#MAGFAB: Martha Stewart Poses as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Model
Stewart will be featured as a cover model alongside Megan Fox, Kim Petras and Brooks Nader. She was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic.
“When I heard that I was going to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, I thought, 'Oh, that’s pretty good, I’m going to be the oldest person I think ever on a cover of Sports Illustrated,'” Stewart told the magazine. “And I don’t think about age very much, but I thought that this is kind of historic.”
Stewart worked as a model during her teen years before becoming a best-selling author and Emmy Award-winning TV host. Now, she reaches over 100 million fans each month through her various platforms -- magazines, television shows, books and other products.
Cool!
#RHOA: Andy Cohen Discusses Nene Leakes’ Racial Discrimination Lawsuit and Their Feud, and Feels Marlo Hampton Did Too Much on RHOA
Andy Cohen opened up about Nene Leakes‘ lawsuit against him, Bravo, and NBCUniversal, and Marlo Hampton‘s over-the-top antics on The Real Housewives of Atlanta in his just-released book, The Daddy Diaries: The Year I Grew Up.
While looking back at a couple of tapings of Watch What Happens Live, which took place on the same “long day” that he had filmed a Fresca commercial, a shotski ad for Peacock, and a cameo role for Hulu’s History of the World, Andy recalled a chat he had with the recently-upgraded “friend.”
“Marlo was on the first one, and I gave her what I hope was a pep talk for tomorrow’s reunion,” Andy wrote in The Daddy Diaries, which hit bookshelves on Tuesday.
According to Andy, he felt that Marlo was doing too much, specifically in terms of her antics against her castmates.
“I said it felt like she’s been walking around on the show with an AK-47 and randomly firing,” he revealed.
As for Nene’s racial discrimination lawsuit against him, NBC Universal, Bravo, and RHOA producers, which was reportedly dropped last August due to what an insider said was “insufficient evidence” before Nene said months later that it was ongoing, Andy said he learned of Nene’s case from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne.
“Lawsuits! Tag, you’re it!” Erika had texted him.
“That was the text I woke up to from Erika Jayne. That made me chuckle — me and Erika,” he admitted. “Ben got me up at seven, and I felt like sh-t with allergies. Cynthia Bailey texted. Also heard from [Garcelle Beauvais] and got some voice notes from [Kim Zolciak].”
As the day continued, Andy ventured out, where he was questioned about Nene and her potential return to the RHOA by a woman who was seemingly unaware of the legal action taken.
“The lady at the bank asked when Nene is coming back, and I didn’t know how to reply, so I told her, unfortunately, Nene hates me, so I don’t know what to tell you,” Andy revealed. “She didn’t know what to say back! We took a picture.”
#NewMusicNews: Musiq Soulchild Releases Video For Latest Single “between love & war”
Musiq Soulchild has continued to keep the visuals coming following the release of his latest album.
Today he shares the video for “between love & war” from his recently released album “Victims & Villains” with producer Hit-Boy.
WATCH
This is the fifth video he’s released from the album overall, following “beat of a slow jam”, “i remember you my ex”, “will i touch the sky” and the title track.
Each of the videos has been a beautiful visual depiction that brings the lyrics of the song to life in a mini movie.
#HipHopNews: Jermaine Dupri Addresses Those Saying He Dropped The Ball After Latto’s ‘Rap Game’ Win
In a recent interview with HipHopDX, Jermaine Dupri recalled the time Latto won season one of his Lifetime show The Rap Game and revisited the notion that he “dropped the ball” on the chart-topping rapstress.
“People keep always saying, ‘Jermaine, you dropped the ball on [Latto],’” he said while backstage at Usher’s Lovers & Friends festival on May 6. “But what I think people don’t understand is, I put Latto’s record out. The deal was, if you win on The Rap Game, you get a single from Jermaine Dupri on So So Def. That single came out.”
Latto, nΓ©e Alyssa Stephens, was 16 at the time of her big win and later faced media backlash about her former stage name Miss Mulatto.
“The problem was, was that Latto was 16 years old, and the outlets didn’t support it. And nobody was like speaking on it,” Dupri said when addressing why her career didn’t take off at that time. “Nobody talked about it. If you watched the TV show, you saw it…But people didn’t really start talking about Latto until she started making more vulgar records, dressing more sexual, and being more adult.”
During Latto’s appearance on The Rap Game, she competed against other young emcee’s including Lil Niqo, Lil Poopy, Supa Peach, and Young Lyric to win a single’s deal with So So Def.
Latto took home the W on the eighth and final episode of the show after her final performance in front of a teenage crowd and music execs. Although the Atlanta rapper won the competition, she told VladTV in 2016 that she turned down JD’s offer due to the contract not offering her enough money.
Ssince then, Latto has seen major success in her music career including having a top charting single, working with Mariah Carey, being crowned Billboard’s 2023 Powerhouse award recipient, and receiving a Grammy nomination for “Big Energy.” However, the latter caused her and her once-upon-a-time inspiration, Nicki Minaj, to have a fall-out on Twitter.
During the Women In Music event, Latto showed appreciation for all of her women peers who’ve preceded her and those to come after her in an acceptance speech.
“It’s crazy because I’m a fan of my peers and they’re now my peers,” she expressed in March. “All the inspiring women who paved the way for me and all the women that there are to come. I’m grateful to be a part of this new wave of female rap and baby, we kickin’ down the door and we ain’t takin’ no for an answer.”
Chris Evans And GF Alba Baptista Reportedly Engaged To Get Married
Chris Evans is likely finally heading to the altar before the end of this year. The 41-year-old hunk has reportedly gotten engaged to his girlfriend Alba Baptista, only several months after confirming their relationship.
The engagement rumor sparked after a wedding planner followed the actress on Instagram. An eagle-eyed fan noticed this and sent in a question to Deuxmoi in the Q&A about Chris and Alba being engaged.
After Deuxmoi posted the fan's question on its Instagram Story, someone responded by saying that the couple is engaged and is getting married. They allegedly got engaged "in the house they are buiding together." As for the wedding, the pair reportedly plan to tie the knot this fall in Boston.
Chris and Alba were first reported to be an item in November 2022. At the time, PEOPLE reported that the two had been secretly dating for more than a year and the romance is "serious." A source told the outlet, "They are in love and Chris has never been happier," adding, "His family and friends all adore her."
Shortly after their dating news broke, the lovebirds were caught on a date in New York City. They were photographed holding hands while going on a stroll through Central Park.
In January, "The Gray Man" villain finally gave the first glimpse at his goofy romance with the Portuguese actress. Taking to Instagram Story, he shared a "look back" video in which he compiled footage from different times he and the "Warrior Nun" star scared each other over the past year.
The "Avengers: Endgame" star, who has been mostly quiet about his private life, also unleashed a sweet tribute to his girlfriend on Valentine's Day. He posted some rare PDA-filled snaps of the couple sharing kisses, going on a hike and other low-key dates such as pumpkin carving and apple picking.
Chris also uploaded a video of Alba excitedly playing the video game. "I introduced her to Mario Bros 3," he captioned the clip. "(She hates this video but I LOVE it)."
Keke Palmer Poses With Baby Leodis For Mesmerizing Mother’s Day Photoshoot
In honor of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14, the new mom took to Instagram to show off the stunning photoshoot she posed for with her son, Leodis Andrellton Jackson. The black and white photo set features the actress and the little one she gave birth to just a few short weeks ago, both looking happy as ever to be cuddled up to one another.
For the shoot, Palmer posed in a black mini dress with a black and white striped shawl, which she paired with pointed-toe white pumps. Her little one was rocking a much more casual look, falling asleep in his mother’s arms while wearing a cozy black onesie and a pair of socks to match.
“Happy Mother’s Day, to a MUVAAAAA,” Keke wrote in her caption.
The multi-hyphenate went on to post even more pictures from the photoshoot on Instagram, but this time, she posed by herself. Palmer uploaded a couple more photos in the same black mini dress, losing the shawl and changing into a pair of strappy black heels to give the outfit a completely different vibe.
She also uploaded some snaps in a beautiful white dress, showing off all of her beautiful curves as she posed for some color photos and gave the camera a strong stare.
From everything Keke has shown us since giving birth, it’s undeniable just how much she loves being a mother. In a recent interview with Complex’s Speedy Morman, Palmer joked about becoming one of those moms that uses “I’m a mother” as an excuse for anything and everything, missing out on business meetings because she has more important matters to tend to.
“I used to always wonder how moms would bring this–like, they would always bring up, ‘I’m a mother’ in any random scenario,” Palmer said. “But now, I’m ‘I’m a mother’ing people the f*** out.”
She continued, explaining: “It’s like the perfect excuse, but also, it’s real.”
Vice files for bankruptcy amid digital media turmoil
Vice Media, the parent company of notable assets like Vice News, Vice TV, Refinery29 and Motherboard, filed for bankruptcy on Monday as digital media companies from Buzzfeed (BZFD) to Insider grapple with high costs, widespread layoffs and declining valuations.
Vice was once looked at as a crown jewel in the fast-paced digital media sector as newspapers declined and investors looked for new types of content to lure viewers.
The company quickly saw notable investments from media powerhouses including A&E Networks, 21st Century Fox, and Disney (DIS), which invested a reported $400 million in 2015 at a valuation between $4 billion and $4.5 billion, but took a $157 million write-down on its original investment just one year later.
The news of Vice's bankruptcy comes after the company shut down its flagship Vice News Tonight program and cut 100 jobs last month. Previous reports from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal revealed that stalling growth, coupled with a lack of ability to sell itself, contributed to the media giant's demise.
According to the Journal, the company was seeking a valuation of just $1.5 billion in December 2022 — a stark fall from grace compared to the $5.7 billion valuation it received following a 2017 funding round. Vice was on track to miss its full-year revenue target by about $100 million, further complicating any potential sale.
Vice did not immediately respond to Yahoo Finance's request for comment.
As part of the bankruptcy, Fortress Investment Group, Vice's largest secured creditor, along with Soros Fund Management, Monroe Capital and a consortium of lenders will invest around $225 million as a credit bid.
The filing revealed the company had assets and liabilities between $500 million and $1 billion. The lenders have secured a $20 million loan in order to continue operations.
In the past year, the company reduced hiring, laid off workers, and restructured its business to help manage costs.
Yet those efforts weren't enough to offset rising debt and expenses on top of a sky-high valuation that burdened sale options.
Monday’s bankruptcy filing comes amid continued upheaval in the media sector.
Buzzfeed shut down its news division as part of wider company layoffs late last month while Insider confirmed it would be laying off 10% of its workforce, citing "the same economic headwinds as others in our industry."
Late last year, CNN went through a similar round of layoffs as parent company Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) looks to slash $4 billion in costs over the next two years.
Lizzo Previews Her New Simpsons Episode
Lizzo has shared a preview of her upcoming episode on The Simpsons—the Season 34 finale, which airs on May 21—in which she plays herself. In the sneak peek, Lizzo can be seen recording lines as a voice actor next to Homer for an animated show. When one thing leads to another and Bart starts slapping Homer repeatedly, Lizzo turns it into the backing beat of The Simpsons theme song, pulls out her flute to play along, and encourages Lisa to join in on saxophone. Watch the clip on Instagram.
“Every Icon has been on @thesimpsons — now I can add my name to the list!” Lizzo wrote on Instagram. “Thank you to the whole team for making this a dream come true π (yes I’m wearing @yitty and playing @sashabefluting )!!!!”
Last year, The Simpsons landed cameos from some other high-profile musicians, including a scatting Billie Eilish as herself and the Weeknd as a child influencer and skate sneaker guru. Bad Bunny also cast Homer and Marge in his own “Te Deseo lo Mejor” music video.
Jamie Foxx recovering in Chicago physical rehab center surrounded by family
Jamie Foxx‘s undisclosed medical complication last month led to an outpouring of support for the Oscar-winning actor. It also led to theories about what he was going through as his family remained tight-lipped on his status. But Foxx is well on his road to recovery now.
TMZ reported today (May 15) that the Ray star is in Chicago and receiving medical treatment at a facility touted as the top physical medicine and rehabilitation center in the U.S. The facility specializes in stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury rehab, spinal cord injury rehab, and cancer rehabilitation, but the details around his case remain unclear.
Foxx was in Atlanta filming a new Netflix movie, Back in Action, with Cameron Diaz when he was hospitalized. He initially underwent treatment in the Georgia city after the April 12 scare, but an insider told TMZ that he arrived in Chicago in late April. According to sources close to him, he’s “recovering well” so far.
Over the weekend, the Grammy winner was joined at the rehab center by his daughters Corinne and Anelise, as well as Anelise’s mother, Kristin Grannis, to celebrate Mother’s Day. Though it’s nobody’s business what’s going on with her dad, Corinne shared some information on Friday (May 12) about what was happening with him.
“Update from the family: Sad to see how the media runs wild. My dad has been out of the hospital for weeks, recuperating. In fact, he was playing pickleball yesterday (May 11)!” she wrote on her Instagram Stories. “Thanks for everyone’s prayers and support! We have an exciting work announcement coming next week, too!”
The news she was referring to was today’s announcement of her new game show she’ll be co-hosting with her dad, appropriately titled “We Are Family.” Set to premiere in 2024, the show will feature non-famous figures duetting with their celebrity relatives. “We hope this show brings as much fun to audiences at home as we’ve had creating it when it premieres next year,” a joint statement from the father-daughter duo read.
Rudy Giuliani sued by former employee for sexual assault and wage theft
Rudy Giuliani was once beloved as “America’s Mayor” after the 9/11 attacks. But the former New York City leader has had some dubious connections in recent years to say the least, including being one of Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers.
Today (May 15), Giuliani is facing legal issues of his own. A former associate of the onetime mayor is suing him for sexual assault and harassment, wage theft, and other misconduct. According to ABC 7 News, he made “sexual demands” of his employee and went on “alcohol-drenched rants that included sexist, racist, and antisemitic remarks,” many of which were recorded.
Former employee Noelle Dunphy said she started working for Giuliani in 2019 as his director of business development. According to her lawsuit, he began abusing her “almost immediately” after she started working for him. “He made clear that satisfying his sexual demands — which came virtually anytime, anywhere — was an absolute requirement of her employment and of his legal representation,” the lawsuit said.
“Unbeknownst to Ms. Dunphy, Giuliani apparently decided during the interview that he would use the job offer and his representation as a pretext to develop a quid pro quo sexual relationship with Ms. Dunphy. He was later recorded telling Ms. Dunphy, ‘I’ve wanted you from the day I interviewed you,'” the lawsuit alleged.
The suit detailed several incidents of non-consensual sexual contact, including assault. “It became clear to Ms. Dunphy that there was no way out of giving him oral sex. She did so against her will,” the suit claimed. He went on to rape her and physically abuse her on several occasions and “would not take ‘no’ for an answer.”
He also often demanded that she work naked, in a bikini, or in short shorts with an American flag on them that he bought her. “When they were apart, they would often work remotely via videoconference, and during those conferences, Giuliani almost always asked her to remove her clothes on camera,” the documents continued, adding, “He often called from his bed, where he was visibly touching himself under a white sheet.” On top of that, he avoided paying Dunphy’s salary to not tip off his wife about her employment.
Janet Jackson Reunites with ‘Good Times’ Actor Ralph Carter, Who Played Michael
Janet Jackson took fans way back after reuniting with one of her old co-stars from “Good Times.”
The singer, who played Penny on the 1970s sitcom, reunited with Ralph Carter, the actor who played Michael, at her performance at Madison Square Garden on May 9.
The acting duo posed for a picture backstage that was shared on social media, with Carter sporting locs and a black and white checkered ensemble. Jackson can be seen wearing a black and white scarf with a long camouflage jacket.
The same photo was shared by a Facebook fan page for Ed Gaines, where commentators noted how simulative’s and differences in Carter’s look since “Good Times.”
“They both look great I love good time. Michael is where I got my facts about our black people.”
“He still looks somewhat the same you know you can see that he has age but that nose is still the same good times was good times.
“YES I remember that picture from good times he definitely looks different now for me me its a little hard to recognize him but I see after I look at least a few times.”
Jackson has reunited with Carter a few times over the years, including in 2006 at the 6th Annual BET Awards. They were also spotted at Jackson’s afterparty in 2017.
Carter starred on “Good Times” from 1974 until the show ended. Jackson joined the cast in 1977 to portray an abused child character, and the duo once performed together on the sitcom. Jackson and Carter sang, “You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be In My Show)” by Billy Davis Jr. and Marilyn McCoo during the show’s sixth season.
After “Good Times” ended in 1979, Carter went on to work as a composer, and writer, having worked on movie soundtracks for “The Groomsmen” and “Broadway Damage.” Jackson went on to become a Grammy-winning singer and pop icon with hits like “Control,” “Rhythm Nation,” and many others.
Fans were thrilled to see the two reunite at the concert. One Facebook user replied, “They both look great I love good times. Micheal is where I got most of my facts about our black people.”
“Yeah, both look great good times. I love to see both y’all on TV. One of the popular shows when I was growing up.”
“Yes y’all both look great I always love the good times too you both just bring me back so many memories of the show,” added another fan.
Jackson also reunited with her former co-star BernNadette Stanis at the 2018 at the Essence Fest. Stanis played Michael’s sister Thelma Evans on the CBS sitcom.
That same night at MSG, Jackson surprised her fans by reuniting with Busta Rhymes on stage during her sold-out show to perform their 1998 hit single “What’s It Gonna Be?” “
The “Together Again” tour kicked off last month in Florida, but tonight she will take the stage at the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She has upcoming stops in Massachusetts, Atlantic City, Toronto, Detroit, Texas, California, and more. The tour ends on June 21 in Seattle.
Kanye West & Wife Bianca Censori Wear Athleisure Outfits for Dinner Date in West Hollywood
Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori were spotted on a date night over the weekend.
The 45-year-old rapper and the 27-year-old Australian architectural designer were seen holding hands while leaving Cecconi’s restaurant on Saturday night (May 13) in West Hollywood, Calif.
Kanye and Bianca were in the same clothes while going to the gym on Monday, as seen in photos shared by TMZ. They also stopped by Chick-fil-a during that outing.
The couple got married right at the beginning of the year in 2023 and one of Bianca‘s friends spoke out to reveal how she met Kanye.
Reba McEntire to Join 'The Voice' as New Coach Following Blake Shelton's Exit After 23 Seasons
Reba McEntire is joining The Voice — again! The country star, 68, will take a seat in the show's famous rotating red chair as a coach on the upcoming 24th season of the hit NBC competition series, the network announced Monday.
McEntire — who is appearing on the current season of The Voice as a mega mentor — will be joined by season 23 coach Niall Horan, as well as Gwen Stefani and John Legend, who have both served as coaches on past seasons. Their season will air in fall 2023.
The news came at NBC Upfronts, where the singer performed her hit song "Fancy" on stage following the big announcement.
McEntire has a long history with the show, and first appeared on season 1 in 2011 as a battle advisor to team Blake Shelton. In February, she returned as a mega-mentor to give advice to artists ahead of knockouts.
The star revealed in 2020 that she'd actually been asked to be a coach on the first season of the series, but that she turned it down, with her spot later going to Blake Shelton. Shelton is set to leave the series when the current season wraps.
"It is very true," McEntire said on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. "It was a very popular show in Holland, I'm pretty sure, and I watched the tape, and I said, 'No, I'm going to pass on that,' because I don't think I could ever be able to tell somebody that they're terrible or go find another job or hope you like your nighttime job. I couldn't do that day in and day out. I just couldn't do it. So I did pass on it."
She did admit, however, that she later regretted her decision.
"I mean, after you see a very successful show that's been running, what, 15 years? Uh, yeah!" she told Cohen with a laugh. "I'm like shoot, I should have done that."
Rebel Wilson Shares First Photos of Baby Daughter Royce's Face in Sweet Mother's Day Post
Rebel Wilson is giving fans a timely Mother's Day update! The Bridesmaids star, 43, has officially shared a look at her adorable daughter Royce's face on Instagram, as she celebrated her first Mother's Day with her Instagram followers.
"Happy Mother's Day," Wilson wrote in a caption. "(Just woke up at 5:30 am and changed a big π© …how about you?)"
In the first wholesome family shot that Wilson shared on Instagram, she and fiancΓ©e Ramona Agruma, 39, sit down together with baby Royce Lillian sitting right in the middle of them, mid-laughter. Royce, 5 months, is wearing a sweet little beanie, a pink cardigan and grey sweats, as her moms also smile big while wearing warm colors — Agruma with a pink cap that reads "mama."
The second picture in the post shows Royce standing on her own two feet, with the help of Wilson, of course. The baby is once again smiling in the photo, this time with a polka dot dress on.
And in the last image, she can be seen lying on a dock on a grey blanket, this time with a cute bucket hat on her head as Wilson looks at her in awe.
The comments call Royce a "radiant little soul," a "marvel," and even "beautiful" as Agruma commented, "πππ."
"Happy Mothers Day!!π She is beautiful π₯°," friend Paris Hilton added.
Wilson and Agruma announced the birth of Royce via surrogate back in November, as the Pitch Perfect alum revealed the news on Instagram.
"I can't even describe the love I have for her, she's a beautiful miracle! I am forever grateful to everyone who has been involved, (you know who you are), this has been years in the making…but particularly wanted to thank my gorgeous surrogate who carried her and birthed her with such grace and care. Thank you for helping me start my own family, it's an amazing gift.The BEST gift!!"
Added Wilson, "I am ready to give little Roycie all the love imaginable. I am learning quickly…much respect to all the Mums out there! Proud to be in your club. πππ"
The pair have since shared several heartfelt moments with their daughter on social media, including her "first ever swim in the ocean" back in March.
Wilson and Agruma first went public with their relationship in June 2022, and when the pair announced their relationship on Instagram, Wilson shared a selfie of the two together with a caption that read, "I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince… but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess πππ #loveislove."
During an appearance on The Pick Up with Britt, Laura and Mitch in February, Wilson said a "bit of a miracle happened" for her to have her baby girl.
"I really do think it's a bit of a miracle it happened. I'd been through quite a bit on the fertility journey for a few years but I was like, 'Wow.' Now I look at it and I have a family, I have an instant family kind of thing and little Roycey is amazing, she is such a little angel," she said.
Da Brat and Jesseca ‘Judy’ Dupart Address Backlash Over White Sperm Donor Comments
Da Brat says her joke about a potential Black sperm donor was “taken way out of context.”
The rapper addressed the controversy during an appearance on the Tamron Hall Show, where she and her wife, Jesseca “Judy” Dupart, shed more light on their pregnancy journey. At one point during the sit-down, Da Brat was pressed about her recent interview with The Root, in which she explained their decision to go with a white donor. The 49-year-old told the publication that the pool of viable candidates was significantly reduced after her wife’s genetics screening, and that the only Black donor who was presented to them wasn’t up to her standards.
“That [dude] looked like Jiminy Cricket,” Brat said in an episode of the reality series Brat Loves Judy. “I was like, ‘I’m sorry but that wasn’t gonna be my choice.’ … But I think we did a great job with picking. He’s handsome, he’s tall, and I think he’s going to look beautiful with my wife’s egg.”
The comment immediately sparked backlash, as some believed the couple rejected the Black donor as a matter of genetic preference. Da Brat pushed back on the allegations while speaking to Hall, insisting she and her wife initially had their mind set on a Black donor.
“I didn’t think it would be offensive to anybody,” the rapper said about the “Jiminy Cricket” comment. “I cracked jokes about almost everybody that I saw, that one just happened to make it in the show. I wasn’t trying to be mean or say anything negative about Black people. We were looking for a Black donor. We’re Black, we wanted a Black donor. So it was just misconstrued and taken way out of context.”
She continued, “I had no idea people were going to be so offended, but I meant no harm whatsoever. We wanted a Black donor—I was just like, ‘What?’ People take things and run with it. … People who know me know that I didn’t mean any harm. So if I offended anybody, I do apologize. But it was a joke between me and my wife and the doctor, we joke like that, we play around, so it wasn’t meant to be offensive in any way.”
Dupart addressed the controversy in a May 3 Instagram post, when she acknowledged that her wife had made a “distasteful joke.”
Dupart told Hall that she tried to shield Da Brat from all the online hate, which she partly blamed on misleading headlines.
“I’m more on social than she is and there were things that I was really trying to avoid her from seeing,” she said. “They had comments that said, ‘I just hope you guys miscarry.’ … So I’m trying to delete a lot of stuff so she can’t see it on my page and she can’t see it on her page because it was extreme hate … Oh my god, if nothing else at this time, I feel like this should be at least an educational moment so our people aren’t as ignorant.”
The Biden Administration Cancels More Than $66B In Student Loan Debt
The U.S. Department of Education has already canceled over $66 billion in education debt despite President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan’s legal challenges.
Two million-plus borrowers, including those defrauded and those who work in the public sector, have benefited from that relief over the last few years, CNBC News reported.
“I feel like this administration has done more for borrowers in a short period of time than any other, especially for the most vulnerable borrowers such as the disabled and victims of fraud,” said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institue of Student Loan Advisors said.
Still, supporters of Biden’s plans are concerned with the administration’s plan to resume soon federal student loan payments, which have been suspended since March 2020. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, 1 in 4 student loan borrowers were in default or behind on payments.
Here’s a breakdown of the debt relief already granted — and how to know if you qualify.
One debt relief program already granted it– the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that allows certain nonprofit and government employees to have their federal student loans canceled after ten years or 120 payments.
The Education Department announced earlier this month that it had approved $42 billion in loan cancellations under the program for more than 615,000 borrowers since October 2021.
Borrowers can see if their employment qualifies by filling out the employer certification form.
The Biden administration has focused on canceling the student debt of borrowers who say their colleges misled them. Over the last few years, around 1 million people have had their debt relieved through the borrower defense loan discharge, totaling $13.3 billion.
A borrower may qualify for this debt relief if their college engaged in misconduct, such as providing false or misleading information about their program or job placement rates.
If a borrower attended one of these colleges and applied for a borrower defense loan discharge on or before June 22, 2022, they should be entitled to automatic relief, even if their application was previously denied.
Eligible borrowers will likely get the cancellation no later than Jan. 28, 2024.
Another 425,000 federal student loan borrowers had their debt forgiven under President Joe Biden’s Total and Permanent Disability Discharge, for a total of $9.1 billion.
The relief provision is for borrowers with a physical or mental disability that makes it difficult or impossible for them to work.
Still, millions of Americans are waiting for the Supreme Court to rule on President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt per borrower.
But if a borrower has already received debt cancellation under one of the above programs and has no remaining debt, the president’s plan won’t affect them.
But in the meantime, dozens of other forgiveness options are available for state and federal loans.
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