#FASHIONFAB: Ariana DeBose is Women’s Health January/February 2023 Cover Star!
For actor-singer-dancer Ariana DeBose, a groundbreaking Oscar was just the beginning. Now the 31-year-old is working to carve out a life that’s truly her own—by setting boundaries, maintaining a harmonious mindset, and moving her body in ways that bring joy. In the cover story of Women’s Health’s January/February 2023 issue—The Beginners Issue—DeBose opens up about her year of firsts, getting honest about how it feels to break barriers and deal with the pressure to stay on top of her game. Plus in her Women’s Health “Body Scan” cover video, DeBose takes a deep dive on her body history discussing her skincare , shares the meaning behind her tattoos, reveals the workout routine that built her confidence and much more.
On becoming the first openly queer actor of color to win an Academy Award for acting: “The moment was important to me and became very important to many communities, and I’m grateful for everything that has transpired, but it was a pressure cooker. I felt that every day, and now even in the aftermath, I still feel it.”
On how realizing her dream of earning an Oscar left her feeling unsettled: “My greatest fear was that I’ve become a poster child for all the big things that I represent, and that people would be like, ‘Okay, great, you have this Oscar. Can you please go away now? Let’s move on. This is a blip. I show up every day for work to prove them wrong.”
On being in a “period of rebirth” as she plots her future moves: “It’s challenging. There are days where I feel like I’m failing at life, which is interesting because there are people who look at my life and think, She’s got it made. And in a sense, I do, and I’m so grateful. But there’s the other human side that is dealing with the consequence of what it is to have made it, and it’s not always comfortable. But I’m growing and learning, and I’m in a period of rebirth, and with rebirth comes transition.”
On releasing shifty energy—cutting ties with folks who’ve shown a different side of themselves after she claimed her award: “Friendships have morphed. It’s fascinating to see people want something different from you, like different access. I think people come into your life seasonally, and some seasons have come to a close. It’s a tough journey, but I believe in healthy boundaries. All of it is making me a better person, and a better artist.”
On how getting enough rest keeps her centered: “I can’t function if I haven’t slept properly. I believe in recharging.”
On her dedication to sustaining a solid physique: “For me, confidence starts within. So, if I don’t feel good in my body, I don’t feel good when I walk into a room. And, Boo, I don’t stumble anywhere! I have worked hard to look decent.”
The January/February issue—the Beginners Issue—hits newsstands nationwide on December 27.
#RHOSLC: 'Real Housewife' Jen Shah should get 10 years in prison after guilty plea for wire fraud, feds say
The Justice Department is requesting a decade in prison for "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Jen Shah ahead of her Jan. 6 sentencing for running a nationwide telemarketing scheme targeting seniors, according to newly filed court documents that also feature previously unreported victim impact statements from some of the elderly people she defrauded.
The Dec. 23 filing calls Shah, 49, "the most culpable person charged in this case," and "an integral leader of a wide-ranging, nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme that victimized thousands of innocent people.
"At the defendant’s direction, victims were defrauded over and over again until they had nothing left," Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, wrote. "She and her co-conspirators persisted in their conduct until the victims’ bank accounts were empty, their credit cards were at their limits, and there was nothing more to take."
Shah’s lawyers and representative did not immediately return requests for comment. Shah's lawyers have requested a three-year prison sentence, court documents show.
Shah and her “first assistant,” Stuart Smith, were accused in March 2021 of committing wire fraud and money laundering in a scheme in which they “generated and sold ‘lead lists’ of innocent individuals for other members of their scheme to repeatedly scam” from 2012 through 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
After initially pleading not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in April 2021, Shah entered a guilty plea to the wire fraud count this past July in a dramatic courtroom reversal a week before her trial was scheduled to begin.
The money laundering charge was tossed as part of the plea agreement, and Shah agreed to forfeit $6.5 million and to pay restitution up to $9.5 million, in addition to facing prison time of up to 14 years.
Smith also pleaded not guilty to the charges in April 2021, but later changed his plea to guilty in November 2021, court records show. Smith does not yet appear to have been sentenced, according to court documents.
'The burden you have caused me is overwhelming'
The filing includes five previously unreported victim impact statements that were written last month, ahead of what was supposed to be Shah's Nov. 28 sentencing, which was postponed to Jan. 6 at the request of her lawyers.
The statements shed new light on how Shah and her associates defrauded people and the impacts the scheme had on their victims, which allegedly included homelessness, suicidal ideation and severe health issues.
The victim who appeared to be defrauded out of the most money was a Canadian woman who lost more than $100,000 through the scheme's unrealized promises to help her start an unspecified new business.
She said the loss of money led her to contemplate suicide, required her to remortgage her house, almost led her to divorce, and has left her continuing to struggle to pay bills and care for her "critically ill" husband and 90-year-old father.
"The burden you have caused me is overwhelming, I can’t even really put words to the amount of anguish you have caused," that victim wrote to Shah in her impact statement.
A 60-year-old victim said she "suffered emotional and physical stress" after investing approximately $35,000 into what Shah's associates promised would be her own e-commerce business. After devoting more than 10 hours a day to what she thought was her business and not making any profit, she "realized that I was being scammed" and had two heart attacks in 2018, the first of which she said was brought on by "extreme stress."
Another victim with several serious health conditions said she became homeless after being pushed into nearly $30,000 debt through Shah’s scheme.
A 75-year-old retiree was defrauded of more than half her life savings — approximately $40,000 — through promises to coach her on how to market products online, she said in her victim impact statement. Several businesses under different names began subsequently contacting her with the same promises, and “coaching and information began to be duplicated,” she wrote.
A fifth victim, a widow in her mid-70s, asked the court to "let the punishment fit the crime" after Shah's scheme defrauded her out of nearly $10,000 by selling her a course that promised to help her "acquire a skill in computer knowledge and sales work." Not only did the course not adequately teach her how to start her own business, as promised, but telemarketers continued to call and harass her even after she realized she was being scammed and her attorney intervened, she wrote.
"The mental anguish is still with me, today, and the guilt I harbor from being so vulnerable and easy prey to such sharks, still swim in my mind," the victim said.
'The only thing I'm guilty of is being Shah-mazing'
In the most recent filing, the feds also allege that Shah “engaged in a yearslong, comprehensive effort to hide her continued role in the scheme,” and then tried to profit off the charges once they became public by selling merchandise claiming her innocence as part of “a public offensive.”
The recent filing also alleges that Shah appeared to mock the charges against her in her tagline in the opening credits of season two of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” in which she states: “The only thing I’m guilty of is being Shah-mazing.”
Bravo, the network on which "The Real Housewives” franchise airs, is owned by NBC Universal, the parent company of NBC News.
On the second season, "Housewives" cameras captured the moments before Shah's arrest — which did not occur on camera — and her cast members' apparent shock upon learning of the allegations against her. None of Shah’s costars are accused of any wrongdoing.
The show featured scenes from Shah’s opulent daily life, which included designer clothes and bags, lavish parties and a group of assistants dubbed the "Shah Squad," which Smith was purportedly part of.
Shah starred on the show since its first season, which premiered in 2020; the third season is currently airing.
In an Instagram post last week, Shah claimed she was initially told she would not be allowed to attend the show's season three reunion — which had just filmed — after her guilty plea, but that producers reversed course and invited her last month on the condition that she was willing to discuss her legal case, which she said she was unwilling to do.
“That expectation has no regard for me or my family’s well-being; so under legal advice, I will not be attending reunion,” she wrote.
A Bravo representative did not immediately return a request for comment.
Pleas for leniency
In court documents filed Dec. 16, Shah's family members pleaded for leniency in her sentencing in letters to the judge.
Her husband, Sharrieff Shah, 51, a cornerbacks/special teams coordinator for the University of Utah football team, who is not accused of a crime, pleaded that the judge consider her role as a wife and mother to their two sons; her "civic commitment and contributions to her community," which he said included making and distributing masks to homeless people during the pandemic and supporting LGBTQ youth; and her "sincere desire to correct her past wrongs."
Jen Shah also filed a statement with the court Dec. 16 — much of which was redacted — in which she wrote that she accepts "complete responsibility for my bad conduct" and alleged that "terrible business decisions ... stemmed from some personal painful experiences that I was going through in my life," including the 2018 deaths of her father and grandmother.
"My poor judgment and bad business associations caused innocent people to lose their money and be victimized by investing in poorly structured businesses/products that I influenced or controlled," she wrote. "For that, I am genuinely sorry, and I will work for the rest of my life to make it right."
Shah also claimed in that statement that she joined "The Real Housewives" to "escape the coaching business" and "have a platform to launch my fashion and beauty business."
"I hoped that by joining the show, I could restart my life and become someone my father and family would be proud of," she wrote.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
#MusicNews: Thom Bell, Musical Icon Of Philadelphia Soul, Dies At 79
Thom Bell is a name you may not know, but a man whose talents you certainly recognize. A pioneer of the iconic Philadelphia soul movement, Bell was a classically trained record producer, arranger and songwriter who produced the hits that were the soundtrack of an entire generation. News of Bell’s death on Thursday (December 22) was reported first by Patty Jackson, host of Philly R&B radio station 105.3 WDAS-FM. He was 79.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bell’s attorney confirmed his death saying, “Thom Bell left an indelible and everlasting mark on the history of popular music, but even more so, he will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind and loving friend and family man. The music world has truly lost one of the greats.”
Thom Bell worked with famed Philly producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff to create the Philadelphia soul sound that took over the R&B charts in the 1960s and 1970s. He is responsible for such hits as, “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) '' by The Delfonics, “Back Stabbers” by The O’Jays, and “You Make Me Feel Brand New” by The Stylistics to name a few.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1943, Bell and his parents moved to Philadelphia when he was a youngster and encouraged him to pursue his musical prowess. By his ninth birthday, Bell was playing the piano, flugelhorn and drums as part of his classical music education. His first job in 1965 was as an arranger under the Cameo-Parkway label where he also first met Gamble and Huff, but it wasn’t until he met the Delfonics that he was able to turn their 1968 “La La Means I Love You” into a top five hit in the U.S. In 1972, then he got with the Stylistics on “You Are Everything” and with the Spinners on “I’ll Be Around”.
Bell worked with some of the greatest voices in music including Dionne Warwick, Deniece Williams, Johnny Mathis, Elton John along with many others. He co-wrote a number of soul classics with his writing partner Linda Creed including “Betcha By Golly, Wow,” “You Are Everything,” “You Make Me Feel Brand New” and “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart).” These collaborations garnered Bell some 30 gold discs and 10 platinum discs as well the first Grammy awarded for producer of the year, non-classical. In 2017, Bell was presented with the Recording Academy’s trustees award, which is the institution’s lifetime achievement award for non-performers. He is survived by wife Vanessa and his children, Royal, Troy, Tia, Mark, Cybell and Christopher.
Fans have taken to social media to post messages of condolences using “#RIPThomBell to remember the legend
#HipHopNews: Wiz Khalifa Says He Wants a Verzuz Against Lil Wayne
Wiz Khalifa would like to take on Lil Wayne in a Verzuz battle.
On Thursday (Dec. 22), DJ Superstar Jay aired his sit-down with Wiz Khalifa where they discuss his latest album Multiverse. Later on in the discussion, the topic of Verzuz came up and the Pittsburgh rapper said his ideal opponent would be Lil Wayne.
"Wayne. I think that would be fun," Wiz said around the 14-minute mark of the discussion (below). "Because Wayne's a really dope performer. Me and him going back and forth performing bangers. That shit would be hard. And we both smoke hella weed. I think that would be more like a concert than a Verzuz."
"People don't understand your catalog," DJ Superstar Jay added. "You can sit in the club and be there for like 30 minutes with Wiz Khalifa records."
Wiz also named Kid Cudi as a potential matchup that would be fitting.
The internet has been weighing in on who would come out victorious.
"Wayne obviously beating Wiz Khalifa in a Verzuz. But let’s not act like Wiz won’t be swinging back. That nigga a mixtape king too," one person tweeted about the hypothetical matchup.
Others were not convinced it would be a good look for Wiz Khalifa to step on the Verzuz stage with Tune.
"Statistically speaking, it would make as much sense for me to do a Verzuz with Wayne as it would for Wiz Khalifa," someone else posted.
Verzuz has seemingly been on hold for months as cofounders Timbaland and Swizz Beatz work on the relaunch after going through a multimillion-dollar lawsuit with Triller over the platform.
#BoxOfficeNews: ‘Avatar’ sequel sails to 2nd week atop the box office
“Avatar: The Way of Water” sailed to the top of the box office in its second weekend, bringing in what studios estimate Sunday will be a strong $56 million in North America — a sign that the sequel may stay afloat into the new year and approach the massive expectations that met its release.
James Cameron’s digital extravaganza for 20th Century Studios has made $253.7 million domestically in its first 10 days of release, compared to $212.7 million in the same stretch for 2009′s first “Avatar,” which would go on to become the highest-grossing film of all time.
While Cameron’s films like the “Avatar” original and “Titanic” tend to have serious legs at the box office, sequels tend to open big and decline quickly, complicating guesses on where the film will end up. Its second-weekend drop-off from the $134 million it made in its first was not precipitous, given the way blockbusters open.
“This is James Cameron’s first $100 million opener,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore “For this movie to have opened that big and only dropped 58%, it shows it has staying power.”
Globally, “The Way of Water” is already the third highest-grossing film released in 2022, bringing in $855 million — putting it behind only “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jurassic World Dominion” — and is a lock to surpass $1 billion.
It’s also clear sailing for the film looking ahead, with more holiday time coming and no comparable competition until February, when Marvel’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is released.
Storms across the U.S. could keep people home, however.
“The biggest foe that Avatar is facing at this moment is the weather,” Dergarabedian said.
Universal’s animated Shrek spinoff, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” featuring the voices of Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek, finished a distant second with $11.35 million in its opening weekend.
Sony’s biopic “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody” finished third with $5.3 million.
The weekend’s biggest disappointment was “Babylon,” the epic of early Hollywood from “La La Land” director Damian Chazelle starring Brad Pitt and and Margo Robbie. In a nationwide release it brought in just $3.5 million, finishing fourth.
The tepid, $6.5 million opening weekend in October of director David O. Russell’s “Amsterdam,” another film, set in a similar period, that combined prestige, scope, star power and a celebrated auteur, brought industry worries that audiences just weren’t flocking to theaters for such films.
The concerns proved justified, as “Babylon” barely made more than half of the opening of “Amsterdam.”
The coming weeks in theaters, streaming showings and any nominations it may get could help “Babylon” rise above bomb status.
“I would say Babylon is a movie that isn’t about the opening weekend,” Dergarabedian said. “We’ll have to see what it does in the coming weeks then into the new year, particularly if it gets more awards buzz.”
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore, with Wednesday through Sunday in parentheses. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “Avatar: The Way of Water,” $56 million.
2. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” 11.35 million.
3. “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” $5.3 million.
4. “Babylon,” $3.5 million.
5. “Violent Night,” $3.14 million.
6. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” $3 million.
7. “The Whale,” $924,000.
8. “The Menu,” $617,000.
9. “The Fabelmans,” $550,000.
10. “Strange World,” $410,000.
Cher, 76, fuels speculation she is engaged to boyfriend, 36, with diamond ring photo
Is Cher engaged? The star has sparked rumours of a third marriage, sharing a photo on Christmas Day of what looks very much like an engagement ring. Her boyfriend is music executive Alexander Edwards, the ex-partner of model and TV star Amber Rose.
Cher has fuelled speculation she is engaged to her 36-year-old boyfriend after posting a picture of a diamond ring on Christmas Day.
The 76-year-old confirmed her romance with music executive Alexander Edwards in November, tweeting a picture of him accompanied by a red heart emoji.
But now it looks like they might be taking things one step further.
Cher tweeted an image of a glitzy ring on 25 December, writing alongside the snap: "THERE R NO WORDS, ALEXANDER, A.E."
While congratulations flooded in, some of her fans weren't entirely clear of the meaning behind the photo
One replied: "Wait wait wait hold uppp!! Is that a diamond ring or a ring with diamonds???? What does it meeeaaaan?????????"
Some other fans have been sceptical of the romance, with one telling the star earlier in December: "I'm immediately suspicious of his intentions towards you."
But Cher hit back, saying: "As we All Know ...I WASNT BORN YESTERDAY,& What I Know For Sure...There Are No Guarantees. Anytime you make a Choice You Take a Chance.I've Always Taken Chances...It's WHO I Am."
Edwards is the ex-partner of model and TV star Amber Rose, with whom he shares a three-year-old son, Slash Electric Alexander Edwards.
Rose accused her former partner of cheating multiple times during their relationship.
As for Cher, the Goddess of Pop has been married twice before.
It has been a tough few weeks for the singer, as her mother, Georgia Holt died at the start of December.
Al Roker celebrates Christmas with family after hospitalizations
The “Today” show weatherman —who has recently been in and out of the hospital—shared a family photo on Christmas Day.
In the pic, 68-year-old Roker sits at a table laden with food, along with his wife, Deborah Roberts, 62, and their children: Leila, 24, and Nick, 20.
Roker’s older daughter, 35-year-old Courtney, and her husband, Wesley Laga, were also in the snap.
All of them were wearing identical bright-green pajamas decorated with “Peanuts” characters.
Another photo revealed the family dog, rescue pup Pepper, in a matching outfit.
“From our family to yours, #merrychristmas,” he captioned the photo.
In a previous post, Roker shared that the family was enjoying a Christmas breakfast of bacon, arugula, gruyere, frittata, and homemade cinnamon buns courtesy of Courtney.
Earlier this month, the genial television personality returned to the “Today” show virtually after back-to-back hospitalizations.
“It’s been a tough slog, I’m not gonna deny this,” the weatherman told his co-anchors. “It’s been the hardest one yet, and you know I’ve had my share of surgeries.”
Roker noted that he had a “certain amount of weakness” after losing muscle mass in the hospital.
“I’m doing physical therapy every day, occupational therapy. I’ve got to just get my strength back,” he added. “I feel good. I feel strong. Every day I feel a little bit better.”
In November, Roker explained his absence from the NBC morning show.
“Last week I was admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs,” he wrote on Instagram. “After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrific medical care and on the way to recovery.”
He was released from the hospital but unfortunately had to be readmitted less than 24 hours later.
Roker’s ill health forced him to bow out as the co-host of the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” for the first time in 27 years. He also missed the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting.
The daytime Emmy winner has battled other health issues over the years including carpal tunnel surgery and a hip replacement.
In November 2020, the TV presenter shared his prostate cancer diagnosis with viewers, noting that the disease was “a little aggressive” despite catching it “early.”
Shaquille O'Neal hilariously sends a marriage proposal to rapper GloRilla on Druski's Instagram Live
Shaquille O'Neal recently hopped on internet celebrity Druski and rapper Gloria Woods a.k.a GloRilla's, Instagram live video. O'Neal wasn't just there to be among the viewers. He hilariously sent a marriage proposal to GloRilla. The former LA Lakers superstar didn't shy away from admitting his feelings and shooting his shot, saying (via NBA Central):
"Glo will you marry me?"
GloRilla hasn't responded to Shaq's comments. O'Neal has garnered a reputation for making absurd comments because of his comical nature. Many signs point towards O'Neal simply making a hilarious remark. For one, Woods is only 23 years old. GloRilla's relationship status is also undisclosed as of now.
Meanwhile, O'Neal is reportedly dating Annette "Annie" Ngozi Ilonzeh. Reports about their relationship came out in September this year, so it's safe to assume Shaq was only trying to entertain fellow Instagram Live viewers, who tuned into Druski and GloRilla's interactive session.
Also read: Who is Shaquille O'Neal's girlfriend? Exploring the personal life of the 4x NBA champion in 2022
GloRilla is a rapper who was born and brought up in Memphis. The young hip-hop sensation is just finding her feet in the industry. The 23-year-old rose to prominence earlier this year after the release of her songs FNF (Let's Go) and Tomorrow 2. FNF (Let's Go) was nominated for Best Rap Performance at this year's Grammy Awards.
Meanwhile, Tomorrow 2 featured rapper Cardi B. The song was in the top 10 of the Billboard Top 100. GloRilla has maintained her privacy and shared very few details about her personal life.
GloRilla has many years ahead of her, but with celebrities like Shaquille O'Neal acknowledging her status as a prominent public figure, the rapper may not take long to hit her stride as a top performer.
James Harden wants to LEAVE Philly and go back to Houston?
The early chatter about Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard James Harden considering a return to Houston dates back to before he requested a trade out of Brooklyn, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
When Nets officials first learned of Harden’s waning commitment to their franchise, his purported interest in rejoining the Rockets was on Brooklyn’s radar as much as the looming threat of Philadelphia. ESPN reported on Sunday about Harden’s openness to rejoining the Rockets in free agency this summer, one hour before the Sixers played New York on the network’s Christmas Day broadcast.
The 10-time All-Star was traded to Philadelphia in February in a blockbuster five-player deal that included Ben Simmons heading to Brooklyn.
By all accounts, the city of Houston and his foothold in the Rockets organization are something Harden missed the moment he left the franchise. It’s where he morphed from Sixth Man of the Year to Most Valuable Player and one of the most recognizable athletes in America. The Rockets were his franchise and Houston was his domain.
While Harden was frustrated with Kyrie Irving’s part-time playing status in Brooklyn and a January knee injury to Kevin Durant left him shouldering the Nets’ offensive burden, sources said Harden also longed for the familiarity of Houston, where he rose into a central magnate of the area’s popular culture and entertainment industry. You were someone in Houston if you knew Harden. And after one road visit to San Antonio last season, sources said, Harden took a detour amid the Nets’ road trip to have another evening as a Houston kingmaker.
A move to Philadelphia has partnered Harden with one of the game’s greatest centers in Joel Embiid, and reunited Harden with his former Rockets lead executive in Daryl Morey. Yet Philadelphia is also not Harden’s city. He still routinely finds opportunities to venture out and spend additional time in Houston amid his ongoing Sixers tenure. In December, Harden went out with Lil Baby for the rapper’s birthday following the Sixers’ double-overtime loss at the Rockets.
Harden’s apparent interest in rejoining the Rockets resurfaced among league personnel during his contract negotiations with Philadelphia this offseason. Some league executives wondered if that outcome was a real bogeyman for Harden’s services while he weighed opting into his preexisting 2022-23 contract term with the Sixers. Although team officials consistently categorized their discussions with Harden’s representatives as productive, the league office went so far as docking Philadelphia two second-round picks for just how collaborative their dealings were in allowing the 76ers ample cap space to sign P.J. Tucker and Danuel House. Harden accepted a $15 million pay cut from his original $47 million player option to help juice the Sixers roster with enough talent to compete for a championship. To say he has not been invested in this current situation in Philadelphia would be a mischaracterization.
Winning has been the ultimate baseline for this current Sixers group. “There’s nothing to be happy about, about just getting to the conference finals or the Finals. You gotta win the whole thing,” Embiid recently told Yahoo Sports.
A championship is the one thing Harden’s resume lacks as well. People familiar with Harden’s thinking have long listed Dwyane Wade’s three titles as something Harden sees ahead of his standing on the great guard rankings in NBA history. The rebuilding Rockets aren’t exactly a more established situation for Harden to earn a trophy.
Harden’s agreement to remain in Philadelphia is a one-year deal plus another option for the 2023-24 season. It is no secret his partnership with Embiid may not last beyond that. But this season is still, and will always be, rooted in a clear common initiative of contending for a championship. If Harden is truly eyeing a move back to Houston as his version of retiring to Florida once that last accolade is in his trophy case, it would be one tremendous coda to a quixotic career. But if there’s an impression Harden is looking at Houston now like he was looking at Philadelphia this time last season, and fans are bracing for another midseason trade, that prospect seems out of the question until this season has come to a definitive close
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley posthumously honored with Congressional Gold Medal
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley will be posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. On Wednesday (Dec. 21), Congress passed the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021, making way for the teen and his mother to be honored. The legislation is now awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature.
“The brutal lynching of Emmett Till and the subsequent bravery and boldness of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, became a catalyst for the civil rights movement… The people of the United States honor the legacy of Emmett Till and the incredible suffering and equally incredible courage, resilience and efforts of Mamie Till-Mobley that led to the civil rights movement that began in the 1950s,” read Congress’ response to the bill. The National Museum of African American History will display the esteemed award near the casket Till was buried in.
Till’s 1955 death has been well-documented throughout history. As many know, the 14-year-old was kidnapped from his uncle’s home in Money, Mississippi, and then beaten, shot and his body disposed of in the Tallahatchie River. The heinous acts were committed after a white woman, Carolyn Bryant Donham, accused him of flirting with her. Donham’s husband at the time, Roy Bryant, and his half-brother, JW Milam, were charged with the Chicago native’s death but later acquitted. Decades later, in an unpublished memoir, Donham claimed she did not reveal the identity of Till to her former husband or Milam, but there was nothing she could do to protect him.
Till-Mobley famously had her son’s disfigured face photographed by Jet magazine at his funeral. Rep. Bobby L. Rush said her decision made the teen’s death one of the most well-known lynchings in American history. “Without the courage and determination of his mother, Mamie, in keeping his casket open during his funeral, the world would not know what happened to him or the full horrors of white supremacy,” said Rush in a statement..
Netflix Announces Official Title for 'Luther' Movie Starring Idris Elba
We’re getting closer to the release of Idris Elba‘s new movie!
Netflix recently announced the official name for the movie adaption of Luther, which 50-year-old actor will be reprising his titular role in, which will be released in March 2023.
The movie will officially be titled Luthor: The Fallen Sun.
Here’s the movie’s synopsis: “In Luther: The Fallen Sun — an epic continuation of the award-winning television saga reimagined for film — a gruesome serial killer is terrorizing London while brilliant but disgraced detective John Luther (Elba) sits behind bars. Haunted by his failure to capture the cyber psychopath who now taunts him, Luther decides to break out of prison to finish the job by any means necessary.”
Directed by Jamie Payne, the movie also stars Cynthia Erivo, Andy Serkis, and Dermot Crowley, who returns as Martin Schenk.
Luther ran for five seasons between 2010 and 2019. The last season of the show aired on BBC in 2019 and saw Luther getting arrested after letting serial killer Alice Morgan die
Queen Latifah & Longtime Partner Eboni Nichols Spotted at Christmas Eve Dinner
Queen Latifah enjoyed a night out with her longtime love Eboni Nichols on Christmas Eve!
The 52-year-old Oscar-nominated actress was seen having dinner at the popular Italian restaurant Giorgio Baldi on Saturday night (December 24) in Santa Monica, Calif.
Queen and Eboni were joined by some friends for their holiday celebration.
The final performance of the Broadway play Ain’t No Mo’ happened one night earlier and Queen was one of the people who put up money to help extend the run of the show after it was given an abrupt closing notice. After several celebs bought out performances, the show was able to extend by one week.
Nike Officially Introduces the Ja 1, Ja Morant’s First Signature Shoe
Confirming one of the sneaker industry’s worst-kept secrets, Nike has officially announced that it’s adding Memphis Grizzlies superstar guard Ja Morant to its signature roster. The brand has designated Morant as its ‘first Gen Z’ signature athlete, touting him as a revolutionary player who is setting the tone for modern basketball culture.
The announcement is accompanied by the unveiling of Morant’s first signature sneaker, the Nike Ja 1. According to Nike, the Zoom cushioned low-top is “constructed to keep players in control, maximize hang time, and reduce landing force through lockdown benefits.” The shoe, previewed in a Grizzlies-like colorway, features a mesh-constructed upper, reinforced midfoot, wrap-around gradient Swoosh, and graphic detailing along the heel.
“It’s a shoe for underdogs who have the dawg in them,” said Morant about the Ja 1. “Kicks for anyone who has ever been underrated or overlooked, who’s been told they’re too small, or their dreams too big.”
“His authentic personality, deep love for his community and family and joy for the game make him very special — on and off the court,” said Nike VP of Global Men’s Basketball Scott Munson. “We are thrilled to add Morant to our signature roster and can’t wait for everyone to learn more about his first shoe, the Nike Ja 1.”
The Ja 1 is adorned by Morant’s first signature logo, inspired by his dynamic precision and determined approach to playing. A stylized ‘JA’ sits atop a chevron, symbolic of Morant’s ability to rise above all obstacles.
Morant will debut the Ja 1 on-court in today’s Christmas Day matchup against the Golden State Warriors. The release is set to take place in April. More details regarding the launch will be announced early next year.
Heckled fan Jerry Edmond sits next to Robert Kraft at Patriots vs. Bengals
The New England Patriots (7-8) botched another decisive play down the stretch, this time against the Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson was once again responsible for the New England loss. Last week, against the Las Vegas Raiders, he passed the ball back instead of going down, resulting in a game-winning touchdown for the home side.
During that road loss, Patriots fan Jerry Edmond went viral on social media for keeping his composure as a woman in Raiders gear laughed in his face. She was reportedly heckling him the entire game and he never retaliated. It was the first NFL game he had ever attended.
Owner Robert Kraft invited Edmond to his suite Sunday to watch his Patriots face the Bengals. Unfortunately, Edmond's second NFL game also ended in shock and disappointment.
Mac Jones had led New England to the red zone trailing 18-22 with a couple minutes left in the final frame and could have won the game with a touchdown. Stevenson then fumbled the ball to ruin a second straight contest for head coach Bill Belichick.
While the fumble did secure the loss for the home side, Joe Burrow and company also deserve a lot of credit for the win.
Burrow finished the game with 375 passing yards and three touchdowns against two interceptions, doing so on 40-for-52 completions.
Bengals are riding a seven-game winning streak and look poised to make a return to the Super Bowl.
The Baltimore Ravens secured its postseason ticket following the New England loss.
Voting Rights Activists Latosha Brown Bereaved Following Death of Her 29-Year-Old Son
*LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of Black Voters Matter, is grieving following the passing away of her 29-year-old son, Keambiroiro “Keambi” Rashidi Lane. Brown shared the sad news on her Twitter page on December 19. Brown also posted photos that pictured her standing next to her son at various ages.
The caption read: “My one and only beautiful baby boy has transitioned to the heavenly realm. He was only 29. We had a very special love for each other. Rest In Peace my baby. You were my gift from God. Pray for us. #KBug.”
The cause of Lane’s death is yet to be known. Several fans and stars posted condolence messages on the rights activist’s social media pages.
“@mslatoshabrown this is so sad,” wrote R&B icon Maxwell. “You changed the geo-political environment for so many and this is just tragic and heartbreaking. We got you sis forever and ever. LOVE.”
“Sending my deepest condolences & prayers for your increased strength & comfort,” another user commented.
Brown has created a scholarship fund in memory of her son. The fund will help cover the educational expenses of Lane’s two sons, Trenton, 8, and MeKhi, 2. It had generated over $4,000 at the time of compiling this report.
“God gave me a gift when I birthed Keambiroiro “Keambi” Rashidi Lane,” the community leader wrote on the campaign’s website. “I am forever grateful for the 29 years that I had to create memories with my one and only son. He was the light of my life and his transition leaves a void that will never be filled. His legacy will live on through his two adorable sons…Thank you, for thinking of us. Your thoughts and prayers are sustaining us through this time.”
President Biden Announces New Plan To Reduce Homelessness By 25% By 2025
President Joe Biden has announced a new plan to lower the homelessness numbers by 25%. The achievement is aimed to be reached by 2025.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development notes about 582,000 people were counted as homeless. That number does not include citizens living with loved ones by necessity. The number is the same as the count before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My plan offers a roadmap for not only getting people into housing but also ensuring that they have access to the support, services, and income that allow them to thrive,” Biden said.
According to NBC News, the 2022 All-In plan harkens to the Opening Doors effort of 2010, which was the first comprehensive effort to tackle homelessness.
The plan highlights racial and other disparities that have impacted homelessness while sharing ways to improve homeless prevention and provide affordable housing.
The full plan is available here.
15 Deaths Reported In Multiple States, 1.6M Without Power As Winter Storm Slams U.S.
Winter came in strong this year. Just days into the season, it has already formed what some meteorologists are calling a “once-in-a-generation storm.”
Fifteen deaths have already been reported since Wednesday, including four who died in a massive Ohio highway pileup that involved 46 cars.
1.6 million homes and businesses have lost power due to the winter storm.
Two other car accidents—one in Kansas and another in Missouri—were the cause of death for four others.
“This is a stark reminder of what can happen when you get behind the wheel and try to drive in bad weather conditions,” Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Ryan Purpura said in a video posted to Twitter.
“High winds are still remaining, and white-out conditions are still persistent,” Purpura added. “We ask that you do not travel unless you absolutely have to. If you do have to travel, we ask that you take precautions, take it slow, be patient, wear your seatbelt and increase your following distance.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed the deaths of three people due to stormy conditions. Two people died in car crashes while a man was found dead outside due to the freezing temperatures in Louisville, Kentucky.
On Thursday, more than 110 million people were warned about the winter blast that impacted 37 states, according to CNN.
Parts of the Midwest and Plains will likely be expected to have their coldest Christmas in 40 years and experience “near-zero visibility and considerable blowing and drifting of snow,” the National Weather Service reported. “This will lead to dangerous, to at times impossible, land and air travel leading up to the holiday weekend.”
“I encourage everyone, everyone to please heed the local warnings,” President Joe Biden said Thursday.
“This is not like a snow day when you were a kid,” the president added, pleading with travelers to leave early if possible and to stay safe. “This is serious stuff.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
HOT HAIRY MESS
You ever hear the term “hot mess”? Imagine if that phrase came to life.
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
No comments:
Post a Comment