#FASHIONFAB: The ICONIC CHERSACE: Cher x Versace for Pride 2022 Capsule Collection
Cher and Donatella Versace unite for Pride Month 2022 as CHERSACE, creating a limited capsule collection of styles.
Shop the limited capsule collection during Pride Month and a portion of all sale proceeds will go to Gender Spectrum, a charity chosen by Cher and Donatella for its work in supporting LGBTQ+ people, particularly children and young people.
#RHOA: Marlo Regrets Criticizing Kenya's Relationship With Her Mom
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Marlo Hampton recently said that she regrets speaking about Kenya Moore's estranged relationship with her mother in season 9. Hampton and Moore became friends in RHOA season 6, which caused a rift in Hampton's relationship with NeNe Leakes, who had brought her on the show. Even though Hampton found a friend in Moore, she was always working on restoring her relationship with Leakes. Eventually, Hampton and Leakes became friends again, and a new rift began between Moore and Hampton.
Because Leakes and Moore were never good friends, Hampton was always in support of whomever she was a friend with at the time. Once she and Moore were no longer friends, Moore was on the receiving end of Hampton's disrespect. Things completely escalated during a girls' trip when Hampton called Moore evil and said that her evil nature explained the lack of relationship with her mother. Moore took offense to the insult because Hampton knew the pain she endured because of her mother. At this point, Moore said that she and Hampton would never be friends again.
During a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live, Andy Cohen questioned Hampton about some of her low moments on the show and inquired about whether she felt remorseful for some of the things she said. According to The Daily Dish, Cohen asked Hampton, "Was it a low blow for you to tell Kenya that you understood why her mother doesn't want to mess with her?" Hampton admitted that she was wrong for making the statement, and Cohen echoed her thoughts by saying, "Yeah, that was bad." Hampton followed up by saying the situation was "super bad. I regret that. That was the lowest." Hampton also admitted that it was a low blow to refer to Porsha Williams as a chicken injected with hormones during the Barcelona trip.
One moment Hampton did not regret was kicking Moore out of her wig launch event. During the event, Moore showed up with a marching band that promoted her business, Kenya Moore Hair Care, which interrupted the proceedings at Hampton's event. Some of the housewives told Hampton that she overreacted to Moore's stunt, seeing that she's had her fair share of shady moments. However, Hampton continued to stand firm in her choice, and it seems as though that stance has not changed. Their relationship continued to be rocky from this point, and Moore was an avid supporter of keeping Hampton from becoming a peach holder. Once the Marlo's Closet owner earned her peach, Moore said that their relationship got better, but this did not last for long, and they are no longer in a good place.
It is unclear whether the two will get back to at least a cordial space, seeing that the most recent episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta showed Hampton gossiping about Moore to Sheree Whitfield. During the gossip session, Hampton also spoke about Kandi Burruss, which sparked a Twitter feud between the two, and Moore was in strong support of Burruss during the social media battle. RHOA season 14 is still airing, so there is a possibility the two will be able to mend their relationship. But currently, it seems unlikely.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EDT on Bravo.
#MusicNews: Chris Brown Says He Recorded 250 Songs For ‘Breezy’
In less than one week, Chris Brown will release his 10th studio album Breezy.
The long-awaited project has been over three years in the making and resulted in hundreds of songs. In an interview with Big Boy for BigBoyTV, Chris revealed that he recorded 250 tracks before narrowing it down to 23 for the final tracklist.
“I be having so many songs. I think for this actual project, I had almost 250 songs,” he said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, we gotta scale it down and figure out what we gon’ do.'”
He described the process of elimination. “Too many of the songs sound in the same frequency. It’s like a show. You got the beginning, the climax, and then the end,” he said. “But I still want to give my audience at least two or three of the same and not [release] a whole album where every song sounds the same.”
He started recording Breezy at the same time that he was releasing his last album, 2019’s Indigo, which contained 32 tracks and 42 on the extended version.
Chris is known for his prolific output. While promoting his 2017 album Heartbreak on a Full Moon, he revealed that he had 800 songs in the vault. “In my phone alone, right now, I have like 800 songs that nobody’s heard,” he told “Ebro in the Morning.” “Not bragging. It’s just that my work ethic only allows me to stay creative.”
Breezy drops June 24 featuring appearances from Jack Harlow, Anderson .Paak, Tory Lanez, H.E.R., Blxst, Fivio Foreign, and Lil Wayne, who gave Chris “one of the hardest verses.”
“The features that I did have, they’re people that I have a natural, genuine relationship with and people that I feel are very talented,” he said.
On Friday, he dropped his Wizkid collaboration, “Call Me Every Day.” “He’s been my friend 15 years plus,” he said of the Nigerian star. “This time, we made a real, real record.”
#HipHopNews: Eminem And Ceelo Green Team Up On ‘The King And I’ For ‘Elvis’ Soundtrack
Eminem is lacing up his blue suede shoes. The Detroit rapper teams up with CeeLo Green on “The King and I” for the Elvis soundtrack. Over a sample of “Jailhouse Rock,” he pays homage to the King of Rock N’ Roll.
“Me and Elvis jell together like cellmates / Yeah, this the jailhouse, bitch and I don’t give a…” raps Em before CeeLo comes in on the hook: “Middle fingers up, we ’bout to do this shit again.”
He reflects on the criticism surrounding his career (“I stole Black music, yeah, true / Perhaps used it as a tool to combat school kids”) and points out the parallels between him and Elvis (“One, he’s pale as me / Second, we both been hailed as king / He used to rock the jailhouse and I used to rock The Shelter”).
Later, Em unapologetically confronts his haters. “I need doubters because you motherfu**ers motivate me,” he raps. “All I need to do is hear you say the same shit my father said to me when I was just a week or two / ‘Marshall, I be leavin’ you.'”
LISTEN HERE
Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis hits theaters June 24 starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, while the soundtrack arrives the same day featuring additional contributions from Doja Cat, Jazmine Sullivan, Swae Lee, and Nardo Wick.
H.E.R. Is Suing MBK She Wants OUT Of Her ‘Significantly Limited’ Contract With Recording Company
Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, better known as H.E.R., is suing her record company, MBK Entertainment, for the rights to her music catalog.
The lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California in Los Angeles County on Thursday, June 16. The Blast exclusively got the court documents. H.E.R. is suing for declaratory relief and violation of the business and professions code.
The 24-year-old California native has achieved a lot of success at such a young age. She’s already made a name for herself in the R&B industry, sweeping up both Grammy and Academy Awards.
Ten years ago, when she was only 14 years old, Wilson signed a recording agreement with MBK in 2011. At the time, she signed the agreement in California. In the court documents, she says that she resides in the state of California, has a California driver’s license, and even voted in the most recent national election in her home state.
The recording contract that she signed made H.E.R. an “exclusive employee” for an “initial period” which “ended the later of 15 months after May 19, 2011, or 12 months after the commercial release in the United States of Wilson’s first album under the contract, and up to five additional Option Periods of more than one year each.”
As H.E.R. understood it, the contract meant that she was an exclusive employee of MBK for May 19, 2011 “past the current date and potentially until much longer, as each Option Period is keyed to a commercial release by MBK of a record album.”
At the time she entered into the agreement, H.E.R. explains that Jeff Robinson, the owner of MBK, became her manager. In the negotiation, H.E.R. claims that Robinson had actually fired the law firm that first represented her.
In the court documents, she alleges that “Robinson caused his own lawyers to represent Wilson in the negotiation of subsequent contracts, including publishing and touring agreements.” She then alleges that “those lawyers took 5% of the deals they negotiated, but did not have a written fee agreement or a conflict waiver signed by Wilson, and said that they performed the services ‘as a favor’ to their client Robinson who was paid 20% commission for each of those deals.”
H.E.R. alleges that MBK has “significantly limited” her “employment rights.” H.E.R. claims that she “has not been free to provide her recording services except as permitted or dictated by MBK.” She also alleges that MBK “has exclusively owned the right to exploit her name and likeness for her recordings.”
In the lawsuit, H.E.R. notes that a majority of the albums that she’s produced since 2011 have been recorded in California, although she “is informed and believed” that MBK is a corporation based out of New York.
H.E.R. claims that her contract forces her to work “beyond seven years after May 19, 2011” and notes that this is in violation of California Labor Code 2855, which “prohibits the enforcement beyond seven years of a contract (such as the Agreement) to render services of a special, unique, extraordinary or intellectual character.”
The lawsuit states, “Wilson’s seven years have run. MBK’s attempts to thwart this important and fundamental California public policy should not be condoned.”
H.E.R. is seeking a “judicial declaration that the Agreement is voidable and may not be enforced against Plaintiff under California law to the extent it purports to require Plaintiff’s services after May 18, 2019.”
Basically, H.E.R. is suing her recording company, MBK, because she says that their contract should have been up on May 18, 2019, considering she signed it in 2011, and, given that she’s a resident of the state of California, and California has a seven-year contract maximum, she should be free from her previous contract with MBK and create her own music as she wishes.
She is asking a judge to provide a judgment that their previous agreement violates the Seven-Year rule under California Labor Code 2855. She’s also asking for a judgment that their agreement is “unenforceable.” She’s also asking for “restitution and disgorgement of funds according to proof; for costs of suit incurred herein; and for such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.”
Wendy Williams’ Ex-Husband Kevin Hunter Slams ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ Production
The ex-husband of Wendy Williams had a lot to say about the production company of “The Wendy Williams Show” excluding the talk show host from the final episode. Kevin Hunter spoke with “Entertainment Tonight” on June 16.
The talk show was canceled earlier this year and will be replaced by “The Sherri Shepard Show” this fall. Shepard was one of many guest hosts filling in for Williams during season 14 as she dealt with health issues. Williams did not return for the final episode, something fans of the long-running show had hoped for. Hunter told the outlet that excluding his ex-wife from the finale was a travesty.
“I feel like it is a travesty on the part of Debmar-Mercury to have such an unceremonious departure without Wendy being involved,” he said. “A lack of professionalism throughout the process and in the way they are letting Wendy go out,” he added. “After 13 years, the show has been made a mockery the last two seasons and the reasons the show is having its untimely demise will come out very soon.”
Hunter went on to say that there was no reason why there couldn’t have been a bigger celebration involving the Emmy Award winner. He also said he was not happy on a personal level about how the show ended and showed concern for Williams’ fans.
“It is the first time in the history of talk shows for this to be done, especially for a show that has been on for more than 10 years,” Hunter said. “There is absolutely no reason why a bigger celebration that involved Wendy couldn’t happen… I know the blood, sweat and tears that went into making the show such a success, and I am not happy with the way the show is going out on a personal level and I am truly sorry that the show’s fans have to see it go down the way that it is.”
The show’s final episode was much like any other episode. However, the finale did include a short video montage of memorable moments from the past 13 seasons. The show also included Williams’ very first guest on the show, actress Vanessa Williams.
“The Wendy Williams Show” made its debut in 2009. The final episode aired on Friday, June 1
#BoxOfficeNews: Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ snares $51 million in domestic opening but came in at #2
Pixar’s “Lightyear” rocketed to a $51 million domestic opening, the best performance of an animated feature since the pandemic began.
Internationally, the Disney film tallied $34.6 million in ticket sales, bringing its global haul to $85.6 million.
The animated film’s performance, while strong for a pandemic release, falls short of expectations. Box office analysts had foreseen “Lightyear” bringing in between $70 million and $85 million domestically.
Expectations were high because the last two films in the Toy Story franchise both opened to more than $100 million in ticket sales, according to data from Comscore. “Toy Story 4” in 2019 topped $120 million in its domestic debut and “Toy Story 3″ generated more than $110 million during its opening 2010.
″’Lightyear” had a great deal of potential on paper, but a number of factors resulted in this very rare box office misfire for a Pixar release,” said Shawn Robbins, chief media analyst at BoxOffice.com.
It’s unclear if tough box office competition with Universal’s “Jurassic World: Dominion,” which generated $58.6 million over the weekend, and Paramount and Skydance’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” which secured another $44 million, was the reason for “Lightyear’s” smaller-than-expected opening or if consumers were confused about the film release.
After all, there has not been a theatrical release of a Pixar film since 2020′s “Onward.” The last three from the animation studio, “Soul,” “Luca” and “Turning Red,” were all released on streaming service Disney+.
“Did the film open in a market too crowded with male-driven films?” Robbins asked. “Was marketing ineffective at pitching the idea of this movie to both generations of Toy Story fans? Has Disney’s strategy of siphoning Pixar movies straight to streaming over the past two years backfired and hurt the brand’s value?”
“These are just some of the valid questions we, and especially Disney, have to consider,” he said.
Robbins noted that moviegoing has clearly rebounded in 2022, drawing in demographics that have been reticent to return previously. Yet, one of the most reliable franchises from pre-pandemic times missed expectations.
“This was a good old-fashioned summer holiday movie weekend that saw three films earning more than $40 million as the competition for the attention of moviegoers heats up,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. “Newcomer ‘Lightyear’ will now rely on a longer trajectory in theaters in the wake of a debut that has left some underwhelmed.”
Dergarabedian said word of mouth should help draw families to the theaters in the coming weeks ahead of the release of Universal’s “Minions: The Rise of Gru.”
Former Amazon employee convicted over 2019 Capital One hack
A former Seattle Amazon Web Services (AWS) engineer has been found guilty of hacking into customers’ cloud storage systems and stealing data linked to the massive 2019 Capital One breach, which exposed personal information including names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, dates of birth, and self-reported incomes of approximately 100 million Americans and 6 million in Canada.
Paige Thompson, 36 was found guilty on Friday (June 17) of seven federal crimes, including wire fraud, which carries up to 20 years in prison. The other charges, illegally accessing a protected computer and damaging a protected computer, are punishable by up to five years in prison. A jury found Thompson not guilty of aggravated identity theft and access device fraud after 10 hours of deliberations.
A press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ) states that Thompson, who worked under the name “erratic” online, created a tool to search for misconfigured accounts on Amazon Web Services. That allowed her to hack into accounts from more than 30 Amazon clients, including Capital One. “She wanted data, she wanted money, and she wanted to brag,” Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Friedman said of Thompson in closing arguments during the week-long trial.
Capital One had been fined $80 million for allegedly failing to protect users’ data. In December 2021, they agreed to settle with those affected for $190. The breach was one of the largest ever recorded. According to the complaint, the data stolen exposed about 120,000 social security numbers and about 77,000 bank account numbers.
“Far from being an ethical hacker trying to help companies with their computer security, she exploited mistakes to steal valuable data and sought to enrich herself,” said United States Attorney Nick Brown.
United States District Judge Robert S. Lasnik has set Thompson’s sentencing hearing for September 15, 2022.
Mariah Carey says she has to constantly “remind people” she’s a songwriter
Mariah Carey was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City on Thursday (June 16) night.
This specific gala was years in the making, after the 51st annual edition originally slated for 2020 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After an introduction from Roots drummer and Summer of Soul director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the five-time Grammy Award-winning singer took the stage to remind everyone about her songwriting skills despite having writing credits on 18 of her 19 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s.
“I constantly have to remind people that I’m a songwriter. It’s become a joke, to the point where … because they’re all into the diva thing, it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, she’s a diva, wow, diva,’” Carey said as she puts on her glasses. “You may be somewhat familiar with the meme of me going over and over, ‘As a songwriter, as a songwriter, as a songwriter, as a songwriter!’ So hopefully tonight, we can create another meme, AS. A. SONGWRITER!” she continued as she holds up her award and smiles.
Carey also congratulated the other inductees before recalling the time she inducted her longtime collaborator and friend Jermaine Dupri into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.
“Congratulations to my fellow inductees. I remember I inducted Jermaine Dupri like, I don’t know, before COVID-19, like three years ago,” said the superstar. “And I was like ‘Jermaine, you know what, I’m really pissed at you that you were getting inducted before me,’ like that’s a whole other story. Hopefully someone will post that clip. JD, I’m not mad at you.”
The gala also honored Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, The Isley Brothers, Steve Miller, Pharrell Williams & Chad Hugo of The Neptunes, Rick Nowels and William “Mickey” Stevenson. Lil Nas X was honored with the Hal David Starlight Award, while Paul Williams received the highest songwriting honor which is the Johnny Mercer Award. UMPG CEO Jody Gerson received the Abe Olman Publisher Award for her lengthy career of songwriter advocacy.
Tom Cruise, Glen Powell & Miles Teller Head to Korea For 'Top Gun: Maverick's Latest Premiere
The cast of Top Gun: Maverick gathers together on the red carpet for a group shot at the premiere event held at Lotte World on Sunday (June 19) in Seoul, Korea.
Tom Cruise joined Miles Teller, Greg Tarzan Davis, Glen Powell, and Jay Ellis, as well as producer Jerry Bruckheimer for the event.
Many of the guys headed straight to the fans who were in attendance, and made time to sign autographs and get a pic with the crowd before heading inside the event.
Jerry‘s wife Linda, and Miles‘ wife, Keleigh Sperry, were also at the premiere.
Just four weeks into release, Top Gun: Maverick has become the biggest hit of the year domestically, with over $473 million in the bank stateside, and nearly $900 million worldwide, according to Collider.
Kim Kardashian Addresses Her Ex Kanye West on Father's Day
Kim Kardashian is speaking out about her ex and father of her children, Kanye West.
The 41-year-old Kardashians reality TV star, who shares four children with the 45-year-old rapper, spoke out on Father’s Day on Sunday (June 19).
Kim on leaving Kanye
“Thank you for being the best dad to our babies and loving them the way you do! Happy Father’s Day Ye ✨,” Kim wrote in a post shared to her Instagram Stories, featuring Kanye smiling and posing with their kids: North, 9, Saint, 6, Chicago, 4, and Psalm, 3.
She also honored late father Robert Kardashian, and “best step dad” Caitlyn Jenner for raising her and her siblings with mom Kris Jenner.
“The kids asked me how I would celebrate with you today if you’re all the way up in heaven. They have [sic] me the cutest suggestions 🤗 I miss you and love with all my soul ✨♾,” she wrote.
At the same time, Kim Kardashian shared cute snaps with her new boyfriend, Pete Davidson.
Paul Haggis Arrested in Italy on Sexual Assault Charges
Oscar-winning Canadian screenwriter and director Paul Haggis has been arrested in Ostuni, Southern Italy, on charges of sexual assault and aggravated personal injury allegedly inflicted upon a still unidentified woman who has pressed charges.
According to multiple Italian press reports and a note from the public prosecutor of the nearby city of Brindisi, Haggis is charged with forcing a young “foreign” – meaning non-Italian – woman to undergo sexual intercourse over the course of two days in Ostuni, where he was scheduled to hold several master classes at the Allora Fest, a new film event being launched by Los Angeles-based Italian journalist Silvia Bizio and Spanish art critic Sol Costales Doulton that is set to run in Ostuni from June 21 to June 26.
Bizio has confirmed to Variety that Haggis is under arrest.
“Under Italian Law, I cannot discuss the evidence,” Haggis’ longtime personal attorney Priya Chaudhry said in a statement. “That said, I am confident that all allegations will be dismissed against Mr. Haggis. He is totally innocent and willing to fully cooperate with the authorities so the truth comes out quickly.”
In statement The Allora Fest said they have “learned with dismay and shock the news that Paul Haggis is in custody for alleged violence.”
The fest’s directors “immediately proceeded to remove any participation of the director from the event” and “At the same time, they express full solidarity with the woman involved,” they added.
“The themes chosen for the festival are, among others, those of equality, gender equality, and solidarity. As professionals and women they are dismayed and hope that the festival will help foster more information and awareness on such a topical and increasingly pressing issue,” the statement went on to note.
According to an Italian police report, the alleged victim, after being assaulted, was taken by Haggis to the Papola Casale airport in Brindisi and left there on Friday morning at the crack of dawn, despite her “precarious physical and psychological conditions.”
At the airport, the alleged rape victim, in a “confused state,” according to the report, was assisted by the airport staff and border police who, after having given her first aid, accompanied her to the offices of the Italian squadra mobile police unit. Police agents then took the woman to the A. Perrino hospital in Brindisi, where Italy’s so-called “pink protocol” for rape victims was put into effect.
Subsequently, the alleged victim filed formal charges against Haggis.
Haggis, who wrote “Million Dollar Baby” and co-wrote and directed “Crash,” both of which he won an Oscar for, was sued in 2018 by publicist Haleigh Breest, who alleged that he had violently raped her after a premiere in 2013. The suit prompted three additional women to come forward with their own sexual misconduct accusations against Haggis, who has vehemently denied the claims. The trial is still pending, due to COVID delays.
Bill Cosby civil trial jury must start deliberations over
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — After two days of deliberations in which they reached verdicts on nearly all of the questions put before them, jurors in a civil trial who were deciding on sexual abuse allegations against Bill Cosby will have to start from scratch on Monday.
By the end of the court day Friday, the Los Angeles County jury had come to agreement on whether Cosby had sexually assaulted plaintiff Judy Huth at the Playboy Mansion when she was 16 in 1975, and whether Huth deserved any damages. In all they had answered eight of nine questions on their verdict form, all but one that asked whether Cosby acted in a way that should require punitive damages.
Judge Craig Karlan, who had promised one juror when she agreed to serve that she could leave after Friday for a prior commitment, decided over the objections of Cosby's attorneys to accept and read the verdict on the questions the jury had answered. But he had to change course when deputies at the Santa Monica Courthouse appeared and required him to clear the courtroom. The courthouse has a required closure time of 4:30 p.m. because of no budget for deputies' overtime.
Karlan refused to require the departing juror, who had been chosen as foreperson, to return on Monday, so jurors will have to begin again with an alternate in her place.
“I won't go back on my word,” Karlan said.
It was a bizarre ending to a strange day of jury deliberations. It began with a note to the judge about what he called a “personality issue” between two of the jurors that was making their work difficult.
After calling them to the courtroom and getting them to agree that every juror would be heard in discussions, the jurors resumed, but had a steady flurry of questions on issues with their verdict form that the judge and attorneys had to discuss and answer. One question was on how to calculate damages.
After the lunch break, Cosby lawyer Jennifer Bonjean moved for a mistrial because of a photo taken by a member of Cosby's team that showed a juror standing in close proximity to a Cosby accuser who had been sitting in the audience and watching the trial.
Karlan said the photo didn't indicate any conversation had happened, and quickly dismissed the mistrial motion, getting assurances from the juror in question, then the entire jury, that no one had discussed the case with them.
The accuser, Los Angeles artist Lily Bernard, who has filed her own lawsuit against Cosby in New Jersey, denied speaking to any jurors.
“I never spoke to any juror, ever,” Bernard told the judge from her seat in the courtroom. “I would never do anything to jeopardize this case. I don't even look at them.”
Karlan fought to get past the hurdles and have jurors deliberate as long as possible, and kept lawyers, reporters and court staff in the courtroom ready to bolt as soon as a verdict was read, but it was fruitless in the end.
Jurors had begun deliberating on Thursday morning after a two-week trial.
Cosby, 84, who was freed from prison when his Pennsylvania criminal conviction was thrown out nearly a year ago, did not attend. He denied any sexual contact with Huth in a clip from a 2015 video deposition shown to jurors. The denial has been repeated throughout the trial by his spokesman and his attorney.
In contentious closing arguments, Bonjean urged the jurors to look past the public allegations against Cosby and consider only the trial evidence, which she said did not come close to proving Huth's case.
Huth's attorney Nathan Goldberg told jurors Cosby had to be held accountable for the harm he had done to his client.
The Associated Press does not normally name people who say they have been sexually abused, unless they come forward publicly, as Huth and Bernard each have.
Lia Thomas Officially Banned From Competing Against Women
Transgender competitive swimmer Lia Thomas is officially banned from competing against women after a decision made by FINA officials.
The decision was announced Sunday by FINA president Husnain Al-Musallam who stated that the organization is changing its policies so transgender women can only compete in women’s races if they completed their transition at the age of 12. Additionally, the athletes would have to prove that they have continuously suppressed their testosterone levels throughout the years as reported by the Daily Mail.
‘We have to protect the rights of our athletes to compete, but we also have to protect competitive fairness at our events, especially the women’s category at FINA competitions.’
FINA is also planning to open a new category where transgender athletes can compete against each other in events such as the World Aquatics Championships, Swimming World Cup, and World Swimming Championships.
The new category will be discussed among a group that will make plans for the next six months. ‘I do not want any athlete to be told they cannot compete at the highest level. I will set up a working group to set up an open category at our meets. We will be the first federation to do that,’ Al-Musallam said in a follow-up statement.
Al-Musallam’s decision was passed with a 71 percent majority after it was presented to 152 members of national federations at Puskas Arena. Meanwhile, 15 percent voted no to the new policy while 13 percent removed themselves from the voting process.
The new decision will affect Thomas’ eligibility
The decision made by FINA will affect Thomas’ chance of competing in the Olympics after she broke several records which caused controversy within the United States as people argued she has an unfair physical advantage over other competitors. During an interview with Sports Illustrated in March, she reacted to the backlash and said she deserves to compete in women’s sports despite the public outcry.
“The very simple answer is that I’m not a man. I’m a woman, so I belong on the women’s team. Trans people deserve that same respect every other athlete gets. I just want to show trans kids and younger trans athletes that they’re not alone. They don’t have to choose between who they are and the sport they love.”
Thomas also said she always felt uncomfortable in her body before her transition and experienced body dysmorphia during her college athletic career as a biological man.
“I was very depressed. I got to the point where I couldn’t go to school. I was missing classes,” she says. “My sleep schedule was super messed up. Some days I couldn’t get out of bed. I knew at that moment I needed to do something to address this. But in that depressive, very struggling state of mind, it’s hard to make progress when so much of my energy was trying to get through each day.”
Mo’Nique Apologizes To D.L. Hughley’s Family: ‘But That N***a D.L., I Meant Every Motherf**king Thing I Said’
After weeks of online feuding, Queen of Comedy Mo’Nique apologizes to one of the Kings of Comedy D.L. Hughley and his family.
As mentioned, Mo’Nique’s apology arrives after much back and forth between Mo, D.L., his wife LaDonna Hughley, and their eldest daughter Ryan Nicole Shepard.
Things first began when Mo’Nique took to the stage in Detroit for a comedy show, featuring both she and D.L. During her performance, Mo’Nique alleged that she was the headliner.
After a few shots tossed back and forth at each other on social media, Mo’Nique took a jab that might have been perceived as one “below the belt.”
In an attempt to strike a nerve, Mo brought up D.L.’s youngest daughter’s sexual assault incident with a family friend.
At the time, Mo said, “I find it funny that DL will call out ICE CUBE, KANYE, RIZZA ISLAM, ANGELA STANTON, MYSELF ETC., but he won’t call out the name of the person that violated his daughter. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO SAID I JUST NEED TO LET THINGS GO!”
Mo had been referring to an incident in 2015 when D.L. appeared on Sirius XM’s Shade 45 and told spoke with host Sway about Bill Cosby‘s rape allegations.
During his sitdown with Sway, D.L. seemingly admitted to not believing his own daughter when she finally shared with him that one of his close friends has sexually assaulted her.
He said, “The reason it hits home to me is because my youngest daughter said something happened to her, and because it was somebody I liked, I didn’t believe her. I’ll never get that back. I’m supposed to protect her. I’ll never get that back. She told her father something, and he didn’t do nothing about it because it was inconvenient.”
After Mo drug the situation back up recently, D.L. addressed it and called it “the final straw” in his public feud with Mo.
Mo’Nique Apologizes To D.L. Hughley’s Family, But Is Still Beefing With Him
Since the latest back and forth, Mo’Nique is now apologizing to D.L., his wife and his daughter. On Friday (June 17), Mo took to the stage in Raleigh, NC and publicly sent her apologies to the Hughley family. But, she also said D.L. was still on her hit list.
Mo said “I’d like to consider myself a woman of honor. So I’m about to do something right now publicly that I did publicly. And when I f**k something up, I gotta fix it up. So I’m gon’ take care of that right now before I go any motherf**king further.
To D.L. Hughley’s family, I wanna publicly apologize if I hurt anyone’s feelings. I want to publicly apologize to his wife, his babies if I hurt their feelings because that was never my godd*mn intention. I never meant to hurt their feelings. Oh but that ni**a D.L., I meant every mutherf**king thing I said.”
LA Deputy Who Took Kobe Bryant Crash Pics Also Accused of Kneeling on Inmate’s Head
*(Via LA Times) – About a year after Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Doug Johnson took graphic photos of Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash scene that were then passed around, he was caught up in another scandal.
Johnson knelt on the head of a handcuffed inmate for several minutes — another incident sheriff’s officials tried to keep quiet because they feared it would cast a “negative light” on the Sheriff’s Department (watch it happen via the video below).
They have become two of the department’s most highly publicized scandals during Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s term — and they’re now colliding in the courtroom.
L.A. County lawyers are trying to block Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant’s widow, who is suing the Sheriff’s Department for negligence and invasion of privacy over the photo-sharing, from introducing the cover-up of the violent detention by Johnson as evidence in her trial, which is set for next month.
The county attorneys are arguing that the force incident and cover-up have “nothing to do with” Bryant’s claims. But they said Bryant’s attorneys would not agree to exclude questions about it during the trial. So they want a judge to decide.
“The incident at the jail and LASD’s response are entirely unrelated to the crash scene photos at issue in this matter,” county attorneys wrote in a filing Friday. “The incident is not only irrelevant, but also highly inflammatory — touching on one of the most contentious issues in our society, accusations of excessive force by police officers.”
Colts Safety Khari Willis Announces Retirement From The NFL At Age 26 To Pursue Career in Ministry
NFL player Khari Willis is stepping away from the football field to pursue a career in ministry.
When God is trying to tell you something, it’s best that you listen. That’s the situation for 26-year-old Khari Willis, who has suddenly quit his safety position after with the Indianapolis Colts “much prayer and deliberation” to go into the industry of ministry.
The player, who’s been in the NFL for three seasons, announced the news in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
“I have elected to officially retire from the NFL as I endeavor to devote the remainder of my life to the further advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Willis in his post. “I thank all of my family, friends and those who have supported me on this journey thus far and I look forward to your continued support through the next phase of my life.”
He went on to say that he is “humbled and excited to pursue the holy call that God has for [his] life which brings me much joy and purpose.”
“I’ve built lifelong relationships with numerous teammates, coaches and support staff that have impacted me greatly,” he continued. “The lessons that I’ve learned in this phase of my life will be valuable for me in my next chapter.”
One of those relationships is with the Colts’ head coach, who gave Willis his blessings for his new journey.
“We’re thankful and appreciative of Khari’s contributions to the Colts both on and off the field over the last three seasons,” Colts said Colts head coach Frank Reich. “Khari’s character, leadership, and professionalism will be missed in our locker room as will his play on Sundays.”
California Man Arrested For Hiding Camera In Bathroom During Graduation Party
A California man is facing charges after a GoPro camera was found hidden in a bathroom at a high school graduation party.
Charles G. Korrell, 44, was arrested and charged with peeping on Thursday. His bail was set at $15,000.
According to a press release from the Petaluma Police Department, the incident occurred on Wednesday at a home that was celebrating the graduation of a 17-year-old student. Officers were called to a home after someone found the GoPro hidden in a litter box inside the bathroom.
The camera had been recording for about 30 minutes before it was discovered.
No one at the party admitted to owning the camera, prompting an investigation. Officers observed Korrell accidentally filming himself while placing the camera in the litterbox. A search warrant was executed on the suspect’s home, and an electronic device was seized. According to the release, the evidence requires further examination.
Korrell is the ex-husband of the home’s resident and attended the graduation party.
Thousands of flight cancellations mark holiday weekend
As of Sunday morning, more than 1,000 flights within, into or leaving the U.S. had been delayed and more than 700 flights had been canceled, according to FlightAware.
Thousands of flights wound up canceled and delayed during the Juneteenth and Father's Day holiday weekend, which included the busiest air travel day of the year on Friday, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
More than 2.4 million people traveled through TSA checkpoints Friday, the agency said. Airlines had canceled more than 1,100 flights by early Friday afternoon after they canceled more than 1,700 Thursday, according to The Associated Press.
More than 6,300 flights were delayed within, into or leaving the U.S. on Saturday, and 859 flights were canceled, according to the flight tracking platform FlightAware.
As of Sunday morning, more than 1,000 flights within, into or leaving the U.S. had been delayed and more than 700 flights had been canceled, according to FlightAware. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City and Chicago O'Hare International Airport had the most delays and cancellations Sunday.
Faced with staffing shortages, and a pilot shortage in particular, many airlines have already canceled thousands of flights for the summer season, including Southwest Airlines, which cut nearly 20,000 summer flights, The Dallas Morning News reported.
Delta is canceling 100 daily departures from destinations in the U.S. and Latin America, affecting travel from July 1 to Aug. 7. The airline published an open letter to customers Thursday acknowledging both the labor shortage and customers' frustrations with canceled and delayed flights.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg met with airline CEOs late Thursday to discuss how to improve their operations.
In an interview Saturday with the AP, Buttigieg said that his own flight from Washington to New York was canceled Friday, leading him to drive, instead, and that he was pushing airline leaders to ensure they could fulfill their planned summer flights with the staffs they have.
Buttigieg added that the Transportation Department could take enforcement actions against airlines, but he cautioned that he wanted to wait to see how airline travel during the July Fourth weekend and the rest of the summer season unfolds first.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘BABY GRANDPA’
Look at those banannas
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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