5/11/23

The Daily Buzz For May 12 ☕📰☕

#MAGFAB: Natalie Portman for The Hollywood Reporter

 

Nice and the article is HERE!

 

 

#RHOA: Who is Courtney Rhodes? Meet the new girl on the block.

Real Housewives of Atlanta has preimeired. The Peaches made their glamorous return with new storylines, personal dynamics, more insight into their professional lives and relationships. As such, viewers will witness a lot of drama in the installment.

 

Season 15 of RHOA will feature a mix of OG housewives, staple cast members, and new castmates. Courtney Rhodes will accompany the ladies as the newcomer for the season. She will be joining the brand new installment as a "friend" and was seen getting into a heated argument with Kandi Burruss.

 

Cast members of season 15 include OG housewives Kim Zolciak, Lisa Wu, and DeShawn Snow. Fellow castmates include the franchise staple Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, Shereé Whitfield, Drew Sidora, Marlo Hampton and Sanya Richards-Ross. Newcomers this season include Monyetta Shaw-Carter and Courtney Rhodes.

 

Newcomer Courtney Rhodes will be seen on RHOA season 15 as a close friend of cast member Sheree Whitfield. According to her LinkedIn account, she is the co-founder and director of marketing and media relations at C&D: The Agency, which is a consulting firm.

She earned her bachelor's degree in Arts and Mass Communication from Morgan State University. After this, she received her Masters degree in Arts, Communication and Public Design from the University of Baltimore in 2002.

 

From 2003-2009, the RHOA cast member worked with iHeartRadio as a Sales Manager. The next year and a half, Courtney worked as an Account Executive in Meredith Corporation, following which she became the Brand Ambassador of Coca-Cola. She returned to iHeartRadio as a Senior Brand Consultant from 2015-2017 before founding her own agency.

 

According to C&D The Agency's Instagram bio, the company describes itself as "an all women-led management agency specializing in Business & Entertainment while dedicated to empowering minority women.”

 

The RHOA newcomer is also the owner and creative director of her own jewelry line Courtney Raquel. Aside from that, she owns another businesses, a luxury boutique called The B Guide. She is also the author of the book Make Your Mark: Personal Branding Through On-Purpose Living, which was released in 2017.

 

In the official trailer of the upcoming Bravo series, she was seen in an argument with fellow castmate Kandi Burruss. Viewers will have to stay tuned to see why it took place.

 

If her Instagram is anything to go by, she seems to be on good terms with Sheree Whitfield, Marlo Hampton, Sanya Richards-Ross and Cynthia Bailey, who will be seen making a guest appearance. Meanwhile, announcing her debut on RHOA season 15, Courtney took to Instagram to share the good news with her followers. She said:

 

"Catch your girl on #RHOA Season 15 premiering Sunday, May 7th at 8pm on @bravotv 🧡"

Explaining what viewers can expect from her this season, Courtney said:

 

The RHOA newbie has 19.4K followers on Instagram and keep fans and followers updated on her business ventures, personal life, and more.

Season 15 of the reality series promises a fair share of drama and entertainment. The cast has come in with more spice, scandals, gossips, and issues, which will lead to many confrontations and arguments. Viewers will have to wait and see what's in store for them.

 

Don't forget to tune in at 8 pm ET on Bravo.

 

 

#MusicNews: The Weeknd Reveals Next Project May Be His "Last Hurrah" With His Stage Name

It may be the end of an era for The Weeknd, but he’s doing it on his own terms. In a new interview with W Magazine published yesterday (May 8), the Platinum recording artist revealed he is going through a transitional phase right now and may retire his beloved stage name in the near future.

 

He began by reflecting on his dedication to his craft. “As The Weeknd, I’ve never skipped a concert. I’ve performed with the flu,” he said. “I’ll die on that stage.”

 

Then, he delved into his recent change of heart. “I’m going through a cathartic path right now,” the singer continued. “It’s getting to a place and a time where I’m getting ready to close the Weeknd chapter. I’ll still make music, maybe as Abel, maybe as The Weeknd. But I still want to kill The Weeknd. And I will. Eventually. I’m definitely trying to shed that skin and be reborn.”

 

The Toronto megastar concluded by assuring he is leaving nothing left unsaid. “The album I’m working on now is probably my last hurrah as The Weeknd. This is something that I have to do. As The Weeknd, I’ve said everything I can say,” he told the outlet.

 

At the top of 2022, the “True Colors” singer shared his Dawn FM project. The LP showcased a unique cast of features from Tyler, the Creator, Lil Wayne, Quincy Jones, Oneohtrix Point Never, and Jim Carrey. It also housed runaway hits like “Blinding Lights” and “Save Your Tears.”

 

In related news, The Weeknd made headlines in April thanks to his highly anticipated appearance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. He was a part of producer Metro Boomin’s set and performed six songs with him. Aside from that, he has been busy filming “The Idol,” his forthcoming series that is set to premiere on June 4 on Max.

 

 

#HipHopNews: LSU Issues Apology For Flau'jae Johnson Using 9/11 Reference In Song

In addition to being a force on the court, Flau’jae Johnson also loves to show off her passion behind the mic. Earlier this week, the LSU women’s basketball star uploaded her very own remix of Latto’s sizzling hit “Put It On Da Floor.” The video quickly caught traction on social media because of a specific line where Johnson made a reference to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York.

 

“In this 911, blowing smoke just like them towers,” she rapped. The bar is a double entendre about both 9/11 and the name of a specific Porsche model.

 

Since the backlash, the video was deleted from YouTube and LSU has issued an official apology on Johnson’s behalf. “While she never intended to offend or upset anyone with her lyrics, she expressed sincere remorse for any possibility of a misunderstanding and immediately took the video down,” LSU told FOX News in a statement. “We will learn and grow from this experience together.”

 

The athlete herself has not responded yet to the incident.

 

The LSU Lady Tigers had a whirlwind of a season earlier this year and closed it out with a victorious ending. The team took home the win at the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes.

 

Johnson has been pursuing music since a young age. At 13, she appeared on “The Rap Game,” and at 14, she tried out for “America’s Got Talent” and received a golden buzzer.

 

In a recent interview with “The Breakfast Club,” the 19-year-old talent shared some details about her new partnership with Roc Nation. “I own my masters and stuff like that, and they just give me the resources. I got creative control,” she said. “I love it over there. What I want to do and what I’m getting my degree in is I want to own my own record label, so this is really setting me up and showing me the business. It’s really like an internship, but it’s my job.”

 

 

Daniel Penny expected to surrender Friday to face manslaughter charges for killing of Jordan Neely

A spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg confirmed that Penny will face a second-degree manslaughter charge after an 10-day investigation into the fatal choking, which was recorded by a straphanger, went viral and triggered a wave of protests by citizens outraged that Penny was allowed to walk free immediately after the incident.

 

“We can confirm that Daniel Penny will be arrested on a charge of manslaughter in the second-degree,” said Douglas Cohen, a spokesperson for the Manhattan DA in a statement. “We cannot provide any additional information until he has been arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court, which we expect to take place tomorrow.”

 

Penny has been under investigation since the May 1 incident when he put Neely, a 30-year-old Black homeless man, in a chokehold that killed him. According to published reports, Neely — a known Michael Jackson impersonator who was homeless — had a long history of mental illness and was reportedly threatening straphangers moments before he encounter Penny.

 

However, many argue that Penny was too aggressive and killed Neely unnecessarily in an alleged act of vigilantism. Penny was questioned by cops shortly after the incident but released a short time later.

 

The city’s Medical Examiner eventually ruled Neely’s death a homicide. Bragg said on May 3 that his office had launched a “rigorous ongoing investigation,” and the NYPD asked potential witnesses to the choking to come forward.

 

According to the Associated Press, attorneys for Penny previously said their client, along with two other riders who helped restrain Neely, had acted in self-defense.

 

“Daniel never intended to harm Mr. Neely and could not have foreseen his untimely death,” they said in a statement.

 

Neely’s death sparked protests across the city, citing the incident and Perry’s initial handling by law enforcement as a prime example of ongoing racial injustice in America and New York. While most of the protests were peaceful, there were episodes of ugliness — including a May 9 demonstration in Lower Manhattan that ended with 11 arrests, including that of a New York Times photojournalist.

 

In an address to the city Wednesday, Mayor Eric Adams said that Neely “did not deserve to die,” and urged patience from New Yorkers as the investigation unfolded. He did not, during the address, mention Penny by name.

 

 

The Name of Rihanna's Son Has Finally Been Revealed

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky kept their son's name a secret for a year, but the moniker has finally been revealed.

The Daily Mail shared a copy of the baby's birth certificate, which shows his full name is RZA Athelston Mayers. He appears to be named after Wu-Tang Clan member RZA (whose real name is Robert Fitzgerald Diggs), pronounced "Rizza." The baby shares his middle name, Athelston, with dad Rocky. The birth certificate also confirms RZA's date of birth was May 13, 2022.

 

As the tabloid noted, Rihanna had hinted at the baby's name on April 5, where she was spotted carrying little RZA while wearing a Wu-Tang Clan shirt. She'd also been photographed in August 2022 wearing a RZA tee.

 

Rihanna gave the first glimpse at baby RZA in a video shared in Dec. 2022, showing the smiling infant enjoying a car ride. To this date, it's Rihanna's only video on the platform.

 

The little one also posed alongside his mom and dad in a photoshoot for British Vogue in February. In the cover story, Rihanna opened up about becoming a mom, sharing that motherhood is "legendary."

 

She added, "It's everything. You really don't remember life before, that's the craziest thing ever. You literally try to remember it—and there are photos of my life before—but the feeling, the desires, the things that you enjoy, everything, you just don't identify with it because you don’t even allow yourself mentally to get that far, because…Because it doesn't matter."

 

During her Super Bowl performance, Rihanna showed off her baby bump, revealing she's expecting her second child. We'll have to see what creative name Rihanna and Rocky go for.

 

 

First Look Photos: Beyoncé Opens ‘Renaissance’ World Tour In Stockholm Sweden

Global cultural icon Beyoncé started her RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR with a sold-out concert in Stockholm, Sweden’s Friends Arena. The show featured powerful dance music from her seventh studio album, RENAISSANCE, which has been widely successful.


It was an emotional return to the global stage, after a five-year hiatus, and the performance was mesmerizing for the 46,000 fans in attendance. The concert included songs like “PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA,” “COZY,” and “BREAK MY SOUL” from the new album, as well as iconic hits from Beyoncé‘s previous discography such as “Flaws And All,” “Crazy In Love,” and “Love On Top.” The concert lasted almost three hours.


Parkwood Entertainment is producing the 2023 tour, which comprises 56 dates and is being promoted by Live Nation. The tour will continue with a second night in Stockholm, followed by additional shows throughout Europe in May and June. Beyoncé will perform five sold-out shows at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before heading to North America for shows in July, August, and September.

Fans have the opportunity to access exclusive VIP experiences in Europe, such as the Pure/Honey On Stage Risers. This exclusive opportunity allows fans to watch the show from the stage, with dedicated services. Fans can also receive early access to the General Admission BeyHive VIP and Club Renaissance areas, which are immersive experiences surrounding the stage. For more information on these experiences, visit VIP Nation Europe: Beyoncé – Renaissance World Tour. For complete ticketing and additional information, please visit beyonce.livenation.com and tour.beyonce.com.


As she has done on previous tours, Beyoncé will continue to make a difference offstage through her BeyGOOD initiative. Founded in 2013, BeyGOOD is now a public charity that supports people and programs around the world. On this tour, BeyGOOD will focus on economic equity by supporting organizations that serve marginalized and underserved communities with access to scholarships, internships that lead to job placement, and resources to support entrepreneurship.

Throughout the tour, BeyGOOD will support entrepreneurs through Black Parade Route luncheons, which celebrate small business owners and offer grant opportunities and services with global partners to promote business sustainability. A commitment of one million dollars will support one thousand small businesses.


BeyGOOD will also provide scholarship funds to colleges and universities in ten different cities along the tour. Each school will receive one hundred thousand dollars and will select the student recipients. BeyGOOD’s total scholarship commitment during the RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR will be one million dollars.


Tiffany & Co. is the official jeweler of the RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR and a noted partner of Beyoncé. The company is committed to conducting itself responsibly, sustaining the natural environment, prioritizing diversity and inclusion, and positively impacting the communities in which it operates.

 

 

Freaky Friday 2 Is Officially Happening With Original Stars With Original Stars Lindsay Lohan And Jamie Lee Curtis Returning

Freaky Friday 2 is officially in the works, with original stars Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis expected to return.

 

Originally released in 2003, the fantasy comedy follows Tess (Curtis) and her daughter Anna (Lohan), whose fractured relationship is put under even more straight when they inexplicably switch bodies and are forced to live each other's lives.

 

The duo are expected to reprise their roles for the new film with Elyse Hollander writing the script, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Lohan very recently opened up on the potential for a sequel, during an interview with The New York Times celebrating the 20th anniversary of the iconic film.

 

"Jamie and I are both open to that, so we're leaving it in the hands that be," she said. "We would only make something that people would absolutely adore."

 

Curtis additionally revealed she is still often asked questions about the movie, saying: "Something really touched a chord. When I came back, I called my friends at Disney and said, 'It feels like there's a movie to be made.'"

 

The 2003 release is not the first time Freaky Friday – adapted from the 1972 Mary Rodgers novel of the same name – has hit the big screen.

In 1976, the first movie based on the novel was released starring Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster as mother and daughter Ellen and Annabelle. This was followed by another adaptation in 1995 with Shelley Long and Gaby Hoffman as mother and daughter respectively.

 

Lohan and Curtis' movie has earned $160 million worldwide at the box office, and opened to largely positive reviews at the time.

 

Rumours of a sequel began to circulate back in February when Curtis posted a picture of herself and Lohan on Instagram with the caption: "It's Friday. I’m just sayin! Freaky fingers crossed!"

The Halloween star later went on to all but confirm a Freaky Friday sequel, adding: "Without saying there's anything officially happening, I’m looking at you in this moment and saying, 'Of course it's going to happen.' It's going to happen."

 

A release date and plot details have not yet been confirmed, with more details including further casting expected in the future.

 

 

CBS un-cancels ‘S.W.A.T.’ 3 Days After Shemar Moore’s Emotional Instagram Post

CBS appears to have made a course correction after announcing the cancellation of the hit drama series “S.W.A.T.” last Friday. Within 72 hours, the network reversed its shocking decision — which came as yet another surprise.


CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach and Sony Pictures Television Studios President Katherine Pope released a joint statement regarding the un-canceling of the Shemar Moore-led series about a specialized tactical unit in Los Angeles.

 

“We have listened to our viewers and their outpouring of passion for ‘S.W.A.T.’ and we have reached an agreement to renew it for a final season of 13 episodes to air during the 2023-2024 broadcast year,” the executives stated.

 

 “‘S.W.A.T.’ has aired for six seasons on CBS and garnered a devoted following. We are pleased that we found a way to bring it back and give closure to the show’s storylines and characters, which audiences deserve,” the statement continued. “Once again, we appreciate the talents and efforts of the cast, writers, producers and crew and everyone who has contributed to the success of ‘S.W.A.T.’ We look forward to its return next season.”

 

The announcement came just two days after Moore emotionally took to Instagram to open up about the unexpected cancellation.

 

“It makes no sense... We’re the best show on Friday night at 8 o’clock for CBS,” the Emmy Award winner said in a video message on Saturday night. “The last two years we’ve been killing it. We’ve done nothing wrong. We did everything that was asked for.”

 

According to Nielsen ratings, ‘S.W.A.T” averages 6.8 million total viewers per episode.

A few hours after Monday’s season 7 renewal announcement, the 53-year-old Oakland native posted a new Instagram video, alongside co-star David Lim, to thank fans for their outpouring of support over the weekend.

 

“Thank you, thank you,” Moore exclaimed to his fans. “We busted our asses six years making this show S.W.A.T... They canceled us on Friday. They renewed us today, Monday. Three days later. You know why? Because of y’all!”

 

“You made noise, and we so respect it, and we so appreciate it,” Moore continued. “All we wanna do is do it right. If we’re gonna go out, we’re gonna go out the right way. And we’re gonna go out for you ... Because without you, there’s no us.”

 

 

18 years after Natalee Holloway disappearance, Peru to extradite Joran van der Sloot to US

The chief suspect in the unsolved 2005 disappearance of American student Natalee Holloway is poised to face charges linked the young woman’s vanishing for the first time after the government of Peru authorized his extradition to the United States.

 

Neither U.S. nor Peruvian authorities on Thursday would say when they will transfer custody of Dutch citizen Joran van der Sloot. A day earlier the Embassy of Peru in Washington announced the decision to extradite him to face trial on extortion and wire fraud charges, each of which carries lengthy sentences.

 

Van der Sloot is in a maximum-security prison in the Andes serving a 28-year sentence for the murder of a Peruvian woman.

 

Holloway, who lived in suburban Birmingham, Alabama, was 18 when she was last seen during a trip with classmates to the Caribbean island of Aruba. She vanished after a night with friends at a nightclub, leaving a mystery that sparked years of news coverage and countless true-crime podcasts. She was last seen leaving a bar with van der Sloot, who was a student at an international school in the island.

 

Van der Sloot was identified as a suspect and detained, along with two Surinamese brothers, weeks later. Holloway’s body was never found, and no charges were filed in the case. A judge later declared Holloway dead.

 

The federal charges filed in Alabama against van der Sloot stem from an accusation that he tried to extort the Holloway family in 2010, promising to lead them to her body in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars. A grand jury indicted him that year on one count each of wire fraud and extortion, each of which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

 

Also in 2010, van der Sloot was arrested in Peru for the murder of 21-year-old Stephany Flores, who was killed five years to the day after Holloway’s disappearance.

 

Peruvian prosecutors accused van der Sloot of killing Flores, a business student from a prominent family, to rob her after learning she had won money at the casino where the two met. They said he killed her with “ferocity” and “cruelty,” beating then strangling her in his hotel room. He pleaded guilty in 2012.

 

A 2001 treaty between Peru and the U.S. allows a suspect to be temporarily extradited to face trial in the other country. It requires that the prisoner “be returned” after judicial proceedings are concluded “against that person, in accordance with conditions to be determined by” both countries.

 

The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday declined to comment on the extradition. A resolution published in the South American country’s federal register states that U.S. diplomats on Jan. 10 presented the temporary extradition request to Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Relations.

 

The time that van der Sloot ends up spending in the U.S. “will be extended until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings,” including the appeal process should there be one, according to the published resolution. The resolution also states that U.S. authorities have agreed to return the suspect to the custody of Peru afterward.

 

The extradition request indicates “that an additional delay in the prosecution of the case that is being pursued in the United States of America could significantly reduce the possibility of conviction, that the ages and health conditions of the key witnesses in the case would make the prosecution would be extremely difficult if it is not carried out soon,” according to a March order from Peru’s top court.

 

In a statement, the young woman's mother, Beth Holloway, said she was blessed to have Natalee in her life for 18 years.

“She would be 36 years old now. It has been a very long and painful journey, but the persistence of many is going to pay off. Together, we are finally getting justice for Natalee,” Beth Holloway said.

 

An FBI agent wrote in an affidavit that van der Sloot reached out to Holloway’s mother and wanted to be paid $25,000 to disclose the location and then another $225,000 when the remains were recovered. Van der Sloot requested that an agreement be drafted and signed by the mother and him.

 

A New York attorney representing Beth Holloway traveled to Aruba with the agreement and gave van der Sloot $10,000 in cash during a recorded meeting, according to court records. The indictment states that both men then went to a site where the student's remains were purportedly buried, and Beth Holloway made a wire transfer for $15,000 to van der Sloot's bank account in the Netherlands.

 

In the affidavit, the FBI agent wrote that van der Sloot in later emails to the attorney admitted to lying about the location.

 

Attorney Maximo Altez, who represents van der Sloot, told the AP he will fight the decision once he is properly notified by the Peruvian government.

“I am going to challenge that resolution,” Altez said. “I am going to oppose it since he has the right to a defense.”

 

Van der Sloot could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday. More than a decade ago, he told a Peruvian judge that he would fight efforts to be extradited to the U.S.

 

Van der Sloot married a Peruvian woman in July 2014 in a ceremony at a maximum-security prison. He has been transferred from prisons in response to reports that he enjoyed privileges such as television, internet access and a cellphone, and accusations that he had threatened to kill a warden.

 

The move from the Peruvian government Wednesday marks the second high-profile extradition decision between the two countries in less than three weeks. In late April, former President Alejandro Toledo arrived in Peru’s capital, Lima, after being extradited from the U.S. to face charges he allegedly received millions of dollars in bribes in a giant corruption scandal.

 

 

'Sesame Street' Introduces First-Ever Filipino-American Muppet

"Sesame Street" has introduced its first-ever Filipino American muppet, TJ — the first Asian American character to join the show since Ji-Young, an Asian American muppet who was introduced in a 2021 Thanksgiving episode.

 

TJ debuted in a video on Sunday in which he learned the meaning of the word "confidence" alongside actor Kal Pen, "Sesame Street" veteran Grover and Ji-Young

 

In the short video, TJ said he was working on learning Tagalog, the language his Filipino family speaks. He added that he has confidence when learning the language because he can always ask his "Lola," the Tagalog word for grandmother, for help when he doesn't know a word.

 

Filipino American artist and animator Bobby Pontillas shared initial sketches of TJ's character on Instagram and said he collaborated with master puppeteer Louis Mitchell to create the Filipino American boy.

 

Pontillas said the character's appearance is inspired by his lifelong friends, Max and Mateo.

 

"I had the amazing opportunity to work with the geniuses at the Sesame Workshop to create a Filipino muppet for @sesamestreet," Pontillas said in his post. "Meet TJ!"

 

TJ's character is voiced and puppeteered by Yinan Shentu, who also took to Instagram to share photos of himself with TJ and a behind-the-scenes look at the character's first "Sesame Street" appearance.

 

Rosemary Espina Palcios, director of talent outreach, inclusion and content development at "Sesame Street," said on Instagram that she is excited to bring TJ and his culture to the beloved children's show.

 

"I'm so proud to help bring some Filipino representation to the neighborhood, and just in time for API Heritage Month to show the range in our diaspora," Palacio wrote. "His first segment with @kalpenn and Ji-Young is all about confidence, something I personally feel can help unravel the model minority stereotype."

 

May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which recognizes the cultures and accomplishments of Asian Americans throughout the U.S.

 

 

#RIP: Jacklyn Zeman Dead - 'General Hospital' Actress Passes Away at Age 70

Jacklyn Zeman has sadly died. The actress, best known for playing Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital, died at the age of 70, the soap opera’s executive producer Frank Valentini announced on Wednesday (May 10).

 

“On behalf of our @GeneralHospital family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved @JackieZeman,” Frank tweeted. “Just like her character, the legendary Bobbie Spencer, she was a bright light and true professional that brought so much positive energy with her to work.”

 

In a followup tweet, Frank wrote, “Jackie will be greatly missed, but her positive spirit will always live on with our cast and crew. We send our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones, friends, and family, especially her daughters Cassidy and Lacey. #GH”

 

Jacklyn first joined General Hospital in 1977 and appeared in more than 800 episodes. She was a five-time Daytime Emmy nominee — four for General Hospital and one for her role in The Bay.

 

ABC Entertainment and General Hospital also released a joint statement, writing, “Jacklyn Zeman has been a beloved member of the General Hospital and ABC family since she originated the iconic role of Bobbie Spencer over 45 years ago. She leaves behind a lasting legacy for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of the bad girl turned heroine and will always be remembered for her kind heart and radiant spirit. We are devastated by the news of her passing, and send our deepest condolences to Jackie’s family, friends and loved ones.”

 

Jacklyn‘s death comes after her General Hospital co-star Sonya Eddy, who played nurse Epiphany Johnson, died in December 2022.

 

Jacklyn is survived by her daughters Cassidy and Lacey.

Our thoughts are with Jacklyn‘s loved ones during this difficult time. RIP.

 

 

ABC Announces New ‘GMA3’ Hosts Following Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Affair Firing

ABC announced the new co-anchors for GMA3 on Thursday following the firing of Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes’ earlier this year.

 

Per USA Today, in a note shared with staff, ABC News President Kim Goodwin announced that ABC News correspondents Eva Pilgrim and DeMarco Morgan will be joining the program in place of Robach and Holmes. In addition, Dr. Jennifer Ashton is joining GMA3 as ABC News chief health and medical correspondent.

 

"I am incredibly proud of the reporting Eva, DeMarco and Gio have brought to ABC News. They join their colleagues Whit, Janai and Dr. Jen whose steadfast commitment to bold, straightforward journalism has been integral to their respective programs’ success," Godwin said in the announcement.

 

Robach and Holmes were accused by ABC News of failing to disclose their relationship to executives. When news of their romance went public, the two were temporarily taken off the air in December and were subject to return depending on the results of an internal probe. By the following month, they were let go from their hosting duties.

 

"After several productive conversations with Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes, about different options, we all agreed it’s best for everyone that they move on from ABC News," said an ABC spokesperson in a statement shared in January. "We recognize their talent and commitment over the years and are thankful for their contributions."

 

The two were both separately married during their romance, although they have both since separated or filed for divorce from their respective partners.

 

 

Lionel Richie Slams Plastic Surgery Rumors

*Lionel Richie is shutting down rumors that he had plastic surgery.

 “[Plastic surgery] locks you in for that year [while you recover] and after that, you can’t go naturally, you’re staying right there … You try and go back to reset, and you can’t,” the “American Idol” judge told Daily Mail.

 

Richie, 73, said he focuses on “water, sleep, and sweat” and doesn’t eat “too much red meat.”

 “I know it’s real boring. [Sex] will work also and it’s good for your heart,” he added.

Speaking of sex… Richie and his fellow “American Idol” judges, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan were guests recently on  “The View,” and he shared his frustration with erectile dysfunction.

 

“When I wrote ‘All Night Long,’ it was truly all night long,” Richie said, referring to his sex life. “Now my ‘all night long’ is down to a fierce 15 minutes. But don’t worry about it, we’ll talk about it later,” he added.

 

According to Entertainment Tonight, for nearly ten years, Richie has been dating Lisa Parigi, who is 40 years his junior. He was previously married to Brenda Harvey-Richie, from 1973 to 1993, and Diane Alexander from 1995 to 2004.

 

During his appearance on “The View,” Richie recalled the writing process for “All Night Long.”

“I had everything but the hook,” he explained, noting that he came up with the lyric during Thanksgiving dinner with a friend named Lloyd in Jamaica.

 

“I said, ‘Guys, I gotta go back to the studio, man. I got to go back, man, ’cause I gotta go work all night long, all night long,'” he continued, PEOPLE reports. After the track became a hit, a friend asked Lloyd if Richie shared the profits from the song.

 

As the pop star explained, “He said, ‘No, man. I didn’t write the song. He just wrote it at my house,’ and he said, ‘Man, you got ripped off,'” added Richie. “The View” co-host Joy Behar suggested he should send Lloyd some money anyway.

 

“Alright, Lloyd, I’ll send you a check,” Richie said.

 

 

‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel, Starring Jenna Ortega, Set to Hit Theaters September 2024

Tim Burton‘s 1988 film Beetlejuice is scheduled to be remade 36 years after the original.

According to Variety, Netflix’s Wednesday’s Jenna Ortega is set to play the role of the daughter of Winona Ryder’s Lydia.

 

Michael Keaton is also slated to reprise his role as Beetlejuice. The film is expected to start filming this summer in London.

 

Wednesday creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar are said to have developed the story for the sequel, while Brad Pitt’s Plan B production company is set to produce.

 

The original Beetlejuice film is about a shady spirit who helps a recently deceased couple drive out an unbearable family who moved into their home.

Fans can watch the film in theaters on Sept. 6, 2024.

 

 

JetBlue’s New Rewards Program Offers Free Beverages, Flight Upgrades and Early Boarding

JetBlue has introduced its fresh TrueBlue loyalty program, designed specifically to cater to customers who don’t fly often but still want the perks of its frequent-flyer program.

 

In an effort to enhance the experience for occasional flyers, the low-cost airline is revamping its elite Mosaic loyalty system, dividing it into four tiers. Customers can now collect “tiles” to progress through the levels and unlock additional rewards, enabling travelers who fly infrequently to enjoy an elevated journey with JetBlue.

 

Members of the new TrueBlue program will have the ability to monitor their advancement across the tiers as they acquire additional tiles. By making qualifying purchases through JetBlue, its vacation program, and American Airlines flights through the airlines’ partnership, customers can earn one tile for every $100 spent.

 

Once members accumulate ten tiles, they will have the opportunity to select from a range of “Perks You Pick.” For every subsequent set of ten tiles earned until they reach the Mosaic status at 50 tiles, members can choose a new perk. The assortment of rewards available includes advantages such as early boarding, a complimentary first alcoholic beverage on each flight, access to expedited security lanes at numerous airports, double vacation points, free checked bags, and bonus points added to a member’s TrueBlue balance.

 

Upon reaching 100 tiles, second-tier members will be granted up to 7 inches of extra legroom without any additional charge. The third-level members will receive four certificates to upgrade Core tickets to the luxurious Mint class. The fourth and highest level offers additional certificates for upgrading from Core to Mint at no cost, along with credits for helicopter transfers between Manhattan and JFK or Newark airports. 



AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES

But Why Tho?

Why just Why?


HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM 

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