#FASHIONFAB: Cherokee Jack for Polo Ralph Lauren Spring 2023 Country Workwear by Sharif Hamza
Rising [star] model Cherokee Jack appears in Polo Ralph Lauren ads, lensed by Sharif Hamza [IG]. The country clothes include denim, workshirts and timeless outerwear — “made to be worn and made to last.”
Some or all of the collection are produced in partnership with The New Denim Project an innovative textile group based in Guatemala.
Finely crafted from upcycled materials, this denim collection is designed to reduce the use of virgin cotton by incorporating cloth scraps into new yarns and fabrics.
On the New Denim Project website, we see the Polo x FEED Tote Bag, developed by Lauren Bush Lauren, wife of David Lauren. He is Chief Innovation Officer, Strategic Advisor to the CEO, Head of the Ralph Lauren Foundation and Vice Chairman of the Board.
The entire FEED project developed by the mom of three is to feed hungry people in America and globally.
Returning to Cherokee Jack, on his IG, he notes the first images that I saw of him: the Richard Phibbs photo shoot for Man of Metropolis.
The images stopped me cold in my tracks, causing what remains for me a profound reflection on America’s indigenous peoples’ history. I really have not been the same human since writing my response to those images and the personal history they unlocked.
#RHOA: Cynthia Bailey Has a Name for the New “Chapter” of Her Life
Cynthia Bailey loves a clever name. She named her Atlanta lake house “Lake Bailey,” and — upon turning 50 — launched a yearlong celebration dubbed 50 Cynt. And now that she’s entering a new era of her life, The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum has a name for that too.
In an April 18 Instagram post, Cynthia shared a photo of herself looking radiant in a bright yellow top. Flashing a big smile at the camera, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip cast member rocked oversize hoop earrings and gorgeous braids by Junise Walker. In the caption, Cynthia made her big announcement.
Cynthia’s Next Chapter
“This chapter of my life is called MY TURN!” the mother of one wrote. To give a little hint about what her next chapter might entail, Cynthia added a crown emoji to her caption.
Though she’s entering a new chapter, Cynthia is staying true to her Pisces roots. In another April 18 post, the RHOA alum wrote a caption celebrating her star sign. “I [love] when my [Pisces] kicks in [and] forces me into a [world] of fantasy!” she wrote. “Woke up feeling like a whole [Pisces] today! [I] may be posting all night lol!”
This isn’t the first time Cynthia has put her Piscean splendor on display. On February 19, she celebrated her 56th birthday in skintight catsuits and cascading curls.
Cynthia Bailey Gives a “Progress Report” on Her Health Journey: “I Am So Much Stronger”
In a celebratory Instagram post, the former model posed in several sexy looks. “Today is my 56th birthday!!” Cynthia captioned her post. “What would I tell my younger self? TO HAVE FUN!!! And to dance [and] laugh as much as possible.”
In another post, the Atlanta mom talked about the new chapter she was ushering in at the time. “[I] read somewhere that the number 56 represents growth, change, new beginnings, spirituality [and] transformation. OK!!! [I] am ready!” she wrote.
New chapters and continuous self-improvement run in the family. In early February, Cynthia’s daughter, Noelle Robinson, let the world know that she was opening up to a new vibe of her own. “Upgrading in every way,” the 23-year-old wrote. “Me too!!!” Cynthia wrote in the comments.
Her Upcoming RHOA Cameo
Cynthia (as well as and Kim Zolciak-Biermann, Lisa Wu, and DeShawn Snow) will be making a cameo in the upcoming Season 15 of RHOA, which premieres on Sunday, May 7, at 8/7c. That same night, Bravo’s new series, Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard, also premieres at 9/8c. Catch the all-new episodes the next day on Peacock. Preview all the action by checking out the trailer below.
In addition to everything she has going on, Cynthia has also expanded her acting résumé with roles in a number of movies and TV shows including Blossom, Under His Influence, Terror Lake Drive, The Stepmother, Cruel Instruction, Single Drunk Female, and more.
Watch The Real Housewives of Atlanta on Peacock and the Bravo app.
Watch The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Thursdays on Peacock.
#NewMusic from Angie Stone Teams Up With Musiq Soulchild For New Single “The Gym”
Veteran soul singer Angie Stone has just unveiled her latest single “The Gym” featuring Musiq Soulchild.
The song is the follow up to previously released single “Kiss You” which arrived earlier this year. Both songs are expected to be included on her upcoming album “Love Language”.
The new music comes on the heels of her signing a new label deal with SRG/ILS to release the new project.
LISTEN HERE
You may remember that the pair originally collaborated together on the song “The Ingredients of Love” over two decades ago. The song was included on Stone’s 2001 album “Mahogany Soul” as well as a bonus track of Musiq’s debut album “Aijuswanaseing”.
#HipHopNews: Drake Announces Additional Tour Dates, Delays Start
Drake is extending his tour through the fall. Due to popular demand, the Toronto rapper has added 12 additional dates to his “It’s All A Blur” tour with 21 Savage, bringing the run of shows to 54 dates across North America.
The new itinerary includes a fourth show at L.A.’s Kia Forum and Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. He has also added second shows in Glendale and Nashville, along with new dates in Columbus, Memphis, Denver, Austin, and Charlotte.
The tour will now close out with two shows at Scotiabank Arena in Drake’s hometown of Toronto on Oct. 5 and Oct. 7.
Drake has also delayed the start of the tour. Originally set to kick off June 16 in New Orleans, his first tour in five years will now begin June 29 in Memphis.
The Nashville, Houston, Dallas, Miami, and Atlanta dates, originally slated between June 17 and July 2, have been rescheduled for Sept. 14 through Oct. 2. All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new dates.
Tickets for Cash App Card and Sprite pre-sales will be available starting Wednesday, April 26. The general on sale begins Friday, April 28 at 12 p.m. local time.
See a full itinerary below.
Drake It’s All a Blur Tour Dates
June 29 – Memphis, TN – FedExForum
July 1 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
July 5 – Chicago, IL – United Center
July 6 – Chicago, IL – United Center
July 8 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
July 9 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
July 11 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
July 12 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
July 14 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre *
July 15 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre *
July 17 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
July 18 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
July 20 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
July 21 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
July 23 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 25 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 26 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 28 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
July 29 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
July 31 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Aug. 1 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Aug. 3 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum
Aug. 12 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
Aug. 13 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
Aug. 15 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
Aug. 16 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
Aug. 18 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Aug. 19 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Aug. 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
Aug. 22 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
Aug. 25 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Aug. 26 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Aug. 28 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena *
Aug. 29 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena *
Sept. 1 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
Sept. 2 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
Sept. 5 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena
Sept. 6 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena
Sept. 8 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Sept. 11 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Sept. 14 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center +
Sept. 15 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center +
Sept. 17 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center +
Sept. 18 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center +
Sept. 20 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center +
Sept. 22 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Sept. 25 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena +
Sept. 26 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena +
Sept. 28 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center +
Sept. 29 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center +
Oct. 1 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Oct. 2 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena +
Oct. 5 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena *
Oct. 7 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena *
* 21 Savage not on this date.
+ Rescheduled dates.
Get them Tix!
President Joseph R Biden: I am running for Re-Election!
President Joe Biden on Tuesday formally announced that he is running for reelection in 2024, asking voters to give him more time to “finish this job” and extend the run of America’s oldest president for another four years.
Biden, who would be 86 at the end of a second term, is betting his first-term legislative achievements and more than 50 years of experience in Washington will count for more than concerns over his age. He faces a smooth path to winning his party’s nomination, with no serious Democratic rivals. But he’s still set for a hard-fought struggle to retain the presidency in a bitterly divided nation.
The announcement, in a three-minute video, comes on the four-year anniversary of when Biden declared for the White House in 2019, promising to heal the “soul of the nation” amid the turbulent presidency of Donald Trump — a goal that has remained elusive.
“I said we are in a battle for the soul of America, and we still are," Biden said. “The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom. More rights or fewer.”
While the question of seeking reelection has been a given for most modern presidents, that’s not always been the case for Biden, as a notable swath of Democratic voters have indicated they would prefer he not run, in part because of his age — concerns Biden has called “totally legitimate” but ones he did not address head-on in the launch video.
Julie Chavez RodriguezBiden expected to tap Julie Rodriguez to run 2024 campaign
Yet few things have unified Democratic voters like the prospect of Trump returning to power. And Biden’s political standing within his party stabilized after Democrats notched a stronger-than-expected performance in last year’s midterm elections, as the president set out to run again on the same themes that buoyed his party last fall, particularly on preserving access to abortion.
“Freedom. Personal freedom is fundamental to who we are as Americans. There’s nothing more important. Nothing more sacred,” Biden said in the launch video, which painted the Republican Party as extremists trying to roll back access to abortion, cut Social Security, limit voting rights and ban books they disagree with. “Around the country, MAGA extremists are lining up to take those bedrock freedoms away.”
“This is not a time to be complacent,” Biden added. “That’s why I’m running for reelection."
As the contours of the campaign begin to take shape, Biden plans to campaign on his record. He spent his first two years as president combating the coronavirus pandemic and pushing through major bills such as the bipartisan infrastructure package and legislation to promote high-tech manufacturing and climate measures. With Republicans now in control of the House, Biden has shifted his focus to implementing those massive laws and making sure voters credit him for the improvements, while sharpening the contrast with the GOP ahead of an expected showdown over raising the nation's borrowing limit that could have debilitating consequences for the country's economy.
The president also has multiple policy goals and unmet promises from his first campaign that he’s asking voters on giving him another chance to fulfill.
“Let’s finish this job. I know we can,” Biden said in the video, repeating a mantra he said a dozen times during his State of the Union address in February, listing everything from passing a ban on assault-style weapons and lowering the cost of prescription drugs to codifying a national right to abortion after the Supreme Court's ruling last year overturning Roe v. Wade.
Buoyed by the midterm results, Biden plans to continue to cast all Republicans as embracing what he calls “ultra-MAGA” politics — a reference to Trump’s “Make America Great Again" slogan — regardless of whether his predecessor ends up on the 2024 ballot. He’s spent the last several months road-testing campaign themes, including painting Republicans as fighting for tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy while trying to cut social safety net benefits relied on by everyday Americans and roll back access to abortion services.
In the video, Biden speaks over brief clips and photographs of key moments in his presidency, snapshots of diverse Americans and flashes of outspoken Republican foes, including Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. He exhorts supporters that “this is our moment” to “defend democracy. Stand up for our personal freedoms. Stand up for the right to vote and our civil rights.”
Biden also plans to point to his work over the past two years shoring up American alliances, leading a global coalition to support Ukraine’s defenses against Russia’s invasion and returning the U.S. to the Paris climate accord. But public support in the U.S. for Ukraine has softened in recent months, and some voters question the tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance flowing to Kyiv.
The president faces lingering criticism over his administration's chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan after nearly 20 years of war, which undercut the image of competence he aimed to portray to the world, and he finds himself the target of GOP attacks over his immigration and economic policies.
As a candidate in 2020, Biden pitched voters on his familiarity with the halls of power in Washington and his relationships around the world. But even back then, he was acutely aware of voters’ concerns about his age.
“Look, I view myself as a bridge, not as anything else,” Biden said in March 2020, as he campaigned in Michigan with younger Democrats, including now-Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “There’s an entire generation of leaders you saw stand behind me. They are the future of this country.”
Three years later, the president now 80, Biden allies say his time in office has demonstrated that he saw himself as more of a transformational than a transitional leader.
Still, many Democrats would prefer that Biden didn’t run again. A recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows just 47% of Democrats say they want him to seek a second term, up from 37% in February. And Biden’s verbal — and occasional physical — stumbles have become fodder among the GOP, which has sought to cast him as unfit for office.
Biden, on multiple occasions, has brushed back concerns about his age, saying simply, “Watch me.”
During a routine physical in February, his physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, declared him “healthy, vigorous” and “fit” to handle his White House responsibilities.
Aides acknowledge that while some in his party might prefer an alternative to Biden, there is anything but consensus within their diverse coalition on who that might be. And they insist that when Biden is compared with whomever the GOP nominates, Democrats and independents will rally around Biden.
For now, the 76-year-old Trump is the favorite to emerge as the Republican nominee, creating the potential of a historic sequel to the bitterly fought 2020 campaign. But Trump faces significant hurdles of his own, including the designation of being the first former president to face criminal charges. The remaining GOP field is volatile, with DeSantis emerging as an early alternative to Trump. DeSantis' stature is also in question, however, amid questions about his readiness to campaign outside of his increasingly Republican-leaning state.
To prevail again, Biden will need to revive the alliance of young voters and Black voters — particularly women — along with blue-collar Midwesterners, moderates and disaffected Republicans who helped him win in 2020. He'll have to again carry the so-called “blue wall” in the Upper Midwest, while protecting his position in Georgia and Arizona, longtime GOP strongholds that he narrowly won in his last campaign.
Biden’s reelection bid comes as the nation weathers uncertain economic crosscurrents. Inflation is ticking down after hitting the highest rate in a generation, driving up the price of goods and services, but unemployment is at a 50-year low, and the economy is showing signs of resilience despite Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.
“If voters let Biden ‘finish the job,’ inflation will continue to skyrocket, crime rates will rise, more fentanyl will cross our open borders, children will continue to be left behind, and American families will be worse off,” Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel said in a statement.
Presidents typically try to delay their reelection announcements to maintain the advantages of incumbency and skate above the political fray for as long as possible while their rivals trade jabs. But the leg up offered by being in the White House can be rickety — three of the last seven presidents have lost reelection, most recently Trump in 2020.
Biden’s announcement is roughly consistent with the timeline followed by then-President Barack Obama, who waited until April 2011 to declare for a second term. Trump launched his reelection bid on the day he was sworn in in 2017.
Biden is not expected to dramatically alter his day-to-day schedule as a candidate — at least not immediately — with aides believing his strongest political asset is showing the American people that he is governing. And if he follows the Obama playbook, he may not hold any formal campaign rallies until well into 2024. Obama didn't hold a reelection rally until May 2012.
On Tuesday, Biden named White House adviser Julie Chávez RodrÃguez to serve as campaign manager and Quentin Fulks, who ran Sen. Raphael Warnock's reelection campaign in Georgia last year, to serve as principal deputy campaign manager. Reps. Lisa Blunt-Rochester, Jim Clyburn and Veronica Escobar; Sens. Chris Coons and Tammy Duckworth; entertainment mogul and Democratic mega-donor Jeffrey Katzenberg; and Whitmer will serve as campaign co-chairs.
On the heels of the announcement Tuesday, Biden was set to deliver remarks to union members before hosting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit at the White House. He plans to meet with party donors in Washington later this week.
Harry Belafonte, Calypso King Who Worked for African American Rights, Dies at 96
Singer, actor, producer and activist Harry Belafonte, who spawned a calypso craze in the U.S. with his music and blazed new trails for African American performers, died Tuesday of congestive heart failure at his Manhattan home. He was 96.
An award-winning Broadway performer and a versatile recording and concert star of the ’50s, the lithe, handsome Belafonte became one of the first Black leading men in Hollywood. He later branched into production work on theatrical films and telepics.
Harry Belafonte, the King of Calypso Before Conquering Hollywood, 'Jumps in the Line' for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Recognition
As his career stretched into the new millennium, his commitment to social causes never took a back seat to his professional work.
An intimate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Belafonte was an important voice in the ’60s civil rights movement, and he later embarked on charitable activities on behalf of underdeveloped African nations. He was an outspoken opponent of South Africa’s apartheid policies.
Among the most honored performers of his era, Belafonte won two Grammy Awards (and the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000), a Tony and an Emmy. He also received the Motion Picture Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Governors Awards ceremony in 2014.
Harold George Belafonte Jr. was born in New York but was sent to live with his grandmother in Jamaica at age 5, returning to attend high school in New York. But Jamaica’s indigenous calypso and mento would supply crucial material for his early musical repertoire.
After serving in the war, Belafonte gravitated to the New York theatrical scene. An early mentor was the famed Black actor, singer and activist Paul Robeson. He studied acting with Erwin Piscator and attended Broadway shows — on a single ticket he would hand off at intermission — with another struggling young actor, Sidney Poitier. Like Poitier, he performed at Harlem’s American Negro Theater.
Belafonte first made his mark, however, as a nightclub singer. Initially working in a pop and jazz vein, Belafonte began his singing career at New York’s Royal Roost and made his recording debut in 1949 on Roost Records. He soon developed a growing interest in American folk music.
A national tour and dates at New York’s Village Vanguard and Blue Angel followed. A scout for MGM spotted him at the latter venue and, following a screen test, Belafonte secured a role opposite Dorothy Dandridge in “Bright Road” (1953).
The same year, Belafonte made his Rialto debut in the revue “John Murray Anderson’s Almanac,” for which he received the Tony for best performance by a featured actor in a musical.
Ironically, while Belafonte was cast as a lead in Otto Preminger’s 1954 musical “Carmen Jones” — based on Oscar Hammerstein II’s Broadway adaptation of Bizet’s opera “Carmen” — his singing voice was dubbed by opera singer LeVern Hutcherson. Belafonte would soon explode in his own right as a pop singer.
He made his RCA Records debut in 1954 with “Mark Twain and Other Folk Favorites”; he had performed the titular folk song with his guitarist Millard Thomas in his Tony-winning Broadway turn. The 1956 LP “Belafonte,” featuring a similar folk repertoire, spent six weeks at No. 1.
Those collections were a mere warm-up to “Calypso.” The 1956 album sparked a nationwide calypso craze, spent a staggering 31 weeks at No. 1 and remains one of the four longest-running chart-toppers in history. It spawned Belafonte’s signature hit, “Banana Boat Song (Day-O),” which topped the singles chart for five weeks. A parody of that ubiquitous number by Stan Freberg reached No. 25 in 1957. Director Tim Burton employed the tune to bright effect in his 1988 comedy “Beetlejuice.”
Belafonte would cut five more top-five albums — including two live sets recorded at Carnegie Hall — through 1961. His 1960 collection “Swing Dat Hammer” received a Grammy as best ethnic or traditional folk album; he scored the same award for 1965’s “An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba,” a collaboration with South African folk artist Miriam Makeba.
He also supplied early employment for a future folk icon: His 1962 album “Midnight Special” featured harmonica work by Bob Dylan.
A frequent guest on TV variety shows, Belafonte became the first Black performer to garner an Emmy with his 1959 special “Tonight With Belafonte.”
Belafonte made his first steps into film production with two features he toplined: end-of-the-world drama “The World, the Flesh, and the Devil” (1959) and the heist picture “Odds Against Tomorrow” (1960). However, discontent with the roles he was being offered, he would remain absent from the big screen for the remainder of the ’60s and busied himself with recording and international touring as his involvement in the civil rights movement deepened.
Closely associated with clergyman-activist King, Belafonte provided financial support to the civil rights leader and his family. He also funded the Freedom Riders and the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and was a key figure in the organization of the historic March on Washington of August 1963.
The racial tumult of the ’60s hit close to home: In 1968 he became the center of a furor when he appeared as a guest star on an NBC special hosted by British pop singer Petula Clark. During a performance of an anti-war ballad, Clark clutched Belafonte’s arm. Doyle Lott, VP for sponsor Chrysler-Plymouth, was present at the taping and demanded the number be excised, saying the “interracial touching” might offend Southern viewers. But Clark, who owned the show, put her foot down and the show aired as recorded, while exec Lott was fired by the automaker.
Belafonte returned to feature films in 1970 in the whimsical “The Angel Levine” alongside Zero Mostel. He co-starred with old friend Poitier in the comedies “Buck and the Preacher” (1972) and “Uptown Saturday Night” (1974), both directed by Poitier.
His acting appearances would be sporadic for the remainder of his career. Notably, he appeared opposite John Travolta in “White Man’s Burden” (1995), an alternate-universe fantasy-drama about racism; Robert Altman’s ensemble period drama “Kansas City” (1996); and “Bobby” (2006), Emilio Estevez’s account of Sen. Robert Kennedy’s 1968 assassination.
In 1985, Belafonte’s activism and musicianship intertwined when he helped organize the recording session for “We Are the World,” the all-star benefit single devoted to alleviating African famine. His appearance on that huge hit led to “Paradise in Gazankulu” (1988), his first studio recording in more than 10 years.
His latter-day production work included the 1984 hip-hop drama “Beat Street” and the 2000 miniseries “Parting the Waters,” based on historian Taylor Branch’s biography of Martin Luther King Jr.
In 2002, “The Long Road to Freedom: An Anthology of Black Music,” an immense collection of African and African-American music recorded and compiled by Belafonte over the course of a decade and originally set for release by RCA in the ’70s, was finally released as a five-CD set on Universal’s Buddha imprint. It garnered three Grammy nominations.
In later years, Belafonte remained as outspoken as ever, and his views sometimes courted controversy. He was a foe of South African apartheid, opposed the U.S.’s Cuban embargo and denounced George W. Bush’s military incursion into Iraq.
Belafonte was the son of a Jamaican housekeeper and a Martiniquan chef, spending the early and late parts of his childhood in Harlem but the crucial middle period in Jamaica. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944; during his service, he encountered the writing of W.E.B. DuBois, co-founder of the NAACP and a key influence.
He was accorded the Kennedy Center Honor in 1989 and the National Medal of the Arts in 1994.
Belafonte published his memoir “My Song,” written with Michael Shnayerson, in 2011. Susanne Rostock’s biographical documentary “Sing Your Song” was released in early 2012.
He is survived by his third wife Pamela; daughters Shari, Adrienne and Gina; son David; stepchildren Sarah and Lindsey; and eight grandchildren.
Michael Jackson’s Mother To Testify In Court In Battle Against His Estate
Katherine Jackson is set to testify in a court hearing regarding her battle against the estate of her late son and music icon Michael Jackson. According to documents obtained by RadarOnline, the Jackson family matriarch will appear in court later this month as she seeks to pull the plug on a lucrative business proposal by the estate.
John Branca and John McClain, the executors of Jackson’s estate, initially filed a motion in November 2022 seeking approval from the court to sign off on a “secret business transaction,” which is believed to be related to a reported $800 million sale of half of Jackson’s music catalog. In the motion, Branca and McClain explained they “have an opportunity which they believe is to the substantial advantage of the Estate and in the best interest of the beneficiaries.”
However, in March 2023, it was revealed that Katherine Jackson had filed a motion in opposition of the deal, which she requested be sealed due to the documents containing “sensitive information regarding Ms. Jackson’s family and private life.” Branca and McClain, who have headed Jackson’s estate since his passing in 2009, believe “they have the power and authority to enter into the Proposed Transaction pursuant to the Order Authorizing Operation of the MJJ Business as the Proposed Transaction is within and in furtherance of the operation of the MJJ Business, as well under Michael Jackson’s will.”
Michael Jackson (R) leaves the Santa Barbara County Courthouse with his mother Katherine Jackson (L) after another day of proceedings in his child molestation trial April 21, 2005 in Santa Maria California. Jackson is charged in a 10-count indictment with molesting a boy, plying him with liquor and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The estate also noted that Katherine Jackson was opposed to the release of the 2009 documentary This Is It, but the film, which was ultimately approved by the court, became the highest-grossing concert documentary in history.
“The Estate was teetering on the verge of collapse, with more than $400 million in debt that encumbered Michael’s most significant assets and little or no liquidity or means to service that debt,” reads a motion filed by Branca and McClain at the time. “Through creative thinking, hard work and business savvy—and, of course, Michael’s extraordinary creative legacy—the Executors transformed the MJJ Business into a profitable enterprise.”
In March, the court agreed to allow Jackson’s children and Michael’s siblings, brother Randy and sister Rebbie, to view confidential documents related to the proposed deal. As part of its argument, Jackson’s estate says its client’s three children, Prince, Paris, and Blanket, who are listed as beneficiaries on his will, are not in objection of the proposed business agreement. Jackson’s will also states that he will provide for his mother for the rest of her life.
A judge has yet to rule on the matter.
Disney facing looming Jonathan Majors crisis with $20M star facing assault allegations
Disney is facing a looming crisis over its multi-million dollar star Jonathan Majors after he was charged with assaulting his girlfriend.
The movie giant has the worldwide premiere of Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” on Thursday when stars including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Vin Diesel and Karen Gillan will tread the red carpet at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood.
There, the stars will be left in the awkward position of facing questions about their Marvel Universe colleague’s Manhattan arrest for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, 30, last month.
So far Disney and Marvel have been silent.
But insiders tell The Post that Disney bosses fear that if they dump Majors, he will sue — and instead, they are waiting to see if his case will go to trial.
At the same time, he has adopted an aggressive legal strategy, releasing footage to attempt to portray his now ex-girlfriend as a liar, and highlighting that he is black.
Majors, 33, a Yale drama school grad who played Kang in “Ant-Man and The Wasp” and starred in “Creed III,” is now one of Disney’s biggest investments.
Variety this week reported he has signed a $20 million payday including back-end compensation for “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.”
But that is only the start of his enmeshment in the entertainment giant’s slate. He is also signed up to star in “Avengers: Secret Wars.”
And he has a separate deal to appear as Kang in “Loki” on Disney+, the streaming service.
Alongside this, Disney’s Searchlight studios has snapped up his most recent movie, “Magazine Dreams,” in which he plays a tormented bodybuilder.
Majors has a big deal with Disney as Kang. He will net $20 million to play the role in “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.”
And he presented at the Oscars, another sign of his rising stardom.
Majors has already been getting Oscar buzz for the film which is slated to release in December.
An Oscar win for Disney would be seen as a vindication of boomerang CEO Bob Iger’s focus on creativity — but now the studio has to consider whether it will stand by the film.
One highly placed Hollywood studio source said the studios need to be careful should Majors in fact threaten legal action, adding: “It’s very possible they are waiting for things to play out before they make that decision.
“There is definitely a legal consideration, they need to gather facts should there be a dispute over his removal from any projects.”
But his arrest for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, British dancer Jabbari, is threatening to upend his promising career.
Grace Jabbari, who took part in London Fashion Week in 2021, is a distinguished British dancer.
Jabbari took part in London Fashion Week.
Variety also reported multiple alleged abuse victims are speaking with the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s Office.
The DA declined to comment to The Post.
Majors was arrested in NYC on March 25 over the alleged domestic dispute with Jabbari, in a car as they returned to Manhattan from Brooklyn.
She was taken to the hospital with “minor injuries to her head and neck,” according to authorities, and later released.
Majors is expected to appear before a judge on May 8 as he faces multiple counts of harassment and assault filed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
He denies the accusations. Although Deadline reported there have been zero conversations in the Marvel camp to drop Majors, he’s parted ways with his publicists at the influential Lede Company, one of the only firms in Hollywood to have a woman of color as a founder, and has been dumped by his managers at Entertainment 360.
However, he is still with his agents WME, led by the uber-powerful Ari Emmanuel.
The Hollywood source said the studios’ silence could also possibly start “a pushback against instantaneous cancel culture approach,” adding “Many people in Hollywood are so fearful of the ‘guilt by association’ that they would rather cut someone and damage their reputation, instead of taking any chance of potentially hurting their own.”
The Post can reveal that Majors is now fighting to save that reputation – and the millions which go with it — with an aggressive strategy that includes releasing video footage to suggest that Jabbari is lying, and highlighting his claim that he is being targeted because he is a black man accused of assaulting a blonde woman.
Majors attorney Priya Chaudhry claimed that newly released surveillance footage shows officers “clearly coaching” Jabbari to say Majors grabbed her by the throat.
As part of an aggressive new strategy, Majors’ attorney has released surveillance footage that she claims shows that Jabbari was lying about being injured because she went clubbing at the Moxy Hotel after the alleged attack.
between the pair purportedly showing Jabbari taking accountability for the incident.
She told The Post on Friday: “Both the District Attorney and the media have seen absolute proof that the accuser has lied and was not injured by Mr. Majors and that Mr. Majors is totally innocent.
“And yet many journalists (and people) prefer to ignore evidence and fact and instead participate in a racist trope at the heart of this: that black men are violent and dangerous until proven otherwise. And in this case, even when they are proven otherwise.”
She added: “If, in the end, members of our society choose racist and sexist stereotypes over facts and evidence, this should disturb everyone. And those voices should be ignored.”
The Post made multiple attempts to contact lawyers for Jabbari, alongside Disney and Marvel.
Actor and director Tim Nicolai, who ran in the same NYC theater and film circles with Majors, tweeted after his arrest: “I’m just gonna say this about Jonathan Majors and be done with it: folks at Yale and the broader NYC community have known about him for years.
“He’s a sociopath and abuser and that is how virtually everyone speaks about him. It’s a shame it took this long for him to be reported.”
Majors was dumped from this US Army recruitment campaign, a reboot of the Be All You Can Be ads from the 1980s.
“Literally people he did this to are texting me right now,” Nicolai replied to a woman who urged him to provide proof of his allegations. “It’s not ‘I heard.”
Majors has already lost one role: he’ll no longer star in “The Man in My Basement” and is out of the running for an Otis Redding biopic; the US Army, while the Texas Rangers dropped his ad campaigns; and he’s stepped down the Gotham Film Board and will no longer attend the Met Gala on May 1.
An industry insider who knows Majors told The Post: “I imagine Disney is waiting to see what other projects and companies drop him until their own decision appears inevitable.
“But with each additional domino that falls, it becomes more impossible for them to ignore it.
“Hopefully, this will spur some change in the industry, and companies may do more digging on actors before signing them to enormous contracts.”
Bam Margera Wanted By Police After Allegedly Beating Up His Brother
Bam Margera is facing serious charges after he got into an altercation with his brother. The stunt performer is wanted by police in Pennsylvania after he allegedly beat up his brother and threatened to kill his family.
On Monday, April 24, the Pennsylvania State Police confirmed that State Troopers responded to a reported disturbance on Sunday morning around 11 A.M. ET near Pocopson Township. After conducting an investigation, they concluded that Bam had been involved in a "physical altercation" with his brother Jesse Margera.
According to TMZ, in the police report the alleged victims say Bam started banging on his brother Jesse's bedroom door around 8 A.M. on Sunday and left an ominous note behind. "If you even f**king think of calling the police on me I will officially f**k you up," the note allegedly read.
Jesse went downstairs to find Bam peeing into the kitchen sink and at one point a fight allegedly broke out. Jesse claims Bam wailed on him and struck him multiple times in the head. In the report, cops noted visible injures that they observed.
After the brawl, Bam allegedly said, "I'll kill you. I'll put a bullet in your head." Additionally, Bam allegedly said he'd kill everyone in the house, which occupants at the time included his dad Phil and two other women.
When police came, Bam reportedly already "fled the residence on foot to the rear of the property through a dense wooded area" and has not been located yet. A warrant has been issued for his arrest and the PA State Police are actively searching for him. The authorities are asking the public for help in locating him.
The 43-year-old former professional skateboarder is facing one charge of simple assault, one charge of harassment, and four charges of terroristic threats "with intention to terrorize another."
Bam has been dealing with a series of issues since last year. He went in and out of rehab several times in 2022. The former "Jackass" star was arrested for public intoxication in March of this year after screaming at his estranged wife Nikki Boyd in front of their son Phoenix in a restaurant in Burbank.
In the same month, Bam was hit with a temporary restraining order for allegedly threatening a man's life in Oceanside, California. He has also been feuding with his former "Jackass" co-star Johnny Knoxville and creator Jeff Tremaine.
Finally, Packers reportedly complete trade to send QB Aaron Rodgers to Jets
On March 15, Aaron Rodgers said he planned to play for the New York Jets. Then everyone waited.
The Green Bay Packers and Jets had to agree to a trade, and that took some time. The wait is finally over and the inevitable happened: The Packers and Jets have agreed to a trade Monday that will go down in NFL history, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.
Per Schefter, the Jets are sending the Packers the 13th (first round), 42nd (second round) and 207th (sixth round) overall picks in 2023 NFL Draft that begins Thursday and a second-round pick in 2024 that will become a first-round pick in the event that Rodgers plays 65 percent of the Jets' offensive snaps next season.
The Jets receive the No. 15 pick (first round) and 170th pick (fifth round) in 2023 in addition to Rodgers.
Per the report, Rodgers will forgo wearing the No. 12 jersey he donned in Green Bay for 18 seasons in favor of No. 8. Hall of Fame Jets quarterback Joe Namath wore No. 12 and gave Rodgers his blessing, but Rodgers opted instead to wear the jersey number from his college playing days at Cal.
The Packers are officially moving on from Rodgers, a four-time MVP who is arguably the greatest player for a franchise that has as much history as any in the NFL. The Jets get the quarterback they think can push them into being a Super Bowl contender.
Even though the trade has been a foregone conclusion for a while, it's still a shock to the system.
When the offseason started, Rodgers' future with the Packers and in the NFL in general was a big question. He went on a highly publicized darkness retreat. When Rodgers emerged, he said things had changed and he felt the Packers were ready to move on.
The Jets were the most obvious trade partner. They had a fantastic defense last season and some exciting young offensive players. They had a big problem at quarterback, and Rodgers was the best option to fix it. The Jets' brass flew out to California to meet with Rodgers. It was clear then that the Packers were moving on and unless Rodgers held things up, he'd be traded to the Jets.
The irony is amazing. Rodgers was stuck in the middle of Brett Favre's indecision about retirement and got the Packers' starting job when Favre was traded to the Jets. Then 15 years later, the cycle repeats itself.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst reacts to trading Aaron RodgersScroll back up to restore default view.
Jets-Packers trade wasn't easy
The reason the trade didn't happen right away is both sides thought they had leverage, and both sides had some desperation to get the move done.
Once the Packers made the decision to move on from Rodgers, it would have been practically impossible to turn back. They wanted to give Jordan Love a shot. Bringing Rodgers back would have been wholly uncomfortable.
The Jets had to get a deal done because there was no feasible Plan B. They hired Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator and signed receiver Allen Lazard, both in transparent moves to woo Rodgers. There was no quarterback available, outside of perhaps Lamar Jackson and his franchise tag, who could fix the Jets' quarterback issue.
It became a staredown between the two teams. There wasn't much question a deal would get done, it just came down to finding middle ground. Now that the trade has been made, each team can move on to its new era.
Houston Rockets Hire Ime Udoka as New Head Coach
The Rockets said the would work quickly to replace head coach Stephen Silas after his contract expired and they weren't kidding. Two weeks to the day Silas and the Rockets parted ways, the team has found their new head man in former Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka.
Udoka, 45, is a young, talented coach who has won the respect of players who played under him and was expected to be highly sought after this offseason. After interviewing a number of potential candidates including former Rocket Sam Cassell and former Lakers coach Frank Vogel, among others, GM Rafael Stone and owner Tilman Fertitta seemed to quickly settle on Udoka according to reports on Monday.
The Rockets' new coach doesn't come devoid of baggage. Prior to the 2022-23 season, he was suspended and ultimately dismissed by the Celtics for violating team rules, which included an inappropriate, albeit consensual, workplace relationship with a subordinate. Let's discuss.
Just seven months ago, Udoka was coming off an incredibly successful season with the Celtics and was highly celebrated as a talented young coach. That all unraveled when Boston suspended him for the entire season over an apparent office romance between Udoka and a member of the Boston staff. Notably, Udoka had, for over a decade, been in a relationship with fiancé and actress, Nia Long, who shares a son with her now former beau. By all accounts, Udoka had an affair and because it was a subordinate, the Celtics decided to go full scorched earth. There were rumors of other indiscretions, but, and this is important, there was no word that Udoka did anything criminal or violent.
According to reports, the Rockets did plenty of digging into the incident by contacting the league office, which performed an investigation, and found nothing worrisome. In fact, Long, for her part, blasted the Celtics for their handling of the entire thing. Given how close Houston sports fans are to Deshaun Waton's antics (never mind the behavior of some in Astros management after the trade for Roberto Osuna), it's understandable to be nervous when any skeletons appear in the closet of a potential signing.
Despite all that, Udoka is very well respected.
In his first season as a head coach, he led the Celtics to the NBA Finals and has been widely praised by other organizations as well as former players. Even Laker great Magic Johnson tweeted out his support of the hiring on Monday. This was exactly the kind of hire the Rockets wanted to make — a coach with talent and youth, but also with experience and a track record. Arguably, Udoka was the hottest coach on the market along with former Raptors coach Nick Nurse. Landing a coach who not only has a track record of excellence, but is young enough (and a former player) to relate to younger guys is a huge coup.
He is considered a coach who holds player accountable.
One of the biggest problems the Rockets have faced the last two disastrous seasons is the lack of accountability and organization in the locker room. With a roster full of journeymen and young players trying to learn how to play in the NBA, it was, at times a three-ring circus on the floor and off. Silas did his best to rein in the youngsters, but his soft spoken nature just didn't seem to fit the bill. Udoka is someone who sets ground rules and holds players to them. He's not exactly a disciplinarian, but he isn't afraid to make it known what he wants and keep guys in check. It is why he is so beloved by former players.
Step one was a big success...now...
Stone's first move this offseason looks from the outside like a huge win. Judging by fan reaction on Twitter and elsewhere, this is the guy everyone wanted. Now, Stone has to figure out what to do with the draft picks and cap space to surround Udoka and his young charges with the kind of talent that can help them win more than twenty-something games. Currently, the team is ranked the second worst in draft position and can draft no worse than sixth. They have a 14 percent chance to land the No. 1 pick and phenom Victor Wembanyana. They also have nearly $60 million in cap space to add veterans, perhaps even a max star-level veteran, to one of the league's youngest teams. No pressure this summer or anything.
The Tennessee Three meet with Biden and Harris at White House
Tennessee state Representatives Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Johnson went from being local lawmakers to nationally recognized political figures in the span of just a few weeks. After participating in a protest calling for gun control legislation following the mass shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School, the “Tennessee Three” faced expulsion from the state’s House of Representatives. Jones and Pearson, the two youngest Black members of the legislative body, were kicked out by the Republican supermajority.
Jones and Pearson were later reinstated as interim representatives by commissions in their respective districts. Today (April 24), the Tennessee Three took their case to the White House. Jones, Pearson, and Johnson met with President Biden and Vice President Harris to discuss how the country and individual states can move forward on enacting stricter gun control laws.
“You’re standing up for our kids. You’re standing up for our communities,” Biden told them at the top of their Oval Office meeting, according to USA Today. “What the Republican legislature did was shocking. It was undemocratic.”
Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, first confirmed the meeting last week. “The president has been very clear about how very important it is to take the next steps when it comes to gun reform, and he saw these three legislators as taking that next step,” she told reporters in the clip seen below. “He was proud and very appreciative of their efforts of what they were doing in the state House and how important it is to have that type of visibility, to have those voices out there to continue to call on an issue that he’s been talking about not just for the past several months, but for years.”
“They had a conversation,” she added. “He thanked them for speaking out, standing their ground and being very clear about what’s needed to protect their communities, and he invited them here to continue that conversation.”
The three politicians emerged from their meeting with the president and vice president more energized and ready to fight than ever. After the discussion, they addressed what needed to be done. Pearson, flanked by Jones and Johnson, said the next steps are apparent.
“For the Republican Party, who too often likes the status quo than justice, who too often is okay supporting white supremacy and patriarchy than supporting policies that can keep children alive, the message has been very clear from Tennesseeans, both Republican and Democrat, white and Black, and rich and poor,” he declared, as seen below. “Something must be done.”
Viola Davis Gets Support From Meryl Streep, Jessica Chastain & More at Chaplin Award Gala 2023
Viola Davis gets support from former co-stars Meryl Streep and Jessica Chastain while being recognized at the 2023 Chaplin Award Gala honoring Viola Davis at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on Monday (April 24) in New York City.
The 57-year-old Women King actress received the prestigious award as a tribute to her many successes in the industry. She stunned in a strapless black dress with gold fringe and received support from husband Julius Tennon.
Meryl opted for a black pantsuit, and Jessica dazzled in a sequined dress with a bold pattern and plunging neckline.
If you were unaware, Jessica shared the screen with Viola in The Help. Meryl starred in Doubt with the award-winner.
Gina Prince-Bythewood, George C. Wolfe, Jayme Lawson, Steve McQueen, Bevy Smith and Adrienne Warren were also there to cheer on Viola. You can see photos of them all in the gallery!
If you missed it, last month Viola revealed the role that she was hand-picked for by a star athlete.
SZA, Rihanna, BLACKPINK & More Win at 2023 Webby Awards
SZA, Tobe Nwigwe and Tracee Ellis Ross will be among the special achievement winners at the 2023 Webby Awards. Music stars who were cited in competitive categories include Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Selena Gomez, Doja Cat, BTS, Lizzo and BLACKPINK.
The awards will be presented at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Monday, May 15. Comedian Roy Wood Jr. is the returning host.
The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences announced the winners for the 27th annual Webby Awards on Tuesday (April 25).
SZA is the 2023 Webby artist of the year. The artist, whose SOS headed the Billboard 200 for 10 nonconsecutive weeks from December 2022 into March, won “for the instant classic SOS, the true intention and consideration she injects into her work, and for her ingenious use of the Internet to share unique, brilliantly honest art.”
Nwigwe, who was a best new artist nominee at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in April, will receive a Webby special achievement award “for his innovative use of the Internet to create art that is imaginative and poignant as seen in his album moMINTS and his role as ‘Nick’ in the Netflix series Mo.”
Ross, who concluded an eight-year run on ABC’s black-ish a year ago, will also receive a Webby special achievement award “for her ingenious use of the Internet to share multidimensional stories of belonging, increase Black representation in the beauty industry, and serve as a constant, positive force.”
“This year’s Webby Winners speak to the incredible potential of the Internet and the people who shape it.” Claire Graves, president of The Webby Awards, said in a statement. “They have set the benchmark for excellence in their respective category and are an inspiration for us all to continue striving towards a more connected and creative digital world.”
Here are highlights of the 2023 winners list in competitive categories, with a focus on music and entertainment honorees. All won Webby Awards, which are voted on by members of the Academy, except as noted. Those recipients won Webby People’s Voice Awards, which are voted on by fans.
Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 4 won the Webby People’s Voice Award for fashion, beauty & lifestyle, branded entertainment (video)
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah – “America’s Door Problem” won for comedy, general video (video)
Christina Aguilera – Beautiful (2022 Version) won for music video, general video (video)
Variety.com featuring Hugh Jackman won for best writing (editorial), features & design (websites and mobile sites)
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez won for fashion & beauty, general social (social)
Doja Cat x Taco Bell: A “Contractual” Partnership won for best influencer or creator endorsement, features (social)
My BTS Story won for best community engagement, features (social)
LIZZO’S BIG GIRLS | Womxn’s History Month | Animated Social Video won for arts & entertainment, social video (social)
Disney’s TikTok won for entertainment, general social (social)
#PinkVenomChallenge – YouTube Shorts x BLACKPINK won the Webby People’s Voice Award for best partnership or collaboration, features (social)
Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever won for TV, film & entertainment, social content series (social)
Pod Save America: [Barack] Obama’s Advice for Democrats won for featured guest, individual episodes (podcasts)
Netflix Stranger Things Global Rift Takeover won for experience marketing, individual (advertising, media & PR)
This year’s other special achievement winners include:
Webby lifetime achievement award – Shigetaka Kurita, “the inventor of the emoji, for his significant contribution to the worldwide cultural zeitgeist and impact on the way we communicate.”
Webby breakout of the year award – ChatGPT, “the game-changing, generative AI writing tool that created a digital phenomenon that’s changing the way we work and create.”
Webby podcast of the year – SmartLess, “honoring Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett for bringing nostalgia and laughter to listeners on their podcast SmartLess.”
Webby best actress – Sharon Horgan “for capturing the Internet’s attention with her acclaimed Apple TV+ show Bad Sisters, which she created, executive produced and stars in, as well as for her incredible career in comedy as a voice of radical self-awareness and razor-sharp wit.”
Webby special achievement award – “Under the Desk News for making the news accessible and understandable to young people through their candid, hard-hitting and synoptic reporting, all done in bite-sized pieces on Tik Tok.”
For the first time, the Academy is recognizing the Webby podcast company of the year. The award goes to the organization that has earned the most honors across the podcast categories. With four wins, the inaugural award was won by Audible.
In addition, the Academy announced MTV Entertainment as the Webby media company of the year, for earning the most honors across all Webby categories.
The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, including websites and mobile sites; video; advertising, media and PR; apps, dapps & software, social; podcasts; games and metaverse, immersive & virtual. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received nearly 14,000 entries this year.
Fans will be able to watch special moments and the signature five-word speeches by the winners on May 15 by following @TheWebbyAwards across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
To view the full list of winners, visit http://webbyawards.com/winners
R.Kelly Moved From Chicago To North Carolina Prison To Serve 30 Year Sentence
Looks like R.Kelly was moved moved from a Chicago correctional center to a medium-security prison in Granville County last week to serve his prison sentence, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The 56-year-old recording artists is reportedly being held in Federal Correctional Institution Butner Medium I, according to the prison website. The Butner federal correctional institutions, which include medium- and low-security prisons and a federal medical center, are located about 15 miles north of downtown Durham.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons spokesperson Benjamin O’Cone revealed the information Monday via email saying, “Kelly was moved to Butner FCI which is a medium security facility. He was always going to be designated to a BOP facility other than MCC so this is not a surprise even if we don’t always get advance notice of the timing. He continues to suffer from health issues caused by medical negligence at the MCC Chicago. We are hopeful that Butner will ensure that his medical needs are met. In the meantime, we have filed his brief in the Second Circuit which challenges his unjust conviction and 30 year sentence. Many fights ahead of us!” she said.
As we previously reported, Kelly’s team is looking to appeal his 30 year sentence after they officially filed an appeal on April 19. The R&B singer’s lawyers believe he was wrongfully convicted. According to TMZ, Kellz believes his verdict should be overturned due to a potentially biased jury who didn’t understand that he was misled by about the age of the minors he had relations with. The appeal was filed by his attorney Jennifer Bonjean on Tuesday and they are seeking to appeal the court’s conviction or sit in front of a judge for a new trial.
As most of know, R. Kelly was convicted last year on six counts of sexual exploitation and enticement of a minor in a case stemming from the complaints of women who said he lured them into sex acts while they were underage and accusations that he conspired to intimidate and bribe witnesses.
The decision by a federal jury came on the second day of deliberations and came one year after Kelly was convicted in New York on charges of federal racketeering and sex trafficking. He is serving a 30-year prison sentence in that case.
Kelly had faced 13 counts, including charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, receipt of child pornography, enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct, conspiring to obstruct justice and conspiring to receive child pornography. He was acquitted on seven counts, including all of the charges related to conspiracy.
Kelly had been accused by prosecutors of engaging in sex acts with five minors and recording some of the abuse on multiple videos.
During the trial, spread across five weeks, jurors heard from several of Kelly’s alleged victims who all testified that they were underage when Kelly began sexually abusing them.
Cory Hardrict & Tia Mowry Settle Divorce Agree to Joint Custody of 2 Kids
*It’s now a done deal between Tia Mowry and Cory Hardrict. The former couple has finalized their divorce settlement and will share custody of their children.
In court documents, Mowry’s attorney Laura Wasser informed the court that her client and Cory have “entered into a written agreement regarding their property and their marriage or domestic partnership rights, including support,” reports RadarOnline.
From what we know, the terms for custody, child support, or spousal support. However, all of the matters have been resolved. The couple had previously agreed to joint physical custody, according to Wasser.
If you recall, it was back in October of last year that Mowry announced the shocking news that she wanted out of the marriage.
“I wanted to share that Cory and I have decided to go our separate ways. These decisions are never easy, and not without sadness. We will maintain friendship as we co-parent our beautiful children.”
Mowry cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the divorce. The date of marriage was listed as 2008 but no date of separation was provided.
At the time the actress asked the court to award her joint legal and physical custody of their two kids: Cree, 11, and Cairo, 4.
She also asked that Hardtrict not be paid spousal support and she wanted the prenuptial agreement enforced.
At first, Hardtrict denounced the divorce and appeared to try to win his then-wife back. He said on Instagram Liv:
“I love my beautiful family, I love my kids, love my wife. Love all you guys. It’s all love.”
It didn’t matter because days later Mowry served him with the legal papers.
Fast forward to today. The parties are asking the court to approve the settlement and wrap up the case.
Mattel Releases First-Ever Barbie with Down Syndrome
On Tuesday, Mattel announced that Barbie was debuting its first-ever doll with Down Syndrome.
The doll was “created to allow even more children to see themselves in Barbie, as well as have Barbie reflect the world around them,” the company said. “The Barbie doll with Down syndrome is meant to inspire all children to tell more stories through play.”
Barbie worked with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in order to “ensure the doll accurately represents a person with Down syndrome,” per a press release.
The NDSS has reported that one in every 772 babies in the U.S. is born with Down syndrome.
“NDSS empowers individuals with Down syndrome and their families by providing resources, driving policy change [and] engaging with local communities,” Mattel added. “NDSS’s guidance and real-world experiences informed the design process from start to finish, including the doll’s sculpt, clothing, accessories and packaging. The close partnership ensured the Barbie team celebrated individuals with Down syndrome through a doll that would immediately connect with the community.”
“It was an honor working with Barbie on the Barbie doll with Down syndrome,” said Kandi Pickard, the president and CEO of NDSS. “This means so much for our community, who for the first time, can play with a Barbie doll that looks like them. This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation. It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating.”
In order to make the doll’s design symbolic of the Down syndrome community, Mattel came up with some inventive solutions.
“The doll’s puff-sleeved dress pattern features butterflies and yellow and blue colors, which are symbols and colors associated with Down syndrome awareness,” Mattel said. “The doll’s pink pendant necklace with three upward chevrons represents the three copies of the 21st chromosome, which is the genetic material that causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. The three chevrons, or arrows, are a symbol that unites the Down syndrome community and are meant to represent ‘the lucky few’ who have someone with Down syndrome in their life.”
As for Barbie’s shape, “This doll introduces a new face and body sculpt to be more illustrative of women with Down syndrome, including a shorter frame and a longer torso,” Mattel said. “The new face sculpt features a rounder shape, smaller ears, and a flat nasal bridge, while the eyes are slightly slanted in an almond shape. The doll’s palms even include a single line, a characteristic often associated with those with Down syndrome.”
“The Barbie Fashionista doll with Down syndrome also wears pink ankle foot orthotics (AFOs) to match her outfit and her sneakers tout a zipper detail,” Mattel added. “Some children with Down syndrome use orthotics to support their feet and ankles, and NDSS provided a box of orthotics to serve as real-life inspiration for the ones this Barbie Fashionista is wearing, matched to her outfit and the bright colors in her design.”
The potential global impact of the doll was mentioned in a statement by Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie & Dolls at Mattel.
“As the most diverse doll line on the market, Barbie plays an important role in a child’s early experiences, and we are dedicated to doing our part to counter social stigma through play,” said McKnight. “Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves.”
“Doll play outside of a child’s own lived experience can teach understanding and build a greater sense of empathy, leading to a more accepting world,” McKnight added. “We are proud to introduce a Barbie doll with Down syndrome to better reflect the world around us and further our commitment to celebrating inclusion through play.”
Consumers can purchase the 2023 Fashionistas line doll at all major retailers for $10.99.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Life is a Struggle
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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