#MAGFAB: Letitia Wright for Vogue Singapore - December 2022
NICE! And the article is HERE!
#RHOA: Porsha Williams Accidentally Reveals Her Wedding Dress While On Instagram Live
If it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride’s dress before the wedding, what does it mean if your 7 million Instagram followers see it? Porsha Williams will soon find out! The Real Housewives of Atlanta star accidentally revealed her dress for the big day during a recent Instagram Live. Williams, along with her sister, Lauren, jumped on the livestream to show off new items from her clothing collaboration with Amazon’s The Drop.
Williams modeled one of the new pieces and turned the camera to show her sister. In the background, viewers saw a beautiful red dress with gold accents. The sisters continued playing dress up until Williams realized she committed the ultimate wedding sin.
Understandably, Williams didn’t save the livestream, but Twitter user @itsKARY_ shared the “oops” moment.
The Real Housewives alum was preoccupied with poking sisterly fun at her sister’s modeling ability. It took a couple of seconds for her to realize the dress was in the camera’s view. As soon as she noticed, the bride-to-be quickly turned the camera around.
“Oh no! My dress was in the thing! Take it down,” she screamed. The livestream ended shortly after that.
Although she’s been able to keep her actual wedding date a secret, Williams has a history of oversharing possible nuptial details on Instagram.
On Aug. 30, Williams shared that she was looking for a dressmaker that could make “Nigerian Asoebi.”
“Looking for tailors to make Nigerian Asoebi here in Atlanta before October. Dm @Callmiigaga with your work please,” she wrote in the post’s caption.
According to Pulse, aso-ebi is an ornate and intricate custom dress usually worn for weddings or other large celebrations. It means “family outfit.”
The dress’s origin is connected to the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
All of the details should make a beautiful wedding for Williams and her fiance, Simon Guobadia.
The couple’s relationship started rocky. Guobadia was initially introduced to Real Housewives fans as the husband of Falynn Guobadia.
Williams was adamant that she and her now fiance did not start a relationship until his divorce from Falynn was final, and she was estranged from her ex-fiance, Dennis McKinley.
Guobadia popped the question in May 2021. Williams took to her Instagram to announce the engagement.
“Our relationship began a month ago—yes we are crazy in love. I know it’s fast but we are living life each day to its fullest. I choose happiness every morning and every night. Tuning out all negative energy and only focused on positive wishes,” Williams wrote. “He makes me so happy and to me, that is what matters most.”
Williams added that she did not have anything to do with Guobadia’s divorce and added that the relationship with her fiance is a “positive, loving step forward in everybody’s lives.”
“It’s truly a beautiful moment in my life & we cannot wait to spend the rest of our lives together,” Williams added and captioned the post #LoveWins.
#NewMusic from New Music: Leela James – Reach For It
Check out the brand new single from R&B Soul Diva Leela James called “Reach For It”.
The new song has a classic house music sound and encourages all of Leela’s fans to raise their hands and sweat. The release of the new single is in collaboration with the legendary Strictly Rhythm label brand and BMG.
“Reach For It” was produced by Rex Rideout and Mike City.
LISTEN HERE
This is the first new single from Leela James since she released her album “See Me” in 2021.
Leela James is currently working on her upcoming eight studio album.
#HipHopNews: Nas Reflects On Beef With JAY-Z, Says They're Able To Laugh About It
There’s no bad blood between Nas and JAY-Z. More than 20 years after their infamous feud, the former enemies remain on good terms. Nas revisited their historic rivalry on “Thun” off his new album King’s Disease III and reveals that they’re now able to laugh about the past.
“No beef or rivals, they playing ‘Ether’ on TIDAL,” Nas raps on the Hit-Boy-produced track. “Brothers can do anything when they decide to / In a Range Rover, dissecting bars from ‘Takeover.'”
Nas even jokes that he texts JAY-Z threatening to reignite their feud. “Sometimes I text Hova like, ‘Ni**a, this ain’t over,’ laughing,” he adds.
Their beef dates back to 2001 when JAY-Z dropped his Nas diss “Takeover” on The Blueprint. Nas fired back with “Ether” off his album Stillmatic.
They continued to drop disses including JAY-Z’s “Supa Ugly” and Nas’ “Last Real Ni**a Alive” before reconciling in front of a sold-out crowd at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Ruthorford, New Jersey during JAY-Z’s “I Declare War” tour in October 2005.
During the show, JAY-Z declared, “All that beef shit is done, we had our fun. Let’s get this money.”
With the beef behind them, they went on collaborate on 2006’s “Black Republican” and most recently came together on “Sorry Not Sorry” for DJ Khaled’s 2021 album Khaled Khaled.
During an interview with Rick Rubin’s “Broken Records” podcast last year, Nas reflected on their storied feud. “The art of emceeing was right there on full display,” he said. “It was like, if you’re in the rap game, this could happen, a battle. It was like, ‘This rap thing is real. A battle could really happen.’ So I was honored to have that part of my life happen because that’s how I saw the greats do it coming up. I saw some of the greats do it.”
On Friday, Nas dropped King’s Disease III, marking the third installment in his Grammy-winning series with Hit-Boy.
Tiffany Haddish Opens Up About Friends Turning On Her Amid Sexual Abuse Drama: 'I Can't Have Users And Fleas On Me'
Tiffany Haddish is back to work and speaks out for the first time since the lawsuit against her and fellow comedian Aries Spears was dismissed about two months ago.
On Wednesday, Nov. 9, the comedian took to Instagram and shared a flyer for a comedy show she’ll be hosting and participating in with Faizon Love, Caroline Rhea and Chris Spencer. This is her first gig since the dismissal of the sexual abuse case filed against her on Aug. 30 by two siblings. Although Haddish stated she was innocent in the matter, she admitted that she wished she hadn’t participated in the comedy sketch because it was inappropriate and not funny.
As reported by CNN, Haddish shared that she “lost everything” due to the lawsuit. She took to Instagram early on Friday to let haters know she’s going to pray for them.
“How I be looking at y’all comments,” she wrote. “I pray for all of y’all to be happy, especially the haters and the ones that think they know what they are talking about.”
Haddish followed up with another post shortly after celebrating being able to work again. She thanked God for his continued favor on her life and also threw a joke in for anyone coming to her page with negativity.
“This is me happy to see how my God works. Some people said things to me, and God went ahead and showed me who they really are. Thank you for that God,” she said. “I know you got big things for me to do and I can’t have user and fleas on me while I am completing my assignment you gave to me. I Love you Father God. Oh could you make sure that anyone who post something negative on my page gets crazy Diarrhea to where their booty hole hurts. I Love you Amen.”
As Blavity previously reported, two siblings, Jane and John Doe, claimed they suffered mentally after allegedly being groomed and molested while preparing for, and during, their time on set for their roles in a sexually suggestive skit with the 42-year-old and Spears. Around the end of September, Haddish and the siblings came to a settlement agreement following an investigation into the claims made.
Bishop’ Lamor Miller-Whitehead Sues Local Radio and Miss Jones Host for $50 Million
A flashy Brooklyn preacher who was robbed of more than $1 million in jewelry during a livestreamed sermon last July has filed a lawsuit against radio personality Miss Jones, accusing her of tarnishing his reputation on the air in September, according to court documents first obtained by The Daily Beast.
Bishop Lamor Miller-Whitehead, 44, is asking for $50 million from Jones, whose full name is Tarsha Nicole Jones, and her employers, Paramount Global and WXBK/94.7 The Block, alleging that the commentator defamed and slandered him during her morning show.
Specifically, Whitehead—who has ties to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, drives a Rolls-Royce, and was recently arrested for allegedly grabbing a woman by the neck mid-service—says in the suit that Jones’ statements on Sept. 13 that he “is a ‘drug dealer,’” is “using the church to hide that old drug money,” that he “assaulted the young lady,” and that “[his] church is where he’s probably still doing his dirty work,” are “false.”
“Miss Jones’ above-listed statements directly concerning Bishop Whitehead are false,” the filing states, adding that the on-air comments “exposed [Whitehead] to public contempt, ridicule, aversion, and disgrace.”
“Miss Jones’ statements imply criminal activity and injured Plaintiff’s reputation as a pastor,” the suit continues. “Miss Jones’ statements were published on-air and heard by thousands or millions of people. Miss Jones’ statements were made in a grossly irresponsible manner without regard for truth. As a result of Miss Jones’ acts, Plaintiff lost business deals, church members, and income.”
Jones does not have a lawyer listed in court records and was unable to be reached for comment on Wednesday. Brian Ponder, Whitehead’s attorney, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This is not the first time that Whitehead, a onetime mortgage broker who served time in prison for identity theft, has gone after entertainers who questioned how he could afford his high-flying lifestyle.
In September, Whitehead filed a pair of separate $20 million lawsuits against two YouTubers, claiming that their comments about him were defamatory and slanderous.
The complaints were similar to the new one filed against Miss Jones, with Whitehead accusing Demario Q. Jives and Larry Reid of calling him a con artist.
Jives claimed in a video a month earlier that Whitehead continued to wear “the same jewelry that [he] got robbed in,” said he engaged in “drug dealing,” and was involved with “the Bloods and the Crypts [sic],” according to court papers cited by the New York Post.
“I’m a commentator,” Jives told the outlet. “I give commentary on religion, politics, public figures, everything. … We make a lot of jokes, especially about this particular situation, because this guy really is a joke. So for him to try to even file something is egregious.”
Last month, Whitehead sued Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Financial Services when the lender dinged his credit score over a late payment on his $300,000 vehicle. He claimed his monthly payments were up-to-date, and was “shocked and dismayed to see that his credit score dropped ~70 points as a result” of the supposed error.
In 2021, a parishioner of Whitehead’s accused him of duping her out of her life savings. That same year, he was sued by a New Jersey real estate developer over more than $330,000 in unpaid bills. Earlier this month, the Post described Whitehead as a “slumlord” for reportedly trying to evict 11 low-income tenants from four properties he owns in Connecticut.
Comedian Gallagher Died From 'Massive Organ Failure'
-Gallagher has passed away at the age of 76. A representative has confirmed the legendary comedian - whose real name was Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr. and who was known for smashing watermelons as part of his act - died on Friday, November 11 after suffering "massive organ failure" which followed several years of heart attacks.
"He died of a massive organ failure," the rep told TMZ. "He had been in ill health for a while, suffering numerous heart attacks over the years. Gallagher stayed on the road touring America for decades. He was pretty sure he held a record for the most stand-up dates, by attrition alone. While Gallagher had his detractors, he was an undeniable talent and an American success story."
The rep went on to describe Gallagher - who is survived by his children, Barnaby and Aimee and reportedly passed away at a hospice in Palm Springs, California - as the "number one" funnyman in his home country for more than a decade and attributed his popularity to his stand-up specials that were broadcast on MTV.
Brian McKnight And Wife Expecting Rainbow Baby Less Than A Year After Losing Newborn Son
Brian McKnight is going to be a father again in his 50s. The R&B/soul singer has has announced that he and his wife Dr. Leilani Malia Mendoza are expecting their fourth child together and he's clearly overjoyed.
The 53-year-old made use of his Instagram page on Thursday, November 10 to break the news of his wife's pregnancy. "We are ECSTATIC to finally announce BABY MCKNIGHT is coming soon!!!!!!!" he captioned a photo of him cradling his wife's baby bump while the couple shared a smooch with the backdrop of sunset in the beach.
"To my beautiful wife you are my everything my hero my reason for living I'm so in love with you baby," he added. He also shared a picture of his blended family with his step-children, Jules McPhee and Jack McPhee.
In the comments, Brian has since received congratulatory messages from his close ones. "So excited for y'all congrats:)," one follower reacted to the announcement. Another wrote, "YAYYYYY! Such a beautiful photo."
Democrats are projected to keep control of the Senate
Democrats are projected to keep their majority in the Senate, ABC News reports.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto's projected victory in Nevada on Saturday clinched the chamber for Democrats, giving them the 50 seats needed regardless of the outcome of next month's runoff election in Georgia.
The win is a major boost to President Joe Biden in the second half of his term, both for his legislative agenda and his ability to appoint judges and other officials.
Despite having the slimmest of possible Senate majorities -- 50 caucus members and Vice President Kamala Harris as the tie-breaking vote -- Democrats in Biden's first two years were able to pass some of their key priorities.
MORE: Recapping Democrats breakthrough summer on Capitol Hill: Climate, gun violence and more
They gained enough bipartisan support to pass a sweeping infrastructure investment bill, the first major gun safety legislation in decades and legislation boosting domestic production of computer chips.
The party also checked off priority items in reconciliation bills -- legislation that only requires a simple majority for approval. That's how Democrats passed the American Rescue Plan, which provided COVID-19 funds, and the Inflation Reduction Act, which made investments in climate change and health care.
Control of the House was still up in the air on Saturday, as vote counting continued in more than a dozen races. How much Biden will be able to accomplish will also hinge on whether Republicans or Democrats control the lower chamber. Republicans have already laid the groundwork for investigations of the Biden administration and even members of the president's family.
Still, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., took a moment late Saturday to celebrate the Senate win.
"This election is a victory -- a victory and a vindication for Democrats, our agenda, and for America and for the American people," Schumer said as he held a press conference at his Manhattan office.
"The American people rejected -- soundly rejected -- the anti-democratic, authoritarian, nasty, and divisive direction that MAGA Republicans wanted to take our country in," he added.
The fate of the Senate came down to just a handful of battleground states, including Arizona and Pennsylvania. Political heavyweights for the party, including Biden and former President Barack Obama, hit the campaign trail hard in the final weeks in an attempt to stoke enthusiasm.
Republicans gained ground with voters in those races in the final stretch of the campaigns, polling showed, but Democrats emerged victorious.
Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly defeated Republican Blake Masters in Arizona. Pennsylvania's race was projected on election night for Democrat John Fetterman, who won against celebrity Dr. Mehmet Oz and flipped the seat opened by retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey.
Georgia's Senate race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker is heading to a runoff on Dec. 6. Neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote, but Warnock led Walker 49-48%.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., earlier this year tempered expectations of a red wave by questioning "candidate quality." While he didn't name any candidates, among the more controversial Republican nominees this cycle were Walker in Georgia or Oz in Pennsylvania.
"I think there's probably a greater likelihood the House flips than the Senate. Senate races are just different," the GOP leader said. "Candidate quality has a lot to do with the outcome."
Still, McConnell's Senate Leadership Fund spent at least $230 million this cycle trying to win back control of the chamber, according to OpenSecrets.
The Senate Majority PAC, a group aligned with Schumer, spent at least $155 million, according to OpenSecrets.
Noose Found at Obama Presidential Center Construction Site in Chicago [Photo]
Construction was halted at the Obama Presidential Center Thursday (Nov. 10) after workers found a noose at the site.
Foundation officials are condemning a “shameless act of cowardice and hate” at the site of former President Barack Obama’s presidential center in Jackson Park on Thursday morning.
Officials say a noose was discovered at the project site and construction has been halted.
”We reported the incident to the police and will provide any assistance required to identify those responsible,” Lakeside Alliance, the construction team building the center, said in an emailed release.
”We have zero tolerance for any form of bias or hate on our worksite. Anti-bias training is included in our onboarding process and reiterated during sitewide meetings. We are suspending all operations on-site in order to provide another series of these trainings and conversations for all staff and workers,” the statement said.
They are offering a $100,000 reward to help find whoever was responsible.
“Our priority is protecting the health and safety of our workforce. We have notified authorities who are investigating the incident.”
The Chicago Police Department is aware of this matter and it is under investigation, according to Sgt. Rocco Alioto, a spokesman.
Foundation officials have said the museum will pay tribute to Obama’s legacy as the first Black president and has endeavored to economically uplift the neighboring majority-Black South Side.
Lakeside Alliance is a joint venture between four African American firms – Brown & Momen, Powers & Sons, Safeway, and UJAMAA – and Turner Construction. City work to prepare for construction began in spring 2021, with the Obamas returning to Chicago for an official groundbreaking that September.
As the sun was starting to set on the worksite, a Chicago police officer pulled up outside one of the five entrances to the Obama Center construction zone off South Stony Island Avenue, waited for a few minutes to be let inside then met with a couple workers on-site.
One of the workers handed the officer a white bag with what appeared to be rope inside. The officer came back utside of the center perimeter, put the bag in his squad car and drove off.
Rico Pineda, 29, is leading the team of workers that have been posted outside of the Obama Center perimeter for about two months now to install a water line, he said.
Pineda heard about the situation from other workers.
“The first thing I thought was man, that’s messed up,” Pineda said. “There’s still racism going around, even with a union job. This job is guaranteed to the workers inside until 2025. Why risk that?”
The workers inside were all told to go home, but no one seemed to have a clear idea as to how long they would be off-site.
“They don’t want the locals who they’ve hired to work to fear their life is in danger,” Pineda said. “They said everything is shut down until they actually find out what happened. It could take a week, a month, however long it takes to make people feel safe.”
Pineda wondered who could have done such a thing and added that the five entrance points are heavily secured, and there are also security cameras along the perimeter.
Sisters Rosemary Jackson, 81, Patricia Catlett, 66, and April Branklyn, 59, have lived in the neighborhood for decades. Jackson and Catlett said they have lived at Jackson Park Terrace, 6020 S. Stony Island Ave., for over 40 years, right across from the Obama Center worksite.
Jackson and Catlett said they heard about what happened from their sister, Branklyn. They said they were “shocked” because from their time in the area, they haven’t had any problems.
Trees have been cleared and concrete poured for the museum building and the complex’s parking garage.
When complete, the campus will include the towering museum building, a forum and a Chicago Public Library branch, as well as green space connecting the site to the rest of Jackson Park.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker condemned the incident in a series of tweets Thursday. “Hate has no place in Illinois. The noose is more than a symbol of racism, it is a heart-stopping reminder of the violence and terror inflicted on Black Americans for centuries.”
”I condemn this act of hate in the strongest possible terms, and the state of Illinois will make all needed resources available to help catch the perpetrators,” Pritzker tweeted.
Takeoff's family launches The Rocket Foundation to combat gun violence
Takeoff’s positive impact on the culture will continue to be felt despite his tragic and untimely passing. In the wake of family and fans mourning his loss, a nonprofit organization, The Rocket Foundation, has been launched.
The foundation will “support programs that are saving lives through proven, community-based solutions to prevent gun violence,” according to its website. The first round of recipients to receive funding to benefit life-changing programs include four different organizations.
Those organizations include the Community Justice Action Fund, which works with community leaders to develop strategies to halt gun violence; H.O.P.E. Hustlers, which takes a public health approach toward curbing violence in Atlanta; Live Free, which utilizes a network of leaders to influence change in communities and politics; and the Offenders Alumni Association, which employs former violent offenders to inspire change in their communities.
On Friday (Nov. 11), a celebration of life memorial service was held for family, friends, and fans at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. The event attracted hundreds of people to come out and pay their respects to the 28-year-old artist.
“There are no words or sentiments conveyed that could aptly encompass the love so many had for him and the impact he made on this world,” Takeoff’s family said in his obituary. “Takeoff would want the world to see the light in what he created and keep lifting each other up and supporting the creations people put into the world. He’s now up… there with the stars he loved so much and remains in all our ethers on a daily basis living on through his music and the love he brought to so many.”
In lieu of flowers, Takeoff’s family has asked people to donate to The Rocket Foundation to help create communities that are not plagued by gun violence.
Tupac's stepfather granted compassionate release after 35 years in prison
Tupac Shakur’s stepfather, Mutulu Shakur, will finally be reunited with his loved ones just in time for the Christmas holiday. The news comes after the 72-year-old spent decades behind bars in connection with convictions dating back to the late 1980s. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
NBC News obtained court documents that showed the U.S. Parole Commission accepted Mutulu’s request for a compassionate release in October. On Thursday (Nov. 10), he was granted parole and given a release date of Dec. 16, 2022.
As previously reported, advocates pushed for Mutulu’s release in July. Throughout his incarceration, he appealed for release, but to no avail. Each time the courts decided his “crimes were too serious” and his health did not warrant a release.
In 2020, U.S. District Judge Charles S. Haight Jr. said: “Should it develop that Shakur’s condition deteriorates further, to the point of approaching death, he may apply again to the Court, for a release that in those circumstances could be justified as ‘compassionate.'”
The former Black Liberation Army member was diagnosed with stage-3 multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, in 2019. Since then, his health has steadily declined. His attorney, Brad Thomson, argued Mutulu’s weight loss and occasional need for a feeding tube were evidence that he was nearing the end of his life.
We’re looking at a matter of months at the most but, realistically, it could be a matter of days or weeks. At this point, the issue is getting him released so he can say goodbye to his loved ones, his family, his children, and grandchildren,” Thomson said at the time. Now, advocates say only tears of joy can be shed as Mutulu is given the opportunity to be surrounded by loved ones in his final days.
“There’s still disbelief because we were steadying ourselves for another denial,” Jomo Muhammad, an organizer with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, told NBC News. “Now folks are excited about being able to reunite Mutulu with his family. We were crying together. It’s a long time overdue.”
Dave Chappelle Addresses Kanye West's Anti-Semitic Remarks in 'Saturday Night Live' Monologue
The 49-year-old comedian hosted the NBC sketch comedy show for the third time on Saturday (November 12).
During his opening monologue, Dave addressed Kanye West‘s anti-Semitic remarks, and shared a very important message.
Right at the beginning of his monologue, Dave took out a statement that read, “I denounce antisemitism in all its forms. I stand with my friends in the Jewish community. And that Kanye is how you buy yourself some time.”
Later on in his monologue, Dave brought up Kanye‘s appearance on the Drink Champs podcast last month, where the rapper declared, “I can say anti-Semitic things and Adidas won’t drop me.”
“They dropped him immediately,” Dave said. “Ironically Adidas was founded by Nazis and even they were offended. I guess the students have surpassed the teachers.”
Dave also argued that people with mental illness have committed murder so he doesn’t believe that mental illness is an excuse for antisemitism.
“I don’t think Kanye is crazy at all,” Dave said. “I think he’s possibly not well.”
Dave added that the “crazy” part about Kanye is that he said the anti-Semitic things “out loud.”
Keke Palmer to Host 'Saturday Night Live' with Musical Guest SZA
Keke Palmer is heading to Saturday Night Live! During the new episode of the NBC sketch comedy series on Saturday (November 12) with host Dave Chappelle, it was announced that the 29-year-old Nope star will be hosting the next episode of SNL.
After a two week hiatus, Keke will host the Saturday, December 3 episode of SNL with musical guest SZA.
This will be the first time Keke has hosted the show. This will also be SZA‘s, 33, first time performing on SNL.
“I can’t wait!! The stage awaits @nbcsnl 😍😍” Keke wrote on Instagram after the big news was announced.
Florida School Board Member Wants To Bring Back Corporal Punishment
Jerry Rutherford was newly elected to the Collier County School board earlier this week and stated he wanted corporal punishment back in the classroom. According to Naples News, Rutherford added that the behaviors of students with disabilities are “out of control” and wanted fewer rights for LBGTQ students and religious students.
His competitor, Jory Westberry, said Rutherford’s views could “put something so pervasively wrong in schools.” First of all, if [Florida] allows corporal punishment, Collier County does not. Second, students with handicaps are entitled to a free public education without retribution because of their behavior,” she explained to the outlet.
“That’s why we have behavior specialists who work with students, parents and teachers to enable them to have a more effective, productive experience in school,”
This is Rutherford’s first time running for the school board, and he said in July that his priorities were to ensure students’ and teachers’ safety and mental health in addition to addressing budget concerns. However, his new stance is to focus on “mental and physical discipline, ” including corporal punishment against students.
“There needs to be respect for ourselves, for others, and for authority.”
About the LGBTQ community, Rutherford said they didn’t support indoctrination since people are reportedly being forced to accept the community in schools.
“I’m all for equal rights, but I’m not for special rights,”
The newly appointed board member’s comments sparked debate on social media as Florida had its fair share of controversy surrounding its schools.
Social media reacted to Rutherford’s comments about corporal punishment and various opinions surfaced.
Raven-Symone Explains Why She Declined Disney’s Offer To Turn Raven Baxter Character Gay: ‘I Just Didn’t Feel Comfortable’
When Raven Symone agreed to reprise her iconic role as Raven Baxter for the Disney Channel spin-off “Raven’s Home” in 2017, the actress says she was approached to play the character as a gay woman — an offer which she now reveals she respectfully declined. In a new interview with LGBT magazine Them, the 36-year-old explained why she was against the idea right from the beginning.
“I think Disney wanted her to be queer in the beginning,” Raven told the publication, admitting that when she was asked about potentially making Raven queer, the idea alone had left her feeling “uncomfortable.” She recounted the conversation, adding, “They were like, ‘Do you want Raven to be gay?’ I said, ‘Why?’ Because you are. I said bad, bad reason. That’s a bad reason. No, Raven Baxter never exhibited any type of sexual identity situation in the priors.”
Raven made her Disney Channel debut playing Raven Baxter on “That’s So Raven,” which spanned four seasons between 2003 and 2007. And while Raven’s sexuality was never a talking point on the actual show, the Atlanta native stressed that her own life choices shouldn’t have to reflect a character she portrays on TV. “I’m not being myself on this show, I’m being a character. Raven Baxter’s not gay.”
“No matter what the first four seasons looked like with me and Chelsea sleeping in the same room and us raising a family together.” Had it been up to Raven all along, she wouldn’t have her character even entertain storylines about dating in general.
It was just in July when Disney made headlines after introducing its first trans character to “Raven’s Home.” Juliana Joel, who plays Nikki, made history for also being the first trans character on Disney Channel.
Sharing the news with her fans on Instagram over the summer, Juliana emotionally penned a heartfelt statement, writing, “Coming from a typical Puerto Rican family, I didn’t think being an actor was possible [especially] for someone like me, I thought you had to be born into that world.”
“Fast forward to becoming an actor I then told myself I wasn’t young enough to be on Disney anymore & even if that wasn’t the case I’m TRANS! I’d never seen an out trans actor or character on the Disney Channel. EVER.
Chadwick Boseman’s ‘Black Panther’ Suit to be Showcased at National African American of History and Culture Museum
The all-black costume will be part of the museum’s upcoming exhibition, “Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures.”
“Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures” will be on view in the museum’s Bank of America Special Exhibitions Gallery from March 24, 2023, through March 2024.
“This exhibition will investigate Afrofuturist expression through art, music, activism and more, and explore Afrofuturism’s historic and poignant engagement with African American history and pop-culture,” read part of NMAAHC’s Instagram post caption.
“From the enslaved looking to the cosmos for freedom, to popular sci-fi stories inspiring Black astronauts, to the musical influence of Sun Ra, @outkast, @janellemonae, P-Funk and more —this exhibition covers the broad and impactful spectrum of Afrofuturism.”
The post further added, “From the enslaved looking to the cosmos for freedom, to popular sci-fi stories inspiring Black astronauts, to the musical influence of Sun Ra, @outkast, @janellemonae, P-Funk and more —this exhibition covers the broad and impactful spectrum of Afrofuturism.”
Apart from the suit, other objects on display include Octavia Butler’s typewriter, Nichelle Nichols’ Star Trek uniform as the character Lt. Nyoto Uhura and Nona Hendryx’s space suit-inspired costume worn while performing with LaBelle.
Isaiah Washington: Nope. Aaliyah Was Nobody’s Victim When She Met R. Kelly at Age 12
*Isaiah Washington is a controversial actor and will continue to be one since he hasn’t stopped spewing odd statements. It doesn’t matter whether he is on screen, behind the scenes, or on social media – the former “Grey’s Anatomy” star says it as he sees it.
Sample this: in a recent interview with VladTV, according to Blavity, he didn’t mince his words regarding the R. Kelly – Aaliyah saga. For Washington, Aaliyah wasn’t really R. Kelly’s child-abuse victim when she met the R&B icon.
She was 12 years old and wed the then 27-year-old singer at 15. Washington said he believes the young teen was in full control due to her mature personality.
“She was very complex. She was easy to love,” Washington stated. “I can’t judge the choices she made in her life. She was very in control of her being. But she was a businesswoman too. She was super smart. I think she was in control of that situation even at her age. 100 percent.”
“At 15?” asked the shocked interviewer, hoping Washington would change his statement.
“Oh yeah, I say she was mature beyond her age,” Washington reiterated. “Like that song, ‘Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number.’”
To remove any doubt as to what he meant, he clarified further.
“She was 15 going on 30, so she was in control of that whole situation,” he said, still deeply digging himself in a hole. “I don’t judge her, but she was very smart and very mature and very in control of her situation. I don’t believe one minute that Aaliyah was made to do anything that Aaliyah didn’t want to do.”
Demetrius Smith, who was R. Kelly’s tour manager, did not side with R. Kelly during his racketeering and sex trafficking trial in 2021. Smith spoke against him, even saying he believes that Aaliyah only married Kelly after he allegedly impregnated her while she was still a minor.
The said marriage was annulled a short time later. In August 2001, Aaliyah and eight others tragically died in an airplane accident in the Bahamas.
Washington met Aaliyah when they filmed “Romeo Must Die” together in 1999. During the interview, he confessed that he, just like many others, had a crush on her.
“I can see why people fall in love with her,” he said. “She was just a beautiful human being. … We never got into an argument about anything.”
808 Mafia Producer Southside Exposes A Teacher Who Claimed Being Racist In The Middle Of His Son’s Classroom
Rapper Southside shares a video of a teacher admiring to being a racist in his son’s classroom.
On Friday, the rapper posted a video on Instagram of a Caucasian teacher in his son’s classroom, admitting to being racist. The series of clips began with the teacher saying he’s “ethnocentric” and he believes his “race is the superior one.”
The teacher then tries to explain that he feels everyone secretly believes their race is better than others. Southside’s son along with a handful of the other students quickly denied having a similar feeling.
In another clip, one student asks the teacher if he’s racist and he responds, “damn, how many times do I have to say it.”
Southside explained the situation and why his son chose to record the incident.
According to Southside, his son told him he’s trying to improve his grade in a class but the teacher is being racist. The rapper says initially he did not believe his son’s claims but later changed his mind once he received footage of the teacher admitting to being racist.
Southside also expressed being “so angry” with his son being denied of an education.
Many celebrities have since shared their opinions on the situation to Southside’s comment section.
Rapper Bia wrote, “Man this is crazy!!!! I’m so angry listening to this nonsense smh.” Model Yasmine Lopez on the other hand, praised Southside’s son stating “he’s superior wowwwww.”
Miami Heat Terminates Partnership With FTX As the Crypto Exchange Files for Bankruptcy
With bankruptcy looming, Sam Bankman-Fried has stepped down as CEO of his cryptocurrency exchange, FTX.
On Friday, November 11th, FTX released a statement announcing that it would be filing for bankruptcy protection. In addition, almost 130 affiliated companies are mentioned in the proceedings that sent shock waves through the crypto community. In the 23-page filing, FTX details over 100,000 creditors, assets between $10 billion and $50 billion, and liabilities within the same ballpark.
Shortly after this grim announcement, the Miami Heat announced that they were ending their partnership with FTX and would be working towards changing the name of their arena. They renamed the stadium in June 2021 following a 19-year, $135 million sponsorship agreement with the exchange.
CoinDesk interviewed several current and former FTX employees, as well as those connected to Alameda Research, Bankman-Fried’s crypto trading firm. While speaking on the condition of anonymity, they each cited lack of oversight, conflicts of interest, and essentially a bunch of rich inexperienced kids as the root cause of the crypto exchange’s downfall.
“The whole operation was run by a gang of kids in the Bahamas,” stated one anonymous source, referring to FTX and Alameda’s offices in the country within a coworking compound. Another employee shared that many staffers have been left in financial straits with the fall of FTX, having invested their life savings into the exchange.
FTX Director of Engineering Nishad Singh, Chief Technology Officer Gary Wang, and Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison were in sole control of the code, the exchange’s matching engine, and funds. Any moves and number manipulation they did would essentially go unnoticed, a staffer reported. Alameda is reported to have received $10 billion of FTX customer money.
Bankman-Fried apologized on Twitter following days of dragging from users calling for his arrest. He promised to provide clarity on the situation in the upcoming days.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
VERY NICE, ADS!
Whatever they are.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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