6/23/22

The Daily Buzz For June 24☕📰☕

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!

#MAGFAB: Megan Thee Stallion Talks Career, Past Relationships & New Album With Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone released its July “Hot” issue featuring rap superstar Megan Thee Stallion in one of her most candid interviews to date. In just a few years, Megan Jovon Ruth Pete has gone from rapping at Houston kickbacks and strip clubs to becoming one of the biggest names in music, assembling a legion of fans she’s dubbed “Thee Hotties.”
Megan stunned her fans in multiple stellar looks, taking a more earthly, rugged approach to glamour. The cover photo shows Megan with a sheer white head covering draped dramatically over her head. The star paired the headpiece with a deconstructed bra top with an angular strap in taupe. The rapper wore a see-through mauve shawl over her shoulders and put on some hard-to-miss statement earrings.
 
The cover look set the tone for the earthy photo spread to come, the next photos showing Megan dressed in a body suit made out of turquoise rocks, accessorized with gold jewelry. Another shot shows the famed rapper with quarts around her neck paired with a cream top fitted with a sweetheart neckline.
The star donned bronzy hoops for the rock-centric look, following that piece up with a large bronze ring with a clay-colored untreated rock. The final look in the sets sees Megan standing before a multi-colored metal dome, laying back on the structure in a glittering black mesh dress. The dress was a maxi length with long sleeves. The garment was a patchwork style, an amalgamation of different styles of mesh, sprinkled with swirling deep blue sequins, silver beads, and black beads here and there. Megan wore chunky natural jewelry once again, matching that rugged feel of the shoot.
Megan discussed her career and past relationships, all while teasing her new album. The full, in-depth interview can be read on Rolling Stone’s website.
 
 
#RHOA: Shereé Whitfield Admits SHE By Shereé Has "Been Kind of a Mess"
Over the years, fans, viewers, and fashion-lovers alike have waited with bated breath to find out when Shereé Whitfield's brand, SHE by Shereé, would finally come to life. While Shereé hasn't shared a specific date when items will drop yet, she did open up during The Real Housewives of Atlanta's June 19 episode about some of the things that have held her label back.
 
"SHE by Shereé, I gotta admit, its been kind of a mess," she explained in an episode interview. "Over the years, I've stopped and started SHE by Shereé. I've even created a line of accessories, like yoga mats and water bottles, but no one has ever seen these things."
 
Back in April 2018 at the RHOA Season 10 reunion, Shereé teased that she would be dropping a line of joggers at some point within that year, but, the pants were never released. Two years later, during a May 2020 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Shereé revealed that she "decided to go in a different direction" and not drop joggers at all.
 
Flash forward to now, and Shereé has a new game plan for her brand. "The next step is to find a great business manager to help build my team of strong, diverse women," she declared in the June 19 episode.
 
Watch new episodes of RHOA Sundays at 8/7c and streaming on Peacock
 
 
#NewMusicVideo from Chris Brown And Normani  'WE (Warm Embrace)'
Just three days before Breezy drops, Chris Brown delivers the steamy video for “WE (Warm Embrace).”
 
The Arrad-directed clip co-stars Normani and was shot at the Invisible House in Joshua Tree, Calif. It opens with Chris falling out of the sky, soundtracked by one of his new Breezy cuts, “Sleep at Night.” Temperature keeps rising as he and Normani work up a sweat while showing off their intimate dance moves before diving into a pool and making out under the water.
 
Breezy also performs against the mirrored house with the desert in the background before cuddling up with Normani in an old school Mercedes. Their dreamy date ends with them being teleported into outerspace.

WATCH HERE
The “Warm Embrace” video follows the release of Chris’ Wizkid collaboration “Call Me Every Day” from Breezy, which drops June 24. Chris’ 10th studio album also features appearances from Lil Wayne, H.E.R., Jack Harlow, Fivio Foreign, and more.
 
 
#HipHopNews: YG And Tyga Transform Into The Kardashians In 'Run' Video
YG and Tyga are keeping up with the Kardashians.
The rappers are set to drop their new collaboration “Run” on Friday. Ahead of the premiere, they shared some footage from the wild music video in which they appear to channel the famous family.
 
The two were unrecognizable as they transformed into women while riding in a red Ferrari. YG donned a face full of makeup and a blonde wig, while Tyga opted to be a brunette, sporting sunglasses as he checked himself in the mirror.
 
“Calabasas forever!” shouted YG, a reference to the Kardashians’ hometown
 
The comedic clip drew laughs from fans in the comments, who compared their look to the Kardashians as well as Shawn and Marlon Wayans from the 2004 comedy White Chicks.
“Giving me dem’ White Chicks vibez,” wrote one, while another added, “Yooooo Tyga looking like the 5th generation of Kim Kardashian.”
 
“Run,” which also features BIA and 21 Savage, hits streaming services on Friday. It’s unclear where the song will appear. YG is working on his album Pray for Me, which spawned the single “Scared Money” with J. Cole and Moneybagg Yo.
 
 
Billy Porter Signs First-Look Deal With FX Productions
Pose star Billy Porter has signed a first-look deal with FX Productions. Under the agreement, he will develop content for FX through his new production company Incognegro with producing partner D.J. Gugenheim.
 
“Billy Porter was an incredibly accomplished artist before joining FX’s Pose to deliver the iconic, breakout, award-winning performance that helped define the series as one of the most memorable and groundbreaking in recent TV history,” FX President of Original Programming Nick Grad said in a statement. “Billy has excelled as a writer, director and so much more — and we are excited to help him produce bold new stories that reflect his vision and unmatched style.”
 
“I’m so glad I’ve been blessed to live long enough to see this day. The day where my queerness was my liability, to now where it grounds my work in personal authenticity and power. This is where we change the conversation. This is where they have the guts to tell the stories that resonate on the deepest level,” added Porter. “Whether it’s about famous artists who you don’t fully understand or people from communities you don’t fully know or biting comedy you’ve thought about but never fully explored, this is such a wonderful home to tell the stories I’ve been talking about my whole life. The FX team is FEARLESS and I can’t wait to break new grounds together.”
 
“While Pose was an incredible show that had a deep impact on strengthening my understanding of the importance of telling underrepresented stories and created a clear opening to approach Billy to direct Anything’s Possible, it was working on set with Billy and watching him direct the cast and crew that left me with the most profound experience,” continued Gugenheim. “I am thrilled to be working with such a visionary storyteller and to be starting this journey at such a forward thinking and brilliant TV studio as FX.”
Incognegro
Porter won an Emmy for Lead Actor for FX’s Pose, and most recently received a third Emmy nomination for the role. Recently, Porter appeared in Amazon’s Cinderella, the second season of CBS All Access’ The Twilight Zone, American Horror Story: Apocalypse, and narrated HBO Max’s Equal. He’s set to star in Our Son alongside Luke Evans and will direct a queer teen comedy from Gabrielle Union’s I’ll Have Another Productions, titled To Be Real. He’s also been tapped to direct an episode of Fox’s anthology series Accused.
 
His directorial debut Anything’s Possible, a coming-of age film written by Ximena García Lecuona, will drop July 22 on Amazon Prime Video.
 
Porter is represented by CAA, Industry Entertainment, and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson McGinnis Ryan.
 
 
Ed Sheeran awarded $1.1M after winning ‘Shape of You’ plagiarism lawsuit
Pop star Ed Sheeran was awarded to the tune of $1.1 million after winning a copyright lawsuit in April.
 
A United Kingdom judge announced Tuesday that Sheeran will receive the amount covering 90% of his legal expenses following the earlier verdict that the singer didn’t plagiarize a Sami Chokri song to make his 2017 track “Shape Of You,” Variety reported.
 
Uvalde school police chief Pete Arredondo put on administrative leave
“The starting point is to identify the winners and losers in the action because the general rule is that the unsuccessful party pays the costs of the successful party,” Judge Antony Zacaroli said.
 
“There is no dispute as to this: [Sheeran] undoubtedly won and won on every substantial point.”
Chokri accused Sheeran of stealing from his 2015 song “Oh Why” for “Shape of You,” which was a No. 1 hit in many countries, including the United States.
 
The English-born Sheeran, 31, is credited as a co-writer of “Shape of You” with John McDaid and Steven McCutcheon.
Following the trial win in April, Sheeran described the accusation as being “really damaging to the songwriting industry.”
 
“Whilst we’re obviously happy with the result, I feel like claims like this are way too common now and have become a culture where a claim is made with the idea that a settlement will be cheaper than taking it to court, even if there is no basis for the claim,” Sheerhan said at the time in a video.
 
Sheeran previously settled a lawsuit involving his song “Photograph” without going to court, and faces a lawsuit over the song “Thinking Out Loud” that reportedly remains unresolved.
 
He is a four-time Grammy winner out of 15 career nominations.
 
 
Justin Timberlake Issues a Much-Needed Apology for His Khakis in That Viral Dance Video
It’s been less than a week since Justin Timberlake went viral for an awkward dance routine during a Washington D.C. performance, and on Wednesday (June 22), the star delivered a hilarious apology.
 
“D.C., I want to apologize to you for two reasons: here and here,” he said in a video posted to his Instagram Stories, zooming the camera into a close up of his feet. “I had a long talk with both of them, individually, and said, ‘Don’t you ever do that to me again.'”
 
The “Cry Me a River” singer also pointed out the pair of khaki pants that fans on TikTok poked fun at him for. “Maybe it was the khakis. It was a real khaki vibe,” he joked.
 
JT concluded by vowing that his feet will “get it right” in the future, adding a string of social media memes to prove that he is truly in on the joke.
 
The viral incident occurred on Satuday (June 18), when Timberlake took the stage during Pharrell’s Something in the Water music festival, wearing a green, short sleeved button-down shirt and a pair of khaki pants, complete with orange sneakers, giving the ultimate dad vibe as a father of two. During his performance, the star attempted a shuffle-heavy Beat Ya Feet-style dance, but ended up getting ridiculed on TikTok for his moves.
 
“Me after a couple drinks thinking i actually did something,” one user joked in the comments, while another wrote, “Dad at a wedding type of dance.”
 
Watch Timberlake’s Instagram Story apology before it disappears here.
 
 
Taraji P. Henson Reveals She's 'Seriously Considering' Moving Abroad: 'You Get Tired of Fighting'
Taraji P. Henson might be adding 'expat' to her long list of titles.
As she gears up to return as host of the BET Awards on Sunday, the actress — who also lends her voice to the new animated film Minions: The Rise of Gru — tells PEOPLE she may soon bid adieu to America.
 
"I'm really considering getting up out of here, leaving and living in another country," she says on the PEOPLE Every Day podcast when asked how she's been coping with the difficult political and social climate in America. "That's something that comes with 50, you get tired of fighting. I'm tired."
 
As for what has exhausted the star, she notes the "pressures of being Black" and the ongoing fight for justice and peace in America. "I just don't want to have to do another hashtag … I fought, I chanted, I marched. I'm tired."
 
Henson, 51, imagines life in her foreign refuge to be much simpler. "I want to go where there's neutral ground," she says. "I want to just be. And be happy. I want to be called 'Bella' every day, drink wine and swat flies on the porch. Stress-free."
 
It's an ideal situation she says she's earned at this stage in her life and career.
"There's something that happens when you turn 50, where all of your f---s are behind you. I've accomplished a lot and I'm going to do what I want to do." She adds, "I'm at the point now where if I say, 'I quit, I'm going to go travel the world,' I can. It's so freeing."
 
That said, she still has a few career goals. "I've always wanted to play a villain," says Henson, who voices the sinister Belle Bottom in Minions: The Rise fo Gru, which hits theaters on July 1. "I still want to play a real-life villain like a Marvel character, but I'm happy to be Belle Bottom. She is jazzy and has a big afro."
 
While she's not turning in her U.S. passport just yet, Henson says she is looking forward to an overseas girl's trip following her BET hosting duties.
 
"Me and Mary [J. Blige] have been trying to do this trip for so long but our schedules just keep getting crazy. I just told her 'Look, enough is enough, I need a vacation!'"
 
 
Kendall Jenner and Devin Booker Break Up After 2 Years
Kendall Jenner and Devin Booker are calling a timeout on their love story.
The Kardashians star and Phoenix Suns shooting guard have broken up after two years together, a source close to Kendall tells E! News.
 
The source shared on June 22, "Kendall and Devin hit a rough patch recently and have been split for about a week and a half."
 
The couple had a "really nice time" in Italy together during sister Kourtney Kardashian's wedding festivities, the insider explains, "but once they got back, they started to feel like they weren't aligned and realized they have very different lifestyles."
 
Kendall told Devin she "wanted space and time apart," according to the source, who shares, "They have been in touch since and do care about one another."
 
However, it may not be a permanent breakup, as the insider notes, "They both hope to make it work, but as of now, they are split."
 
Inside Kendall Jenner & Devin Booker's Cozy Cabin Vacation for New Year's Eve
 
Kendall and Devin first sparked romance rumors back in April 2020 when they were spotted driving in Arizona together. After weeks of relationship speculation, the pair officially began dating in June of that year.
 
However, it wasn't until February 2021 that Kendall took their relationship to the next level by going Instagram official in honor of Valentine's Day. At the time, Kendall shared a photo of her and Devin laughing while lying on a kitchen counter.
 
That wasn't the only time Kendall took to the ‘gram with her romance. On June 12, 2021, Kendall shared a few PDA-packed pictures on her Instagram Story to celebrate their one-year anniversary.
 
Then, for her birthday, Devin made hearts melt by sharing a photo of Kendall to his Instagram Story and calling her the "Most beautiful woman."
 
In March 2022, Devin reflected on their public romance after being asked whether it was "hard having the spotlight" on their private lives.
 
"I wouldn't say hard," Devin told the Wall Street Journal. "Honestly, I'm enjoying life to the fullest, and that came off my tongue so easily because it wasn't always this way, but I feel like I'm in a good place right now. I love my family, I love the people around me, and I love the impact that I get to have on this world."
 
That same month, a separate source close to Kendall told E! News that Kendall and Devin were seriously committed to one another but not yet looking to get engaged.
 
"Kendall and Devin's relationship is going strong," the second insider said, "but they are in no rush to settle down and tie the knot."
 
The second source explained that Kendall was "very much content with how things are with Devin right now," adding at the time, "Devin likes to do little things for Kendall to make sure she is appreciated and loved and it warms her heart."
 
 
Family of Daunte Wright reaches $3.2 million settlement with Brooklyn Center
As previously reported, on April 11, 2021, a 20-year-old Black man named Daunte Wright was fatally shot by a white police officer named Kimberly Potter. The incident happened in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota during a traffic stop. The officer claimed she delivered the fatal shot after accidentally using her gun instead of her taser.
 
Last night (June 21), attorneys for Wright’s family announced that the Minnesota city agreed to a $3.2 million settlement in connection to his death. Within the agreement are plans for traffic stop training to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Changes in police policies are expected as well.
 
Following the fatal traffic stop that originated from expired registration tags, Potter received first and second-degree manslaughter convictions and was sentenced to two years in prison. At the time of the verdict, Wright’s mother, Katie Bryant, said, “The moment that we heard ‘guilty‘ on manslaughter 1, emotions — every single emotion that you could imagine — just running through your body at that moment.” She added, “We want to thank community support, everybody who has been out there that has supported us in this long fight for accountability.”
 
Co-counsel Antonio M. Romanucci said Wright’s family hopes the settlement terms will “change to policing, policies and training” and “create important improvements to the community in Daunte’s name.” The attorney continued, “Nothing can bring him back, but the family hopes his legacy is a positive one and prevents any other family from enduring the type of grief they will live with for the rest of their lives.”
 
George Floyd was killed by a white police officer in the same state in 2020, just one year before Wright suffered the same fate. In 2021, the Minneapolis City Council approved a $27 million civil settlement for Floyd’s family.
 

Jussie Smollett calls out people who said he staged 2019 attack
“I do hold some people accountable for the things that they said, for the things that they did…” Jussie Smollett said.
Jussie Smollett spoke out about the ridicule he faced in his first post-jail interview on “Sway In The Morning.” The “Empire” actor very firmly holds people accountable for the ways they reacted and treated him after his alleged February 2019 assault.
 
Smollett plead not guilty to allegations that he staged a homophobic and racist attack on himself in Chicago back in 2020. But last year, the star was found guilty for filing a false report and was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months felony probation and a fine.
 
The actor maintains his innocence despite him experiencing nothing but ridicule from the media and apparently from people he thought were his friends. Those same people who Smollett said knew him, had his phone number and should have reached out.
 
“I do hold some people accountable for the things that they said, for the things that they did, for the ways that they reacted because half of those people should have picked up the fucking phone and called me because they had my number, you know?” Smollett said.
 
“And they didn’t. I hold the people that went out there and said shit…I hold them to something. And not the people that don’t know me but the people that do know me. Fuck outta here—y’all know better than that and ya’ll did that—that was some PR bullshit. And you know who you are. And I will not name names and I love everybody—but I don’t like everybody.”
 
The actor also shared advice that a friend offered him a few years ago. “You may look at everything now and think that this is bad. You needed to mow the lawn so you could see all the snakes in your grass,” he continued.
 
Smollett added that he’s “never felt healthier and more grateful and never felt more blessed than I feel now.” He’s in therapy actively working through everything he’s experienced these last three years.
 
Watch the interview in its entirety HERE.
 
 
Britney Spears Returns to Instagram, Reveals Why She Hasn't Gone on Her Honeymoon Yet
Britney Spears is back on social media! Late last week, the 40-year-old popstar decided to deactivate her Instagram account shortly after marrying Sam Asghari.
 
On Wednesday (June 22), Britney returned to Instagram and shared an update with fans about what she’s been up to while unplugged from social media.
 
“Haven’t been on my honeymoon yet … got married and moved into a new house around the same time … not the smartest thing to do … 🤧🤧🤧🤔🤔🤔” Britney wrote along with photos of herself by her new pool. “Oh well it’s coming together … it’s so weird I wake up and everything is new … new pool … new kitchen … new bed … I think I’m in shock !!! Figuring out a couple of things … I definitely like being outside but I also like being inside too … my yard is sick so my dogs are in pig heaven 🐷🐷🐷 !!!”
“Change is so great … as my kids say … that’s fetch 🙄🙄🙄😜😜😜🙈🙈 !!! Since I’m so uncool … yes I will keep sharing … it keeps me on track … my family has always had a way of letting me know … well I guess I have a pretty good way as well !!!” she continued.
 
Britney concluded, “I took a nice dip in my pool … it’s so bright and it has a nice chill spot … and a slide … I went down it 4 times already … it’s hella fast !!! I cut all my hair short and my husband just made me a steak … life is good 💋💋💋🌹🌹 !!!”
 
Along with the photos of herself, Britney shared a video of Sam, 28, jumping into their new pool while one of their dogs watch him from the side.
 
 
Fashion Creators Sue Hailey Beiber’s Skincare Line For Trademark Infringement
Looks like two former college roommates are attempting to put a stop to Hailey Bailey’s new skincare line. According to @people, the women who started the “Rhode” trademark sure suing the model, saying she’s creating market confusion by marketing a skincare line under the Rhode name.
 
The lawsuit in Manhattan federal court asked a judge to illustrate trademark infringement and stop Bieber from selling or marketing any products with the Rhode name. It also pursued unspecified damages.
 
Hailey Bieber is married to the pop singer Justin Bieber, and the lawsuit said her husband has promoted her new skincare line to his 243 million Instagram followers, which received 1.5 million likes with one posting. Her lawyer didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
 
In a joint statement, Khatau and Vickers wrote that they “were forced to file a lawsuit against Hailey Bieber and her skin-care line that launched last week and that is using the brand name ‘Rhode.’ We didn’t want to file this lawsuit, but we had to in order to protect our business. While a global brand, we are still a young and growing company, and we cannot overcome a celebrity with Hailey’s following using our company’s name to sell related products.” They go on to say that while they “wish her every success,” at the same time they have to ask Bieber to change the name of her skin care line as “her using our name is hurting our company, our employees, our customers, and our partners.… We’re both part of a larger beauty market in which fashion and cosmetics closely overlap and often collaborate. Hailey has stated that she wants to pursue a clothing line, and she even applied for ‘rhode’ as a trademark for clothing. We welcome competition—we just don’t want competitors using our name.” They also noted that four years ago, the model attempted to buy the rights to the name from them outright, but they declined the offer.
 
On the day her merchandise was launched, Hailey Bieber said in a Forbes story that she’s had a “really hard time” with “a world of media that likes to perpetuate women against women,” the lawsuit said.
 
“But the reality is that the “world of media” Ms. Bieber interprets is at her disposal. And she has selected to use it to squash a woman and minority co-founded brand that simply cannot compete with her immense fame and following,” the lawsuit said.
 
 
Florida Teens Post Video Of Party In $8 Million Home They Broke Into
Police in Florida are attempting to identify dozens of teenagers who were turning up at an $8 million mansion in the unincorporated master-planned community of Watercolor.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office announced the teens broke into the home, threw a wild party, and “ransacked” the house. Some of the goers even formulated a flier advertising the illegal party.
 
“An open house party is against the law,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post Monday, sharing videos of the party highlights. “An open house party in a home you break into is a burglary.”
 
According to FoxNews, when authorities arrived on the scene most of the partygoers had left already, but videos started to spread all over Snapchat, Instagram, and other social media platforms revealing to law enforcement how the teens had set up a boxing match in the mansion’s foyer. Several partygoers recorded large crowds blasting music and sipping alcohol.
 
Authorities say the homeowners had no idea about this party and didn’t give any permission for the teens to throw one.
 “Apart from the damage caused and the items stolen, it’s a complete violation of someone’s home that you can’t put a price on. The feeling when you know someone went into your closet, tried on your clothes, and used your bathroom doesn’t have a dollar amount attached to it,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “Especially in a place where you’re supposed to feel safe.”
 
The sheriff’s office announced that Snapchat is not private and can be subpoenaed. The post contained several pictures taken from Snapchat showing a large crowd smiling for pictures with drinks in their hands. One photo showed a male taking a selfie showing off a handful of gold rings he found in the home.
 
“You may think it is if you are a teenager or someone in their early 20s, and you are not yet worldly,” the post said. “Your friends will snitch. Word gets out. You’ll be tagged in pics on the Gram.”
 
“We want you to ask yourself how you would feel if your home was ransacked and your sense of peace and security was taken from you,” the sheriff’s office said.
 “Before you say, ‘they might not have known,’ ask yourself if what was taking place was appropriate (or legal) regardless if they had permission to be there (which they did not),” the post continued. “Before making an excuse for these kids, ask why they felt they could do this in the first place.”
 
 
Uvalde School District Police Chief Pete Arredondo Placed on Administrative Leave
Uvalde school district police chief Pete Arredondo was placed on administrative leave Wednesday, per ABC News.
 
News of Arredondo being placed on leave comes nearly one month after the tragic massacre at Robb Elementary School in which 19 children and two teachers were killed. Dr. Hal Harrell, superintendent of the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, said he originally intended on waiting until the conclusion of an investigation before making any personnel changes.
 
“From the beginning of this horrible event, I shared that the district would wait until the investigation was complete before making personnel decisions,” Harrell said. “Today, I am still without details of the investigations being conducted by various agencies. Because of the lack of clarity that remains and the unknown timing of when I will receive the results of the investigations, I have made the decision to place Chief Arredondo on administrative leave effective on this date.”
 
Lt. Mike Hernandez will take over as police chief in the interim.
 
Arrendondo has repeatedly come under fire for his response to the shooting as the on-scene commander, starting with a report that surfaced days after the incident indicating more than a dozen officers waited for over an hour before entering the classroom that suspected 18-year-old gunman Salvador Ramos had barricaded himself with children still inside.
 
In the weeks that followed, we have learned Arrendondo “did not have his radio or comms on him during the incident,” was “convinced at the time that there was no more threat to the children” which allowed them “time to organize,” and “never considered himself the scene’s incident commander.”
 
Two months before the shooting, the Uvalde school district hosted an all-day “active shooter response” training course that preached the importance of time and forewarned law enforcement officials that those who arrive first “will usually be required to place themselves in harm’s way.”
 
Texas Department of Public Safety director Steve McCraw said earlier this month that the shooting could have been resolved within three minutes. Meanwhile, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin criticized McCraw during a city council meeting Tuesday for attempting to deflect blame towards his own agency.
 
“Col. McCraw has continued to, whether you want to call it lie, leak, mislead or misstate, information in order to distance his own troopers and Rangers from the response,” McLaughlin said. “Every briefing he leaves out the number of his own officers and Rangers that were on-scene that day.”
 
The finger-pointing continues to go around as Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez recently filed a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Public Safety for allegedly ignoring requests for records pertaining to the Uvalde shooting.
 
Arredondo was placed on leave one day after his request for a leave of absence from future meetings was denied by the Uvalde City Council, of which he is a newly-appointed member.\
 
 
Billie Eilish Says She Used a Body Double for Part of Her 2022 Coachella Performance
Billie Eilish used one of her dancers as a body double onstage during the beginning of her headlining performance at Coachella earlier this year. 
“I dressed her up in a show look that I had worn before. We got a black wig and we put buns in it and we gave her a mask and sunglasses and she wore my shoes and my socks,” Eilish revealed during an appearance on Apple Music 1’s The Matt Wilkinson Show ahead of her 2022 Glastonbury Festival performance on Friday. 
 
“I put her up at the back of the stage and she stood there while the lights went on and everybody thought it was me,” she continued. “And nobody ever knew it wasn’t me, literally nobody knew. And while she’s up there, I put on a big black coat and a traffic vest and a hood and just glasses.”
 
The revelation came after Wilkinson asked her if she’s ever gone undercover to watch other artists perform during festival stops. “Yeah, but I was a different person then and it didn’t work! I’ve done it though, occasionally in different places, and it’s really nice when you’re able to do it,” she responded.
 
Eilish also recently spoke with The Sunday Times about a wide-range of topics, including her difficulties with separation anxiety and opening up to the idea of motherhood. The Oscar and Grammy-winning singer attributes her “crippling, life-changing separation anxiety” to being home-schooled as a kid, and admitted to being uneasy about having children.
 
Billie also opened up about it being a “scary” time to live in America, in wake of the Uvalde massacre and the ongoing issue of gun violence. “Why is it OK to be scared to go to school?,” she said. “You go to school and be prepared for a life-changing traumatic experience or dying. What? Who? Where is the logic there?”
 
 
The-Dream Celebrates Working With Beyoncé On “Break My Soul”: “I Love Making You Guys Happy”
The tag team of Beyoncé and The-Dream have an impressive track record. The-Dream produced Queen Bey’s new single, “Break My Soul,” which continues a run of hits the two have created together including “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).”
With the new release currently running up streams and stoking the excitement fire of the BeyHive, The-Dream released a statement via Twitter to the fans and Bey.
 
“I Love Making You Guys Happy and even if for a second I can give anything of my self to help you get through a moment in these crazy times I’d use my entire heart to do so. No one’s fucking sleeping tonight! @Beyonce we have done something special yet again my good friend.”
 
The-Dream isn’t the only one happy to work with Bey on the new single. After the release of the single, Big Freedia hit social media to highlight how special the moment is for her.
 
“It feels surreal to be on the track with the Queen Beyonce,” Freedia shares. “Once again I’m so honored to be apart of this special moment. I’m forever grateful lord.”
 
She added, “someone please catch me.”
The single features “Show Me Love” by Robin S as a sample and features JAY-Z and Adam Pigott in the writing credits. You can get your first sample of Beyoncé’s Renaissance-era below.
 
Ahead of the release of the album, Queen Bey’s mom, Tina Lawson, spoke with Entertainment Tonight about the release.
 
“I’m very, very excited,” Lawson said. “I just posted recently that I really miss her singing, and I do. I’m as excited as everybody else. I can’t wait for you guys to hear it. She put two years of love into this. Many, many nights all night working. So, I can’t wait for the world to hear it.”
 
 
Francia Márquez Elected First Black Vice-President Of Colombia
After a Sunday runoff election, Francia Márquez will become the first Black vice president of Colombia. Márquez ran alongside Gustavo Petro.
 
According to Axios, the nation has a large Afro Colombian population, which has been marginalized by decades-old conflict across the country. In their history, Afro Colombians have been “are overrepresented in the numbers of forcibly displaced people and victims of violence.” One in 10 Colombians identify as Black, but misrepresentation could have hindered that number due to a census undercount. In addition, discrimination has discouraged citizens from identifying as Black.
 
Márquez is a lawyer and activity. In her career, she has been awarded the Goldman Prize for her work in environmentalism. Márquez has risen to the role of vice-president, overcoming local poverty, as opposed to other presidents who received education in other locations.
Márquez stated she ran for office “because our governments have turned their backs on the people, and on justice and on peace.”
 
 
Barack and Michelle Obama ink deal with Amazon’s Audible
The Obamas are heading to Audible.Higher Ground — Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company — signed an exclusive multi-year first-look production deal with Audible, Amazon’s audiobook and podcast service. It gives Audible first dibs on Higher Ground content and includes multiple audio projects that will be distributed worldwide.
 
Financial aspects and length of the deal were not disclosed.
 
The new deal with Audible — which was announced on Tuesday — follows reports of the Obamas ending their partnership with Spotify in April. That deal had been in place since 2019.
 
“At Higher Ground, we have always sought to lift up voices that deserve to be heard — and Audible is invested in realizing that vision alongside us,” former President Obama said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to partnering with them to tell stories that not only entertain but also inspire.”
 
The former First Lady added that “there’s no one we’d rather write our next chapter with than Audible.”
“Together, we will keep striving to tell compelling, provocative, and soulful stories — while doing everything we can to make sure they reach the folks who need to hear them,” she said in a statement.
 
The deal is just one part of the Obamas’ continued involvement in the entertainment industry after leaving the White House in 2017.
 
Higher Ground also has an exclusive production deal with Netflix, which has garnered award-winning TV shows and films. For example, “American Factory” — a documentary about a Chinese company opening a factory in blue collar Ohio — won the Academy Award for best documentary feature in 2019.
 
As for its audio endeavors, Higher Ground has produced podcasts such as “Renegades: Born in the USA ” — which is a set of conversations between the former President and rock star Bruce Springsteen — and “The Michelle Obama Podcast” — which is the “most listened to Spotify Original to date” — according to the company.
 
 
Michael B. Jordan Removes All Traces of Lori Harvey From His Instagram After Breakup
That awkward moment when…you clean your ex from your social media.
Just two weeks after Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey broke up, the actor did just that, deleting all traces of his ex from his Instagram account. Not that he's alone. Almost immediately after news broke of their split June 5th, Lori seemed to clear Michael from her feed.
 
So, what's been archived? Their IG official post from January 2021. Then, there's the model's celebration of his 34th birthday, which she captioned, "I love you baby...hope today has been at least half as special as you are." Plus, their first anniversary tributes from November 2021, which included a picture on the Creed actor's feed of the duo kissing.
 
Not that there are any hard feelings here. Well, at least between Michael and Lori's stepdad Steve Harvey.
"He's still a cool guy...from what I know," Steve said on June 6 episode of The Steve Harvey Morning Show. "It's a breakup. I'm pretty sure they'll be fine. People break up all the time."
 
Especially when being in the public eye adds another layer to dating. "Look, as long as everybody can walk away in peace, be friends...I ain't heard nobody say they busted no windows or nothing," he said. "As long as you don't put your hands on my daughter, I don't give a damn what you do."
 
And when it comes down to it, family comes first. "I'm team Lori, 1000 percent," he added. "She's my daughter. I love her, I support her."
 
 
Monica Shuts Down Pregnancy Rumors
Monica is not pregnant. The R&B singer is responding to a report that she is expecting another baby after a video surfaced of her performing at a concert wearing an oversized T-shirt. Social media started speculating that she was with child based on her appearance.
 
“And not sure why she looked pregnant to me, maybe it was the loose shirt since I normally see her on stage in jackets. I’m also exhausted,” one fan tweeted.
 
But Monica ain’t having it. She swiftly shut down the pregnancy rumors. “PREGNANT? ME? It’s actually impossible unless I’m carrying a 3 yr old! Lmaooo IMPOSSIBLE,” tweeted the 41-year-old.
 
The fan apologized for their “silly” comment, but Monica didn’t take it personal. “Lmao I wasn’t offended nor do I feel you lol silly ! I was caught a bit off guard lol,” she added.
Monica is already a mother to two teenage sons—Rodney, 17, and Romelo, 14.
 
She may not be giving birth to more children anytime soon, but she is set to deliver new music. Monica is readying her long-awaited R&B album Trenches as well as her first country album Open Roads, executive produced by Brandi Carlile.
 
“I felt like this was a great time for me to really step into an area that I’ve always admired and loved,” she told Billboard of her foray into country music. “We’re just getting started, but I have so enjoyed it and been welcomed with open arms.”
 
 
Ms. Lauryn Hill, Lil Baby, Jazmine Sullivan, Rick Ross & More Set For Atl’s One Music Fest
The Old Fourth Ward neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia will play host to ONE Musicfest in its twelfth year, as well as the second year of its partnership with Live Nation Urban. The festival will take place over two days on October 8 and 9, 2022, at Central Park. The new location will be a bigger venue with four stages and more music.
 
ONE Musicfest, which attracted over 35,000 people last year, is well renowned for its varied mix of outstanding superstar and up-and-coming acts, exciting performances, and distinctive cultural experiences.
 
BET is joining ONE Musicfest as a partner, transitioning the festival area into a Black Joy Playground.

“We are super excited about this year’s line-up and new location,” said J. Carter, Founder of ONE Musicfest. “One thing we pride ourselves on is creating a diverse line-up that reflects the vast & beautiful breath of Black Music and Culture. We are also taking over the 4th Ward Area in Atlanta, GA, and increasing our footprint to four stages instead of three. ONE Musicfest 2022 will be our biggest year yet, but we still plan to keep the energy and vibrations intimate and comfortable.”
This year’s lineup features a special performance from Ms. Lauryn Hill, Lil Baby, Jazmine Sullivan, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Tems, City Girls, Ashanti & Ja Rule, Beanie Man
 
 
Owen Diaz Rejects Tesla’s $15M Payout in Racial Abuse Lawsuit – It was Reduced from $137M
*I don’t think so is what Owen Diaz, former elevator operator at Tesla’s California assembly plant basically said on Tuesday when he rejected a $15 million award in his lawsuit alleging racial abuse by coworkers, opening the door for a new trial after a judge slashed a $137 million jury verdict.
Lawyers for Diaz, an African American, who had sued Tesla in 2017, turned down the judge’s award in a brief filing in federal court in San Francisco. They said in a statement that the award was unjust and would not deter future misconduct by Tesla.
 
“In rejecting the court’s excessive reduction by asking for a new trial, Mr. Diaz is again asking a jury of his peers to evaluate what Tesla did to him and to provide just compensation for the torrent of racist slurs that was directed at him,” his lawyers said.
 
So far, Tesla hasn’t responded to Diaz’ move. US District Judge William Orrick lowered the jury award, which was one of the largest of its kind in a discrimination lawsuit, to $15 million in April. He had also denied Tesla’s motion for a new trial, conditioned on Diaz’s acceptance of the lower award.
 
Earlier this month the judge denied Diaz’s motion for permission to appeal that ruling and gave him two weeks to accept the lower award or agree to a new trial.
 
Tesla is facing a series of lawsuits involving alleged widespread race discrimination and sexual harassment at its Fremont, California factory, including one by a California civil rights agency.
 
What are your thoughts about this story?
 
 
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
MR. PINEAPPLE 
Too much pineapple
 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Followers