#MAGFAB: Natalie Portman for Variety - June 2022
Marvel Built an Elevated Path to Make Natalie Portman Taller for 'Thor: Love and Thunder'
Having released numerous trailers and teasers for the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder, some fans may have noticed Natalie Portman‘s increase in height for her new role as the Mighty Thor alongside Chris Hemsworth‘s original Thor. Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige himself explained earlier that they did a little “movie magic” to bring her closer in height with her co-star. Now, Portman herself has explained how the effect was achieved.
In a recent interview with Variety, the five-foot-three actress revealed that Marvel actually build her an elevated platform to walk on during production so she’d appear closer in height to Hemsworth’s six-foot-three stature. “We’d rehearse the scene, they’d see the path, and then they’d build a path that was like one foot off the ground or whatever, and I would just walk on that,” Portman said, before joking about shooting in Australia. “They would call it a deck, but depending on the accent, sometimes it sounded like something else. Because we’re all children.”
Despite the feigned increase in height, Portman also ensures fans that everything else was all down to her own hard work, including her more muscular transformation for the role. “I trained for a long time before and during, and I was doing the whole protein shakes [thing]. It really helped prepare me for the level of action that we ended up doing,” the actress said. “We had incredible stunt doubles who did the really hard stuff, but there’s still a great deal of running and jumping and swords and hammer-fighting. It was definitely helpful to be strong. To have that weight of the cape all day, you want to have some upper-body strength.”
Thor: Love and Thunder arrives at theaters on July 8.
#RHOA: Phaedra Parks On How Andy Cohen Got Her To Return To 'Housewives' Franchise And Who She's Happy For On 'RHOA'
Andy Cohen got Phaedra Parks is back in the Housewives franchise!
However, she's not on The Real Housewives of Atlanta-- this time, she's participating in the second mashup of Ultimate Girls Trip on Peacock alongside a few other All-Stars.
Parks and her co-stars are relaxing at Dorinda Medley’s Bluestone Manor for eight days, as opposed to the first cast in the tropical island of Turks and Caicos. The series takes on a trip down memory lane as the ladies indulge in the lush countryside of the Berkshires with top-notch luxury, hilarious escapades and non-stop drama.
Ahead of the show’s premiere, Shadow and Act Unscripted had the chance to speak with the RHOA alum about her experience on the show. She also dished on her dating life, motherhood, her former castmates, and more.
She was hesitant to do the show because of the drama from her time on ‘RHOA’ but was convinced by Bravo honcho Andy Cohen
Parks hasn’t been on Bravo since exiting the series following the explosive Season 9 reunion of RHOA. She’s made it clear she has no interest in returning to the franchise. After being called by Cohen, she decided to give the mashup a try.
“I did know [who would be on the show] because Andy obviously told me when he called me because I was like I’m not going to sign up for this or anything, especially not with anybody,” she told us. “But I really clicked with everyone. I didn’t have a bad experience with any of the ladies. It was really a really good experience compared to other experiences I’ve had on other reality series. But after the show, I’ve really bonded on a really close level, and particularly with Brandi Glanville, really with Dorinda, probably really with Jill Zarin too. But prior to the show, me and Eva Marcille, we’ve known each other for almost two decades, if not two decades. So we’ve already our families have known each other for years. So that relationship was well established prior to the show.”
The self-proclaimed Southern Belle doesn’t understand why she’s been given the title as the shadiest housewife from all of the franchises, but admits there’s some drama on 'Girls Trip'
Parks is known for her wit, one-liners, and ability to escape an apology. Despite such, she insists she doesn’t mean any harm with her shade. Regardless, she says the mashup will be entertaining.
“What’s always interesting to me, people always say I’m the queen of shade, but now I’m just usually telling the truth and people think is shady,” she said with a shrug. “I’m probably being shady at times, but I just see it as being the truth. This show is quintessential classic housewives, because you see the tears, the crazy fights, the fallouts, the makeups, the drunk foolishness. You know, everything from the sexual overtones to the madness. It is classic housewives. Unlike traditional Housewives shows, we can actually break the fourth wall and talk about what’s happening in real life, in real, real life. So that makes it good.”
Parks has been asked to return to reality television in any capacity. Aside from appearing on WE tv’s ‘Marriage Boot Camp,’ she’s been focused on her multiple careers and motherhood.
But since ending filming the Housewives mashup, she says she and Brandi Glanville are considering a dating series.
As for what she looks for in a man, Parks has a long list. “He’s got to be easy on the…He’s got to be intellectually sound because I like to have a conversation with you…He’s got to be socially savvy…And he also has to have a little change about himself…I really don’t want to be a preacher, but you got to have a spiritual life…He’s got to like kids,” she said.
The lawyer-turned-mortuary scientist says she doesn’t tune into ‘RHOA’ but she is happy that Marlo Hampton is a full-time housewife
“I recommended Marlo for the show,” she told us. “So now I’m very happy for Marlo. I love Marlo. Marlo is very entertaining…I’ve watched Marlo’s growth and so I’m excited for Marlo.”
#MusicNews: Chris Brown Weighs In On Verzuz Battle With Usher
Chris Brown is weighing in on a potential Verzuz battle with Usher.
During his “Drink Champs” interview, the “Warm Embrace” singer revealed that he has been approached about doing Verzuz against his “New Flame” collaborator.
“They want me and Usher to do it,” said Chris. “It only makes sense, but it gotta make more sense.”
While he’s open to it, he would want to make sure it’s less of a competition and more of a celebration. “I would want to celebrate him in his light just as much as my stuff. I can’t act like he ain’t a pioneer as well,” said Chris. “I think it would be something good for the fans, but it would have to make sense for both of us.”
While he has respect for Usher, he’s more than confident in his catalog. “I got hella songs, that’s all I can say. I got too many damn songs.”
He also entertained the idea of going against Drake after N.O.R.E. suggested it would be the “best battle I could ever think of.” “It would be dope,” Chris responded. “I ain’t ducking no smoke with that… He got a catalog, I got a catalog.”
Chris previously hinted that he was in talks to do Verzuz. “I’ma keep it a hundred. I’ve been talking to the people so we might figure something out but I ain’t gon’ say nothing yet. I ain’t gonna get nobody hype yet,” he told Big Boy.
However, he made it clear that nothing has been finalized yet. “The check ain’t been cut, none of that,” he said.
On Friday, Chris released his 10th studio album Breezy featuring Jack Harlow, Lil Wayne, Lil Durk, Bryson Tiller, and Lil Baby. The project is expected to move 60-70,000 units in its week.
#HipHopNews: Cardi B Announces New Single 'Hot Sh+t'
Cardi B is coming. After much anticipation, the rapper has announced her new single “Hot Shit.” The song, produced by Tay Keith and Banbwoi, will hit streaming services on Friday, July 1.
“My new single ‘Hot Shit’ available everywhere THIS FRIDAY 7/1,” she tweeted during Sunday’s BET Awards.
Cardi also teased what appears to be an epic music video where she stands atop a high-rise building as her new banger plays.
“Hot Shit” is expected to appear on Cardi’s long-awaited sophomore album, the follow-up to her 2018 debut Invasion of Privacy. It marks her first single since “Up” in February 2021.
“I’m gonna stomp this time around,” she previously told fans.
Idris Elba in Discussions for $1.2 Billion Channel 4 Bid: Report
“Luther” star Idris Elba is in talks for a £1 billion ($1.2 billion) bid for U.K. broadcaster Channel 4, according to The Sunday Times.
The Sunday Times report states that Elba is in discussions with Marc Boyan, founder and CEO of marketing and communications collective, The Miroma Group. Elba is the CEO of production company Green Door Pictures, which has produced “Concrete Cowboy,” “Idris Elba’s Fight School” and “Turn Up Charlie.”
Channel 4 declined to comment. Variety has reached out to Elba’s representatives for comment.
In Oct. 2021, Miroma launched Cornerstone Studios, a business set up to finance and create TV content. Around that time, Michael Grade, former managing director and chair of the BBC, executive chair of ITV, chief executive of Channel 4 and Miroma, for whom Grade was adviser then, were reported to be considering a bid for Channel 4, with bankers brought in to look at the possibility. Grade was subsequently named chair of U.K. media regulatory body Ofcom. Boyan also owns a stake in former soccer player Gary Neville’s Buzz 16 Productions.
After months of speculation over the Channel 4’s future, in April 2022, U.K. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries confirmed that the broadcaster would be up for sale in order to compete with global streamers like Netflix and Amazon. A white paper, which if implemented, could transform the face of U.K. broadcasting, followed weeks later. Dorries had said at the time that the plans “will revamp decades-old laws to help our public service broadcasters compete in the internet age and usher in a new golden age for British TV and radio.”
Among the bidders for Channel 4 could be fellow British public service broadcaster ITV, Comcast’s pay TV operator Sky and Paramount, which operates U.K. broadcaster Channel 5.
Brittney Griner's detention in Russia extended by 6 months, court date set for Friday
Two things happened at Brittney Griner's preliminary hearing in Russia on Monday: A Moscow court set the start date for her trial for Friday and extended Griner's detention by six more months, according to the Associated Press.
This is the fourth time Griner's pre-trial detention was moved after already being extended to Saturday before her court date was set. Now, she'll be detained throughout the course of the trial.
The Phoenix Mercury star was arrested at a Moscow airport on Feb. 17 for alleged cannabis possession after officials said they found vape cartridges with hashish oil in her luggage. Griner, 31, could face 10 years in prison if convicted of large-scale transportation of drugs.
After months of speculation, the United States declared Griner "wrongfully detained" by the Russian government in early May. This set into motion the possibility of Griner's release through negotiations between the U.S. and Russia. The same negotiator who helped free former Marine Trevor Reed from Russian imprisonment this April, Roger Carstens, is also leading the team in charge of Griner's release.
Monday's hearing complicated things. Russian state media reported the government would free Griner in exchange for convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout, also known as the "Merchant of Death." Bout was arrested in Thailand in 2008, extradited to the U.S. and sentenced to 25 years for conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens, delivery of anti-aircraft missiles and providing aid to a terrorist organization.
Carstens declined to comment following the report of a Bout-Griner swap.
There has also been speculation that the U.S. could trade Bout for Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, who was sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison on espionage charges in 2018.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken refused to disclose information about possible negotiations for either Griner or Whelan when asked by CNN's Jake Tapper on Sunday.
"As a general proposition, Jake, I’ve got no higher priority than making sure that Americans who are being illegally detained in one way or another around the world come home, and that includes Paul Whelan and that includes Brittney Griner. That includes people in a number of other countries," Blinken said. "... I can’t comment in any detail on what we’re doing except to say this is an absolute priority."
Griner has been detained with minimal communication via email. The U.S. embassy failed to set up Griner with a phone call with her wife, Cherelle, last week. On Friday, the House passed a bipartisan resolution calling on Russia to release Griner and provide her with access to the U.S. consulate during her detention.
“Not a day goes by that we aren’t thinking of Brittney and working to get her home,” Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) said in a statement. “We will continue to push for her release and make sure that she is not forgotten.”
Jerry O'Connell Gifts Wife Special Piece Of Jewelry To Celebrate 15th Wedding Anniversary
ll Gifts Wife Special Piece of Jewelry to Celebrate 15th Wedding Anniversary
Jerry O'Connell is proving that he's a good husband. The "Stand by Me" actor revealed that he has bought a special gift for his wife Rebecca Romijn to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary.
The couple tied the knot in 2007 and welcomed twin daughters a year later and they are now preparing to mark the major relationship milestone on July 14, with Jerry revealing he has been out shopping for the perfect piece of jewelry to present to his partner on their special day.
He told Entertainment Tonight, "I actually already purchased an above moderately priced piece of hardware. It has a stone in it. It's not the cleanest stone, but I mean, I tried. I tried."
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When asked about his plans for the big day, Jerry added, "We haven't thought really about it because I think we're both shocked that we made it this far. We're still getting over just the shock of still being married."
He went on to reveal whatever they play for the day of their anniversary will probably involve their two daughters Dolly and Charlie, who are both 13. Jerry explained, "I know this doesn't sound the most romantic, probably [we will do] something with our kids. Our kids are 13, so they're always like, 'Well, what are we doing? You're going by yourselves? What do you mean you're going by yourselves? So weird.' "
Rebecca was previously married to "Full House" star John Stamos for seven years and the couple recently opened up about her former marriage during an appearance on TV show "The Talk".
Jerry said, "When I'm with you personally, and I hear you talk about your ex-husband, it sounds like it was fun. You always have really fun memories." Rebecca then added, "I do, I have a lot of really fun memories. I have a lot of fond memories of him. A lot of things about him that I miss. But yeah, it's tricky. It's a very hard decision to come to when you decide to end a marriage. It was heartbreaking."
Madonna Dubbed 'Pathetic' And 'Gross' For Making Out With Tokischa Onstage
Madonna's recent performance earned her backlash. The Queen of Pop found herself being called "pathetic" and gross after making out with rapper Tokischa at New York City Pride concert on Thursday night, June 23.
When taking the stage of Terminal 5 in Manhattan, the 63-year-old was joined by the Dominican native as she performed her 2005 hit "Hung Up". The two later shared a passionate kiss before the "Linda" spitter knelt down and put her face in The Material Girl's crotch, prompting the singer to joke, "It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it."
Videos of the racy moment have been circulating on social media and people were clearly not amused by Madonna's actions. "Madonna's so thirsty for her former Material Girl life. File this under how to act thirsty and pathetic in your 60s," one person fumed on Twitter.
"Seriously, she is old enough to be her [mom] - just gross," someone else argued, while another person added, "Kissing Madonna must be like kissing that dried up sponge in the kitchen sink." A different user commented, "Someone take her back to the home... For the love of God."
The criticism continued with one individual writing, "I wish Madonna would sit her old a** down." One other person raged, "Madonna is too old to be tonguing girls down on stage... She be forgetting that age giving, she can't be kissing on these young girls, it's creepy."
This was not the first time for Madonna to kiss a fellow female artist during a performance. At the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, she and Britney Spears shared a smooch when the former was singing her single "Hollywood". Madonna then locked lips with Christina Aguilera who was also onstage..
Madonna and Britney recreated their iconic MTV VMAs kiss earlier this month at the "Baby One More Time" hitmaker's wedding to Sam Asghari. In a photo seemingly taken during the reception, the two women were seen leaning in, with Britney wearing a short red minidress and Madonna rocking a rainbow frock.
More than 20 teens found dead in South African nightclub
Authorities are currently investigating an incident that left at least 21 people dead in a South African tavern over the weekend. BBC reports that the victims found inside of the Enyobeni Tavern were between the ages of 13 and 17.
As they work to investigate the cause of death, authorities report that some people attending the tavern, located in the town of East London, were celebrating the end of school exams. A full list of the victims has not yet been disclosed.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences on Twitter and extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims. He also explained that the incident occurred during the country’s observance of Youth Month.
“This tragedy is made even more grave by its occurrence during Youth Month – a time during which we… advocate and advance opportunities for improved socio-economic conditions for the youth of our nation,” Ramaphosa continued.
Oscar Mabuyane, premier of the East Cape province, blamed the deaths on the “unlimited consumption of liquor.” The legal drinking age in South Africa is 18.
“You can’t just trade in the middle of society like this and think that young people are not going to experiment, said Mabuyane from the scene of the tragedy. According to officials, a stampede was out ruled because there were “no visible wounds” found on any of the victims. The incident took place early Sunday (June 26).
The teens were found strewn across floors and tables at the tavern, and a provincial safety official reported that further tests will be conducted to determine the cause of the deaths. “Forensic [investigators] will take samples and test to see if there was any poisoning of sort,” said Unathi Binqose.
Atlanta Subway employee shot dead by customer over “too much mayo”
An employee at a Downtown Atlanta Subway was shot and killed by an angry customer over mayonnaise on Sunday (June 26). Her coworker was also seriously injured.
According to the police, the customer argued with the two women because they put too much mayonnaise on a sandwich. The shooting happened around 6:30 p.m. at a Subway located at a gas station on Northside Drive Southwest.
The names of the two employees were not released as family members are being informed, and the condition of the injured woman is still unknown. Willie Glenn, the co-owner of that Subway location, told reporters that both women started working there about three weeks ago and were considered “model employees.”
“It breaks my heart to know that someone has the audacity to point a weapon and shoot someone for as little as too much mayonnaise on a sandwich,” Glenn said.
Glenn also stated that one of the employee’s children was inside the store when the shooting started. “One of the young ladies who was killed today, her son was in the store. She had a young son that had to witness all of this,” he said.
The manager on duty returned fire at the suspect but was not able to hit him. “I don’t know what the world is coming to especially with our youth. They seem to be so hot headed,” Glenn said. “Everybody wants to carry a gun. Everybody wants to scare somebody with a gun. It’s scary out here.”
Darin Schierbaum, who is the interim chief of police said arguments are the leading cause of the homicides his department has investigated so far this year. “We need individuals to talk out their disputes, walk away and do not pick up guns,” Schierbaum told reporters. “We can take down drug operations that breed violent crime, we can dismantle gang organizations that breed violent crime, we can stop robbery crews that breed violent crime. We cannot stop someone who is mad because there is too much mayonnaise on their sandwich.”
It is unclear if police had identified a suspect of the shooting. No arrests have been publicly announced.
Margot Robbie & Ryan Gosling Wear Bright Neon Outfits While Roller-Blading in Venice!
We have even more photos from the set of Barbie!
Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling looked like they jumped out of an ’80s workout video while filming a beach-side roller blading scene on Monday afternoon (June 27) in Venice, Calif.
The co-stars, who are playing Barbie and Ken, were dressed in bright, abstract neon outfits with matching yellow knee guards and roller blades.
It looks like roller blading is going to be a big part of the movie as Margot filmed a separate scene on blades earlier in the day with co-star America Ferrera.
Barbie is slated to be released in theaters on July 21, 2023 and is being directed by
Looking back at her time on stage just after Will hit Chris, Jessica recalled that it was a weird night.
“I walked into a very charged energy in that room, and I was trying to figure out how to just breathe and create a calmness,” she shared.
As for her speech, Jessica said that she actually “didn’t know everything I was going to say and there [were] moments where I started to get emotional so I pulled it back, [but] I had an idea of what I wanted to use that global platform to create if I got up there.”
Following the incident, Will resigned from The Academy, and also apologized to all the nominees and winners from the night.
Jessica Chastain Reflects On Winning Her Oscar Right After Will Smith Slapped Chris Rock
Looking back at her time on stage just after Will hit Chris, Jessica recalled that it was a weird night.
“I walked into a very charged energy in that room, and I was trying to figure out how to just breathe and create a calmness,” she shared.
As for her speech, Jessica said that she actually “didn’t know everything I was going to say and there [were] moments where I started to get emotional so I pulled it back, [but] I had an idea of what I wanted to use that global platform to create if I got up there.”
Following the incident, Will resigned from The Academy, and also apologized to all the nominees and winners from the night.
Carol Burnett to Guest Star on ‘Better Call Saul’ Final Season
Carol Burnett is breaking bad. The comedy legend will appear as a guest star in the sixth and final season of “Better Call Saul,” portraying a character named Marion, AMC announced. It’s unclear at this point how Marion fits into the denouement of the complicated journey and transformation of series antihero Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) into Albuquerque’s notorious criminal lawyer Saul Goodman.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of my favorite show,” Burnett, a six-time Emmy Awards winner, said in a statement.
In addition to Burnett, as previously announced, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul will appear in “Better Call Saul” Season 6 reprising their “Breaking Bad” roles of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, respectively, as the show draws to its conclusion.
“Better Call Saul,” produced by Sony Pictures Television, returns for its final six episodes — representing the second half of Season 6 — beginning Monday, July 11, on AMC and AMC+ with the series finale set for Aug. 15. The show, created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, is a prequel to AMC hit “Breaking Bad.”
Burnett is best known for hosting variety sketch series “The Carol Burnett Show,” which aired on CBS from 1967-1978 and won 25 Emmys over its run. Burnett most recently won an Emmy for guest actress in a comedy series for her work on “Mad About You.” She also has won seven Golden Globes, a Grammy and a Tony. She is a two-time Peabody Award winner as well as a recipient of both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Burnett is repped by ICM and Media Four.
“Better Call Saul” stars Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian, Michael Mando, Tony Dalton and Giancarlo Esposito. The series is executive produced by Gould, Gilligan, Mark Johnson, Melissa Bernstein, Thomas Schnauz, Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock, Diane Mercer and Michael Morris.
Prosecutors Want Nicki Minaj's Husband to Serve Jail Time for Sex Offender Sentence
Nicki Minaj’s husband Kenneth Petty could face 15 months in prison for failing to register as a sex offender in the state of California.
TMZ reports federal prosecutors are refusing to allow Petty to serve his sentence under home confinement, as they argue that the couple’s Calabasas mansion doesn’t equate to a formidable punishment for Petty.
Petty, who is a registered sex offender in the state of New York because he was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in the state in 1995, relocated to California with Minaj in July 2019. He was arrested during a November 2019 traffic stop when authorities noticed he failed to register in Cali, which he is required by law to do. He was later arrested again for failing to register as a sex offender in March 2020, and pleaded guilty in September 2021.
“The timing of defendant’s lapse in registration is concerning, given that it occurred when defendant began dating his wife, quit his job, moved to Los Angeles, and adopted an affluent lifestyle,” prosecutors wrote in the court filing.
“Defendant has been completing sex offender registration documents for nearly 20 years,” the filing stated. “Over the course of two decades, he was repeatedly warned that if he moved to another state, it was his responsibility to follow any local, city, state, federal, or international laws regarding registration.”
Federal prosecutors are now recommending Petty serve 15 months of prison time and five years supervised release as well as $55,000 in retribution. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 6.
Kyrie Irving Chooses to Exercise Player Option for Next Season With Nets
Kyrie Irving has decided to exercise his $36.5 million player option with the Brooklyn Nets for next season, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reports.
“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow,” Irving said, per Charania. “I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall.”
While his decision to opt in closes one chapter of the ongoing situation between Irving and the Nets, this story may be far from over. The Nets were reportedly “unwilling” to sign the seven-time All-Star guard to a long-term contract due to the vaccination saga and his “unpredictable injury history.” According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Nets owner Joe Tsai supported the front office’s decision to not offer him a full max deal worth around $250 million over five years.
Charania reported last week that Irving would ultimately opt in and push for a trade afterwards.
Estate of Late Photographer Files Lawsuit Against Universal Music Group Over 2Pac Photo
Billboard has learned the estate of late legendary hip-hop photographer Chi Modu filed a lawsuit Friday against Universal Music Group over its use of a photo of Tupac Shakur in a blog post.
The suit accuses UMG of copyright infringement for using Modu’s photo of 2Pac and crediting Universal Music Archives in a Best Tupac Songs: 26 Essential Tracks post on a site owned and operated by the company. His estate, which is overseen by its trustee Sophia Modu, alleges Universal Music Group removed his copyright information before publishing and profited off the use of the image.
“Chi Modu’s photography captured moments of profundity and grace,” Scott Burroughs, attorney for the estate, said in a statement. “While it does not surprise me that it would appeal to Universal, we are disappointed that the company did not reach out to the Estate to procure a license before exploiting Mr. Modu’s work on its commercial website. We look forward to addressing this infringement in court.”
The complaint claims a cease-and-desist was sent to UMG and the site on Feb. 9, 2022 with the threat of a lawsuit, but the “defendants failed to meaningfully respond.” The estate is seeking a jury trial and award of all profits and fees, as well as damages, which, as Billboard notes, could reach up to $150,000 per violation.
Former WME Agent Adam Venit, Who Was Once Accused Of Sexual Assault By Terry Crews, Has New Lawsuit Filed Against Him By His Ex-Wife
Former WME talent agent Adam Venit, who Terry Crews once accused of sexual assault in 2017, is making headlines again after his ex-wife Trina went ahead and filed a lawsuit against him. The legal documents were reportedly filed on Sunday, per Deadline, who claims that Trina is accusing her significant other of sexual battery, assault, domestic violence, stalking, and defamation.
In one of the lawsuit excerpts, her legal team wrote, “Adam’s brazen public assault on an imposing male former professional athlete pales in comparison to the abuse Adam has and continues to inflict on his wife behind closed doors. Over the course of their 20-plus year marriage, Adam has physically, sexually, mentally, emotionally and verbally abused and insistently stalked and monitored Trina.”
Trina contends that despite having gone their separate ways, her ex has been extremely controlling of her every move, including her communications, surveilling electronic devices, iCloud, and continues to have access to her money, credit, and other personal affairs. The pair married back in August 1999 but began divorce proceedings in March 2021, with Adam later selling their $40 million Beverly Hills home soon after.
In September 2018, Terry settled a lawsuit he had filed against Adam who he had accused of groping him at a Hollywood party once. The “White Chicks” star said he was initially too afraid to speak out about the awkward and uncalled-for incident, fearing what it would do to his career in Hollywood.
“This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME,” Terry tweeted in October 2017. “My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates.”
“Jumping back I said What are you doing?! My wife saw everything n we looked at him like he was crazy. He just grinned like a jerk.I was going to kick his ass right then— but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear.240 lbs. ‘Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho’ would be the headline the next day.
WME later confirmed that a settlement had, in fact, been reached with Terry, while the case itself had officially been dismissed.
Chaka Zulu, longtime Atlanta Music Exec With Ties To Ludacris & TI Shot Overnight In Atlanta
Police have confirmed that Co-CEO of Disturbing Tha Peace Record, Chaka Zulu, was shot in Atlanta Sunday night at around 11:35 p.m. where two other men were also hit. All three were transported to the hospital, but one did not survive.
Officers on scene told local news outlet 11Alive that the shooting happened following an argument in the parking lot behind the strip center on Peachtree Road. Full details haven’t been shared yet but a close source to the situation shared that Lala Anthony was there when it happened. Thankfully she was not harmed.
As of right now, police do not have a suspect in custody nor did they release the condition of Zulu or the other surviving victim. An investigation remains active and is ongoing, police said.
The deceased victim has been identified by the the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office as 23-year-old Artez Benton of Scottdale, Georgia.
Fans and close celebrity friends have been sending prayers to Chaka on his social media pages. In his recent Instagram post where Chaka posed with Pusha T backstage during the It’s Almost Dry Tour, fans left tons of comments. One commenter was Bow Wow who said, “Big dawg! Shake that off bounce back! You in all of our prayers!!!!! U got this fam.”
Creator of ‘Cooley High’ Eric Monte Accuses Producer Norman Lear of ‘Stealing’ His Show Ideas: ‘Good Times’ ‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘The Jeffersons’
Over the years, legendary producer Norman Lear has always been credited with the title thanks to hit television shows such as “Good Times,” “Sanford and Son,” “What’s Happening,” and “The Jeffersons.” However, longtime writer Eric Monte claims Lear was a “thief” and a “liar” who spent years profiting off the back of Black creatives.
The conversation was initiated after the singer and TikToker Dara Starr Tucker brought it to her fan’s attention during an episode of her “I’m All Over the Place” podcast. Tucker highlighted key points from several of Monte’s speaking engagements, including a 2010 interview with Up Front.
Eric Monte (L) accuses Norman Lear (R) of wrongfully taking writing credits from him on “Good Times.” Photo: Upfront TV/ YouTube, Unique Nicole/Getty Images
In it, Monte accused Lear of being “a racist, a hypocrite, a thief, and a liar.” He also said Lear took his idea for “The Jeffersons,” though he doubted its success at first, and never listed Monte down as a creator or invited him to write on the show.
During a sit-down with Annette John-Hall of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Monte told the outlet he had constantly been battling with producers and writers about the tone and stereotypes depicted on the show. “I caught hell because Norman Lear was incredibly racist, but he didn’t think so. And everything they wrote was stereotypic,” he explained in the vintage clip.
“They thought of Black humor as ‘Yassah, boss, I’s wanna go down by da river….’ but I’d fight them tooth and nail. They’d ignore in the offices. Take that ‘Yassha’ stuff down to the cast. John Amos, Esther Rolle, and Janet DuBois would have a fit,” he added.
Fans in the comments section were livid as many did not know of Monte’s story, including one YouTube user who wrote, “Thanks for bringing this to our attention. This story needs to be amplified. I want Monte to get his flowers while we still have the chance.”
Another person commented, “What a terrible thing to happen to him, although most of the key players are old or dead, I wish something could have been done.”
“I can’t NOT believe Mr Monte because it makes logical sense, thank you for bringing this to an even bigger audience. Looking forward to the podcast as well,” commented a third.
Monte ultimately sued Lear and several others, including ABC networks, but he was forced to take a $1 million settlement because he couldn’t find proper representation.
According to BET, Monte is still writing and producing film scripts at 78. Lear is also still producing and will be celebrating his 100th birthday on July 27.
The FBI Seizes 25 Jean-Michel Basquiat Paintings from Florida Museum Because They Could Be Fakes
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has obtained 25 Jean-Michel Basquiat paintings after raiding a museum that may have been involved in fraud.
Back in February, the Orlando Museum of Art opened its Basquiat’s “Heroes and Monsters” exhibit. At some point, the exhibit – which was slated to come to an end on June 30, began raising some concerns over the authenticity of the paintings and how they were obtained.
Afterward, investigators obtained a search warrant to look into the matter. In a 41-page affidavit, authorities detailed why they believed the current owners of the artwork could be found guilty of conspiracy and wire fraud. The artwork itself was picked up from a Los Angeles warehouse in 2012, Yahoo! Entertainment reports.
The speculation led to an investigation being launched. As a result of the probe, the FBI seized 25 paintings, saying the investigation revealed “false on information related to the alleged prior ownership of the paintings” and “attempts to sell the paintings using false provenance.”
Emilia Bourmas-Fry, a spokesperson for the exhibit, says the museum doesn’t believe it “is the subject of any investigation
At Least 3 Dead, Dozens Injured After Amtrak Train Derails in Missouri
Multiple people are dead and dozens injured after an Amtrak train derailed in Missouri.
The incident occurred Monday in Mendon when an Amtrak Southwest Chief train struck a dump truck at a public crossing.
Missouri, Cpl. Justin Dunn, a spokesperson for Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B, told reporters Monday evening that three people were killed and at least 50 others were injured.
Dunn shared authorities are still working to confirm the exact number of fatalities, however, two people were killed aboard the train and the third person was in the truck.
The packed train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago had sold out of every seat, with many passengers being stationed inside the observation car. There were 243 passengers on board and 12 crew members.
The accident is the second deadly Amtrak derailment to occur within several days. On Sunday, three people were killed, and two were injured when an Amtrak train slammed into a car in Brentwood, California.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
NICE BLING
Funny
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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