#MAGFAB: Lashana Lynch for Marie Claire UK(Digital Issue) Dec 2022
Nice and the article is HERE!
#RHOM: ‘Real Housewives of Miami’ Star Alexia Gives Season 5 Preview
Real Housewives of Miami star Alexia Nepola said family and happiness are her focus in season five of the Peacock series.
Nepola returns with the firey Miami cast of Guerdy Abraira, Lisa Hochstein, Julia Lemigova, Dr. Nicole Martin, and Larsa Pippen. They are joined by friends Kiki Barth, Adriana de Moura, and Marysol Patton.
Nepola eloped with her fiancé Todd before filming began for the new season. So while balancing her recent marriage and relationship with sons Peter and Frankie, there is time for a bit of friend group drama.
Nepola spoke about the new season, her beef with Guerdy, and more.
Nepola said there will be some “tension and division between the OGS.” She explained, “new women have been added to the cast. So when you put nine feisty women together who all have big personalities and different backgrounds, we all have an opinion, and we have such big mouths that you’re going to get into trouble.”
Nepola noted that because it’s been very public, Lisa’s story gets ugly, which is unfortunate for her and her family. But the beauty bar owner believes everything else will be a big surprise.
Nepola also revealed that the beef from season four with Guerdy will be addressed this season. But the lesson is, don’t go into business with friends.
“I think she didn’t know how to be my friend and party planner. I felt she was treating me like another client, and I was like, Oh, I want to be your friend. I could be a client too, but I wanted both things. So it takes us a while to figure out what we wanted and be where we’re today, which is friendly. Because she’s a great party planner, I was upset that she couldn’t do my wedding because I love her skills as a wedding planner. But I like her as a friend too, so I decided to keep her as my friend,” she explained
Although things are going well for Nepola, she said she doesn’t judge her castmates who aren’t experiencing the same right now. She said she’s been in Lisa’s position and is more empathetic and compassionate. Still, Alexia indicated that after having a rough year herself, it’s her turn to be happy.
“Obviously, like every other family, we have had struggles and challenges, but overall, we’re healthy and happy. She said her husband Todd and son Peter are getting along better than ever,” she said.
WATCH HERE
Three new episodes of season five of “The Real Housewives of Miami” are available on Peacock, with additional episodes dropping every Thursday.
#MusicNews: Jody Watley 'Christmas Time Is Here' IsThe Perfect Gift for her Fans!
The diva Jody Watley has given us one of the best gifts this holiday season: New music! Her latest release, a jazzy rendition of the timeless holiday tune “Christmas Time Is Here,” has kicked our Christmas spirit into high gear as we snuggle up by a fireplace, sip hot chocolate and nibble freshly-baked Christmas cookies.
The GRAMMY Award-winning songstress’ silky-smooth voice elevates the oft-covered Vince Guaraldi classic from the iconic soundtrack for A Charlie Brown Christmas. Her effortless vocals are the perfect complement to a song about the beauty and joy embodied by the most wonderful time of the year. “Christmas time is here / We’ll be drawing near / Oh, that we could always see / Such spirit through the year,” she sings, and we couldn’t agree with this heartfelt sentiment more.
“This is an ambient and chill rendition perfect for warm cocoa, a laid-back atmosphere and a fireplace real or virtual,” said Watley of the song, released independently on her label Avitone Recordings. “I originally recorded this for my devoted fans and had it available for a free download for a short while quite some time ago.”
The single, co-produced by Watley and longtime producer Rodney Lee, has now been widely released for all the superstar’s fans around the world to enjoy. “This is the first official release of the newly mixed and remastered single, and I’m happy it will now be available on all streaming platforms for holiday seasons to come,” Watley said in press for the project.
LISTEN HERE
Jody Watley’s rendition of “Christmas Time Is Here” has warmed our hearts and filled us with lots of joy and good cheer.
You can stream "Christmas Time Is Here" on all digital music platforms. To keep up with all things Jody Watley – past, present and future – subscribe to her YouTube channel, check out her website and follow her on socials at @jodywatley.
#HipHopNews: A$AP Rocky Announces New Album 'Don't Be Dumb'
A$AP Rocky’s new album is coming ASAP. The rapper returned to the stage during a performance for Amazon Music Live on Thursday night. As Rihanna, Tyler, the Creator, and Snoh Aalegra looked on, he performed fan favorites like “Praise the Lord,” “Everyday,” “LSD,” and “Sundress,” and brought out special guests including $NOT for “Doja” and 2 Chainz for “Fu**in’ Problems.”
During the live-streamed performance, which aired across the globe, he performed his latest release “Shittin’ Me” and debuted three new songs including “Rowdy Rod Piper,” “Mushroom Cloud,” and “Same Problems,” the latter which serves as a tribute to hip-hop’s fallen soldiers including DMX, Biggie, Juice WRLD, King Von, PnB Rock, and Takeoff.
“Ni**as dying every other night / Ni**as crying, that’s a part of life,” he sings. “Lying to my face / Tryna say that it’s all good knowing nothin’ right.”
The fashion icon capped off his hour-long set by announcing his new album. As he left the stage, the screen lit up with the title, Don’t Be Dumb, which also appeared on his shirt.
Earlier in the day, Rocky revealed that the follow-up to 2018’s Testing was done. “Album finished. Don’t Be Dumb, let’s go!” he said.
Fans shouldn’t have to wait too much longer. He recently told Complex that the project’s release was imminent. “Without giving out too many surprises, it’s some cool shit in store,” he said. “And it’s not a situation where they are going to have to wait long. It’s like ASAP, no pun intended.”
#OMG Patti LaBelle Abruptly Removed From Stage Due to Bomb Threat During Milwaukee Performance
Patti LaBelle was abruptly removed from the stage while performing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to reports, the interruption was because of a bomb threat.
The 78-year-old “Lady Marmalade” singer was onstage at Riverside Theater on Saturday (December 10) when security rushed the stage and grabbed her.
A video clip taken by someone in the audience shows that the singer was confused as another security guard rushed the stage and grabbed her by the other arm.
The singer dropped a bouquet of flowers as she was rushed off the stage.
Drake Bentley, a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel took to Twitter to share what appeared to be an official report from the Milwaukee Police that reported a bomb threat.
“All patrons have been safely evacuated,” the note read. “Police are clearing the facility at this time. This investigation is fluid and ongoing.”
Patti and her team do not appear to have shared a statement regarding the emergency yet.
American soccer journalist Grant Wahl dies in Qatar during The World Cup!
Grant Wahl, a prominent U.S. soccer journalist with previous experience working for CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated, died in Qatar on Friday, according to his wife and U.S. Soccer.
Wahl, who was 48, had been in Qatar working as an independent journalist through his Substack "Fútbol with Grant Wahl."
Yahoo Sports soccer reporter Henry Bushnell was present at Friday's Argentina-Netherlands match and observed Wahl seemingly unconscious in his press box seat during extra time at Lusail Stadium. Medics worked on Wahl for approximately a half-hour before taking him out on a stretcher.
Wahl's wife Céline Gounder said she was in "complete shock" on Twitter:
U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price later tweeted his office was in communication with senior Qatari officials "to see to it that his family’s wishes are fulfilled as expeditiously as possible."
In a statement to Rob Harris of Sky News, the Qatar World Cup Supreme Committee also said it was “in touch with the US embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes.”
Per the Associated Press, Wahl had been working his eighth World Cup and wrote on Monday that had visited a hospital due to an illness:
“My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you,” Wahl wrote. “What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort. I didn’t have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis. They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy-duty cough syrup, and I’m already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still: No bueno.”
Wahl's agent Tim Scanlan told The New York Times his client went into acute distress during the final minutes of Argentina's win and is believed to have died either at or on the way to a hospital. He reportedly confirmed Wahl hadn’t been feeling well, while noting he had hosted an evening gathering on Wednesday, a day before his birthday:
“He wasn’t sleeping well, and I asked him if he tried melatonin or anything like,” Scanlan said. “He said, ‘I just need to like relax for a bit.’”
Grant Wahl made an impact on soccer throughout his career, including Qatar World Cup
For the past two decades, Wahl was on the forefront of soccer journalism in America, first as a senior writer for Sports Illustrated before branching out as a television analyst for CBS and Fox Sports. His impact was widely felt in the U.S., where soccer remains a growing sport.
Wahl, whose death was mourned across the U.S. soccer world, often wielded that influence. He once announced a bid to unseat corrupt former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and was fired from Sports Illustrated in 2020 after criticizing publisher CEO James Heckman's handling of pay cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outside of soccer, Wahl played a significant role in introducing LeBron James to the world. He wrote the story behind the iconic Sports Illustrated cover dubbing the current Los Angeles Lakers superstar the "chosen one." By the end of the night, James was paying tribute to Wahl too.
Most recently, Wahl made headlines when he was detained in Qatar ahead of the World Cup for refusing to remove a rainbow shirt. He was eventually released. On Thursday, he published a highly critical opinion piece accusing Qatar's World Cup leadership of not caring at all about the recently reported death of another migrant worker.
U.S. Soccer's full statement on Grant Wahl:
The entire U.S. Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl. Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists: teams, players, coaches and the many personalities that make soccer unlike any sport.
Here in the United States, Grant’s passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in and respect for our beautiful game. As important, Grant’s belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all. Grant made soccer his life’s work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us.
U.S. Soccer sends its sincerest condolences to Grant’s wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, and all of his family members, friends and colleagues in the media. And we thank Grant for his tremendous dedication to and impact on our game in the United States. His writing and the stories he told will live on.
Nick Carter denies rape allegation as ABC pulls Backstreet Boys holiday special
Backstreet Boys’ member Nick Carter is being sued by a 39-year-old woman with autism and cerebral palsy who says the singer raped her as a teenager on the group’s tour bus in 2001.
Shannon “Shay” Ruth filed a sexual battery lawsuit in Clark County, Nevada, on Thursday in which she claims that Carter gave her alcohol and assaulted her after a a concert in Tacoma, Washington in February 2001. She was 17 at the time of the alleged incident.
The singer denied the allegation in a statement provided to CNN from his attorney Michael Holtz.
“This claim about an incident that supposedly took place more than 20 years ago is not only legally meritless but also entirely untrue,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, for several years now, Ms. Ruth has been manipulated into making false allegations about Nick – and those allegations have changed repeatedly and materially over time.”
Ruth alleges in her complaint that Carter picked her out of a line of autograph seekers, invited her on tour bus and gave her “VIP juice,” which she believes was a mixture of cranberry juice and alcohol.
After the alleged assault, Ruth says she contracted “the human papillomavirus (commonly known as HPV), a sexually transmitted infection known to cause health problems such as genital warts and cervical cancer,” according to the complaint.
During a press conference held in Beverly Hills, California, on Thursday, Ruth said “The last 21 years have been filled with pain, confusion, frustration, shame, and self-harm that are a direct result of Nick Carter raping me.”
No criminal charges have been filed with the alleged assault.
ABC will no longer broadcast the television special “A Very Backstreet Holiday,” set to air December 14, in light of the suit. Previously aired comedies will broadcast instead, CNN has learned.
Carter faced a similar allegation in 2017 after former pop singer Melissa Schuman accused him of raping her 15 years prior. Prosecutors in Los Angeles, where Schuman sought to bring charges against Carter, opted to not pursue it because the statute of limitations has expired.
Carter denied the allegations at the time in a statement provided to CNN.
“Melissa never expressed to me while we were together or at any time since that anything we did was not consensual,” Carter said in the statement. “We went on to record a song and perform together, and I was always respectful and supportive of Melissa both personally and professionally.”
Adele Pushing Boyfriend Rich Paul For Quickie Vegas Wedding, Tired Of Waiting: Sources
Now that Adele is living in Las Vegas, she’s pushing her beau, Rich Paul, to tie the knot in a quickie wedding, RadarOnline.com has learned.
The 34-year-old pop star just kicked off her residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, and a source revealed that she wants to get hitched before the year is out.
“If Adele had her way they’d be married already,” spilled an insider. “She’s begged Rich to elope on countless occasions, and now has set her heart on doing it in Las Vegas sooner than later.”
But Rich, 40, doesn’t seem to have the same urgency. “He’s happy with the way things are for now, wanting to get through the holidays and dealing with formalities including the prenup,” said an insider.
“In fact, she’s at the point where’s ready to say, ‘Marry me or move on!” The two have been brainstorming a big, fancy wedding in Los Angeles, but Adele doesn’t want to wait that long to make it official, the insider spilled.
“Rich would prefer to take more time,” spilled the source. “But at the end of the day, Adele’s the boss and gets what she wants.”
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Adele started dating Paul, Lebron James’ close friend, first went public with their romance in July 2021.
The duo sat court-side at an NBA game together. A source said the two had been together for a “few months” at that time.
A couple of months later, Adele made the romance official on her Instagram. After the duo attended NBA star Anthony Davis’ wedding, the pop star posted a series of photos including one of her with Paul looking like a couple.
In November, Adele sat down with Oprah and gushed about Paul.
"He's just hilarious. Oh, he's so funny, he's hilarious, yeah. And very smart. You know, he's very, very smart. It's quite incredible watching him do what he does," she said.
"It's just timing," she added. "But it'd be interesting to see what my reaction is like in general to anything that hurts me now that I feel so secure in myself, and I'm talking outside of romance as well."
Brittney Griner Arrives In U.S. After Release From Russia, Lawyer Explains Her Cut Dreadlocks
Brittney Griner is finally home after spending nearly ten months in Russian prison. The WNBA star touched down on U.S. soil on early Friday morning, December 9, one day after she was released by Russia on Thursday.
The 32-year-old was seen getting off a private jet in San Antonio at around 5:40 A.M. ET. In a photo and video of her arrival, she appeared to be wearing the same outfit she donned when leaving Russia.
After Griner's arrival, White House National Security Council Communications Coordinator John Kirby told TODAY of her current condition, "She was in very, very good spirits when she got off the plane and appeared to be, obviously, in good health."
Griner is expected to undergo a myriad of testing at a local medical facility in Texas to make sure she's okay, before she eventually returns to her home in Phoenix.
Griner was released in a prisoner swap after being detained in Russia since February 17 for carrying hashish oil in her luggage to a Moscow airport. The person sent back to Russia is notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as "The Merchant of Death". She briefly crossed paths with Bout on the tarmac in the UAE where she was heading to her final plane home.
On the plane, Griner appeared to be in good spirits as she was all smiles, telling someone that she was "good" and "happy." She wore a gray beanie, but it can be seen that her signature dreadlocks have been cut off.
After her short hair has got people wondering, Griner's attorney explained why the athlete cut off her signature long locks. Maria Blagovolina, who repped the basketball player during her trial in Russia, told ESPN Griner got the haircut two Sundays ago to prepare for Russian winter.
Blagovolina said Griner's hair kept freezing following prison showers. "It's very cold in there and every time she washed her hair she got cold and would get a chill," the attorney detailed. "She should have waited until New Year's Day."
Tina Turner And Daughter-In-Law Pay Tribute To Ronnie Turner After His Death
Tina Turner and her daughter-in-law have paid tribute to the singer's "beloved" late son. Making use of their respective social media accounts, they spoke out online after cancer survivor Ronnie Turner died aged 62 on Friday, December 9, reportedly after neighbours outside his Los Angeles home failed to resuscitate him when he was struggling to breathe on their street.
Taking to her Instagram account, Tina shared a black-and-white picture of the musician. "Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow I close my eyes and think of you, my beloved son," so she wrote.
Ronnie's wife, the French singer Afida Turner, confirmed her husband's death in an Instagram post that called him a "true angel" and her "best friend." She said, "I did the best to the end this time I was no(t) able to save you. Love you for... 17 years this is very very very bad and I am very mad. This is a tragedy u with your brother Craig and your father Ike Turner and Aline rest in paradise… So unfair."
Afida, who married Ronnie in 2007, was referencing the death of his older brother Craig, who shot himself dead aged 59 in 2018. Ronnie, who was an accomplished musician like his parents and played in a band called Manufactured Funk, had survived cancer.
While a cause of death has not been announced, TMZ said law enforcement sources said they had received a 911 call on Thursday morning, December 08, from someone who told them Ronnie was outside their home and "having a hard time breathing". The insider added, "A few minutes later, he wasn't breathing at all."
Paramedics reportedly "rushed to the San Fernando Valley address" where bystanders were attempting to resuscitate Ronnie, but apparently the efforts "didn't work" and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Tina's eldest son Craig, who she had when she was saxophonist Raymond Hill, shot himself dead in July 2018.
The realtor took his life at his Studio City home aged 59, with Tina tweeting at the time, "My saddest moment as a mother. On Thursday, July 19 2018, I said my final goodbye to my son, Craig Raymond Turner, when I gathered with family and friends to scatter his ashes off the coast of California. He was fifty-nine when he died so tragically, but he will always be my baby."
Tina had Ronnie in 1960 with her husband Ike, from whom she split in 1976 after the singer accused him of beating her before he died from a drug overdose in 2007. Ronnie appeared alongside Tina the 1993 biopic on the singer, "What's Love Got To Do With It".
Tina also adopted ex-husband Ike's two sons, Ike Jr and Mike. Ike Jr told DailyMail.com in 2018 he was estranged from his adoptive mother, while Mike has stayed out of the spotlight.
Diddy announces surprise birth of ‘baby girl’ Love Sean Combs
Sean “Diddy” Combs announced on social media Saturday that he has welcomed a new child into the Combs family.
“I’m so blessed to welcome my baby girl Love Sean Combs to the world,” the music mogul, 53, tweeted, before shouting out his mom and other children.
“Mama Combs, Quincy, Justin, Christian, Chance, D’Lila, Jessie and myself all love you so much! God is the Greatest!” he added.
Diddy did not reveal who is the mother of the child, and it is unclear if he is the father or grandfather.
The hip-hop mogul shocked fans when he announced the news on Saturday.
His reps declined to comment.
Earlier this year, the “I Need a Girl” entertainer confirmed that he was dating City Girls rapper Yung Miami.
“We date. We’re dating. We go have dates, and we’re friends. We go to exotic locations, we have great times, we go to strip clubs, church…,” he said on her series, “Caresha Please,” in June.
The rapper is also father to six other children.
Yung Miami, whose real name is Caresha Brownlee, has not appeared pregnant in any recent social media posts, adding to the confusion.
However, the couple has made it clear that they are not in an exclusive relationship.
“He see other people outside of me and I see people outside of him,” the “Twerkulator” rapper told XXL in September. “I’m young. I’m dating. I’m, you know, having fun. I’m doing me. He’s doing the same thing.”
The REVOLT founder began dating Yung Miami in 2021. Yung Miami, 28, added, “I can’t speak for exactly what he doing or who he seeing, but we single and we dating. But we are dating each other, but we single.
“I think it just went over people’s heads, you know? People just like to take whatever they wanna take from.”
Diddy has six older children from previous relationships.
He adopted Qunicy, 31, who was the eldest son of the late Kim Porter. The former couple also shared son Christian, 24, and twin daughters Jesse and D’Lila, both 15.
The Revolt TV founder also has another son Justin, 28, with ex Misa Hylton, and daughter Chance, 16, with ex Sarah Chapman.
J. Alexander Kueng, who kneeled on George Floyd's back, sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison
J. Alexander Kueng, the former Minneapolis police officer who placed his knees on George Floyd's back, was given a 3 1/2-year prison term for aiding and abetting manslaughter.
Kueng pleaded guilty in October to a state count of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. His guilty plea, combined with another officer's choice to let the judge decide his ultimate fate ultimately prevented a third trial.
Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after former Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for 9 1/2 minutes. His death which a bystander filmed went viral, and led to protests across the globe as part of a larger discussion about racial injustice.
While Chauvin kneeled on Floyd's neck, Kueng knelt on Floyd's back. Then-officer Thomas Lane restrained Floyd's legs. Tou Thao, also an officer at the time, prevented onlookers from getting involved or aiding Floyd. Chauvin, Kueng, Lane and Thao were all fired and charged on state and federal level.
Kueng, who is already serving a federal sentence in a low-security federal prison in Ohio for violating Floyd's civil rights, participated in Friday's sentencing session through Zoom.
As part of his plea deal, Kueng acknowledged that he helped restrain Floyd's torso, and that he was aware from experience and training that holding someone handcuffed while holding down his back was unsafe. He further acknowledged that Floyd's restraint was inappropriate, given the situation.
Kueng consented to a state sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison. He also got credit for the 84 days that he had already served.
Though the state case against Thao is still pending, Kueng's sentencing moves the charges against all of the former cops one step closer to finality.
Floyd's family did not provide formal impact statements. Still, prosecutor Matthew Frank stated that the actions of Kueng, Chauvin and the other two policemen did the field of law enforcement a "disservice."
Snoop Dogg And Master P Forced To Rename ‘Snoop Loopz’ Cereal
who began selling Snoop Loopz under he and business partner Master P’s Broadus Foods company earlier this year, revealed the unfortunate news in a post on his Instagram account.
“So they don’t want us to use Snoop Loopz on our cereal box even though that’s my name,” the Long Beach native wrote in the caption of a clip of himself and Master P holding boxes of Snoop Loopz while explaining their desire to add diversity to the market.
“We’ve built a national brand and disrupted the cereal industry, we did it with hard work and integrity. I know they’re uncomfortable and scared. Our mission is to build diversity and economic empowerment.” The rapper continued, adding, “Times have changed. There’s enough room for all of us to be successful. This is bigger than us, we are fighting for the next generation of entrepreneurs. We’re no longer just being consumers, we’re educating the culture building our own brands, and passing down generational wealth.”
Snoop Dogg Launches Members-Only Death Row Inmate Program Exclusively On eBay
He ended his message by vowing to complete their goal of Snoop Loopz and their other products competing with the top brands in the business. “Broadus Foods is all about helping the community,” he said. “It’s official we’re taking over the breakfast foods industry. They can’t stop us. It’s David versus Goliath. @masterp and I got the slingshot. This is a minor setback for a major comeback. #GodsPlan What do YOU think we should name our new cereal?”
In the accompanying clip, the pair further expounded on the hurdles faced while launching Broadus Foods, with both noting the charitable efforts of the brand. “We’ve been feeding the community, the more we make, the more we give,” Master chimed in, with Snoop adding, “We did this for the people, we did this for the family. We did this to make sure people got something to eat.”
Snoop Loopz were introduced back in August as the latest addition to the Broadus Foods product line, which also includes oatmeal, grits, pancake mix, and syrup.
City of Minneapolis to purchase gas station at the site of George Floyd killing
The city of Minneapolis has a big vision to transform the gas station near the intersection where George Floyd was killed into a permanent memorial and justice healing center for the community.
According to the Star Tribune, the city council unanimously voted to purchase the boarded-up Speedway gas station on Thursday (Dec. 8). The city is expected to shell out $200,000 from taxpayer funds and accept $420,000 from Realty Income Corp., which owns the parcel of land where the fueling station sits.
The acquisition is expected to happen in early 2023. It will likely take years for city officials and the community to figure out a timeline for completing the proposed healing center and memorial. The city also plans to purchase the building that formerly housed a convenience store at the intersection.
Since his death in 2020, the location has served as a communal site for people to remember Floyd and a gathering place for demonstrators. As most people know, the 46-year-old took his final breaths as former officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes.
In April 2021, Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. It was the first time in the city’s history that a white officer was found guilty of unjustifiably killing a Black person. Chauvin was sentenced to more than 22 years in prison.
Former officer J. Alexander Kueng was sentenced to more than three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter by kneeling on Floyd’s back in conjunction with Chauvin’s actions. Two other disgraced former officers, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, were also convicted of depriving Floyd of his civil rights. Like Kueng, Thao was convicted for not intervening when Chauvin exercised excessive force.
Terrence Howard is ready to embrace retirement: "This is the end for me"
Terrence Howard is ready to leave his acting career behind. During an interview with “Entertainment Tonight,” Howard says that he is prepared to fully take a step back from the craft. “This is the end for me,” he revealed during the red carpet for “The Best Man: The Final Chapters” in Los Angeles. “I retired two years ago, for the most part. I was done. I asked Sidney Poitier 10 years ago does he want to do any more work, and he said, ‘Why would I spend my last 10 years doing an impersonation of myself?’ And that’s what I’ve gotten to.”
Howard made his acting debut in The Jacksons: An American Dream when he portrayed Jackie Jackson. Since then, he’s starred in films like Hustle & Flow, Four Brothers, the Fox television series “Empire,” and more.
Furthermore, the veteran entertainer says that his work over the years speaks to his love for the profession. “I’ve gotten to the point where now I’ve given the very best that I have as an actor,” said Howard. “Now I’m enjoying watching other new talent come around, and I don’t want to do an impersonation of myself.” At one point, he even credited fellow entertainers in the industry. “Yes, there’s some better actors out there that can do things that I was never able to do,” he continued. “So, I want to applaud them, I want to be excited about what they do.”
In a recent interview, Howard expressed the stories he’d like to see portrayed by Black men in Hollywood moving forward. “I would like to know the ability of men to be men and people to be people,” said The Best Man actor. “The man has been demonized — the strength in character and faults that come with a man are necessary for balance. With the new formula, most men are made to be effeminate and not have their power or sense of strength — they allow white men to be able to be strong, but when it’s Black men, it’s seen as a threat. I don’t want to remove a few chromosomes to fit in someone’s story, so I feel they need to expand their stories to allow men to be men and simultaneously appreciate a woman’s beauty.”
Elton John says he's quitting Twitter: 'it saddens me to see how misinformation is now being used to divide our world'
Elton John said on Friday that he is quitting Twitter.
He cited an unspecified "policy change" that he said would "allow misinformation to flourish unchecked."
Musk responded, asking if there's "any misinformation in particular" he was concerned about.
Elton John is the latest celebrity to call it quits on Twitter.
The singer tweeted on Friday that he was leaving the platform over misinformation and an unspecified "policy change."
"All my life I've tried to use music to bring people together," John said. "Yet it saddens me to see how misinformation is now being used to divide our world."
He added, "I've decided to no longer use Twitter, given their recent change in policy which will allow misinformation to flourish unchecked."
Insider reached out to representatives for John for clarification on what policy change he was referring to, but did not immediately hear back.
Billionaire Elon Musk has implemented and promised sweeping changes to Twitter since he bought the company in late October for $44 billion.
Musk responded to John on Friday, saying "I love your music. Hope you come back." Musk then asked if there was "any misinformation in particular" that John was concerned about.
Some of Musk's changes have been met with backlash from critics who say they would lead to a rise in misinformation.
Last week, Twitter ended its enforcement of policies meant to curb coronavirus misinformation.
Twitter has reinstated previously banned accounts, such as former President Donald Trump.
Musk is overhauling the Twitter Blue subscription, including charging a monthly fee for the blue checkmark meant to identify verified accounts of public figures and institutions (Musk has repeatedly pushed back the full launch of the new Twitter Blue to address impersonation issues).
Other celebrities have left Twitter over Musk's changes, including musician Sara Bareilles and TV producer Shonda Rhimes, neither of whom have tweeted in over a month.
Mariah Carey: ‘I never called myself the Queen of Christmas’
Mariah Carey would like to clear the Christmas air. On Dec. 7, the “All I Want For Christmas Is You” singer appeared on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” to promote her new special, “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To All.”
She also spoke on all things holiday cheer with a round of “The Colbert Questionert.”
Still, when Colbert addressed her as the "Queen of Christmas," the vocalist paused his questioning to straighten out a few things regarding the nickname.
"First of all, may I say I never called myself the 'Queen of Christmas'?" she said, interrupting him. “Can we please be clear on that?”
“I never accused you of that,” Colbert replied.
“You did not, my friend, but others have,” she responded before mimicking verbiage that she is the "self-proclaimed 'Queen of Christmas.'"
“Really? I’m gonna do that?” she quipped. “They can look up every interview I’ve ever done, and not to get super religious, but I was like, ‘I think, like, if anybody would be the ‘Queen of Christmas,’ that would be Mary.”
In November, Carey and the nickname “Queen of Christmas” made headlines after the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board chose to deny her exclusive legal rights to the title. Fans of the singer’s fourth studio album, titled “Merry Christmas,” have come to refer to her as the “Queen of Christmas” on social media.
In response to her application, singers Elizabeth Chan and Darlene Love challenged Carey’s attempt to trademark the title.
“As an independent artist and small business owner, my life’s work is to bring people together for the holiday season, which is how I came to be called the Queen of Christmas,” Chan explained in a press statement. “I wear that title as a badge of honor and with full knowledge that it will be — and should be — bestowed on others in the future... My goal in taking on this fight was to stand up to trademark bullying not just to protect myself but also to protect future Queens of Christmas.”
Trademarked or not, Carey went on to express to Colbert that while she might not call herself the “Queen of Christmas,” there’s no doubt the Christmas season is one that she adores.
“I just happen to actually really love Christmas,” Carey explained to Colbert. “Because I grew up and had kind of a tough childhood, and I always wanted Christmas to be perfect, and it never was. So then when I was able to finally provide myself and my friends and then later now my little kids who are 11 ... we have the most festive Christmas ever.”
Octavia Spencer receives star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Actress Octavia Spencer has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Hidden Figures star was honored for her work in film and television becoming the 2742nd artist so honored with a ceremonial plaque.
"It took me a minute to absorb the profundity of this moment," the visibly moved actress said, per the Los Angeles Times. "The culmination of my dreams realized, hard work rewarded after a fair but healthy amount of failure and rejection."
Spencer, 52, won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for the 2011 movie The Help. She brought along her two sisters, Rosa and Arena Spencer, Spirited co-star Will Ferrell and actress Allison Janney, who was also in The Help to join her as she accepted the plaque and watched her star get unveiled.
Janney, Spencer's friend since 1998, said she once overheard the then-struggling actress joke about taking bit parts just to have a chance for success.
"Anyone who could have a sense of humor about the struggles of trying to make it in Hollywood had to be part of my life, and, of course, I wanted to work with her," Janney said at the ceremony.
Spencer thanked her sisters for "never panicking when I called for money to pay the rent."
Ferrell contended with a heckler who emerged as the ceremony was taking place, yelling at the assembled crowd that the ceremony only honored "rich people."
"Not on Octavia's day!" Ferrell shouted back at the unidentified man. "Keep it moving. Keep it moving. The wax museum's down there. That thing is wide open."
Ferrell went on to praise Spencer for her work on television and on the big screen. Aside from The Help and Hidden Figures, Spencer's credits include Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker, Truth Be Told, Luce, Ma, and The Shape of Water. She starred in 2021's Thunder Force with good friend Melissa McCarthy.
A Montgomery, Ala., native, Spencer was joined by the Auburn Tigers mascot, Aubie, at the ceremony. The Help director Tate Taylor, Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, and Mekhi Phifer also came out in support.
"It's a place where you can actually see that bygone era of stars who are no longer with it. And you can actually reach out and touch their star," Spencer told Variety when the honor was first announced. "It can make it feel attainable to people. It's just a rare and huge honor."
Sony Music Releases Statement Upon Pulling R. Kelly Album ‘I Admit’ From Streaming Platforms
While in the slammer serving a 30 year prison sentence for multiple sex abuse charges, R. Kelly has managed to set the internet on fire! An album called ‘I Admit‘ hit streaming platforms and now Sony Music is speaking out since pulling the project.
As we’ve previously reported, Kelly was found guilty and convicted on several sexual misconduct related charges last year in his New York case. Currently, he is awaiting trial in another sex abuse case in Chicago, Illinois, and other jurisdictions.
Earlier this morning, fans quickly realized that a new album called ‘I Admit’ had been uploaded to streaming platforms without any notice.
After the internet had a field day, the album was eventually pulled from all streaming platforms without any explanation — just as the album dropped … with no announcement.
Since the album was pulled, Sony Music — which owns the rights to much of Kelly’s catalog — has since spoken out. According to Variety, reps from the label told them that the album “is an unofficial release (aka a bootleg).”
The label adds that even though the copyright line on the album says “Legacy Recordings,” which is Sony Music’s catalog division, the album “is NOT legitimate.”
The label rep continued to confirm that the project was removed from Spotify and Apple Music on Friday afternoon, further explaining, “This content has been removed from the platform at the request of the distributor.”
Additionally, the singer’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, also added that her client was not behind the release, and that he “is having intellectual property stolen from him.”
Variety also claims that a source close to the situation told them that the ‘I Admit‘ album was put out by a 2003-founded label in Los Angeles called Real Talk Entertainment.
Apparently, the label is also known for releasing music by other well known names in the industry like rappers, Chingy, Freeway, Young Buck and Bone Thugz N Harmony.
The source claims that it may possible that Sony Music may not have solely owned all of Kelly’s recordings, including the music that was dropped on Friday morning.
Cher Has Confirms Mom Georgia Holt Passed Away at 96
Cher Has confirmed the death of her mother Georgia Holt at the age of 96.
The 76-year-old “Believe” icon took to Twitter to pen a brief tweet that appeared to announce her mother’s passing.
“Mom is gone,” she wrote.
Fans perceived the tweet as confirmation of Georgia‘s death and rushed to comfort the music legend.
“So sorry, nothing prepares you for the loss of your mother. No matter when,” one wrote.
“Oh Cher, I am so sorry for your loss. You two were so much fun,” another added. “Time doesn’t heal this wound, it helps reshape it into comforting memories that make the grief tolerable. Keep honoring the memories.”
Like her daughter, Georgia was a musician. She was born in 1926 and also worked as a model and actress. Her credits include an appearance on I Love Lucy.
Our thoughts are with Cher and everyone else who knew and loved Georgia during this difficult time. RIP.
Newly Elected Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost Denied D.C. Apartment Due To Bad Credit
Rep.-elect Maxwell Frost (D-FL) speaks with reporters during a break in an orientation meeting in the U.S. Capitol Building on November 14, 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Maxwell Frost, the newly elected representative for Florida’s 10th Congressional District, said he was denied an apartment in Washington, D.C. due to bad credit.
Axios reports that Frost said his bad credit is the result of him taking on debt while spending a year and a half running for Congress and that he was even forced to drive for Uber.
“Just applied to an apartment in D.C. where I told the guy that my credit was really bad. He said I’d be fine. Got denied, lost the apartment, and the application fee,” Frost tweeted Thursday. “This ain’t meant for people who don’t already have money.”
Kevin Lata, who managed Frost’s campaign, told Axios Frost told the building’s management he was an incoming representative and the House sent a verification letter to the building’s management. Lata did not name the building, but said it was located in the Navy Yard section of D.C., an upscale neighborhood along the Anacostia River.
According to Zumper, as of December 3, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the Navy Yard section of Washington, D.C. is $2,800, a 13% increase from 2021. Frost’s annual salary as a member of Congress is $174,000, meaning he would be spending more than 15% of his salary on rent, something the majority of U.S. renters know too well.
PBR reports 49% of U.S. renters spent at least 30% of their household income on housing costs in 2020.
Other politicians experienced similar situations when moving to D.C. after being elected. In 2018, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also couldn’t afford an apartment in D.C. The politician also opposed and defeated Amazon’s second headquarters which was slated for Queens, NY.
While former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the headquarters would add 25,000 jobs to the area, the Queen’s rep. questioned the validity of that figure and cited a report showing the tech giant pays $0 in federal taxes
“$0 for schools. $0 for firefighters. $0 for infrastructure. $0 for research and healthcare,” she tweeted at the time. “Why should corporations that contribute nothing to the pot be in a position to take billions from the public?
Ava DuVernay Becomes The First Black Woman To Be Featured On Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream After Partnering With The Brand
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay accomplishes another goal and becomes the first black woman to grace Ben & Jerry’s ice cream pints.
The ‘Lights! Caramel! Action!’ ice cream is made of vanilla ice cream with salted caramel and graham cracker swirls and chocolate chip cookie dough pieces. The ice cream is also comes in dairy and non-dairy almond milk and will be available for purchase next month.
Ava spoke with PEOPLE about the launch and says she created the flavor “because I love them and I eat them in real life. First of all, chocolate chip cookie dough. What more needs to be said?”
She also added that advancing representation was apart of the reason why she decided to team up with the brand.
“There’s no women of color overall [on Ben & Jerry’s pints]. And so they understood that that’s something that they wanted to change. I’m happy that I was able to be involved in being a part of that change,” Ava says.
She added, “I’m not taking it too seriously, but I do think that it’s important to walk through doors that have not been opened. And it’s not an accomplishment because someone has closed the door and then opened it. It is an action that needs to be taken. And so I’m glad that they’ve done it. And if I can support that, I’m happy to do it.”
In addition, Ben & Jerry’s social justice mission helped push Ava to agree to the partnership.
“I just have always respected their voice,” she says. “You can just sell ice cream or you can sell ice cream and actually put a message on these packages and let people know what you believe in and what you stand for. But it’s really rare to have a brand that is not afraid to have a political, cultural, social point of view. And that’s been the bedrock of the brand from the beginning. It’s the bedrock of everything that I do. So it felt like a really happy marriage and it’s been really lovely.”
All of the proceeds from Ava’s ice cream sales will go to her nonprofit, ARRAY Alliance, that “looks at creating equitable systems in the entertainment industry.
Florida Football Coach Shot 10 Times Trying to Protect Players During Drive-By Shooting, 13-Year-Old Killed
A Florida junior league football coach is fighting for his life after being shot ten times while trying to protect his players during a drive-by shooting.
The devastating ambush took place on Saturday, December 3rd, in Jacksonville, when the 21-year-old coach was driving four players home after tryouts. That is when a vehicle pulled up to the intersection of Moncrief Road West and New Kings Road, and someone inside opened fire. The unidentified coach used his body to dive over the boys, shielding them from the hail of bullets. Despite his best efforts, one of the young athletes, 13-year-old Prince Holland, was killed during the attack. An 11-year-old passenger was also shot but is expected to survive. Two other players in the car, a 14 and 15-year-old, were not injured.
John Phillips, the attorney representing the coach, confirmed that he was listed in critical condition due to the bullet wounds he’d sustained. He will require multiple surgeries in the near future.
Family members describe Holland as a vivacious child who went to church every Sunday and enjoyed sports for most of his life. His mother, Chantel Brown, said her son would even recruit other teens to play sports to prevent them from turning to a life of crime, with dreams of one day making it to the NFL. Sadly, the honor roll students’ life was cut short, leaving a community reeling and a police force committed to bringing the killer or killers to justice.
“We will not rest, we will not tire, we will not waver,” assured Duval County Sheriff T.K. Waters.
So far, no arrests have been made in the case, though a $14,000 reward is being offered for anyone with information leading to those responsible.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘GROWN BABY’
Welcome to Murica
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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