#MAGFAB: Bad Bunny for Harper's Bazaar - September 2022
When Bad Bunny was growing up in Almirante Sur, a rural area in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, he would often go clothes shopping with his mother. “I always remember seeing the pieces in women’s clothing, and they would always fit me so much better, and they had so much different variety,” recalls the rapper and singer, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. Seated in his office in San Juan, Bad Bunny takes a moment to reflect. “Obviously, as you get older, you start seeing what the world shows you,” he says, “and if I lived my life that way, then I wouldn’t be able to dress in the way that I really want to.” He’s wearing a Marni logo tee, a mini knit beanie, and flashy Balenciaga sunglasses; the mirrored “BB” logo at the temples isn’t custom made, but it might as well be. “To a point, the fame and where I am gives me the confidence to do all of these things.”
That fame Bad Bunny mentions—it’s on another level. This year, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, BTS, and Beyoncé have all released new music. But Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti, which dropped in May, has topped them all, with a record 183 million streams on Spotify on the day it was released. In fact, in 2020 and 2021, he was the most-streamed artist on the platform worldwide.
“Maybe at the very beginning of my career, I tried to pretend I was someone that I’m not, but I learned that that’s the way artists lose themselves.”
Bad Bunny’s ascendance has become Puerto Rican lore: a young grocery bagger turned SoundCloud sensation who spurred a seismic shift in what reggaeton and trap urbano—the gritty and arguably de facto musical genres of modern-day Puerto Rico—could be. He was born in 1994, the eldest of three boys, to a schoolteacher mother and a truck-driver father. It was just a few years before the so-called “Latin boom” within the music industry in the U.S., when mainstays like Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Shakira, and Ricky Martin began to impact U.S. radio. Now, at just 28, Bad Bunny has worked with them all, including performing alongside J.Lo and Shakira at the 2020 Super Bowl. And unlike many Latin artists who have courted global audiences, he has never recorded in English.
His songs aren’t just certified bangers, they’re entire musical resets. Shaking ass in a club to his 2020 hit “Safaera” is essentially a Boricua rite of passage, a cultural communion. He has also turned antiquated Latino notions of machismo on their heads, dressing in drag in the video for “Yo Perreo Sola” and writing about subjects like domestic violence (“Andrea”) and island politics (“El Apagón”) with a stark sensitivity; if anything, his self-assuredness and gender-nonconforming style have amplified his appeal.
“The way that he has transitioned into fashion, the way that he dressed in drag in his music video even though Hispanic culture can be a little homophobic—he took that chance, and instead of hurting his career, it made him bigger,” says Cardi B, who collaborated with Bad Bunny and J Balvin on her 2018 track “I Like It."“The fact that such a big artist like him can transition into trap, to salsa, to merengue, to any beat and genre that he wants to do … there’s so many different genres of music out there, and yet the number-one artist on Spotify is motherfucking Bad Bunny.”
“People on the outside can think that I have a strategy or I wear this to call for attention, but in reality I just know who I am.”
“I’m taking advantage of this moment in my life when I can do whatever I want and wear what I want, so I get to live life more authentically,” Bad Bunny says. “I don’t do it to become more famous or to call attention or to disrespect anyone. People on the outside can think that I have a strategy or I wear this to call for attention, but in reality I just know who I am.”
In advance of his World’s Hottest Tour, which kicked off on August 5 in Orlando, Bad Bunny performed three sold out shows at the end of July at Puerto Rico’s El Coliseo arena. The opening-night show marked the first concert to ever be simultaneously broadcast on Telemundo Puerto Rico, a decision that allowed most of the island to be able to join in on the party. The night made history as the most-attended concert in the venue’s history, with over 18,000 attendees, and saw Bad Bunny share the stage with not just many of his Un Verano Sin Ti collaborators but also notable up-and-coming Boricua artists, including trans singer and rapper Villano Antillano. While many clips from the night circulated on social media throughout the evening, one of the most poignant was Bad Bunny pausing the music to call out the Puerto Rican government’s shortcomings: “Puerto Rico is the only place [I perform where I have to] install like 15 industrial power generators because I can’t trust the power grid. LUMA, go to hell.” Bad Bunny loves his island so much, he’s not afraid to demand it do better.
Now he is expanding beyond music, preparing to take on his biggest acting role yet, as El Muerto in an upcoming Sony film about the Spider-Man Universe antihero. The movie marks the first time a Latino actor has been tapped to headline a Marvel superhero film and maybe—just maybe—will help usher in the introduction of Miles Morales, the fan-favorite half-Black, half–Puerto Rican Spider-Man. (Morales’s only previous movie appearance was in 2018’s animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.) I ask Bad Bunny if the two characters will have any sort of future onscreen connection. He chooses his words carefully: “It seems like you already know the answer.”
Though the Bad Bunny brand is unquestionably expanding—in addition to acting, he just opened a Japanese steakhouse and sushi restaurant in Miami—there is no strategic plan or overarching business goal. For Bad Bunny, it’s always been about haciendo lo que quiera—doing whatever he wants.
“My goal will be to do things that I enjoy, never to be a billionaire or whatever. If I don’t feel passionate about something, then I’m not going to do it, no matter how much it is,” he says. “But, hey, if we get to a billion one day, then we get to a billion,” he adds with a shrug.
He doesn’t feel pressured to push out content or collaborations that don’t resonate with him. That includes a follow up to Oasis, his successful 2019 Watch the Throne-style collaborative album with Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin. When asked if a second effort would ever happen, he responds matter-of-factly, “That’s not a question worth answering.”
But how does it feel to be one of the biggest recording artists on the planet and reap massive success in a nation that owns and continuously overlooks the island he calls home? “At the end of the day, my success in the United States I owe to the hardworking Latinos who have helped make the country what it is today,” Bad Bunny says. “I highly doubt the type of gringos I don’t fuck with listen to me. Those were all the people at the Super Bowl who were pissed off about how Latino the halftime show was.”
“Maybe at the very beginning of my career, I tried to pretend I was someone that I’m not, but I learned that that’s the way artists lose themselves,” he explains. “It’s because they forgot about themselves—them as a person—and invented a fictitious personality.”
He rises out of his chair and gestures upward with his hands. “Since the beginning, everything has been up and up,” he says. “There comes a moment when you’re like, ‘Diablo, estoy en un nivel muy alto.’ And then the next year comes and you’re like, ‘Diablo!’ By the time I noticed that things were different, it didn’t really affect me. It may change things around me, but I stay the same. Soy un normalito. I am who I am.”
Bad Bunny has reinvented the art of the crossover, but he’s still processing what that means. “[This is all] for more than just myself, but also for the fans and for all of the Latinos in the world,” he says. “I get emotional thinking about it … and I see it from the outside. If it wasn’t me but it was another artist, I would feel just as proud for them too,” he says with a laugh. “But obviously it’s more exciting that it is me.”
#RHOA: NeNe Leakes Pens Touching Tribute to Late Husband Gregg on His Birthday
NeNe Leakes is marking a very bittersweet day. On Tuesday (August 16), the 54-year-old former Real Housewives of Atlanta star took to social media to pen a touching tribute to late husband Gregg Leakes on what would have been his 67th birthday.
“Missing the man that always had a plan! Today is a tuff one…every year on this date we would be out celebrating you!” NeNe wrote on Instagram. “I can’t believe we are wishing you a heavenly Birthday today. I feel like you went somewhere and you’ll be back.”
“I miss you everyday Gregg! HAPPY BIRTHDAY,” NeNe added. “WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH.”
Gregg sadly passed away after a battle with cancer back in September 2
#NewMusic from Babyface Feat Kehlani “Seamless”
Check out the brand new single from legendary singer/songwriter Babyface featuring R&B sensation Kehlani called “Seamless”.
The song offers a frank look at a night out that’s filled with drama, thanks to a partner who always makes a scene. Kehlani takes the lead on vocals, with Babyface on backing vocals.
The song was written by Babyface and Kehlani, and features production from The Rascals who produced it alongside Babyface.
“Seamless” is set to be included on Babyface’s upcoming album “Girls Night Out”. Also included on that project will be the previously released single “Keeps On Fallin” featuring Ella Mai.
Babyface adds about the collaboration:
“I worked with Kehlani many years ago and I am just so proud of who she has become as an artist and also how well she knows herself and her fans. I am really honored to have her collaborate with me many years later for such a special project and I love the song we created. Kehlani is one of one and a true superstar.”
LISTEN HERE
“Girls Night Out” will release on October 21st, 2022 and is a sonic journey through love, heartbreak and all of the emotions in between. The album features collaborations with some of today’s brightest female R&B stars, including Queen Naija, Ari Lennox, Doechii and many others.
#HipHopNews: Megan Thee Stallion Wants You to see 'Her' in this Video
Hot on the heels of her new album Traumazine, Megan Thee Stallion drops the video for “Her.”
In the black-and-white clip, directed by Colin Tilley, the Hot Girl shows out with her choreographed moves while serving fierce looks.
“No matter what they do or say, it ain’t no gettin’ rid of me / I come in every room and draw attention like a centerpiece,” Meg raps on the empowering anthem.
WATCH
“Her” is a standout off Traumazine, which features appearances from Future, Dua Lipa, Jhené Aiko, Rico Nasty, Latto, Lucky Daye, and more. Megan’s sophomore album is expected to debut at No. 2 with 40-50,000 in sales.
“Traumazine basically means like, facing yourself, like what you go through when you finally decide to accept what you’ve been through and come out on the other end as the person that you see yourself becoming, or that you wanna be,” Megan told SiriusXM’s Swaggy Sie. “So I feel like I had to make up a new word for this new experience that I’m going through.”
Trump foe Liz Cheney defeated in her Wyoming GOP primary
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, Donald Trump’s fiercest Republican adversary in Congress, was defeated in a GOP primary Tuesday, falling to a rival backed by the former president in a rout that reinforced his grip on the party’s base.
The third-term congresswoman and her allies entered the day downbeat about her prospects, aware that Trump’s backing gave Harriet Hageman considerable lift in the state where he won by the largest margin during the 2020 campaign. Cheney was already looking ahead to a political future beyond Capitol Hill that could include a 2024 presidential run, potentially putting her on another collision course with Trump.
Cheney described her loss as the beginning of a new chapter in her political career as she addressed a small collection of supporters, including her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, on the edge of a vast field flanked by mountains and bales of hay.
“Our work is far from over,” she said Tuesday evening, evoking Abraham Lincoln, who also lost congressional elections before ascending to the presidency and preserving the union.
The results — and the roughly 30-point margin — were a powerful reminder of the GOP’s rapid shift to the right. A party once dominated by national security-oriented, business-friendly conservatives like her father now belongs to Trump, animated by his populist appeal and, above all, his denial of defeat in the 2020 election.
Such lies, which have been roundly rejected by federal and state election officials along with Trump’s own attorney general and judges he appointed, transformed Cheney from an occasional critic of the former president to the clearest voice inside the GOP warning that he represents a threat to democratic norms. She’s the top Republican on the House panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters, an attack she referenced in nodding to her political future.
“I have said since Jan. 6 that I will do whatever it takes to ensure Donald Trump is never again anywhere near the Oval Office — and I mean it,” she said.
Four hundred miles to the east of Cheney’s concession speech, festive Hageman supporters gathered at a sprawling outdoor rodeo and Western culture festival in Cheyenne, many wearing cowboy boots, hats and blue jeans.
“Obviously we’re all very grateful to President Trump, who recognizes that Wyoming has only one congressional representative and we have to make it count,” said Hageman, a ranching industry attorney who had finished third in a previous bid for governor.
Echoing Trump’s conspiracy theories, she falsely claimed the 2020 election was “rigged” as she courted his loyalists in the runup to the election.
Trump and his team celebrated Cheney’s loss, which may represent his biggest political victory in a primary season full of them. The former president called the results “a complete rebuke” of the Jan. 6 committee.
“Liz Cheney should be ashamed of herself, the way she acted, and her spiteful, sanctimonious words and actions towards others,” he wrote on his social media platform. “Now she can finally disappear into the depths of political oblivion where, I am sure, she will be much happier than she is right now. Thank you WYOMING!”
The news offered a welcome break from Trump’s focus on his growing legal entanglements. Just eight days earlier, federal agents executing a search warrant recovered 11 sets of classified records from the former president’s Florida estate.
Cheney’s defeat would have been unthinkable just two years ago. The daughter of a former vice president, she hails from one of the most prominent political families in Wyoming. And in Washington, she was the No. 3 House Republican, an influential voice in GOP politics and policy with a sterling conservative voting record.
Cheney will now be forced from Congress at the end of her third and final term in January. She is not expected to leave Capitol Hill quietly.
She will continue in her leadership role on the congressional panel investigating the Jan. 6 attack until it dissolves at the end of the year. And she is actively considering a 2024 White House bid -- as a Republican or independent -- having vowed to do everything in her power to fight Trump’s influence in her party.
With Cheney’s loss, Republicans who voted to impeach Trump are going extinct.
In all, seven Republican senators and 10 Republican House members backed Trump’s impeachment in the days after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress tried to certify President Joe Biden’s victory. Just two of those 10 House members have won their primaries this year. After two Senate retirements, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is the only such Senate Republican on this year’s ballot.
Cheney was forced to seek assistance from the state’s tiny Democratic minority in her bid to pull off a victory. But Democrats across America, major donors among them, took notice. She raised at least $15 million for her election, a stunning figure for a Wyoming political contest.
Voters responded to the interest in the race. With a little more than half of the vote counted, turnout ran about 50% higher than in the 2018 Republican primary for governor.
If Cheney does ultimately run for president — either as a Republican or an independent — don’t expect her to win Wyoming’s three electoral votes.
“We like Trump. She tried to impeach Trump,” Cheyenne voter Chester Barkell said of Cheney on Tuesday. “I don’t trust Liz Cheney.”
And in Jackson, Republican voter Dan Winder said he felt betrayed by his congresswoman.
“Over 70% of the state of Wyoming voted Republican in the last presidential election and she turned right around and voted against us,” said Winder, a hotel manager. “She was our representative, not her own.”
Adrienne Bailon & Husband Israel Houghton Welcome Baby Via Surrogate After Previously Struggling To Conceive
Congratulations are in order for Adrienne Bailon and her husband Israel Houghton!
The couple of more than 5 years recently shared that they’ve secretly welcomed a son together via surrogate, and named him Ever James. Actress and media personality Adrienne Bailon, 38, has previously been transparent about her pregnancy struggles, though the singer affirmed she wouldn’t give up hope of conceiving with her partner Israel Houghton, 51. Now, the musical duo seems to have had their prayers answered with the arrival of their baby boy.
Sharing the news via instagram post, Bailon wrote:
“Ever James
For this child we have prayed
Just to hear our baby cry
Skin to skin and face to face
Heart to heart and eye to eye…
Our baby boy is here & we are so in love!”
“If you have followed our love story… you know that our journey to baby has been very challenging – But God is true to His word and His promises. We have quietly prayed while sitting on this most magnificent secret for the last 9 months. He is worth every tear, every disappointment, every delayed prayer, every IVF cycle, every miscarriage. Everything. All we feel is joy and overwhelming love & gratitude. Grateful to God, to our angel surrogate and to all of our friends and family who have stood with us for over 5 years on this journey. He’s here and we have never been happier to lose sleep! #HappilyEverHoughton”
Back in May of this year, the former co-host of daytime talk-show The Real opened up about her deep desire and struggles starting a family of her own. Bailon, who wedded award winning Gospel singer Israel Houghton back in 2016, is only mother in stepmother form to Houghton’s four children from a previous marriage.
The Houghton’s
Addressing her struggles with infertility during one of The Real’s last episodes, she stated:
“I am either the most resilient human being or I am wildly delusional…We get these bad notices and it’ll be like ‘and it didn’t work this time’ or you know, I’ve done multiple cycles of IVF and so many other things, and I’ll be sad for a day, like I literally will cry, And like the next day, I know this sounds psychotic, I’ll be like, ‘OK, I found three new baby names.,’I don’t know why, I refuse to let this be the end of my story. I know that it’s not. And I love it that I tell myself, it’s not a question of will I be a mother, it’s a question of when. And I promised myself that I’m sticking to it [and] that it will happen.”
However all despair seems to be behind them as the new parents look forward to a future raising their son. Congrats again to the happy couple!
Idris Elba's Daughter Isan Didn't Talk To Him For Three Weeks After Not Landing A Role In His New Film 'Beast'
Idris Elba says his daughter Isan didn’t talk to him for three weeks after not landing a role in his new film. bout not receiving a role in his upcoming film.
During a recent episode of “The Breakfast Club”, the actor revealed that Isan auditioned for his new film, Beast, in hopes of playing one of his daughters. Unfortunately, she didn’t land the part, which affected her relationship with the renowned actor for a few weeks.
Idris admits his daughter's audition was great. It just lacked the chemistry needed for the film.
Although she gave an amazing audition for the film, Idris Elba told The Breakfast Club hosts that he and his daughter’s chemistry in real life “wasn’t right for [the] film.”
“The relationship in the film and the relationship between my daughter was, the chemistry wasn’t right for film,” he admitted. “Weirdly enough.”
Isan didn't talk to her dad for "three weeks" after receiving news that she wasn't picked for the film.
After receiving a phone call from producer Will Packer confirming she didn’t land the part, the 20-year-old didn’t talk to Idris for some time.
“I called and talked to her, ’cause I’ve known her for a very long time, you know what I mean,” Packer said. “I’m like ‘Uncle Will.’ That’s like my little niece, you know, and she’s amazing.”
“He (Idris) auditioned with her, he was very tough on her, he said, ‘Listen, at the end of the day we’re going to make the best decision for the movie," Packer explained. "I trust you, Will, trust the director,’ and she was very good, very close.”
Despite not being picked for the role, Isan was still “gracious” for the experience.
“We got through that you know and I’m really proud of her to go through that, not get the role, but still come to the premiere,” Elba said.
Though Isan won’t be in her father’s upcoming film, Will Packer is confident that the aspiring actress will get her big break very soon.
“You’re definitely going to be seeing her,” he stated as Elba nodded in agreement.
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland Sue Triller for $28 Million over Verzuz
Timbaland and Swizz Beats filed a $28 million dollar lawsuit against social media app Triller, alleging the company has missed numerous payments to the two producers since Triller acquired their rap battle show Verzuz last year.
In March 2021, Triller announced it was acquiring Verzuz for an undisclosed amount in a deal that made Swizz Beatz and Timbaland shareholders in its parent company Triller Network.
According to the lawsuit, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland agreed to sell Verzuz to Triller back in Jan. 2021 but they said the company began missing payments in Jan. 2022, skipping out on a large settlement promised in March. Under its terms, Triller was suppose to pay them $9 million each no later than March 17. After that, Triller would pay them $500,000 each on the first of the month for 10 months.
Triller again defaulted on the agreement, according to the lawsuit. The company did not pay the $18 million in March, nor did it make any of the $1 million monthly installment payments. In April, Timbaland and Swizz Beatz sent out a notice and demand for payment, but Triller still hasn’t paid up. “To date, Defendants have failed and refused to make any payment to [Swizz Beatz and Timbaland] of the past due sums due and owing,” the lawsuit reads.
The two music producers launched Verzuz on Instagram just after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States in March 2020. It began as a remote competition and, as restrictions lifted, pivoted to in-person live events streamed in real time on the social platform as well as Apple Music. Over the course of the series, dozens of artists have been featured including Snoop Dogg, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Keyshia Cole, Brandy, Monica and more.
Triller has yet to release a statement on the matter.
Mariah Carey Is Facing Legal Opposition From Another Singer Over Trying To Trademark ‘Queen Of Christmas’
Perhaps more than any other singer of the past three decades or so, Mariah Carey is firmly associated with Christmas. In an unsurprising move, she’s in the process of trying to trademark the term “Queen Of Christmas,” but she’s facing opposition from a couple of other singers who are also strongly tied to the December holiday.
Variety reports that through her attorney, Elizabeth Chan, who exclusively sings Christmas music, filed a formal declaration of opposition to Carey’s trademark claim. Chan told the publication:
“Christmas has come way before any of us on Earth, and hopefully will be around way after any of us on Earth, and I feel very strongly that no one person should hold onto anything around Christmas or monopolize it in the way that Mariah seeks to in perpetuity. That’s just not the right thing to do. Christmas is for everyone. It’s meant to be shared; it’s not meant to be owned.
And it’s not just about the music business. She’s trying to trademark this in every imaginable way — clothing, liquor products, masks, dog collars — it’s all over the map. If you knit a ‘queen of Christmas’ sweater, you should be able to sell it on Etsy to somebody else so they can buy it for their grandma. It’s crazy — it would have that breadth of registration.”
Chan also noted she has been called the “Queen Of Christmas” many times in the media, with the first instance of it coming in 2014 and most notably in a 2018 New Yorker profile titled simply, “The Queen Of Christmas.”
Per Billboard, Chan’s lawyer Louis Tompros wrote, “Christmas is big enough for more than one ‘Queen.’ But this opposition proceeding is sadly necessary because Ms. Carey’s Lotion LLC company is nevertheless trying to claim sole ownership of the title and designation ‘Queen of Christmas.’”
The publication also notes, “If Chan wins her case, it doesn’t mean Carey must stop using the name herself — only that she cannot stop others from using it, too.”
Also speaking out against the trademark is Darlene Love, who sang on the 1963 album A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector and sang “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” on Late Night With David Letterman every year from 1986 to 2014. In a Facebook post yesterday, she wrote, “Is it true that Mariah Carey trade marked “Queen of Christmas”? [crying laughing emoji] What does that mean that I can’t use that title? [thinking emoji] David Letterman officially declared me the Queen of Christmas 29 years ago, a year before she released ‘All I want For Christmas Is You’ and at 81 years of age I’m NOT changing anything. I’ve been in the business for 52 years, have earned it and can still hit those notes! If Mariah has a problem call David or my lawyer!!
Rick Ross Was Fined For Labor Violations At Multiple Wingstop Locations
Rick Ross and Wingstop have become synonymous. The rapper owns at least 25 Wingstop franchises and even bought his son a Wingstop franchise for 16th birthday last year. But in a new report published by XXL, it looks like the federal government’s Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has fined Rick Ross and his family members for multiple violations found in some of their Mississippi Wingstop locations.
According to the report, the feds have collected $114,427 thus far from Ross along with his sister, Tawanda Roberts and mother, Tammie Roberts, who are also listed as owners of some of the franchises. And these seem to be some pretty serious infractions: “Forcing employees to illegally pay for safety training, uniforms, background checks and cash register shortages. In some instances, this caused some employees’ average hourly rates to fall below the $7.25 federal minimum wage.”
Another part of the report says that Boss Wings Enterprises, Ross’s corporation, let a 15-year-old employee work past 10pm multiple times this year. The law states that 14 and 15-year-old workers cannot work past 7pm. This is not a good look for Rozay and certainly not the image of “The Boss” that he wants to convey. For the workers though, 244 of them will recoup the funds that were illegally taken from them.
Zoë Kravitz says she regrets commenting on Will Smith's Oscars slap
Actor Zoë Kravitz, the daughter of rock icon Lenny Kravitz and actor Lisa Bonet, says she has “very complicated feelings” about the Oscars controversy between Will Smith and Chris Rock. In a new interview with the Wall Street Journal magazine, Zoë said she wishes she handled the situation differently.
“I’m torn about what to say right now because I’m supposed to just talk about it. I have very complicated feelings around it,” Zoë told the WSJ magazine. “I wish I had handled that differently. And that’s okay.”
The 33-year-old Catwoman actor revealed that it is a “scary time” to have an opinion and remarked that while art is about a conversation, the internet is the opposite.
“It’s a scary time to have an opinion,” she started. “Or to say the wrong thing or to make controversial art, statements, thoughts, or anything.”
Zoë added, “It’s mostly scary because art is about [a] conversation. That should, in my opinion, always be the point. The internet is the opposite of conversation. The internet is people putting things out and not taking anything in.”
In retrospect, the actor said that she learned from her mistake and that she doesn’t want to be in a place where she has to express herself through a caption or tweet.
“I was reminded that I’m an artist,” she reflected. “Being an artist is not about everybody loving you or everyone thinking you’re hot. It’s about expressing something that will hopefully spark conversation, inspire people, or make them feel seen.”
She continued, “I think I’m in a place right now where I don’t want to express myself through a caption or a tweet. I want to express myself through art.”
In March, Zoë took to Instagram, shared a since-deleted picture of herself from the red carpet, and wrote, “Here’s a picture of my dress at the show where we are apparently assaulting people on stage now.”
The actor posted a second since-deleted image with the caption, “And here is a picture of my dress at the party after the award show -where we are apparently screaming profanities and assaulting people on stage now.”
First Lady Jill Biden tests positive for COVID-19
The White House announced on Tuesday (Aug. 16) that First Lady Jill Biden tested positive for COVID-19. She’s experiencing “mild symptoms,” per the statement. Jill was vacationing with President Joe Biden in South Carolina when she began exhibiting coronavirus symptoms. Jill has already been treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid and will isolate in the vacation home for at least five days.
Jill’s Communications Director Elizabeth Alexander said in a statement, “After testing negative for COVID-19 on Monday during her regular testing cadence, the first lady began to develop cold-like symptoms late in the evening. She tested negative again on a rapid antigen test, but a PCR test came back positive.” The 71-year-old is double vaccinated and received the booster shot twice. “She has been prescribed a course of Paxlovid and, following CDC guidance, will isolate from others for at least five days,” Alexander added.
Joe tested negative for the virus on Tuesday, according to the White House. But he will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s guidance and wear a mask indoors for 10 days. The president recently recovered from a back-to-back COVID diagnosis. He was scheduled to return to Washington D.C. after signing the Inflation Reduction Act into law. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also released a statement after Joe’s antigen test returned negative. She said, “Consistent with CDC guidance because he is a close contact of the first lady, he will mask for 10 days when indoors and in close proximity to others. We will also increase the president’s testing cadence and report those results.”
Joe tested positive for COVID last month. His physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor also prescribed Paxlovid to him. After five days of isolation, he returned to the Oval Office but tested positive again nine days later. Joe’s isolation ended on Aug. 7.
Naomi Osaka recruits Black NCAA athletes for KINLÒ skincare campaign
Professional tennis player Naomi Osaka has announced NIL brand partnerships with five Black athletes to help educate communities of color about the importance of protecting melanated skin. Her functional suncare brand KINLÒ will see Deja Kelly, the University of North Carolina (basketball); Reilyn Turner, UCLA (soccer); Robert Dillingham, University of Kentucky (basketball); Xolani Hodel, Stanford University (beach volleyball); and Ziyah Holman, University of Michigan (track and field) as ambassadors.
Yesterday (Aug. 15), BusinessWire shared a press release announcing the inaugural #GlowOutside social campaign with the NCAA athletes. Through fun and creative posts, the five will show how KINLÒ products can and should be used as protection against sun damage. They will also be advocates for preventative sun care and educate people with melanated skin. Osaka, the founder of KINLÒ, shared her enthusiasm for the start of the campaign: “I’m so excited to partner with these amazing student-athletes to help spread awareness for our Glow Outside campaign.” She continued, “As young, influential voices in the space, they are the perfect fit to help champion such an important initiative and as a brand, we couldn’t be prouder to empower and support NCAA athletes.”
Reps for the brand also discussed what helped them select the five student-athletes. When speaking of Kelly, they said she had already been using her platform to inspire young women in business and athletics. Kelly was just as motivated to partner with KINLÒ. “Having the opportunity [to] lock arms with a cultural icon like Naomi is an honor in and of itself. But to pair that with a product that is so useful for people who look like me made this partnership a no-brainer,” she said.
Dillingham is also looking forward to the project. “I’m truly honored to partner with Naomi and be part of this campaign. For me, NIL is about building authentic partnerships with brands that stand for things that I care about — KINLÒ’s mission is a perfect example of that, and Naomi is someone I respect as an athlete and individual,” the basketball player shared. KINLÒ recently expanded to Walmart in April.
$7,290 Balenciaga Sneaker Sculpture Sells Out
Balenciaga is known for pushing the limits with its high-end fashion offering. However, the brand took a new approach earlier this year by debuting a sculpture paying homage to its line of sneakers.
The Runner Sculpture is a white porcelain keepsake that mimics a size 42 Balenciaga Runner. The Sculpture was available exclusively on the website and within its flagship stores in Beverly Hills, Beijing, Hong Kong, Dubai, London, Monaco, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo. While it didn’t take long for the ornament to sell out, considering that only 20 were made, the glass statues were priced at a staggering $7,290.
The designer monument is a part of Balenciaga’s “Object” collection, which features random mementos for the ultimate Balenci fans. Coffee cups, blankets, and travel pillows are all available in the line. However, one of their most ambitious Objects is the Laser Sneaker Cubes. The crystal boxes feature laser images of several Balenciaga sneakers, all priced at $650.
Though the Runner Sculpture is sold out, it is still listed on the Balenciaga website, which could signify that the fashion house is considering producing more of these coffee table staples. If so, will you be copping one?
Elarica Johnson says “It Was My Choice” About Leaving P-Valley After Two Seasons
If you’re caught up on the last episode of P-Valley, then you know that one of the main characters Hailey, (played by Elarica Johnson) made a swift exit from both the Pynk and Chucalissa.
Without giving too much away for those who didn’t see it yet, Elarica Johnson opens up about why her character is saying goodbye for good. While speaking to @EntertainmentWeekly, Elarica shared why she felt P-Valley’s second season finale was the right time to make her exit.
She explained to the outlet, “Well, actually I knew when it was happening because it was my choice,” she recalled. “It’s something I discussed with Katori [Hall, showrunner]. “Looking at the scripts this season, and the journeys of the characters and where the Pynk was going, Autumn’s journey felt like it was coming to an end. She has done what she needed to do and it was time for her to move on.”
Speaking about the mark her character left,
the actress said: “A huge mark and there’s going to be a big space moving on. She was a big personality and was the keyhole into Chucalissa and the Pynk for the audience. They met these characters through the eyes of Autumn early on and now that everyone’s acquainted, it’s time for her to leave. Even within her broken relationships, they came form a really nice place. Uncle Clifford will miss the daily arguments with Autumn, but also getting to understand who she was and seeing the softer part of her. The same goes for Mercedes. They learned a lot from each other. The note she leaves on isn’t the best, but she definitely leaves a history with the Pynk and made a big difference on how things will move forward.”
Johnson also talked about her exit with fans on Instagram and thanked them for their support. She said,
“Proud to have stepped foot into the world of @pvalleystarz. It’s been an insane 3 year journey in the shoes of Autumn Night. Thank you @katorihall & @starz. I always take a little bit of my characters away with me and Autumn has left quite a mark. It was my biggest pleasure working with the cast and crew….I’ll save that for a longer post, but for now… Thank you everyone for all the #love (and hate lol) the support for this show is quite incredible.”
She added, “For Autumn Night this is a #goodbye ❤️ For me… it’s a see you on the next one 💋 #pvalley #autmnnight #iwillmissthepynk Exit interview link in bio.”
Fulton County D.A Claims Leaked Document Led To Threats Against Witness In YSL Case Involving Young Thug
The Fulton County district attorney has recently spoken out saying, ‘gang sympathizers’ are threatening the life of a witness and their family members in the criminal case against Young Thug. The DA, Fani Willis announced that a leaked document included the identity of one YSL associate, who is working with authorities in the case.
“We’re going to have to do things to make sure that the witnesses are safe. We need people to understand that they can cooperate. They can do the right thing and the state will be here to protect them,” Willis said.
Young Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steel also believes that the leaks need to stop because the case should not be tried on social media. “Whomever is placing items of discovery online is not doing anybody a favor. It is totally inappropriate to try this case in social media. This case will be tried fairly and justly in Fulton County Superior Court,” Steel said. “Mr. Williams has committed no crime whatsoever. I look forward to the commencement of the jury trial.”
As we previously reported, On Monday night (May 9), journalist Michael Seiden of local Atlanta news station WSBTV reported that he and his artist Gunna and 26 other members of YSL have been accused of RICO charges.
According to Seiden, “The indictment includes charges of conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, murder, armed robbery, participation in criminal street gang activity.”
Rumors were already surfacing the internet about who the person was that was working with the police but after the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office announced that a new indictment and new charges were being put on Young Thug and released the indictment, one of his crew members names were listed.
New Addams Family Photos Revealed For Jenna Ortega's Upcoming 'Wednesday' Series
We are getting more first looks at the upcoming Netflix series Wednesday!
On Tuesday (August 16), new photos were unveiled of the Addams Family – Jenna Ortega as Wednesday, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia, Luis Guzmán as Gomez and Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley.
Here’s a synopsis: The series is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy, where she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the murder mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago — all while navigating her new and very tangled relationships at Nevermore.
Tim Burton serves as director and executive producer of the series.
Also starring are Gwendoline Christie as Principal Larissa Weems, Jamie McShane, Percy Hynes White, Hunter Doohan, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Naomi J Ogawa, Moosa Mostafa, Georgie Farmer and Riki Lindhome. Get the scoop on all their characters HERE!
Christina Ricci, who previously played Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family movie in 1991 and Addams Family Values in 1993, will also appear in the series as Marilyn Thornhill.
Wednesday does not currently have a release date.
Solange Knowles Slated To Compose Original Score For New York City Ballet
Solange Knowles is expanding her repertoire — and making history.On Monday, the New York City Ballet announced it has chosen Solange —Beyoncé’s younger sister — to compose an original score for an upcoming ballet production.
The Grammy Award-winner artist’s involvement makes her the first Black woman and the second woman of color to compose a score of a production by the more than 70-year-old company.
Shepherded by choreographer Gianna Reisen, the currently untitledproject will premiere at the company’s annual Fall Fashion Gala on Sept. 28 at the Lincoln Center in New York City.
The “Cranes in the Sky” singer’s piece is set to be performed by a chamber ensemble that includes members of the City Ballet orchestra and several of Solange’s frequent collaborators,The New York Times reported.
After its premiere during the Fashion Gala, the production will be staged later this year on Oct. 1, 8, 11 and 16.
The piece will also return for five performances during the Company’s 2023 Spring Season on May 2, 11, 13, 17 and 18, according to the outlet.
Tickets for the performance start at $38 and are available here.
Angelina Jolie Revealed as Plaintiff in FBI Lawsuit Related to Brad Pitt Assault Allegations
After much speculation, the subjects of an anonymous 2016 lawsuit in which the plaintiff alleges being assaulted by her “then-husband” on a private plane have been revealed as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
According to a report from Puck, several years ago Jolie told an FBI agent that Pitt “physically and verbally assaulted” her and their children when they were aboard the plane. Per the agent’s notes at the time, Pitt allegedly took Jolie to the back of the plane, grabbed her shoulders and shouted things like, “You’re fucking up this family.” Jolie alleged that on the same flight, another physical altercation occurred, which caused her to sustain injuries, including on her elbow. She also said that Pitt was drinking at the time, and had poured beer on her. Pitt’s team has denied all accusations.
Kanye West slammed for selling new Yeezy Gap collection out of trash bags
Kanye West’s fans have more than just their panties in a bunch.
The rapper-turned-fashion designer is getting slammed online for selling his latest clothing collection out of trash bags.
“This is how they are selling Yeezy GAP,” a New-York based Twitter user captioned a photo showing disheveled merchandise stuffed into large black garbage bags on the floor of a Gap store.
According to the eyewitness, “The sales associate said Ye got mad when he saw they had [his clothes] on hangers” because “this is how he wanted it.”
“They won’t help you find [your] size,” they added, “you just have to just dig through everything.”
The image sparked major backlash, with several critics slamming West’s “fetish” with using homeless people as “fashion muses.”
“It’s everything that is wrong with billionaires,” the dissenter argued. “They no longer see the plight of people, they don’t see humans that are suffering, they see opportunities to be ‘edgy’ and profit from it…it’s disgusting.”
One person wrote, “This gotta be a social experiment,” while another joked, “Finally, something to satisfy my instinct to burrow.”
Another upset fan claimed they saw the same type of Yeezy Gap display at a store in Houston, explaining, “I can say this would make me quit my job if I were still on the visuals team.”
Others took issue with the collection itself, which features an array of bulky, dark gray sweatpants, sweatshirts and accessories that range in price from $40 (keychain) to $340 (T-cut parka).
“This oversized s–t needs to stop. Buddy looks like he’s about to sit down for a haircut in that T,” one social media user quipped, while another pointed out the irony of “fishing a $240 hoodie out of a garbage bag.”
Last week, the 45-year-old father of four explained that his “biggest inspiration for all design” was “the homeless.”
His Instagram post elicited comments like, “no homeless dude buying $200 yeezys 💀” and “yes look to the homeless so we can sell middle class people $499 shoes.”
Reps for West did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Madonna passionately kisses two women on 64th birthday in Italy
She’s got us feeling like it’s 2003 again. Madonna evoked her iconic onstage VMAs kiss when she posted a video of herself French kissing two girlfriends in the back of a car.
“Birthday kisses with my side bitches,” she captioned the video, which showed the group celebrating her 64th birthday in Italy.
The “Like a Virgin” singer stunned in a blue and white maxi dress with her bleached-blond tresses styled in loose waves.
She accessorized with stacked silver necklaces, a blue hat and matching blue pumps.
Elsewhere in the clip, Madonna twirled in her bright summer dress before getting in the car with her manager, Guy Oseary, and other pals.
Serena Williams Invests Millions Into Actress Selena Gomez’s Wondermind Media Company
Looks like Serena Williams is wasting no time when it comes to the projects she will take on post-retirement, which appears to be focusing on her Venture Capital company Serena Ventures. The Grand Slam Champion has invested $5 million in actress Selena Gomez’s company Wondermind. A media platform that was created to help change the narrative around mental health, including depression, addiction, and even suicide. In addition to her investment, Williams will work alongside Wondermind which is already valued at $100M to promote the brand and will also be involved in content creation. In an Instagram post (see below) shared by Selena Gomez on Monday, the tennis icon, Serena, and former Disney star, Selena Gomez discussed the topic of “mental fitness” for their newest mental health platform, Wondermind.”Mental fitness for me is just really learning to shut down,” Williams, 40, said. “And you know I did this years ago before even mental health was a topic among everyone’s mind.
She says. “It was more just like, alright, I’m shutting myself down today. Just subconsciously, it was something I’ve always done, and so now that I know that it’s so important to just put yourself first, especially mentally, I always have shut down moments. I have serious boundaries and I don’t let anyone cross those boundaries. “For me, it’s so important to make sure, every day, I have a period of, like … it’s so bad because I really don’t do anything for me, I’m terrible at that! And I’ve said it time and time again – I’m working on it. But more or less, at least prioritizing what I need to do,” added Williams, before concluding, “And then when I’m turned off, I’m turned off.”
According to a University of Houston report, suicide rates have been increasing among Black men and women, showing how important it is for Black Americans to take mental health seriously. Gomez, who suffered an emotional breakdown in 2018 and revealed in 2020 that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, has previously discussed her issues with depression and anxiety. The Only Murders in the Building actress is now helping others deal with their mental health issues. Serena Ventures has invested in numerous diverse companies, including a wig company, Boss Beauties, Kiira Health, and many more.
Arsenio Hall Sells His 34-Acre LA Compound to Neighbor
Arsenio Hall has reportedly sold his Los Angeles 34-acre home of 30 years located in the Topanga community.
The comedian sold the 10,000+ square home for $9 million to one of his neighbors, The Dirt reports. Per the outlet, “Hall custom-built the entire estate over several years in the early 1990s.”
The compound boasts a Santa Fe-style main mansion, two gated driveways, two additional buildings on the premises, a mini golf course, a playground, a full-size tennis court, grassy lawns, many hiking trails and a pergola-shaded pond, among other amenities, according to the report.
The property’s new owner is reportedly Robert M. “Rob” Fedoris, a Pennsylvania-based former executive at the financial services firm Guggenheim Partners.
Last year, Hall purchased a home from Hollywood actor Sean Murray.
Murray allegedly paid about $4.8 million for the Los Angeles mansion located in the city’s Tarzana suburb. He put the home back on the market a month later, The Dirt reported.
The “NCIS” star listed the home for nearly $5 million. The property sold in just one month for $5.2 million, according to the report.
The 6,500-square foot mansion reportedly has six bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms, a zero-edge pool/spa, dual cabanas, an outdoor kitchen, and a spo
Tami Roman’s New Scripted Series ‘Haus of Vicious’ Picked Up By BET
Tami Roman’s new scripted series, “Haus of Vicious,” has been picked up by BET and is set to premiere on August 17 at 8 p.m.
The 8-episode, one-hour drama series stars Roman as Chantel Vivian, a fashion designer, whose success is overshadowed by her narcissistic husband, addiction, unresolved childhood traumas and a dysfunctional personal life, per press release.
Per Deadline, the series also stars Norman Nixon Jr. (Milan), Tiffany Black (Raven), Kyler O’Neal (Izzy), Brely Evans (Avery), Lyric Anderson (Tia), and industry veteran Ella Joyce (Carolyn).
All the episodes were directed by Kim Fields and with Roman, Marvin Neil, Eric Tomosunas, Herb Kimble, Kim Fields and creator/showrunner Jill Ramsey serving as Executive Producers.
“Bringing these fierce and flawed characters to life against the backdrop of the provocative fashion industry is a gig of slaying oh so delicious to me as a director and an executive producer,” said Fields in a statement.
“I’m excited to be an executive producer on ‘Haus of Vicious’ and having the capability of offering opportunities to my super talented peers in the industry,” Roman said. “Partnering with BET on this project is definitely a blessing and I look forward to a lon- lasting relationship.”
In a message shared on Instagram, Roman had this to say about her new series, “Yo! This is a dream right?!?! OMG! Season 2 pick up/20 more episodes before the premiere tonight. My God is great 💛 thank you so much @vh1 and everyone who called & texted to congratulate #TeamUnfaithful #LetsGetIt #VH1Unfaithful“.
You can currently catch Roman in the BET+ comedy series “The Ms. Pat Show,” the second season of which is now airing.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Looking For Shampoo’
Looking for shampoo in hardware alley
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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