selection.
Linn pushed back on Glandian’s remarks, saying some of the questions for potential jurors submitted by the defense included, “What kind of animal would you like to be?” or “Superman or Batman: what do you prefer?”
As details of the faux attack originally emerged more than two years ago, Trump and then-Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.) condemned the alleged crime against Smollett.
Trump called the attack “horrible,” but months later mocked Smollett as an “actor that nobody ever heard of.” Harris initially described the ambush as “an attempted modern-day lynching,” before later saying she was “sad, frustrated and disappointed” when Chicago police accused Smollett of coordinating the attack.
Smollett notably made a late entrance to his sentencing hearing on Thursday. As he entered, a member of his security detail was seen getting into a kerfuffle with journalists on the way into court, leading to a photographer getting shoved to the ground.
New York man arrested after attacking Asian man with hammer
Father, son request acquittal on hate crimes convictions in Ahmaud...
“There is nothing worse than to be the victim of a hate crime,” Linn said before announcing his sentence. “And I believe that you did damage to real hate crimes, to hate crime victims."
"Your very name has become an adverb for lying."
#RHOA: Kandi Burruss Says ‘RHOA’ is ‘Way Better’ Without Cynthia Bailey and Porsha Williams: ‘No Diss to Them’
Out with the old, in with the drama! Fans of The Real Housewives of Atlanta were left stunned when Cynthia Bailey and Porsha Williams left the Bravo series, but longtime Housewife Kandi Burruss promises that the upcoming season isn’t lacking in entertainment.
NeNe! Phaedra! Kim! Former ‘RHOA’ Stars: Where Are They Now?
“When we got ready to start the season, I was a little nervous because I’m like, ‘OK, we are losing two peaches that are very important to the franchise. How’s that gonna go?’” Kandi, 45, exclusively revealed on the Wednesday, March 9, episode Us Weekly’s “Getting Real with the Housewives” podcast. “But let me tell you, no diss to them, this season is going to be way better than the last few. I would say it’s a really, really good season and I’m excited for people to watch.”
Kandi, along with Kenya Moore and Drew Sidora will return for season 14. Additionally, Sheree Whitfield will return after several seasons away, and longtime friend of the series Marlo Hampton will officially join as a cast member.
“[This season] was stressful to me with a whole argument with Marlo,” Kandi explained to Us. “We were saying things that were very below the belt at each other, we were throwing some really low blows.”
RHOA viewers may remember the two bumped heads during season 4 when Marlo accused the Kandi & the Gang star of being a “sugar mama” to a mystery man.
Biggest ‘Real Housewives’ Feuds Ever — And Where the Relationships Stand Today
“I was the main one saying that Marlo should get a peach. I kept telling everybody that and so when she got her peach, I was excited for her. I was not expecting for me and her to bump heads. That was the last thing I was expecting,” the singer told Us. “If you can roll back to when she first came on the show in season four, she and I bumped heads then, so it was similar to that, but a little worse.”
However, before season 14 premieres, Kandi is focusing on her latest Bravo venture, Kandi & The Gang, which chronicles Kandi, her husband Todd Tucker and the dynamic staff of her Atlanta restaurant OLG.
Celebs That Love ‘The Real Housewives’ Franchise
“It was Todd’s idea [the show],” Kandi revealed to Us. “He was the one who came with the idea to do the restaurant, and then as he was doing it and we started hiring people, he was like, ‘We should really do a show about this restaurant because the people that work there are so over the top, they need to be on TV.’”
Kandi & The Gang airs on Bravo Sundays at 9 p.m. ET
#NewMusicVideo: Keith Sweat & Raheem DeVaughn – Can’t Nobody
Keith Sweat & Raheem DeVaughn have just shared the visual for their collaborative single “Can’t Nobody”.
The song originally released in late 2021 and has ascended to the Top 10 of the Adult R&B Radio Charts.
WATCH
There is no word yet whose album the song may end up on. Raheem DeVaughn of course is an unstoppable force when it comes to releasing new projects. His most recent was “Lovesick” with Apollo Brown last year.
#HipHopNews: Dababy Fires Back At Calboy, Calboy Drags Dababy On Instagram Live
The DaBaby and Calboy beef has intensified. Last night (March 9), DaBaby replied to Calboy's initial callout with two comments under Akademiks and Say Cheese's Instagram posts on the situation. One was a series of laughing emojis, while the other mentioned Calboy directly, saying "Do sumn."
Around the time DaBaby dropped his comments responding to Calboy, Calboy went on Instagram Live and proceeded to drag the "Rockstar" rapper. "DaBaby was runnin' around in a fuckin' diaper, bro, you been sold your morality and your integrity a long time ago, n***a," he explained. "Fuck is you talkin' 'bout? Now you tough, n***a? I got real war scars, bitch."
He continued: "Fuck is you talkin' ’bout, n***a? You talkin' ’bout self-defense, n***a? Talkin' ’bout self-defense? Let's talk about unsolved murders, bitch." Calboy could be referring to the shooting incident that DaBaby was involved in at a Walmart in 2018 that left one person dead. Baby claimed self-defense and charges against him were later dropped.
All of this has followed Calboy going after DaBaby for releasing a project with YoungBoy Never Broke Again, which ties back to YoungBoy's beef with Lil Durk. According to Calboy, King Von was his cousin, and Von's death sparked a significant rift between Durk and YoungBoy's camps. Additionally, DaBaby and YoungBoy released their album, Better Than You, on the same day King Von's posthumous record, What It Means to Be King, dropped.
MLB, Union Reach Tentative Pact In Hopes Of Saving Season For 2022
Major League Baseball owners and players struck a tentative labor deal on Thursday, likely saving a full 162-game season this spring and summer.
The league's website reported the tentative pact and said regular season games could start April 7.
Before negotiators came to an agreement, MLB had announced cancellation of Opening Day and said no regular season games would be played through at least April 13.
It wasn't immediately clear when all owners and union members may vote on the deal crafted by negotiators.
Even though MLB will miss its originally scheduled March 31 Opening Day, the deal now gives schedule makers a chance to fit 162 games for each club between now and the end of September.
The playoffs will reportedly expand to 12 teams, altering a 10-team format in place since 2012.
All games are now expected to have a designated hitter, meaning a full-time hitter will bat for the pitcher. The American League has used a DH since 1973, but the National League had stuck with the old rules.
Since the most recent collective bargaining agreement expired Dec. 1, owners have stopped all off-season transactions — such as trades and free-agent signings — and barred players from training in team facilities.
Management and the union had been far apart on key economic issues including soft caps on team payroll and increased salaries for younger, typically lesser-paid players.
A 162-game schedule for all MLB teams was first set in 1962, and there’s only a handful of times that clubs have fallen short of a full slate.
Player strikes in 1972 and 1981 shortened those regular seasons before another walkout in 1994 forced the end of that playing year, with no World Series champion crowned.
That work stoppage spilled in 1995, forcing a regular season of just 144 games.
The 2020 season was delayed four months by the coronavirus pandemic and comprised just 60 games, played largely in empty stadiums.
Nick Cannon’s talk show canceled after just six months on the air
Nick Cannon’s talk show is being canceled after just six months on the air, Page Six is told.
Sources say that staff at the nationally syndicated show have yet to be informed. But we’re told many of them were already looking for new jobs because the outlook seemed bleak for the struggling show.
The star snagged the gig in 2020 after impressing producers with his daytime talents when he filled in for Wendy Williams during her long absence due to ill health.
The former Mr. Mariah Carey was also a hot commodity when the show was announced because Fox’s “The Masked Singer,” which he hosted, had become the No. 1 new show, drawing “more than 17 million… viewers in its record-breaking 2018 debut” according to Deadline.
Cannon became a daytime candidate following his gig covering for Wendy Williams.
Nick Cannon/YouTube
There was even talk of Cannon’s show replacing Williams’ if her health meant it had to come off the air permanently.
But that chatter went cold when audience numbers showed Cannon’s show picking up just 400,000 viewers, making it the lowest rated talk show at the time, according to Celebrity 411. Williams’ show averages 600,000.
And sources tell us that ratings for the show “show no signs of growth.”
Sources said that networks are also looking for a spot for Jennifer Hudson’s new talk show.
The Sun US first reported the news.
Somewhat ironically, the show may have been a victim of Williams’ ongoing drama.
In fall of 2021, the ailing chat queen pushed back the beginning of her new season to recuperate, leaving networks to air reruns.
At the time the Sun US reported that Cannon was “pissed” because the popular “Wendy Williams Show” — which aired immediately before his show — was supposed to provide an audience boost that less-popular reruns wouldn’t.
“He is relying on Wendy to give his new show a huge lead-in audience,” it wrote.
In 2020 Cannon was briefly fired by ViacomCBS, where he hosts “Wild ‘n’ Out,” after he made anti-Semitic comments. It rehired him after he made a public apology.
The company behind the show, Debmar-Mercury declined to comment. A rep for Cannon didn’t get back to us.
‘Power Book IV: Force’ Renewed For Season 2 By Starz
Deion Sanders Reveals He Had Two Toes Amputated Following Blood Clots & Surgery Complications
Calling all ‘Power’ fans! It looks like we’re in luck for more Tommy Egan!
According to reports, “Power Book IV: Force” has been renewed for a second season at STARZ! The third spinoff of the original “Power” debuted Feb. 6 and delivered strong ratings with 3.3 million multiplatform views in the U.S. alone, making it the most-watched premiere ever in the network’s history. The series centers around character Tommy Egan–played by Joseph Sikora– who leaves New York and finds himself caught up in the Chicago drug game.
The series also stars Isaac Keys, Lili Simmons, Gabrielle Ryan, Shane Harper, Kris D. Lofton, Anthony Fleming III, Lucien Cambric, and Tommy Flanagan.
Jeffrey Hirsch, president and CEO at Starz had this to say about the record breaking spin off,
“Fans have been eagerly awaiting Joseph’s return as the iconic Tommy Egan and from the show’s record-setting debut, it was clear right away that they want to see another season of him taking on this new city…We are thrilled to have Joseph back in the ‘Power’ Universe and to be expanding the world with a new tapestry of power players brought to life by our fantastic cast.”
Season 2 of Power Book IV: Force will have a new showrunner, Gary Lennon (Power, Euphoria, Hightown). Lennon will be taking over as showrunner/executive producer for the series.
“Power” creator, Courtney A. Kemp also executive produces along with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Kemp executive produces through her production company End of Episode, while 50 Cent does so via G-Unit Film and Television.
News of the ‘Force’ renewal comes just one week after the series executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson posted on social media about his frustrations over the lack of a Season 2 renewal for the record breaking show.
As previously reported, on Tuesday (March 1), 50 Cent kicked off the month by threatening STARZ, claiming that he is packing his bags and moving on, in a string of Instagram posts. He shared a video of a man packing his suitcase and captioned the post,
“This is me packing my stuff, STARZ. Sucks, my deal is up over here I’m out. They renewed High Town, and FORCE is the highest rated show they have sitting in limbo. If I told you how much dumb sh*t I deal with over here, you would think they all went to school on a small yellow bus.”
Power Book IV: Force airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET on Starz.
Dunkin’ Employee Who Fatally Punched Man for Using a Racial Slur Sentenced to House Arrest
A Black Dunkin’ Donuts employee who fatally punched a customer for using racial slurs toward him has been sentenced.
via Yahoo: The employee, Corey Pujols, has pleaded guilty to felony battery and has been sentenced to two years of house arrest, reported CBS News.
Vonelle Cook, 77, was reportedly a regular at this particular Dunkin’ store. According to the court records obtained by NBC, Cook went to order a coffee in the drive-thru and he began berating the employees for poor service after they said they were having trouble hearing him.
From NBC:He was asked to leave, but he parked his car and went inside the store.
When Cook appeared inside the store, Pujols asked a coworker to call police. Prosecutors said Cook began arguing with Pujols. Once Cook said the racial slur, Pujols walked around the counter and told him not to say that again. When he repeated it, Pujols hit him in the jaw and Cook fell to the floor.
An autopsy said he suffered a skull fracture and brain contusions.
Cook died three days later from his injuries, as reported by CBS. Pujols was originally charged with manslaughter however, prosecutors found Pujols did not have intentions of killing Cook considering his youth and lack of a criminal record.
“Two of the primary factors were the aggressive approach the victim took toward the defendant and everyone working with the defendant, and that the victim repeatedly used possibly the most aggressive and offensive term in the English language,” said Grayson Kamm, a spokesperson for Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren, via Tampa Bay Times.
A Tampa judge sentenced Corey Pujols to two years of house arrest and ordered 200 hours of community service and an anger management course.
#FreeCorey
Kerry Washington Shows Support For Ukraine at TIME Women Of The Year 2022 With Kacey Musgraves
Kerry Washington and Kacey Musgraves sneak a peek of each others covers while arriving at the 2022 TIME Women Of The Year celebration held at Spago L’extérieur on Tuesday night (March 8) in Beverly Hills, Calif.
The two stars, who are just two of the honorees, stepped out for the night of celebration, which shines a light on 12 extraordinary leaders working toward a more equal world.
This event brought together extraordinary leaders from across the world for a series of essential conversations about impact and equality.
Kacey and Kerry, who was seen wearing a Ukraine flag pin in support of the country, were joined by Meena Harris, Charli D’Amelio, Isla Fisher, and Michaela Jae Rodriguez.
Olympian Allyson Felix, Alexandra Daddario, Katie Couric, Kate Bosworth, and pregnant Elaine Welteroth were also spotted inside the event.
Just recently, Kerry was seen filming for her new project, The School For Good And Evil.
Solange Knowles honored with NYU’s 2022 Global Trailblazer Award
Solange Knowles, who has shunned the spotlight in recent years, was honored with NYU’s 2022 Global Trailblazer Award for Creative and Artistic Excellence on Wednesday.
She received the prestigious award appropriately on International Women’s Day.
Solange received the award for her work as a solo artist and for establishing Saint Heron, “a multidisciplinary platform, studio, creative agency and curatorial project.”
The platform’s mission is “to build spaces that engage radical conversation in thoughtful, original works that amplify vital voices and conceptual imagining across art, design, architecture, fashion, and literature,” according to a press release.
Solange exclusively told Page Six: “I’m so incredibly honored to be recognized for my own art as well as the work I’ve done through Saint Heron… Long ago, I decided it was important for me to create the work and spaces that I wanted to see and be a part of.”
She added: “The vision for Saint Heron has been to build a space that engages radical conceptual imaginings across all mediums of creation and that uplifts works created by our own artists.”
Solange’s pals such as filmmaker Melina Matsoukas, artists Toyin Ojih Odutola and Wangechi Mutu were all a part of the digital celebration to honor her.
Dr. Karen Jackson-Weaver of Global Faculty Engagement and Innovation Advancement, described Knowles as “forging bold and innovative pathways in visual arts, music and digital culture… Solange epitomizes creative and artistic excellence in all that she does and we are delighted to honor her with this well-deserved recognition,” she told us.
Knowles said she ‘feels an urgency in building and preserving collections and archives for future generations in an institution built for them.”
“This work is very important to me and I am excited to continue,” she said.
Disney Censors Same-Sex Affection in Pixar Films, According to Letter From Employees
In a statement attributed to “the LGBTQIA+ employees of Pixar, and their allies” obtained by Variety, employees of the animation studio allege that Disney corporate executives have demanded cuts from “nearly every moment of overtly gay affection … regardless of when there is protest from both the creative teams and executive leadership at Pixar.”
The stunning claim is part of a wider reaction to the company-wide memo sent to Disney employees by CEO Bob Chapek on Monday regarding its response to the recently passed legislation in Florida known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. In the memo, Chapek states that the “biggest impact” the company can make “in creating a more inclusive world is through the inspiring content we produce.”
According to the Pixar letter, that claim is at odds with employees’ experience of trying to content with same-sex affection approved by Disney executives.
“We at Pixar have personally witnessed beautiful stories, full of diverse characters, come back from Disney corporate reviews shaved down to crumbs of what they once were,” the letter states. “Even if creating LGBTQIA+ content was the answer to fixing the discriminatory legislation in the world, we are being barred from creating it.”
To date, Pixar has only included a tiny handful of LGBTQ characters in its feature films, most prominently in the 2020 fantasy film “Onward,” which features a cyclops police officer named Specter and voiced by Lena Waithe. The character’s sexuality is only acknowledged in passing, when Specter says, “It’s not easy being a new parent – my girlfriend’s daughter got me pulling my hair out, okay?” But the movie was still banned in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia due to the scene, and in the version released in Russia, the word “girlfriend” was changed to “partner.”
The same year, Pixar released a short film, “Out,” on Disney Plus, about a gay man who struggles with coming out to his parents.
The letter, which is not dated, also demands Disney withdraw financial support of all legislatures who supported the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, and “take a decisive public stand” against the legislation and bills like it elsewhere in the country.
Earlier on Wednesday, Chapek did speak publicly for the first time about Disney’s opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” bill during the company’s shareholders meeting, after weathering widespread criticism for his handling of the issue. He announced that the company would pledge $5 million to the Human Rights Campaign and other LGBTQ rights organizations, and said he will meet with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to discuss Disney’s “concerns” about the legislation, after first connecting earlier on the phone.
“Gov. DeSantis committed to me that he wanted to make sure that this law could not be weaponized in any way by individuals in the state or groups in the state to unduly harm or target gay, lesbian, nonbinary or transgender kids and families,” Chapek said.
The latest Pixar animated feature, “Turning Red,” debuts on Disney Plus on March 11.
Representatives for Disney and for Pixar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The letter was first reported on Twitter by journalist Judd Legum of the newsletter Popular Information.
The full text of the statement is below:
A Statement to Leadership from the LGBTQIA+ Employees of Pixar & Their Allies
We are writing because we are disappointed, hurt, afraid, and angry. In regards to Disney’s financial involvement with legislators behind the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, we hoped that our company would show up for us. But it didn’t.
Monday’s email, “Our Unwavering Commitment to the LGBTQ+ Community”, rang hollow. It began with the claim that Disney has a long history of supporting the LGBT community, but Disney Parks did not officially host Pride until 2019, in Paris alone. Disney has a history of shutting down fan-created Pride events in the parks, even removing same-sex couples for dancing together in the 1980’s. Additionally, Disney began capitalizing on Pride in 2018 with The Rainbow Mickey Collection, (while de-emphasizing the terms like LGBTQ+ and not even featuring explicitly LGBTQIA+ pieces such as Pride flag pins until 2021). To this end, it feels terrible to be a part of a company that makes money from Pride merch when it chooses to “step back” in times of our greatest need, when our rights are at risk.
The second claim stated that “corporate statements do very little to change outcomes or minds”. However, the very email making this claim opened with a corporate statement regarding the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Eight days after Russia invaded Ukraine, Disney paused the release of theatrical films in Russia and announced “We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation.” Following the siege on the capital in 2021, Disney stopped all political donations to members of Congress who had objected to the presidential election results. In 2016, Disney told the state of Georgia: “We will plan to take our business elsewhere should any legislation allowing discriminatory practices be signed into state law” in response to the controversial Religious Liberty bill. By taking a stand, Disney directly affected the legislative outcome in Georgia. It has been proven that Disney’s corporate statements can and do make a difference.
Finally, we come to the push for Content as the answer. We at Pixar have personally witnessed beautiful stories, full of diverse characters, come back from Disney corporate reviews shaved down to crumbs of what they once were. Nearly every moment of overtly gay affection is cut at Disney’s behest, regardless of when there is protest from both the creative teams and executive leadership at Pixar. Even if creating LGBTQIA+ content was the answer to fixing the discriminatory legislation in the world, we are being barred from creating it. Beyond the “inspiring content” that we aren’t even allowed to create, we require action.
We are calling on Disney leadership to immediately withdraw all financial support from the legislators behind the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, to fully denounce this legislation publicly, and to make amends for their financial involvement. While signing on to donate to the HRC is a step in the correct direction, the shareholder meeting on Wednesday made it clear that this is not enough. Throughout the shareholder meeting, Disney did not take a hard stance in support of the LGBTQIA+ community, they instead attempted to placate “both sides” – and did not condemn hateful messages shared during the question and answer portion of the meeting. This is not what it means to “unequivocally stand in support of our LGBTQ+ employees, their families, and their communities.”
Disney taking a stand by honoring their company values has changed the course of legislation in the past. If Disney is true in its values, it will take a decisive public stand against the discriminatory legislation occurring in Florida and offer tangible support for the LGBTQIA+ communities affected by bigoted legislation sweeping the country. Stand against this bill in Florida and against the similar bills in South Carolina, Arizona, Virginia, and Tennessee. Stand against the transphobic legislation in Texas, Iowa, Utah, Kansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, and Alabama. Many hateful groups are attempting to eradicate us through legislation – we need you to stand with us entirely, not in empty words.
This matter is not something that can wait until Reimagine Tomorrow in April, or Pride Month in June. This matter needs to be addressed now. This is urgent. 42% of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously considered suicide in 2021, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth, with a large factor being the lack of support that these discriminatory legislations enable. Disney claims to care for the welfare of children, but supporting politicians like this directly hurts one of their most vulnerable audiences. There are lives at stake and Disney’s support could save those lives. “We still have more work to do,” your email said. This is that work.
Signed with Pride,
The LGBTQIA+ employees of Pixar, and their allies
Selma Blair Granted Restraining Order Against Ex-Boyfriend After He Allegedly Attacked Her in Her Home
A judge has granted Selma Blair a restraining order against her former boyfriend.
The actress filed a protective order on Feb. 25 alleging Ronald Carlson, whom she dated for roughly seven years, physically attacked her on Feb. 22.
In court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Blair, 49, says Carlson was at her home returning a television set. She had just finished a multiple sclerosis treatment a few minutes prior, which she says left her weak. After returning their respective keys to one another, Blair told Carlson she wasn't feeling well.
She alleges that in response Carlson verbally assaulted her, yelling that she is "useless," adding: "I don't f—ing deserve this, I can do so much better than you."
She says that Carlson then "became enraged" and physically attacked Blair, "jumping on top of her body while she was lying prone on the sofa," per court documents. She claims he "strangled her, throttling her and shaking her head and shoulders aggressively."
Acting in self-defense, Blair says in the filing that she put her fingers in Carlson's eyes and mouth as she screamed for help from her housekeeper, who was upstairs. Carlson responded by allegedly putting his hand over her mouth and face, "pushing it down into the couch," per the docs, making Blair "unable to breathe."
She briefly lost consciousness before a further physical struggle ensued. Carlson allegedly slapped Blair, pushed the side of her head, "causing her to fall back to the floor and begin to bleed from her nose," according to the filing.
Carlson left, and Blair called the Los Angeles Police Department, who arrived that evening. While speaking with officers, her nose began to bleed, and she passed out. She was taken to the hospital via ambulance for treatment, the documents state.
Carlson was arrested later that evening for a felony of domestic violence with corporal injuries. A 5-day protective order obtained by the LAPD was placed against him, per the documents. Officers urged her to file a restraining order before the five days passed. Photos captured by the LAPD show bruising around her neck and chin, and marks on her hands.
Blair notes in the filing that she was particularly afraid as she claimed Carlson has an unregistered and loaded firearm in his home and threatened to kill her during the alleged attack.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge granted Blair's restraining order on Feb. 25, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
Carlson later filed his own restraining order, which was denied.
Lawyers for both Blair and Carlson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
50 Cent says he wants to help Mo'Nique get "back on top"
50 Cent is ready to help Mo’Nique “win again.” The Queens-born rap star took to Instagram earlier this week to show some love to the Oscar-winning actress after attending one of her stand-up shows last month.
“Went to see [Mo’Nique’s] stand up show super bowl weekend. Oh shit!” he wrote in a post. “It was so good, she had my ass in a trance. You gotta go check her out the shit was [fire].”
In another post, 50 also shared a mashup clip that Mo’Nique posted last month featuring a scene from Precious and “Power Book I.”
“I Gotta get [Mo’Nique] back in pocket,” he captioned the clip.
50 also addressed Mo’Nique’s claims of being blackballed in the entertainment industry, saying, “We only suppose to cancel shit that ain’t good for the culture. We need you to WIN again now MONIQUE.”
The “Many Men” rapper continued to rally for Mo’Nique in a third post, writing, “All in Favor of [Mo’Nique] being back on Top, Say make it happen 50! STOP FUCKING AROUND.”
In the comments, fans were more than supportive and said they’d like to see Mo’Nique appear in 50’s “Power” universe.
As reported, Mo’Nique has long claimed that she has been “blackballed” from the entertainment industry by Precious director Lee Daniels and producers Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey after she refused to travel for uncompensated press runs for the film.
Perry and others have denied her claims. However, during a recent appearance on “Turnt Out with TS Madison,” Mo’Nique said Perry eventually agreed to call her and apologize for how she was treated. Mo’Nique says she recorded her call with Perry and the show’s host said she had heard it.
“Mo’Nique is telling the truth,” Madison said.
“Oftentimes when it comes to a Black woman speaking up and speaking out, it goes unheard until she dies. Then once she dies, then we go back and say, ‘Well, she was right,’ and, ‘Let’s make a movie about it,'” Mo’Nique said during the show.
Nicki Minaj says she and Lil Kim should have been on US Vogue
Nicki Minaj believes she and Lil Kim should have been featured on the cover of the US iteration of Vogue. During her latest interview with Joe Budden, the Queens rapper insisted that both she and the Brooklyn star creatively influenced the current generations of femcees in the industry.
“The same way I feel like I should have been on the cover American Vogue, so should Lil Kim. If we being all the way a thousand…,” she said. “If this is what your magazine represents, influence,” she continued, to which Budden required, “Then, how do you not [influence]?”
Nicki continued, “If we being honest because every single day, any female rapper when myself or Lil Kim goes on the internet, every day we see our influence,” she said before giving Kim her flowers. “We will see our influence so I’m not gon say it’s about me only right? and not give that woman her just due about what she did.”
The history between Kim and Minaj stems back years and includes a number of diss tracks like Nicki’s “Roman’s Revenge” and “Stupid Hoe” as well as records from Kim’s Black Friday mixtape.” Over the years, however, the tensions have seemingly subsided. Three years ago when the “Jump Off” emcee spoke to Real 92.3′ s Bootleg Kev, she insisted she was “over” their beef. “I wish her the best. I’m past that and over that,” said Kim.”At the end of the day, stop asking me about that.”
Just a few months back, she questioned why Angela Yee brought up the feud on “The Breakfast Club.” “Why are we bringing this up, this interview is how many years ago?” the Hard Core rapper wrote. “Like really Angela Yee??? This shit is WACK but go Viral!”
Despite keeping the peace, Kim does want to go head-to-head in a Verzuz battle. Nicki previously said she’d appear on the Verzuz platform, noting there are at least two female rappers worthy of competing against her. It’s not clear whether the Queen Bee is one of those women.
Jada Pinkett Smith Praises Rihanna For ‘Rih-Defining’ Maternity Style
*Jada Pinkett Smith took to Instagram this week to praise Rihanna for wearing sheer Black lingerie to the Dior Autumn-Winter 2022 fashion show.
“Who says you can’t wear see-thru fits when you’re preggers???” she captioned a side-by-side photo to Instagram of herself and Rihanna, 34, sporting similar sheer outfits during their respective pregnancies. “I love me some Rih. She’s bold, unapologetic, fierce, kind and an all-around girls girl. She likes to see other women win and that’s one of her qualities I admire most,” Pinkett Smith continued.
“She’s a queen that loves helping other women find and hold their own crowns. As women, it’s important that we seeeee one another, help heal one another, love one another and support one another. Here’s to one more of my favorites for International Women’s Month.”
Rihanna is expecting her first child with boyfriend A$AP Rocky, and since announcing her pregnancy last month, the singer has had her baby bump on full display. Jada has raved that Rihanna is “bold, unapologetic, fierce, kind”.
“She likes to see other women win and that’s one of her qualities I admire most. She’s a queen that loves helping other women find and hold their own crowns,” Pinkett Smith continued. “As women, it’s important that we seeeee one another, help heal one another, love one another and support one another.”
She concluded, “Here’s to one more of my favorites for International Women’s Month✨❣️✨”
Rihanna dished with PEOPLE last month about her pregnancy style.
“I’m enjoying not having to worry about covering up my tummy,” the “We Found Love” singer said at the time. “If I feel a little chubby, it’s like, whatever! It’s a baby!”
She added, “Right now, being pregnant, some days you just feel like, ‘Ugh, I just want to lay here on this couch all day.’ But when you put on a little face and a little lipstick, you transform.”
Rihanna admits that dressing up while preggers presents some “uncomfortable” challenges.
“I’m trying to enjoy it as much as I could, and fashion is one of my favorite things. We’re defying what it even means to be pregnant and maternal,” she previously told Entertainment Tonight. “It can get uncomfortable at times, and so you can dress the part and pretend.”
‘Black Panther’ Dir. Ryan Coogler Mistaken for Bank Robber in Atlanta!
*Black Panther director Ryan Coogler was mistaken for a robber while trying to withdraw money from his bank.
According to @tmz_tv, the incident happened back in January at a local Bank of America in Atlanta. The news site reports that Coogler walked into the bank wearing sunglasses, a hat, and a mask and asked the cashier to “discreetly” withdraw $12,000 from his account. He reportedly passed the cashier a note which read: “I would like to withdraw $12,000 CASH from my checking account. Please do the money count somewhere else. I’d like to be discreet.”
That spooked the teller and cops were called for an attempted robbery. When officers arrived, they detained 2 people waiting outside for Ryan in an SUV and then went in and brought him out in handcuffs. Following an investigation, cops eventually realized it was a big mistake and everyone was released, with Ryan reportedly asking for the badge numbers of all involved. Addressing the situation to @metro.co.uk, he said:
“This situation should never have happened. However, Bank of America worked with me and addressed it to my satisfaction and we have moved on.”
Tinder Announces Users Can Now Run Online Background Checks On Potential Dates
Tinder has announced that users will be able to run background checks on potential dates by using Tinder’s Safety Center. This new element is made possible through a partnership between Tinder’s parent corporation, Match Group, and Garbo — a non-profit organization that gives background checks at an affordable cost, but on Tinder, the first two will be free.
“At launch, Tinder will offer two free background check searches to each user, up to 500,000 free searches total,” the company shared in a press release.
Also for anybody who isn’t on Tinder, each background check will cost $2.50 as well as a small processing fee — costs which assist fund procedures for Gabro.
To use the service, Tinder users can tap on the blue shield from anywhere within the app, according to the press release.
When it comes time to run the background check, Garbo will need some basic knowledge, but “typically all you need is your match’s first name and phone number,” according to the press release.
“Once Garbo has surfaced a result, users can choose what to do with that information,” the press release states. “Members are encouraged to report a match to Tinder if they are found to have a history of violence.”
Spurs’ Gregg Popovich Ties Don Nelson For Most NBA Victories By A Head Coach
On Monday night, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Los Angeles Lakers 117-110. That win makes coach Greg Popovich one win away from becoming the NBA’s all-time winningest head coach. Popovich is currently tied with Don Nelson at 1,335 victories.
On Wednesday, Popovich can break the record with a win against the Toronto Raptors. Nelson previously told reporters, “I can’t wait” for Popovich to break the record. “I want him to have it.”
The significant part about getting this record for Popovich is that all 1,335 victories came with the Spurs. In 1996, Popovich, then serving as San Antonio’s general manager, fired Bob Hill and inserted himself as his head coach. That proved to be a great move looking back. The Spurs have since become one of the winningest teams in NBA history under Popovich’s watchful eye. He’s won five championships during his time with the team, reaching the NBA Finals six times.
Popovich may go down as the greatest coach in NBA history. One more victory will all but lockdown that debate.
Harlem McDonald’s Employee Brutally Stabbed For Defending His Co-Workers Against Angry Customer
According to reports, police say a Harlem McDonald‘s employee was repeatedly stabbed by an angry customer early Wednesday while defending his co-workers.
The victim, 31, intervened around 12:40 a.m. when he saw the suspect arguing with other workers inside the fast-food joint on Third Avenue near East 117th Street.
He was then slashed and stabbed in the back and left arm by the suspect, authorities said.
Police said the victim was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Several hours after the incident, police are still searching for the bearded assailant, who they describe as between 5-foot-11 and 6 feet tall, wearing a dark green jacket and a ski mas
Miss Alabama Zoe Sozo Bethel Ingested Mystery Drug & Acted “Strangely” Before Balcony Fall
Miss Alabama Zoe Sozo Bethel was acting strangely and ran “full speed” towards a balcony railing on the day of her death.
The latest revelation only deepens the mystery surrounding the untimely passing of the 27-year-old beauty queen. According to a police report obtained by the Daily Mail, Bethel was having lunch with her brother, Santiago Roman, on February 10th. During their time at the restaurant, Roman says his sister ingested “unknown, suspected narcotics.” When he asked her what it was, Bethel only replied that it was cannabis that helped her to relax. After the pair returned to his apartment at the upscale Miami La Piazza Navona condo building, Bethel complained that she was not feeling well. After showering, she began acting strangely and stated that she still felt “hot.” As Roman was blowing up an air mattress for her to sleep on, he heard his front door open and realized his sister had left the condo and was wandering towards an elevator. After calling for her to return to the residence, she ran “full speed” ahead towards the railing.
Seconds before the tragic fall, Bethel spoke with her other brother, Zion Lemuel Bethel, who told police that his sister sounded “distressed” and even began praying. An eyewitness phoned 911 to report that they’d seen the woman leap from the third-story balcony and land on the first-floor parking lot. Roman quickly ran down to the first floor, where he saw his sister bleeding from the nose and head. He maintains that Bethel did not mean to jump. Instead, he believes she did not notice the railing when she darted towards it and tumbled over it once, impacting it.
The Miss Alabama for America Strong pageant winner succumbed to severe brain injuries after a week in a coma.
Police recovered 16.9 grams of an “unknown drug” from the scene, though no further details have been revealed. They have now classified her death as an accident after previously ruling it a suicide.
Her sister, Kezia, believes Bethel’s death is suspicious and thinks Miami police rushed to close the case. Other family members have also contended that Bethel would never end her own life.
Cardi B Claps Back at Trolls Complaining About Photo of Her 6-Month-Old Son
Cardi B had a baby boy six months ago and the public has not seen him.
The rapper teased a photo of the little one earlier today, but of course people took it as an opportunity to complain.
via Complex: The 29-year-old rapper expressed her frustration at her son’s teething problems this week, and when a fan made a remark about not having seen her son yet she shared a sneak peak of sorts. “That’s all y’all will get,” she wrote alongside a very zoomed-in photo of her son’s eye.
Cardi and Offset welcomed their second child, whom they have yet to reveal the name of, back in September, 2021. At the time, they shared a photo of them in the hospital but their child was completely obscured. Understandably, the couple wants to keep their son out of the public eye, but some fans expressed frustration with the photo she did share.
“How people mad cause people was asking me to see my son and I replied?” she wrote after facing backlash from some vocal Twitter users. “It seems like I can’t do or say nothing these days wit out people getting irritated. Maybe I should delete my social medias or just cause Wtfff … If I post is cause I want attention, If I speak my mind is cause I want attention, if I post a pic I want attention, I’d I talk about my kids which I’m wit everyday is cause I want attention…Like wtfff.”
One troll tweeted at her, “girl you’re a mother of 2 talking about wanting to die just cause of some internet ppl.” Cardi, in a quote tweet, replied, “Did I said I wanted to die? You dumb slow bitch.” Another individual with a Nicki Minaj header on their profile asked why she let the comments of “broke people” bother her, and suggested Cardi only posts online “when another female is trending.”
“I POST EVERY SINGLE DAY!!” replied Cardi. “Why do I have to limit myself due to another person ? Y’all want me to not be on the internet or do shit cause of other people ?are you dumb ? How you want me to dim my light and life for other people. The fuck ?” In one last tweet about the situation, she replied to a fan supporting her. “You right babes… Imma let people have their fun,” she said. “Cause my next single is super pressure.”
Cardi is a public figure, but she’s both a person and a mother first. When it comes to her child, she doesn’t owe anyone a damn thing — not even a photo.
Indianapolis Colts reportedly trade QB Carson Wentz to The Washington Commanders
Quarterback Carson Wentz is on the move again. Just one year after the Philadelphia Eagles traded Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, the Colts are reportedly trading him to the Washington Commanders.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Commanders are sending two third-round draft picks to the Colts and taking on all of his remaining salary, which is quite a haul for a guy who made some of the most puzzling throwing decisions of the 2021 season.
Wentz, 29, has been on a steady downward trend over the past few years. Drafted by the Eagles in 2016 with the No. 2 overall pick, he was playing the best football of his life in 2017 when he tore his ACL in Week 14. His MVP dreams were dashed and backup Nick Foles came in and led the Eagles to the franchise's first Super Bowl victory — which Wentz had to watch from the sideline.
Wentz returned from his torn ACL in time for the 2018 season, but he wasn't quite the same, and was once again injured for the end of the season and the playoffs. He performed decently in 2019, but that was the last bit of harmony between Wentz and the Eagles (and the fans). The Eagles' relationship with Wentz went south quickly after they took quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 draft.
Wentz reportedly felt undermined by the Hurts pick, and that provided the backdrop for his horrid 2020 season. He threw a league-high 15 interceptions, more than double the previous year. There were reports of dissonance between Wentz and some of his teammates, and he reportedly didn't talk to head coach Doug Pederson for weeks on end. As the Eagles approached the end of their 4-11-1 season, Wentz was benched for Hurts.
Carson Wentz on the field during pregame warmups against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on Jan. 9, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Wentz was traded to Indy during the offseason for a handful of picks (one of which became a 2022 first-rounder). There he reunited with Frank Reich, the Colts head coach who had been the Eagles' offensive coordinator during Wentz's MVP-caliber season. The two had gotten along well when they worked together in 2017, and many thought that reuniting with Reich could bring back the old version of Wentz.
As we now know, that wasn't to be. Wentz was thoroughly mediocre for most of the Colts' season, held up by his teammates as he continued to make baffling decisions on the field. The real tire fire didn't come until the Colts' final game of the season, when all they needed to make the playoffs was a victory against the two-win Jacksonville Jaguars. Instead, Wentz and the Colts scored just 11 points, handing the Jags their third win as the Colts were eliminated from the playoffs.
That final game seemed to be the last straw for Wentz in Indianapolis. Neither Reich nor general manager Chris Ballard would commit to Wentz for the 2022 season, leading to Wednesday's trade.
Now Wentz is back in the NFC East again. Eagles fans are already salivating at the chance to heckle the quarterback who left the city and the team so gleefully.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
FATHER OF DRAGONS
The game of push carts.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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