#MAGFAB: Kerry Washington for L'Officiel US - Summer 2022
FAB!!!!
#RHOA: Kandi Burruss Feels Xscape Would Beat Destiny’s Child In A ‘Verzuz’
Even though Xscape already went head-to-head against SWV in a Verzuz, Kandi Burruss seems to still be ready for some smoke. In a recent episode of Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live, Burruss sat with Lil Jon as they had to decide who they suspect would take the throne in a mock Verzuz battle.
With them both being former participants in the music showdown, the industry veterans had to choose between the likes of Mariah Carey vs. Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion vs. Cardi B, Jay-Z vs. Kanye West, Tina Turner vs. Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige vs. Faith Evans, Snoop Dogg vs. Diddy, and Patti LaBelle vs. Diana Ross.
When posed with the question of Destiny’s Child vs. Xscape, Burruss exclaimed, “Oh, really?! We the OGs.” Meanwhile, Lil Jon chanted, “Xscape! Xscape!,” in the background. While it’s safe to assume that Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams may never appear in a Destiny’s Child and Friends Verzuz, this matchup is an interesting notion nonetheless.
For years since the DC3 disbanded, fans have been begging for a reunion and received two surprise ones during Beyoncé’s Super Bowl halftime show in 2013 and during her historic Coachella set in 2018. Recently, Xscape took the stage at Mary J. Blige’s Strength Of A Woman Festival and is set to partner up with SWV once again in their new limited series.
#NewMusicVideo from Raheem DeVaughn – If I Don’t
Raheem DeVaughn has just released the visual for his recently released single “If I Don’t”.
The song appeared on his collaboration album “Raheem DeVaughn Presents From Lust Till Dawn” which released earlier this month.
The black and white cinematic visuals were directed by DNA Videos. Raheem shares about the video:
“I wanted to do something abstract and as always my sister, V. Bozeman and I have great chemistry on film, so working with her again, was a no brainer.”
WATCH HERE
The song was written by Raheem and produced by Tim Kelley.
#HipHopNews: Eminem Readies ‘The Eminem Show’ 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition
Guess who’s back? It’s been two decades since Eminem released his fourth studio album, The Eminem Show. To mark the milestone, the Detroit rapper will release a 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition to streaming services on Thursday, May 26.
On Tuesday, Em shared a trailer featuring music videos from The Eminem Show era including “Without Me,” “White America,” “Sing for the Moment,” and “Superman.” It’s unclear what extras will be featured on the reissue.
The Eminem Show was released on May 26, 2002 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, spawning a series of hits including “Without Me,” “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” “Superman,” and “‘Till I Collapse.” Twenty years later, the Grammy-winning album was certified 12x platinum by the RIAA.
Additionally, Eminem has teamed up with CeeLo Green on a new song called “The King and I” for Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS biopic. The soundtrack also features contributions from Doja Cat, Jazmine Sullivan, and Nardo Wick.
Over the weekend, Slim Shady made a surprise cameo on “SNL” as part of Pete Davidson’s “Forgot About Dre” parody.
Texas School Shooting Leaves 21 Dead Including 19 Children and 2 Adults
21 people are dead — 19 students, a teacher and one other adult are dead — after a shooting Tuesday at an elementary school in Uvalde.
Initially Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that 14 students and their teacher were gunned down in their classroom but later Tuesday Sgt. Erick Estrada of the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the death toll was 19 students and two adults, according to CNN. The shooter has also shot his grandmother but she had survived the attack.
According to Abbott, the shooter, identified as Uvalde resident Salvador Romas, is dead. The shooter opened fire at Robb Elementary School at about 11:30 a.m. after abandoning his vehicle, and it is believed police killed him.
Police said at a Tuesday press conference they believe the shooter, who according to Abbott had a handgun and possibly a rifle, acted alone. The children killed were in the second, third and fourth grades, police said.
Uvalde is a small city of about 16,000 residents, approximately 85 miles west of San Antonio.
"He shot and killed — horrifically, incomprehensibly — 14 students and killed a teacher. [The shooter], he himself is deceased," Abbott said. "And it is believed that responding officers killed him."
Abbott also said the shooter shot his own grandmother, but did not give an update on her condition, reports ABC News.
University Health San Antonio tweeted there are two patients — a 66-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl — who are in critical condition.
Abbott said two responding officers were injured and expected to survive, according to ABC.
Congressman Tony Gonzales, who represents the area, said in a statement, "I am heartbroken for our South Texas community. It is devastating when our innocent children become the victims of senseless violence. We are devastated."
In 2020, firearms became the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the U.S., surpassing motor vehicle crashes, according to The New England Journal of Medicine.
The Newtown Action Alliance, a gun violence prevention organization launched after the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., in which 26 innocent people were killed, issued a statement on Twitter saying, "We are devastated. Our hearts are breaking for Robb Elementary & Uvalde families & community. We are angry. These shootings are preventable but those whose stood with the NRA after Sandy Hook nearly 10 years ago did absolutely nothing to prevent these tragedies. We need change."
March for Our Lives, the gun violence prevention organization founded by survivors of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., in which 17 people were murdered, wrote in a tweet: "Our hearts are utterly and completely broken. You can't stop a bullet with thoughts and prayers. To honor those lost and save countless lives, we need action. We're dying while we wait for it."
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Biden will speak later this evening. Biden has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at federal government buildings.
"His prayers are with the families impacted by this awful event," Jean-Pierre tweeted.
The mass shooting comes less than two weeks after an alleged white supremacist killed 10 people inside a grocery store in Buffalo, N.Y. Authorities have said the Buffalo shooting was a hate crime in which the suspect targeted Black people.
This is a developing story.
Lil Kim Has Confirmed Upcoming Biopic & Memoir
It looks like a Lil Kim biopic is headed our way soon! While celebrating the late Notorious B.I.G‘s 50th Birthday Bash in New York, Lil Kim, 47, (born Kimberly Denise Jones) revealed that her life story will soon be told in a forthcoming biopic. On Saturday (May 21) family, friends and celebrities came out to celebrate what would have been Biggie’s 50th birthday. The legendary rapper was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997, at the age of 24. He would have been 50-year-old on May 21.
Lil Kim hosted the 2nd Annual Biggie Dinner Gala at Guastavino’s in New York City. Those in attendance included, Diddy, Fat Joe, members of Junior M.A.F.I.A, Mary J Blige, and Sway Calloway, to name a few. To celebrate the occasion, the iconic Empire State Building in Manhattan, N.Y. lit up in red and white in honor of the late rap.
When asked if fans could expect a movie detailing her life and music career, Lil Kim replied,“Absolutely”
Lil Kim noted that the biopic will closely trail the release of her upcoming memoir, which is reportedly scheduled to hit shelves later this year! In the book, Kim will unveil the intimate details of her relationship Biggie–who was still married to singer Faith Evans, 48, at the time of his death.
While reflecting on her upcoming tell all memoir, Lil Kim said,
“Oh my God. Everyone’s gonna know things that they’ve never known.”
While Kim spilled a little tea, she’s not quite ready to reveal which actress she wants to portray her in the film. Fans can recall the controversial casting of the 2009 blockbuster “Notorious,” which chronicled Biggie’s rise to fame. ‘Power‘ actress Naturi Naughton, 38, was selected to play her in the film in which the “Crush On You” rapper publicly voiced her disdain on the casting selection.
It looks like fans will just have to wait and see who will be chosen to play the legendary Queen Bee!
What are your thoughts?
Meghan Markle’s Father Thomas Markle Has Suffered A Major Stroke is Hospitalized
According to reports, Thomas Markle, 77, was photographed receiving care from paramedics in an ambulance with an oxygen mask strapped to his face on Monday night (May 23). Sources say that Thomas Markle was transported from Tijuana, Mexico, to a nearby hospital in Chula Vista, California, after fearing for his health. He reportedly could not speak to paramedics and had to write his symptoms down on a piece of paper instead.
This isn’t the first health scare Thomas Markle has experienced. He previously suffered two heart attacks which caused him to miss his daughters 2018 Royal Wedding to Prince Harry, 37. Meghan Markle, 40, and her father have been estranged ever since he was caught allegedly staging paparazzi photos of himself just before the Sussexes exchanged wedding vows in London.
In March 2021, Thomas Markle opened up about the last time he spoke to Prince Harry.
“The last time we spoke — actually, we didn’t speak, we actually texted each other — I was laying in a hospital bed after having a heart attack. I had to tell them that I couldn’t come to the wedding [in May 2018]. At that point, we had pretty much said goodbye.”
Thomas Markle’s stroke comes days before he was set to to fly to London for the first time for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.
Thomas’s other daughter Samantha Markle spoke out on her father’s current health status, seemingly blaming her estranged sister Meghan Markle.
“My father is recovering in hospital. We ask for privacy for the family, for his health and wellbeing. He just needs peace and rest. Godspeed. We are praying. He just needs some rest. It’s a travesty how much he’s been tortured and how much he’s had to go through thanks to my sister’s disregard the past few years. That is unforgivable.”
While it’s unclear what Thomas Markle’s condition is right now, a close friend of his says he remains hospitalized.
Pepsi Will No Longer Sponsor the Super Bowl Halftime Show
Pepsi is bowing out of its association with the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
After a decade as the presenting sponsor of the Big Game’s star-studded entertainment break, Pepsi has decided this year’s performance featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will be its last.
The soft drink giant plans to concentrate more of its media spend in digital as traditional broadcast TV audiences continue to dwindle. While the Super Bowl may be one of the last vestiges of appointment television, its halftime show faces myriad challenges from social media, streaming and other mediums.
In a statement, Pepsi said ending the partnership reflects a “larger strategic shift to bring unprecedented music and entertainment experiences” to consumers “where they are now, and where they will be in the future.”
In response to the announcement, an NFL spokesperson said, “The Super Bowl Halftime performance has grown to become the most talked about musical event of the year and delivers what advertisers most crave—aggregating a massive live audience.”
The league added it has received strong interest from other companies looking to sign up as the next Super Bowl halftime show sponsor.
Pepsi declined to provide additional comments.
According to Pepsi, its decade’s worth of 12-minute performances showcased 26 musical acts with 167 Grammys and 1,000 hit songs between them. The brand also introduced the first halftime show trailer and national advertising campaign to promote the event. For its efforts, Pepsi received the most buzz on Twitter among all Big Game advertisers for three years in a row.
What Pepsi didn’t always get was a reliable cross-section of viewers.
The halftime show’s audience peaked at 120.7 million for Katy Perry in 2015, but dipped as low as 96.7 million for The Weeknd in 2021. Although Dre, Snoop, Eminem and company dragged that viewership back up to 103.4 million last year, Pepsi’s announcement indicated that the future of music and entertainment may not lie at the midpoint of a televised football game.
The brand that once boasted the tagline “The Choice of a New Generation” indicated that its next cohort is more likely to be found on YouTube, TikTok and other platforms where they’re already consuming content year-round.
“As entertainment evolves, and the way people consume music changes, Pepsi is intent on showing up and showing out,” the brand noted in a statement.
Travis Scott to Reportedly Donate Proceeds From Nike Collab
While the global release of Travis Scott’s new Nike Air Max 1 collaboration is still a few days away, the rapper got ahead of the official drop with a raffle for an exclusive colorway on his website yesterday. Said to have originally been slotted as a friends and family only color, the Wheat pair was instead released as a travisscott.com exclusive and now, we’re learning that proceeds from the drop will go to a good cause.
In an updated Instagram caption from the official @cactusjack account, it’s noted that a donation will be made to Scott’s Project HEAL initiative, which he launched in March, in honor of the release. TMZ is taking things a step further by reporting that as much as “millions of dollars in proceeds” could be raised, although an exact figure was not revealed. The outlet reports that Scott wanted to do the Air Max 1 release on his website specifically to ensure that proceeds would go to the foundation.
It’s worth noting that TMZ’s report also appears to conflate last Friday’s Air Trainer 1 raffle and yesterday’s raffle for the Air Max 1, citing its previous report of over 1 million entries for the former. Nevertheless, it’s likely the Air Max 1 launch drew similar numbers.
As is often the case with Cactus Jack drops, the Air Max 1 collection, which also included apparel and accessories, was live for around 24 hours. A SNKRS release for both the Air Trainer 1 and Air Max 1 collabs will take place on May 27 for retail prices of $160 and $150, respectively.
Here's Why 'This Is Us' Is Ending With Season 6
This Is Us said goodbye to its legions of fans with a moving series finale on Tuesday (May 24).
However, some fans are still questioning why the NBC show had to end at all, especially after just over 100 episodes in six seasons.
Creator Dan Fogelman is explaining why…
Following the formal announcement of This Is Us ending with its sixth season, Dan shared with press why it was the perfect amount of episodes and time for the show to be on the air.
He told The Hollywood Reporter years before that “We never set out to make a television series that was going to last 18 seasons, so we have a very direct plan.”
Just recently, Dan opened up about the decision again.
“It’s not because we don’t have any more story to tell,” he said during a Television Critics Association event. “It’s because we exactly planned it to go this way.”
Dan went on, “We’re on a five‑year path, and to suddenly pivot and add more because we don’t want it to end, it wouldn’t be quite responsible to the show and what we have planned, and it would start becoming something else.”
Golden State Warriors Coach Steve Kerr Delivers Impassioned Speech on Gun Control Following Texas School Shooting
Basketball is the last thing on Steve Kerr‘s mind. After the Golden State Warriors’ game against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night (May 24), the 56-year-old head coach of the Warriors gave a press conference where he didn’t talk about the game, but rather gave an impassioned speech about gun control following the school shooting in Texas.
“Since we left shootaround, 14 children were killed, 400 miles from here. And a teacher,” Coach Kerr started, referring to the mass shooting that occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas earlier that day.
The death toll has since risen to 19 children and two adults. The 18-year-old suspect, a student at Uvalde High School who entered the elementary school with a handgun and possibly a rifle, is also dead, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said.
“When are we going to do something?” Coach Kerr yelled, slamming his fists on the table. “I’m tired. I am so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families that are out there. I am so tired of the, excuse, I am sorry, I am tired of the moments of silence. Enough!”
Coach Kerr has been very outspoken about gun violence and gun reform over the years. His father was shot and killed in a terrorist attack in Beirut, Lebanon back in 1984.
Also in his press conference, Coach Kerr referenced the H.R.8, a bill that would strengthen background check rules for gun purchases. The bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives in early 2021, but never got to the Senate floor.
“There’s a reason why they won’t vote on it,” Coach Kerr said. “To hold on to power.”
He then turned to the camera and said, “So I ask you: [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell, I ask all of you senators who refuse to do anything about the violence and school shootings and supermarket shootings. I ask you: Are you going to put your own desire for power ahead of the lives of our children and our elderly and our churchgoers? Because that’s what it looks like. It’s what we do every week.”
“I’m fed up. I’ve had enough,” Coach Kerr added. “We can’t get numb to this. We can’t sit here and just read about it and go, well, let’s go have a moment of silence.”
WATCH HERE
Coach Kerr slammed the table once more, before concluding, “It’s pathetic. I’ve had enough.”
Regina Hall to be honored with Voice of Inspiration Award
The award will be presented at the annual Reel Works ChangeMakers Gala.
Congratulations are in order for Regina Hall as she is set to receive the second annual Voice of Inspiration Award from Variety at the annual Reel Works ChangeMakers Gala. The award is presented each year to “a creative who is using their platform to tell interesting stories and inspire others.” Also being honored is MACRO founder and CEO Charles D. King with the Reel Works ChangeMaker Award.
This year was a prolific one for Regina Hall. The 2022 Sundance Film Festival featured two of her masterpieces: “Master,” a thriller following three Black women at a predominantly white college; and “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul,” a mockumentary exploring the inner workings of a Southern Baptist megachurch.
Reel Works is an organization that provides more than 1,600 New York City youth with free filmmaking and mentoring programs each year. It was established back in 2001 and provides mentorship, inspiration, and empowerment for “underserved NYC youth to share their stories through filmmaking, creating a springboard to successful careers in media and beyond.” According to organizers, 100% of students who participate in Reel Works’ programs graduate, 83% attend college and more than half go on to a media career. The organization matches teens 1:1 with professional filmmaker mentors to help them with their journey.
Last year, Variety bestowed its inaugural Voice of Inspiration Award to filmmaker Eddie Huang at the Reel Works 20th anniversary gala. Huang is best known for his hit ABC sitcom “Fresh Off the Boat.” More recently, he also wrote and directed the basketball drama “Boogie,” which is a New York-set film that is centered around a Chinese American with hoop dreams and takes viewers along for his journey.
The gala is taking place (May 25) at 6:30 p.m. ET May 25. Supporters can tune in to watch on www.reelworks.org/gala
Black bird-watcher falsely accused by Amy Cooper lands TV show on National Geographic
After being falsely accused, Christian Cooper will now travel the world educating audiences about bird-watching on NatGeo.
As previously reported by, in May 2020, a white woman named Amy Cooper called the police on a Black man named Christian Cooper (no relation) after he asked her to leash her dog in an area of a New York park where leashes were required.
In light of extreme civil unrest going on at the time, Christian Cooper pulled out his cell phone to record and document the encounter. His video went viral as it showed the white woman lying to the 911 operator that she was being threatened by “an African American man” and requested cops to come immediately.
Christian Cooper had been in the area to do some bird-watching, a hobby that he has enjoyed for quite some time. In a turn of events, the 59-year-old freelance writer and editor who loves bird-watching will now get to host his own TV show on the hobby for National Geographic.
The show will be called “Extraordinary Birder.” The popular network announced the great news last week with a tweet.
“Lifelong birder Christian Cooper (@blackburniannyc) will take us into the wild, wonderful and unpredictable world of birds in his new show. ‘The Extraordinary Birder,’” National Geographic posted.
Fans on Twitter were pleased to hear that the Black man who was racially profiled and falsly accused would be able to turn his situation into a positive one.
“Anyone else remember a man named Christian Cooper, a bird watcher who could’ve been killed by cops due to a racist white woman calling them on him simply for watching birds? National Geographic is giving him his own bird watching show,” one tweet read with a heart and clapping emoji.
Another user added, “Remember Christian Cooper? The avid birdwatcher and unfortunate victim of Central Park Karen a couple years ago? He’s getting his own @NatGeo birdwatching show. I couldn’t possibly love this more.”
Christian Cooper will now travel the world doing what he loves for a major network. National Geographic stated, “Whether braving stormy seas in Alaska for puffins, trekking into rainforests in Puerto Rico for parrots, or scaling a bridge in Manhattan for a peregrine falcon, he does whatever it takes to learn about these extraordinary feathered creatures and show us the remarkable world in the sky above.”
Walmart To Remove Juneteenth Ice Cream After Public Backlash
After facing backlash on social media, Walmart decided to remove its Juneteenth ice cream from shelves.
Over the weekend, images of the Juneteenth-themed ice cream and party decorations surfaced on social media where users questioned why Walmart used the holiday as an opportunity to profit off the black community. On the ice cream packaging, Walmart’s Great Value brand says tells customers to “Share and celebrate African-American culture, emancipation, and enduring hope.” The ice cream flavor was listed as red velvet with cheesecake.
“[The]Juneteenth holiday marks a celebration of freedom and independence. However, we received feedback that a few items caused concern for some of our customers and we sincerely apologize. We are reviewing our assortment and will remove items as appropriate,” Walmart said in a statement to FOX News.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday last June after President Joe Biden signed a bill. The holiday was celebrated in Galveston, Texas every June 19 to commemorate the remaining slaves who were informed by Union troops that they were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865.
Reform Alliance And Hire! Philly To Host Job Fair At Wells Fargo Center
The REFORM Alliance and Hire! Philly announced that they will host the “REFORM Alliance Philadelphia Job Fair” at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, June 9th to revive the city’s workforce and economy. The Philadelphia 76ers, Amazon, Fanatics, NAACP Philadelphia, and Wells Fargo Center are all supporting the event.
The job fair, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, is accessible to the public and aims to provide a critical channel for formerly jailed people, single parents, and veterans to find work. Poverty alleviation, expungement assistance, and workforce development programs will also be available at the event. According to recent research co-released by Fines and Fees Justice Center and REFORM Alliance, two out of every three people on probation earn less than $20,000 per year, with over 40% earning less than $10,000. According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia’s 12.2 percent average unemployment rate is 50 percent higher than the national average.
“Jobs mean strong families, safe communities, and a healthy economy,” said Robert Rooks, CEO of REFORM Alliance. “System-impacted people constitute a ready and willing workforce but face significant barriers to employment. With this job fair, we want to empower people with hope, dignity, confidence, and access to opportunity so that they can thrive.”
“People need jobs to provide for themselves and support their families. Yet too many Philadelphians are locked out of the economy because of their criminal history or other barriers,” said Jessica Jackson, Chief Advocacy Officer of REFORM Alliance. “This job fair is an opportunity to break down those barriers and help anyone trying to get back on their feet. We have an amazing group of partners, volunteers and employers ready to make this a one stop shop for a better future.”
“At Hire! Philly we believe that connecting people to employment is the first step in placing them on a path to economic mobility. However, having access to quality jobs is far too often a challenge for people with significant barriers such as a criminal background. So we work very intentionally to design hiring events that meet job seekers where they are and include access to community resources that address workforce barriers,” said Kathryn Epps Roberson, Executive Director of Hire! Philly. “Attendees will be able to engage with dozens of our employer and community partners during the event but will also be able to maintain those connections and access additional job opportunities through our web-based employment support platform, PropelPHL, beyond the event.” This is the second job fair hosted by REFORM Alliance. Last year, Roc Nation and REFORM collaborated on an employment and resource event at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Aquaman's Jason Momoa shares health update with MRI photo
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom star Jason Momoa has shared a photo of himself getting an MRI scan, prompting a wave of concern from fans and famous friends.
The actor posted the photo in question to his Instagram, writing: "You got to break some eggs to make an omelette. Aloha j. Thankful for my ohana and friends." Gal Gadot and Octavia Spencer were among the celebs to comment on the photo.
People has claimed that the MRI scan is just a 'precaution', which would line up with Momoa himself recently revealing that he had surgery to remove a hernia just a day before this year's Academy Awards.
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Speaking about the injuries he sustained filming the DC sequel, including a scratched cornea, last year, Momoa said: "I'm getting old, that's what's happening. I messed up my eyes and just got something in it that kind of cut it up. I've gotta get surgery. I have a hernia, I've got ribs out. I'm just getting beat up...
"I love my job and I get a little too excited and then, you know, the age thing. I'm an ageing superhero right now."
None of this is slowing Momoa down, as he is currently filming Fast X, the penultimate entry in the long-running Fast & Furious saga. Beyond that, he's also lined up Netflix fantasy Slumberland, The Last Manhunt, a true story based in the last days of the Old West, a live-action movie adaptation of Minecraft, Dune: Part 2, and a newly announced comedy called Shots! Shots! Shots!
Reebok Set To Launch The Answer Iv “Tunnel” On Friday
The long-awaited Reebok Answer IV “Tunnel” (GX6235, $150) will be available via Reebok and select stores on Friday, May 27.
Allen Iverson’s iconic Answer IV comes to life in honor of his infamous ‘tunnel walk’ tribute to Philadelphia during the 2001 playoffs. The shoe has a white tumbled leather and green pearlized leather upper, reflective elements, a limited-edition I3-branded durag lining, and a tattoo sock liner that reads “Only the Strong Survive.”
Andrew Abdullah: Suspect in NYC Subway Wknd Shooting Turns Himself in to Police
*In New York City, a man wanted in a fatal shooting on a subway train surrendered to police on Tuesday, hours after authorities posted his name and photo on social media and asked the public to help find him.
That man, 25-year-old Andrew Abdullah, turned himself in at a Manhattan precinct to face charges in the apparently unprovoked shooting death of Goldman Sachs employee Daniel Enriquez, 48.
Enriquez was shot while heading to brunch on Sunday, about six weeks after 10 people were shot in an attack on another subway train. Enriquez’s sister Griselda Vile implored the city to tackle crime more effectively.
“I’m pleading that this not happen to another New Yorker,” she told Fox News. “I don’t want my brother just to be a passing name in the media, a passing name in our normalcy post-pandemic.”
The seemingly random shooting further shook a city on edge about public safety. Many types of crime have rebounded after dipping dramatically earlier in the pandemic when people were staying home. And concern about crime has soared.
In the first five months of 2022, shootings in the city dropped slightly over the same period a year earlier, and the number of murders is down 12% so far over last year. But New York is still on pace to have its second-highest number of homicides since 2011, after nearly a decade of record lows.
New York Mayor Eric Adams called Abdullah the “poster child” for perpetrators of violence in the city and suggested that the state’s criminal justice system played a role in the killing.
“We got a killer off our streets, but far too many killers are back on our streets through the revolving door of the criminal justice system,” Adams said.
Bill Cosby Not Expected to Appear or Testify at Civil Sex Assault Trial
*Bill Cosby is facing a civil trial over allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage girl at the Playboy mansion nearly 50 years ago.
Cosby’s lawyer Jennifer Bonjean said the upcoming trial is “not fair.”
“It’s called trial by ambush,” she said.
Here’s more from ABC News:
Plaintiff Judy Huth said in a recent court filing that she now believes the assault happened in 1975 when she was 16, not in 1974 when she was 15 as she had long alleged, spurring cries of foul and a request to dismiss the case from Cosby’s attorneys, who said the change has upended their defense on the eve of trial.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Craig Karlan gave no indication he planned to throw out the 8-year-old case just before a trial that he is determined to have start as scheduled on Monday, and forged ahead in preparations.
Huth’s lawsuit alleges Cosby forced her to perform a sex act on him in a bedroom at the Playboy mansion in Los Angeles.
Cosby, 85, will not be required to testify during the trial and is not e expected to attend in person, his attorneys said.
Bonjean acknowledges that Cosby took Huth to the mansion but claims she was not a minor at the time and that no sexual assault took place.
“It is extraordinarily difficult to defend against an allegation from 50 years ago. Nobody could do it, innocent, guilty or something in between,” Bonjean, who also represented Cosby in his criminal case and is representing R. Kelly in his Chicago child pornography trial, said outside court. “You work you work you work to create a defense, and then all of a sudden at the last minute, it’s a bait-and-switch.”
Huth is being represented by famed attorney Gloria Allred
“Mr. Cosby is a guy who has never settled for anything in life, and he’s not going to settle in this case,” Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt said.
Oprah Winfrey urges Ellen DeGeneres to do what she didn't after ending talk show
Oprah Winfrey made a rare COVID-era appearance to help with Ellen DeGeneres's talk-show send-off.
Winfrey, whose own iconic eponymous talk show ended 11 years ago, admitted she was "emotional" when she came out having just talked to Ellen DeGeneres Show staffers backstage about the end of the show's 19-year run.
In this photo released by Warner Bros., talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is seen during a taping of
Oprah Winfrey gives Ellen DeGeneres advice for her next chapter. (Photo: Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.)
"I said to everybody, 'I know what this feels like with only a few days left,'" she told DeGeneres Tuesday ahead of Thursday's final show. "I just was really applauding your team for making this show what it's been for 19 years. Obviously you're the face out front but it's everybody back there that actually makes it work. I was tearing it up saying, 'Guys, what a great job you've done holding this together."
Winfrey said seeing the staff "triggered me," taking her back to May 2011 when the Oprah Winfrey Show ended. "You have all of these people who become your family. This becomes your home. That's what happens. Families come together, relationships are built. It becomes home for hundreds of people who are all supporting you and helping you be as great as you are."
DeGeneres — who weathered what she called a "coordinated" toxic workplace scandal just prior to announcing her decision to end the show — said she had been "thanking them every single day." She also thanked Winfrey, whom she called her mentor and friend, for being a guest with just two more full episodes to follow, saying there's "small group of people who understand what this job is — and an even smaller group of women."
And Winfrey seemed sincere in sharing her take — the good and bad.
"This is the truth: There will never, ever be a time like this," Winfrey said. "I just said this to your team. Everybody's like, 'Oh, yeah, you're going to go on [to do something new].' But you will never, ever have a time like this where you were held in the public's eye [like this] and received the joy in such a way that all of you came together and made that happen. There will be other things. There will be other great things. But there will never be a time like this. Know that these are the glory days."
She added, "You are going to be so missed."
Winfrey also urged DeGeneres to do what she didn't when her talk show ended and she immediately launched the OWN Network.
"I want you take some time off," Winfrey advised her pal. "Some real time. Because you know what I did? I took a week off and then I went right back into work. Take some time, OK? Do you hear me?"
DeGeneres agreed, but added that she then has "to keep working because I like to stay busy." She said she plans to "buy some houses" during her break, as a notorious house-flipper with wife Portia de Rossi.
DeGeneres also pitched some joke joint projects for them, as they are also neighbors in super posh Montecito, Calif. They included "CSI: Montecito," "Grand Ole O-pry" and "Real Ex-Talk Show Hosts of Santa Barbara," which got laughs from Winfrey.
They ended by telling one another, "I'll see you in the backyard."
The Hollywood Reporter was on the set of Ellen last month when Winfrey left her COVID bubble to tape the show. The audience didn't know Winfrey was a guest, leading to "screams and standing ovation." Winfrey, who was extremely locked down during the pandemic with a mandatory quarantine for visitors at her home, said that she had just visited the Atlanta set of The Color Purple movie musical remake, which she is producing.
Winfrey and DeGeneres go way back. When DeGeneres's TV character came out on her ABC sitcom in 1997, Winfrey — the then "queen of daytime" — played a therapist in famous "The Puppy Episode." Winfrey later said she received backlash for it, including being called the "N" word. DeGeneres came out offscreen, as well, in a Time magazine cover story, and also did a sit-down interview on Winfrey's then-talk show.
The finale of the Ellen DeGeneres Show airs on Thursday.
Bruce Willis’ Wife Emma Heming Shares Rare photo of Actor After Aphasia Diagnosis
Almost three months after the actor's family shared he was diagnosed with aphasia, his wife, Emma Heming, posted a video of the Die Hard alum playing basketball with a group of friends.
In the May 23 Instagram Story, captioned, "I see you BeeDub," Bruce, 67, could be seen catching a bounce pass from a friend and making a layup. The video is just a glimpse into how life has been for Bruce after Emma, his ex-wife Demi Moore and his five daughters announced in a joint statement that he would be stepping away from acting given his aphasia, a condition that can impact a person's ability to communicate and cognitive abilities.
"This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support," their March 30 statement read. "We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him."
Since then, Emma—who shares daughters Mabel, 10, and Evelyn, 8, with Bruce—has been open about her struggles with balancing herself and her family.
"I put my family's needs above my own, which I found does not make me any kind of hero," the model admitted in a May interview with The Bump. "That amount of care for everyone else within my household had taken a toll on my mental health and overall health, and it served no one in my family."
However, time is something she considers valuable. "For us as a family it's always been about making memories. I'm not even sure we have rituals or traditions," she shared. "We just love spending time with each other and we know that time is precious, and I don't take that for granted."
Oreo and Ritz Team Up for a Cookie-Cracker Sandwich Combo
Oreo and Ritz‘s new snack is definitely made for those who can’t decide if they want something salty or sweet. The two Mondelez companies teamed up to collab on a new snack.
The new snack merges both of their signature treats, Oreo cookies, and Ritz crackers, it’s been dubbed Ritz x Oreo.
The product features one Oreo cookie and one Ritz cracker with a layer of peanut butter creme and Oreo creme spread out in between the two, USA Today reported.
The limited-edition collaboration is available exclusively at Oreo.com/Ritz at noon ET on Thursday, May 26.
Oreo and Ritz Team Up for a Cookie-Cracker Sandwich Combo
Customers can get a pack for free but must pay $3.95 for shipping.
But you gotta move quick, the brands only made 1,000 packs, and the demand is likely to be high.
“Over the past few years, Ritz has been exploring innovative partnerships and experiences to spark excitement around our iconic, buttery cracker,” Ritz Senior Brand Manager Alexis Yap said in a statement. “We couldn’t resist the opportunity to collaborate with our friends at OREO on a snack that’s a part salty cracker, part chocolate cookie, and entirely delicious.”
NFL Wants To Do Away With The Pro Bowl; Low Ratings & Lack Of Interest To Blame
The NFL is considering ditching the Pro Bowl for good.
During the annual owner’s meetings on Tuesday, NFL execs and team owners discussed possibly replacing it with alternative events, though they haven’t come up with a solid plan yet. One possible replacement would be a seven-on-seven no tackling competition during the week off between the conference title games and Super Bowl. Sports commentator Ian Rapoport has also suggested that the NFL use that Sunday to highlight players who have been selected for the Pro Bowl without actually holding the tournament.
The Pro Bowl has long been the topic of scrutiny, with many wondering why the match still existed. Serving as an exhibition game, there is not much at stake for players aside from an $80,000 payment to those on the winning team and $40,000 to players on the losing team. The league attempted to make the game more appealing by switching the locations and even appointing team captains and assigning each franchise’s roster through a fantasy football-style draft. As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to loom, the game went virtual in 2021, becoming even more uninteresting to fans.
Poor TV ratings have been an obvious indicator of the lack of interest surrounding the pro game. Less than 7 million viewers watched last year’s Pro Bowl.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
MULTI-PURPOSE
Somebody come check her
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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