#MAGFAB: Lupita Nyongo Letitia Wright Dana Gurira Winston Duke and Dominique Thorne for Ebony Magazine - November/December 2022
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER stars Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, and Dominique Thorne cover the November/December 2022 issue of EBONY Magazine photographed by Keith Major.
“We invoked [Chadwick’s] spirit on a daily basis. All of us found a way to pay tribute to him in different ways.” – Lupita Nyong’o
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“The presence of Black Panther also illuminates the absence of an investment in Black fantasy, Black history epics, Black grandeur.” – Winston Duke
#RHOA: Shereé Whitfield Shares a Gorgeous Photo of Her Daughter Kaleigh: “All Grown Up”
Shereé Whitfield Shares a Gorgeous Photo of Her Daughter Kaleigh: “All Grown Up”
As Shereé Whitfield recently shared an update on Kaleigh Whitfield in honor of a special day, The Real Housewives of Atlanta mom had a sweet message for her younger daughter.
“I want to wish my baby girl a Happy Birthday,” Shereé captioned a November 2 Instagram post, in which Kaleigh sported a strapless corset-style black ensemble and a gorgeous long braid. “So proud of the young lady you are becoming.” To conclude her post, Shereé added the hashtags “daughter love” and “all grown up.”
The photos in Shereé’s post appear to have been taken at the She by Shereé fashion show seen on the Season 14 finale of RHOA. When we last saw Kaleigh, she was supporting her mom in the days leading up to the long-awaited event during the episode. After the show concluded, Kaleigh had major praise to share with Shereé. “It was going crazy,” she said, noting she especially loved the music.
During the episode, Shereé opened up about what it meant to her to finally launch her brand with the fashion show. “After 14 years, I did it,” she said in an interview. “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. I’ve had a lot of letdowns. I want everybody who feels like they can’t do it to keep pushing. With prayer, hard work, [and] determination, it will definitely pay off.”
#NewMusic from Alicia Keys Releases Her First Holiday Album “Santa Baby”
Legendary singer Alicia Keys has just released her first holiday album “Santa Baby” via Alicia Keys Records exclusively on Apple Music in spatial audio.
Along with the album release, Keys also released the video for first single “December Back 2 June”.
“Santa Baby” is an 11-track album features Keys’ soulful, raw, fresh reimagining of seven beloved holiday classics as well as four original songs including “December Back 2 June, “You Don’t Have To Be Alone,” “Old Memories On Xmas,” and “Not Even The King.” You can hear her take on holiday favorites like “Santa Baby”, “Christmas Time Is Here”, Favorite Things”, and more.
#HipHopNews: Missy Elliott Is Now Immortalized In Wax
Missy Elliott is being immortalized in wax. The hip-hop icon received her very own wax figure at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Missy’s look-alike bears an uncanny resemblance to the “Get Ur Freak On” rapper, donning the sparkly black and gold tracksuit that she wore while accepting the Video Vanguard Award at the 2019 MTV VMAs.
No detail was overlooked, including Missy’s signature “Iconic” chain and braids, which were created strand by strand, according to Missy.
The 5-time Grammy winner herself was on hand for the unveiling on Friday, posing with her arm around her wax twin.
“My WAX FIGURE is OFFICIALLY immortalized in the @madametussaudsusa Museum in #LasVegas! It’s caute. YOU MUST SEE IT IN PERSON!” she wrote before thanking everyone involved in bringing her wax figure to life. “Thank you so much to the AMAZING team who made this Historical.”
On social media, the look-alike received tons of praise. “Na this is probably the best wax they’ve ever made,” commented one person, while another added, “Truly couldn’t tell the difference.”
Fans who visit Missy’s figure at the museum can also participate in the interactive #CoolOffChallenge.
Madame Tussauds has been on a roll lately. The museum recently unveiled a wax figure of Lil Nas X, which was so realistic that it even fooled his friends.
Just last month, Missy was honored with her own street in her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia. The city council voted unanimously to rename a portion of McLean Street to Missy Elliott Boulevard in her honor.
“I have always been told to dream big. I couldn’t have dreamed this big. Though I have accomplished many things, I have won many awards, but this trumps all when you get the love from your home,” a humbled Missy said during the unveiling ceremony, which was attended by Trey Songz, Timbaland, and Pusha T.
#SPORTSNEWS: Houston Astros Beats The Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 to clinch The World Series
With six more innings of dazzling work from Framber Valdez and one thunderous swing from Yordan Alvarez, the Astros cut down the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6, 4-1, to win the 2022 World Series.
Initially a duel between Valdez and Phillies starter Zack Wheeler, Game 6 turned on the sixth inning, when the starters tired and the bats caught up. Phillies’ slugger Kyle Schwarber opened the scoring — and lifted Philadelphia’s hopes — with a solo homer off Valdez. But in the bottom of the frame, the Astros responded with an avalanche.
Light-hitting Martin Maldonado crowded the plate to win first base on a hit by pitch. Shortstop Jeremy Peña cracked a single to chase Wheeler from the game, and then Alvarez unloaded on a Jose Alvarado fastball, blasting a go-ahead three-run homer with a trajectory that didn’t involve much in the way of coming down.
After falling behind 2-1 in the series, the Astros took control with a combined no-hitter in Game 4 and a tight Game 5 win. In their return to Houston, they avoided the pitfalls of their 2019 World Series loss to the Washington Nationals and closed out the Phillies.
The championship punctuates a dominant stretch for the Astros that has included six consecutive runs to at least the ALCS, and four World Series appearances. Their lone title thus far, though, was the 2017 championship sullied by the sign-stealing scandal. With draft picks stripped, leaders ousted and boos poured on at every turn, the franchise has kept winning.
Even as major stars have departed, they have found new contributors like Peña, Valdez and Cristian Javier, the breakout pitcher who started the no-hitter in Game 4. Under Dusty Baker — who earned the first championship of his 25-year managerial career — they have planted a new flag with the 2022 title, one that can't be doubted over the sign-stealing scandal.
The sign-stealing talk won't be quieted by the win. It may never be quieted at all. But a new conversation will rise alongside it: Is this Astros team a dynasty?
#RIP: Singer Aaron Carter dies at 34
Troubled former child star Aaron Carter, who soared to fame as a solo artist on the heels of his older brother Nick Carter's success with the Backstreet Boys, has died at the age of 34, a representative for the singer has confirmed to Yahoo. A statement from his family and management will be released shortly.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department confirms to Yahoo that deputies responded to Carter’s home in Lancaster, Calif. on Saturday shortly after 11 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found a deceased body. Homicide is handling the investigation, which is standard procedure at this time.
TMZ broke the news, citing sources who claim the singer drowned.
As the boy band dominated the charts in the mid-'90s, the adorable Aaron, who was still in the single digits age-wise, became the lead singer of his own group, the Dead End, at 7. However, he quickly struck out on his own at age 9, releasing a self-titled album in 1997. The same year, he made his first solo appearance opening for the Backstreet Boys in Berlin, covering The Jets song "Crush on You."
With a focus on pop and rap, his second album 2000's Aaron's Party (Come Get It), sold over three million copies, his best-selling. It included the title track as well as "That's How I Beat Shaq" and "Bounce." Two more albums — 2001's Oh Aaron, with his "I Want Candy" cover and Nick collaboration "Not Too Young, Not Too Old," and 2002's Another Earthquake! — quickly followed but didn't sell as well. The latter was his last studio album — there were compilations in between — until 2018's Love, a 16-year album drought.
As a child star, he was befriended by Michael Jackson, appearing on the King of Pop's charity effort, "What More Can I Give," a "We Are the World" sequel. Aaron remained a Jackson defender after the star died and child abuse accusations resurfaced.
During the gap between albums, Aaron focused on TV. Having already made cameos on Lizzie McGuire (eventually leading to a teen romance with star Hilary Duff) and All That, he then starred in episodes of 7th Heaven and appeared on 2006's House of Carters, a reality show centered around his famous family, including siblings Nick, B.J., Leslie and Aaron's twin sister Angel. On the show, he had a fistfight with his brother Nick. The reality series — an easy target — was parodied on Saturday Night Live with Andy Samberg portraying Aaron.
Aaron later appeared in 2014's I Heart Nick Carter and competed in Dancing With the Stars in 2009, finishing in fifth place. A 2005 film he starred in, Popstar, went straight to video, and he had a brief run in Broadway's Seussical.
However, Aaron was plagued by personal problems in the long gap between his albums. His parents, Jane and Robert Carter, sued his former manager, the disgraced and now deceased Lou Pearlman, in 2002 for failing to pay Aaron royalties. One year later, Aaron alleged that his momager Jane took more than $100,000 from his bank account without permission. And a decade later, in 2013, he filed for bankruptcy protection to shed more than $3.5 million in debt, resolving it the following year.
Nick Carter poses with brother Aaron Carter in October 2006. (Photo: John Sciulli/WireImage for
But it was far more than money woes. At just 15, photos of Aaron getting high on marijuana appeared in National Enquirer. He was later arrested twice — first in 2008 on marijuana charges and then in 2017 for DUI and marijuana possession.
He did multiple stints in rehab, including once in 2011 and twice in 2017. He later admitted addictions to Xanax, Oxycodone and huffing. He also struggled with eating disorders and body dysmorphia, weighing just 115 pounds in 2017.
Aaron revealed on The Doctors in 2017 that he had extensive mental health issues and had been diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and acute anxiety.
Aaron's family problems escalated later in his life. He and Nick both fired their mother over money woes, his sister Leslie died of an overdose in 2012 and his father died unexpected in 2017. However, his erratic behavior — and arsenal of guns — led to his siblings Nick and Angel taking out restraining orders against him in September, citing his "increasing alarming behavior." Aaron retaliated by taking to social media to brand his brother a "serial rapist."
Aaron's erratic behavior continued amid his sibling dispute when he debuted a large face tattoo soon after. He was hospitalized for exhaustion. He appeared irate and unstable after a court appearance. He also rehired his mother as his manager, despite the alleged theft years earlier.
The most disturbing part is that it all played out on social media. He posted non-stop on Twitter and Instagram, peddling various conspiracy theories about people being out to get him or attacking Nick. By that point, sadly, his music was overshadowed by his personal woes, making for a very sad end to his story.
A heartthrob from his early days of stardom, Carter found himself entangled in a teen love triangle with fellow child stars Duff and Lindsay Lohan, dating both of them at the same time in the early aughts. He carried a torch for Duff for more than a decade, declaring his love for her on social media in 2011. At 18, he had a brief engagement to Playboy model Kari Ann Peniche, which they called off after six days. At 22, he was engaged to Maile Hochuli, but that didn’t last either. He also had well-publicized and failed relationships with Kaci Brown, Madison Parker and Lina Valentina.
Aaron came out as bisexual in 2017 while dating Parker revealing he had a sexual experience with a male at age 17. However, he clarified that he wanted to marry and have a family with a woman.
In 2021 Aaron announced his engagement to Melanie Martin, but the couple split just just days after welcoming their baby, son Prince Lyric Carter, on Nov. 22, 2021.
This past September Aaron revealed that he and Martin had lost custody of then-9-month-old son amid concerns about drug abuse and allegations of domestic abuse. At the time, the new dad shared that he'd voluntarily entered a rehabilitation program, for the fifth time, with the intention of regaining custody of his son.
"It's an abstinence program and I work with an individual counselor," he told the Sun. "I do group therapy, parenting classes, domestic violence classes, I got myself certified in CPR, just a lot of different things. It's new being a parent but it's actually become really fun and exciting and given me a new chapter of my life. It's been amazing."
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs contributed at least $10M to Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter: report
Sean “Diddy” Combs is reportedly one of the investors who helped Elon Musk finalize this $44 billion takeover of Twitter.The Grammy-winning rapper and “Making the Band” producer invested at least $10 million into the deal, TMZ reported Friday.
Powerball dreamers flock to buy tickets for shot at record jackpot
Sources close to Diddy told the entertainment news outlet that he believes in Musk’s vision for the microblogging site, without clarifying what that vision might be.
Musk, whose current Twitter bio reads “Twitter Complaint Hotline Operator,” finalized his purchase of Twitter last week.
The South African-born billionaire did so with the financial help of Wall Street banks, as well as some very wealthy investors, reportedly Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
In his first days as the head of the social media giant, the 51-year-old Tesla CEO has met with a group of civil rights leaders about his plans for content moderation; has gotten into a Twitter feud with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; and began laying off staffers on Friday.
Powerball dreamers flock to buy tickets for shot at record jackpot
Diddy, 53, and Musk have made a few public appearances together this year, including at a comedy show at the Hollywood Bowl in May and at a listening party for Kanye West’s “Donda 2″ album in Miami in February, TMZ reported.
Tiffany Cross ‘Disheartened’ By MSNBC Ouster, Says ‘My Work Is Not Done’
Tiffany Cross didn’t want to leave MSNBC, and feels she has more to do. The outspoken weekend anchor, whose show was cancelled earlier Friday by the NBCUniversal-owned cable outlet, said in a statement Friday night that her freewheeling, outspoken style was on the mark for a disruptive era in politics, and indicated she would continue her work elsewhere.
“I am disheartened to learn of MSNBC’s decision to cancel my show, ‘The Cross Connection,’ at such a crucial time — four days before the midterm elections,” Cross said, while spotlighting the program’s ratings. “And we were intentional about centering marginalized voices of the rising majority — from all communities of color.”
MSNBC cut ties with Cross unexpectedly Friday morning, telling her production staff of the decision Friday morning, according to three people familiar with the matter. A rotating group of anchors will lead her weekend hours until a replacement is found, and the production staff assigned to her show is believed to be likely to stay in place.
At partial issue, according to people familiar with the matter, are on-air volleys between Cross and commentators like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, who have criticized the MSNBC anchor’s views in recent months, sometimes spurring across to retort. MSNBC executives felt the segments were not up to standards, but Cross supporters wonder why the network didn’t do more to shield her from the criticism. After all, the show drew an average of more than 600,000 last month, according to Nielsen, though it captured fewer viewers than its time-slot rivals on Fox News and CNN.
“Fresh off the heels of a ‘racial reckoning,’ as so many have called it, we see that with progress there is always backlash,” said Cross. “With a career in media spanning two decades from CNN to BET and MSNBC, I have not only navigated newsrooms but built them as well. With a rapidly changing media landscape, I look forward to maintaining a platform that continues to reflect the changing demographics of the country.”
She added: “We know that now is not the time for politics or journalism as usual. The two years I spent at MSNBC have been disruptive and transformative, changing how politics are discussed and making policy more digestible, I hope. It was the opportunity of a lifetime to create a show the culture would be proud to keep trending every weekend. While this journey ended abruptly, surprising many of us, my work is not done. As political violence has reached a fever pitch, it is becoming inherently more dangerous to speak the truth. But I will not stop. The attacks on me from other outlets and former hosts will never control my narrative.. Thank you to my community and fans for your overwhelming advocacy and support. Thank you to the more than 4.6 million monthly viewers. I am forever in awe of you and so grateful. See you soon!”
MSNBC declined to make executives available for comment.
Cross was an essential building block in MSNBC’s efforts to add a broader range of diverse voices to its schedule. After competing in an on-air bake-off of sorts in 2020 with Jonathan Capehart and Zerlina Maxwell to fill weekend hours previously led by Joy Reid, Cross has presided over a loose but chatty program that she also promoted heavily on social media.
Cross, a former Washington bureau chief for BET, had worked as a political analyst for MSNBC and was a former resident fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics.
Rebel Wilson is 'NOT engaged' to girlfriend Ramona Agruma, she says
Rebel Wilson wants you to know that no one has put a ring on it. After multiple outlets reported that the Senior Year star and her girlfriend Ramona Agruma were engaged, the Australian actress took to Instagram to deliver the truth.
“Thanks for the well wishes but we are NOT engaged,” the 42-year-old clarified in a Nov. 5 video posted to her Instagram Stories.
In the video, Wilson and Agruma, who just launched a collection of sweatsuits under the name R&R Club, pose together in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.
The Pitch Perfect star announced her relationship with Agruma in June 2022 via an Instagram post. "I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince...," Wilson captioned the photo, "but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess." She added rainbow and heart emojis and the hashtag, "Love is love."
It later emerged that Wilson decided to share her relationship news after a Sydney Morning Herald gossip columnist revealed (in a since-deleted column) that the paper had planned on breaking the news.
In October, Wilson shared her reaction to learning that the Australian Press Council had condemned the Australian news outlet’s actions.
“Just seeing the news that the Australian Press Council has condemned the Sydney Morning Herald and their journalists for their recent grubby behavior in trying to out my same-sex relationship,” Wilson wrote.
“And while I didn’t personally ask for any action to be taken I am glad that this has been officially recorded and recognized. Their actions did cause Ramona and I a lot of distress and while we’ve remained classy, there are still pains from having to rush this news publicly which we are dealing with. We move on, focusing on all the absolutely amazing new things in our life though! Sending love to everyone.”
The star has previously been linked to Jacob Busch, an heir to brewing company Anheuser-Busch, and tennis pro Matt Reid.
HBO Max officially cancels "Degrassi" reboot
At the top of the year, HBO Max announced a “Degrassi” reboot was on the way. The high school drama-based show was originally picked up for 10 episodes back in January. Today (Nov. 4), reports have confirmed that the project is officially no longer moving forward.
The “Degrassi” franchise originated in the late 1970s and has since extended into five different series: “The Kids of Degrassi Street,” “Degrassi Junior High,” “Degrassi High,” Degrassi: The Next Generation,” and “Degrassi: Next Class.”
Since the news broke, plenty of disappointed “Degrassi” fans shared their reactions on Twitter. One user pointed out that the forthcoming show would have been a reboot of a reboot. “I think a lot of the people being like, ‘Good! Don’t reboot “Degrassi” and leave it alone! We want original stories!’ don’t realize the “Degrassi” they know was a reboot…,” the tweet read.
Another user questioned why the process of bringing back the show went so far, only to have it not come into fruition in the end. “What was the point of HBO Max equipping “Degrassi’s” library… and making it unavailable to people watching via YouTube… all for a reboot that won’t even move forward…,” they wrote.
Earlier this year, HBO Max’s Batgirl film was also shut down and the TBS comedy series “Chad” from Nasim Pedrad was cancelled. These changes were announced after the Warner Bros.- Discovery merger in April.
THE QUEEN Janet Jackson Recreates Her 'Control' Album Art At Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Janet Jackson is seemingly paying tribute to her past. The 56-year-old music legend appeared to style herself in homage to her 1986 album Control while attending the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on Saturday night (November 5) in Los Angeles.
She wore her hair an an asymmetrical, tall style that referenced the iconic album’s cover. Janet also styled herself in a black pantsuit with strong shoulders and a collar, all of which also seemed to be a throwback.
Janet was on hand to induct Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to the Hall of Fame. She was inducted herself in 2019.
Billie Eilish & Jesse Rutherford Make Their Red Carpet Debut Wrapped In Blanket
Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford are wrapped in a blanket for their red carpet debut.
The 20-year-old “Happier Than Ever” singer and the 31-year-old The Neighbourhood musician showed up together for the 11th Annual LACMA Art + Film Gala on Saturday night (November 5) in Los Angeles.
They dressed casually for the event in matching silk pajamas and wrapped themselves in a large Gucci blanket. Billie capped off her look with an eye mask, which she wore over her blunt bangs.
This marks the first time that the pair have attended an official event together since they sparked relationship rumors after being spotted out and about in October.
Billie was later seen kissing Jesse. Fans raised questions about their relationship, particularly because of the age gap of 11 years.
They seemingly addressed those concerns in a tongue-in-cheek way via their Halloween costumes, which sparked controversy online.
Diddy Makes a Big Move Into Cannabis Game With $185 Million Purchase of Major Pot Players
“It’s diabolical,” Combs, 53, told the Wall Street Journal about his desire to get into the pot business to help address long-running inequities that have seen Black people disproportionately arrested and jailed for marijuana crimes even as they make up a “tiny” percentage of the market for legal weed. “How do you lock up communities of people, break down their family structure, their futures, and then legalize it and make sure that those same people don’t get a chance to benefit or resurrect their lives from it?”
The Journal noted that in the quarter century since California first legalized medical marijuana cannabis has grown into a $27 billion legal business in the U.S. even as many Black entrepreneurs looking to get into the mix have said they’ve faced obstacles in finding financing, capital and banking services; Black cannabis entrepreneurs currently account for less than 2% of the nation’s marijuana businesses, which employs around 500,000 people.
“Two percent?” Diddy said. “All the years, all the pain, all the incarceration… To me, it was important to do a big deal like this.”
Diddy will dive in by purchasing the cannabis operations of Cresco Labs Inc. (valued at $1 billion) and Columbia Care Inc. (valued at $500 million), two of the biggest cannabis companies in the country. The buy-in — which includes a $110 million cash payment and $45 million in debt financing — will give the Bad Boy boss nine retail stores and three production facilities in New York, Massachusetts and Illinois, according to a release announcing the deal.
“My mission has always been to create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in industries where we’ve traditionally been denied access, and this acquisition provides the immediate scale and impact needed to create a more equitable future in cannabis,” said Combs in a statement. “Owning the entire process — from growing and manufacturing to marketing, retail, and wholesale distribution — is a historic win for the culture that will allow us to empower diverse leaders throughout the ecosystem and be bold advocates for inclusion.”
The operations in the three states will give Combs the ability to grow and manufacture cannabis products and wholesale and distribute those branded products to licensed dispensaries in major metro areas including New York, Boston and Chicago, as well as operate retail stores in all three states.
“Today’s announcement is bigger than the Transaction – and it couldn’t come at a time of greater significance and momentum,” said Cresco Labs CEO Charles Bachtell in a statement. “We’ve seen executive power exercised to address matters of cannabis injustice, we’re seeing bi-partisan support for elements of federal reform, and we’re seeing some of the largest and most influential states in the country launch cannabis programs prioritizing social responsibility – this announcement adds to that momentum.”
Bachtell noted that the transaction is a major step toward closing his company’s previously announced acquisition of Columbia Care and their push for greater diversity of leadership and perspective in the market. “The substantial presence of a minority-owned operator in some of the most influential markets in the country being led by one of the most prolific and impactful entrepreneurs of our time is momentous… and incredibly exciting. We’re thrilled to welcome Sean and his team to the industry,” he said.
Columbia CEO Nicholas Vita added that, “These assets offer the Combs’ team significant market presence, enabling them to make the most impact on the industry as a whole. It’s been clear to us that Sean has the right team to carry on the strong legacy of these Columbia Care and Cresco Labs facilities, and we can’t wait to see how he helps shape the cannabis industry going forward through his entrepreneurial leadership and innovation.”
Though marijuana is legal in 19 states for recreational use by adults and in 39 states for medical use it is still illegal under federal law.
Dolly Parton Is Ready to Rock! Upcoming Hall of Fame Induction Helps Inspire a New Project
Dolly Parton is looking forward to her Saturday induction into the 2022 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but don't think that means she's let go of her initial doubts about deserving this new honor.
"When you talk about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame," the 76-year-old country legend tells PEOPLE, "wouldn't you think that should be for the people in rock 'n' roll?"
Granted, in her next breath, she vows she's "gonna accept gracefully," and she plans to address the issue in the way she knows best. "I have written a song just for [the ceremony], based on the whole story," she reveals. "I'm gonna get to perform that."
But don't think Parton will be done there.
"I'm gonna have to live up to it if I'm gonna be in the Hall of Fame," she says, "so I'm gonna go ahead and do a rock 'n' roll album, and I'm gonna pull people from the rock 'n' roll field to sing with me on it. … I'm gonna actually pull on some of the greats and do a lot of the great rock songs."
The Hall of Fame honor, she also reveals, was the final nudge she needed to record a rock album as a gift to her husband of 56 years, Carl Thomas Dean, a lifelong rock fan (who, she adds, joined her in her initial incredulity).
"I'm doing the rock 'n' roll album because of him," she says. "I had often thought about doing a rock 'n' roll album for him with his favorite songs. And so when this all came about, I decided that I am gonna go ahead and do it. … It was just the perfect storm. OK, it's time."
No doubt a rock project only underscores Parton's massive influence across musical genres, not to mention the perpetually fuzzy lines between the genres. In the late 1970s and early '80s, Parton was a fixture on the pop chart with such crossover hits as "Here You Come Again," "Baby I'm Burning," "9 to 5" and "Islands in the Stream," her duet with crossover king Kenny Rogers. She's also made significant marks in bluegrass, gospel and Christian music.
Parton's ultimate crossover song, "I Will Always Love You," has been recorded by artists from practically every genre, including, most famously, the late pop diva and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Whitney Houston.
In inimitable Dolly fashion, Parton notes that her initial quibble over her eligibility was actually based on her concern for others in the music community.
"I appreciate any accolades that are thrown in my direction," she allows, "but I still, at that time, felt like I was gonna take votes away from somebody else that really had been working hard in that field. I'll take all of what I can get in the country field or whatever I'm doing, but I just didn't want to take votes away from somebody else that had spent their life counting on that."
Parton also allows that it's since been pointed out to her she'll be joining an illustrious group of artists who are in both the country and rock halls of fame, including Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers, Brenda Lee, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Floyd Cramer. For that matter, in the 2022 class alone, she'll be among several artists best known for music that also doesn't fit neatly into the rock category, including new wave band Duran Duran, rapper Eminem, pop duo Eurythmics, pop-R&B star Lionel Richie and 1970s pop icon Carly Simon. The class is rounded out by two straight-up rockers, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.
Parton's latest trophy will be added to a vast array of honors that she has already received, including numerous Grammy, CMA, ACM, CMT, BMI and Billboard awards; a primetime Emmy; a Living Legend award from the Library of Congress; a Kennedy Center honor; a National Medal of Arts from the U.S. Congress; and an honorary doctorate from the University of Tennessee.
Which ones mean the most? Parton doesn't have to think long on that.
"I think probably being in the Songwriters Hall of Fame — the big one — and the country music songwriters hall of fame," she says. (Parton was inducted into the national Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986.)
Parton calls songwriting "my favorite thing. I mean, I love to sing. I love to perform, but I feel like my gift — or that very personal gift — is being able to write songs, to write about my feelings and the feelings of other people that don't know how to write."
She also says that her Imagination Library is her other favorite achievement; since 1995, the nonprofit she founded has given away more than 170 million books to children around the world.
"Although it's not like an award that I've won," Parton says, "I take great pride in being the 'Book Lady.'"
Parton also is quick to say she doesn't measure her success by awards or honors.
"I used to wonder how people would remember me when I was older if I was lucky enough to be successful," she says, "and now I am older, and I take such pride in feeling that I've done something meaningful that has been appreciated."
She adds: "I equally appreciate the fact that it took a lot of people to help me see the success that I've had. I love what I've done, and I love the people that've allowed it to happen."
Madonna Sparks Concern After Lip-Syncing Along To Aggressive Lyrics In 'Disturbing' TikTok Clip
Madonna's fans are wondering whether their idol is doing just fine. The 64-year-old "Like a Virgin" star has sparked concern among her fans after lip-syncing along to aggressive lyrics in a so-called "disturbing" TikTok video.
On Thursday, November 3, the "Material Girl" singer uploaded the clip on her TikTok page as well as Instagram feed. In the footage, she could be seen enjoying herself with Baby Keem's track "Vent" playing in the background.
"Have you ever been punched in your motherf**king face?" Madge rapped, mouthing along the words to the song. The "Papa Don't Preach" artist continued, "What you say? Oh, you haven't? Alright, wait."
Madonna's appearance in the video also sparked chatter among her followers. The pop star was seen in the clip with her eyebrows bleached and her orange locks styled into four braids.
Madge also wore a black mesh top over a black bra, a black-and-white corset, black jeans with the top button undone and several silver chains hanging from her neck. The "Frozen" singer capped off the peculiar ensemble with a silver grill on the top of her teeth.
Jesse Williams Is Returning to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Jesse Williams can’t seem to stay away from “Grey’s Anatomy” for too long. Fans of the long-running show were in for a treat when Williams returned to reprise his role as Jackson Avery and pull double-duty as director of the Nov. 3 season 19 episode, “When I Get to the Border.”
Williams joined the medical drama that airs on ABC in 2009 during season six. However, after 12 seasons, he marked his departure midway through season 17 in 2021; he was not gone for long as he made an appearance during the 400th episode the following season. He also previously directed four episodes of the show.
“I knew that as I designed my exit, the next thing I did had to be terrifying. I needed to get out of my comfort zone,” Williams told The New York Times about his decision to leave the series.
Online, the actor heralded his recent return to the show that jumpstarted his career with a series of behind-the-scenes photos from his days on set. “Barely in the hospital at all — lots of location scouting and critical stories…,” he wrote on an Instagram post after the episode aired.
His fans were quick to flood the post, raving about his temporary return to “Grey’s.” “It’s about D**N time!!…Welcome back,” wrote one enthusiastic follower. Others commented, ”We need more Jackson Avery! Come back to Grey’s!” and “Oh we are getting that japril spin-off next fall!!”
And more than a few fans gushed over the actor’s appearance. One of which read, “I tell you, you get finer with age cuz i wasn’t on the bandwagon at first, but whew.”
Since leaving the show, Williams has starred in “Take Me Out,” a Broadway play about a baseball player who comes out as gay. The gig marked his theater debut and his first time having to do a scene that required frontal nudity.
But, on a personal note, Williams has also found himself embroiled in an ongoing custody and child support battle with his ex-wife Aryn Drake-Lee. Together the couple shares two children: a son, Maceo, and a daughter, Sadie. According to RadarOnline.com, in September, the TV star successfully had his monthly child support payments lowered to just over $6,000. He argued that since his “Grey’s Anatomy” departure, his income took a hit and that payments should be reduced by $30,000.
Last month, Williams landed another victory in court when a judge granted him consecutive days with his children while he returns to the Broadway stage for another season of “Take Me Out.”
Tabitha Brown Is Nominated For Two Emmys And Her Reaction Is Unmatched
Tabitha Brown launched a children’s web series called ‘Tab Time” in December 2021 and it’s nominated for two Emmys, almost a year after its release. The vegan foodie, actress, and mother couldn’t hold back the tears and shared her reaction video with fans.
“Y’all look at what the Lord has done😭😭😭😭” she shared in an Instagram caption alongside her video. “Tab Time is nominated for not 1 but 2 Emmys!!!!! 1 for Outstanding preschool series and 1 for me as Outstanding Host 🎉🎉🎊🎊 Thank you @televisionacad @daytimeemmys @youtubeforfamilies @thekidsatplay @creativeartistsagency and @scaleproductions 😭😭😭😭 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾OOHHH GOD I THANK YOU🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾. Y’all DREAMS really do come true!!!!!! Omg!!!! #tabithabrown #emmynominated #TabTime”
Tab Time is a 10-episode web series aimed at preschool-age children. It plays on her YouTube channel and season two launched on October 14th. When commenting on the show being renewed for a second season by YouTube, Brown said Tab Time is a part of her purpose and she’s overwhelmed by how much support the first season got.
“It’s been said a million times, but children are the future, and healing change begins with them. If we can create better children, then we can create better adults. Teaching children to grow together and love each other with kindness will create a better world. I hope children continue to take away the important lessons this has to offer.”
Some themes the show touches on include music, friendship, how things grow, and other educational topics. The second season features a range of celebrity guests like Terry Crews (as Randy Respect), Nic Few (as Detective SeeMeSeeYou), Tamron Hall (as Ranger Rory Roarsabunch), Kevin “KevOnStage” Fredericks (as Captain Leighdership), Amanda Seales (as Neighbor Sherry Shares) and more.
Late Rapper Nipsey Hussle’s Family Still in Court Battle for Custody of His Daughter Emani
*Just who will finally have custody of Nipsey Hussle‘s 13-year-old daughter, Emani Dior Asghedom? The court will decide the answer to the question. For now, the battle still rages between the late rapper’s family and ex-girlfriend, Tanisha Foster.
New court documents indicate that Sam Asghedom, Hussle’s brother, recently filed to finalize custody proceedings for Emani. According to a Radar Online report, he filed a third status report as part of his brother’s probate case.
Following the murder of rapper Nipsey Hussle in 2019, Sam was appointed by the court to be the administrator of his late brother’s estate. Sam has since handled matters such as distributing funds, approving deals, and paying off debts.
For Sam, everything is falling into place, save for the custody of Emani. After Nipsey’s untimely death, his family went to court to get full guardianship of Emani, alleging that her mother (Foster) is an unfit parent. Sam has said there had been a mediation to solve the matter, but so far, there hasn’t been a solution reached.
Apart from Emany, Nipsey’s son Kross is also a beneficiary. Kross’s mother is Lauren London, who was the rapper’s girlfriend.
The family claimed Foster abuses substances, gets into physical fights in front of Emany, and lives in homes where strangers are present.
Foster went to court earlier this year to get the guardianship amended. She stated that the only reason she made the custody agreement following the rapper’s death was because of her “own financial limitations; her desire to maintain the standard of living and family contact the minor had experienced with the paternal family prior to her father’s death, and upon the verbal assurances that each of them would act in the best interests of Emani.”
Elon Musk's Twitter sued for violating federal law after mass firing
Elon Musk may be in legal trouble after issuing a mass layoff of Twitter employees.
According to FOX Business, on Thursday (Nov. 3), a class-action lawsuit by four employees — one former worker and three others who were locked out of their workplace accounts — was filed against the social media website. The suit claimed the company’s mass layoffs violates a federal law requiring 60 days notice for employees.
The news outlet reports a week after Musk bought the platform for $44 billion, a letter went out to employees telling them half of the company’s 7,500 employees would lose their jobs starting Friday (Nov. 4). “Team, in an effort to place Twitter on a healthy path, we will go through the difficult process of reducing our global workforce on Friday,” the letter read. “We recognize that this will impact a number of individuals who have made valuable contributions to Twitter, but this action is, unfortunately, necessary to ensure the company’s success moving forward.”
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act require large companies to notify workers two months before planned job cuts. Attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan, who filed the San Francisco suit, said, “We filed this lawsuit tonight in an attempt to make sure that employees are aware that they should not sign away their rights and that they have an avenue for pursuing their rights. We will now see if he is going to continue to thumb his nose at the laws of this country that protect employees. It appears that he’s repeating the same playbook of what he did at Tesla.”
As reported by the news outlet, Liss-Riordan took legal action after Musk’s electric car company laid off 10 percent of its employees. A Texas judge ordered Tesla’s employees to go through dispute resolution.
Musk fired top executives, including CEO Parag Agrawal, on his first day as Twitter’s owner. Additionally, he replaced the company’s board of directors with himself as the sole member.
An FCC Commissioner Is Calling For The U.S. to Ban TikTok
An FCC commissioner is asking for the U.S. government to ban the popular TikTok app.
On Tuesday, an FCC commissioner called for a ban on TikTok due to how the China-owned app handles the data of its American users.
Brendan Carr claims the company doesn’t have the ability to secure the data of U.S.-based users.
According to Carr, there is not “a world in which you could come up with sufficient protection on the data that you could have sufficient confidence that it’s not finding its way back into the hands of the [Chinese Communist Party].”
Nonetheless, a TikTok spokesperson states that Carr is not a part of any negotiations with the government regarding the app.
“Commissioner Carr has no role in the confidential discussions with the U.S. government related to TikTok. And appears to be expressing views independent of his role as an FCC commissioner,” Brooke Oberwetter said.
She continued, “We are confident that we are on a path to reaching an agreement with the U.S. Government that will satisfy all reasonable national security concerns.”
The commissioner’s remarks come as TikTok engages in continuous negotiations with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. TikTok and the CFIUS are holding meetings to determine if the app can continue business in the U.S. if it is sold from its Chinese parent company to an American company.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
OPEN SEASON
It’s Open Season at Walmart
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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