#MAGFAB: Naomi Campbell, Iman, and more Cover W Magazine’s 50th Anniversary Issue
W Magazine is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month with a special issue featuring supermodels who have transcended the moment from first emerging on the scene to becoming household names, and rising stars at the beginning of incredibly promising careers. Some of the iconic covers spotlight models Naomi Campbell, Iman, Precious Lee, Alex Wek, He Cong, Adut Akech, and Anok Yai,– all discussing the industry’s past, present, and future.
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary special issue, W Magazine has partnered with Bergdorf Goodman to showcase all 17 covers as well as vintage covers from previous years in three bespoke windows. The windows will be on display from September 7th through 19th during New York Fashion Week.
To further commemorate the magazine’s influential history, this fall, they will be releasing the book 50 Years/50 Stories, by Editor in Chief, Sara Moonves. The book is the definitive collection of W’s most iconic and boundary-pushing photographic stories, published over the magazine’s fifty-year history.
Precious Lee
On being curvy in the fashion industry: “I inherited a sense of who I am and of my worth from my mom. I’ve always reached for the top. My goals have always been huge. I’ve been in rooms where people truly did not understand how I could aim that high or believe that I could accomplish what I wanted to do. So this moment, with the runways that I’m gracing, proves exactly what I was saying. I’ve always been a curvy girl, since I was a child, and I feel like that child would really appreciate what I’m doing now.”
Anok Yai
On the impact the Pandemic has had for models: “Since the Covid pandemic, models have had more creative control. I’ve had the opportunity to creative direct some shoots, and at this stage of my career, I can be more than a model—I can be an artist. At the end of the day, a runway show is a collaborative effort. As a model, you can sometimes feel like just a hanger. But when I’m on the runway, it feels like a performance. I’m at a point now where if you don’t give me artistic freedom, I’m just going to take it.”
Adut Akech
On how social media has pushed the shift towards inclusivity: “I wanted to be a model because I was inspired by women like Naomi Campbell from a young age. One thing that came as a shock was how hard this job is. I never thought it was going to be the easiest, but you truly don’t know until you’re doing it. But social media has allowed models to have a voice. We can call out brands for not being diverse enough. It’s forcing everybody to change their old ways and do what should’ve always been done: be inclusive of models from all different backgrounds.”
Naomi Campbell
On using her influence to help elevate young designers: “I like what I do, first and foremost. You have to, to have a career that really goes on. There is no career strategy on my end, but at this point, I love using the platform that I have to help young designers. The kids I work with are not just in the markets we know, but in Africa, the Middle East, India… and because people know me and I’ve come to understand the fashion world so well over time, I can get them the attention that they deserve. Fashion has provided me with so much, and it’s my philosophy to share that.”
Alek Wek
On persevering and how her story shaped who she is as a model: “Everybody has a story, but my story, I think, has a lot to say about how people can persevere. I was a kid when I started, coming from South Sudan, fleeing a civil war. Now when you see Alek Wek, you see diversity. When you see Alek Wek, you see opening doors. I never thought I would still be working at this age, and I thank my mom every day for that. It’s genetics. I’m like Benjamin Button. Nineteen-, 20-year olds try to chat me up!”
Iman
On how she shifted the narrative that there was only space for one Black model at a time: “When I arrived in the United States, there was the idea that there could be only one Black model at a time, so it created hostility and competition among us. But my friends and I changed that. In Somalia, where I’m from, I never called myself a Black woman, because there was no reason to. The whole country is Black. I had an identity based on my worth. I started becoming friends with Black models on purpose. They were the ones who were going to tell me who was the best photographer for us, who was the best hairdresser for our hair, the best makeup artist for our skin. So we became a tribe, and we still are that tribe.”
FAB on newsstands now.
#RHOA: Is This The Twist Coming in the Drama Between Marlo Hampton & Kenya Moore?
Although the RHOA castmates don’t always see eye to eye, Marlo recently revealed an “amazing” thing about Kenya.
As The Real Housewives of Atlanta viewers are well aware, Marlo Hampton and Kenya Moore haven’t exactly seen eye to eye recently. However, there is one thing they can agree on right now: the quality of Kenya Moore Haircare.
On Part 2 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion, Marlo gave host Andy Cohen an update on her edges when she revealed that she was a fan of Kenya’s products. “I’ve been using them,” she said. “I think that’s what’s been filling [my edges] in.”
Given the state of their friendship at the moment, Andy was surprised by the revelation and asked for clarification: “Have you been using Kenya’s products?”
“Yeah, I went and got some from CVS,” Marlo confirmed. “I think it’s made [my edges] a little thicker, as a matter of fact.” After Andy exclaimed, “It works, Kenya!” Marlo added, “It does... Definitely amazing.”
On the September 4 episode of RHOA, Kenya celebrated landing her line in CVS, and in the video above, she opens up about what the milestone for her business means to her. “For me, what makes it so special is because it’s my legacy for my daughter,” she says. “This is something she can always look back and say, ‘Mommy did this on her own, by herself, [with] very little help,’ and for her to be proud of Mommy.”
“I’m a CEO mom, single mom, and I’m living my dream. So that’s what I really want the takeaway to be.”
#MusicNews: Mariah Carey And Brandy Team Up On 'The Roof' Remake
In honor of the 25th anniversary of her groundbreaking sixth studio album Butterfly, the pop icon has released an Expanded Edition featuring new remixes, live performances, acapellas, and a new version of “The Roof” featuring Brandy, who adds her vocals to the Mobb Deep-sampled track.
The two re-recorded the fan favorite last year and documented the process for Mariah’s MasterClass. “Brandy and I both loved the original background vocals arrangement of ‘The Roof’ and decided we wanted to update it,” Mariah told PEOPLE.
Speaking with Variety, Mariah called Brandy “a singer who, like me, loves great background vocal arrangements and blending vocal textures together,” and says they plan to collaborate again soon.
LISTEN HERE
Considered by many fans to be her best album, Butterfly was certified 5x platinum and featured contributions from Puff Daddy, Q-Tip, Missy Elliott, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.
“I will never forget the day I released this album to the world,” Mariah tweeted. “I had never felt more exposed and vulnerable yet free and euphoric at the same time. It was a true EMANCIPATION (no pun intended!) of my spirit, soul and innermost feelings which I poured into every lyric and every note on every song. 25 years later, it’s still one of the proudest moments of my life & career.”
#HipHopNews: Snoop Dogg-Themed Funko Store Coming To Los Angeles
Snoop Dogg has hands in everything from film to music, clothing and cannabis. Now, the West Coast legend will have his own figures sold at a brick-and-mortar location in Inglewood, California.
According to AllHipHop, Funko is partnering with Snoop for a themed-store in honor of the D-O-Double-G set to open in January 2023. Named “Tha Dogg House,” the location will feature a mural of Snoop along with life-sized Funko Pop! figures.
“This new store stays true to who I am as an entrepreneur and rapper,” the 50-year-old rapper said in a press release. “I can’t wait for my fans to experience it, to touch it, to feel it. Once you see it, it’s like no other thing in the world. Tha Dogg House will blow your mind.”
The Funko store will be located next to Snoop Dogg’s clothing store near SoFi Stadium.
“Snoop Dogg is an entertainment powerhouse and remains one of the most innovative and versatile figures in the entertainment industry,” Funko’s CEO Andrew Perlmutter said. “We look forward to the debut of our newest retail experience and our partnership with Snoop whose expertise and impact on pop culture further elevates the brand’s opportunity to connect with fandoms within music and sports.”
#BoxOfficeNews: ‘Woman King’ Wows With $19M Opening
The Woman King, starring Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis, conquered the domestic box with an opening of $19 million or more after earning a coveted A+ CinemaScore from audiences.
Woman King came in ahead of expectations (tracking had suggested it would open with $15 million to $18 million, although Sony had said only $12 million). The all-female and Black-led movie started off with $6.85 million on Friday, including $1.7 million in Thursday previews.
From Sony’s TriStar division and eOne, the historical epic is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood from a script by Dana Stevens and based on a story by Maria Bello and Stevens about the Agojie, an all-female army in the West African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The film skewed female and older. Women made up 58 percent of all ticket buyers, according to exit-polling service PostTrak. Black moviegoers made up 56 percent of the audience, followed by white moviegoers (23 percent), Latinos (15 percent) and Asian or other identified moviegoers (6 percent).
The film received rave reviews from its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 9. It presently boasts a 93 percent critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Woman King cost a reported $50 million to produce, excluding marketing and distribution spends. Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and John Boyega also star.
Elsewhere, two specialty movies opted to open wide due to a dearth of event pics aside from Woman King: A24 and Ti West’s horror-slasher prequel Pearl, in which Mia Goth reprises the role as the titular character, and Searchlight’s whodunit See How They Run.
Pearl grossed $3.1 million from 2,935 theaters to tie with See How They Run, which likewise grossed $3.1 million. Both received a so-so B- CinemaScore. See How They Run’s ensemble cast includes Adrian Brody, David Oyelowo. Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan and Ruth Wilson.
Neon opened Brett Morgen’s David Bowie biopic Moonage Daydream in a special Imax run. The film, which made its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, grossed $1.2 million from 173 runs for a projected location average of more than $7,000, the best of any film this weekend and enough to come in No. 10. Overseas, the biopic earned another $350,000 from select markets.
Elsewhere, Fathom and Lionsgate, extended special screenings of Kevin Smith’s Clerks III in 830 theaters for a projected weekend gross of $565,000 range for a total cume north of $2 million.
Falling outside the top 10 was Running the Bases. The faith-based, indie film launched to $505,000 from 1,080 theaters.
‘Everything’s good’: Post Malone released from hospital after falling on stage during St. Louis show
Rapper Post Malone is recovering after he bruised his ribs during a fall on stage while performing in St. Louis, his manager confirmed on social media.
According to multiple reports, Malone lost his footing and fell in an opening on stage in the middle of a song at the Enterprise Center. Despite the pain, the show continued and the singer persevered.
“In true Posty fashion loving his fans he finished the show! I truly don’t know any artist like him,” Post Malone’s manager Dre London said on Instagram. “Let’s all keep him in our thoughts as we know he will wake up in pain.”
The show was part of his “Twelve Carat” tour with opener Roddy Rich.
As of Sunday afternoon, Post Malone took to Twitter and said he’s since been released from the hospital and “everything’s good.”
“They gave me some pain meds and everything,” he said. “I just wanna apologize to everyone in St. Louis and I want to say thank you guys so much for coming to the show.”
During his tour performances, part of the stage sinks lower during his acoustic set, according to Malone. But, that’s when things took a turn and he took a bad fall.
“Thanks for hanging around, even though I got my a** kicked by myself,” he said on Twitter.
He promised his fans that the next time he’s in St. Louis, he’ll have a two-hour show to make up for the songs he wasn’t able to perform Saturday night.
You can watch his health update video here, but there is explicit language.
The Las Vegas Aces Won Their First WNBA Championship In A Thrilling Game 4
After winning both games at home, the Las Vegas Aces went on the road needing one win in Connecticut to lock up their first championship in franchise history, dating all the way back to their days as the Utah Starzz in the late 90s.
However, Game 3 proved it would be anything but easy as the Sun blew them out to force a Game 4 and avoid the sweep, and early on it was clear the game was going to be played at Connecticut’s preferred pace, as the two teams played slow and physical to a 30-28 halftime score, with the Aces on top.
In the third quarter, the Aces would push that lead to four, but could never fully pull away from the Sun, who continually clawed their way into the game with an answer to Vegas’ runs. The biggest of those came in the fourth quarter with a five-point possession to cut what was a 67-61 Vegas lead down to just one after Kelsey Plum was called for a flagrant foul for stepping under DeWanna Bonner on a three, giving her three free throws, which she made, followed by a bucket from Jonquel Jones to make it a one-point game.
Courtney Williams would then give the Sun a two point lead and it looked like the Aces might have been deflated by that sudden swing, until one of the more unlikely stars of the game, Riquna Williams, caught fire and carried Vegas to the win. Williams hit back-to-back threes to give the Aces a lead, followed by a tough long two to push the advantage to four with 53.2 seconds to play.
From that point, the Sun were unable to come up with an answer, as A’ja Wilson came up with a big steal on the ensuing inbound from Connecticut and Kelsey Plum put the dagger in on a turnaround in the paint to push the lead to six. Ultimately, the Aces would win with a 78-71 final score, and the celebration was on in Connecticut.
Chelsea Gray was deservedly awarded Finals MVP, averaging 18.3 points per game as she was consistently dominant, including a 20-point outing in Game 4 to help clinch the series. Plum had 15, including that dagger and some big fourth quarter buckets, Wilson had 11 points and 14 boards, and Young chipped in 13 points, but no one provided a bigger lift than Riquna Williams with 17 points off the bench including the eight straight in the closing minutes to keep the Aces in front.
For the Sun, it was a tough way to finish out another terrific season, but they were just outgunned by the team that had the WNBA’s Coach of the Year (Becky Hammon), Most Improved Player (Jackie Young), and MVP and DPOY (A’ja Wilson). The Aces were the story of the season in the WNBA and, fittingly, end the year on top, and now the question moving forward is who will challenge them next year to prevent a repeat from a deep, talented squad.
Lady Gaga Ends The Final Show Of Her ‘Chromatica Ball’ Tour Early Amid A Thunderstorm
Mother Monster is always looking out for her Little Monsters. At the Miami stop of Lady Gaga’s “Chromatica Ball” tour last night, a storm interrupted her show, forcing Gaga to end the concert early, with six songs remaining in the set.
In a video shared by fans, Gaga came to the stage to speak to fans after the final show of the “Chromatica Ball” tour is cut short.
“I’m sorry that we can’t finish but I don’t want to put your life in danger and I don’t want to put our life in danger,” she said. “Thank you, get home safely, god bless you, and thank you for coming to the show. Please go home.”
Following the announcement, fans gathered together in the Hard Rock Stadium to sing Gaga’s Chromatica single, “Rain On Me,” the album version of which features Ariana Grande.
Later in the night, Gaga took to Instagram, expressing sadness for having to end the show early, but gratitude for knowing that her fans and crew would be safe.
“Look, for years some of you have called me ‘mother monster,’ in my heart I knew it was better to keep you safe,” Gaga said in the post’s caption. “Thank you for believing in me. This was the greatest tour of my life and I will cherish this moment forever—it took a long time for me to heal, but I did. Sure, OF COURSE, I wanted to sing rain on me for you in the rain. ‘I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive’—I guess somehow I knew this moment would happen and I am so grateful to you, my dancers, my band, the whole crew, everyone, my family and friends.”
Singer and actress Marva Hicks dies!
Fans, family and friends are mourning the loss of singer/actress and Petersburg native Marva Hicks, who scored a top-10 hit song with "Never Been In Love Before" 21 years ago and acted in 24 TV shows and movies.
Hicks died Sept. 16 of undisclosed causes. Online records, including movie internet database IMDb, listed her age as 47. However, some friends of hers told The Progress-Index that she graduated from Petersburg High School in 1974, and she actually was in her mid-60s.
Her death was announced by her husband, Akwasi Taha, and her family in a statement to Ebony magazine.
"The love she had for her husband, family, friends, and entertainment community knew no bounds," the statement read. "We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love. Thank you for your compassion and prayers."
Close friend and fellow actress Holly Robinson-Peete paid homage to Hicks on Twitter and sent condolences to her family.
"Rest in Heavenly Eternal Peace, Sis," Robinson-Peete tweeted.
Born in Petersburg, Hicks was close friends with Blair Underwood, another famous actor from here, and his family. Underwood's brother, Frank Underwood Jr., remembered her on Facebook, calling her "severely talented" and a "vocal juggernaut," and said news of her death was hard to hear.
""It is always a gut punch when a friend or family member is taken to the great unknown, prompting the statement 'gone too soon,'" Underwood, a writer and artist, wrote.
Frank Underwood Jr. posted this undated photo on his Facebook page of him with Marva Hicks.
Music journalist Lorraine King tweeted, "Such a talented lady who will be sadly missed." Actress Felicia Boswell tweeted a photo of Hicks with the words, "True legend."
Her TV work included "One Life to Live," "Sister, Sister" and "Star Trek: Voyager." On the silver screen, she played Roberta Williams in the 1999 film "Asunder," opposite Underwood and Debbi Morgan;" and 2013's "Labor Day" with Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin.
In addition to her TV and movie work, Hicks was a frequent performer in Broadway and off-Broadway productions. She acted in "Motown the Musical," "Caroline, or Change," "The Lion King" and "Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music" on Broadway; and off-Broadway in "Thunder Knocking on the Door," " Caroline, or Change," and "The First Breeze of Summer."
She was a three-time winner of the Helen Hayes Award, which is presented for theater excellence in the Washington, D.C. area.
As a vocalist, Hicks toured with performers such as Stevie Wonder. Michael Jackson, James Ingram and Sheryl Crow. She got her big solo break when her song, "Never Been In Love Before," went to No. 7 on the R&B chart for Polydor Records in 1991. It was part of her self-titled first CD that was released that same year.
Other songs she recorded included "Looking Over My Shoulder," "One Good Reason" and "I Got You Where I Want."
In her Twitter bio, Hicks described herself this way: "Singing out loud and strong is what I am blessed to do. I am growing creatively and always moving forward! Love is the greatest gift of all!"
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date, the family said in their statement.
Two men sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for ordering 2018 murder of NY teen Junior Feliz
Two alleged members of the Trinitarios gang were convicted for the murder of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz. On Friday (Sept. 16), Diego Suero and Frederick Then were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
WNEW-TV reports, Suero, 33, and Then, 24, are allegedly leaders of the Los Sures set in New York. They are accused of ordering the other gang members to murder the 15-year-old, who had been mistaken for the intended target, a member of the Sunset gang. The prosecutors have pending cases against six more co-defendants involved in the brutal slaying. They are expected to appear in court in the coming weeks.
Junior was killed in 2018 when gang members chased him down 183rd Street in the Tremont neighborhood. Viral footage showed him attempting to seek refuge inside a bodega, but he was dragged from the shop and repeatedly stabbed with knives and hacked at with a machete.
Prior to the sentencing, the teen’s mother, Leandra Feliz, addressed the court. “Two people died that night, me and him. I am dead in the life that I now live. Help me find the justice Junior deserves. Justice would look like life in prison without parole, so they would no longer be a threat to society,” Leandra read from a letter she wrote.
“The cruel attack was caught on surveillance video and went viral. The shocking images of Junior’s last moments saddened and outraged all who saw them,” Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said. She continued, “Junior’s family has suffered immensely and will forever miss him. We hope today’s sentence brings some peace to them and the Bronx community.”
After exiting the court, Leandra rejoiced in knowing justice was served. “Thank God, they’re going to be in jail for life, so we’re going to have safe streets in the Bronx. They got what they deserved,” she said.
PnB Rock's body to be released to his family for burial
On Friday (Sept. 16), a medical examiner ruled PnB Rock’s death a homicide, noting that he sustained a gunshot wound to the back and chest.
PnB Rock’s family will soon be able to move ahead with funeral arrangements now that a medical examiner has cleared his body for release.
On Saturday (Sept. 17), the rapper’s brother, PnB Meen, shared a post on social media revealing the family encountered challenges while trying to obtain the body. “We been having trouble getting my brother back to Philadelphia…Los Angeles claiming they have some type of law going against ours as Muslims. Now, I have no clue when his Janazah [will take place]. It’s not right. Yo, it’s going on a week. Prayers up. I got you big bro and ya daughters,” he wrote. The post was deleted soon after.
A Janazah is a Muslim prayer that is a part of the funeral ritual. In most instances, the religion requires the individual to be buried within three days of passing away. Rock was fatally shot on Monday (Sept. 12). He was dining at a Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles with his girlfriend. Authorities say the shooter snatched jewelry from Rock before fleeing the scene. He leaves behind two young daughters, Milan Allen and Xuri Li.
According to TMZ, the “Feelins” artist’s mother flew from his hometown of Philadelphia to L.A. to ID his body and request its release. The outlet alleges officers were called to the L.A. County Coroner’s Office due to tempers flaring when Rock’s family was told the body could not be released yet. On Friday (Sept. 16), the medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, noting that he sustained a gunshot wound to the back and chest. By late Saturday, the office cleared his body to be released to the family.
In a separate post, PnB Meen openly expressed his grief, writing, “I looked up to you. Everything you did Rock, I was in awe. Rock I’m sorry, bro. Whyyyyy? Like, why you leave me bro? They took you out of all people. Why not me Man?… I can’t even write. I’m shaking, my stomach tight, I can’t see, I can’t eat. I’m dying slow bro,” he wrote in the heartbreaking post on Thursday (Sept. 15).
Margot Robbie Joins Christian Bale & John David Washington at 'Amsterdam' Premiere in NYC
The stars of Amsterdam are stepping out for the movie’s premiere!
Margot Robbie looked pretty in a white lace dress at the premiere of her new David O. Russell-directed movie held on Sunday (September 18) at Alice Tully Hall in New York City.
Joining Margot at the premiere were her co-stars John David Washington, Christian Bale and wife Sibi, Robert De Niro, Rami Malek, Andrea Riseborough, Mike Myers and wife Kelly Tisdale, Timothy Olyphant, and Michael Shannon.
Drake was also in attendance at the premiere.=
The movie is “an original crime epic about three close friends who find themselves at the center of one of the most shocking secret plots in American history. A fascinating and richly intricate tale that brilliantly weaves historical fact with fiction for a timely, cinematic experience.”
Amsterdam will be released in theaters on October 7
Rihanna & A$AP Rocky Spend Another Late Night at the Recording Studio in L.A.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are back in the recording studio!
The new parents arrived at a studio for the third night in a row on Saturday night (September 17) in Los Angeles.
For their night out, Rihanna, 34, went comfy in black sweats with bedazzled sunglasses while Rocky, 33, sported a black denim hoodie and black jeans.
As of right now, it is unclear what Rihanna and Rocky might be working on in the studio. However, it’s been six years since Rihanna dropped her last album ANTI.
Fans have been anticipating a follow-up for years, and Rihanna has shared several teases along the way.
Woody Allen Announces His Retirement
Woody Allen has announced his retirement from filmmaking. While in Europe to work on his 50th film, Woody Allen told Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia that he intended to retire from making movies and to dedicate more time to writing during his twilight years. What is now set to be his final film is set in Paris and will be shot entirely in French in a couple of weeks.
Allen described his upcoming film to be similar to “Match Point,” in that it would be “exciting, dramatic and also very sinister.” Allen recently wrote his fifth collection of humor pieces, “Zero Gravity,” which will be published Sept. 27 by Alianza in Spain. In the U.S., it was published by Arcade and distributed by Simon & Schuster.
Allen has been shooting more often in Europe as his support in the U.S. has plunged given the abuse accusations against him. In 2020, he opened the San Sebastian Film Festival with “Rifkin’s Festival,” shot in and around the tony city of San Sebastian. His relationship with the Basque provincial capital’s festival goes back to 2004 when he premiered “Melinda & Melinda” and in 2008 with the premiere of “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”
Starring Elena Anaya, Louis Garrel and Gina Gershon, “Rifkin’s Festival” takes place during the fest, the most important in the Spanish-speaking world.
Curiously, he announced at the press conference marking the start of production on the film that he “never thought of retiring.” “Rifkin’s Festival” was backed by Spanish media giant Mediapro, which also supported two of Allen’s more successful films “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” which garnered Penelope Cruz her first Oscar, and “Midnight in Paris.”
Amazon Studios shelved his previous film “A Rainy Day in New York” after accusing Allen of “sabotaging” the future of the film by his comments on the abuse accusations of his daughter Dylan Farrow. He sued them for $68 million alleging a breach of contract. The dispute was later settled out of court.
Allen has had trouble with publishing houses as well. Hachette canceled the publication of his memoir “Apropos of Nothing” after staff protests, but it was picked up by another publisher, Arcade.
The 'Phantom of the Opera,' Broadway's longest-running show, to close after 35 years
After more than three decades, "The Phantom of the Opera," the longest-running show in Broadway history, is closing.
A representative verified the show will play its final performance on Feb. 18, 2023. It will have played 13,925 performances.
Directed by the late theater legend Harold Prince and featuring the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, "Phantom" opened Jan. 26, 1988. At that year's Tonys, it was nominated for 10 awards, winning 7 — including Best Musical. One of the shows it beat that year? Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods."
"As a British producer who has been lucky enough to have been producing in New York for over 40 consecutive years, it has been an unparalleled honor to have presented the longest-running musical in Broadway’s history," said producer Cameron Mackintosh in a news release. "That this legendary show has thrilled New York for nearly 35 phenomenal years is quite astounding to me.
As much a part of the city landscape as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, the blockbuster phenomenon has long been a New York City landmark. While not a critical hit, the tourists kept coming year after to year to see the show's lavish sets and costumes, large cast and Broadway’s largest orchestra.
Mesmerized by the talents and beauty of the young soprano Christine, The Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine’s love for Raoul, The Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness and passions collide. Featuring songs like "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," "All I Ask of You" and "The Music of the Night," the show played to nearly full capacity (1,655) decades after opening.
Based on the classic novel "Le Fantôme de L’Opéra" by Gaston Leroux, the show's lyrics are by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, and a book by Richard Stilgoe and Webber. It has played to over 145 million people in 41 countries and 183 cities in 17 languages.
But before it closes, the show at the Majestic Theatre, 245 W. 44th St., will celebrate its 35th anniversary on Jan. 26. The on-sale date for tickets for the final four weeks of performances — including the 35th anniversary, Valentine’s Day and the final performance — as well as details on all celebrations, will be announced at a future date.
"Phantom" became the longest-running show in Broadway history on Jan. 9, 2006 — when it surpassed the nearly 18-year run of "Cats," another musical featuring the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Representatives say it has been seen by 19.5 million people and grossed $1.3 billion. In New York, the show employed an estimated 6,500 people (including 450 actors) during its more than 30-year run.
The musical changed the landscape for touring across the country, inspiring the renovation of theaters and opera houses. The three original U.S. national tours combined grossed over $1.5 billion, playing 216 engagements in 77 cities to 31 million people.
As Broadway bids farewell, the show is still playing in London. A production recently appeared at the Sydney Opera House, and the first Mandarin language version of the show will open in China in 2023, the release said. Antonio Banderas wants to create a Spanish language production, the release added.
The New York production currently stars Ben Crawford as The Phantom and Emilie Kouatchou as Christine. Ticket prices range from $29 to $169, with premium tickets also available. Call 212-239-6200 or visit Telecharge.com for more information.
Nonbinary actor joins "SNL" cast for season 48
For the first time in the comedy skit show's nearly half-century history, "Saturday Night Live" will have an openly nonbinary cast member. Molly Kearney, a comedian and actor known for their role as Fern Dannely in Amazon's "A League of Their Own," will be among the new actors joining the show in its upcoming 48th season.
Kearney shared the news on their Instagram, saying, "Meatbrick moved to New York!"
Kearney, who is based in Los Angeles, has long been a stand-up comic and has helped produce a monthly outdoor stand-up show called "The Big One." They've performed countless shows and sets in Los Angeles, Chicago, Milwaukee and other cities.
While this will be their first season on the long-running New York City comedy show, it will be somewhat of a reunion for Kearney and one of the show's other cast members. In June, Kearney was the opening comedy act for SNL's Sarah Sherman, who first joined the show in October 2021.
Kearney's new role on the show comes months after the sudden departure of longtime cast members Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney and Pete Davidson. Kearney will join the show alongside three other new cast members, Devon Walker, who writes for "Big Mouth" and "Everything's Trash;" Marcello Hernandez, who has opened for Tim Dillon and Gilbert Gottfried; and Michael Longfellow, who has appeared on "Bring the Funny," which is hosted by longtime SNL star Kenan Thompson.
Season 48 of "Saturday Night Live" begins on NBC on October 1.
Jackie Robinson Glove Used In His Final MLB Seasons Being Auctioned, Could Go For Up to $750K
Now, fans can have their chance to own one of Jackie Robinson’s baseball gloves—for up to the mere price of $750,000.
TMZ reports that the Wilson glove worn by the Brooklyn Dodgers for his final 1955 and 1956 MLB seasons is now being auctioned. Robinson wore the glove on his left hand when he played as the Dodgers’ infielder, and it bears the number 42—his number that the MLB retired in 1997 as a tribute to him.
It also seems like the glove hasn’t been replaced since that time, per Goldin, the site that’s auctioning off the memorabilia. At the time of this writing, the current bid is $150,000. The glove has a letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA, which is one of the best authenticators in collectibles—and has a letter of provenance from longtime fan Jack Semel, who was given the glove when the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles.
“Judging by the use displayed, the subject glove was used by Robinson as a back-up glove or during pre-game warm-up,” Goldin writes in its description of the glove.
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Robinson is still celebrated to this day, with April 15 dubbed Jackie Robinson Day by the MLB. The Dodgers infielder was pivotal in piercing the sport’s racial barrier, and was a seven-time MPV, Rookie of the Year, 1955 World Series champion, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, just 10 years before he died.
Goldin’s auction of the glove continues until Oct. 1.
2022 RIAA Hip-Hop Honors: A Cultural Celebration For Icons MC Lyte and Grandmaster Flash
On (Sept. 14), at their new stylish office building in the NW district of Washington, D.C, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) launched its inaugural Hip-Hop Honors event, which celebrates integral figures who broke the mold and helped establish the culture as a driving force within the music industry and the world at large. Established in 1952, the RIAA is an organization that tracks and publicizes how many copies a record has sold dating back to its original date of release. Upon its conception, the RIAA developed a formula that calculates the amount of a physical albums units sold. The determining distinction is based on a measuring system (now expanded to streaming and downloads) ranking the overall success of official releases. Hence, if a musical release reaches 500,000 in sales, it achieves Gold certification from the RIAA. If a song or album reaches 1,000,000 in sales following its release, then the release is platinum. And so on and so forth to the ultimate distinction of Diamond, where a project reaches 10 million in sales. The RIAA also advocates for all creators of recorded music in the United States and supports legislation that fights against piracy and other forms of copyright infringement.
Two of the evenings honorees, DJ Grandmaster Flash and MC Lyte, were honored by the RIAA with the Hip-Hop Pioneer Award. The icons received their honors during a festive and star-studded evening with opening speeches by Billboard’s Editorial Director, Hannah Karp; VIBE’s Editor-In-Chief, Datwon Thomas; Stupid Fly’s DJ Cheapshot and RIAA’s executives, Mitch Glazier, Michele Ballantyne and Morna Willens. Many others of note that were included in the night’s action were: Library of Congress’ Dr. Carla Hayden, TV/Radio host Big Tigger, National Museum of African American Music President and CEO, Henry Beecher Hicks and more.
While Kurtis Blow was the first rap artist to be acknowledged by the RIAA after his single, “The Breaks,” earned gold certification in 1980, the genre would continue to take flight, with one of its most pivotal releases, “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Hailing from the Bronx, New York, Grandmaster Flash had already established himself as a vanguard in the annals of Hip-Hop prior to his entry onto the Billboard charts. Credited with implementing the extension of the breakbeat during the ’70s, Flash’s passion for mastering vinyl was similar to the inventive pursuits of Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, both of whom Flash credited as inspirations during his acceptance speech. Presented by fellow Hip-Hop legend and Washington D.C. native, DJ Kool, who cited Flash as being the genesis of the modern Hip-Hop jockey, the 64-year-old Flash shared a bit of his backstory with the audience in his acceptance speech.
“For every good song there’s a great part,” Flash said of his fixation on “the break.” The innovative DJ would manipulate vinyl records to impress locals residents and his peers in the Bronx before taking his act worldwide. Crediting his infatuation with vinyl to his father, Flash recalled finding his first turntable in a junkyard and bringing it home to perfect his technique. At one point during his indoctrination, Flash discovered and developed his signature, which he revealed was mastered through an understanding of physics and timing. “It’s all based on math,” he said of his skills on the wheels of steel. He revealed additional tidbits about his formative years as a DJ, such as his mother’s occupation as a seamstress allowing him access to particular fabrics that helped assist him in pulling off his stylistic exploits. “My instrument is the turntable,” Flash said of his technique, which he dubbed the Quick Mix Theory, which has since become synonymous with the Hip-Hop DJ.
Introduced by rapper Yo-Yo, who dubbed MC Lyte “one of the greatest emcees of all time,” the regal legend accepted her award with the grace she’s displayed over her nearly four decade career. The first solo female rapper to receive gold certification by the RIAA, Lyte says her desire “to be heard as a voice,” is what powered her rise to stardom. Despite her proud Brooklyn roots, Lyte credits Harlem and its vibrant atmosphere with nurturing her love for the culture. “Harlem is where I would hear Hip-Hop,” she noted in a video presentation prior to her acceptance speech, during which she also revealed she had recently enrolled in Norfolk State University to attend college and was actually on campus at the time she received her record deal with East West Records.
Lyte also acknowledged the impact of Grandmaster Flash’s contributions during her acceptance speech, telling her Bronx counterpart, “I know you, I know your music,” from the podium. Sharing insight into her sisterhood with Yo-Yo, which was developed during their time as label mates during the ’90s, and thanking her team and inner-circle, Lyte says her journey isn’t over and she’s still working toward the legendary status that’s already been bestowed upon her. “I am proud to have paved the way for others who have dreamed,” she said of her influence, while noting current stars like Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, and Cardi B continuing to break barriers for women in Hip-Hop.
The RIAA Hip-Hop Honors saw a number of tributes to both DJ Grandmaster Flash and MC Lyte, as both witnessed other great artists pay homage to their cultural contributions. DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mix Master Mike expertly displayed their prowess behind the boards, implementing Flash’s Quick-Mix Theory to perfection. A sure shot performance from Grammy-nominated artist Rapsody, who ran through the Lyte classics “Georgie Porgie,” “Cold Rock A Party,” and “Ruffneck,” also brought the crowd to an uproar.
Legendary producer Dr. Dre appeared virtually to commend DJ Grandmaster Flash on his latest achievement, stating, “I’d like to say congratulations to Grandmaster Flash on being named a Pioneer of Hip-Hop.” Missy Elliott, whom MC Lyte jokingly recalled missing multiple studio sessions to appear on their hit 1996 single, “Cold Rock a Party,” also gave the icon her flowers in a pre-recorded tribute. “You have set trends, open doors, paved lanes, streets, everything,” Missy said of Lyte’s contributions to Hip-Hop.
Other figures who received awards at the RIAA Hip-Hop Honors include Jeff Harleston, who was named the Executive Of The Year, as well as Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, who was given the Policy Maker Of The Year Award.
The evening was festive and can best be summarized in words previously shared by MC Lyte. “We make the culture, the culture doesn’t make us.”
Kanye West Reveals That He Has Never Read A Book And Compares It Brussels Sprouts: “Reading Is Like Eating Brussels Sprouts For Me”
Kanye West has shared some interesting philosophical ideas throughout his career, but none of it ever came from a book.
In a new interview with ‘Alo Mind Full’ podcast, Kanye reveals that he has never read a book.
“When you said I hadn’t read this book, I actually haven’t read any book,” he told host Danny Harris. “Reading is like eating Brussels sprouts for me. And talking is like getting the Giorgio Baldi corn ravioli.”
After Harris shared his love for his favorite piece of literature, Kanye chose to offer a piece of advice.
“There’s two people: the man who thinks they can and the man who thinks they can’t. And they’re both right,” Kanye said. “That’s what you were saying, but that was like a simplified version.”
Harris responded, “Yeah, the one who wins the race is the one who believes they can. The oak lies in the acorn.”
Later in the interview, Kanye says he too believes the world of the future will be similar to George Lucas’s ‘Star Wars.’ While discussing robots, Kanye added that ‘Star Wars’ is his “college” and admitted to having “a tendency to be paranoid of robots.”
“When I see the way those robots are working in the factory, I walk through that space and know that in the same way we have a position of influence now, 10 years from now, 20 years from now, we’ll have a position and influence,” Kanye said. “And some of the people that are very influential now will still be influential then.”
He adds, “But the world will be a lot more like all the ideas that George Lucas channeled in Star Wars. He was channeling. Like, how do you invent Pixar? That’s a lesser-known thing that George Lucas went and put people together to invent Pixar.”
Hurricane Fiona Hits Southwestern Coast Of Puerto Rico, Causing Total Blackout
Sunday afternoon, Hurricane Fiona made landfall along the extreme southwestern coast of Puerto Rico, near Punta Tocon, with winds reaching 85 mph, the National Hurricane Center reported.
The US territory lost power as Fiona made landfall in the islands, already bracing with the threat of flooding and mudslides due to the Category 1 storm. “Puerto Rico is 100% without power due to a transmission grid failure from Hurricane Fiona,” the website said.
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi confirmed the blackout in a tweet, saying the entire electric system was down and officials had activated the proper protocols to restore it.
The Authority of Electric Energy and LUMA Energy is working on the island’s wide power outage impacting nearly 1.5 million customers, Pierluisi added.
The outage comes five years after Puerto Rico’s power grid was ravaged by Hurricane Maria in September 2017, leaving many residents without electricity for months, CNN reported. Officials have stressed it won’t be like last time.
Winds are expected to increase along the immediate coastline, but conditions are forecasted to weaken throughout Sunday afternoon and evening.
“Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours while Fiona moves near Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and over the southwestern Atlantic,” the hurricane center said. “Hurricane conditions are expected on Puerto Rico today and are expected in portions of the eastern Dominican Republic tonight and Monday.”
The National Weather Service warned of life-threatening to catastrophic flooding, with flash flood warnings issued for south and east Puerto Rico, including Ponce and Yabucoa, through at least mid-afternoon. Adding that flooding had started after an estimated 1 to 4 inches of rain had already fallen.
Very heavy rainfall of 12 to 16 inches is possible across a wide swath of Puerto Rico, with most rain expected Sunday, and isolated locations across southern and eastern Puerto Rico could see up to 25 inches, the hurricane center reported.
The northern and eastern Dominican Republic is also affected, with a forecast anticipating 4 to 8 inches of rain, with isolated totals up to 12 inches possible.
“These rains will produce life-threatening flash flooding and urban flooding across Puerto Rico and the eastern Dominican Republic, along with mudslides and landslides in areas of higher terrain,” the hurricane center said.
Authorities have responded to one landslide I’m Saturday at an apartment complex in Guaynabo. There were no initial reports of injuries.
Around 120 shelters with 25,000 cots have been opened for residents in need, the governor confirmed.
President Joe Biden announced on Sunday morning an emergency declaration for Puerto Rico that freed up federal resources, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for emergency response and disaster relief efforts.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘SEXY SHOPPER’
You would think there must have been a dance club inside this particular Walmart but apparently there was just club sandwiches!
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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