#FASHIONFAB: Assa and Ugbad Make Black Magic Zara Style Lensed by Luis Alberto Rodriguez
Zara’s pursuit of image excellence rolls on, with models Assa Baradji and Ugbad in the studio spotlight. Marta Gonzalez Arias styles the black beauty duo in images by Luis Alberto Rodriguez [IG]. / Hair by Jimmy Paul
NICE!
#RHOA: Cynthia Bailey Teases Her Return As ‘Friend’ In RHOA Season 15
Cynthia Bailey has only been gone one season and is already teasing her return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 15 amid filming.
After divorcing Mike Hill, Cynthia Bailey is teasing her return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 15. Cynthia is fresh off the heels of finalizing her divorce from Mike. The former couple wasted no time putting the final nail in the coffin that was their marriage. Cynthia and Mike announced their divorce days after their two-year anniversary. They finalized the divorce in just two months and now Cynthia appears to be making a return to Bravo.
Cynthia recently appeared in an interview where she revealed her plans to "play" with the RHOA ladies in season 15. "I can say that I am going to play with the girls a little bit this season, maybe some future seasons," Cynthia confirmed in the clip captured by Jay's Reality Blog. "But only as a friend," she added. Cynthia noted that because she's been back in Atlanta and spending more time at Lake Bailey, she has had time to film with her old co-stars and friends. When the host asked to reconfirm if Cynthia will be back as a friend in season 15, she said, "it's looking that way." According to the show vet, the RHOA ladies have "a few more weeks of filming" left, and since she's in Atlanta, "I keep getting invited to some of their events," Cynthia shared.
With Cynthia dealing with her second divorce, she believes she's "ready" to return to reality television with her friends. Cynthia has a lot to fill fans in on since her departure. RHOA season 13 was her last and followed her journey down the aisle with Mike. The then-couple ignored concerns from the public and hosted their lavish wedding during the height of the pandemic. Bravo cameras weren't even rolling due to COVID-19 protocols at the time. Cynthia was adamant about keeping their 10/10/20 wedding date, despite the ongoing pandemic.
But it turned out to be Cynthia's last season. She exited the show to pursue new endeavors in Los Angeles. Mike was primarily based in LA, and Cynthia's daughter Noelle moved to the West Coast to attend college. The RHOA star made the decision to join her husband and daughter in LA. But in the year after her exit, things seemingly took a turn for the worse. Cynthia remained by Mike's side when he was accused of cheating with a woman on SnapChat. Mike denied sending flirty messages and even threatened legal action.
By the time 2022 rolled around, Mike appeared in an interview where he admitted to hitting a rough patch with Cynthia and said they might not make it to the second year of marriage. Cynthia appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and had the support of her husband during her time on the show. But eventually, their dynamic shifted. Cynthia has revealed she knew the marriage was over when the friendship ended. She also denied the belief that Mike cheated and prompted the divorce. Fans became suspicious once they notice Mike hanging out with friends and mystery women without his wedding ring. Shortly after their second wedding anniversary came around, Cynthia and Mike announced their divorce.
Cynthia had her first divorce captured on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Now with her second coming in wake of her show exit, Cynthia's return as a friend could help cameras capture her second divorce. Fans will be happy to have her back and get filled in on Cynthia's life post-divorce. Cynthia could serve as a close friend and confidant of Kenya Moore, with them both being divorced and possibly open to finding love again. It could help them repair Cynthia and Kenya's friendship after falling out on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.
#MusicNews: Usher Extends Las Vegas Residency Even Further With 3 Additional Dates
"Damn it feels good to see people up on it" might be a famous Biz Markie line, but we're almost certain that it perfectly describes how Usher must be feeling these days. The superstar singer is on hiatus after taking a deserved break from his blockbuster Usher: My Way The Las Vegas Residency, which has had fans clamoring for tickets. In fact, he had to extend the show into 2023 due to the high demand alone. Now the R&B king is extending that extension, tacking on three new dates to the next run to make sure that everyone has a chance to see him turn Sin City out.
The residency already runs well into the summer, with Usher performing at Dolby Live at Park MGM through the first half of July. Perhaps that's why the crooner decided to add the three new dates closer to the beginning of the year. He'll now be starting the 2023 run with dates on February 24th and February 25th to make sure he closes Black History Month on the right note. In addition, he'll also be performing one extra date the following month, starting the month's performances on March 1st rather than the previously announced March 3rd.
While tickets for the other 2023 dates have already gone on sale, those seeking to be in the house for the just-announced dates will get their chance this week. A presale for Citi cardmembers will begin on Wednesday, December 21st at 10 a.m. PST alongside a fan presale for Usher's exclusive community. The tickets will then go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. PST on Friday, December 23rd via Ticketmaster.
If seeing Usher bring the house down in Sin City is on your Christmas wishlist, we recommend you get in where you fit in and put a reminder on your phone. You can check out the complete set of dates for Usher: My Way The Las Vegas Residency below along with the updated residency announcement video.
February: 24, 25
March: 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18
April 2023: 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 29
June 2023: 28
July 2023: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15
#HipHopNews: Logic Calls On Norah Jones For Help With Stripped Back Version Of ‘Fade Away’
Logic has recruited Grammy-award-winning singer-songwriter Norah Jones to help him with an acoustic rendition of his hit song “Fade Away.”
Logic joined Jones on her Norah Jones is Playing Along podcast, where the pair spoke and created intimate, stripped-back versions of the rapper’s iconic “1-800 song,” as well as an improvised mashup on the spot.
After running through their “1-800” rendition, Logic complimented Jones’s flow and even compared her to J. Dilla.
“Yo, you know what’s wild: your pocket,” Logic said of Jones’s flow. “Do you know who J. Dilla Is?…your swing. It’s insane.”
“Fade Away” was the third single to appear on Logic’s blockbuster sophomore effort The Incredible True Story, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and was eventually certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The duo’s heartwarming collaboration comes after Logic recently wrapped on his North American Vinyl Verse Tour with Wiz Khalifa. The tour kicked off on July 27 and concluded in St. Louis, Missouri on September 2. 24kGoldn, DJ Drama, Fedd The God and C Dot Castro also appeared at numerous stops along the way, with Berner and Rubi Rose performing on a few select dates as well.
The tour was in support of Logic’s album Vinyl Days, which dropped on June 17, and features appearances from Action Bronson, Russ, Curren$y, RZA, AZ, The Game and others. The project marked Logic’s final Def Jam release, which he left earlier this year in favor of a deal at BMG that would allow him to own his masters.
The move to BMG serves as Logic’s first label change since dropping his debut album, Under Pressure, on Def Jam in 2014.
“There’s a lot of bullshit in the music industry,” Logic said of the move in a statement. “I’m just glad to move on to a place where I can be independent and respected as an artist, and feel like I’m in control of my career.”
As he heads into the new year under new management, one thing Logic said he’s dying to cross off his bucket list is a collab album with The Alchemist.
The Maryland native had replied to a fan on Twitter back in November who asked if a collab was possible, and Logic went so far as to tag Al to put pressure on him.
“Of course @Alchemist is one of the greatest producers of all time. it would be an honor,” Logic tweeted. “Al… we could finish an album in a weekend brother. lets do it!!!!”
#RIP: Pittsburgh Steelers legend Franco Harris, known for ‘Immaculate Reception,’ dead at age 72
Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris, who was arguably best known for one of the most iconic plays in NFL history – dubbed the “Immaculate Reception” – has died at the age of 72, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday.
Harris died overnight, the Hall of Fame said, citing his family. The cause of his death hasn’t been announced.
“We have lost an incredible football player, an incredible ambassador to the Hall and, most importantly, we have lost one of the finest gentlemen anyone will ever meet,” said Hall of Fame President Jim Porter.
“Franco not only impacted the game of football, but he also affected the lives of many, many people in profoundly positive ways.
“The Hall of Fame and historians everywhere will tell Franco’s football story forever. His life story can never be told fully, however, without including his greatness off the field.”
‘A gold jacket career’
Harris died days before the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception,” a game-winning touchdown catch which led the Steelers to victory over the then Oakland Raiders 13-7 for Pittsburgh’s first-ever playoff game in the 1972 AFC Divisional Round.
“That play really represents our teams of the ’70s,” Harris recalled after the reception was voted the greatest play in NFL history in 2020 during the league’s 100th anniversary season.
The Steelers had planned to retire Harris’ number 32 jersey during halftime of their game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday.
“The career that it spawned in Franco, a gold jacket career,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday.
“What it did for them that season in terms of the trajectory of the season. What it’s done for this franchise. There’s many things that make it the play that it is. The most significant play in the history of the game.”
Drafted out of Penn State as the 13th pick in the 1972 NFL Draft, Harris quickly became a star for the team, winning the NFL’s Rookie of the Year after becoming only the fourth rookie in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards.
In his career, Harris was a four-time Super Bowl champion, winning MVP honors in Super Bowl IX after rushing for 158 yards in the game against the Minnesota Vikings to help the Steelers capture their first-ever league title.
Running back Harris retired after 13 seasons – 12 with the Steelers and one with the Seattle Seahawks.
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris twirls a Terrible Towel before the start of the Steelers NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, December 23, 2012. Harris was at the game to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception."
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris twirls a Terrible Towel before the start of the Steelers NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, December 23, 2012. Harris was at the game to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception."
Jason Cohn/Reuters
The nine-time Pro Bowler rushed for at least 1,000 yards in eight seasons, amassing 12,120 rushing yards and 91 touchdowns in his career.
He was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
#RIP: Sonya Eddy, star of 'General Hospital,' Has died at 55
Sonya Eddy, seen here at a premiere in Westwood, California on March 7, 2022, has died.
(CNN)Sonya Eddy, a veteran actress best known for her performance as nurse Epiphany Johnson on the soap opera "General Hospital," has died, the show announced in a tribute post.
She was 55, her manager said.
"General Hospital" executive producer Frank Valentini said in a statement posted to the ABC soap's verified Instagram account that he was "heartbroken about the loss."
"I truly loved her, not only as an actress, but as a friend," the post read. "The lights in the hub of the nurse's station will now be a little dimmer, but her spirit and light will live on in both the show and our set."
No information on the cause of her death was shared.
Eddy had appeared in several TV shows since the mid-'90s, with credits including "Murphy Brown," "Seinfeld," "ER," "Felicity," "Fresh Off the Boat" and "Pen15."
She also played small parts in various films over the years, including in "Patch Adams," "Matchstick Men" and "V/H/S/99."
Eddy began her time on "General Hospital" in 2006, appearing in nearly 550 episodes of the long-running soap.
Actress Octavia Spencer posted a tribute to Eddy on Tuesday.
"The world lost another creative angel. Her legions of @generalhospitalabc fans will miss her," Spencer wrote in her Instagram post. "My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones, friends, and fans!"
#STUNTQUEEN? New York GOP leader calls accusation of faked bio for new GOP House member 'serious'
A leading New York Republican says accusations that GOP Congressman-elect George Santos, R-N.Y., faked much of his biography are "serious."
"I believe that George Santos deserves an opportunity to address the claims detailed in the article," said Joseph Cairo Jr., the influential chairman of Nassau County's Republican committee.
He referred to a story in The New York Times that appears to show key details of Santos' official campaign bio were fabricated.
"Every person deserves an opportunity to 'clear' his/her name in the face of accusations," Cairo added, saying he looks forward to hearing Santos' response.
In his official biography, Santos claims to have graduated from Baruch College with "a bachelor's degree in economics and finance."
That appears to be untrue.
In a statement sent to NPR, Baruch College said it had checked its records for "a George Santos, born on July 22, 1988, with a graduation year of 2010, and could not find a match."
NPR left messages for Santos but has not heard back.
His campaign released a statement on Twitter late Monday afternoon from an attorney representing Santos.
"It is no surprise that Congressman-elect Santos has enemies at the New York Times who are attempting to smear his good name with these defamatory allegations," said Joseph Murray.
However, Murray offered no facts, evidence or documents to contradict the Times article, which also found Santos appears to have fabricated key details of his business career.
Wall Street firms say Santos wasn't an employee
Santos has frequently pointed to his success outside politics as an example of the American dream.
"I'm a private sector guy who was born and raised in abject poverty," Santos said during an appearance on CBS Channel 2 in New York.
"Only in this country does somebody who comes from a basement apartment in Jackson Heights, like I did, is able to rise to become a successful businessperson, to then run for United States Congress."
Citigroup and Goldman Sachs told the newspaper they had no record of Santos working for their firms, as the candidate claimed in his bio.
In a statement to NPR, a Citi spokesperson said they were "unable to confirm Mr. Santos' employment with Citi."
A spokesperson for Goldman Sachs also told NPR "we have no record of his employment."
Santos, who is gay, also claimed in an interview with WNYC public radio last month that his employees died in 2016 when a gunman opened fire at the Pulse, a gay night club in Orlando, Fla.
"I happened to, at the time, have people that worked for me in the club," Santos said. "My company at the time, we lost four employees that were at Pulse."
Santos added that he has "tragic memories" of that deadly mass shooting.
But the New York Times investigation could find no link between any of the 49 victims and companies or firms linked to Santos.
"He's most likely just a fabulist — a fake"
Some journalists raised questions about Santos before the election.
In an editorial before the election, the North Shore Leader newspaper endorsed Santos' Democratic opponent, Robert Zimmerman, and voiced skepticism about Santos' credibility.
"[H]e's most likely just a fabulist — a fake," the newspaper said.
It is unclear how these accusations might affect Santos and his ability to take office.
His surprising win came as part of a Republican red wave in New York that helped give the GOP a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives.
Santos has yet to address the controversy on his social media feeds but on Twitter he did say he plans to vote for Rep. Kevin McCarthy to serve as House Speaker.
"We have the opportunity of a lifetime to deliver real results for the American people. We MUST give the gavel to [McCarthy]," Santos wrote.
McCarthy, who is still struggling to secure enough votes to secure the speakership, has not yet commented publicly on the controversy surrounding Santos' biography.
Report: Robert Sarver To Sell Suns To Mat Ishbia For $4 Billion
Robert Sarver’s 18-year-reign as the owner of the Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns is about to come to a merciful end, reported ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday afternoon. Mat Ishbia, the billionaire founder and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, is reportedly going to pay Sarver $4 billion for the team. The NBA’s Board of Governors will have to approve the sale, though that seems like a formality, as Ishbia is reportedly friends with a bunch of the league’s owners, and is “well-known and well-regarded” in the league office.
When the sale goes through, it will set a new high-water mark for an NBA franchise, significantly surpassing the $2.5 billion that Joe Tsai paid for the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. Sarver bought the Suns in 2004 for just $401 million, which means he will make a ridiculous profit on a franchise he owned and ran like a horrible petty tyrant for less than two decades, until the world found out how awful and racist he was and what a rotten culture of cruelty and mistrust he fostered in Phoenix. ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reported the details of Sarver’s stewardship of the team, a period defined by bullying, rampant sexual harassment, and open, casual racism. Holmes’s report dropped in November 2021, though Sarver didn’t face any consequences until the findings of an independent investigation commissioned by the NBA and carried out by the the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz were made public this past September.
Despite the magnitude and volume of evidence against Sarver, the NBA merely suspended him for a year and fined him $10 million, which enraged the NBA’s labor base, provided a useful lesson on solidarity within the billionaire class, and made it clear that Adam Silver works for the owners. Thankfully, Sarver felt enough pressure that he announced he would sell the team one week later, citing our “current unforgiving climate” as an accelerant and underlying factor that pushed him to begin the process of becoming several billion dollars richer.
So, who is going to pay him all that money? Ishbia is a 42-year-old business guy who took over his dad’s mortgage company after graduating from Michigan State. United Wholesale Mortgage is one of the largest and fastest-growing mortgage companies in the United States. They don’t sell mortgages to normal people, like Dan Gilbert’s Rocket Mortgage; they fund mortgages then sell them to middlemen, like banks or other third parties. Ishbia also walked onto one of the best Michigan State teams of all time and won a National Championship with the Spartans in 2000. He hit nine shots in his career, finished 47 percent from the line, and played seven total minutes across four NCAA Tournament games.
Ishbia has been MSU’s biggest booster for years, donating $32 million in 2021 and announcing that UWM would sponsor every athlete on the football and men’s basketball teams ahead of their 2021 seasons. Interestingly, Ishbia’s donations are at the heart of a dispute between the university and the Detroit Free Press, which sued the school after it denied FOIA requests seeking information about the gift arrangements between Ishbia and the athletic department after Ishbia helped fund a massive contract extension for football coach Mel Tucker. UWN also sponsors the patches on Detroit Pistons jerseys, though presumably they will have to find a new sponsor now. According to another Holmes story from earlier this week, Ishbia will inherit an organization with a truly rotten culture, one that has been pretty thoroughly poisonous for years and extends far beyond Sarver’s own individual transgressions. Good luck, man!
Lamar Odom Announces New Documentary ‘Sex, Drugs and Kardashians’ About His Split From Khloe Kardashian
"The all-new revealing special, TMZ Presents: Lamar Odom: Sex, Drugs & Kardashians, takes viewers on a deep dive of Lamar Odom’s troubled marriage to Khloé Kardashian, which was as memorable as his incredible basketball career. Lamar talks exclusively to TMZ, opening up like never before about his sex addiction and drug use and how it torpedoed his marriage to the love of his life and turned him into a shell of his former self. The good news…true to form Lamar has rebounded in a spectacular way."
Odom and Kardashian were married from September 2009 to December 2016 due to his substance abuse issues. The Revenge Body host filed for divorce in December 2013, but the New York native was hospitalized after a 2015 drug overdose amid the legal proceedings. The reality star withdrew the divorce so she could make medical decisions on her ex’s behalf, and they finalized their split after his recovery in 2016.
Earlier this year, the former Los Angeles Lakers player exclusively told Us Weekly that he’s “fond” of the way his ex-wife cared for him during his medical emergency.
“When I came out of the coma, she took care of me,” he recalled in February. “I’m talking about a woman that wiped my backside when I couldn’t do it myself. So, I’m fond of her for that. She had a lot of dignity and pride as well as I did.”
He later revealed that he keeps up with his ex on Hulu's The Kardashians, which he called a "guilty pleasure." However, he said it was difficult to see his ex-wife in pain as Tristan Thompson's cheating drama and paternity scandal played out on the show. Thompson, 31, and Kardashian share daughter True, 4, and a son, 4 months.
“It was hard for me to watch that,” Odom told E! News in September. “It’s always going to be hard for me to watch someone I love so much sad like that."
The Odom Cannabis founder has been open about his remaining feelings for Kardashian. In a since-deleted Facebook post in October, He captioned share a photo of himself and the reality star, “Missing my best friend. #memories for life.”
When commenters criticized the basketball player for not getting over his ex, Odom clapped back. “I’m human just like everyone else. ... Didn’t know we not allowed to miss someone regardless if mistakes were made,” he wrote. “But I get it I let people down and I will pay for it forever and that’s ok too. Goodnight Facebook Family.”
For her part, Kardashian opened up about where she stands with her ex-husband during the Keeping Up With the Kardashians reunion special in June 2021.
“We’re not in touch, but I honestly wish him nothing but the best and good health. I think we’re all really rooting for him and just want the best for him,” she told host Andy Cohen at the time. “I loved that chapter in my life. Regardless of how dark and crazy that might sound, it was still just a very significant part of my life and my story, and I wouldn’t change it. It sounds crazy, but it was meant to happen and it happened.”
Rumer Willis Is Pregnant, Expecting 1st Child With Boyfriend Derek Richard Thomas
Baby on board! Rumer Willis is pregnant and expecting her first child with boyfriend Derek Richard Thomas.
The couple shared the happy news via Instagram on Tuesday, December 20. Willis, 34, showed off her growing baby bump in the black-and-white snaps, as the musician kissed her belly.
The Dancing With the Stars season 20 champion simply captioned the series of pictures with a growing plant emoji.
Rumer Willis Is Pregnant, Expecting 1st Child With Derek Richard Thomas- See Her Baby Bump - 144
Courtesy of Rumer Willis/Instagram
“Entering my hot kooky unhinged grandma era 🌱,” Willis’ mom, Demi Moore, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, while resharing the sweet stills.
The House Bunny actress replied: “Love you mama.”
Rumer’s sister Tallulah Willis also posted about the exciting news, captioning her Instagram picture of the reveal, “Entering my hot kooky unhinged auntie era 🌱.”
Bruce Willis and Moore’s middle daughter, Scout Willis, echoed Tallulah’s sentiments, writing, “Activating hot, kooky, unhinged Aunt Scout era 🌱” alongside the same announcement. “Thank you @rumerwillis and @derekrichardthomas for co-creating my new best friend,” the 31-year-old added.
Rumer is the oldest child of Moore, 60, and ex-husband Bruce, 67. The former couple — who share three daughters — were married from 1987 to 2000.
The exes have remained close since settling their divorce. In fact, the Die Hard actor’s second wife, Emma Heming Willis, whom he wed in 2009, also reshared Rumer’s happy news via social media on Tuesday. (Bruce shares daughters Mabel, 10, and Evelyn, 8, with the Coco Baba founder, 44.)
“Baby news is happy news!!!” Heming Willis captioned a black-and-white silhouette of her stepdaughter’s pregnancy confirmation. “Congratulations @rumerwillis and @derekrichardthomas We are elated over here! 🐣.”
Rumer’s pregnancy announcement came just one month after she and Thomas became Instagram official. The couple confirmed their romance on November 15 with a series of PDA-filled photos taken out in the woods.
The Rumer Has It founder first hinted at her relationship with the rocker in May when she called him one of “the most talented singers and songwriters I have heard in a very long time (maybe ever).”
Thomas returned the favor in August, singing Rumer’s praises via social media on her birthday. “In the short time we’ve been together you have filled my life with joy and peace,” he wrote of the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actress. “Everything is just so easy with you. We sing, we dance, we play and most of all we laugh. Thank you for being you 😘 you’re a magical human I’m so glad you came into my life :-).”
The duo’s growing family comes amid Bruce’s battle with aphasia. Moore announced in March — alongside her daughters and Hemming Willis and her girls — that the Sixth Sense star was retiring from acting after being diagnosed with language disorder that affects his cognitive abilities.
“We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him,” the women wrote in a statement at the time. “As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”
DaBaby wins battery lawsuit over 2020 Miami brawl
Seems like DaBaby can’t lose when it comes to lawsuits. Nearly every time he’s in legal trouble, his defense team wins the battle. Now, they can rejoice over another victory.
On Monday (Dec. 19), according to TMZ, a jury sided with DaBaby in the $6 million federal lawsuit stemming from a Miami brawl that occurred two years ago. A criminal battery charge was also previously dropped.
In 2020, Kenneth Carey, a Florida promoter, claimed that the North Carolina rapper physically assaulted him over a failed payment.
Allegedly, the dispute between Carey and DaBaby started after the men began to argue over the rapper’s team’s demand for an additional $10,000 to cover the cost of damages that they had to pay for their rental car. Carey refused to hand over the cash, and that’s when DaBaby allegedly beat up and robbed the promoter and his friend.
During the fight, Carey suggested they had lost personal items such as money and a cellphone. Innocent bystanders captured the brawl on video and Carey and his team filed a civil suit over the alleged battery assault in February of that year. Carey sued DaBaby for $6 million in damages for breach of contract, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. DaBaby then filed a countersuit against the Miami promoter for unspecified damages, accusing him of using his photo and name to promote events without his permission.
After coming out victorious in the case, the “Rockstar” rapper’s attorney, Drew Findling, spoke with TMZ.
“Along with our client, Jonathan Kirk (DaBaby), we are thrilled that this federal jury, after a five-day trial, came to the same conclusion that we have maintained for almost three years – that these plaintiffs were attempting to use the legal system to shake down Mr. Kirk.”
Findling continued, “Mr. Kirk deserves all the credit in the world for not caving in to these plaintiffs’ cash demands and having the confidence in the facts and his legal team to take this to a jury trial for a complete and total victory!”
White male investment banker suspended for punching Black female MTA worker in the face
After almost 15 years at investment firm Tocqueville Asset Management, 53-year-old Jean-Francois Coste was suspended from his duties. The company announced its decision Sunday (Dec. 18) after the white banker physically assaulted a Black female MTA worker in a Brooklyn subway station.
“Mr. Coste has been suspended from the firm effective immediately,” a release from the banker’s employer stated. It continued, “Tocqueville Asset Management is completely intolerant of violent behavior and, pending further investigation, will take whatever action is necessary.” According to the New York Post, during the early morning hours of Friday (Dec. 16), a drunken Coste entered a Coney Island subway station where he came into contact with Tanya McCray, an MTA employee who was just beginning her shift. Local police noted that McCray preventing the inebriated banker from using a restricted area prompted the unwarranted attack.
As McCray informed Coste he could not enter an employees-only section of the subway, he struck her in the face. During the turmoil, the MTA worker used her lunch box to shield herself from his blows. A thermos inside of the container left Coste with a black eye and scratches. A rep for the Local 100 of the Transit Worker’s Union shared that where the banker was attempting to access is “not a public area.” The spokesperson added, “He was apparently drunk. She pushed the door so it clicks and locks, and he punched her in the face at least twice.”
Coste was charged with assault, harassment and menacing, but released without bail. His court date is set for March 1 in Brooklyn. Since the assault on the MTA employee, the banker has changed all of his social media profiles to private and retained a lawyer. NYC Transit Chief Operating Officer Craig Cipriano said, “We have zero tolerance for attacks on transit workers, and two senseless assaults days apart on employees just trying to do their jobs for the public is outrageous.” He continued, “We are grateful that the NYPD made immediate arrests in both cases, at Coney Island and Times Square, and hope the injured workers have a speedy recovery.”
Zachary Levi Responds To Rumors He's Being Recast As Shazam Amid DC Universe Shakeup
With all the shakeups at DC Universe happening, fans are now starting to get worried about Zachary Levi‘s Shazam.
The shakeup news first started with the announcement that Henry Cavill would not return as Superman in future films, and that a sequel to Black Adam is not on the table right now.
That’s all in addition to Wonder Woman being completely shelved amid restructuring of the film franchise under James Gunn and Peter Safran.
However, Zachary seems to have calmed fans’ nervousness about him leaving the role or being recast in any way.
In the social media rumors, fans were saying that Zachary had already be recast with someone else.
However, it doesn’t seem to be true, and Zachary has responded to the worries.
“Oooh, I really wouldn’t go believing everything you see on the internet. I’m Gucci, Ash. We all Gucci.”
He’ll return as the titular superhero in the upcoming Shazam! Fury of the Gods which is out in 2023.
Jamie Foxx Celebrated His 55th Birthday in Paris
Jamie Foxx celebrated his 55th birthday over the weekend with a party abroad!
The Oscar-winning actor had a fun night thanks to eyewear brand Privé Revaux, which hosted a birthday bash for him on Saturday night (December 17) in Paris, France.
The night began with an intimate dinner with family and friends at César Paris, followed by a night out at the exclusive L’Arc Paris, where everyone inside the club received a pair of his frames.
Jamie is one of the co-founders of the eyewear brand.
During the party, Jamie was presented with a five-tier birthday cake and he also took a turn in the DJ booth to spin tunes for his guests.
Zendaya Wants “Happiness” For Rue In ‘Euphoria’ Season 3
Zendaya revealed her hopes for her character, Rue, ahead of Euphoria’s anticipated third season. During an awards season Q&A, the HBO Max series‘ stars Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer, and Maude Apatow were present to answer questions about season 2’s success and what fans want to see the third time around.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Z offered insight into Rue’s character arc and the significance of the show’s season 2 standout episode focused on her entitled, “Stand Still Like the Hummingbird.” She expressed that the ending for the episode was always intended to be more hopeful than Euphoria’s usual fanfare.
“There was a much sadder ending to this season, and so we were thinking, ‘We can’t leave her here. She means too much to us,'” the actress known as Zendaya Coleman expressed to the crowd. “I think, collectively, as a people, we all needed a little bit of hope. We needed something to look forward to, some goodness and some joy, and trying to find that in a very painful time.”
She continued later in the Q&A, revealing her hopes for Euphoria’s lead after being asked about Rue’s future in season three of the award-winning series.
Zendaya, 26, disclosed that there is something “beautiful inside of [Rue]” and expressed a desire to further explore that untapped “happiness” as she learns how to enjoy life.
“And I know that she can do it because Sam wrote it, and Sam is Rue, and he’s done it,” the Emmy award-winning actress said, detailing how her character is based on Sam Levinson, the show’s creator, and his struggles with addiction.
“He’s proof that there is hope for Rue and anyone like Rue, and from the beautiful letters and people who have reached out — I am so grateful for those experiences when somebody comes up to me. And they speak about Rue and how they’ve connected to her or whatever part of their healing journey she has been able to be a part of. To me, that is the greatest, greatest gift I can ever ask, it gives me euphoria and purpose in what I do.”
Amy Grant's plan to host 'first bride and bride' wedding on family farm faces criticism
Amy Grant, an honoree at the 45th Kennedy Center Honors ceremony on Dec. 4, will be hosting a same-sex wedding for her niece. (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Amy Grant announcing that she's hosting a same-sex wedding for her niece has upset conservative pastor Franklin Graham.
The contemporary Christian singer-songwriter, 62, shared the family news in an interview with the Washington Post last month, ahead of her receiving the Kennedy Center Honors. The article noted how, in recent years, the "Breath of Heaven" songstress had voiced support for the LGBTQ community, through which she has a big fanbase. Also, she and her country music star husband, Vince Gill, are planning to host their niece's wedding on their family farm. Grant said it was her family’s "first bride and bride” nuptials.
Grant told the outlet that her reaction to her niece coming out was that it was "a gift" to the family. "Honestly, from a faith perspective, I do always say, 'Jesus, you just narrowed it down to two things: love God and love each other,'" she said. "I mean, hey — that's pretty simple.”
Graham — the outspoken head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, founded by his late father — has publicly criticized the six-time Grammy winner over the news. He wrote on social media, "God defines what is sin [in the bible], not us; and His Word is clear that homosexuality is sin."
Graham is known for being against same-sex marriage, comparing it to "polygamy or incest." He also opposed a bill banning anti-gay conversion therapy in 2017, calling homosexuality an "abomination."
While the post was on Graham's social media pages, the "Baby, Baby" singer received a lot of support in the comments. Some included, "Thank you Amy, for your courage and love for all of God’s people — I know it comes at a cost," wrote one person. Another called Grant "a wonderful example of Christian witness for decades. So many of her songs have helped me through tough times. I’m so sorry that all you can do is judge and condemn. You've got the whole gospel wrong. Very sad." Another wrote, "Oh, you did NOT just go after Amy Grant! How DARE you criticize someone for showing love? She is an amazing woman who has shown more grace and charity than you ever have. You don't get to judge her or anyone else. I believe that is made perfectly clear in your Bible."
A rep for Grant didn't respond to Yahoo's request for comment about Franklin's criticism.
Kennedy Center honoree contemporary Christian and pop singer-songwriter Amy Grant and husband
The Kennedy Center Honors will be broadcast Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. on CBS. Singer Brandi Carlile, who helped honor Grant at the event, told Entertainment Tonight about the support Grant has given her through the years, especially after she came out in 2002.
Grant's music "was this really big part of my childhood. I always saw Amy and knew Amy as a faith-based singer, as a Christian singer specifically," six-time Grammy winner Carlile said. "Coming out of the closet, Amy was one of the first people to reach out to me, invite me on her television show in my early twenties. And then just recently, you know, on social media has been really supportive of me and other queer artists specifically. I know she's taking some heat for it. I know it hasn't been easy, and I admire her so much for that." Carlile added that what Grant has done for her "personally and publicly, as a queer person, [has] been really big and important in my growth."
Grant attended the event with Gill, marking her first red carpet appearance since she suffered a head injury in a bike accident this summer. In July, she hit a hit a pothole while bicycling in Nashville and was thrown from the bike. Grant, who had on a helmet, sustained cuts and bruises as well as a concussion after being knocked unconscious for about 10 minutes. She was was briefly hospitalized.
Nigerian Child Chess Prodigy Who Won Championship at 8 Is Granted Asylum to Stay In US. Now His Sights Are Set on World Title
A Nigerian immigrant who defied the odds and became a chess champion at 8 years old while living in a homeless shelter has been granted asylum to stay in the U.S.
Reports show Tanitoluwa “Tani” Adewumi and his Christian family left their homeland to escape the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram in 2017. They later sought religious asylum out of fear of what could happen if they returned to Nigeria.
Even though Tani’s family struggled to maintain permanent housing in New York, the talented chess player took the sport by storm. When Tani was in the third grade, he defeated 73 other chess players in his age group to win the state championship. Two years later, he became the national chess master becoming the 28th-youngest person to secure the title.
Tanitoluwa “Tani” Adewumi celebrates becoming an American national master at the Fairfield County Chess Club in Norwalk, Connecticut, in May 2021. (Photo: The U.S. Chess Federation)
Tani wanted to take his winning strike global, but he could not leave the country because of his immigration status and pending application.
“That was a very big challenge for him,” Tani’s father, Kayode Adewumi, said.
Tani’s family has since found a permanent home after the first story of his chess accomplishments went viral. A GoFundMe account his father created was flooded with $257,179 in donations, surpassing the $50,000 goal in 2019.
Now the family has another reason to celebrate. The 12-year-old boy, his parents and his older brother, have been granted asylum and can continue living in the U.S., allowing Tani to bring home more trophies and medals to add to the showcase, especially the title of grandmaster, one of the highest accomplishments a chess player could reach.
“It feels amazing because it’s been such a long journey,” Tani told The Washington Post. “I’m just grateful that we’ve gotten this opportunity.
Tani learned the game at his elementary school in Manhattan and grew so fond of it that he asked his mother to join the chess club. Soon afterward, Tani competed against other young players and grew into a player no one could beat. He became a national master in 2021. However, the family’s asylum case loomed over his head.
The Adewumis applied for asylum in 2019 and had to wait on a court date amid a lengthy immigration process and the COVID-19 pandemic. They feared they would be sent back to Nigeria, where their lives would be in danger because of their beliefs.
Boko Haram members were looking for Tani’s father right before they fled the country, the BBC reports. He owned a printing business in his hometown and was approached by Boko Haram members about printing pamphlets, and he refused. Men went to his home days later and questioned his wife and sons.
“I was seriously worried,” he said.
However, attorney Matthew Ingber learned about Tani in 2021 and assembled a legal team to help the Adewumis with the case.
“There is always risk associated with any trial,” said Ingber, adding that deportation is “always a risk when you’re dealing in these types of asylum cases.”
The lawyers helped the family “speed up the process and ensure that they got a favorable outcome,” attorney Christopher Mikesh said. “What we thought would be a better idea is to try to convince the government that this case really was open-and-shut, and there was no real question that our clients deserved asylum.”
“They’re active members of their church, of their community, of their school. They really are a paradigm case for granting asylum,” Ingber explained. “They are contributing in ways that should make us all feel very proud to have them as part of our country.”
The family had a hearing in July, where a judge reviewed the application and moved it forward to the next step. The final approval was granted in October, and the family received their asylum cards on Nov. 30, The Washington Post reports.
The father said they would apply for permanent residency in about a year, which would give them the flexibility to travel.
Tani is now excited about his chances of winning the grandmaster title.
“I know I will do it, and I know it will happen,” he said. “The future is bright. It’s full of color and good things.”
JoJo Siwa Says She Was ‘Used’ for Views and ‘Clout’ Following Avery Cyrus Breakup
JoJo Siwa is seemingly calling out her ex-girlfriend, TikTok creator Avery Cyrus.
In a clip posted to her mom Jessalynn Siwa’s Instagram Stories on Monday, the 19-year-old appeared to address her split from Cyrus after three months of dating. Jessalynn asked her daughter why she was upset as she paced back and forth in a room.
"’Cause I got used!" JoJo said. "For views and for clout, and I got tricked into being told that I was loved, and I got fucking played!"
While JoJo did not directly name the TikTok creator in the rant, Cyrus later spoke with People about the viral video. Cyrus explained that her relationship with JoJo ended in an amicable place. "From my perspective, me and JoJo left on great terms and are still friends. The relationship was very real and I have nothing but love for JoJo and her family. I'm still very hurt that JoJo broke up with me and am saddened and confused by the situation."
Siwa and Cyrus were romantically linked in August after the “Hold the Drama” singer’s on-and-off relationship with Kylie Prew. The couple became social media official following a TikTok video of them together. “Happiest girl,” Siwa captioned the clip.
One day after confirming their relationship, Cyrus and Siwa made their red carpet debut. They attended the opening night of Alanis Morissette’s jukebox musical Jagged Little Pill at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. At the event, the two smiled ear to ear as they packed on the PDA.
Justin Bieber Denounces New H&M Collection: “I Didn’t Approve It Don’t Buy It”
After clothing store H&M released a new collection featuring Justin Bieber’s face printed across several articles of clothing, the Canadian pop star took to Instagram to denounce it, stating that H&M moved forward with the collection without his approval.
The collection includes a sweatshirt, a bag, and a dress with Bieber’s face and lyrics etched onto them.
“I didn’t approve any of the merch collection that they put up at H&M,” he wrote in a now-expired Instagram story. “All without my permission and approval. SMH I wouldn’t buy it if I were you.”
He added a second post, slightly more inflammatory than his first.
“The H&M merch they made of me is trash and I didn’t approve it don’t buy it,” he wrote in the second story.
In a statement to CBC News, H&M denied any wrongdoing.
“As with all other licensed products and partnerships, H&M followed proper approval procedures,” H&M explained.
As of the time of writing, none of the aforementioned products are available to purchase on either of H&M’s Canadian or American websites.
Ex-Texas Cop Sentenced to Nearly 12 Years in Prison for Killing Atatiana Jefferson
A former Texas police officer was sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison Tuesday following his manslaughter conviction for shooting Atatiana Jefferson in her own home in 2019.
Aaron Dean, the 38-year-old White former Fort Worth police officer, had faced up to 20 years in prison for killing Jefferson, a 28-year-old Black woman.
Dean, in a gray suit, stood in court and showed no emotion as the sentence was read. Jefferson’s relatives read impact statements after the term of 11 years, 10 months and 12 days in prison was announced.
“My sister did not do anything wrong,” said Ashley Carr, Jefferson’s sister. “She was in her home, which should have been the safest place for her to be and yet turned out to be the most dangerous. She was murdered and, as her big sister, I live every day with the pain that I could not do my job and protect her.”
Carr said she pitied Dean.
“Not because of the punishment you have received for your crime,” she told Dean in court. “You and I both know that is insufficient. I pity your ignorance… You do not know enough to be ashamed. You’re not self aware enough to understand your responsibility for this evil act.”
The jury began deliberating on the sentence on Monday after convicting Dean last Thursday.
Prosecutors asked jurors to sentence Dean to the maximum 20 years in prison, saying anything less was a “travesty of justice.” Dean’s defense asked for a suspended sentence and community supervision, noting that he was acting in his role as a police officer and was not in need of rehabilitation.
The sentence comes more than three years after the deadly encounter in which Dean and his partner responded to Jefferson’s house around 2:25 a.m. on October 12, 2019. They arrived at her house after a neighbor called a non-emergency police line to report that her doors were open. They did not announce themselves as police at the home, and Dean then fatally shot through a bedroom window at Jefferson, who had been playing video games with her nephew, who was 8.
Dean resigned from the force days afterward and was arrested and charged with murder. He has been out on bond for the last three years.
Trial testimony, which touched on race, police violence, gun rights and body-camera footage, began on December 5.
Dean was charged with murder, but jurors were allowed to convict him on a lesser charge of manslaughter. They had deliberated for more than 13 hours, according to CNN affiliate WFAA, before announcing a guilty verdict Thursday. The manslaughter conviction of a police officer who was on duty is a first in Tarrant County, the station reported.
At trial, defense attorneys said Dean fired in self-defense, and Dean testified that he fired at Jefferson because she pointed a gun at him. He testified that he believed the home was being burglarized because the doors were open and the place appeared ransacked.
“The state cannot prove to you beyond a reasonable doubt that this was not self-defense,” defense attorney Bob Gill said. “It’s tragic, but is not an offense under the state of Texas.”
However, prosecutors argued there was no evidence he saw a gun in the woman’s hand before he fired at her. Further, Jefferson’s 11-year-old nephew, who was with her at the time, testified he did not see her raise a gun to the window. Dean’s police partner, Carol Darch, testified Dean did not mention he had seen a gun in the minutes after the shooting as they ran into the home.
“If you can’t feel safe in your own home, where can you feel safe?” Tarrant County prosecutor Ashlea Deener told jurors in closing arguments. “When you think about your house, you think about safety. It’s where you go to retreat, to get away from the world.”
Jefferson graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2014 with a degree in biology and worked in pharmaceutical equipment sales, according to her family’s attorney.
She had moved to Fort Worth a few months earlier to take care of her ailing mother and her nephews, family attorney S. Lee Merritt said at the time.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Announce New Netflix Project After Documentary
After releasing the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan, shocking the Royal Family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are teaming up with the streaming platform again.
The new project, Live to Lead, is inspired by Nelson Mandela and premieres on Dec. 31.
“This was inspired by Nelson Mandela, who once said, ‘What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived,” Prince Harry said.
Meghan continued, “It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
It will feature interviews with the late U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, climate change activist Greta Thunberg, social justice attorney and advocate Bryan Stevenson, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, South Africa’s national rugby union team captain and campaigner Siya Kolisi, feminist activist Gloria Steinem and anti-apartheid activist and former Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa Albie Sachs.
Harry and Meghan signed a multi-year deal in September 2020 with Netflix.
The documentary Harry & Meghan was just released, showcasing their love and what happened in Buckingham Palace. The multi-year deal consists of docuseries, documentaries, feature films, and more with Netflix, with the production company being named Archewell Productions.
Harry and Meghan made a Netflix record-watching deal for documentaries with 81.55 million hours.
Prince Harry says the upcoming documentary is”about people who have made brave choices,” while the Duchess of Sussex says “To fight for change and to become leaders.”
Harry adds, “And giving inspiration to the rest of us. To live, to lead.”
Trey Songz Surrenders to Police After Being Accused of Assaulting Two People at a Bowling Alley
Trey Songz has turned himself in to the police in New York after being accused of assaulting two people in October.
According to police, Songz was charged with assault after he was accused of punching a man and woman in the face at a bowling alley, leaving the woman hospitalized.
Songz surrendered to police a few weeks after the incident, where he was booked and given a desk appearance ticket for assault before being released.
As previously reported, the woman in question said the R&B crooner punched her in the bathroom of the New York bowling alley. The second victim, a man, was allegedly punched in the eye by Songz. He reportedly refused medical attention at the scene.
Trey’s lawyer, Mitch Schuster, told TMZ, “We have been proactively communicating with NY law enforcement, the DA, and all those involved. While we will respectfully and proactively work through all the appropriate channels, we are confident that Trey will be fully cleared of any wrongdoing.”
Wells Fargo to Pay $3.7 Billion for Mistreatment of Auto and Mortgage Customers
In a $3.7 billion settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Wells Fargo & Co. agreed to settle allegations of mistreating customers, including the agency’s $1.7 billion fine that’s the largest ever imposed.
On Tuesday, t he CFPB said that the agreement involves more than $2 billion in “redress to consumers” and blamed “widespread mismanagement” of auto loans, mortgages, and deposit accounts.
“Wells Fargo’s rinse-repeat cycle of violating the law has harmed millions of American families,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. “The CFPB is ordering Wells Fargo to refund billions of dollars to consumers across the country. This is an important initial step for accountability and long-term reform of this repeat offender.”
Wells Fargo has been working to settle several scandals under CEO Charlie Scharf since it came to light in 2016 that the bank had opened millions of fictitious accounts. Multiple business lines experienced issues, leading to two CEOs’ resignations and many expensive fines, including the Federal Reserve’s decision to cap the company’s assets.
The bank set aside a $2 billion charge in October to cover a range of regulatory and legal issues. Scharf warned that the charge “isn’t the end of it.”
“We and our regulators have identified a series of unacceptable practices that we have been working systematically to change and provide customer remediation where warranted,” Scharf said. “This far-reaching agreement is an important milestone in our work to transform the operating practices at Wells Fargo and to put these issues behind us.”
In the fourth quarter, Wells Fargo expects a pretax operating loss of about $3.5 billion, including the CFPB civil penalty, remediation, and other litigation expenses.
Chopra has already threatened to make penalties for big businesses more severe. Wells Fargo of San Francisco received a $100 million fine in 2016 for creating accounts without consumers’ consent.
For additional misconduct in 2018, the agency imposed a $1 billion sanction but gave the bank a $500 million credit for settling concurrently with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Progressive Democrats are pressuring Chopra to revive the consumer watchdog because they believe that the organization backed away from stricter policymaking and enforcement under Donald Trump.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘PINKY TUSCADERO’
That pink bikini is sizzling
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!
EFREM
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