MAGFAB: Jodie Turner Smith Wayman Bannerman and Micah Mcdonald for The Hollywood Reporter - 29th March 2023
This time we will talk about famous stylist duo Wayman + Micah.
You may recognize them as a red carpet fixture for Tessa Thompson, Jennifer Hudson, Logan Browning, Regina King and KiKi Layne. I’ve been a fan of their work since a long time and what I admire about them is their knowledge of the trends and their ability to elevate people of color when it comes to red carpet appearances. You could never get bored of what they have in store for you, being also two wonderful chatty human beings.
The Hollywood Reporter put them in their Top 10 Power Stylists of the Decade and I couldn’t agree more.
They're great at their craft.
#RHOA: Season 15: Where the Cast’s Friendships and Relationships Stand
The Real Housewives of Atlanta is officially back for a 15th season, and while fans got a sneak peek at some of the drama to come in the jaw-dropping trailer, we’re going one step further and delivering something they’re sure to a-peach-iate: a detailed breakdown of the cast’s friendships, feuds, and families as they stand heading into the new season.
Get all the details on the cast’s dynamic ahead of RHOA’s return, below.
The Cast of RHOA Season 15
Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, Drew Sidora, Shereé Whitfield, Marlo Hampton, and Sanya Richards-Ross are all returning for Season 15, as is friend Monyetta Shaw-Carter. They’ll be joined by Courtney R. Rhodes, a new friend.
With several business moves on the horizon, Kandi is trying to balance prioritizing family time and supporting her husband and business partner, Todd Tucker, with his journey to Hollywood as a filmmaker — just as he always supports her. Will Kandi be able to put in the time and energy needed to help Todd and achieve her future aspirations?
Kandi Burruss Just Revealed Her Next Big “Project” and It Involves Nick Cannon
Kenya Moore
Kenya is in full boss mode. The haircare mogul is taking her business to the next level by opening her very own hair salon. While Kenya is still having fun as she twirls her way back into the dating world, the one lingering issue is the finalizing of her divorce.
Shereé Whitfield
Shereé is stepping into her greatness after suffering public humiliation when her last relationship didn’t go as planned. But she didn’t let that get in the way of giving love a second chance with the new man in her life, Martell Holt. However, as she faces an unexpected health issue, she will have to shift all her focus. Will there be enough Shereé to go around?
Which Former Real Housewife Would Kenya Moore NOT Want to See on RHOA?
Drew Sidora
Drew is taking her music career to new octaves by releasing her first album, pushing forward her acting and music career while also working through her relationship with her husband, Ralph Pittman. But they strike the wrong chord in their marriage, and their divorce announcement leaves everyone shaken.
Marlo Hampton
As Marlo continues to take on her role as “Munty,” she’s working with a life coach as she raises teenagers who are ready for summer jobs and driving lessons. She also takes a dip in the dating pool while she looks for her next suitor — but not without the approval of her nephews.
After Years of Being Asked, Marlo Hampton Gets Shady and Finally Explains Where She Gets Her Money
Sanya Richards-Ross
Returning for her sophomore season, Sanya has no plans to slow down and has set her sights on expanding her business and her family. Sanya and her husband, Aaron Ross, still have a full house of nine, each with their own set of challenges. As Sanya navigates the great expectations for her family, business, and more of herself, is she running a marathon with no end in sight?
Monyetta Shaw-Carter
Monyetta is back in the mix, playing matchmaker when she introduces Kenya to a new love interest. Monyetta is trying to be a good friend while navigating the tough waters of being loyal to Kandi while showing the other ladies she can be true to them as well.
Which Housewives Franchise Would the RHOA Ladies Move To? "I Want Another Ultimate Girls Trip!"
Courtney R. Rhodes
Courtney joins this season as a friend. She’s a successful brand marketing expert and jewelry designer in Atlanta who has been friends with Shereé for many years. Courtney realizes her strong ties to this group when she finds out her long-lost cousin is Drew’s husband, Ralph.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 15 premieres on Sunday, May 7, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. Catch all prior seasons on Peacock.
#NewMusic from Shawn Stockman (of Boyz II Men) Releases New Single “Love”
Shawn Stockman of the legendary group Boyz II Men has been on quite a roll since establishing himself as a solo artist within the past few years.
LISTEN HERE
He adds to his growing discography with the release of the new solo single called “Love”. This follows in the footsteps of the song “I’ll Be On My Way” which he gave us just a few weeks ago.
Stockman had previously given us the deluxe edition of his solo debut album “Foreward” back in 2022.
In the meantime, he continues to tour alongside Boyz II Men and thrill fans around the world with their timeless catalog of hits.
#HipHopNews: Drake Samples Kim Kardashian On New Song 'Rescue Me'
Drake is stirring up controversy with his latest track. On Friday night, October’s Very Own was a guest on the 100th episode of “The Fri Yiy Show” on SiriusXM’s Sound 42 where he premiered his new song “Rescue Me,” which he previously teased on Instagram.
“I need someone to be patient with me / Someone to get money with, not take it from me / They don’t even need to be as famous as me,” he sings on the BNYX-produced track. “Come and rescue me / Take me out the club, take me out the trap / Take me off the market, take me off the map.”
Midway through, the song features a soundbite of Kim Kardashian from the 2021 season finale of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” where she tells her mother Kris Jenner that she wants to divorce Kanye West.
“I didn’t come this far just to come this far and not be happy. Remember that,” says Kim.
It’s an interesting choice considering that there was speculation that Drake hooked up with Kim, which she has denied. The rumors were also a point of contention during Drake’s beef with Kanye.
LISTEN HERE
Drake - Rescue Me (Prod by @BNYX)
— Drake Direct (@DrakeDirect_) April 1, 2023
pic.twitter.com/owaHw81iQS
During Ye’s appearance on “Drink Champs” in November 2021, he confirmed that Kim never slept with Drake, but accused Drake of suggesting otherwise. “You acted like you did,” he said. “It’s like somebody throwing a marble and hiding their hand.”
Drake could perform his controversial song for the first time at this weekend’s Dreamville Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is scheduled to join J. Cole and close out the festival on Sunday night.
Mary J. Blige Releases First Children’s Book “Mary Can!”
Legendary singer Mary J. Blige continues to flex her talents into other spectrums with the release of her first children’s book “Mary Can!”
The book is a fun and inspirational story that teaches young readers they can be anything, and they are enough.
The premise of the book is that young Mary has been told that there are many things she can’t do. Like stay up past bedtime, or be an astronaut or become president. But what she really wants is to sing, and she isn’t about to let anyone tell her she can’t do it!
“Mary Can!” aims to be a motivating story that teaches young children that dreams come true if they believe in themselves.
Brought to life with imaginative illustrations by Ezra Jack Keats Award-winning illustrator Ashleigh Corrin, Mary Can! is perfect for go-getters who aren’t afraid to be a YES in a world full of NOs.
Barack Obama Dined With Michael B. Jordan, Regina King, the Daniels and More in Brentwood California
The former president and two executives from the Obamas' production company, Higher Ground, hosted back-to-back dinners at A.O.C. for "intimate creative discussions."
If you saw a bunch of stars ducking into A.O.C. recently, there was a good reason.
President Barack Obama and his Higher Ground production company hosted back-to-back dinners the week of March 13 at the Brentwood hotspot, inviting a slew of Oscar winners, nominees and creative talent, according to multiple sources.
Joining Obama and Higher Ground execs Joe Paulsen and Tonia Davis were Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once duo Daniels (fresh from their best picture win), Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler (also riding high with the success of Creed III), Oscar winner Regina King, Janelle Monáe (featured in the Higher Ground-produced We the People), Colman Domingo (who stars in H.G.’s upcoming Rustin this fall), Better Things creator Pamela Adlon, Oscar-nominated writer and filmmaker Kemp Powers, Station Eleven creator Patrick Somerville, Maid creator and showrunner Molly Smith Metzler, and Quinta Brunson, the powerhouse Emmy Award-wining Abbott Elementary creator, showrunner and star.
Per an insider, Obama had no specific agenda for the dinners other than to gather those he and his team are either working with, have relationships with or are fans of for an intimate creative discussion. Higher Ground declined to comment.
The guest list won’t be a total surprise to those who have paid close attention to Obama’s buzzworthy year-end lists. For 2022, he included Daniels’ Everything Everywhere as one of his 17 favorite movies of the year. One of his favorite books of the year was Emily St. John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility, the newest book from the Canadian author who also penned Station Eleven, which was adapted into the critically acclaimed HBO Max series. Obama also placed Maid on his top books list, the best-selling memoir from Stephanie Land served as the adaptation for the critically acclaimed Netflix hit. Both Smith Metzler and Obama’s Higher Ground are in overall deals at Netflix.
Twitter removed verified check marks from The New York Times
The newspaper’s main account, which has 54.9 million followers, appeared to have lost its check mark after Elon Musk tweeted Sunday it would lose the verification symbol after refusing to pay for it.
A day after Twitter was supposed to begin removing verified check marks from accounts that wouldn't pay for the platform’s new subscription service, many verified accounts appear to have kept their check marks — except for The New York Times’.
The newspaper's main account, which has 54.9 million followers, no longer had a check mark Sunday. Twitter CEO Elon Musk tweeted early Sunday that the newspaper's page would lose the verification symbol — the only public indicator of an account’s legitimacy — after the Times announced it wouldn't pay to keep it.
Musk's announcement came in response to a Twitter user, DogeDesigner, who tweeted at 12:25 a.m. ET Sunday saying, "New York Times says It Won’t Pay For Twitter Verification," accompanied by a laughing emoji and a meme featuring the Times' logo and Musk saying, "See, no one cares!"
Musk responded to the tweet two minutes later, saying, "Oh ok, we’ll take it off then."
He followed the tweet up with two others about 45 minutes later disparaging the Times, including one that called its reporting "propaganda" and another that said "their feed is the Twitter equivalent of diarrhea."
Twitter announced last month that it would begin winding down its former free verification system on Saturday, removing the check marks from accounts the company had previously determined were authentic and in the public interest. But many verified accounts still had their check marks Sunday afternoon.
Some of the Times’ other Twitter accounts — including New York Times World, NYT Science and New York Times Opinion — also retained their verified check marks Sunday afternoon.
Twitter didn't respond to a request for comment.
A spokesperson for the Times said in a statement the company doesn't plan to pay the monthly fee to keep check marks on any of its institutional Twitter accounts and that it wouldn't reimburse reporters who want to keep check marks on their personal accounts “except in rare instances where this status would be essential for reporting purposes.”
The spokesperson didn't respond to requests for comment about Musk’s tweets disparaging the Times’ reporting or its Twitter feed.
The Times reported last week that the newspaper wouldn't pay for check marks — but it also reported that Twitter's top 500 advertisers and its 10,000 most-followed organizations that were previously verified would not need to pay for verification, citing an internal document. NBC News hasn't independently verified that reporting.
The Times is the 19th most-followed account on Twitter, according to the social media analytics tool
Other major news organizations — including CNN, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, BuzzFeed, Politico and Vox — have also said they won't pay for check marks for their brands' accounts or those of most reporters, CNN reported last week. A spokesperson for NBC News didn't immediately respond to a question about whether the company would pay for verified check marks for its accounts or those of its reporters.
Twitter's check marks, which were free, now cost $8 a month for individuals through Twitter Blue, a subscription service the company launched last year. Organizations including businesses, nonprofit groups or government institutions would need to pay $1,000 a month to keep their check marks.
Users who pay under the new program will get benefits including showing up higher in replies and appearing in Twitter’s “For You” feed, which recommends tweets for users.
Musk has described Twitter Blue as a way to boost revenue and fend off trolls and bots, but security experts fear it could worsen the spread of disinformation and impersonation, which it already has. It initially rolled out soon after Musk bought Twitter in October, but it was quickly pulled after impersonators flourished before it was relaunched in December.
The service doesn’t require accounts to be notable or verified through formal identification, as it did previously; criteria now include being nondeceptive, active and older than 30 days.
Travis Brown, a programmer and former Twitter employee who tracks activity on the site through a grant from Germany’s nonprofit Open Knowledge Foundation, said only about 3.6% of formerly verified accounts were signed up for Twitter Blue as of Sunday.
Musk has attacked the Times' reporting, along with that of other mainstream news outlets. In December, after the Times published a story highlighting new research from organizations that study online platforms showing that hate speech on Twitter had reached unprecedented levels after Musk bought it, Musk replied, "utterly false," although he didn't provide any evidence to back up his claim.
Musk has said he bought the platform because he wanted it to be a "digital town square, where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in healthy manner, without resorting to violence.”
In response to a Twitter user who asked early Sunday, "What are your favorite news sources at the moment?" Musk replied: "This."
Usher Pranks Dreamville Fest With Beyoncé April Fools' Joke
Usher played a cruel April Fools’ joke on the crowd at Dreamville Fest. During his headlining set at J. Cole’s festival in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday night, the R&B superstar told fans that he was about to bring out a surprise guest, none other than Beyoncé.
“I don’t know if you guys listened to some of the interviews that I did before we decided to do this show, but as promised, I said I would have a special surprise for you tonight, ladies and gentlemen,” he began.
“You guys wanna know what that surprise is? Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, put your hands together for the one, the only, Beyoncé,” he said as the shocked crowd roared with delight.
He pretended to welcome his special guest from backstage as the crowd waited with bated breath. But it all ended with disappointment when he reminded them what day it was. “April Fools!” said Usher, clearly pleased with his joke.
WATCH HERE
While there was no Queen Bey, Usher did later bring out a special guest when City Girls joined him on stage to perform their collaboration “Good Love.”
Day 1 of Dreamville Fest also featured Lil Durk, Ari Lennox, Sean Paul, and more. J. Cole will headline tonight with Drake, along with performances from Summer Walker, Burna Boy, and GloRilla.
Karamo Brown Says His 'Biological Clock is Ticking'
Karamo Brown is ready for marriage. Speaking recently to Page Six, the Queer Eye star said that his "biological clock is ticking." The 42-year-old television host has been dating photographer Carlos Medel for two years, but is now eager for the next step. "I’m trying not to be the boyfriend that pressures while also dropping hints," Brown told the outlet.
Prior to Medel, Brown was in a 10-year relationship with his ex fiancé Ian Jordan. The relationship ended during the pandemic. "The pandemic made us realize that there are some things we need to work on," Brown explained. "And we weren’t able to work them out and I was willing to, but it just didn’t work."
Now, he says his current relationship is in a good place, adding, "Now we're at a place with my new partner, we're not having any issues. Things are great." On Valentine's Day this year, he posted a photo of himself with Medel, writing in the caption, "Mi vida, thank you for always making me feel safe, seen and supported."
Brown first made history in 2004 as the first openly gay Black man to be cast on a reality show, when he appeared on MTV's The Real World: Philadelphia. Today, he's one part of the quintet of the massively successful Queer Eye reboot, whose seventh season will premiere in 2023, as well as host of his own eponymous syndicated talk show Karamo, which was recently renewed for a second season.
Outside of his professional life, Brown is already the proud father of two sons. In 2007, he found out he was the father of a then 10-year-old boy named Jason. He subsequently adopted the boy's half brother, Chris, in 2010.
NBA reverses marijuana ban, ending random player testing for the drug
The NBA has rolled back its ban on marijuana per the league and the National Basketball Players Association’s new collective bargaining agreement. The seven-year deal that was reached early Saturday (April 1) also lifts testing for the substance.
The Athletic reporter Shams Charania was the first to report the news around 3:30 a.m. He tweeted, “Sources: NBA players will no longer be prohibited from using marijuana under the new seven-year collective bargaining agreement. It’s been removed from the anti-drug testing program, a process that began during the 2019-20 season.” The lifted ban goes into effect this summer and will last through the 2029–30 season if neither side opts out by the end of the 2028–29 season.
During pandemic isolation in 2020, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver eased back on enforcing the policy. “We decided that, given all the things that were happening in society, given all the pressures and stress that players were under, we didn’t need to act as Big Brother right now,” said Silver. “I think society’s views around marijuana have changed to a certain extent.” The finalized agreement is forthcoming, pending “ratification by players and team governors.” The NBA Communications team said, “specific details will be made available once a term sheet is finalized.”
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is among the athletes who have advocated for marijuana’s medicinal purposes. In 2021, he entered a multi-year partnership with Weedmaps, an online weed marketplace, to destigmatize the plant. “The Band-Aid has been ripped off in the sports world… It’s kind of an undercover thing that players use cannabis and use it throughout when they’re actively playing,” said Durant.
The legalization of cannabis has become a popular debate as more states have decriminalized its recreational use. To date, 21 states, including California, Arizona, New York, Washington, and Michigan, have all passed legislation that lays out the maximum amount of marijuana a person can be in possession of without being prosecuted.
Police confirm BTB Savage fatally shot in Houston
BTB Savage has been publicly identified as the victim of a fatal shooting that occurred in one of Houston’s wealthiest neighborhoods on Thursday (March 30).
As previously reported earlier this week, fans assumed the up-and-coming rapper was gunned down after he posted two photos of himself at a crime scene where an enemy of his was reportedly killed. On Friday (March 31), the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences confirmed that a man who was fatally shot in the residential area of River Oaks was, in fact, Savage, whose real name is Darrell Gentry.
“I can tell you [that] there [were] a number of shots fired, as evident by the number of casings on the ground. We do believe this was targeted,” said Houston Police Chief Troy Finner while at the scene of the crime on Thursday. According to the police, Savage was in a white Mercedes when a black Subaru with tinted windows pulled up beside him. Two men dressed in all black exited the SUV and fired dozens of bullets into the car, killing the 26-year-old “Scam Story” rapper.
“At one point, they could’ve shot from the vehicle and whatnot. The fact is multiple shots [were fired], so they did get out at one point,” said Finner. Mayor Sylvester Turner noted that Savage was not from the city. “There was an individual who — it’s unfortunate — lost his life in the city of Houston. He’s not from the city of Houston,” said Turner. The shooting stunned River Oaks residents, who know the area to be crime-free. “Right across the street, we’ve got million-dollar homes. Definitely didn’t expect it in this part of Houston,” a man who heard the shots fired told ABC13. At this time, police are still searching for the suspects and their getaway vehicle.
Lady Gaga & Joaquin Phoenix Sing & Dance; Rescue Crew Member After Fall on 'Joker 2' Set
Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix do a little song and dance together while filming new scenes for Folie à Deux in New York City on Sunday (April 2).
The two stars spotted walking up and down, performing their number on the “Joker” stairs, which connect Shakespeare and Anderson avenues in The Bronx.
At one point during the scene, both Gaga and Joaquin rushed to help a crew member after they fell over the railing.
The two helped to pull the crew member back onto the solid ground of the stairs and made sure they were uninjured before resuming filming.
Just the day before, Gaga was seen without her makeup for Harley Quinn and went barefoot while chatting with director Todd Phillips.
Marvel Drops 'Secret Invasion' Poster, Trailer & Premiere Date For Disney+!
Marvel’s Secret Invasion is coming sooner than you think! The brand new series will see the return of Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, and Cobie Smulders to the franchise.
The series will also star Ben Mendelsohn, Martin Freeman, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Charlayne Woodard, Killian Scott, Samuel Adewunmi, Dermot Mulroney, Christopher McDonald, Katie Finneran, with Emilia Clarke and Olivia Colman.
Here’s a summary of the show: Set in the present day MCU, Nick Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross, Maria Hill and the Skrull Talos, who has made a life for himself on Earth. Together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity.
Marvel’s Secret Invasion will begin streaming on June 10. Check out the trailer HERE
#BoxOfficeNews: ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Rolls $38.5 Million in Opening Weekend
“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” emerged victorious over last weekend’s champ “John Wick: Chapter 4” at the domestic box office, rolling $38.5 million from 3,855 North American theaters in its opening weekend.
Buoyed by positive reviews and enthusiastic word-of-mouth, Paramount and eOne’s adaptation of the popular role-playing game landed on the higher end of expectations, which had pegged the film with a debut between $30 million and $40 million.
Internationally, “Dungeons & Dragons” collected $33 million from 58 markets for a global tally of $71.5 million.
Ticket sales are expected to remain strong in the coming weeks, which is necessary because the film cost $150 million before its hefty marketing campaign. Inaugural crowds were likely boosted by hardcore D&D players, but analysts believe the film will appeal to broader audiences, who may not know as much about the game, as it continues its run on the big screen.
“The opening weekend performance of ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ is just the first step in the journey for this well-reviewed film,” says Paul Dergarabedian, a senior Comscore analyst.
David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, says “this is a good opening for an action adventure that has the potential to generate sequels.” He adds, “At a cost of $150 million, foreign is where ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ has to excel to be profitable and become a series.”
Though its box office campaign is far from complete, the “D&D” movie adaptation is considered another step forward for Hollywood, which has long struggled to bring games to the big screen. Adaptations have experienced a turnaround as of late with the success of Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” and its 2022 sequel, as well as Sony’s “Uncharted.” Universal and Illumination’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which opens next weekend, is expected to continue the trend, with potential to become one of the biggest movies of the year.
“During the last 15 years, toys and video games have become good source material for new franchise films,” says Gross. “That wasn’t always the case.”
Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley (“Game Night”) directed the PG-13 “Dungeons and Dragons,” which centers on a charming thief (Chris Pine) and a band of unlikely adventurers (Michelle Rodriguez and Regé-Jean Page among them) who undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic. Audiences awarded the film an “A-” CinemaScore, which is a good sign, even though it’ll soon face competition from “Super Mario Bros.”
“These exit polls are stellar,” says Paramount’s president of domestic distribution Chris Aronson. “Our directors have been able to tell this story in a way that is accessible to everyone. They’re supremely talented.”
“Dungeons & Dragons” caps off an unexpectedly strong March at the box office, which fielded opening weekend franchise records for “Scream,” “Creed” and “John Wick” and could eventually ignite a new series in “D&D.” One newcomer in March that likely won’t be getting a sequel is “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” which cost $110 million and has majorly stumbled with $53 million in North America and $119 million globally to date.
“John Wick: Chapter 4” took second place with $28.2 million from 3,855 venues, a stellar result for its sophomore outing. After two weeks on the big screen, the action sequel has generated $122.7 million in North America and $245 million globally. It’s aiming to catch up to 2019’s “Parabellum,” which ranks as the highest-earner of the franchise with $328 million.
In third place, “Scream VI” added $5.3 million from 3,016 locations, bringing its domestic total to $98.2 million. It’s already improved upon its predecessor, 2022’s “Scream,” which ended its North American box office run with $81 million.
The latest “Scream” placed just ahead of the faith-based drama “His Only Son” and “Creed III” on on box office charts. The movie opened to $5 million, which is impressive since it cost only $250,000 to make. “His Only Son,” about Abraham’s directive to make the ultimate sacrifice, is backed by a new company called Angel Studios, which gives creators the platform to crowdfund, create and distribute films and TV series with full creative control.
“Creed III” rounded out the top five with $5 million from 2,827 locations in its fifth weekend of release. The sports drama, directed by Michael B. Jordan who also stars in the film with Jonathan Majors, has grossed $148 million to date in North America.
Overseas, where Warner Bros. is rolling out “Creed III,” ticket sales have reached $110 million for an impressive global tally of $258 million. It’s already overtaken 2018’s sequel “Creed II” ($214 million) to become the highest-grossing entry of the spinoff series.
Elsewhere, A.V. Rockwell’s R-rated drama “A Thousand and One” debuted to $1.8 million from 926 theaters. The film, from Focus Features, landed in seventh place behind “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” with $4.17 million in its third outing.
Teyana Taylor stars in “A Thousand and One” as the free-spirited Inez, who kidnaps her 6-year-old son Terry from the foster care system and head to New York City. It premiered at Sundance Film Festival and won the Grand Jury prize.
“Winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance solidified to us that ‘A Thousand and One’ speaks to audiences in a viscerally emotional way, and is a testament to A.V’s passion for telling this incredibly personal story,” says Lisa Bunnell, president of distribution at Focus. “The fantastic critical response coupled with Teyana’s raw, powerhouse performance gives us confidence this film will continue to resonate with audiences across the country.”
Young mother Sara Beth quits 'American Idol' following Katy Perry's 'embarrassing' and 'hurtful' 'mom-shaming' remark
Earlier this season on American Idol, a plucky and adorable redhead by the stage name of Sara Beth, whom Katy Perry described as “a comic strip character come to life,” tried out for the show. The judges were so surprised by the singer’s baby-faced appearance — they literally thought she was a high school kid, not a 25-year-old mother of three — that Katy mock-fainted, to which an amused Sara Beth said, “If Katy lays on the table, I think I’m going to pass out!”
Katy then quipped, without missing a beat: “Honey, you’ve been laying on the table too much!”
Viewers were quick to blast Katy’s comment as slut-shaming or mom-shaming, and while Sara Beth seemed to laugh it off at time and happily accepted her Golden Ticket to Hollywood, she later took to TikTok to call out the center judge out for the “hurtful” remark, saying: “Katy Perry made a joke that wasn’t super-kind. … It was embarrassing to have that on TV. … I think that mom-shaming is super-lame.”
This Sunday, when Sara Beth returned to Idol Season 21 for the first round of Hollywood Week, she abruptly quit the show — despite delivering what guest mentor Clay Aiken called an “infectiously lovely” rendition of the Police’s “Roxanne” that Sara herself said “went a lot better than I thought it would,” and despite Katy passionately pleading with her to stay.
However, Sara Beth didn’t cite Katy’s crude “table” comment as the reason for her early exit, instead just telling the judges, “This opportunity is really rad, but this is actually going to be my last performance, because my heart’s at home. So, I’m going get home to my babies. They kind of need me.”
Truth be told, Sara Beth’s heart had never seemed totally in it to win it when it came to Idol. At the time of her audition, she’d only been semi-seriously pursuing music for six months, with her prior experience mostly limited to karaoke nights with her gal pals. Katy suspected that singing wasn’t Sara Beth’s real passion and that Sara didn’t possess that same hunger as other Idol contestants, actually calling Sara an “accidental American Idol” and “hidden gem.” Lionel Richie even gave Sara Beth a no during the New Orleans auditions. And in Hollywood, Sara seemed more ambivalent than ever, admitting, “A big part of me feels like I’m not cut out for show business.”
“I don’t even know what show business is,” Sara Beth said. “I’ve been a mom since I was 18. I’ve been married since I was 18. … I don’t think I realized quite how hard it would be to be away from my kids. They’re all still really young. … There is a lot of guilt when you leave your kids to do something completely selfish.” She also told a producer backstage, who seemed to be trying to talk her out of her decision, “I feel like I’m not gonna win the show anyway, so I might as well go home.”
“What just happened? She’s gonna leave? What just happened?” Lionel gasped incredulously, after Sara Beth announced her resignation.
“That was a mistake,” said a disappointed Luke Bryan.
But the judges, particularly the headstrong Katy, weren’t going to let Sara Beth go that easily. They immediately summoned Sara back to the stage and urged her to reconsider, with Katy pep-talking her: “I know life is scary. I also know that it’s easier to walk away than to be rejected. … But self-love is just as big as motherly love. Don’t leave the competition.”
The judges then revealed that they had planned to put Sara Beth through to Hollywood Week’s second round, based on the strength of her “Roxanne” performance. “You’ve opened a door you thought you’d never open, and you got a yes. And you may get another yes in the future. Do not give up,” Katy reiterated.
This all seemed like the setup for a classic Idol story arc, a triumph-over-adversity narrative that would satisfyingly end with Sara Beth deciding to face her fears and stay in the game. But while Sara “appreciated” Katy’s words — this time around — Katy’s words did not change her mind after all.
“I’m really humbled and grateful, and Katy had some really nice things to say. It would be nice if my kids were a little older. I understand how big of an opportunity this is,” Sara Beth shrugged, leaving the Orpheum Theatre stage for the second and apparently final time. “But I still kind of want to get home. I am sure when I get home, I will regret it and be like, ‘Man, you should have stayed.’”
It is a shame that Sara Beth took herself out of the running, when there were so many other contestants who would’ve loved to stay in Hollywood but had no choice in the matter. Among the notable cuts during this first round were Lyric Medeiros (daughter of ‘80s adult-contemporary star Glenn Medeiros), who was still too cutesy despite Katy trying to “smack all that out of her,” and McKayla Stacey (daughter of Season 6 Idol finalist Phil Stacey), who enjoyed a sweet reunion with another guest mentor, Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks, but hadn’t quite matured enough to move on.
Also eliminated Sunday were Ashley Tankard, who tried out 15 times to get to this moment, but choked (or more specifically croaked) under pressure; crooning cashier Kameron Lawson, who suffered his own unfortunate frog-throated moment; and a few once-promising contestants whose Hollywood Week performances weren’t shown at all, like Ophrah Kablam, Danny Epp, Owen Eckhardt, and Irish one-hit wonder Keelin. Any of these singers would have been thrilled to have Katy begging them not to leave, and would have happily taken Sara’s spot.
Interestingly, another second-chancer and young mom, Fire Wilmore, did make it through to the next round — despite the fact that she was clearly “not comfortable standing up there” onstage, as Luke observed, and giving what was already her third lackluster performance of this short season. I suspect that Fire won’t make it much further. But after producers invested so in much in her — making her the sob-story subject of a two-episode cliffhanger in which she was turned away from her first audition, but invited to come back a month later — the judges probably felt obligated, or were even ordered, to keep her around just a bit longer.
As for the other singers who advanced Sunday, for this first-day challenge they all had to focus on one of three areas in which they wanted to improve, and they had a little help not just from Clay and Jordin, but from a few other Idol alumni. Season 1 runner-up Justin “Lil’ Sweet” Guarini, along with Jordin, was there to fine-tune the contestants’ stage presence; runners-up and fan favorites David “The Macaw” Archuleta and Clay coached the contestants’ confidence; and Season 11 winner/prodigal son Phillip Phillips and Season 16 viral folk-pop sensation Catie Turner specialized in songwriting. And in case seeing the above-mentioned 16-year-old McKayla Stacey reunite with Jordin (her actual former babysitter!) or 16-year-old contestant Paige Anne meet her first celebrity crush, Archuleta, wasn't enough to make all you old-school Idol viewers feel old... well, Clay pointed out that some of Season 21's hopefuls weren’t even born yet when he competed on American Idol 20 years ago, in Season 2.
None of Sunday’s performers received any direct verbal feedback from Katy, Lionel, and Luke, but the judges’ whoops, hollers, occasional standing ovations, and murmured comments to each other were enough to illustrate their enthusiasm. Among Sunday’s standouts were Eastern European diva Nutsa, who gave Luke “chills everywhere” with her dramatic tour de force of Celine Dion’s “I Surrender”; rough-around-the-edges country boys Trey Louis and Colin Stough, both total naturals despite having almost no live performance experience; sassy fry cook Zachariah Smith, who didn’t need any confidence or stage-presence coaching to deliver his dynamite version of Foreigner’s “Cold As Ice”; more-than-ready-for-prime-time folk-rock troubadours Mariah Faith and Oliver Steele; soul belters Lucy Love, Matt Wilson, and Kya Monee; and Broadway baby Emma Busse with her steely version of Yebba’s betrayal ballad “My Mind.”
The episode’s pimp spot went to “top 10 material” Iam Tongi, who went viral a few weeks ago dedicating his audition of James Blunt’s “Monsters” to his recently departed dad, and continued to make his father proud with a simple and tender cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” that a stunned Luke declared “perfect.”
We also got a few exquisite original compositions, from Haven Madison (who proved that her excellent audition song “15” was no fluke by following that up with an emotional ballad for her struggling brother, “Still Need You”); Dawson Wayne (who I don’t even remember from the auditions, but could be a dark horse); volleyball champ Hannah Nicolaisen; and Wé Ani, whose original was so catchy, her peers in the Orpheum Theatre audience were still singing it long after she left the stage. (Side note: Aforementioned eliminee Keelin’s Megan Trainor-esque, anti-ghosting original, “Don’t Call Me,” which she sang at her quirky audition, is still the hookiest original of Season 21, and it ought to become a big hit.)
Hollywood Week continues apace Monday, when Platinum Ticket recipients Tyson Venegas, Kaylin Hedges, Cam Amen, and Elijah McCormick — who were exempt Sunday, instead observing round one from the comfort and distance of their Statler & Waldorf-style balcony seats — will rejoin the competition. And there will be plenty of drama, of course, because this season, the contestants have to choose their own partners for round two’s duets challenge.
Meanwhile, Sara Beth will be watching at home with her three children, possibly wondering what might have been… but hopefully having no regrets.
Wendy Williams Reportedly Selling her Furniture Before Move to LA
*Wendy Williams is reportedly selling off her belongings in preparation for a move to the West Coast.
The Sun is reporting that the former talk show host plans a move to California sometime this week, and is said to be selling off all the furniture inside the apartment, as well as some of her most prized items, including the iconic purple chair she used on her daytime talk show.
“Wendy has been calling people, asking them to help sell all her stuff. She is asking for recommendations on places that can sell furniture for you,” said a source quoted by The Sun.
Fans caught a glimpse inside of Williams’ $ 3 million New York City penthouse when she filmed several episodes of her talk show from home during COVID-19 lockdown. Reports of her planned move to Los Angeles came after her podcast was allegedly canceled due to health concerns.
Millions of Americans Set to Lose Medicaid As Pandemic-Era Rule Expires
Millions of Americans are set to lose Medicaid insurance as a safety net put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic reaches its expiration date.
CNN reports 15 million Americans will be kicked off Medicaid, which is administered by the state and federal government and provides free health insurance to people with low incomes. In April, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, New Hampshire and South Dakota are the first states which will see its residents lose their Medicaid coverage. Fourteen more states will terminate their coverage in May, with 20 additional states following suit in June.
“This is the fable of the tortoise and the hare,” Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, told the outlet. “Taking time is absolutely going to result in a better outcome for eligible children and families to remain covered. So speed is a big concern.”
Medicaid has seen enrollment balloon by five million since March 2020, when lawmakers passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which prevented states from removing residents from Medicaid insurance due to an implemented safety net that was put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, more than 92 million Americans were enrolled in Medicaid as of December 2022, which was 31 percent higher than pre-pandemic numbers.
Pat Kelly, Your Health Idaho’s executive director, maintains that health care providers must help Americans “know and understand that low-cost options are available, and most importantly, that it’s comprehensive health insurance that they can get for $0 a month.”
All states must adhere to Medicaid termination over the next 14 months.
Reese Witherspoon Officially Files For Divorce From Husband Jim Toth
Reese Witherspoon officially filed for divorce from her husband, Jim Toth. Earlier this week, news broke that the pair had split. According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Witherspoon, 47, listed “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their divorce when she filed Saturday in the Circuit Court of Davidson County, Tennessee.
The two have a pre-nuptial agreement in place. The actress requests the court to designate joint custodians of their son, Tennessee James, 10.
Witherspoon and the CAA talent agent ended their relationship just days shy of their 12th anniversary. They announced their divorce in a joint statement last Friday, saying, “We have some personal news to share…” they began. “It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce. We have enjoyed so many wonderful years together and are moving forward with deep love, kindness and mutual respect for everything we have created together.”
“Our biggest priority is our son and our entire family as we navigate this next chapter. These matters are never easy and are extremely personal. We truly appreciate everyone’s respect for our family’s privacy at this time,” the pair added.
The two said “I do” in March 2011.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Mrs. Hamburger
Or Hamburgler
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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