#MAGFAB: Paul Rudd is MEN’S HEALTH March Issue Cover Star!
Paul Rudd is back as Ant-Man—and the superhero life actually fits him pretty well. For the March 2023 cover story, Men’s Health discovered that Rudd’s real superpower is far more than just being funny. The everyday hero opens up about how he stays strong and happy, and how he feels about his shirtless scene being cut from Ant-Man. Plus, in his Men’s Health Eat Like video, Rudd shares how he eats to get fit, whether he’s preparing for his superhero role or living a healthy, “normal life.”
On landing Ant-Man and joining a superhero franchise: “My agent set up a meeting with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Marvel was pretty new. They weren’t even part of Disney. It would’ve been like somebody saying, How would you feel about doing Dancing with the Stars? A superhero franchise was never on my radar. I never really thought I was the type of actor that they would offer any of those parts to. But when this idea came around, I was excited about doing something that was so out of left field, and I knew that if it was announced that I was going to be joining a superhero franchise, most people would say, What the f*ck?And I got to wear a superhero suit.”
On his most important tip for a superhero body, eternal youth, and happiness: “Sleep. Then diet. Then weights. Then cardio. People ask me, ‘Can you send me your meal plan? How many times a week do you work out? Do you drink? Do you eat carbs? Do you have a cheat day?’ The most important part of training is sleep. People will set their alarm and then sleep for four hours and they’ll get up so that they can train. They’re doing themselves a disservice. If you can somehow get eight hours of sleep . . .”
On his morning routine: “I get up and I have a cup of coffee, and then I do cardio before I eat anything. I never would’ve done that before [Ant-Man]. I lift weights, hopefully at least three times a week. And I’ve learned so much about how my body reacts to foods, how it reacts to exercise, and where I’m happiest and how much it affects me mentally…. If I’m in this suit, running around playing a character who’s supposed to be a superhero, I just feel better. And I feel less like an impostor.”
On why regimen has become essential for him: “I find routine comforting. There isn’t an office that we have to go to every day where we see the same people and do the same kind of job. Routine is a human need. It’s grounding in a really positive and healthy way.”
On getting back into shape for Quantumania: “I worked really hard to get back into shape for Quantumania, and I realized, Oh my God, this is so much harder than it was [for the last Ant-Man project]. I had fallen off more than I had in the past. All of a sudden my clothes fit tight. And I thought, God, this sucks. I can’t even wear these pants. So I’d say to myself, Well, I might as well just eat some of these cookies. I was irritable and self-conscious. I just wasn’t in a good mood. I really beat myself up.”
On being a Men’s Health cover star: “My first reaction to being in Men’s Health was: I can’t. There’s no way. But [my rep] said, ‘No, you don’t understand. You’re doing the magazine.’ So I thought, It’s gonna motivate me. It’s gonna force me into it. And it did. But the fitness that I do now has less to do with the fact that I might have to do another Marvel movie or a magazine shoot and more because I finally understand if you make fitness a part of your lifestyle, you’ll just feel good.”
On whether he sees what others see—that he does not seem to have aged as quickly as other men in their 50s: “I see some things that people are politely not acknowledging. I’m certainly happy that people don’t say the opposite. Like, God, he looks a hundred years old! It’s flattering, but at the same time, I never know what the response is supposed to be.”
In his Men’s Health “Eat Like” video, on how his diet has changed over the years: “The basic overview of what I eat changed about10 years ago when I first got all the ant stuff. It was the first time in my life that I really had to change my approach to nutrition, training…I had always worked out – here and there – when I did [Ant-Man], it was like a shift. All of a sudden, fitness and nutrition became the centerpiece of the day and everything else fit in around it.”
The March 2023 issue of Men’s Health featuring Paul Rudd hits newsstands nationwide on February 7.
#RHOA: Porsha Williams Reveals What PJ Was Doing While She Was on Her Honeymoon
Porsha Williams is honeymooning hard. The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum and her husband, Simon Guobadia, are in Malta for the ultimate couple’s getaway. But as she basks in the island sun, Porsha has Georgia on her mind — specifically, a 3-year-old who lives there.
The newlywed shared an update from her homefront on February 5. “FaceTime with my other honey while on Honeymoon,” Porsha wrote on Instagram. The “other honey” in question was Porsha’s daughter, PJ, who’s been getting artsy while her mama is in Malta.
A recorded FaceTime chat showed PJ with a sketchpad in hand. “Sweet baby drew a picture of she and I!” Porsha wrote. Dressed in her panda-printed best, PJ also shared a peek at her latest coloring work.
As she chatted with her mom, it seemed the Atlanta kiddo was in a celebratory mood. “Blessed… that there was a cheers at the end,” Porsha wrote. The video showed PJ raising her apple juice for a virtual clink, while her mom held up a tropical drink.
While on their honeymoon, Porsha and Simon have had a few toasts of their own. The couple sipped red wine in their hotel room during an intimate pajama party, and they had a “lovely dinner” at a swanky island restaurant.
Porsha’s honeymoon posts also show an idyllic breakfast by the sea and an alfresco lunch set to the sounds of “Sexual Healing.”
#MusicNews: Samara Joy Performs on ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’ With ‘Guess Who I Saw Today’
The 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards have come and gone, sparking much conversation in their immediate wake. The annual awards show got a few things wrong and a few things right on music’s biggest night. One thing they got very, very right was choosing jazz singer Samara Joy as the winner of the coveted Best New Artist award. It was an amazing moment for the 23-year-old singer. If, however, it left you wondering who exactly this mega-talent is, let’s rewind to when she stopped by The Jennifer Hudson Show just over a week before the ceremony took place.
Samara took the stage to perform her rendition of “Guess Who I Saw Today,” a jazz standard about a woman who discovers her husband is cheating on her through a chance encounter. The song is presented as a story told from the woman’s perspective and requires an engaging singer to deliver it properly. Samara is up to the task, bringing the ballad to dazzling life on the show’s stage while wowing both Jennifer Hudson and the audience with vocals that belie her young age.
WATCH HERE
Samara Joy also got to sit down with JHud to discuss that magic moment when she found out she was GRAMMY nominated (the Bronx native broke into a dance inside New York’s Penn Station). She also explained her musical upbringing, including the fact that she’s only been singing jazz for five or six years.
With her bubbly personality and jaw-dropping talent (not to mention the two GRAMMYs now under her belt), it’s safe to say that we’ll be hearing a lot more from Samara Joy for years to come.
#HipHopNews: Fivio Foreign Gives Release Info For Upcoming Dj Drama Gangsta Grillz Mixtape
Fivio Foreign has shed some light regarding the release of his upcoming Gangsta Grillz mixtape with DJ Drama, and fans may not have to wait long for it.
On Monday (February 6), the “Big Drip” rapper took to his Twitter with a video of him linking up with ukelele player and producer Einer Bankz. The two are walking up a sidewalk with Bankz playing his ukelele and Fivio rapping a few verses from an unreleased song.
In his caption, Fivio revealed his Gangsta Grillz mixtape would arrive in April. It’s unclear if the song he freestyled will appear on the tape.
“Mixtape Coming In April… @DJDRAMA,” Fivio wrote in his caption.
If the Brooklyn native sticks to April, his mixtape will arrive a full year after he dropped his debut album B.I.B.L.E. which also happens to be the last project he’s released. Fivio took to Twitter last month to announce he was linking up with DJ Drama for an entry in the beloved mixtape series.
Fivio Foreign’s upcoming Gangsta Grillz mixtape is the latest project in DJ Drama’s legendary series to be announced. The Generation Now co-founder resurrected the series with several high-profile releases from the likes of Tyler, The Creator, J. Cole and Dreamville, Jeezy, Dave East, Snoop Dogg, Jim Jones, Symba and more.
Last December, Juelz Santana announced he was going to link with DJ Drama for a mixtape titled We In Motion that’s slated to arrive very soon. He’s been teasing singles with Jadakiss, Joyner Lucas and more.
Pusha T and Drama also announced they’ll be linking up for a Gangsta Grillz project during a Twitter Spaces chat with Rap Radar’s B. Dot in December. The news arrived after King Push revealed in an interview with XXL that he was working on both an album and a mixtape.
While speaking with Complex on the red carpet before the 2023 Grammys kicked off on Sunday (February 5), Drama predicted that his “spicy” collab with King Push will emerge victorious at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards next year.
“The Pusha T Gangsta Grillz definitely gonna be spicy,” he said. “I feel like it could potentially be the next mixtape to win a Grammy.”
The Philadelphia-bred DJ enjoyed his first taste of the golden gramophone last year when Tyler, The Creator’s Call Me If You Get Lost, which he hosted, won Best Rap Album.
LeBron James Makes NBA History, Surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Record as All-Time Leading Scorer
LeBron James has made NBA history! On Tuesday (February 7), the 38-year-old Los Angeles Lakers player surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar‘s record as the all-time leading scorer in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
In the third quarter of the game, LeBron scored a three-pointer, passing Kareem‘s career total of 38,387 points. LeBron now has 38,388 career points.
Kareem has held the record since 1984.
This season, LeBron is averaging 30 points per game.
LeBron is one of seven players to score 30,000 career points and the youngest player in NBA history to do it. The other players are Karl Malone (36,928), Kobe Bryant (33,643), Michael Jordan (32,292), Dirk Nowitzki (31,560), and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419).
After the game, Kareem came out on court to congratulate LeBron on securing the new record.
Congrats LeBron!
Michael Jackson Estate Nearing $800-$900 Million Catalog Sale
The King of Pop’s catalog could fetch close to a billion dollars. Michael Jackson’s estate is reportedly nearing a deal to sell half of the ownership stake in the legendary singer’s catalog in a blockbuster deal worth between $800 million and $900 million.
According to Variety, Jackson’s label Sony and a possible financial partner are looking to acquire 50% of the estate’s interests in his publishing, recorded-music revenues, Broadway show, and upcoming Michael biopic, among other assets.
Sources tell TMZ that the estate will never sell Jackson’s catalog outright, but they would entertain a 50/50 split, with the estate retaining complete control of the asset.
If the deal goes through, it would mark the biggest catalog deal to date. Sony previously acquired Bruce Springsteen’s publishing and recorded-music catalogs for around $600 million.
Earlier this year, Justin Bieber sold his music rights to Hipgnosis Songs Capital for a reported $200 million. Dr. Dre is also said to be entertaining a sale of his music income streams and assets in a deal valued at over $200 million.
Last month, the Jackson estate announced that a movie about the King of Pop is in the works, directed by Antoine Fuqua. Jaafar Jackson will play his late uncle in the Lionsgate biopic, which is set to begin production later this year.
Wendy Williams Won’t Have To Resume Paying Kevin Hunter Alimony
Wendy Williams won’t have to fork over alimony payments to her ex-husband Kevin Hunter, according to court documents obtained by Radar Online. In December, Hunter filed a lawsuit demanding for the media titan to resume alimony payments after she stopped sending spousal support in October 2021. Hunter claimed he was “broke” and couldn’t “pay his bills,” but this week, a New Jersey judge dismissed the suit.
According to the court docs, the judge found Kevin’s demands “not emergent” and tossed out the suit “without prejudice.” The judge also denied Hunter’s previous request for Williams to pay his attorney fees.
Solange Doesn't Congratulate Beyonce On History-Making Grammys Wins Amid Alleged Sister Feud
Solange Knowles and Beyonce Knowles reportedly are having a pretty serious beef. While the sisters used to be so close, an entertainment industry source claims that the pair are feuding as Solange has been absent from Bey's side in the recent months.
"We all thought it was odd that Solange wasn't part of [Beyonce's new album] 'Renaissance'," an insider told Media Take Out. "It's the kind of sound that's right up Solange's alley."
Not stopping there, Solange hasn't posted anything to show support for "Renaissance". On her Instagram and Twitter pages, the "Cranes in the Sky" singer only talked about her own projects. Solange also didn't congratulate Beyonce on her history-making wins at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
"I think it's weird for her not to be out supporting Beyonce," the informant continued. "Bey took a chance on her latest album ['Renaissance'] and she actually needed everyone to support it, to propel it to being the hit."
While the insider didn't have first-hand evidence of the sisters' rift, the source stressed, "I've heard things about their relationship. I think something is definitely going on between them."
At the 65th Grammy Awards, Beyonce set a new record for the most Grammy wins after taking home four awards, including trophies for dance/electronic recording, dance/electronic album, R&B performance and R&B song. In total, the iconic singer has collected 32 Grammys, breaking the record previously held by classical conductor Georg Solti.
Beyonce, however, lost out on top awards, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Album of the Year, at the ceremony. Song of the Year accolade went to Bonnie Raitt's "Just Like That", while Lizzo snagged the Record of the Year award for her smash hit "About Damn Time". As for Album of the Year, the coveted prize was presented to Harry Styles for his "Harry's House" album.
Madonna Blames 'Ageism And Misogyny' For Intense Criticism Over Youthful Appearance At Grammys
Madonna is responding to backlash over her appearance at the 2023 Grammys. The 64-year-old "Like a Virgin" hitmaker turned to her social media to rip trolls who made fun of her youthful face.
On Tuesday, February 7, the Queen of Pop fired back at the haters with a series of clips in which she's seen smiling and partying at the awards show. In the caption, she added a lengthy message to her haters.
"It was an honor for me to introduce Kim Petras and Sam Smith at the Grammys. I had wanted to give the last award which was Album of the year, but I thought it was more important that I present the first trans- woman performing at the Grammys-- a History making moment!! And on top of that she won a Grammy," Madge began.
Madonna then addressed the backlash, "Many people chose to only talk about Close-up photos of me Taken with a long lens camera By a press photographer that Would distort anyone's face!!" She continued, "Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny That permeates the world we live in. A world that refuses to celebrate women pass the age of 45 And feels the need to punish her If she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous."
Madonna went on to note that she has "never apologized" for her appearance, and she's "not going to start," before referencing Beyonce Knowles' "Renaissance" hit, "Break My Soul". She added, "I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career but I understand that this is all a test and I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come," before concluding, "Bow down b***hes!"
Madonna took the stage at the 2023 Grammy Awards on Sunday night, February 5 to introduce Sam and Kim's performance of their Grammy-winning song, "Unholy", applauding the duo for being daring, provocative, controversial and dangerous in music.
However, Madge's powerful speech was thrown to the side following the telecast, as the Internet began to criticize how different the pop icon looked, accusing her of botched plastic surgery and generally attacking her appearance.
Ex-officer texted photo of Tyre Nichols to others
One of the fired former police officers accused in the Tyre Nichols beating allegedly took a photo of Nichols as he lay on the street, and sent it to six other people including a female acquaintance, according to documents obtained by WREG.
The Memphis Police department has submitted documents to a state board for the five former officers — Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., Justin Smith, Demetrius Haley, and Tadarrius Bean — to be decertified. The five also face charges including second-degree murder.
“On your personal cell phone, you took two photographs while standing in front of the obviously injured subject after he was handcuffed. In your Garrity statement, you admitted you shared the photo in a text message with five (5) people; one civilian employee, two MPD officers, and one female acquaintance.”
The documents also state that Haley transmitted the photo to a sixth person, in violation of police policy.
On Jan. 7, several MPD officers pulled over 29-year-old Tyre Nichols in a traffic stop in the Hickory Hill neighborhood. He ran toward his parents’ house, resulting in a second encounter with police.
Video evidence shows officers kicking, hitting, and pepper-spraying Nichols before he was dragged across the pavement and propped up against a patrol car until medical help arrived.
At one point, an officer can be seen bending over Nichols and using his cell phone to take a photo.
The documents state Desmond Mills spoke with Nichols’ mother the night of the incident but he and the supervisor “did not obtain contact information or refused to provide an accurate account of her son’s encounter with police or his condition.”
They also state that Smith and Haley did not turn their body cameras on and Martin, Bean, and Mills took their body cameras off and placed them on nearby cars.
All five officers have been added to the county’s Giglio list, a list kept by the district attorney of compromised officers.
Madame Tussauds announces new Met Gala-inspired wax figure of Rihanna
Rihanna’s iconic ensemble from the 2018 Met Gala‘s “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” is set to be unveiled at Madame Tussauds New York City, the museum announced Tuesday (Feb. 7).
During the annual fundraising gala, the “Work” singer stunned viewers when she graced the red carpet in a silver-beaded corset minidress and matching robe set by the fashion house Margiela. She topped the look with a similar-beaded papal bishop’s hat and pretentious crucifix necklace. Per the press release, the look-alike figure will be unveiled in Madame Tussauds New York’s Glow Gala Room tomorrow (Feb. 8).
The timing of a new Rihanna figure announcement comes as the multi-hyphenate singer and entrepreneur will headline the highly anticipated halftime show of Super Bowl LVII, her first performance since releasing her 2016 album ‘Anti.‘
In a statement, Joerg Hanel, Madame Tussauds New York general manager, spoke on the Bajan singer and why “now” was the right time to unveil her new wax figure.
“Rihanna is sure to make history with her upcoming live show this Sunday (Feb. 12), so the timing is perfect for us to reveal her new figure exclusively at Madame Tussauds New York, where fans can admire and pose with the icon,” Hanel said.
Rihanna is considered a “generational talent” and beloved by many, including billionaire mogul JAY-Z, who is currently in a multi-year partnership with the NFL and part of the reason the “Umbrella” songwriter is this year’s Super Bowl headliner.
“Rihanna is a generational talent, a woman of humble beginnings who has surpassed expectations at every turn,” the hip hop mogul said of Rih Rih. “A person born on the small island of Barbados who became one of the most prominent artists ever. Self-made in business and entertainment.”
The NFL Head of Music, Seth Dudowsky, echoed similar praise of Rihanna’s iconic resume as he spoke on bringing the Savage Fenty founder to the big stage.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rihanna to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show stage,” he stated. “Rihanna is a once in a generation artist who has been a cultural force throughout her career. We look forward to collaborating with Rihanna, Roc Nation, and Apple Music to bring fans another historic halftime show performance.”
Later this year, Rihanna is set to receive another wax figure, but this time, at Madame Tussauds Orlando in honor of the Super Bowl. According to the release, the figure will be Rihanna wearing her outfit from the championship game.
Death toll tops 5,000 for Turkey and Syria earthquake
As previously reported yesterday (Feb. 6), a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, sending catastrophic jolts throughout the region. As rescue teams from multiple countries were deployed, the death toll reportedly rose to over 2,300. Sadly, today (Feb. 7), that number has grown.
According to CNN, the number of casualties from yesterday’s deadly earthquake has now exceeded 5,000. The seismic shock was the biggest to hit the area in more than 100 years and damage can be seen for miles. To make matters worse, intense aftershocks continue as residents battle frigid winter temperatures. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced hotels in Antalya, Turkey will open their doors as a haven for survivors of the quake. “Starting from places close to the disaster area, the necessary plans are being made to put the hotels that have already suspended their activities due to the winter season to serve the disaster victims. Only in the Antalya region, 50,000 beds have been prepared for this purpose,” Erdogan shared today.
Yesterday, President Biden offered aid to those in need. “I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria. I have directed my team to continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkiye and provide any and all needed assistance,” he tweeted. On social media, scores of heartbreaking videos continue to circulate. There have been clips from building surveillance cameras that caught the exact moments the quake struck. There are also videos showing the devastation after, such as newborn babies and toddlers being pulled from the rubble.
CNN adds that South Korea, Germany’s Federal Agency for Technical Relief, Palestinian Red Crescent teams and more have vowed to help in any way they can. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi released a statement today following a phone conversation with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad: “During the phone call, the president expressed his sincere condolences to the victims of the devastating earthquake that occurred yesterday, Feb. 6, and wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded and injured. The president also reaffirmed Egypt’s solidarity with Syria and its sister people in this painful injury, referring to His Majesty’s guidance to provide all possible assistance and relief assistance in this regard to Syria.”
We will continue to pray for all of those affected.
Post Malone Sources Insist He's 'Happy & Healthy' Amid Concerns Over His Weight Loss
Post Malone is addressing all of the concern surrounding his weight loss.
The 27-year-old “Rockstar” rapper is currently on tour in Australia and fans voiced their concerns after he showed off a slimmer figure while on stage wearing a T-shirt and shorts. Many fans feared that Post may be battling an illness or an addiction.
Now, sources close to Post have spoken out about all of the concerns.
Sources told TMZ that he is “happy and healthy and nothing is amiss.”
The sources also added that fans don’t need to concerned because Post is “not on drugs or sick.”
They also said that Post has actually started gaining weight for an upcoming movie role, but he has since been “adhering to a strict diet and working out.”
Post‘s dad, Rich Post, also addressed his son’s new appearance.
“Healthiest he’s been in years! Mentally and physically,” Rich commented on a fan page’s Instagram post.
If you missed it, Post recently shared some very rare comments about being a dad to his daughter, who was born in June 2022.
Christina Applegate Says The Screen Actors Guild Awards Will Be Her Last Awards Show As An Actor
Christina Applegate thinks that the upcoming Screen Actors Guild Awards will probably be her last as an actor.
The 51-year-old actress spoke to the LA Times about the ceremony, her nomination and what she feels she’ll be doing after her on-screen acting career concludes.
Christina pretty much confirmed that the SAGs will be her “last awards show as an actor probably, so it’s kind of a big deal. Right now, I couldn’t imagine getting up at 5 a.m. and spending 12 to 14 hours on a set; I don’t have that in me at this moment.”
She’s nominated for her role in Netflix’s Dead To Me.
While Christina‘s on-screen career may be ending, she does have a plan for afterwards.
“Doing a s*** ton of voice-overs to make some cash to make sure that my daughter’s fed and we’re homed,” she said.
Elsewhere in her interview, Christina shared that it was a struggle to watch the third season of Dead to Me.
“I don’t like seeing myself struggling,” she says. “Also, I gained 40 pounds because of inactivity and medications, and I didn’t look like myself, and I didn’t feel like myself.”
Christina admits that she did watch it alone as well: “At some point I was able to distance myself from my own ego, and realize what a beautiful piece of television it was. All the scenes I wasn’t in were so much fun to see and experience for the very first time.”
Just recently, Christina got candid about attending her first awards show – the Critics Choice Awards – since her MS diagnosis.
Joe Rogan Called Out for Promoting Anti-Semitic Trope on Podcast
Joe Rogan has landed himself in hot water after voicing anti-Semitic tropes on his widely popular Spotify podcast.
While speaking to MSNBC contributor Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjet, the Joe Rogan Experience host referenced a tweet from Rep. Ilhan Omar, who in 2019 tweet claimed that Israel’s defenders in the U.S. were motivated by money.
“It’s all about the Benjamins baby,” wrote Omar at the time.
The controversy magnet said about Omar on his show, “She’s talking about money. That’s not an anti-Semitic statement, I don’t think that is. It’s about, Benjamins are money. You know, the idea that Jewish people are not into money is ridiculous. That’s like saying Italians aren’t into pizza. It’s fucking stupid.”
Shortly after Rogan’s comments, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt took to Twitter to call him out.
“Disturbing that at a time of rising anti-Jewish violence, when growing numbers of Americans believe in antisemitic conspiracy theories, [Joe Rogan] would use his immense platform to spew antisemitic tropes about Jews and money,” Greenblatt wrote.
Ex-Adidas Exec Eric Liedtke on Adidas' Rise, Yeezy, and His Departure | The Complex Sneakers Podcast
He continued, “For centuries, people have used these longstanding tropes to spread vicious lies about the Jewish people. ‘Comedian’ or not, Rogan’s comments are no joke.” The tweet linked to an ADL article and video debunking the stereotype.
Others to call out Rogan included Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and British comedian/Jews Don’t Count author David Baddiel:
Pretty Ricky’s Baby Blue Released From Prison After Serving Sentence For $24M PPP Loan Scam
The Pretty Ricky entertainer got released from prison this Tuesday after serving a year in prison over his $24M PPP loan scam.
Back in 2020, Blue was arrested for filing fraudulent loan applications in order to receive funds from the Paycheck Protection Program. In total, he reportedly raked in $24 million from the COVID relief program. Blue pleaded guilty on Aug. 4, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In February 2022, the artist officially turned himself in and before he did, Blue sent a message to his fans while accepting his L.
“We all make mistakes… I admit I made a mistake, I’ve learned from it the hard way and won’t make it again. My mistakes don’t define me as a man and I will come out of this more than I was before. With more integrity, more character, more knowledge of my self, more wiser, more stronger! Thank you to everyone that has endured this pain with me. This case has been over a year long. Thank you to my friends, family, and my fans! All of your kind words, dms and texts are received and appreciated. Love Reciprocated.
Love,”
Blue allegedly took out loans for his company Throwbackjersey.com LLC. He received a loan of $426,717, and for his other company, Blue Star Records LLC he got $708,065. Eventually he later admitted to falsifying documents and information and using the money at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and to purchase luxury items including a Ferrari. As a result of his crime, his car was seized by authorities when the rapper was arrested.
On top of being handed down prison time, he was also ordered to pay $1,111,345 in restitution and $1,134,782 in forfeiture.
Before turning himself in, Blue previously spoke about where things went wrong. He said while speaking with VladTv last year,
“I still don’t know how I got the money, I’m thinking it came from the football agent’s loan company,” he told DJ Vlad. “I don’t know the details of what’s going on because this the beginning of the pandemic. Don’t nobody know what a PPP is. It don’t exist, it’s brand new…n***a, I’m a musician. I don’t know shit about no PPP. I barely know how to file my motherfuckin’ taxes.” He went on to say that his name has been run “through the mud” and that he was the center of headlines, when he was only used in a “marketing tool at that point, it’s called influencer marketing.”
He added, “The n***as who got us the loans turned informants,” Blue claimed. “They turned to the confidential informants and now they start telling, ‘Oh, we did loans for them and them and them, and they bought this and this and that. But these the same people you ain’t even tell them where the money came from. You told them it was coming from a football agency.”
Let’s just say Blue definitely learned his lesson.
Forbes List of Black Billionaires Includes Oprah, Tyler Perry
*There are nearly 3000 billionaires in the world (precisely 2,755) and 14 are Black, according to Forbes.
Eight Americans are on Forbes’ 2022 list of billionaires and two of the fourteen Black billionaires are women.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has dissected the list to highlight these Black ballers and their industries.
Check out the (edited) list below courtesy of the publication.
1. Aliko Dangote: $14 billion
Africa’s richest man owns nearly 88 percent of publicly-traded Dangote Cement. He also owns stakes in publicly-traded salt, sugar and flour manufacturing companies.
2. Mike Adenuga: $7.3 billion
Adenuga, Nigeria’s second-richest man built his fortune in telecom and oil production.
3. Abdulsamad Rabiu: $6.9 billion
Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate with interests in sugar refining, cement production, real estate, steel, port concessions, manufacturing, oil, gas and shipping.
4. Robert F. Smith: $6.7 billion
Smith made his fortune through the private equity firm, Vista Equity Partners, which he founded in 2000.
David Steward: $5.8 billion
Steward is co-founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, an $11.2 billion IT provider whose customers include Citi, Verizon and the federal government.
6. Patrice Motsepe: $3.3 billion
Motsepe became a billionaire in 2008 as founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals.
7. Strive Masiyiwa: $3 billion
Masiyiwa “overcame protracted government opposition to launch mobile phone network Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in his country of birth in 1998,” according to Forbes.
Oprah Winfrey: $2.6 billion
In addition to the media, entertainment and business empire she’s built, Winfrey owns shares in Weight Watchers and has a partnership with Apple.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan: $1.7 billion
NBA great Jordan still has sponsorship deals with Hanes, Gatorade and Upper Deck 19 years after retiring from basketball.
10. Alex Karp: $1.1 billion
Karp is the co-founder and CEO of the software firm Palantir Technologies.
11. Michael Lee-Chin: $2 billion
A native of Jamaica, Lee-Chin made his fortune investing in National Commercial Bank Jamaica, AIC Limited and other companies.
12. Rihanna: $1.7 billion
Rihanna has a projected net worth of $1.4 billion due to her ever-expanding Fenty empire
Jay-Z: $1.4 billion
Jay-Z became Hip-Hop’s first proven and viable billionaire, thanks to what Forbes called a “sprawling and diverse empire.”
14. Tyler Perry: $1 billion
The media mogul owns Tyler Perry Studios, located in the heart of Atlanta.
Lawyer Alleges That Six-Year-Old Student Who Shot His Teacher Previously Choked Another Teacher “Until She Couldn’t Breathe”
Legal documents show that the 6-year-old Virginia student who shot his first-grade teacher frequently cursed at staff and teachers, chased students around, attempted to whip them with his belt, and once choked another teacher “until she couldn’t breathe.”
In a notice to the Newport News school district, Diane Toscano, an attorney for teacher Abby Zwerner, stated that Zwerner intends to sue.
The Associated Press obtained the boy’s notice of claim, which details prior behavioral issues he had at Richneck Elementary School.
According to the claim notice, the boy allegedly “slammed” Zwerner’s cell phone two days before the shooting, shattering it. After receiving detention for a day, he returned to Zwerner’s class and shot her as she was seated at a reading table.
The notice expands on the accusations Toscano detailed at a news conference last month.
Additionally, the notice claims that at least three instructors and staff members alerted the school administration several hours before the shooting that they thought the boy had brought a gun to school. When administrators inspected the boy’s backpack, they did not discover a gun; they did not remove him from class, lock down the school, or call the police.
The claim notice states that at around 11:15 a.m. on that day, Zwerner went to former Assistant Principal Ebony Parker’s office “to advise her that the shooter seemed more ‘off’ than usual and was in a violent mood.”
That same day, the child allegedly “angrily stared down” the school security guard in the lunchroom and threatened to beat up a kindergarten student.
Staff allegedly warned Parker several more times about the boy having a gun, according to the document.
“Assistant Principal Parker should have called the police. Instead, she did not follow proper protocol and chose to do absolutely nothing,” the claim stated.
Orlando Brown Set to Undergo Mental Evaluation Following His Arrest in December
Orlando Brown is scheduled to have a mental evaluation following his December arrest.
According to TMZ, lawyers submitted court documents to determine whether the former Disney Channel star is fit to stand trial.
On December 22, Brown was arrested in Ohio after being accused of aggravated menacing, a first-degree misdemeanor.
TMZ reported that although Brown entered a not-guilty plea, the results of the mental evaluation may change his mind and change his request to one of insanity.
Currently, Brown is on house arrest. Last Friday, he was released from custody after posting a $25,000 bond.
The incident that led to Brown’s arrest involved an allegedly heated argument with another man who claimed that Brown threatened him by brandishing a knife and hammer.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Yep, I saw that.
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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