#MAGFAB: Samuel Ross for GQ Hype
When Samuel Ross caught the Delta variant of COVID-19 last August, it hit him hard. “There was a point at which I thought I might be going to die. I’d lost a stone. I was really sick. We were getting a will written because I needed to make sure Jennifer and the girls would be sorted. It was really fucking bad,” Ross says. Slowly, though, he came through it. “And after that I decided I was never going to wear a fucking shirt again. Because life’s too short to assimilate into what you’re not.”
Yes, you can take the man out of fashion design – even if that man, still only 30, has been a finalist for both the LVMH and ANDAM fashion prizes and a winner of the GQ X BFC designer menswear fund with his label A-Cold-Wall*, as well as a close collaborator with and protégé of the late Virgil Abloh – yet, you can’t take fashion design out of the man. Isn’t it telling, I suggest, as our chat in Ross’s grail-filled office moves on, that you characterise your positive crisis towards free artistic expression as the rejection of a piece of conventional clothing? “Completely so! And you know what’s hilarious is that I wrote my dissertation on the power and the alchemy of the suit and shirting – how it can move you up and down. And a decade later I’m saying, ‘Fuck the suit, fuck the shirt, life is short, so live now and live fast and live emotionally free: fight for that freedom.’”
Just four months after testing positive, Ross was in Miami for Art Basel. He was there to launch his partnership with the gallery Friedman Benda, which also represents artists including Daniel Arsham and the estate of Ettore Sottsass. Together, the gallery and Ross had united to present 12 works, including one – Trauma Chair – that had already been acquired by the Dallas Museum of Art.
Although he refers to his earliest trainer designs for Nike as the beginning of his work as a sculptor, Ross has been developing more conventional iterations of that artform – large structures that can sit in a gallery, a collector’s home, or a public space – for only the past four years. Trying to tie him down – or at least obtaining his guidance – as to the specific themes he is exploring and meanings he is working to excavate is at first unfruitful work. Ross often speaks in dry conceptual abstracts, a little evasively, or refers to the artists and architects that have fired his own invention, such as Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Richard Rogers, Henry Moore and Richard Serra. “It was Richard Serra,” he points out, as I chip away, “who says it is better for artists not to talk, because it takes the value out of their work.”
Gradually though, Ross reveals the shape of his thinking under a gentle chisel of interrogation. We are looking at his sketches, hundreds of them, in charcoal. These are the creative kernels, still in development, of sculptures to come: next September, he will present a full solo show at Friedman Benda’s home gallery in Chelsea, New York. There are also plans for a new large-scale sculpture to be installed somewhere in London – the site is still being finalised – in time for London’s next Frieze in October. Ross’s momentum in the art space is gathering speed.
The sketches, dark and intense, show abstract aerodynamic shapes which, divorced from scale on paper, could represent anything from sneakers to spaceships. If a lot of Ross’s work looks adjacent to furniture, this is because, like his clothing design, he incorporates potential imprints of a human body within their conception: these are pieces you inhabit. One of them is a low asymmetric table in a matte, dark brown material with irregular surfaces and indentations – Ross calls up a rendering of the sculpture, which is still being developed before construction in south London, on his laptop.
“It will be made in fired wood, probably West African hardwood, with a molasses lacquer…it’s this idea of exploding the body of a raw material as a reflection of that raw material having a sentient property.” He adds: “This idea came from the breakthrough piece, Trauma Chair, which was treating the material as if it had the personified characteristics of the body. And that mirrors a topic I always lean back to: that the idea of subverting existence links to a POC experience within the Western society, and always has done. That’s where the multiple layers and planes and plateaus on the piece also come into play. They refer to cityscape, landscape, off-kilter positionings within society: all of these axioms emerge in a very visual and primary language.”
Now we are getting to it. By contrasting hyper-technical materials with those sourced from the cultural tradition of West Africa, then hewing them into shapes both painful and beautiful that are pushed and pulled and fraught and stretched and yet determinedly upstanding, he is both reflecting and canonising Black experience within the kiln of otherness. Cultural tension is inherent in the materials with which Ross works, and the placed relationship between these materials serves to illuminate and excavate cultural hegemony. Or, as Ross puts it, as we consider this sculpture-to-be: “I have to create to stay sane and to function – it’s my way to meet the world and express frustrations. To express the things that I’m pissed off about, the things that I feel.”
Back in Miami, just touched down on the Saturday before Art Basel was due to open, he DM’d Virgil Abloh, a man who had played a key role in Samuel Ross’s progress. The famous old story, that Ross mailed Abloh for advice and was offered work is, Ross says, not quite accurate. “I had been trying to email him, but could not get through. But I had liked some photos on his Instagram, then he liked some of mine, and because my dotcom was on the bio he was able to email me, and he did – and then it went back and forth from there. This was in around 2010. First it was about Donda, and then he said, ‘I’ve got this thing called Pyrex®’ – which, of course, I knew about – and then the attention moved to Off-White.” It was through working for and with Abloh on these projects that, at least in part, Ross acquired the momentum to found his fashion line, A-Cold-Wall*, in 2015.
That Saturday in Miami, Abloh messaged Ross back to say “make sure you go to the show.” He was referring to the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2022 menswear reprise presentation, named ‘7.2’, due that Tuesday. And as we all now know, on the Sunday before the show, Abloh passed away. As for all of Abloh’s friends, family and collaborators who were at the show 48 hours later, it was a gut-wrenching experience. “When I saw those clothes, I saw him. And that just broke me down. I haven’t cried like that in my adult life.” He is still shocked by the divine injustice of Abloh’s passing. “What we were hooked on was no raves, no drugs, just work. We are all clean. The drug has only ever been green juice and matcha.”
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#RHOA: Nene Leakes Claims She’s Been Blacklisted Since Leaving ‘RHOA’
NeNe Leakes recently filed a lawsuit against Andy Cohen, NBCU, Bravo and the executives behind The Real Housewives of Atlanta alleging that discrimination and racism was tolerated during her 13 seasons on the show. Many have been wondering why she would take legal action now instead of when she was experiencing the alleged racism. In a recent chat with TMZ, Leakes said that this isn’t the first time she tried to take them to court.
“I felt like it was the right time [to file the lawsuit] a few years ago but I was constantly being retaliated against, being blacklisted [and] not being able to work, being silenced and so it was difficult to do,” she said.
She also claimed that while she was a cast member on RHOA, she experienced things like being called a white woman because she wore blonde hair.
Leakes, 54, also said she has been blacklisted since leaving RHOA and hasn’t gotten a new gig in three years.
“When all of a sudden you’re working and sought after then suddenly you’re not working, it’s being blacklisted,” she added. “I haven’t caused any problems on any sets. Everybody I’ve ever worked with I’ve had a great working relationship with except this group of people.”
She said that the goal of this lawsuit is to “stop discrimination against Black women.” Leakes is accusing Andy Cohen of facilitating a racist and hostile work environment and specifically turning a blind eye to alleged racist comments from former co-star Kim Zolciak-Biermann.
“From the day the series began filming, NeNe was the target of systemic racism from co-star Kim Zolciak-Biermann, which was tolerated by Bravo executive producer Andy Cohen and other executives,” Leakes’ lawyer David deRubertis said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
Regarding her exit from the show, the lawsuit stated that “NBC, Bravo, and True forced [Leakes] out of the ‘house she built,’ denying her a regular role.”
#MusicNews: SZA Says New Album Is Coming This Summer
It’s about to be a SZA summer.The singer hit the red carpet at last night’s Met Gala where she announced that her new album is done and will arrive this summer.
“My album is finally ready to go, more than I’ve ever felt like before,” she told Vogue. “So this summer, it will be a SZA summer.”
During the Grammys last month, she revealed that the album was done. “I just actually finished it up in Hawaii recently, so just turning it in,” she told Variety after winning her first Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Kiss Me More” with Doja Cat.
She also shared what fans can expect from the long-awaited follow-up to her 2017 debut Ctrl. “It’s probably my most unisex project yet. It’s definitely for everybody in a different way,” she said.
In the five years since her last album, SZA has released a pair of hits including “Good Days,” which arrived in December 2020 and peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was followed one year later by “I Hate U,” which reached No. 7 on the chart.
SZA is also venturing into the fashion world. She has collaborated with Crocs on a camp-inspired collection of clogs and slides.
#HipHopNews: Drake Reportedly Signed A New Deal With Universal Music Group For $400 Million
The biggest star in hip-hop just made the biggest move of his career. Variety reports that Drake has signed a new deal with Universal Music Group that could be worth up to $400 million. During a first-quarter earnings call, the company’s chairman Sir Lucian Grainge announced the deal, which is described as an “expansive, multi-faceted” endeavor “that encompasses recordings, publishing, merchandise, and visual media projects.” Drake had completed the deal in 2021 but it looks like he won’t be taking Russ’ advice anytime soon after re-upping for a “Lebron-sized” payday, which Variety’s sources say could reach that above-mentioned figure.
Drake’s signing follows the announcement of a similar deal by his Toronto compatriot The Weeknd (who may soon be going by just Abel). Earlier this year, it was reported that The Weeknd had also signed a similar expansion of his prior deal with Republic (a subsidiary of Universal) which would likewise cover “recorded music, publishing, merchandise, and video.” These deals have become quite popular, according to Variety, as a way for major labels to keep the industry’s biggest stars under their umbrellas as technological advances and cultural shifts have begun enticing more and more artists to strike out on their own outside the label system (i.e. Russ).
Even among those who haven’t commanded the sort of mind-boggling streaming success Drake has, bigger deals are keeping rappers like Lil Durk and Trippie Redd closer to home. Not for nothing, Trippie Redd’s label, TenThousand Projects, is also a subsidiary of Universal, while Durk’s imprint, Alamo, is under Sony. If the major labels are throwing around this kind of money (while buying up pieces of the various DSPs), it looks like their continued dominance over the music industry will remain assured for some time to come.
Comedian Dave Chappelle Tackled Onstage During LA Festival Show
Comedian Dave Chappelle was attacked onstage while performing at a Los Angeles comedy festival late Tuesday, police said.
A man who police said was armed with a replica gun rushed a stage and tackled comedian Dave Chappelle as he was performing at a Los Angeles comedy festival late Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Police Department early Wednesday confirmed the attack, saying the weapon the man was carrying can eject a knife blade "when you discharge it correctly." It is unclear if the fan made an attempt to use the weapon.
Several videos and accounts posted online showed the man climbing onto the front of the Hollywood Bowl stage and rushing toward Chappelle. At least one video showed the comedian falling to the floor, with several other people rushing to apprehend the person.
The attacker, a member of the audience at the show, was detained by the venue's security team and later taken to the hospital with "superficial injuries," the LAPD said. A video posted online of the alleged attacker appeared to the unidentified man on a stretcher with his elbow bent at an odd angle.
WATCH
Neither Chappelle nor any officer was injured, police said.
Buzzfeed reporter Brianna Sacks also shared a video showing the man being loaded onto an ambulance. Sacks said that, before the attack, the comedian spoke about increased security around him in the wake of widespread backlash for jokes he has made about the transgender community. Some Netflix employees in the fall staged a walkout in Hollywood to protest the company's decision to carry one of Chappelle's comedy specials, "The Closer," which they said included trans-phobic remarks.
A motive for the Tuesday night attack is not clear.
Dave Chappelle Says He'd Meet With Transgender Netflix Workers – Under Certain Conditions
Chappelle on Tuesday evening was performing his act at the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater as part of the Netflix Is a Joke: The Festival, taking place from April 28 to May 8. Other acts listed in the lineup alongside Chappelle included Leslie Jones, Jon Stewart and Chris Rock — a comedian who also recently faced violence onstage when he was slapped by Will Smith at the Academy Awards in March.
Representatives for Dave Chappelle and the Hollywood Bowl could not immediately be reached for comment.
The venue said on its website that the show would be a “phone-free experience” and that attendees would be required to secure their phones inside specially designed pouches. At least one person sharing a video of the incident said they had "forgotten" a second phone in their bag.
Wendy Williams Parties It Up With Jason Lee At A MET Gala After Party
Wendy Williams is back and looking better than ever! The talk show host attended the Met Gala after-party with media personality and friend, Jason Lee. The pair attended an event hosted by Cardi B at the Boom Boom Room in New York City.
The talk show icon looked stunning in a multi-colored, striped dress paired with coordinating colorful Nike Air Max sneakers.
Inside the party, Jason took to Instagram to share a video of him and Wendy.
“How YOU doing cause we ouuuusssiiidddeee. Say hi to my date so I can show her the love! #METGALA,” Jason captioned
‘Queer Eye’ Gets Picked Up for Season Seven at Netflix!
We're getting more Queer Eye! On Tuesday (May 3), Netflix announced that the Emmy Award-winning series had been renewed for a seventh season, while also revealing which city the Fab Five will be heading to next.
"🚨QUEER EYE IS COMING BACK FOR SEASON 7🚨Beignets for everyone!! 😋✨ If you know someone in NOLA who is deserving of a Queer Eye make-better let us know QEcasting@itv.com 💖🌈" Netflix tweeted.
If you don’t know, the reboot of the popular Bravo show has starred Antoni Porowski (Food & Wine), Bobby Berk (Interior Design), Jonathan Van Ness (Grooming), Karamo Brown (Culture), and Tan France (Fashion) as the new “Fab Five" since its debut in 2018.
Since it's premiere, Queer Eye has won nine Emmy awards.
U.S. officials work to release Brittney Griner from "wrongful" detention
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion Brittney Griner is believed to be “wrongfully detained” in Russia. This report comes from the State Department.
Today (April 3), a department spokesperson told ABC News, “The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is among the highest priorities of the U.S. government. The Department of State has determined that the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Brittney Griner.” They added, “With this determination, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens will lead the interagency team for securing Brittney Griner’s release.”
U.S. officials will now continue doing all they can to safely negotiate her freedom.
As previously reported, Griner was detained in Russia in February for traveling through an airport with hash oil — a form of cannabis — in her luggage. Her arrest was not made public until March 5. Many feared for her safety as the arrest came as Russia went to war with American ally Ukraine.
The Phoenix Mercury athlete had been in the country to play for a Russian team during the WNBA’s off-season. Griner now faces up to 10 years in prison for carrying the illegal substance.
On March 23, Griner met with U.S. officials to check on her well-being. State Department spokesman Ned Price said, “The consular officer who visited with Brittney Griner was able to verify that she is doing as well as can be expected under these very difficult circumstances.”
Not many other details have been provided since then. A spokesperson told members of the press that they were “deeply concerned about our lack of consistent consular access to these U.S. citizens in recent months.”
Fans and loved ones of Griner continue to remain hopeful that she will return soon.
Today, Griner’s agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas released a statement saying, “Brittney has been detained for 75 days and our expectation is that the White House do whatever is necessary to bring her home.”
Instagram Is Reportedly Testing A Tiktok-Like Full Screen Feed
Looks like Instagram is testing out some changes to try and make the app look more like TikTok. According to TechCrunch, Instagram your IG feed might change to a full-screen vertical home feed. Upon opening the Instagram app, users instantly see vertical content expected to “bring video more front and center.”
An image shared by Instagram exhibits a home feed taken up by a full-screen post with comments, captions, likes, and additional features placed on top of the post rather than below. Though the Stories bar isn’t shown at the top of the screen in the image, Seine Kim, a Meta ambassador, says that view shows the home feed once users start scrolling and that Stories will still be available at the top of their screen.
Search, Reels, shopping, and a user’s own profile are still available via buttons at the bottom of the screen. Notifications, messages, and new post features will stay at the top, along with the ability to still be able to switch between accounts.
Kim continues to explain, that pictures and videos will be integrated into the full-screen feed.
Instagram’s choice to query about a look-alike feed like TikTok concentrated on immersive video isn’t exactly a surprise. The corporation has heavily shoved short-form videos to creators and users, offering cash bonuses to creators posting top Reels. And it would very much like it if you stopped reposting TikToks to the platform. In late April, Instagram head Adam Mosseri said the platform would alter its ranking algorithm to award “original” content over reposted content. And the platform has been investing in creator methods to siphon original content away from its competitors: Instagram started testing Templates in late April, allowing creators to use existing Reels layouts on their own videos.
Post Malone Is Expecting His First Baby with Girlfriend: 'Happiest I've Ever Been'
Post Malone is going to be a dad! The 26-year-old "Circles" rapper is expecting his first child with his girlfriend, whom Malone hasn't identified publicly.
Expressing his excitement, Post Malone, whose real name is Austin Post, tells PEOPLE, "I'm excited for this next chapter in my life, I'm the happiest I've ever been, and for since I could remember I was sad. Time to take care of my body and my family and friends, and spread as much love as we can every day."
The singer and his girlfriend celebrated with family over the weekend, TMZ reports.
The star is also gearing up for the June 3 debut of his new album Twelve Carat Toothache. He announced the release date on Twitter last month, sharing a link to his website and keeping the caption simple with "Twelve Carat Toothache. June 3rd"
Post Malone's special news comes after he helped a fan celebrate a milestone birthday in March. The rapper happened to crash a fan named Andrew's birthday celebration at the Los Angeles sushi restaurant Matsuhisa.
In a viral TikTok video, mom Nicole Schumacher captured a sweet interaction between the nine-time Grammy nominee — whom she called "the kindest superstar ever" — and her son Andrew.
"I'm Austin, nice to meet you," Post Malone said as he shook Andrew's hand.
Schumacher then filled Post Malone in on the situation, explaining that Andrew has autism and "knows all your songs," and was enjoying his very first beer.
"What kind of beer you get? That's a tough choice," the star joked. "Dude, thank you for listening, man. That's so sweet. Have fun, man. But not too much fun!"
Schumacher later shared a photo on Instagram of the artist posing with Andrew, writing: "Happy 21st Birthday Andrew! First beer ever with @postmalone."
Viola Davis in Talks to Star in ‘Peacemaker’ Spinoff at HBO Max
The universe of The Suicide Squad may be growing some more. Viola Davis, who played Amanda Waller in the film (and its definite article-less predecessor), is in talks to reprise her role for a series project in the works at HBO Max. The show would spin off from the streamer’s Peacemaker, which featured a couple of brief appearances from Davis’ Waller in its first season.
Plot details are being kept quiet, but sources say the potential series would build on Davis’ appearance in the Peacemaker season finale, which debuted in February on HBO Max. Danielle Brooks’ character in the series, Leota Adebayo, is Waller’s daughter.
Christal Henry (Watchmen) will write the spinoff and executive produce with The Suicide Squad writer-director and Peacemaker creator James Gunn, Davis and Peter Safran, an EP on Peacemaker.
Gunn has spoken about his interest in a Peacemaker spinoff, and HBO Max says the show performed well (though, as usual with streaming platforms, it did not cite precise figures). The streamer says viewing of the finale was 44 percent higher than that of the series debut, and that the season ender had the largest single-day audience for any HBO Max original thus far.
Davis is currently starring in Showtime’s The First Lady. The Oscar and Emmy winner’s recent credits also include features The Unforgivable and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and ABC’s How to Get Away With Murder. She is repped by CAA, Lasher Group, Licther Grossman and Wolf-Kasteler PR.
Henry is repped by UTA and attorney Robert Szymanski.
LeVar Burton To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award At 2022 Emmys
This December, at the inaugural Children’s & Family Emmy Awards ceremony, “LeVar Burton will receive a Lifetime Achievement in Children’s Television award.”
In their announcement, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATS) saluted Burton as an Emmy icon, stating, “The longtime literacy advocate and host of ‘Reading Rainbow,’ who taught a generation about the joys of reading, has won more than 20 Emmy Awards.”
This will be the first expansion of its kind for the Emmys since 1979, when NATS launched the News & Documentary Emmy Awards and the Sports Emmy Awards. Previously, the children’s and family programming categories were included as a part of the Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony.
President and CEO of NATAS, Adam Sharp, said, “NATAS has always been a leader in recognizing and celebrating excellence in our industry, and nothing is excelling and expanding more dramatically than the children’s and family community. Recent years have seen explosive growth in the quantity and quality of children’s and family programming, and now is the perfect time to acknowledge and honor this impactful content with a dedicated competition and celebration.”
Burton reacted to the news via Twitter, writing “Whoa…” alongside a surprised face emoji. On top of his Emmy Award wins, Burton has won numerous accolades over the course of his career, including the Fred Rogers Award, a Grammy Award for Spoken Word Album, a Peabody Award, an appointment to the National Commission on Libraries and Information Sciences under President Bill Clinton, and his hometown city of Sacramento dedicated a park, naming it in his honor in 2019.
At the park dedication ceremony, Burton extolled the virtues of his mother, a former social worker and English teacher, stating, “Everything I have done in the field of literacy has been in honor of my mother, Irma Jean Christian…[she was] deeply committed to her children achieving their full potential, knowing education was the key.”
Burton is truly a legend in the entertainment industry and aside from his 23-year tenure as host of Reading Rainbow and brief stint as a guest host for Jeopardy!, the Roots and Star Trek: Next Generation star “wears many hats, including actor, director, author, and educator.”
If you want more of LeVar Burton, you can tune in to his podcast LeVar Burton Reads, and listen to Burton’s distinctive voice narrating stories and his “YouTube Series, This Is My Story, which highlights racism in America.” Fans can also watch Burton host the 94th Scripps National Spelling Bee this upcoming June, which can be viewed by a live broadcast on IonTV.
Blac Chyna's Lawyer Shares Plans to Appeal After Kardashians Lawsuit Verdict
Blac Chyna isn’t giving up her lawsuit against the Kardashian family just yet.
According to her lawyer, they plan to appeal the verdict in the defamation case.
via ET: Lynne Ciani told reporters on Monday following the verdict that, despite losing the defamation and contract interference claims against the Kardashian-Jenner family, there’s still reason to celebrate, and for two reasons. Ciani, who has represented Chyna for over four years, said that “the jury found that Chyna had not physically abused Rob Kardashian.”
Ciani also said that it’s her interpretation that “all four defendants had intentionally interfered with her contract with E! Network.” She added, “We will appeal the remainder of the verdict.”
Chyna filed a lawsuit against the Kardashian-Jenner family in 2017 and sued for more than $40 million for loss of earning damages and more than $60 million in loss of future earning capacity damages after claiming they schemed to have Rob & Chyna canceled after one season as a form of “revenge” against Chyna for leaving Rob.
The 12-member jury deliberated for 10 hours beginning Friday and found the Kardashian-Jenner family was not justified in telling network executives that Chyna physically abused Rob. That being said, the jury found that it had no substantial effect on Chyna’s contract and therefore she was not awarded monetary damages.
“I think the case was very clear cut,” said Kardashian-Jenner family attorney Michael Rhodes. “I think the judge did a wonderful job making sure it was a fair trial. So, we’re very pleased. I spoke to the family a minute ago and they’re also very pleased.”
Another Kardashian-Jenner attorney, Michelle Doolin, shared how Rob felt following the verdict.
“Mr. Kardashian is very grateful to the jury’s service and happy to have this matter behind him,” she said, “and he looks forward to moving on to a new chapter and raising his beautiful daughter.” Rob and Chyna share 5-year-old daughter Dream.
Time and again, the Kardashian-Jenner family insisted they had no power in deciding which shows aired on the network that carried the family’s flagship reality show and its spinoffs. Khloe Kardashian had offered similar testimony and pointed to testimony offered by network executives who insisted the Kardashians didn’t have control about what shows moved forward.
Adam Stotsky, a former NBC executive, was asked during cross-examination if the Kardashians played a role in Rob & Chyna getting canceled after one season. Stotsky said the Kardashians didn’t have a say on what shows got canceled. He added that, from the network’s perspective, it couldn’t produce a show called Rob & Chyna if they weren’t a couple.
Stotsky said he was excited for season 1 because the show followed Rob and Chyna’s love story. The former network executive added that he wanted season 2 to continue on the same love story theme, but when the relationship became toxic, Stotsky said it wasn’t the kind of show they wanted to produce.
Frances Berwick, a vice president at NBCUniversal, also spoke about why Rob & Chyna only had one season, and was adamant that she did not have any conversations with the Kardashian-Jenner family about the cancellation.
The exec also echoed Stotsky’s reasoning for why Rob & Chyna got canceled, saying E! looks for frothy, escapist shows that are on the lighter side. The state of Rob and Chyna’s relationship at that time wouldn’t have been an enjoyable, escapist story to tell about a couple.
Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner and Kylie Jenner were not present when the verdict was announced. They were all attending the Met Gala in New York City. Kris, while walking the red carpet at the shindig, said she was “glad” the trial is over.
Pastor Sues Kanye West for Allegedly Using His Sermon on ‘Donda’ Track “Come to Life” Without Permission
Kanye West is facing a lawsuit after a Texas pastor sued the rapper for sampling his sermon on “Come to Life,” a standout track from Ye’s 2021 album Donda.
TMZ reports Bishop David Paul Moten has filed a lawsuit against Kanye, UMG Recordings, Def Jam Recordings, and G.O.O.D Music, claiming that Ye sampled audio of his sermon without getting permission. Moten is seeking damages from all four parties.
According to Moten, Kanye used his sermon for “ 70 seconds of the 5-minute, 10-second track … which is more than 20 percent of the song,” according to TMZ. The Bishop slammed Ye and the music industry for “willfully and egregiously sampling sound recordings of others without consent or permission.”
Released last August, Donda gave Ye his tenth debut atop Billboard 200 by bringing in 309,000 equivalent album units in its first week out. Donda’s performed better commercially than Ye’s previous albums, Jesus Is King and Ye, with those two project moving 264,000 and 208,000 album equivalent units, respectively.
#RIP: ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ star Kailia Posey died by suicide, family says
“Toddlers & Tiaras” star Kailia Posey reportedly died by suicide.
Posey’s family revealed the tragic cause of death in a Tuesday statement to TMZ – a day after news broke the 16-year-old had died.
“Although she was an accomplished teenager with a bright future ahead of her, unfortunately in one impetuous moment, she made the rash decision to end her earthly life,” the family told the outlet.
Posey’s mom, Marcy Posey Gatterman, initially shared the heartbreaking news of the teen’s death in a Monday night Facebook post.
“I don’t have words or any thoughts. A beautiful baby girl is gone,” she wrote. “Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever.”
Gatterman had posted photos of Posey attending prom just a few days prior to her death.
Posey was a young star on the TLC reality series, which ran from 2009 to 2013 and featured families who prepared their children to compete in beauty pageants. She became a popular GIF when her evil grin went viral.
In January, Posey announced on Instagram that she was gearing up to compete as Miss Washington Teen USA in February.
Janet Jackson Lists Her NYC Apartment for $9 Million
*Janet Jackson is unpacking her luxury NYC home of 25 years, listing it for $8.9 million, according to reports.
The 2,094 square foot condominium is located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and boasts three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms.
The home was built in 1996 and the music icon purchased it for $2.8 million in 1998, according to the Wall Street Journal.
“Whenever entering my apartment of 25 years, I always treasured my home’s wonderful location and the breathtaking views that capture the magic and excitement of New York. Stepping through its threshold instantly made me feel so tranquil and at peace—so many memories,” she told the outlet.
Realtor.com shared a few photos of the home’s interior — check ’em out below.
Here’s more about the property from Yahoo:
The high-end property is fully equipped with luxe amenities, including an elegant lobby, full-time doorman and concierge, housekeeping services, a state-of-the-art gym, swimming pool, spa, valet parking, as well as 24-hour room service from renowned chef Jean-Georges. Situated on the 34th floor, it offers panoramic views of the Big Apple through the floor-to-ceiling windows in every room. The apartment, attached to the Trump International Hotel, also boasts an open concept living and dining space, as well as a refined kitchen with two entrances designed for entertaining.
Additionally, the en-suite primary bedroom overlooks Central Park. The second and third bedrooms also have private bathrooms, per the report.
Juliette Janssens and Allison Koffman of Sotheby’s International Realty in Manhattan are handling the listing, according to the report.
‘All Rise’ Season 3 Premieres June 7 on OWN
*Season 3 of the courtroom drama “All Rise,” starring Simone Missick, returns for a third season on Tuesday, June 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
Per press release, Missick returns as ‘Judge Lola Carmichael,’ along with Wilson Bethel as Judge Carmichael’s best friend, Deputy District Attorney ‘Mark Callan,’ Jessica Camacho as public defender ‘Emily Lopez,’ J. Alex Brinson as bailiff-turned-public defender ‘Luke Watkins,’ Ruthie Ann Miles as Lola’s J.A. ‘Sherri Kansky,’ Lindsay Mendez as court reporter ‘Sara Castillo,’ Lindsey Gort as defense attorney ‘Amy Quinn’ and Marg Helgenberger as ‘Judge Lisa Benner.’ Recurring cast also includes Samantha Marie Ware as law clerk Vanessa “Ness” Johnson, Emmy® winner Paul McCrane as Judge Jonas Laski, and Suzanne Cryer as Deputy District Attorney Maggie Palmer.
Season 3 of “All Rise” picks up six months after the events of the sophomore finale and will bring about new beginnings for these judges, prosecutors and public defenders. We return on election night as Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick) awaits the results of her campaign; Emily (Jessica Camacho) returns from Puerto Rico with renewed drive and purpose about her career and Luke (J. Alex Brinson) continues to shake things up through his work in the public defender’s office.
“All Rise” was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series at both the 2021 NAACP Image Awards and the Black Reel Awards for Television in 2020. Missick was also nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series at the NAACP Image Awards and the Black Reel Awards for Television in both 2020 and 2021.
The first two seasons of “All Rise” are available to stream on HBO Max and Hulu.
All Rise” is a courthouse drama that follows the chaotic, hopeful, and sometimes absurd lives of its judges, prosecutors, and public defenders, as they work with bailiffs, clerks, and police to get justice for the people of Los Angeles amidst a flawed legal system. Among them is ‘Judge Lola Carmichael’ (Simone Missick), a highly regarded and impressive former deputy district attorney who has shown she doesn’t intend to sit back on the bench, but instead leans in, pushing the boundaries and challenging the expectations of what a judge can be.
A major theme in season three is new beginnings. After a year of COVID protocols, our characters who inhabit the Hall of Justice are ready to live. They are having fun finding themselves, fighting the good fight, shedding old habits and insecurities, and discovering the joy in their personal and professional lives as they seek out a new normal, new jobs, and new positions all while wrestling down old demons and discovering new love in old relationships.
Popeyes Drops New Limited Edition Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich
Popeyes just announced their new limited-edition buffalo ranch chicken sandwich released nationwide.
Their original chicken sandwich has been elevated, with new additions like the creamy buttermilk ranch and a tangy buffalo sauce. Foodies can purchase the new sandwich for $4.99.
Sami Siddiqui, the president of the North America Popeyes locations, said, “Two years ago, our chicken sandwich reintroduced the world to our chicken mastery, and we have not stopped innovating since. We have a lot of fun experimenting with new flavors in our test kitchen, and this buffalo ranch chicken sandwich is one I’m especially excited to bring to our guests.”
In August 2019, Popeyes debuted its chicken sandwich, which was immediately praised. With the so-called #ChickenWars, the popularity only expanded.
The original chicken sandwich was sold out for around two weeks across the country before being reintroduced to the menu in October 2019.
Cardi B Shuts Down Rumors of Met Gala Drama With Billie Eilish: ‘Billie Is My F—in Baby’
There is no bad blood between Cardi B and Billie Eilish, and there are receipts to prove it.
On Tuesday (May 3), the “Ocean Eyes” singer got flak online when a clip of her at the rapper’s Met Gala afterparty went viral for the wrong reasons. In the video, Cardi kicked off the festivities, telling attendees, “Tonight we’re gonna have fun, make sure y’all get y’all drinks, make sure y’all get y’all little –,” the rapper cuts off in the video, suggestively holding her finger to her nose. The video clip then cuts to Eilish looking in Cardi’s general direction and telling a friend, “[She’s] so weird,” without additional context of their conversation.
But according to Cardi and Eilish, this narrative is entirely false. The two later discussed the video in question via Instagram voice messages, in which the 20-year-old explained what she really meant by the comment. Cardi then shared the exchange to her Twitter account to clear up the rumored drama.
“Oh my god I was so worried that you were going to see that. I was f—ing calling the people around you weird because everybody was coming up to you and shoving your their phones into your a–! And I was like, ‘Just look at her with your eyes!'” Eilish says in the audio clip. The “WAP” rapper replied, “The internet is trying to divide us. They don’t understand you’re my baby.”
“I hate the internet cause one, how do y’all turn one of the most lit parties into drama?” the 29-year-old captioned their exchange. “Two, Ocean Eyes is the song I cater to my daughter. Three, Billie is my f—in baby. Yesterday, from the Met to the party, everything was drama free. Why do y’all wanna turn everything into mess?”
Tulsa Race Massacre Reparations Lawsuit Moves Forwards After Judge Votes Against Dismissal
A judge has ruled that the 1921 Tulsa race massacre lawsuit may move forward after the defendants pushed to have it dismissed.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are seeking reparations for the deadly May 1921 massacre that claimed the lives of many Black people in the prosperous Black Greenwood neighborhood, known as the “Black Wall Street.” Racist white citizens burned down Black-owned businesses and homes, leaving the area in ruins. Initial reports claimed that the death toll was ten whites and 26 African Americans. However, experts now believe that at least 300 Black people were slaughtered.
On Monday, Judge Caroline Wall ruled that the motion to dismiss was “granted in part” and “denied in part,” which allows the lawsuit to proceed. However, it is unclear if a trial will take place. Courtroom attendees cheered when the ruling was announced, including the three last surviving victims of the massacre. Hughes Van Ellis, a 101-year-old survivor, is confident that the ruling is “going to change things.” The other two survivors are Viola Fletcher and Lessie Benningfield Randle, who are both 107.
In addition to the survivors, the lawsuit includes relatives of survivors. The suit names seven defendants, including the city of Tulsa, the Oklahoma Military Department, and the Tulsa Development Authority.
Damario Solomon-Simmons, an attorney for the plaintiffs, praised the small victory after years of working with the victims and their families.
According to the lawsuit, the city and insurance companies never reimbursed the plaintiffs for their losses. The devastating carnage resulted in racial and economic imbalances that are still felt today. Throughout the years, municipal and county leaders have aggressively hindered the community’s efforts to rebuild Greenwood and the rest of the majority Black north Tulsa community. Instead, the local government has focused heavily on the white portions of Tulsa.
The lawsuit is seeking monetary reparations through a Tulsa Massacre Victims Compensation Fund. It also calls for the creation of a hospital in north Tulsa. The only two Black hospitals were famously burned down during the massacre. There has never been any rebuilt in north Tulsa to replace them.
Mustard Reportedly Divorcing Wife Chanel After a Year and a Half of Marriage
Mustard and wife Chanel are reportedly calling it quits.
TMZ reports that the super music producer filed for a dissolution of marriage Monday in the Los Angeles County Courts, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.
Mustard, whose given name Dijon McFarlane married longtime girlfriend Chanel Thierry in October 2020.
In the divorce filing, Mustard listed Monday as the date of separation. He is asking for joint legal and physical custody of their three kids whose ages range from 2 to 10. The DJ also mentions in the filing that the former couple has a prenup and the property and money should be divided accordingly.
Mustard proposed to Chanel in 2018 after reportedly being together for eight years.
Chanel is the founder of pajama and loungewear company, Sleepova. She is also active on YouTube showcasing cooking videos and more to her 30K+ subscribers.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
THICC
Granny is THICC
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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