#MAGFAB: Dua Lipa for Vogue Magazine
Dua Lipa covers the June/July issue of Vogue Magazine photographed by Tyler Mitchell and
Even a viral shimmy Dua was mocked for on TikTok a few years ago finds its way into her encore performance of “Don’t Start Now,” a physical clapback to the haters, with a dash of self-deprecation.
“All I ever wanted was for it to be about the music,” Dua says. “My goal was, I want the music to be good enough so that people would talk about that more than anything else. But unless you’re a fully formed pop star who’s trained in pop-star camp for five fucking years before you hit the stage for the first time, one misstep, one wrong move, one dance that doesn’t really work and it’s used against you. That was fucking hard for me.
“I’m always on the side of the oppressed,” says Dua, a vociferous supporter of refugee groups, LGBTQ rights, and racial justice. She’s also pro–Labour Party, anti-Brexit, and confounded by the proliferation of guns in the U.S.
“Being from the U.K., it’s hard for me to wrap my head around. When I’m in the car with someone in America and they have, like, a little bit of road rage, I’m always like, ‘Don’t do it. You have no idea who that other person is and if they’re carrying a gun,’ ” she says, in a room in which it’s statistically likely that nearly half its diners own one.
#RHOA: Marlo Hampton Talks Kandi Burruss Fallout And Where They Stand, Showcasing Her Business And Family Life On 'RHOA' Season 14
Marlo Hampton is finally a full-time peach holder on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and has no plans on giving it up. She joined the cast as a friend to the show a decade ago and became notorious for her expensive style and verbal spats with her co-stars in which she’s been accused of hitting below the belt. But now that she’s on the show full-time, Hampton promises that viewers will see the full picture of who Marlo is.
Following the season premiere of Season 14, Shadow and Act Unscripted spoke with Hampton about the episode and everything they can expect this season from her and beyond.
Hampton debuts her designer showroom this season with a gallery-inspired event. The fashionista has shot down rumors for years that she was an escort and earned her money through her relationships with wealthy men. But Hampton previously owned a high-end boutique in Atlanta
After 10 years of being grilled about how she makes her money, Hampton says she couldn’t wait to showcase her work. “I’m so eager to put that rest,” she told us about constantly having to hear questions about her income and lavish lifestyle. Her showroom is named Le’ Archive.
“I owned the boutique many moons ago. I was one of the first women of color to have boutiques back then. It was me and Bow Wow’s mom back then. We had two boutiques in Atlanta, but not together. But we were like some moons ago. The fashion thing has always been a part of me. It’s embarrassing and it’s just disrespectful [for people to keep asking how I maintain my lifestyle]. How many times do I have to tell you? I’m on an amazing platform.”
On her major fallout with Kandi Burruss and whether she’s afraid things will be reignited once the season is played back
Burruss has been open about her unexpected rift with Hampton this season. She even admits that she’s nervous to see it play out on camera but says they have reconciled and are in a better place. Hampton agrees.
“It’s so funny because I was like, ‘Oh, my, it’s going to be so bad [watching it back]’ because [during the argument] you’re in the moment and then you have to relive it again [when it airs],” Hampton explained. “But I think she’ll get over it. We both said some awful things to each other. We made up and it’s going well and now we’re OK.”
Hampton was granted custody of her two nephews three years ago. This season, she introduces viewers to her life as a full-time parental figure and also puts her relationship with her mother on display
The fashionista’s longtime estranged relationship with her mother has been known to viewers since she started on the show in Season 4. But this season, fans will actually see her mother and how she is navigating things as she raises her two nephews.
“I do have permanent custody of my nephews, but hopefully they will reunite with their mother when she’s at her best. As far as showing my mother [on the show], I did it because it’s my reality,” she said firmly. “Once you see where I come from, that’s going to be like, ‘OK, I really like you.’
#MusicNews: Summer Walker Curates ‘A Hot Summer Night In LA’ With Jazmine Sullivan, Ari Lennox & More During BET Awards Weekend
This year’s BET Awards is poised to be more lit than ever. Not necessarily for the award show itself but for all of the events popping up during the days leading up to the big event. After it was announced that D-Nice would be bringing some of our favorites like Brandy, Ne-Yo and El DeBarge to the stage for Club Quarantine Live In Los Angeles during BET Awards Weekend, Summer Walker has entered the chat with a major concert of her own.
The “Insane” singer announced the debut of A Hot Summer Night In LA with an impressive lineup of contemporary artists plucked straight from the charts and our playlists. Summer Walker will, of course, headline the fête, but she’s curated a roster of talent that is heavy on the talent and filled with female energy.
Joining Walker will be Ari Lennox to apply her brand of “Pressure,” the material gworl himself Saucy Santana, “Iced Tea” singer Joyce Wrice, TDE‘s latest signee Doechii, DMV songstress Alex Vaughn and special guest, thee two-time GRAMMY Award winner Jazmine Sullivan. The DJ will be Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta‘s Ché Mack who’ll provide the vibes for the musical festivities.
Summer Walker’s A Hot Summer Night In LA is in partnership with Live Nation Urban and is scheduled to happen on Friday, June 24th at Crypto.com Arena. Tickets are on sale now, and with a lineup this dope and many out-of-towners converging on Los Angeles for the BET Awards, they are sure to sell out.
#HipHopNews: Brooklyn Rapper Casanova Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug & Racketeering Charges
MANHATTAN, N.Y. – Casanova, who has been locked up since turning himself in to FBI authorities in late 2020, pleaded guilty on Wednesday (May 11) to a series of crimes in his RICO case.
The charges stem from federal drug, robbery and gun charges as part of his leadership role in the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang.
The Brooklyn rapper is the 13th defendant in the racketeering case against the UGSNB gang to plead guilty, reports ABC7. He is being charged for offenses that took place across state lines from New York to Florida.
As part of his guilty plea, according to NBC4, Cas admitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office that he played a role in a July 2020 Florida shooting, an NYC robbery in 2018, and trafficked over 100 kilograms of marijuana.
The “Don’t Run” rhymer was charged with attempted murder in November and has remained in Westchester County Jail’s custody since December 2020. Back in February, he took to Instagram to let his fans know he was put into solitary confinement for a month.
“I been in solitary confinement for like 30 days I hate it here!!” he wrote. “If you haven’t heard from me that’s why.”
Casanova — born Caswell Senior — is due to be finally sentenced in December. He faces a minimum of five years behind bars and a maximum sentence of 60 years.
Wendy Williams Demands $100 Million For Podcast Deal, Talk Show Host Eyeing iHeart or Spotify
It looks like Wendy Williams is demanding some big bucks in order to secure a podcast deal!
Wendy Williams has recently been speaking about making a big comeback, however, the companies she’s talking to are allegedly concerned about her ability to consistently show up to work.
According to Radar Online, the 57-year-old media personality, Williams has received numerous offers for her own podcast ever since she stopped appearing on The Wendy Williams Show. An insider claims Wendy Williams believes the potential podcast should go to one of the two biggest podcast companies– iHeart Radio or Spotify!
With her many years in the industry, sources say Wendy Williams feels as though she is worth the big bucks and should get a $100 million dollar podcast deal, similar to Joe Rogan. The source claims Wendy,
“sees Joe Rogan has a $100million podcast deal, and now she wants that kind of money.”
According to sources, iHeartRadio “doesn’t like controversy” which leaves Spotify as the other option. Sources claim Wendy Williams would need to prove herself in order for Spotify to make an official offer and sign the deal–due to her previous medical issues.
The news of Wendy Williams shopping for podcast deals comes days after she sat down for an interview with Fat Joe. She told the New York rapper that she would be returning to The Wendy Williams Show in the fall despite Sherri Shepherd already signed on to take over. Williams said,
“I’m coming back to The Wendy Williams Show. Absolutely. Absolutely.”
She also told Fat Joe she would not be watching Sherri Shepherd’s show.
“That’s not really my thing… anyway, but I love being on my own show, and I love that people love to watch it all the time.”
As previously reported, Wendy took an indefinite leave of absence from the show in 2021 due to various medical issues. In her absence, the show was being hosted by a variety of guest hosts since the beginning of its 13th season in October 2021. In February 2022, Debmar-Mercury announced that Sherri Shepherd would host as a replacement to The Wendy Williams Show, titled Sherri, beginning in the 2022–23 season.
In addition to her various medical issues, Wendy Williams is in an ongoing lawsuit with Wells Fargo. As previously reported, her bank account was frozen by Wells Fargo over concerns of “financial exploitation, dementia or undue influence.” The bank reportedly labeled Wendy Williams as an “incapacitated person” who needs guardianship. However, Wendy Williams has pushed back against those claims and is now suing to regain access to her account.
What are your thoughts? Would you be interested in seeing Wendy Williams with her own podcast?
Naomi Osaka Leaves IMG To Launch Her Own Evolve Agency With Agent Duguid
Naomi Osaka has been breaking barriers since she burst on the national radar with her 2018 U.S. Open title over Serena Williams. She was the first Japanese tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles event and later the first Asian player to hold the top ranking. In 2020, she used her platform to bring attention to racial inequality and police brutality, and spent much of 2021 discussing mental health.
Another breakthrough: Osaka has left IMG to launch her own sports agency, Evolve, which will be stylized as EVOLVE.
“I’ve spent my career doing things my way, even when people told me that it wasn’t what was expected or traditional,” Osaka said in an email. “Evolve is the natural next step in my journey as both an athlete and businesswoman, as well as a way to continue being myself and doing things my way.”
Osaka’s contract with Endeavor-owned IMG expired at the end of 2021, and as she explored a renewal with more flexibility in the kind of partnerships she could do, it became clear a renewal was not going to work. Osaka started Evolve with her agent Stuart Duguid, who has also left IMG. Both will hold equity stakes in the new firm, and there are no outside investors at this point.
Duguid has guided Osaka’s path to become the highest-paid female athlete in the world. She ranked 20th in
Sportico
’s 2022 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes with $53.2 million. Her $52 million in endorsement income is topped by only LeBron James, Rodger Federer, Tiger Woods and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Athletes have left big agencies to strike out on their own for decades. Jack Nicklaus left IMG in 1970 to launch Golden Bear. LeBron James started LRMR for his marketing work in 2006 and entrusted close friend Rich Paul with his on-court contracts, while Maverick Carter handled business off the court. Roger Federer began Team8 in 2013 with his long-time agent Tony Godsick, while golfer Rory McIlroy started his own firm the same year. Rafael Nadal decamped from IMG a year later with his agent Carlos Costa. Kevin Durant and Rich Kleinman founded Thirty Five Ventures in 2016 to operate the business of the four-time scoring champion.
But Osaka is the first female athlete at that level to take full control of her business endeavors and attempt to build an agency.
“I’m excited to start this with my business partner Stuart and our plan is to use the same approach we took in building my businesses authentically and strategically as a vision for this company,” Osaka said. “I strongly believe in the power athletes have to use our platforms to drive meaningful business.”
She added that she wants the new agency to “be at the forefront of breaking down the barriers that still exist in sports and broader culture.”
Athletes like James and Osaka don’t need large agencies to open any doors for them. They are already business conglomerates. These wildly marketable athletes also pay millions of dollars in commissions, as their out-of-competition earnings grow. They often get a break on the 15-20% cut most agencies take on endorsements, but bringing everything in-house allows them to build equity in an agency business that outlasts their athletic careers.
The commission issue has stopped some athletes and their agents in the past from leaving the mothership. Once an athlete and agent leave an agency, commissions on existing deals are normally the subject of a complicated and lengthy negotiation, with the incumbent agent often due a percentage for continuing to service those partnerships. Duguid would not comment on his arrangement with IMG.
The four-time Grand Slam champion is definitely following the LeBron model with her off-court game. “We’ve moved away a bit from traditional endorsements and are focused more on true equity partnerships where we can add value, along with creating our own companies at the same time,” Duguid said in a phone interview. “This gives a platform to take bigger swings.”
She has equity in roughly a dozen brand partners, including Hyperice, Sweetgreen, Modern Health, FTX and Autograph, where she was an early investor and advisory board member. Osaka is the founder and CEO of Kinlo, a startup sun care brand. This month, it became available in 2,500 Walmart stores. She also has her own swimwear line, Frankie’s, and a sleepwear one with Victoria’s Secret.
The 24-year-old recently started working with Alex Cohen as her investment advisor. In 2021, Cohen launched his own firm, Heights, after more than a dozen years at Main Street Advisors, where he oversaw private equity and worked alongside Paul Wachter, Main Street’s founder. Wachter has been instrumental in guiding LeBron’s business career and has invested alongside James and Carter in several of their ventures.
Duguid says his relationship with Osaka has transitioned over time from athlete-agent to more of a business partnership, and that will be evident at Evolve where they will invest in businesses together, something that was not an option at IMG.
Carter and James have mutually invested in businesses, such as sports tech firm StatusPRO—Osaka and Drake are also investors. Federer and Godsick offer a blueprint for Osaka. Their partnership has generated more than $1 billion in earnings for the 20-time Grand Slam champ. Federer holds a nine-figure stake in ON Running, as part of his endorsement deal, and Team8 is also an investor. The agency launched and owns the Laver Cup and is considering a bid on the ATP Tour event in Cincinnati, according to a tennis insider. It is on the block and one of only nine Masters 1000 tournaments.
Duguid is not interested in building Evolve into a large firm and says it would likely only consider taking on another client or two. More new ventures will be announced soon around Osaka and the agency.
“The core of Evolve is building Naomi’s business from $50 million a year to $150 million a year,” Duguid said.
Ja Rule Gives Lil’ Kim Credit For Influencing And Paving The Way For Female Rappers
The presence of women at the forefront of Hip-Hop is as evident as ever, with multiple established and rising stars playing a pivotal part in creating the music and cultivating the style helping to move the culture. However, in spite of these contributions, Ja Rule still feels the ladies continue to struggle to get their just due, which he addressed during an appearance on The Breakfast Club on Monday (May 9).
When discussing the lack of female candidates in the Mt. Rushmore of rappers debate and other lists historically dominated by men, the Queens native named rap legend Lil’ Kim as an example of someone who hasn’t gotten her just due for influencing and paving the way for female rappers of today.
“Let’s talk about Lil’ Kim,” began the veteran hitmaker. “When you look at the Cardis and the Nickis and the Megans—every female. And then go listen to the Hard Core album. I understand why she’s so revered like that. That album is crazy. And she’s spitting on that album. She’s going on that album! So I get it when these females are like, ‘Yo, Kim was it for me.’ I get it now.”
Furthermore, Ja also revealed that he’s aiming to have Kim perform her classic 1996 debut, Hard Core, in its entirety in a future edition of his Vibes concert series, under which he taps seminal acts to perform their most popular and acclaimed bodies of work live.
The “New York” rapper isn’t the only artist to publicly give the Queen Bee her flowers as of late. During an interview in March, longtime Lil’ Kim rival Nicki Minaj shouted out her Brooklyn counterpart for her role as a style icon during the height of her career.
“The same way I feel I should have already been on the cover of American Vogue, so should have Lil’ Kim,” Nicki said at the time. “If we being all the way a thousand. If this is what your magazine represents, influence…” She added, “Because when myself or Lil’ Kim goes on the internet, every day we see our influence. We will see our influence. So, I’m not gonna say it’s about me only and not give that woman her dues.”
Brian McKnight Reflects On The Loss Of His Infant Son As Child Abandonment Rumors Surface
Brian McKnight’s personal life became Twitter discourse when it appeared that the father of six was only claiming the children he shares with his current wife, Leilani Mendoza. On Mother’s Day (May 8), the “Back At One” crooner shared a joint post with his wife that read, “Happy Mothers Day to my beautiful wife. I treasure this picture it was our last family picture before the birth of our son Kekoa Matteo. Baby, you are the greatest example of being a mother I’ve ever witnessed.”
The photo featured him cradling his wife’s pregnant belly as her older children, Julia and Jack stood beside them. The McKnights were expecting a son, Kekoa Matteo, who passed away. “Today was supposed to be Kekoa’s due date,” explained the singer. “And I know how hard him not being here in the flesh with us is weighing incredibly heavy on us, but I know he is with us just like Julia and Jack are , as shining examples of your exceptional motherhood. The strength I saw in you through the loss of our son and the courage to deal with the hardest loss we’ve ever dealt with in our lives has been truly remarkable. I am in awe.”
He added, “For the very first time in my life I got to experience what it’s like to want to and plan to have a child made from love, and even though he was separated from us too soon I wouldn’t trade that gift you gave me for anything in the whole world. Our son will always be a part of us and live on in our hearts forever. I’ve never been prouder in my life than I am right now being the father to our three incredible children. It is your wonderful light that shines on us making us all better every day…”
However, some fans interpreted this as the “One Last Cry” singer “abandoning” his older children—Briana, Niko, and Brian McKnight Jr.
Though the crooner didn’t address the recent claims of child abandonment or neglect because he’s grieving, a 2019 video surfaced of him addressing similar rumors from years prior.
“It’s crazy to me that people will just believe anything. It was important to let you guys know and set the record straight […] These kids are 30 and 27, not 12. It’s time for grown men to be grown men and I’m sorry that tough love happens to be this way, and I do wish them the best. As far as my daughter is concerned, she was apart of this family too with Jack, Julia, Leilani and myself.”
The 52-year-old went on to explain that he received insight that his daughter was potentially sleeping with an older cousin over the age of 18. However, he shared that her mother, in turn, blocked his family on social media and estranged themselves from his family.
McKnight also added that his daughter’s mother claimed to have only had a child with him for money.
Jam Master Jay’s Murder Charges Delayed Due To Witness Intimidation
Federal prosecutors are accusing the two men implicated in the 2002 murder of legendary Run DMC member DJ Jam Master Jay with attempting to intimidate witnesses. The prosecution recently levied those allegations following the defendants’ claim that they’ll be unable to defend themselves due to being charged decades after Jam Master Jay’s murder.
“The government is aware of at least four separate witnesses that the defendants have endeavored to identify and silence through threats and coercion,” the prosecution told a federal judge.
The prosecution also countered one defendant, Karl Jordan Jr.’s, prior motion arguing that “hauling him into court” after so much time had passed would hinder his ability to defend himself, citing unavailable cell phone records and the absence of witnesses able to substantiate his claims.
“The government may properly delay an indictment for legitimate considerations, including the need to gather and review evidence in a complex investigation,” prosecutors wrote. “That is what occurred here, and the interval between the offense and the indictment was necessary for the government to prove the charged crimes beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Jam Master Jay, born Jason Mizell, was shot and killed in his studio in Hollis, Queens, on Oct. 30, 2002. After years of the case remaining unsolved, in 2020, federal prosecutors charged Jordan and Ronald Washington with the murder, during which they believe Jordan fired the shot that ultimately killed Mizell at close range.
According to the prosecution, Jordan and Washington became enraged after Mizell backed out of a drug deal in which he had arranged to purchase 10 kilos of cocaine to be distributed in Maryland by the defendants and others. This is believed to have given the pair the motive to carry out Mizell’s murder, according to the government. The Jam Master Jay murder trial is scheduled for February 2023.
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2022 Nominations - Full List Released!
The full list of nominees for the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards – both scripted and unscripted – are finally here!
Beginning today, fans can vote for their favorites across 26 gender-neutral categories by visiting vote.mtv.com through May 18 at 6PM ET. Winners will be announced live as both shows merge into one on Sunday, June 5. Tune in to MTV that night!
Spider-Man: No Way Home received the most nominations with 7, followed by Euphoria with 6.
BEST MOVIE
Dune
Scream
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings
Spider-Man: No Way Home
The Adam Project
The Batman
BEST SHOW
Euphoria
Inventing Anna
Loki
Squid Game
Ted Lasso
Yellowstone
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A MOVIE
Lady Gaga – House of Gucci
Robert Pattinson – The Batman
Sandra Bullock – The Lost City
Timothée Chalamet – Dune
Tom Holland – Spider-Man: No Way Home
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SHOW
Amanda Seyfried – The Dropout
Kelly Reilly – Yellowstone
Lily James – Pam & Tommy
Sydney Sweeney – Euphoria
Zendaya – Euphoria
BEST HERO
Daniel Craig – No Time to Die
Oscar Isaac – Moon Knight
Scarlett Johansson – Black Widow
Simu Liu – Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Tom Holland – Spider-Man: No Way Home
BEST VILLAIN
Colin Farrell – The Batman
Daniel Radcliffe – The Lost City
James Jude Courtney – Halloween Kills
Victoria Pedretti – You
Willem Dafoe – Spider-Man: No Way Home
BEST KISS
Hunter Schafer & Dominic Fike – Euphoria
Lily Collins & Lucien Laviscount – Emily in Paris
Poopies & the snake – Jackass Forever
Robert Pattinson & Zoë Kravitz – The Batman
Tom Holland & Zendaya – Spider-Man: No Way Home
BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE
Brett Goldstein – Ted Lasso
John Cena – Peacemaker
Johnny Knoxville – Jackass Forever
Megan Stalter – Hacks
Ryan Reynolds – Free Guy
BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Alana Haim – Licorice Pizza
Ariana DeBose – West Side Story
Hannah Einbinder – Hacks
Jung Ho-yeon – Squid Game
Sophia Di Martino – Loki
BEST FIGHT
Black Widow vs. Widows – Black Widow
Cassie vs. Maddy – Euphoria
Guy vs. Dude – Free Guy
Shang-Chi bus fight – Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Spider-Men end battle – Spider-Man: No Way Home
MOST FRIGHTENED PERFORMANCE
Jenna Ortega – Scream
Kyle Richards – Halloween Kills
Mia Goth – X
Millicent Simmonds – A Quiet Place Part II
Sadie Sink – Fear Street: Part Two 1978
BEST TEAM
Loki – Tom Hiddleston, Sophia Di Martino, Owen Wilson
Only Murders in the Building – Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, Martin Short
Spider-Man: No Way Home – Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, Tobey Maguire
The Adam Project – Ryan Reynolds, Walker Scobell
The Lost City – Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Brad Pitt
HERE FOR THE HOOKUP
Euphoria
Never Have I Ever
Pam & Tommy
Sex/Life
Sex Lives of College Girls
BEST SONG
“Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” – Jennifer Hudson / Respect
“Just Look Up” – Ariana Grande & Kid Cudi / Don’t Look Up
“Little Star” – Dominic Fike / Euphoria
“On My Way (Marry Me)” – Jennifer Lopez / Marry Me
“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” – Encanto Cast / Encanto
BEST DOCU-REALITY SERIES
Jersey Shore: Family Vacation
Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta
Selling Sunset
Summer House
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
BEST COMPETITION SERIES
American Idol
Dancing with the Stars
RuPaul’s Drag Race
The Challenge: Spies, Lies & Allies
The Masked Singer
BEST LIFESTYLE SHOW
Bar Rescue
Dr. Pimple Popper
Making It
Selena + Chef
Queer Eye
BEST NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES
Hart to Heart
Teen Mom: Family Reunion
The D’Amelio Show
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip
Queen of the Universe
BEST REALITY STAR (brought to you by SONIC® Drive-In)
Chris “CT” Tamburello – The Challenge
Chrishell Stause – Selling Sunset
Lindsay Hubbard – Summer House
Teresa Giudice – The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Willow Pill – RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14
BEST REALITY ROMANCE
Joe Amabile & Serena Pitt – Bachelor in Paradise
Loren & Alexei Brovarnik – Loren & Alexei: After the 90 Days
Nany Gonzalez & Kaycee Clark – The Challenge: Spies, Lies & Allies
Tom Sandoval & Ariana Madix – Vanderpump Rules
Yandy & Mendeecees – Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta
BEST TALK /TOPICAL SHOW
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
BEST HOST
Charlamagne Tha God – Tha God’s Honest Truth
Gordon Ramsay – MasterChef
Kelly Clarkson – The Kelly Clarkson Show
Rob Dyrdek – Ridiculousness
RuPaul – RuPaul’s Drag Race
BREAKTHROUGH SOCIAL STAR
Bella Poarch – @bellapoarch on TikTok
Benito Skinner – @bennydrama7 on Instagram
Caleb Hearon – @calebsaysthings on Twitter
Khaby Lame – @khabylame on TikTok
Megan Stalter – @megstalter on Instagram
BEST FIGHT
Bosco vs. Lady Camden – RuPaul’s Drag Race
Candiace Dillard Bassett vs. Mia Thornton – Salad toss fight – The Real Housewives of Potomac
Christine Quinn vs. Chrishell Stause – Selling Sunset
Danielle Olivera vs. Ciara Miller vs. Lindsay Hubbard– Summer House
Margaret Josephs vs. Teresa Giudice – The Real Housewives of New Jersey
BEST REALITY RETURN
Bethenny Frankel – The Big Shot with Bethenny
Kylie Sonique Love – RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars
Paris Hilton – Cooking with Paris & Paris in Love
Sher – Ex on the Beach
Tami Roman – The Real World Homecoming: Los Angeles
BEST MUSIC DOCUMENTARY
JANET JACKSON.
jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy
Oasis Knebworth 1996
Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film)
The Beatles: Get Back
GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE NOMINEES!
Adele Confirms She Bought $58 Million Mansion
Adele has confirmed big news that was rumored earlier this year!
The 34-year-old singer purchased Sylvester Stallone‘s mansion in the exclusive North Beverly Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, which she reportedly got for $58 million. It was originally listed for $110 million, so that’s a huge discount.
Adele confirmed the rumors on Wednesday (May 11) by sharing a photo of her and boyfriend Rich Paul holding keys in front of the house.
The home sits at the end of a cul-de-sac and up a long private driveway in the exclusive neighborhood. The main house features 6 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms, including a master suite, 3 en-suite spacious bedrooms, and 2 maids bedrooms. There is also a 2-story guest house with 2 en-suite bedrooms and a full kitchen.
There are tons of amenities in the main house, including a professional movie theater, a gym, a cigar room with an air-filtration system, and a putting green. The grounds feature a massive patio with infinity pool, spa, and an air-conditioned 8-car garage with an art studio.
Taraji P. Henson teams up with Planned Parenthood in fight for abortion rights
Taraji P. Henson is using her platform to fight for abortion rights. The actress has teamed up with Planned Parenthood to release a new video that breaks down facts surrounding the ever-evolving debate.
“Let’s say you know someone who doesn’t see this as a fundamental right. Someone who’s not sure how they feel about abortion,” said Henson in the video titled “How to Talk About Abortion.” “Just hit ’em with some facts. Like 80 percent of people want abortion to be safe and to be legal… so why does a small group of loud, judgy people get to decide what we do with our damn bodies?”
She also took a moment to expand on those facts.
“If you’re with your girlfriends, there’s a good chance that one of ya’ll has had an abortion. And we gotta talk about this,” Henson continued. “There’s way too much shame and stigma around abortion and I’m over it. Real facts. We all deserve to own our own bodies and decide the course of our own lives.”
Just shy of news that infamous Supreme Court case, Roe v. Wade, could potentially be overturned, organizations like Planned Parenthood continue the fight for the right for women’s rights.
“The court is prepared to end the constitutional right to abortion and meanwhile, anti-abortion groups and politicians are gearing up for a nationwide ban,” Planned Parenthood said via Twitter.
Vice President Kamala Harris also previously chimed in on the news and emphasized that men should not have a say on what a woman does with her body.
“It has never been more clear which party wants to lead us forward and which party wants to push us back,” she said. “Those Republicans leaders who are trying the weaponise the use of the law against women, well we say, how dare they. How dare they tell a woman what she can do and cannot do with her own body.”
Musical icon Prince will have Minneapolis street renamed in his honor
The Minneapolis Planning Commission approved a proposal to rename a street after musical icon, Prince. In a unanimous vote, the request made by the Downtown Council is one step closer to coming to fruition.
Prince Rogers Nelson was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota and came from a family with deep musical roots. HIs father, John Nelson, operated under the stage name Prince Rogers as a jazz pianist. His mother, Mattie Nelson, was a vocalist.
A commemorative street sign will be added to First Avenue North in the city’s downtown neighborhood. The boulevard runs just along the front of First Avenue, the club that gained notoriety after appearing in the musician’s renowned Purple Rain film and album.
The new street, “Prince Rogers Nelson Way,” now awaits final approval from the city council before it will be officially changed. It is expected to pass.
This news comes just a few months short of reports at the top of the year the late musical icon’s estate ended a long battle with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after he died without a will. It was determined that his entire estate, including his catalog of songs was valued at $156.4 million, twice the amount of an earlier appraisal of $82.3 million.
The estate’s remaining heirs include three of his siblings, as well as the publishing company Primary Wave who bought out the rights to Prince’s catalog from three other heirs. Two have since died.
“It has been a long six years,” said L Londell McMillan, the lawyer representing the three heirs, at the time.
In 2016, the world nearly stopped when news spread that the “Red Corvette” crooner had passed. It was later determined that his cause of death was an accidental opioid overdose. He was only 57 years old at the time.
Al Jazeera’s Palestinian-American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh Reportedly Shot & Killed By Israeli Forces In West Bank Raid
Calls are growing for an independent probe into the murder of Al Jazeera veteran reporter Shireen Abu Akleh. The 51 year old Palestinian-American journalist was shot and killed, reportedly by Israeli forces, during a raid in the occupied West Bank town of Jenin on early Wednesday, May 11.
Abu Akleh was shot in the head while covering an Israeli military raid on the outskirts of Jenin refugee camp in northern West Bank. The Israel army initially claimed that the respected journalist might have been killed by stray Palestinian fire, further claiming that their militants were also present in the area at the time of her death.
However, Abu Akleh’s producer, Palestinian journalist Ali Samoudi, was also present and even wounded in the incident. Samoudi, who was shot in the back and currently in the hospital in stable condition, has blamed Israeli forces.
Israeli Forces Claimed Palestinians Were Responsible
The Israeli military claimed its forces were under attack with heavy gunfire and explosives as they were operating a mission in Jenin, so they fired back.
The Israeli army first said that they were investigating “and looking into the possibility that the journalists were hit by the Palestinian gunmen.”
After the Israeli army’s initial claim of Palestinians being responsible for Abu Akleh’s death, Army Chief Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi later withdrew the statements, adding that “at this stage, we cannot determine by whose fire she was harmed and we regret her death.”
Al Jazeera is accusing Israel of “deliberately targeting and killing our colleague” in addition to Abu Akleh and her producer, other Palestinian journalists were with them and they said that at the time, they all made their presence known to Israeli soldiers, and add that they did not see any Palestinian militants in the area.
Abu Akleh worked as a reporter for the Arabic-language channel Al Jazeera for 25 years and was a household name across the Middle East.
She was known for her decades-long reporting in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories; covering the harsh realities of Israel’s military occupation for the past three decades.
While Abu Akleh reported for Al Jazeera‘s Arabic language channel, she was also a citizen of the United States of America.
Patti LuPone Tells Broadway Theatergoers to ‘Get the F— Out’ for Not Wearing Masks Properly
Patti LuPone called out a pair of Broadway attendees on Tuesday (May 10) after they refused to wear their masks properly.
In a number of videos circulating Twitter, the theater legend was taking part in a filmed Q&A with her costars for the Tony-nominated revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Company, when she noticed the patrons not wearing their masks over their noses and went on to tell them to do so.
“That is the rule,” she said them in the footage. “If you don’t want to follow the rules, get the f— out!”
“Who do you think you are, that you do not respect the people that are sitting around you?” she continued. “Put your mask over your nose, that’s why you’re in the theater.”
However, an audience member fired back with a snarky “I pay your salary,” to which LuPone responded, “You pay my salary? Bulls—. [Producer] Chris Harper pays my salary. Who do you think you are? Just put your mask over your nose, we have worked really hard.”
WATCH
Back in March, New York City lifted its city-wide mask and vaccine mandates. However, the Broadway League follows its own COVID-19 safety protocols, requiring the audience to wear masks inside theaters through May 31.
Broadway was shut down for 18 months during the pandemic, and LuPone herself contracted COVID in February and March of this year, missing 10 performances of Company.
Kevin Spacey, Accused Sexual Harasser, Creeps Back Into Film With Major Role in Historical Drama
Kevin Spacey has booked another movie role as the actor — who was accused of sexual harassment and unwanted advances by multiple men — continues to creep back into the film industry.
As Deadline reports, Spacey is set to star in the historical drama, 1242, which is a joint U.K., Hungarian, and Mongolian production. Spacey will play Cardinal Cesareani, a representative of the Pope who arrives at the Hungarian fort of Esztergom just as Genghis Khan’s grandson, Batu, prepares to launch a final assault that could potentially pave the way for an invasion of Europe.
Filming is set to begin this October in Mongolia, with veteran Hungarian filmmaker Péter Soós as director. Along with Spacey, the movie will also star Eric Roberts and Christopher Lambert. Representatives for the film’s other stars did not immediately return requests for comment. Although Deadline notes that Terence Stamp was cast in the film, his representatives told Rolling Stone he is not involved in any way.
While 1242 is arguably Spacey’s biggest film role since accusations against him emerged in 2017, it’s far from his first. Last year, he worked with Italian director Franco Nero on The Man Who Drew God, which is about a blind artist who draws people from their voice and is wrongly accused of sexually abusing a child (Nero played the main part, while Spacey was cast in a small role as a police detective; Faye Dunaway also starred in the movie). As of yet, there’s no official release date for The Man Who Drew God.
Furthermore, Spacey was reportedly working on a movie called Peter Five Eight last year. The film is directed by Michael Zaiko Hall, although there are currently no details about the plot or the size of Spacey’s role in the film.
Spacey is currently facing a lawsuit filed by Anthony Rapp, who was the first person to publicly accuse Spacey of sexual misconduct in 2017. Rapp first sued Spacey in Sept. 2020, alleging that Spacey assaulted him in a Manhattan apartment after befriending him when they both worked on Broadway. Rapp claimed a visibly intoxicated Spacey picked him up, placed him on a bed, climbed on top of him, and made sexual advances before Rapp was able to get away. Spacey has denied the allegations.
Spacey has faced some other legal actions as well, although not many have come to fruition. In 2019, he pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent assault and battery stemming from a 2016 incident in which he allegedly stuck his hand down an 18-year-old man’s pants and grabbed his genitals; those charges, however, were dropped after the alleged victim nixed a civil suit. Another lawsuit, filed by a John Doe, was put on hold after the death of the alleged victim in Sept. 2019.
(A few months after Doe’s death, another Spacey accuser, the author and former Norwegian Royal, Ari Behn, died by suicide at the age of 47. Behn had not been pursuing any legal action against Spacey.)
Rolling Stone has reached out to Rapp and others who have accused Space of sexual assault or misconduct for comment regarding the 1242 casting news.
After the accusation against Spacey came out in 2017, it seemed his film career was over and he’d be relegated to sharing strange holiday video messages from his home each year. In the wake of the allegations, Spacey was digitally replaced by Christopher Plummer in All the Money in the World, Netflix cut him from House of Cards, and the Gore Vidal biopic he starred in was put on ice.
Barbie announces 1st doll with hearing aids: 'Finally a Barbie for me'
Barbie just announced the launch of its newest additions to its Fashionista line, a collection of diverse and inclusive dolls.
For the first time, the line will feature a Barbie with behind-the-ear hearing aids. To accurately portray the hearing aids (which are pink, of course!), Barbie consulted educational audiologist and hearing-loss advocate Dr. Jen Richardson.
This addition is one in a series of initiatives by Barbie to diversify its dolls and offer more inclusive representation.
Also among the lineup is a prosthetic-leg Barbie, and a Ken with vitiligo, a condition in which skin loses pigment cells. Released in 2020, that was one of the line's best sellers of the year.
also announced the release of a Ken doll with vitiligo. (Photo: Mattel)
In June 2019, the brand announced the release of Barbie in a wheelchair, with Ken in a wheelchair following in 2021.
Barbie has also in recent years diversified the body types of its dolls, including smaller bust, curvy and "original," after decades of (still ongoing) criticism about promoting unrealistic body standards.
The Barbie Fashionista line originally started in 2009 and features dolls with various characteristics meant to represent a broader range of customers — of all sizes, colors and abilities.
"Barbie and Ken Fashionistas celebrate diversity with fashion dolls that encourage real-world storytelling and open-ended dreams! With a wide variety of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types and fashions, the dolls are designed to reflect the world kids see today," Mattel declares on its website, with previous diverse releases never failing to strike a chord with fans.
And this latest edition is already garnering similar praise and excitement:
"Finally a Barbie for me," shared one fan of the inclusive new Barbie, with others, including hearing-health companies, calling the release "exciting."
All of the new dolls will be available for purchase in June, for $10, at Amazon, Target and Walmart
Lisa Cook: Senate Confirms Her to be FIRST Black Woman on Fed Board
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Lisa Cook to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, becoming the first African American woman to be a member of the panel.
The final vote was 51-50 with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie.
All Republicans opposed Cook, with several complaining that she is not qualified for the position, despite having a doctorate in economics and being a professor at Michigan State University.
“Professor Cook has no proven expertise in monetary economics at all, much less fighting inflation,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said before the vote. “Professor Cook is a proven partisan who has promoted left-wing conspiracy theories and called for a fellow academic to be fired because that person did not support defunding the police.”
Grace Christian Academy Reacts to Racist Student’s KKK Viral Video
*Officials at Grace Christian Academy in Tennessee are taking ‘disciplinary steps’ after a video shared on social media showed a student wearing a white KKK hood while shouting a racial slur.
The minute-long video was posted Wednesday to a since-deleted Twitter account and obtained by WBIR. The clip shows the hooded student being asked by someone off camera, “Who do we hate?” Per the report, the n-word is shouted in response. Throughout the video, people off camera are heard laughing.
Tony Pointer, the head of the school, called the video “extremely inappropriate and deeply disappointing.”
Officials with Grace Christian Academy said they met with all the students involved immediately after they learned about the video. It’s unclear what disciplinary steps were taken.
The academy’s Facebook account posted the following message from the Head of School Dr. Tony Pointer:
GCA Family,
Immediately upon being made aware of an extremely inappropriate and deeply disappointing video yesterday afternoon that violates everything we value, the administration of Grace Christian Academy has taken swift action to meet with all students involved. Severe disciplinary action has been issued as GCA does not condone this behavior or any form of racism. We will continue to seek truth and enact appropriate discipline.
What we have witnessed in the last 24 hours is in no way consistent with the mission and core values of GCA. We are doing everything possible to ensure the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of all our students and staff. Teachers and trained professionals will be available to speak with GCA students or families tomorrow if desired. We covet your prayers and appreciate your partnership in ministry.
Grace Christian Academy’s 80-page handbook notes that verbal, visual and social media bullying is covered in its harassment policy.
“Grace Christian Academy is committed to providing an environment in which every student is treated as an image-bearer of God,” the handbook said. “Conduct, whether intentional or unintentional, that subjects another student to unwanted attention, comments or actions because of race, national origin, sex, physical characteristics or disability, robs the student of dignity and is not permitted.”
The harassment policy specifies that reports of harassment will “be given serious consideration and investigated thoroughly in a prompt and confidential manner.”
The policy states that students in violation can face disciplinary actions such as dismissal.
Madonna Launches NSFW NFT Collection Featuring a 3D Depiction of Her Vagina
Madonna has recently announced her NFT collection in collaboration with the legendary Beeple.
The collection will consist of a series of X-rated images that portray her completely naked and giving birth to butterflies, insects, and trees.
Fans can find the “Mother of Creation” collection on the NSFW website. The collection will feature a 3D model of Madonna’s vagina, which can also be seen in cartoon form.
“I wanted to investigate the concept of creation, not only the way a child enters the world through a woman’s vagina but also the way an artist gives birth to creativity,” Madonna said in a statement, noting that “all works were conceived with a 3D scan.”
The first visual, titled “Mother of Nature,” portrays the newly-single Madonna lying on the ground, legs open, giving birth to a big tree as a cartoon.
“In a cold laboratory setting, with no sign of life, an opening gives way to a branch that transforms into a full vibrant tree,” the site reads. “It pushes against gravity, and flowers bloom. The tree may bend or even break, but it continues to recreate and flourish. This work features new text by Madonna.”
If that wasn’t enough, the “Material Girl” gives birth to butterflies in the second visual, “Mother of Evolution,” which they describe as “one of nature’s most beautiful creations and a sign of hope.”
“The butterflies are a metaphor for the paradox that the world is burning down in a post-apocalyptic scene, but there is still evidence of life,” the site read. “We continue to give birth, no matter what destruction is, no matter what oppression we face. It relays the important message that if you are waiting for the world to be perfect or for your life to be perfect to create art, it will never happen. We have to do it for our own survival in this chaotic, unpredictable world.”
The visuals will include Igor Bardykin’s original music alongside the Queen of Pop’s song “Justify My Love.”
The last visual, “Mother of Technology,” show Madonna’s lady bits birthing insects to symbolize “the way science can also give birth light into the world, but only if used with the right consciousness.”
“We can do whatever we want, but that has consequences. Nature will ultimately win in the end,” said the artistic duo.
Madonna and Beeple, whose real name is Mike Winkelmann, worked on the raunchy “Mother of Creation triptych” for years, intending to “represent a different form of birth in our contemporary world.”
“When Mike and I decided to collaborate on this project a year ago, I was excited to have the opportunity to share my vision of the world as a mother and an artist with Mike’s own unique point of view,” Madonna says. “It’s been an amazing journey building this together from an intellectual idea to an emotional story, giving birth to art.”
“These 3 NFTS are a labor of love a year in the making, as both artists partnered to connect to the idea of creation and motherhood through these visualizations,” the pair adds.
Madonna says that “proceeds from the sale will benefit three nonprofits” — the Voices of Children Foundation, the City of Joy and Black Mama’s Bail Out — all of which are “focused on supporting women and children around the world.”
Simply Spiked Lemonade Finally Gets Release Date
The moment we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived! Simply‘s boozy lemonade finally has a release date.
The beverage brand has announced it’s releasing the goods nationwide this June.
After the Coca-Cola brand announced the news earlier this year, it left many waiting for the ready-to-drink cocktail. Simply Lemonade is known for its variety of lemonade flavors is, and now addressing the adult world and making the spiked beverages with 5% alcohol.
The flavors available include the Signature Lemonade described as “right and refreshing, with a perfect balance of sweet lemonade and fresh, lemony tartness.” Strawberry Lemonade is “ripe, jammy strawberry notes combined with an elevated, tart lemonade finish.” Blueberry Lemonade will be “unique and refreshing, with ripe blueberry notes blended with smooth lemonade flavor.” Watermelon Lemonade as “watermelon sweetness complimented by a bright, lemon juice balance.”
Simply Spiked Lemonade will come in single 24-oz cans and as variety packs containing 12 slim-can.
Y’all ready
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Nice Tatoos
No bags Ma’am. I’ll carry it. Thank You.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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