#MAGFAB: Ruth Negga for Town & Country Magazine - April 2022
Ruth Negga has already conquered Hollywood. Now, making her Broadway debut as theater’s most misunderstood woman, she’s after a different crown.
“We assume because something has been done many times that it has been done every possible way,” Ruth Negga says. “I don’t know if that’s necessarily true.”
We’re speaking here of Lady Macbeth. No character has ever earned quite so much bad press. Her name has become synonymous with every insult you could level at a woman near a man in power. And right now, as the world navigates Shakespearean levels of threat, the Macbeths’ story of power, ambition, and regicide has never felt more vital. (Or ubiquitous: In recent months Joel Coen delivered The Tragedy of Macbeth, starring Frances McDormand, and a stage version starring Saoirse Ronan stunned London.)
Before Negga’s move into Glamis Castle—or, more precisely, Broadway’s Longacre Theatre, where she’ll star opposite Daniel Craig as the much-maligned character in director Sam Gold’s production of Macbeth, beginning in late March—she escaped from cold England and went to Los Angeles, and today she’s wrapped in a gray cardigan, almost as if the chill of my London flat were beaming through her computer screen. Over the last few weeks she has been enjoying what she calls “time to gently refill and refuel” before she begins what is sure to be one of the most challenging roles of her career.
In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Lady Macbeth has long been interpreted as the ultimate avatar of evil; Macbeth is a tragic hero, and she’s the snake whispering in his ear. Over the years, however, the world has been wising up to a more multifaceted understanding of her, thanks to performances by the likes of Marion Cotillard, Sarah Siddons, and Isuzu Yamada that portray a bereaved noblewoman seeking glorious purpose for herself in a male-dominated world.
Still, the question lingers: How will Negga make the character her own? When we first spoke about the part, she was coy on the subject, which is understandable, given that she had never before read the play. Months later she must have a clearer idea of how she’ll realize Lady Macbeth onstage. “What am I doing?” Negga responds. We’re talking right before she begins rehearsals, so I assume she’s joking. She’s not. “I’ve had so much time to think about this character, from all angles, that sometimes my perspective gets blurry,” she says. “Where’s all the work? I just hope it’s in there.”
“If you weren’t scared, you’d be bonkers. It is scary, propelling oneself into the unknown.”
Negga hasn’t entered this process with her eyes closed. A self-described “magpie,” she has built a nest of ideas and information that will help her find her way into Lady Macbeth’s complexities, though she has so far avoided watching any Macbeth films out of fear of undue influence. She says she’s paralyzed with the timeless actor worry of “dying onstage.” Still, that fear is driving her forward. “There comes a point when I’m terrified to let go, and yet it’s only when I surrender that the good shit happens,” she says. “If you weren’t scared, you’d be bonkers. It is scary, propelling oneself into the unknown. What you’re also doing is making yourself a target.”
It’s hard to imagine Negga having performance anxiety. She’s been praised as much for playing the unruly Tulip O’Hare in the TV series Preacher as for her Oscar-nominated performance in Loving and stage turn as Hamlet. She reliably brings feeling and depth to every job—an intuitive actor who is enigmatic but relatable. Ask her collaborators and they credit not only her talent but her work ethic. “Working with Ruth was as near to the idealized version of working with an actor, as a director, as I’ve ever imagined,” says Rebecca Hall, who directed Negga in the 2021 period drama Passing. “She engaged with the material from both an intellectual and instinctive place, which left me surprised and inspired daily.”
Yaël Farber, who directed Negga in Hamlet on stages in Dublin and New York, calls her “wickedly funny, unflinchingly honest, and deeply spiritual. She is uncompromising in her search for the character.” Before playing the eponymous Danish prince, Negga starred as his lover Ophelia in a 2010 National Theatre production in London (which the Times described as “sweetly punkish”) and as Lavinia in a 2005 staging of Titus Andronicus. Farber points to a “unique combination of capacities” that makes Negga suited to the Bard’s storytelling. “She has an urgent understanding of stakes,” the director says, adding that “she drops the verse like she was born to it.”
Negga says the work she did with Farber developing Hamlet has been invaluable to tackling Lady Macbeth. “Intimacy is so present in what Hamlet has with himself, but in Macbeth it’s with the two of them,” she says. “Hamlet is about being alone and adrift. In Macbeth this partnership is like chainlink armor.”
Negga was born in 1982 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to an Irish mother and an Ethiopian father, who died when she was seven. She grew up in Limerick, Ireland, and Southeast London, and her love for acting developed thanks to her mother’s enthusiasm for theater. “I don’t know if my mum wanted me to make a living as an actor, but she didn’t seem anxious about it, and that’s amazing to me,” Negga says. “I love the theater, but she loves it.”
After majoring in theater studies at Trinity College, Dublin, and graduating in 2002, Negga racked up numerous credits in film and TV, but the performances that truly stand out are those in which she’s most defiant: as civil rights icon Mildred Loving, whose interracial marriage changed American constitutional history, Passing’s Clare, a biracial Black woman passing for white, and the voice for the late punk icon Poly Styrene—who was similarly of Scottish-Irish and East African descent—in a recent documentary. “There is a self-possession, a stout integrity about these women that I admire,” she says. “It’s no easy feat advocating for the things you believe in. Especially if they aren’t in step with what’s accepted or acceptable.” They are also, like Negga, straddling the line between Black and white. “You do feel like this binary is so unforgiving,” she says. “There is this no-man’s-land mixed-race people live in.” As a mixed-race woman myself, I can relate. “You’re marooned,” she says. “You feel like your identity is front and center of something that is some sort of abstract argument, and you’re there going, ‘I’m a fucking human being!’ ”
“We assume because something has been done many times that it has been done every possible way. I don’t know if that’s necessarily true.”
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HERSTORY! Ketanji Brown Jackson Makes History As First Black Woman On Supreme Court
The Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court on Thursday, making her the first-ever Black woman and former public defender to serve on the nation’s highest court.
Jackson, 51, was confirmed in a 53-47 vote. Every Democrat voted for her, along with three Republicans: Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Susan Collins (Maine) and Mitt Romney (Utah). When the vote was over, the Senate chamber erupted with cheers and applause from the balcony.
Jackson’s confirmation seals a promise by President Joe Biden, who vowed as a candidate to pick a Black woman for the Supreme Court.
With Jackson on the court, white men will not be a majority of justices for the first time ever.
It’s hard to overemphasize how total the control white men have had on the court for essentially all of U.S. history. Since the Supreme Court was established in 1789, 108 of 115 justices have been white men.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who is the first Hispanic member of the court, has talked about the benefit of diversity on the bench, saying that a “different perspective can permit you to more fully understand the arguments that are before you and help you articulate your position in a way that everyone will understand.”
“In the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, never — never — has a Black woman held the title of ‘Justice,’” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said ahead of Jackson’s vote. “This milestone should have happened generations ago — generations ago — but we are always trotting on a path towards a more perfect union. Nevertheless, America today is taking a giant step towards making our union more perfect.”
In yet another historic moment, Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to serve in this post, presided over Jackson’s confirmation vote.
Jackson, who has been a federal judge for nearly a decade and comes in with an exceptional resume, endured ridiculous and ugly attacks by Republicans during her confirmation process — despite the fact that most of those GOP senators had previously voted to confirm her one, two or even three previous times to other judgeships or the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
Several falsely accused her of being lenient on child sex offenders as a judge, even though they know her record is well within the mainstream. They mocked her for declining to define a “woman” during her confirmation hearing — an attempt to bait her into a contentious debate about transgender people — even though those same Republicans flailed when asked by HuffPost how they would define “a woman.”
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) falsely claimed that Jackson likes to help terrorists, and said she would have defended Nazis at Nuremberg. His absurd leap echoes a GOP theme dwelling on Jackson’s stint as a public defender representing Guantanamo Bay detainees accused of terrorism. As a public defender, Jackson did not pick her clients.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) made a show of grilling Jackson on whether she thinks “babies are racist,” waving an anti-racism children’s book in the air as he tried to tie her to the GOP’s misleading attacks on an academic discipline known as critical race theory. (Cruz’s effort to smear that book ended up making it a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon.)
But Jackson navigated her hearing with grace and composure, with even some of her toughest GOP critics admitting they were impressed by her. She had staunch defenders around the country who were glued to the hearings and even went to the Supreme Court to rally in support.
By the end of Jackson’s two full days of being grilled by the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), the only Black member of the panel, delivered an incredible speech that brought her to tears as he talked about the “joy” that her critics can’t take from him as he watches Jackson make history on the court.
“I’m not letting anybody in the Senate steal my joy,” Booker said emphatically.
“You’re a person who is so much more than your race and gender,” he told Jackson. “You have earned this spot. You are worthy. You are a great American ... You’re here. And I know what it’s taken for you to sit in that seat.”
Booker said Harriet Tubman has long been his “harbinger of hope,” and now, Jackson is, too.
“This country is getting better and better and better,” he said, becoming emotional. “When that final vote happens, and you ascend onto the highest court in the land, I’m going to rejoice. And I’m going to tell you right now: The greatest country in the world, the United States of America, will be better because of you.”
Will Smith Is Banned From Attending Oscars For 10 Years Over Chris Rock Slap
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Friday that it will ban Will Smith from attending the Oscars for the next decade.
In a statement, academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said Smith will be banned from “any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually,” for a 10-year period starting April 8
“The action we are taking today in response to Will Smith’s behavior is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests, and restoring trust in the Academy,” the statement reads. “We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.”
Smith issued a brief statement on the decision, per The Hollywood Reporter: “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
The news comes less than two weeks after Smith slapped Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife
Rubin and Hudson also apologized for not addressing the incident during the telecast.
“This was an opportunity for us to set an example of our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the unprecedented,” they wrote.
The incident shocked viewers around the world and led to several days of reaction and discussion. Will Smith, who was awarded Best Actor for his role in “King Richard” just minutes after slapping Rock, has since apologized for his actions. He also resigned his membership in the academy and said he was prepared to “accept any further consequences” that the organization deemed appropriate.
“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences,” Smith said in a statement on April 1.
Rock briefly addressed the slap during a comedy show last week.
“I’m still processing what happened, so at some point, I’ll talk about that shit,” he said at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre. “It’ll be serious. It’ll be funny. But right now, I’m going to tell some jokes.”
#RHOA: From Phaedra’s lie to Porsha’s attack on Kenya: Carlos King spills ‘RHOA’ tea
Carlos King — the founder of Kingdom Reign Entertainment, whom fans fave affectionately dubbed “The King of Reality TV” — has spent more than a decade executive producing unscripted hits for Bravo, OWN and BET, among other networks.
However, the pièce de résistance of King’s resume is arguably his work on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” which he helmed for nine seasons from 2008 until 2017.
In an exclusive interview with the notorious Page Six.Now, the esteemed producer is spilling all kinds of behind-the-scenes tea about his time behind the camera on his new podcast, “Reality with the King”
“On this podcast, we are talking about the most shocking moments in reality TV history, I’m interviewing some of my reality TV friends in the business and we’re recapping some of our favorite reality shows from ‘The Real Housewives’ to ‘The Bachelor,’” King, 42, teases.
Carlos King spilled secrets about his time working on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” in an exclusive interview with Page Six.
“And yes, we will be getting into the thick of everything I saw firsthand throughout my time working on ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.’ I saw quite a lot.”
From Phaedra Parks’ lie that killed her friendship with Kandi Burruss on Season 9 to Porsha Williams’ attack on Kenya Moore during the Season 6 reunion that led to the former star’s arrest, King shares his singular perspective on some of “RHOA’s” most memorable moments below.
Phaedra Parks’ ‘very weird’ lie
After Season 9, Parks was booted from “RHOA” because she perpetuated a lie that then-bestie Burruss and husband Todd Tucker planned to drug and subsequently rape Williams in the couple’s alleged “sex dungeon.”
“Kandi came on Season 2, then Phaedra came on Season 3. One thing about the ‘Housewives’ franchise is we want to make sure that we have organic friendships. Kandi and Phaedra had that, which was the icing on the cake.
“So to see their relationship dissolve was uncomfortable for everybody. It was shocking. Not just for the audience, but for the producers as well. To see this rumor circulate during Season 9 without any sort of hard facts was very weird as well because we kept asking ourselves as producers, ‘Where is this going?’ … We had no idea where it came from. But because it was reality, we followed it. And to see how it all culminated at the reunion was just very uncomfortable to say the least.”
NeNe Leakes’ shaky relationship with ‘RHOA’ — and a potential return?
Leakes has not appeared on “RHOA” since Season 12. Shortly after her departure, Leakes tweeted several mysterious messages alluding to mistreatment by Bravo. She has since expressed a desire to come back to the show.
“She’s getting back to finding her happiness. And when it comes to her relationship with Bravo and Andy [Cohen], the good news is when [her husband] Gregg Leakes passed, she and Andy started talking via text again … It’s not my place to say how she felt or what she felt was her experience because I’m not in her body and obviously as a producer, I’m behind the scenes. But what I did say to her was, ‘Have a one-on-one sit-down.’ Because I think once you’re able to do that, you’re able to clear the air and maybe there are some things that you could get off your chest and maybe you’ll have a better understanding of why some things happened or why you thought somethings may have happened. But I’m a firm believer in a one-on-one conversation. I’m hopeful that we will see NeNe back on Bravo because she is one of the greatest ‘Housewives’ of all time.”
NeNe Leakes’ epic bus fight with Kim Zolciak
In Season 3, Leakes and frenemy Kim Zolciak got into a blowout fight while en route to Miami on Burruss’ tour bus.
“I wasn’t on the bus but I was there when they got off the bus and then you saw the extension of their blowout. The reason why I felt that was the worst one is because it got too close for comfort. So there’s only so many ways you can separate people and then the aftermath of being in Miami for three more days, right, it was just constant drama!”
Porsha Williams’ attack on Kenya Moore at the Season 6 reunion
Williams branded Moore a “slut from the ‘90s,” prompting Moore to call Williams a “dumb ho” through a megaphone. Next, Williams attacked Moore, grabbing her hair and then pulling her to the ground. Williams was later booked and arrested for assault charges.
“I was the one who pulled Porsha back. That was me. I saw the wheels turning in Porsha’s head because I know the cast so well. I was two seconds short from really holding her back before she had the opportunity to hold onto Kenya’s hair. But when you look back on that moment, all of us are falling backwards because I pulled Porsha back to me, but she already had her hand on Kenya’s hair and we all had this domino effect.
“It was my first time on that show experiencing something that volatile. It was just a bad decision made. But the beauty of documenting this reality is you saw the consequences that Porsha had to face. And look at her now. She is living her best life, she’s happy, she had a spin-off. I do think there’s room for redemption when things like that happen especially when you are vulnerable and you own up to your mistakes.”
Marlo Hampton’s journey from longtime ‘friend of’ to full-time peach holder
Marlo Hampton has appeared on “RHOA” as a beloved “friend of” since Season 4. This year, she was announced as a full-time cast member for Season 14 alongside Burruss, Moore, Shereé Whitfield, Drew Sidora and newbie Sanya Richards-Ross.
“In the words of Wendy Williams, she’s the moment, she’s a legend, you know what I mean? Marlo Hampton is long overdue [as a full-time ‘Housewife’]. It’s well-deserved. She totally put in the work. Marlo has been on the show since Season 4. So, think about it, it’s her 10-year anniversary and what a perfect gift for Bravo to give her a peach.”
“Since I left the show, after Season 9, there’s been some ups and downs and some ebbs and flows. The trailer for Season 14 was just released and it looks like it’s going to be a good season, so I will say I’m looking forward to how this season is going to be because a lot of the fans, including myself, felt the last season wasn’t the greatest. But hey, listen, being on the air for 14 years is an accomplishment within itself and not every season will always live up to its previous. But this current season that’s launching in a couple of weeks, I feel good about.”
“Reality with the King” is available to stream via SiriusXM’s Stitcher. New episodes drop Wednesdays and Fridays.
#NewMusic from Truth Hurts – Cheated
Singer Truth Hurts marks her triumphant return to music with the brand new single called “Cheated”.
The song is set to appear on her upcoming EP called “Revelations” which release later in 2022.
When we last heard from Truth Hurts, she appeared on the EP “Kaleidoscopes” from producer James Worthy. She’s also released singles here and there over the past years.
LISTEN HERE
In addition to music, Truth Hurts has also branched off into acting and compiled quite a few roles in her filmography.
#HipHopNews: Pusha T Announces New Album ‘It’s Almost Dry’
Just hours after dropping his JAY-Z collaboration “Neck & Wrist,” the rap kingpin has officially announced his fourth solo album, It’s Almost Dry. He has yet to reveal a release date for the project, which he previously declared the “album of the year.”
It’s Almost Dry, which follows 2018’s Daytona, was entirely produced by Kanye West and The Neptunes. In addition to the Pharrell-produced “Neck & Wrist,” the album has spawned the Ye-produced “Diet Coke.”
Pusha is confident that his latest body of work is his best yet. “A Pusha album takes a long time. It takes a long time to put this shit together, but when it comes together, ain’t nothing fu**ing with it,” he told Complex. “We stamping that on everything. I don’t care what they say, how they act. I don’t care how viral they go, none of that. Nothing is fu**ing with it. I’m on some one thousand percent rap superhero shit, man.”
Along with the album title, he has announced dates for his “It’s Almost Dry” tour with special guests. The first phase kicks off May 29 in Seattle before traveling to Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Atlanta, wrapping June 23 in Philadelphia.
Uh-Oh Wendy Williams is ‘Ready for Court’ Amid Wells Fargo Lawsuit Battle
Wendy Williams is gearing up to fight Wells Fargo in the battle for her finances.
via: Radar Online
Williams looked happy and healthy in a photo shared on her social media Wednesday. Holding her pricey Louis Vuitton purse for the world to see, the once highly-rated TV personality made sure her followers knew that she is not giving up.
As Radar reported, Williams sued Wells Fargo and accused them of freezing her bank accounts after her former financial advisor Lori Schiller allegedly told them she believed Wendy was potentially the victim of financial exploitation.
Flashing her pearly whites with hot pink lipstick, she wore her signature leopard coat and appeared to be shopping. Standing up without the help of her wheelchair, which she used amid her health struggles, Williams declared, she was “ready for court.”
For good measure, she even shared a smiling face emoji.
Williams denies she’s fallen victim to financial exploitation, claiming that’s just not true. She wants Wells Fargo to give her access to her funds immediately, but it’s not that easy.
The bank has stood its ground and refused to hand over control, suggesting the court should appoint a guardian before her funds are unfrozen.
She even spoke about the issue on her Instagram last month, stating, “My thing is that I’ve been asking questions about my money.”
Explaining how she came to find out about her frozen funds, Williams said, “When I began asking questions about my money, suddenly Lori Schiller has got no response regarding my money. I want my money. This is not fair. And Wells Fargo has no questions and answers.”
Williams’ case against Wells Fargo has since been sealed, but her post makes it clear that it’s not over.
Her health and well-being have continued to be under a microscope after she went MIA due to a mystery illness last year. Besides access to her bank account, Williams’ has also lost her talk show.
A spokesperson for Wells Fargo previously denied “any allegations of improper actions with respect to Ms. Williams’ accounts.”
Williams also addressed her former manager Bernie Young, who filed to become her conservator.
“I know for a fact that Bernie Young used my American Express card to hire an attorney to file a petition against me,” Williams claimed. “That was done with my American Express card.
Eric Boehlert, well-known writer and media analyst, killed by train in Montclair
A Montclair bicyclist who was killed by a New Jersey Transit train near the town's Watchung Avenue station Monday night was writer Eric Boehlert, founder and editor of Press Run, a blog about the media, according to his wife, Tracy Breslin.
Boehlert, 57, was a veteran writer and media analyst and a frequent television and radio guest discussing politics and the press on CNN and CNBC. He was a founding editor of Salon magazine, a fellow with Media Matters, and a former writer with Rolling Stone and Billboard magazines. He wrote two books, "Lapdogs: How the Press Rolled Over for Bush," and "Bloggers on the Bus."
Journalist Soledad O'Brien tweeted, "Just got crushing news from Tracy Breslin, wife of@EricBoehlert @pressrun.media Has died in a bike accident, age 57. Adored his kids Jane and Ben, his dogs, biking and running and basketball and good friends, a fierce and fearless defender of the truth."
Hillary Clinton tweeted, "I'm devastated for his family and friends and will miss his critical work."
A release from NJ Transit on Tuesday reported that a train on the Montclair Boonton Line struck and killed an adult male on a bicycle Monday evening "prior to" the Watchung Avenue station between its 8:59 departure from Hoboken and its scheduled arrival in Hackettstown at 11:07 p.m.
The agency has not commented further as the incident is under investigation.
Now, the hard part:After graduating from med school at 62, he'll start 3-year residency
Breslin and Boehlert, married for 29 years, have two grown children and are longtime Montclair residents. The 6-foot-4 Boehlert was a familiar figure around town on his daily runs, and he loved to bike through town in the evenings, Breslin said. Though she doesn't know the circumstances of the accident, she said he had lights on his bike and wore reflective gear.
Her husband "loved living in Montclair; this was his spot," she said. He was a member of the Commonwealth Club and loved to go to Tierney's Tavern and play in town basketball and softball leagues. "He was a fierce defender of the truth, and at the same time a really sweet guy," she said.
In front of their Montclair Ave. house, a large stuffed bear sits on a swing, something Breslin said her husband put out on occasion for the neighborhood children, until it became a fixture during the pandemic.
"He just loved children and loved to make them happy," she said.
Lee Daniels admits he was "confused" by Jussie Smollett's alleged hate crime hoax
“Empire” director Lee Daniels is standing by Jussie Smollett despite being confused about the alleged hate crime hoax.
In a clip from his recent interview with TS Madison, the film producer was asked whether he was upset with the actor.
“I was. I was confused,” said Daniels. He admitted that he still has no idea what actually occurred that night but will choose to accept Smollett’s side of the story. “He says he didn’t happen so I have to believe him because he says it didn’t happen,” he explained. “So I have to believe him that he believes that it didn’t happen.”
“I have to believe because that’s the boy that I cast and that’s the boy that I love,” Daniels continued. “He was me.” As he tried to proceed, he stopped as the topic was “too painful to talk about.” The clip concludes with the Precious director disclosing that he’s “cried like a bitch” over the situation.
As fans know, Smollett was found guilty of five disorderly conduct charges after he allegedly lied to police about being the victim of a hate crime. The “Empire” actor said he was assaulted, called racial slurs and placed in a noose by the Osundairo brothers. He maintained he was telling the truth even after being sentenced to 150 days in jail. After several pleas from his family, peers and fans on social media, who were upset with his jail sentence, an appeals court in Illinois ordered his release pending the appeal of his conviction.
Aside from the 150-day term, which was part of his 30-month probation, Smollett was ordered to pay restitution of more than $120,000. He is also required to pay a $25,000 fine.
No charges filed against officer who shot Amir Locke during no-knock raid
An officer who shot and killed a Black man while executing a no-knock warrant will not face charges related to the act, according to the Associated Press. On Wednesday (April 6), Minnesota prosecutors declined to press charges against Officer Mark Hanneman after determining he was justified in the fatal shooting of Amir Locke.
Locke was on a couch in his downtown apartment on Feb. 2 when authorities investigating a homicide in St. Paul entered his home using a no-knock warrant and shot him moments later. Per review of Hanneman’s body camera footage, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman, whose offices looked into the case, noticed Locke pointing a gun at the cops before they rang fire. The prosecutors agreed that Locke may have still been alive if it hadn’t been for the no-knock warrant but admitted there was insufficient information to file any charges against the cop.
“It would be unethical for us to file charges in a case in which we know that we will not able to prevail because the law does not support the charges,” Ellison said.
The decision not to file charges was reportedly made known to Locke’s family before it was announced to anyone else. They’ve since released a statement declaring their continued pursuit of justice.
“[We are] firmly committed to their continued fight for justice in the civil court system, in fiercely advocating for the passage of local and national legislation, and taking every other step necessary to ensure accountability for all those responsible for needlessly cutting Amir’s life far too short,” they wrote.
Locke’s mother, Karen Wells, echoed similar sentiments during a recent press conference, emphasizing that her fight “is not over.”
“In the eyes of me … you are guilty,” she told Hanneman. “I am not going to give up. Continue to have your restless nights, because I know you do.”
Britney Spears rolls around topless in the sand on vacation
Britney Spears, who has made a habit out of going nude on social media, posted a video Wednesday of herself rolling around in the sand while topless during a vacation to Mexico with her fiancé, Sam Asghari.
The “Toxic” singer crawled around on all fours in just a skimpy pair of blue and white bikini bottoms and sunglasses in the Instagram post as she let the waves wash over her body along the shoreline.
At another point in the video, the pop star spun around as she cupped her breasts with her hands and smiled at the camera. She also posed like a mermaid on her side with her glistening, sunburned skin on full display.
Several fans flooded the comments section to compliment Spears’ carefree attitude.
“I have butterflies in my tummy🔥🌭,” a second person wrote.
“Mom. You are toast. Put on some sunscreen !!!!!!!!!!!!!🔥,” a concerned fan suggested.
“Queen of freedom,” added another, referring to the music superstar’s conservatorship officially ending in November 2021 after nearly 14 years.
Spears’ topless antics come after Donatella Versace shared an update on the Grammy winner’s mental health.
“She’s on vacation now,” the fashion designer, who recently visited Spears’ home, told Variety at Vanity Fair’s 2022 Oscars afterparty on March 27. “She’s doing well. I find her in an amazing state of mind.”
Earlier this week, amid her tropical getaway, Spears confirmed Page Six’s exclusive report that she is writing a memoir as part of a $15 million book deal, sharing that the process has been “healing and therapeutic.”
Warner Bros. May 'Pause' Ezra Miller's Projects After Arrest (Report)
Ezra Miller‘s arrest may be coming with more repercussions.
Following the 29-year-old Fantastic Beasts star’s arrest after a karaoke bar incident in Hawaii, Warner Bros. may be taking action according to a new report from Rolling Stone.
Ezra was arrested for reportedly attacking patrons at the karaoke bar, and later released on bail with a temporary restraining order from a local couple after the star allegedly came into their bedroom and threatened to “bury” them, stealing a passport and wallet.
Warner Bros. and DC executives reportedly held an emergency meeting ahead of The Flash premiere, scheduled for June of 2023. Ezra also stars in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, out on April 15.
According to Rolling Stone‘s source, there was a consensus in the Warner Bros.-DC meeting to “hit pause on any future projects involving Miller, including possible appearances in the DC Cinematic Universe.”
Another source told the outlet that the star had “frequent meltdowns” during The Flash‘s production in 2021, and was “losing it” on set.
The Weeknd is Reportedly Demanding Kanye West's Coachella 2022 Paycheck, Threatens to Pull Out
The Coachella drama continues.Earlier this week, it was revealed that Kanye West had pulled out of his headlining set at the upcoming 2022 Coachella Music Festival, which is taking place in less than two weeks.
On Wednesday (April 6), the music festival announced that The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia had stepped in to replace Kanye as the Sunday headliners.
However, there is already some drama surrounding the 32-year-old “Blinding Lights” singer’s involvement with Coachella.
It is being reported that Kanye was set to make $8 million plus a $500,000 production fee for his gig at Coachella, according to Page Six.
According to a music source, Coachella organizers announced that The Weeknd would be replacing Kanye before finalizing a deal with him.
“The Weeknd came in at short notice to take Kanye’s top spot. But Phil Anschutz [who owns the Coachella Festival through AEG Live] wanted to hold on to Kanye’s money and pay The Weeknd far less, just a few million. The festival would pocket the rest,” the source shared with Page Six.
The Weeknd is now reportedly threatening to pull out of Coachella if he’s not paid the same amount that Kanye was expected to make.
“Even after Coachella announced the new lineup on Wednesday, a deal wasn’t in place for The Weeknd, who threatened to pull out at an hour’s notice if he didn’t get the same deal as Kanye,” the source added.
After negotiations between The Weeknd‘s management and Phil Anschutzs‘s company Goldenvoice – which produces Coachella – they were able to reach an agreement that The Weeknd get the same paycheck as Kanye.
“Finally, on Wednesday — faced with the prospect of a second headline act pulling out of Coachella at the last minute — Anschutz’s company caved and agreed to pay The Weeknd the same money,” the source shared.
The 2022 Coachella Music Festival is set to take place on April 15-17 and April 22-24.
Former Yale Employee Stole $40 Million in Electronics, Charged with Fraud
*A former Yale University administrator pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Hartford, Conn., for stealing the school’s electronics and reselling the items.
Jamie Petrone, 42, has been charged with two counts of wire fraud and a tax offense for her role in the nearly decade-long scheme to steal millions of dollars of computers and iPads from Yale University’s School of Medicine, as reported by NPR.
Here’s more from the outlet:
Starting in 2013, Petrone would order, or have a member of her staff order, computers and other electronics, which totaled to thousands of items over the years, from Yale vendors using the Yale School of Medicine’s money. She would then arrange to ship the stolen hardware, whose costs amounted to millions of dollars, to a business in New York, in exchange for money once the electronics were resold.
Investigators said Petrone would falsify documents about the fraudulent purchases and used the money she received from resells to buy real estate and travel.
She was busted in August 2021 when Yale officials received an anonymous tip that Petrone was ordering “suspiciously high volumes of computer equipment,” court records state. That’s when Yale auditors began to investigate her purchases and scour her emails and ultimately turned over their shocking findings to law enforcement.
As part of her guilty plea, Petrone agreed to forfeit her luxury vehicles, several homes in Connecticut and Georgia, and more than $560,000 that was seized from her bank account, according to the report.
Federal prosecutors say her scheme resulted in a loss to Yale totaling $40,504,200.
Will Smith – Academy Moves Up Meeting to Discuss Sanctions Following Chris Rock Slap
It has been announced that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will move up its annual meeting to address possible sanctions for Will Smith, who slapped Chris Rock at this year’s Oscars for making a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s bald head. The meeting will now take place on April 8 instead of April 18.
In a letter to the Board of Governors, Academy president David Rubin said the original date was set in accordance with California law and “our Standards of Conduct,” because the agenda included possible suspension or expulsion of Will Smith‘s membership.
Will Smith resigned from the Academy of his own free will on Friday, April 1 saying,
“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film.”
According to Rubin’s letter, Will’s resignation means that previous suspension/expulsion disciplinary actions that were being considered against him are “no longer a possibility, and the legally prescribed timetable no longer applies.”
The full letter to the Board of Governors read,
“Dear Fellow Governors,
I am calling a board meeting for this Friday morning, April 8, at 9:00 am PT, rather than the previously scheduled April 18 meeting, to address possible sanctions for Will Smith in response to his actions during the Oscars broadcast on March 27.
The April 18 date was set in accordance with California law and our Standards of Conduct because our agenda included possible suspension or expulsion of Mr. Smith from membership. We were required to provide Mr. Smith notice 15 days prior to the board meeting at which such action might be taken, and also give him the opportunity to provide the board a written statement no less than five days prior to that meeting.Following Mr. Smith’s resignation of his Academy membership on Friday, April 1, suspension or expulsion are no longer a possibility and the legally prescribed timetable no longer applies.
It is in the best interest of all involved for this to be handled in a timely fashion.
Thank you for arranging to assemble on Friday morning at 9:00 am PT. Zoom details will follow soon.
As previously reported, Smith did not take kindly to Chris Rock saying he was looking forward to seeing Jada Pinkett-Smith in the next G.I. Jane movie. The comment was in reference to Jada Pinkett-Smith‘s shaved head, which she rocks as a result of battling alopecia
Despite claims that he was asked to leave, Smith remained for the entire ceremony, where he won his first Academy Award for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard.
A number of individuals have weighed in on the situation, including Chris Rock‘s younger brothers Kenny and Tony Rock. The brothers have made it clear they do not forgive Smith for what he did. Kenny Rock also wants the Academy to take actions that include stripping Smith of his award and banning him from future ceremonies.
What sanctions do you think Will Smith should face for slapping Chris Rock?
JetBlue is willing to spend $3.6 billion on Spirit to compete against giant airlines
JetBlue Airways executives on Wednesday said acquiring Spirit Airlines is the airline’s ticket to growth and a shot at better competing against larger rivals.
The $3.6 billion all-cash bid, which Spirit called “unsolicited,” casts doubt on the latter’s planned tie-up with Frontier Airlines, which the carriers announced in February. Spirit shares surged more than 22% on Tuesday after news of JetBlue’s offer broke, but fell more than 2% Wednesday, while JetBlue dropped nearly 9% and Frontier shed 11%.
The triangle between the carriers shows appetite for consolidation of midsize carriers, particularly those that compete for price-conscious leisure travelers. That segment of the market has become even more important in the Covid pandemic, which devastated international and corporate travel.
JetBlue intends to scrap Spirit’s brand from its bright-yellow planes to bare-bones service that has provided comedians with fodder for years. And yet Spirit has worked to improve customer service and reliability and even ranked 6th in U.S. on-time arrivals last year, while JetBlue came in 9th.
Paying for growth
JetBlue’s CEO Robin Hayes told analysts on a call Wednesday that executives there had been thinking about how to grow and compete against bigger airlines for years. But said once the Spirit-Frontier deal was announced “it created a window of opportunity that if you don’t act in it, it’s gone.”
The deal would have $700 million in annual synergies, JetBlue said.
Spirit and JetBlue overlap on 11% of their routes, according to aviation data firm Cirium.
“This looks like an airline that’s just run out of ideas on growth,” Brett Snyder, a founder of the Cranky Flier travel website, said about JetBlue.
The executives said the deal would help them grow at airports where large airlines dominate like Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It would also speed up growth in airports in Florida, where Spirit is based and JetBlue runs a large operation, as well as in other cities like Las Vegas.
Fort Lauderdale is a key airport for both carriers and the bid could be somewhat defensive.
“The very last thing JetBlue needs is for Spirit to get stronger in Fort Lauderdale,” said Craig Jenks, president of Airline/Aircraft Projects, an aviation consulting firm. “This is a battleground specifically in the lower-cost sector.”
JetBlue made a failed bid for Virgin America, which ended up combining with Alaska Airlines, its only other attempt at an acquisition in its more than 22 years of flying.
A deal with Spirit would allow JetBlue to quickly grow its fleet thanks to a large Airbus orderbook both carriers have. A combined JetBlue and Spirit would have a total fleet of 675 planes in 2027, compared with 346 planes in that year without it.
JetBlue would also increase its head count, particularly pilots, to 32,000. Hayes said he expects the pilot shortage, which is already hampering growth, in the U.S. to persist for several years.
Different business model
Frontier and Spirit have very similar business models: low fares, sparse onboard service and fees for everything from hand baggage to seat selection.
JetBlue, on the other hand, has spent years building up its Mint business class service that includes lie-flat beds and full meals. The same day it announced its surprise bid for Spirit, JetBlue also disclosed start dates for its first flights from Boston to London.
But JetBlue is mostly concentrated in domestic travel. The Spirit deal, if approved by antitrust officials at the Justice Department, would give JetBlue more breadth and ability to compete with larger carriers, executives said.
JetBlue didn’t disclose how much it would cost to reconfigure Spirit’s Airbus planes to match JetBlue interiors, which have inflight entertainment like seatback screens and fewer seats, but the carrier said it would be “a multi-year” capital expenditure.
Wrapping Spirit into JetBlue could help Frontier, especially in Florida, since Spirit would no longer be following such a similar model, said Snyder.
“Blue skies in Florida for Frontier,” he said. “They don’t have a serious competitor anymore.”
Confounded analysts
The airline’s bid for Spirit confounded some analysts.
UBS called it a “headscratcher.”
“Wait, What?” asked MKM Partners.
Bank of America said while both JetBlue and Spirit have Airbus planes “we struggle to find additional benefits for JBLU.”
Raymond James downgraded JetBlue to market perform after the announcement and said product and labor would be tough to combine.
That issue with American
“The process is also likely to distract or possibly unwind current initiatives, most notably the Northeast alliance with American,” Raymond James airline analyst Savanthi Syth wrote. “Moreover, the prospect of elevated debt, even if manageable, is likely to be an overhang on investor sentiment.”
The Biden administration has been scrutinizing mergers and other alliances.
The Justice Department sued last year to block JetBlue’s partnership with American Airlines, which allows the airlines to coordinate routes in airports in the New York City area and Boston.
The DOJ didn’t comment on JetBlue’s bid for Spirit.
Asked whether JetBlue would give up that alliance to get a deal with Spirit through regulators, JetBlue CEO Hayes said on the analyst call that the deal is “complementary” to its American Airlines’ partnership and said he was optimistic that both would pass muster.
American declined to comment, but JetBlue executives said they discussed their plan with counterparts at American, after they disclosed the bid.
If approved, the deal could put more pressure on other airlines to merge but it isn’t clear whether that will happen, especially since the Biden administration has promised to scrutinize such deals.
Acquisition vs organic growth
Alaska Airlines, for example, whose merger with Virgin America closed in late 2016, is aiming for growth on its own. That will be fueled by its recently upsized order for Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
“My preference is always organic growth over acquisition. You’re controlling so many elements of the growth,” Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said in an interview on the Seattle-based airline’s investor day last month.
He pointed to challenges like merging IT systems and company culture.
Minicucci added, “I never rule anything out.”
Amara La Negra Gives Birth To Her Twins!
Congrats! Amara La Negra Gives Birth To Her Twins!
Socialites join us in congratulating Love & Hip-Hip star Amara La Negra who has officially joined the mom club!
The singer and reality star took to Instagram this Wednesday morning to confirm that she gave birth to her twin on March 23.
The birth of her new babies comes days after she also confirmed that she was exciting her kids with Allan Mueses. Amara annojnved the big news of her pregnacy back in March. She said at that time that she was “excited to finally share that we have twins on the way.
Even though I’m scared and nervous, especially after having a miscarriage… there is nothing better than seeing the word PREGNANT! I am also excited and have a roller coaster of emotions but it truly is a blessing.”
This was the reality star’s second pregnancy after she revealed before her big announcement that she suffered a miscarriage. She did document her first pregnancy on Love and Hip Hop Miami and bravely revealed her heartbreaking loss on the show as well.
Despite that difficult time, Amara finally got what she’s been longing for, a family of her own. Congrats!
Vanessa Hudgens Says She Can Talk to Ghosts: ‘I See Things and Hear Things’
Vanessa Hudgens can apparently see dead people. During a recent appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show, the actress opened up about her sixth sense, revealing that she’s had “a lot” of experiences with ghosts and spirits throughout her life.
“I remember getting ready for school when I was 8 years old, and there was, like — you know those ducks that, like, is like the duck thing that you pull? It’s a toy?” she said. “There was one of those on the dining room table and I started walking and it just started going alongside me.”
She continued, “I kind of shut it down for a while because it’s scary. The unknown is scary. But recently I was like, ‘No, this is a gift and something that I have the ability to do, so I’m going to lean into it.’”
Hudgens went on to talk about her “spirit box,” a tool that she said helps her “scans radio frequencies really quickly.” There is “something about the electricity that it creates allows spirits to speak through it,” she explained.
It isn’t the first time Hudgens has spoke about her experiences with the paranormal.
Back in 2011, while filming her movie Journey 2: The Mysterious Island in North Carolina, the actress told People that she was visited by an unearthly presence.
“North Wilmington is one of the oldest, most haunted places in North America,” she said, explaining that she heard footsteps while staying at an old house on location.
“I was chasing around my ghost for like 10 minutes solid, and then it got way too freaky, and I just left,” Hudgens added. “I feel like she might have lost a husband at war and she’s waiting for her man to come back to her. It was definitely a female spirit. I could tell.”
Aunjanue Ellis Joins Star Studded Cast Of ‘The Color Purple’ Musical Film
The cast for The Color Purple‘s upcoming musical film keeps growing in size and talent. On Wednesday, Warner Bros. pictures announced Aunjanue Ellis as the latest actress to join the star-studded lineup. The Academy-nominated star will play the role of “Mama” Celie and Nettie’s mother in the latest adaption.
The news comes just after cinematographer Dan Lausten announced the start of filming for the new adaptation and following the success of Ellis’s role in the highly acclaimed King Richard.
Based on the 1982 Pulitzer prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple tells the story of the struggles of a Black southern woman over the course of four decades. The novel was first adapted into a film in 1985, directed by Steven Spielberg, and was nominated for eleven Academy Awards. In 2005, the book was adapted into a Tony-winning stage musical on Broadway.
The film features an all-star cast mixed with award-winning musicians and award-winning actors in what is set to make a powerful film. R&B singer and former American Idol contestant Fantasia will play the lead role of Celie — carrying on the role she played on Broadway in 2007.
Taraji P. Henson will play the role of Shug Avery, and Colman Domingo (Euphoria) will play Celie’s husband. H.E.R. plays the role of Squeak, Danielle Brooks will play Sofia, who Oprah Winfrey originally portrayed, and Halle Bailey will play young Nettie. Many will remember Brooks from her role as Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson on Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black.
The film is being directed by Blitz Bazawule, who has previously co-directed the Beyonce visual album Black is King streaming on DIsney+. The script has been written by Marcus Gardley (The Chi) based on Walker’s novel and Marsha Norman’s musical book.
Winfrey will produce the film alongside Broadway producer Scott Sanders, and it seems like the two can’t wait for the new adaption. “To reinvent the movie at this time is to reinvent a phenomenon,” she told Vanity Fair in an interview. “It has been a vehicle for magic and purpose in my life.”
In an Instagram post, Sanders claimed that the film will have “more elements of magical realism than its gritty original.” Well, that sounds intriguing. The new adaptation was first announced in 2018, but now we are one step closer to that December 20, 2023 release date.
DJ Khaled To Be Honored With a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star This Month
It won’t be long until super-producer DJ Khaled joins the long list of A-listers whose names appear on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In a recent announcement, it was revealed that the hitmaker’s name will be inscribed on the streets of Hollywood Boulevard for years to come, and now he has another reason to yell, “We the best.”
Earlier this week, Khaled shared a re-post from Variety that read, “Exclusive: @djkhaled will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 11.”
Khaled followed up with, “THEY AINT BELIEVE IN US , GOD DID! Grateful, Thankful KEEP GOING @wethebestmusic STILL,” as his caption.
Variety reported that Khaled‘s star will be added to Hollywood Boulevard‘s 6200 blocks, joining Red Hot Chili Peppers, who received their star last month.
Having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is an honor well-deserved since he‘s worked with artists like Justin Bieber, J Balvin, Rihanna, Nas, and countless others, which is a testimony to his diverse career.
Since he founded We the Best Music Group in 2008, Khaled has put out ten studio albums.
Jay-Z Claps Back at Faizon Love’s Claim That His Drug Dealing Past Was Fake
Jay-Z took shots at Faizon Love nearly two years after the actor claimed that the billionaire mogul exaggerated stories of his drug-dealing past.
On Pusha-T’s new song “Neck & Wrist,” Jay addressed the claim at the start of his verse.
“The phase I’m on, love, I wouldn’t believe it either/I’d be like, ‘Jay-Z’s a cheater,’ I wouldn’t listen to reason either/All I know is he’s a felon, how is he selling.”
The wordplay directly references several interviews that Love did where he blasted Jay-Z for being a “puppet,” claiming the hip-hop mogul embellished stories of his criminal past.
“I like Jay-Z,” Love said during Hip-Hop Uncensored podcast back in 2020. “I like him as a guy and the whole thing he created about this fake dope dealing. That’s when I stopped liking him. This n***a ain’t sold no cocaine in his life—I don’t think he’s ever won a fight,” he charged.
Then in a subsequent interview with VladTV, Love doubled down on his Jay-Z slander, saying, “I criticize him for it because it’s kinda his fault,” the “Friday” star said. “Jay-Z creates this drug dealing drug lord, ‘I’ma drug dealer, I’ma drug lord.’ These kids are like, ‘We gotta do it, too.’ Not knowing that this is all made up sh*t.”
2 California Men Arrested After Enough Fentanyl to Kill 4.7 Million People Was Found Inside Minivan
Two California men were arrested following the largest drug bust in Orange County in 16 years.
Edgar Alfonso Lamas, 36, and Carlos Raygozaparedes, 53, were leaving a Buena Park home last month when their minivan was pulled over and 821 pounds of meth, nearly 190 pounds of cocaine, and 20.5 pounds of fentanyl pills were found inside. Considering as little as two milligrams of fentanyl could be a lethal dose, the DA’s office claims these two men had enough fentanyl in their possession to kill 4.7 million people.
“Millions of unsuspecting people have the grim reaper looking over their shoulder and they have no idea how close they actually are to dying from taking a single pill,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said. “Fentanyl is cheap, it’s easy to get and it is killing our children, our coworkers, and tens of thousands of innocent Americans who don’t have to die.”
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics released data last year reporting that there were 100,000 drug overdose deaths over a 12-month period ending in April 2021, a 28.5 percent increase compared to the previous year. Opioid-related deaths saw a sharp increase from 56,064 to 75,673 in that same span, with fentanyl playing a contributing factor.
Lamas and Raygozaparedes have been charged with one count of possession of sale of a controlled substance, three counts of sale or transportation for sale of a controlled substance, and two counts of possession of sale of a controlled substance. If convicted, they could face up to 37 years.
Both men have pleaded not guilty and remain in custody with their bail set at $5 million. Their preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 7.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
SADBROWS
Granny has sad eyebrows!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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