#MAGFAB: Mary J. Blige Named One Of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People
Time Magazine recognized Mary J. Blige as one of the 100 most influential people for its annual cover reveal. The nine-time Grammy winner will grace the June 6/June 13 double issue covers on Friday, according to All Hip Hop.
Nas penned the profile for the heavily revered Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.
“She carved out a lane for herself, and now she can feed the people more than just music. She has a lot more to offer, from her incredible acting career to her wine brand to the Strength of a Woman festival she just launched in Atlanta. And I feel like she’s just getting started. She’s who we wanted her to be, and even more. She became who she’s supposed to be,” he wrote.
Nas also noted how multifaceted Blige has become as her career progresses. The R&B singer has ventured into acting, garnering two Oscar nominations and has launched her wine brand.
Other prominent people included on Time’s list includes Jon Batiste, President Joe Biden, Quinta Brunson, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Zoë Kravitz, Candace Parker, Jazmine Sullivan, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Oprah Winfrey and Zendaya.
At the beginning of the month, the “Good Morning Gorgeous” songstress earned the Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards.
Blige also gained a new level of respect and appreciation after her performance at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show which featured Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak.
RHOA: Marlo Hampton is building a Decatur dream home with a ‘department store’ closet
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star’s closet will be nearly twice the size of her master bedroom.
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The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Marlo Hampton is making moves in Decatur for an absolutely decadent house project. The big kicker is the Atlanta luxury home’s 800 square foot “department store” master closet.
Almost exactly one year ago, The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member hinted that she had a “#fromthegroundup” project in the works by showing off a significant lot of land surrounded by construction equipment. On The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Sunday episode, Hampton gave RHOA fans a sneak peek into her secret project — floorplans for an Atlanta dream home currently in development.
As originally seen in Bravo’s sneak peek of Sunday’s episode, the Decatur home’s floor plan shows two bedrooms on the first floor, as well as a lounge area. The RHOA star’s closet is a whopping 800 square feet. Hampton had her master bedroom downsized to a more modest 500 square feet to make space for the closet that her builder is trying to give a “department store look.” There are two other large closets in the home, as well as a large “sneaker area” for shoes.
In the video Hampton invites her co-stars Kenya Moore and Shereé Whitfield to her Decatur property to speak with Patrick, her builder. After the group decided to take a look at Hampton’s latest floor plan, Whitfield and Moore gave their thoughts on the project — completely unfiltered.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on Bravo and streams on Peacock.
#NewMusic from Serayah ‘Revenge’
Serayah and her star have continuously shined throughout 2022. The singer/actress is back on screens starring opposite Yolonda Adams in BET+’s gospel drama series Kingdom Business. She’s also back in our ears thanks to her steamy new single “Revenge.”
The singer, who released the single “P.O.V.” at the top of the year, changes things up a bit with “Revenge.” Based on the title, one would think the song is about getting back at a no-good ex. Instead, though, it’s about Serayah causing a little bit of healthy chaos in order to lead up to mind-blowing makeup sex.
LISTEN HERE
“When I think about it / Chills take over my body / There’s passion in the violence / That’s why you always start s**t,” she sings on the opening verse. “Break up to lay up, I know what you like / Act like a man ’cause it get you so high / This joyride give you the high of your life.”
This (slightly toxic, if we’re being honest) behavior is made more pleasurable thanks to a slow-burning groove crafted by producer C-Note that pulses throughout. The seductive groove and a few slick touches (like Serayah slightly interpolating the melody from Brandy‘s “Brokenhearted”) keep this one interesting and worthy of a replay.
“Revenge” is slated to be included on Serayah’s debut album, though the singer hasn’t slipped us the details about that project just yet. Until she’s ready, listen to her exact her “Revenge” when you press play
#HipHopNews: Rick Ross Has Left Epic Records & Is Considering Offers From Other Labels
With five No. 1 albums to his name and being an industry staple for over 15 years, Rick Ross has enjoyed an illustrious career. Following the release of 2021’s Richer Than I Ever Been, Rozay fulfilled his contract with Epic Records, who released his last three LPs, and is now a rap free agent.
During an interview with HotNewHipHop, Ross confirmed his free agency, and rather than basking in his independence, he’s enjoying the courtship of several labels. The MMG boss relayed he’s received “huge offers” that he’s mulling over — including a Def Jam reunion — before making a decision on his next musical endeavor.
Although he added, “There really ain’t no rush.”
Rick Ross is a grizzled veteran when it comes to dealing with record labels. Outside of launching his Maybach Music Group in 2009, Rozay was signed to Slip-N-Slide Records for his first six albums alongside Def Jam, who played a role in the release of his first eight projects.
The 46-year-old has reached a new point in his career compared to the previous years when he was a commercial titan dominating Hip Hop’s mainstream. His 2021 project topped out at No. 22 on the Billboard 200 after never charting a solo album lower than No. 6.
Rozay’s still planning to release music later this year with a pair of singles on the way to heat up this summer. Fans can also expect an album announcement in the near future as well.
Man Arrested For Threatening To Blow Up Tyler Perry Studios
Tyler Perry is making headlines, after someone threatened up blow up his production studio. According to reports, a man named Coles Arrasheed was arrested him for making terroristic threats against the studio.
Tyler Perry Studios (TPS) is an American film production studio in Atlanta, Georgia founded by actor, filmmaker, and playwright Tyler Perry in 2006.
The incident is said to have taken place on May 13th. Coles allegedly called the studio’s main number, demanded to speak Tyler Perry and became upset when he was told by the receptionist that he was unable to speak to him.
The receptionist hung up, blocked his number but later discovered he left a voicemail in which he allegedly threatened to blow the place to high heaven.
He was later brought in on a felony charge at Fulton County Jail and released on $5k bond.
No further details about the incident have been released.
Rihanna Is In ‘Awe’ Of Her Baby Boy
Rihanna is loving motherhood. The singer, who welcomed her first child with A$AP Rocky earlier this month, is settling right into her new role. A source close to the couple tells PEOPLE that both mom and dad are excited about becoming parents.
“Being a new parent is of course an adjustment, but they are doing great. Their baby boy is healthy and Rihanna is just in awe of him,” says the insider. “She really was so excited to be pregnant. She loved it. Meeting her son was of course extremely special too.”
Rihanna and Rocky’s baby boy was born May 13 in L.A., and she hasn’t taken her eyes off him. “Rihanna barely leaves his side. She is a fantastic mom,” the source adds. “She wanted to give birth in L.A. since she has a big house with a yard. She enjoys sitting outside with her baby.”
The billionaire mogul “doesn’t seem rushed to get back to work,” notes the insider, adding “[She] very much enjoys spending quiet time with her baby.”
Back in January, Rihanna and Rocky announced that they were expecting their first child when Rihanna was photographed walking around Harlem with her baby bump on display.
During an interview with ELLE, Rihanna joked that she would be a “pyscho” mom. “You talk about my kids, it’s over,” she told the magazine while comparing her parenting style to “Real Housewives of New Jersey’s” Teresa Giudice.
Rocky also gushed about becoming a dad. “I’m proud, man,” he told N.O.R.E. on “Drink Champs.”
In the days after she welcomed her son, TMZ claimed to obtain photos of Rihanna out for the first time. However, she says the images were taken before she gave birth. “This was weeks ago Lolol,” she commented.
Will Smith reveals he had a vision where he saw "his career going away" prior to the Oscars
Before the infamous Oscars slap, Will Smith sat down for an interview with David Letterman ahead of the new season of “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.” He detailed a life experience that led him to view his career differently.
The veteran actor explains the time that he took ayahuasca, which is a psychoactive brew discovered in the Amazon basin more than one thousand years ago, that took him on 14 journeys. He notes that it was one of the “most hellish psychological experience” of his life.
“I drank, and it usually takes about 45 minutes to kick in,” he said during the interview. “And I’m sitting there and you always feel like, ‘Maybe it won’t kick in this time.’ So I’m drinking and sitting there and then all of a sudden it’s like I start seeing all of my money flying away, and my house is flying away and my career is going away.”
He further explained how it was a life-altering event that provided him with a new perspective on life.
“I can handle any person I lose, I can handle anything that goes wrong in my life,” he continued. “I can handle anything in my marriage. I can handle anything that this life has to offer me.”
Smith made headlines not just for snagging his first-ever Oscar win, but also for the turn of events that led up to that moment after he took the stage to slap fellow actor and comedian, Chris Rock.
During the conversation with Letterman, the 53-year-old also explained that there are often three various perspectives that one can have on life.
“There’s a person that you want to be and a person you want to be viewed as. And then there’s who you really are,” said Smith.
Although the interview was recorded prior to the Oscars fiasco, it is the first time fans will physically see Smith who has been out of the public eye since the April event.
Buffalo Bills players come together and cover funeral costs for Buffalo victim
According to Sports Illustrated, members of the Buffalo Bills are stepping up to help their community after the racially motivated May 14 mass shooting that claimed the lives of 10 Black people.
Members of a non-profit community organization alerted Bills special teams player Taiwan Jones that a family of one of the victims was struggling to cover funeral costs for their loved one. Jones and some of his teammates reached out to the funeral home to receive a quote for the service, then picked up the $15,000 tab.
As previously reported, on May 14, accused gunman Payton Gendron allegedly went on a deadly rampage inside a Tops Friendly Markets grocery store in Buffalo, New York. Gendron reportedly planned to gun down as many Black people as he could find.
Sports Illustrated adds that the Bills have been extremely active within their community since the tragic event. While the store remains closed, 80 of the team’s players recently gathered near the location to set up a food distribution area.
In addition to the generous donations, the team is also using social media to spread awareness and raise funds.
The team has changed their social media profile pics to a message that says, “Stop hate. End racism. Choose love.” On Saturday (May 21), the team posted about their new “Choose love” t-shirts saying “100% of proceeds benefit Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund & Buffalo Together Community Response Fund.”
They also have a pinned tweet with a link for other ways that people can help those impacted by the massacre. “Our community needs you more than ever Bills Mafia. Here’s how you can help after Saturday’s racist attack on Buffalo’s East Side,” the tweet reads.
Gendron was indicted by a grand jury on May 19. His next court appearance is June 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Naomi Campbell in Valention at The 'Decision To Leave' Cannes Premiere Hot or Not?
Naomi Campbell looks amazing on the red carpet at the premiere of Decision To Leave during the 2022 Cannes Film Festival on Monday (May 23) in Cannes, France.
The 52-year-old model walked the carpet in major style next to Coco Rocha, Sara Sampaio, Lyna Khoudri, Anja Rubik and Bling Empire star Jaime Xie.
Naomi wore a Black jumper like gown by Valentino
Kanye West Returns to Instagram After 2 Month Hiatus
Kanye West is back on Instagram. On Monday (May 23), the 44-year-old Donda rapper shared his first post to the platform in two months.
He shared what looked to be a mock up of newly designed McDonald’s packaging, writing in the caption: “Ye teams up with legendary Muji industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa to reimagine McDonald’s packaging.”
Kanye reposted the same image to his Instagram Story, adding, “Next week it’s the fries.”
This marks his first post since being temporarily suspended from the platform in March, when Meta banned him from sharing anything on his account after he “violated Instagram’s policies on hate speech, harassment and bullying.”
Kanye‘s 24-hour suspension followed a series of posts he made about his ex wife Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend Pete Davidson, as well as comedian Trevor Noah.
Man Leaves Girlfriend For Ukrainian Refugee Who Lived With Them
The couple met on the Ukrainian refugee Facebook and offered their home as a safe haven at first
Tony Garnett,29, met Sofiia Karkadym,22, on Facebook earlier this month and offered her a place to stay with his girlfriend Lorna. Karkardym claims it was love at first sight when she met Garnett and lived with the former couple for only ten days. However, Lorna allegedly became jealous of the young woman and Garnett says it put a strain on their relationship. Lorna also gave him a choice between her or Karkardym.
“The atmosphere was getting really bad and Sofiia told me she didn’t know whether she could continue to live with us under these circumstances,” the father of two told The Sun, “We both packed our bags and moved into my mum and dad’s home together.”
The new couple apologizes for their actions but says it was love at first sight after meeting each other
Sophia noted that people will see her in a bad light due to the nature of her relationship with Garnett and claims she could see how unhappy he was in his relationship.
“It’s been very quick but this is our love story. I know people will think badly of me but it happens. I could see how unhappy Tony was.”
Lorna was reportedly devastated by the news and Garnett has issued an apology for how quickly he moved on from his ten-year relationship.
“We’re sorry for the pain we’ve caused but I’ve discovered a connection with Sofiia like I’ve never had before. We’re planning the rest of our life together. I know people will think this has happened so fast, but Sofiia and I know this is right.”
“It began with a simple desire from me to do the right thing and put a roof over the head of someone in need, a man or woman. But it was Sofiia who came into my life and that’s something I’ll always be thankful for,” he continued.
Initially, Garnett signed up for programs that allow residents to volunteer their homes for Ukrainian refugees but used Facebook to speed up the process. Karkadym was waiting in Berlin for a temporary home until she met him on Facebook.
“I wanted to do the right thing and she (Sofiia) just happened to be the first person to get in touch after I joined Facebook groups for people willing to house refugees. It was obvious from the start that Sofiia and I just clicked. I speak a little Slovakian and it’s not dissimilar to Ukrainian so I was able to make myself understand to her in her language. But if anything that made things worse because Lorna didn’t know what we were talking about. Sofiia and I would sit and chat, have a drink and watch TV with Ukrainian subtitles, sometimes after Lorna had gone to bed.”
Currently, they are looking for a place to stay while living with Garnett’s parents.
Fat Joe Reignites Feud With ‘Sucker B*tch’ Tekashi 6ix9ine For Snitching And Believes He Has A ‘Death Wish’
It’s rather apparent that Fat Joe doesn’t think too highly of Tekashi 6ix9ine based on his recent interview with Math Hoffa, where he referred to the GOOBA rapper as a “p**sy,” a “sucker,” and a “b**ch,” among many other derogatory words. The 51-year-old Lean Back lyricist, who previously said that the worst thing one can do in the history of mankind is be a rat, discussed 6ix9ine’s racketeering charges and how his prison sentence was reduced because he had chosen to cooperate with authorities.
While this isn’t the first time Fat Joe has shared his thoughts about the matter, it was perhaps one of the most brutal conversations he’s had while touching on his thoughts about 6ix9ine today. “This show gonna get me in trouble,” Joe said, before slamming his fellow New York rapper in saying, “I’m gonna just be honest with you — this n***a’s a sucka. He’s a p***y, a sucka, a b***h. I’m dead sober. This dude here. This type of shit this n***a doing, I’m convinced he wants to die — and I don’t wish it on him or nothing like that — but I’m convinced he’s miserable in his body. He can’t look in the mirror.”
Joe, whose real name is Joseph Cartagena, clarified why he felt so strongly about his not-so-nice stance on the 26-year-old, stressing that he didn’t appreciate it when 6ix9ine presented himself as being a gangster but as soon as he found himself facing a heap of serious charges, that persona disappeared, and he was willing to “snitch” to avoid a lengthy stint in prison. “Now, the man snitched. Cool. Do you, whatever. I don’t like the taunting. I don’t know if he really did it. I didn’t know what was going on. The crazy s**t is when I talked to him in that interview, I talked to him off the air and he lied to me and told me, ‘Yo this is just an image. I’m frontin.’”
The Hold You Down hitmaker continued, “He told me that in front of [former manager and Nine Trey Gangsta Blood] Shotti and them n****s. They was standing right there with him. ‘Yo Joe, I’m not really doing this. I’m not a gangster. This is all for promotion.’”
6ix9ine was released from prison in April 2020, serving 17 months after being found guilty of racketeering charges with his former Nine Trey Bloods gang, to which he later admitted making financial contributions to. TMZ reported at the time that 6ix9ine had been given an earlier release date from his upstate New York prison after his legal team expressed how their client feared he would catch Covid-19 since he has an asthma health condition.
The controversial YAYA star was first arrested in November 2018 and was looking at 47 years in prison until he came to an agreement to comply with prosecutors, which reduced his sentencing to less than two years.
Rosie Perez Reveals She’s Not Involved with ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ Remake
*Veteran actress Rosie Perez says she was overwhelmed with emotions when she reunited with her “White Men Can’t Jump” costars Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes at the Oscars in March.
“Oh, my God — I almost burst into tears,” she told EW during an interview for her new bilingual drama series on Apple TV+ called “Now and Then.” “I was so shocked, in total happy tears. But I don’t remember what I said. My husband told me I yelled out, ‘What?!’ Which I don’t think I did, but I was in shock. It was amazing.”
As reported previously, the original film, written and directed by Ron Shelton, starred Harrelson and Snipes as two street basketball hustlers who at first try to hustle each other before they team up for a bigger score. Perez played the longtime girlfriend of Harrelson’s character, whose dream is to appear on Jeopardy!
It was reported back in 2017 that“Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris was teaming up with athletes-turned-producers Blake Griffin and Ryan Kalil for an update of the 1992 sports comedy under Twentieth Century Fox, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Rapper Jack Harlow has reportedly been cast in Harrelson’s former role.
Perez says the upcoming film will be its own version of the story and so far, she has no input or involvement with it.
“I haven’t been contacted,” Perez said. “The last time I spoke to Woody and Wesley, they haven’t either, but I don’t know if they’ve been contacted since,” Perez states. “And everybody’s like, ‘Oh that’s messed up.’ No, it’s not! The cast[s] of A Star Is Born, one and two and three, didn’t have a cameo in all the remakes, you know what I’m saying? They worked and they’ve been great remakes. I was just watching the remake of The Talented Mr. Ripley, with Jude Law, Matt Damon and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, God rest his soul, and it was amazing. So, I have high hopes for the remake.”
She adds, “I want it to work because if it works, it really cements White Men Can’t Jump as a classic. And I wish everybody would be rooting for the same.”
“We made it into an ensemble,” Perez continued. “It worked because the three of us worked. So if this guy [Harlow] is as good as they say that he is — and I hope he is, I’ve never seen his work so I can’t judge — I hope that they get the other two cast members that will be as equally as good and that they have the same chemistry that the three of us had.”
Jody Watley Embraced by New Yorkers in Times Square on HUGE Digital Billboard for her contributions to Pop Culture!
*New Yorkers are showing love to chart-topping singer Jody Watley via Times Square’s huge digital billboard for her contributions to pop culture. The Grammy-winning trendsetting pioneer in music, video, fashion and style is celebrated around the world.
The legendary singer will be publicly recognized for her time, effort, and dedication to humanity with the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in Atlanta. The city has designated ‘Jody Watley Day,’ on June 2nd. A special event in her honor will be held on this day inside the Georgia State Capitol. The media and fans are welcome to attend.
In a statement released by Ms. Watley, she said, “I am truly honored for this recognition from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris,” says Dr. Jody Watley. “I look forward to attending the event.”
With over forty years in the music industry, the iconic singer, songwriter, producer, humanitarian and businesswoman, is one of the architects of 21st-century pop who continues to be a solid and stellar fixture in entertainment. Her enchantingly smooth voice and memorable favorites can be heard all over the world.
From her groundbreaking marriage of rap & R&B (1989’s “Friends,” a collaboration with hip-hop legends Eric B. & Rakim pairing that is the first to crossover R&B/Hip-Hop, Pop and Dance into the Billboard Top 10 “Friends,” to her vision-forward marriage of high fashion, street fashion and music in the ‘80s (long before it became the norm), to her fusion of jazz and underground club culture with keen pop instincts, and the ease with which she crossed and still crosses genre, Ms. Watley forged the template that is now everybody’s playbook.
As a solo artist, the pop and R&B singer has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 13 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and Platinum albums, 2007 Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement, 2017 recipient of the Black Music Honors Crossover Music Icon Award and nominations from the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, NAACP Awards and Soul Train Awards. In 2018, Billboard Magazine included Jody Watley in the Top 60 Hot 100 Female Artists of All Time and Top 25 Top Female Dance Artists of All Time. Her timeless series of hit songs such as “Looking For a New Love,” “Real Love,” “Still A Thrill,” “Some Kind of Love,” “Everything,” and “Friends ft. Eric B & Rakim,” are favorite classics still today played on the airwaves. Ms. Watley was also named as First Ambassador in 2021 to the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville and in 2022, she received her first Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business.
About Jody Watley
Dr. Jody Watley, singer, songwriter, producer, businesswoman, and motivational speaker is one of the architects of 21st-century pop. From her groundbreaking marriage of rap & R&B (1989’s “Friends,” a collaboration with hip-hop legends Eric B. & Rakim pairing that is the first to crossover R&B/Hip-Hop, Pop and Dance into the Billboard Top 10 “Friends,” to her vision-forward marriage of high fashion, street fashion and music in the ‘80s (long before it became the norm), to her fusion of jazz and underground club culture with keen pop instincts, and the ease with which she crossed and still crosses genre. Ms. Watley forged the template that is now everybody’s playbook.
As a solo artist, the pop and R&B singer has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 13 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and Platinum albums, 2007 Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement, 2017 recipient of the Black Music Honors Crossover Music Icon Award and nominations from the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, NAACP Awards and Soul Train Awards. In 2018, Billboard Magazine included Jody Watley in the Top 60 Hot 100 Female Artists Of All Time and Top 25 Top Female Dance Artists of All Time. Ms. Watley was named as First Ambassador in 2021 to the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville and in 2022, she received her first Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business (Full Bio).
About The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards
The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards are an annual event held to honor those in our nation who exhibit outstanding character, worth ethic, and dedication to their communities. The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards has rapidly become recognized as an immense honor and highly anticipated annual event. In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to honor outstanding citizens giving their time to volunteer and help their communities.
Zac Brown Band's John Driskell Hopkins on Keeping Strong amid ALS Diagnosis: 'I'm Ready to Fight This'
American country musician, singer and guitarist of the Zac Brown Band
As a founding member of Zac Brown Band, John Driskell Hopkins has spent the last 17 years rocking stages across the world.
But while on The Owl tour with the band in 2019, the musician noticed something was off with his bass playing — the very thing he'd devoted his life to.
"It wasn't that I couldn't play anymore, it was that I couldn't play as fast," Hopkins tells PEOPLE in this week's issue, on newsstands Friday. "My guitar hand was failing me."
He also noticed that his speech slurred at times, and he was having trouble "scooting" around, as he describes it, on stage.
"I'm not Justin Timberlake, but I'm a rock and roll guy and can dance pretty well," says Hopkins, 51. "Jumping started to bother me."
Over the next two years, Hopkins visited multiple neurologists and specialists looking for answers. Finally, in December 2021, just days before Christmas, doctors in Atlanta — where Hopkins lives with his wife of 14 years, Jennifer, 50, and their three young daughters — had him do an electromyography (EMG) test to determine whether there was damage in the nerves that control his muscles.
The results of the test determined a devastating diagnosis: Hopkins had ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) — a degenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles responsible for chewing food, speaking and walking. It eventually leads to complete respiratory failure, usually within five years.
"In my life, I've been scared, I've been angry, I've been stressed," says Hopkins. "But I don't know that I've ever truly felt anxiety until that day."
When a subsequent EMG done at the ALS clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital also determined Hopkins had ALS, "it was devastating," says Jennifer. "In that first month, I spent a lot of time in my closet and the shower crying because I didn't want our daughters to see me that way."
While Dr. Richard Lewis, an ALS specialist and the director of the Electromyography Laboratory at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles who has not treated Hopkins, says ALS can be "relatively rapid" with an average three to four-year progression, people can also "live 10 to 15 years with ALS."
In the five months since his initial diagnosis, Hopkins has made his peace with the unknown ahead of him.
"No one knows what the condition will be like going forward, so we can't sit around and cry about it," says Hopkins.
Though he's coping with weakness and balance issues, Hopkins has otherwise managed to maintain a demanding schedule since his diagnosis. On April 22, he joined Zac Brown Band on their seven-month "Out In The Middle" tour.
"I'm singing as well as I've ever sung, and I was never a good player," he says jokingly. "The band will back me up on that. When I told them about my diagnosis on a Zoom call, Zac said, 'Are you making all this up because you're a s—ty banjo player?'"
On Friday, Hopkins and Jennifer also launched Hop On a Cure, a foundation dedicated to raising funds to find a cure for ALS, which approximately 5,000 people are diagnosed with each year.
"Our vision is clear," says Hopkins. "We need to do everything we can to generate funds to cure ALS."
Adds Jennifer: "We want to prevent anybody else from being told they have ALS and there's nothing that can be done."
Raised in Gainesville, Georgia, the son of mom Joan, a teacher, and dad Ralph, a radiologist, Hopkins started singing in church choirs and playing piano and guitar as a kid. He graduated from Florida State University with a degree in general theater in 1993, and in 1998, he met Zac Brown, then an aspiring singer, while hosting an open mic night at a local bar.
The two stayed close, and in 2005, Hopkins joined Zac Brown Band, whose breakthrough hit "Chicken Fried" came in 2008. Since then, Hopkins has spent a lot of time on the road with the band, living "on beer and pizza," he says.
So, when he first started experiencing symptoms, he chalked it up to age. "At 48, you just say, 'Ah, I can't jump anymore,'" he says. But when his symptoms worsened, Jennifer says they knew they had to "dig deeper."
Since his diagnosis, Hopkins has adopted a gluten and dairy-free diet — minus the piece of strawberry shortcake on his birthday on May 3. "You got to be reasonable!" he says.
Alongside the "38 pills" he takes daily — a mix of supplements and traditional ALS medications — he also follows a naturopathic regimen that includes herbal teas, and he does stretching and ab workouts daily.
"We say, 'If it's not going to hurt, let's try it,'" says Hopkins, adding with a laugh, "No matter how much naturopathic cleansing I do, I'm always going to be full of crap!"
That sense of humor has proven vital, too.
"When he's having a moment, I have the strength to lift him," says Jennifer. "And when I'm having a moment, he has the strength to make me laugh. We cling to that."
Trying to keep life as normal as possible has been important to Hopkins and Jennifer, especially when they're at home with their three daughters, Sarah Grace, 13, and twins Lily Faith and Margaret Hope, 10.
"They're young, so they don't know the gravity of this disease yet, which is fine for us right now," says Jennifer, who decided with Hopkins to wait until after Christmas Day 2021 to tell the girls about what was going on.
While out playing volleyball in their neighborhood, Hopkins tripped on some broken pavement, and he used it as a segue to tell them that his balance was off because he has ALS.
"Grace asked, 'Could you die?' I said, 'Yes.' Faith said, 'Could you be in a wheelchair?' I said, 'Yes.' Hope started crying," Hopkins recalls. "They didn't quite understand it, and they still don't, really. But neither do we."
For now, Hopkins hopes to continue doing what he does best: making music.
"One of the beautiful things about my condition, if God-willing it remains the way it is for a couple of years, is I have the energy and the presence to make a big impact," says Hopkins, who is currently working on his fourth Christmas record. "I'm ready to go. I can still play, I can still sing, I can still make records — and I want to do all that. I'm trying to record everything I can in the event that one day I might not be able to."
He's also found new joy in the everyday moments with Jennifer and their daughters.
"A math problem that your 10-year-old brings you can be just as exciting as a big vacation," he says. "I'm trying to remember that."
As he looks to the future, Hopkins hasn't lost faith.
"I'm ready to fight this disease," he says. "I want to show my girls what a warrior their dad is.
Dave Chappelle's accused attacker speaks out about the incident
Dave Chappelle's accused attacker claims he was "triggered" by the comedian's jokes but had no intention of harming him. Isaiah Lee told the New York Post in an interview conducted Saturday at Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles that Chappelle's comments about the LGBTQ community and homelessness set him off during the May 3 show at the Hollywood Bowl. He said the comedian should have been more "sensitive."
"I identify as bisexual ... and I wanted him to know what he said was triggering," said the 23-year-old who has been in prison since his arrest. "I wanted him to know that next time, he should consider first running his material by people it could affect."
Lee — who attacked Chappelle, 48, onstage while armed with a replica gun that can eject a knife blade — said he was hoping to have a "good time" at the historic show, which was part of the Netflix Is a Joke festival.
However, he said he became upset when Chappelle joked about his past controversies with the LGBTQ community as well as about homelessness. Earlier in the night, a different comedian's joke about pedophilia upset him too.
Lee, a single father with a 5-year-old son, explained that he was experiencing homelessness at the time of the show. He had previously been molested when he was 17 and living under the protection of Los Angeles's Department of Children and Family Services, he claimed.
It’s a struggle and I wanted Dave Chappelle to know it’s not a joke," said Lee. For his part, Chappelle joked to the audience immediately after that his attacker "was a trans man."
Still, Lee claimed he had no intention of hurting Chappelle — even though he had the weapon. He said the knife, which wasn't out, is something he always carries because he's a "minor celebrity" as an aspiring rapper. (His Spotify account, under the name NoName_Trapper, has 5,700 listeners, and he previously released a 2020 song titled "Dave Chappell.")
When asked about reports that he suffers from mental health issues, Lee claimed the reports were "inaccurate" and "wrong." However, his lawyer said he is receiving mental health services.
Lee spoke also to the outlet about sustaining injuries — including a broken arm and two black eyes — when security removed him from the stage.
"They spat on me and twisted me as if on purpose," Lee said.
After the incident, Lee said Chappelle asked him backstage why he did it.
"I told him my mother and grandmother, who fought for his civil rights to be able to speak, would be upset at the things he said," Lee said.
He claimed Chappelle replied, "Now your story will die with you, son."
A rep for Chappelle has not responded to Yahoo Entertainment's request for comment about Lee's interview.
Lee avoided felony charges for the Hollywood Bowl incident. Instead, he was charged with four misdemeanor counts, including battery and possessing a deadly weapon with intent to assault.
However, last week Lee was charged with stabbing his roommate last year in an unrelated incident. He pleaded not guilty to the December stabbing that allegedly occurred during a fight at an L.A. transitional living facility. He faces felony charges in that case.
All this hasn't changed Chappelle's jokes. Over the weekend, he appeared at John Mulaney's show in Columbus, Ohio, and allegedly made transphobic jokes there.
Letitia Wright Teases ‘Black Panther 2’ as an ‘Incredible Honor to Chadwick Boseman
Little has been confirmed about “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” but much has been discussed in the rumor mill regarding the sequel to Marvel’s enormous hit, “Black Panther.”
Following the tragic death of star Chadwick Boseman, who passed in August, 2020 after a private battle with colon cancer, various members of the “Black Panther” team have spoken about honoring Boseman’s legacy in the second film. His role of T’Challa won’t be recast, and the character will not be digitally re-created.
Letitia Wright, who became a Marvel breakout with her performance in “Black Panther” as T’Challa’s sister Shuri, is rumored to be taking up the mantle as the sequel’s eponymous superhero. Even if that’s not the case, Marvel fans expect Wright to have a larger part in the next film.
The road to the “Black Panther” sequel’s release has not been without headlines for Wright, who suffered an on-set injury and was the subject of a damaging report alleging that she was sharing anti-vax sentiments on the Atlanta production and that her refusal to get vaccinated was posing problems for Marvel. Wright denied rumors she was touting an anti-vax position on the set, calling the report “about my conduct” on the set “completely untrue.”
Production on “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” was shut down for nearly two months after Marvel executives said that Wright sustained a shoulder fracture and a serious concussion on the set.
Now, Wright tells Variety that the “Black Panther” team faced “a lot of circumstances” and “difficult situations,” but that she is excited for fans to see how the sequel will honor Boseman’s legacy.
Speaking on Sunday evening at Kering’s Women in Motion dinner at the Cannes Film Festival, Wright teased “Black Panther 2” and spoke about what she learned throughout the pandemic, though did not address and was not asked by Variety about her vaccination stance. (At Cannes, where Wright is with her film “The Silent Twins,” there are no COVID-19 protocols for vaccination, testing or mask-wearing.)
“It is an incredible honor for Chadwick Boseman, it’s jam packed with exciting stuff,” Wright told Variety.
“We honored him by committing ourselves to the story that he started, the legacy that he started with this franchise,” Wright continued. “And we just committed every day to working hard, no matter what circumstances we faced — and we faced a lot of circumstances, a lot of difficult situations — but we came together as a team, and we poured everything into this movie, so I’m excited for you to see it.”
When asked what she has learned over the pandemic, as her name became embroiled in headlines and frequently discussed on social media, Wright said she is staying strong in what she believes in.
“I’ve learned that in life, you just have to keep going strong with what you believe in, in terms of your talent, in terms of your desire to impact the world with your art, and that’s exactly what I’m doing and I’m so proud of myself and the movie that’s coming out this year. I’m so proud of it,” Wright said.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” will be released in U.S. theaters on Nov. 11.
Luke James Shares Heartfelt Message To Tank Following Drink Champs Interview: “I Am Luke James Because You’re Tank”
Luke James shared touching words for Tank following a podcast interview with Drink Champs, where Tank shared that he believed in James and allowed him to move into his home. He admitted that “I had to fight to get my show back from Luke James overnight,” shared Tank after admitting that he allowed James to perform solo at his concerts despite being a background singer.
James took to Instagram to write, “When I call @therealtank my big brother; I don’t say it cause it’s simply cool to refer to a brilliant man I know as such. I say it because bro was & is really that for me. From day 1. IYKYK.”
He continued, “Tank, i am eternally grateful to you. you pushed me to be where i am and how i am today. always connected to the divine. never sing without a reason. never not growing. always a student.”
“can’t hold you…i get teary eyed listening to you speak of me in such a way. wow.
i am LUKE JAMES because you’re TANK.
i stand on the shoulders of giants.”
Toxicology Report Reveals Dwayne Haskins Was Legally Intoxicated When He Was Struck and Killed on Florida Highway, Death Ruled an Accident
Additional details surrounding the death of former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins were revealed Monday after medical examiner reports were released.
Haskins died earlier this year after being struck by a dump truck on a Florida interstate.
Monday, a toxicology report released by the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the 24-year-old had a blood-alcohol content of at least 0.20% at the time of his autopsy, more than double the legal limit in Florida of .08%. Unknown amounts of ketamine and norketamine were also found in his system. A separate investigation into the incident revealed that Haskins went to a club and “drank heavily” the night before his death.
A rep for the Steelers told investigators that prior to the accident, Haskins had been training with teammates in the Miami area before eventually heading out to a club with a “cousin/friend.”
According to the autopsy report, Haskins death was ruled an accident with “multiple blunt force injuries” listed as the cause of death.
He was killed on the early morning of April 9 after attempting to cross lanes of incoming traffic on Interstate 595. In a 911 call, his wife, who was in Pittsburg, told dispatchers that he had run out of gas and pulled over to walk and find a gas station. Per a medical examiner’s report, Haskins was “reportedly witnessed waving cars down on the shoulder” of I-595 before he was hit.
Investigators say they found Haskins’ car on the side of the interstate with a female companion inside the vehicle who said he had been looking for a gas station. The woman’s relationship with Haskins was not disclosed in the report.
Frito Lay’s Announces Return of The Original Flamin’ Hot Chips
Lay’s is reintroducing its original Flamin’ Hot chips, thanks to a petition from fans.
Last year, Frito-Lay modified the flavor’s formula, which angered fans who said the chips had a “spiced lime” flavor.
Fans organized a petition demanding that Lay’s bring back its classic Flamin’ Hot chips. After receiving more than 23,000 signatures, Lay’s has decided to re-release the OG flavor for its ardent fans.
Everyone who signed the petition received a personal apology from Lays, as well as a coupon for the original Flamin’ Hot chips, which are now available nationwide.
Joe Biden Says The U.S. Military Would Get Involved If China Tries To Pull A Russia On Taiwan
Joe Biden says the United States will step in to defend Taiwan if China tries to invade the country.
During a news conference on Monday, Biden shared that Beijing was “flirting with danger” after it recently performed military drills and other actions toward Taiwan. Taiwan is self-governing, but China reportedly views the country as its own territory.
If China did plan to make a Russia-like move on Taiwan, Biden says the U.S. plans to use its military to defend it. “You didn’t want to get involved in the Ukraine conflict militarily for obvious reasons,” a reporter asked, NBC News reports. “Are you willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan if it comes to that?”
“Yes. That’s the commitment we made,” Biden responded during the conference, which took place in Tokyo. Biden spoke alongside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“As the President said, our policy has not changed. He reiterated our One China Policy and our commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” said an official, NBC News reports. “He also reiterated our commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the military means to defend itself.”
In response, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, shared a “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the U.S.’s remarks” and cautioned the U.S. against standing up for Taiwan’s independence.”
“Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Taiwan issue is purely China’s internal affairs, which brooks no interference from any external forces,” said Wang on Monday, NBC News reports. “On issues concerning China’s core interests such as sovereignty and territorial integrity, China has no room for compromise.”
He continued: “No one should underestimate the strong determination, firm will, and strong ability of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Yep
Well birds drink Corona Too!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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