#MAGFAB: Janelle Monáe For British Vogue, July 2023
Janelle is covering British Vogue’s Pride Issue. I’m actively trying to make sure that I’m present, I’m hoping [the album – The Age of Pleasure] encourages people to find simple pleasures. For me, sometimes that’s reading a book before 6am, sometimes it’s having a party and being able to come dry and leave wet, kiss somebody that you just met, you know? – Janelle Monae
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#RHOA: Sheree Whitfield’s Boyfriend Martell Holt Accused Of Child Abuse By Ex-Wife Melody In Explosive Divorce
REAL Housewives of Atlanta star Sheree Whitfield's boyfriend Martell Holt has been accused of child abuse by ex-wife Melody, The U.S. Sun has exclusively learned.
The reality star's love interest wasn't given the warmest of welcomes after being introduced to the RHOA cast during a recent episode.
Martell Holt has been accused of 'child abuse' by his ex-wife Melody Holt
Sheree, 53, and co-star Kenya Moore got into a heated argument over Kenya's claims of the She by Sheree founder's boyfriend being a "cheater."
The Detroit native alleged Martell, 41, slid into her DMs and shouted at him: "Once a cheater, always a cheater, you f***ing piece of s**t."
Now, The U.S. Sun can exclusively report Martell has also been accused of child abuse in court filings by his ex-wife Melody, 37.
According to Alabama court documents obtained by The U.S. Sun, Melody sought a protection order against Martell on January 11, 2022.
Although details of the protection order are sealed, The U.S. Sun has learned that the order was to protect their children.
The former couple have four kids together: daughters Maliah, Mariah, Malani, and son Martell.
In addition, Martell is also the father to another child, son Knox, with a woman who has been identified as his mistress, Arionne Curry.
Melody filed for divorce in June 2020 after nearly 12 years of marriage due to his long-term affair, which he has admitted to and called "foolish."
NEW ALLEGATIONS
According to a separate filing that is part of Melody and Martell's divorce case, Martell filed a petition on January 26, 2022, to modify the custody arrangement, requesting sole physical custody, and to notify the court that Melody has "violated" clauses made in the final order back in March 2021.
He made claims that Melody, whom he starred with on OWN's Love & Marriage: Huntsville, has denied him time with their four minor children and has cut off communication.
In one instance, he stated that she showed up to her house one night in November 2021 after not being able to say good night to their kids, according to the docs, and so she "served him with a trespass notice."
Martell then shed light on the protection order sought by Melody where he denied any abuse.
He wrote in the filing: "The plaintiff has falsely accused the defendant of child abuse in a separate protection from abuse action.
"Plaintiff's accusation comes as she learned this modification action was coming through the reality show both parties are contracted with and sought to pre-empt this filing."
The protection order was then dismissed on March 7, 2022.
HE SAID VS SHE SAID
The Dollhouse star fired back in her answer to her ex's petition to modify the custody and "hold the Plaintiff in contempt."
She alleged: "[Martell's] discipline and punishment of the children is excessive and abusive.
"The Defendant has used objects to hit his children hard enough to draw blood, he has spanked them excessively, and he has used slurs and other insults towards his children as discipline techniques."
She further claimed: "When this Court restricted the parties' ability to use corporal punishment on the children pendente lite and ordered the Defendant to participate in the children's therapy and counseling, he lashed out at this Court in such a way that he was admonished with possible contempt for any future outbursts."
Melody also defended the fact that she served him with a trespass notice.
She wrote: "The Defendant arrived at her house at night, unannounced and without permission in November 2021."
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Melody and Martell's attorneys for comment.
STRICT ORDER
In March 2023, an Alabama judge signed off on an order after both parties battled it out in trial.
The judge wrote in the order obtained by The U.S. Sun: "During the current trial, this Court has found the testimony of both parents to be less than genuine.
"Each parent can only recall testimony in their favor but are evasive in other respects."
The judge further stated that Martell "has made positive strides and is placing his children's best interest first."
The former couple was ordered by the judge, per the filings, to "enroll and complete a conflict resolution class."
Martell and Melody were also ordered to "continue their joint custodial agreement," meaning Martell was denied his request for sole physical custody.
In addition, they were told that they must notify each other if either parent is traveling out of town or out of state with the children.
Plus, Melody was ordered to provide her contact info "immediately" since the judge found that the OWN star demonstrated "an inability to co-parent" given her excess "blocking" of the kids' father.
One interesting note the judge included is that their four kids "SHALL NOT participate or be filmed for television or any other social media platform" without getting permission from the court or until the children are of legal age, which is 19 in the state of Alabama.
LEGAL ISSUES
The U.S. Sun previously reported news that Martell had filed for bankruptcy in 2020, admitting to owing creditors up to $1million.
In the court documents, exclusively obtained by The U.S. Sun, Martell indicated that he owed less than 50 creditors between $1million to $10million.
The creditors he listed included: ex Melody, American Express, Capital One, Lowe's, Home Depot and the IRS.
The case was eventually terminated in August 2021.
Separately, Martell and Melody had both filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy with their business, Holt & Holt Entrepreneurship LLC, in March 2021.
Martell made his debut on RHOA last month after Sheree introduced him to the Real Housewives cast.
The star explained to viewers that she met Martell through a mutual friend and said that she sees him on weekends since he lives in Alabama.
"We really enjoy each other's company," she gushed at the time.
"Despite what you see on TV, he's never shown me anything but respect and I'm really happy that I didn't give up on love, that I left the door open."
RHOA airs new episodes every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
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#RHOA: Sheree Whitfield’s Boyfriend Martell Holt Accused Of Child Abuse By Ex-Wife Melody In Explosive Divorce
The reality star's love interest wasn't given the warmest of welcomes after being introduced to the RHOA cast during a recent episode.
Martell Holt has been accused of 'child abuse' by his ex-wife Melody Holt
Sheree, 53, and co-star Kenya Moore got into a heated argument over Kenya's claims of the She by Sheree founder's boyfriend being a "cheater."
The Detroit native alleged Martell, 41, slid into her DMs and shouted at him: "Once a cheater, always a cheater, you f***ing piece of s**t."
Now, The U.S. Sun can exclusively report Martell has also been accused of child abuse in court filings by his ex-wife Melody, 37.
According to Alabama court documents obtained by The U.S. Sun, Melody sought a protection order against Martell on January 11, 2022.
Although details of the protection order are sealed, The U.S. Sun has learned that the order was to protect their children.
The former couple have four kids together: daughters Maliah, Mariah, Malani, and son Martell.
In addition, Martell is also the father to another child, son Knox, with a woman who has been identified as his mistress, Arionne Curry.
Melody filed for divorce in June 2020 after nearly 12 years of marriage due to his long-term affair, which he has admitted to and called "foolish."
NEW ALLEGATIONS
According to a separate filing that is part of Melody and Martell's divorce case, Martell filed a petition on January 26, 2022, to modify the custody arrangement, requesting sole physical custody, and to notify the court that Melody has "violated" clauses made in the final order back in March 2021.
He made claims that Melody, whom he starred with on OWN's Love & Marriage: Huntsville, has denied him time with their four minor children and has cut off communication.
In one instance, he stated that she showed up to her house one night in November 2021 after not being able to say good night to their kids, according to the docs, and so she "served him with a trespass notice."
Martell then shed light on the protection order sought by Melody where he denied any abuse.
He wrote in the filing: "The plaintiff has falsely accused the defendant of child abuse in a separate protection from abuse action.
"Plaintiff's accusation comes as she learned this modification action was coming through the reality show both parties are contracted with and sought to pre-empt this filing."
The protection order was then dismissed on March 7, 2022.
HE SAID VS SHE SAID
The Dollhouse star fired back in her answer to her ex's petition to modify the custody and "hold the Plaintiff in contempt."
She alleged: "[Martell's] discipline and punishment of the children is excessive and abusive.
"The Defendant has used objects to hit his children hard enough to draw blood, he has spanked them excessively, and he has used slurs and other insults towards his children as discipline techniques."
She further claimed: "When this Court restricted the parties' ability to use corporal punishment on the children pendente lite and ordered the Defendant to participate in the children's therapy and counseling, he lashed out at this Court in such a way that he was admonished with possible contempt for any future outbursts."
Melody also defended the fact that she served him with a trespass notice.
She wrote: "The Defendant arrived at her house at night, unannounced and without permission in November 2021."
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Melody and Martell's attorneys for comment.
STRICT ORDER
In March 2023, an Alabama judge signed off on an order after both parties battled it out in trial.
The judge wrote in the order obtained by The U.S. Sun: "During the current trial, this Court has found the testimony of both parents to be less than genuine.
"Each parent can only recall testimony in their favor but are evasive in other respects."
The judge further stated that Martell "has made positive strides and is placing his children's best interest first."
The former couple was ordered by the judge, per the filings, to "enroll and complete a conflict resolution class."
Martell and Melody were also ordered to "continue their joint custodial agreement," meaning Martell was denied his request for sole physical custody.
In addition, they were told that they must notify each other if either parent is traveling out of town or out of state with the children.
Plus, Melody was ordered to provide her contact info "immediately" since the judge found that the OWN star demonstrated "an inability to co-parent" given her excess "blocking" of the kids' father.
One interesting note the judge included is that their four kids "SHALL NOT participate or be filmed for television or any other social media platform" without getting permission from the court or until the children are of legal age, which is 19 in the state of Alabama.
LEGAL ISSUES
The U.S. Sun previously reported news that Martell had filed for bankruptcy in 2020, admitting to owing creditors up to $1million.
In the court documents, exclusively obtained by The U.S. Sun, Martell indicated that he owed less than 50 creditors between $1million to $10million.
The creditors he listed included: ex Melody, American Express, Capital One, Lowe's, Home Depot and the IRS.
The case was eventually terminated in August 2021.
Separately, Martell and Melody had both filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy with their business, Holt & Holt Entrepreneurship LLC, in March 2021.
Martell made his debut on RHOA last month after Sheree introduced him to the Real Housewives cast.
The star explained to viewers that she met Martell through a mutual friend and said that she sees him on weekends since he lives in Alabama.
"We really enjoy each other's company," she gushed at the time.
"Despite what you see on TV, he's never shown me anything but respect and I'm really happy that I didn't give up on love, that I left the door open."
RHOA airs new episodes every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
#MusicNews: Made In America 2023 Taps Metro Boomin, Lil Yachty, Latto, And More
As the clock ticks closer to the much-awaited Made In America festival, two special headliners were announced on Wednesday (June 14): Lizzo and SZA. The dynamic duo is set to dominate the stage on Philadelphia’s iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway from Sept. 2-3.
This year’s festival boasts an eclectic roster, featuring a joint set from rap legends Mase and Cam’ron. The crowd can also anticipate vibrant performances by a broad spectrum of artists, both old and new, including Miguel, Tems, Ice Spice, Metro Boomin, Doechii, Coi Leray, Latto, Lola Brooke, Coco Jones, TiaCorine, Flau’jae Johnson, Tanerélle, and Lil Yachty, among others.
Currently touring Europe, SZA continues to garner acclaim for her second studio album, SOS. Her “SOS Tour” is the result of a phenomenal record that held its ground at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for an impressive 10 weeks. On the other side, Lizzo has also been making waves, scoring her fourth Grammy thanks to her No. 1 single “About Damn Time.” As she wraps up her “Special Tour” in July, her journey to Philadelphia only intensifies.
Previously, the pair collaborated on the remix of “Special,” the title track of her latest project. Notably, the spirit of mutual support between the two powerhouses resonates in their performances both on and off stage. Yesterday (June 13), SZA defended Lizzo against online trolls and body-shamers.
Founded by JAY-Z in 2012, the annual Philadelphia event has been a fixture in Hip Hop and R&B for over a decade. Despite pausing for a year due to COVID-19, the festival made a strong comeback last year with stellar performances by Bad Bunny and Tyler, the Creator.
Starting at $150, tickets are available to purchase via the Made In America website.
#HipHopNews: Gangsta Boo's Cause Of Death Revealed As Accidental Overdose
An autopsy report seen by NBC's Action News 5 and FOX13 on Wednesday, June 14 revealed that the rapper overdosed on fentanyl, cocaine and ethanol (alcohol). "FOX13 dug through pages of that autopsy report to find out that Mitchell had fentanyl, cocaine and alcohol in her system at the time of her death," FOX13's report read.
Born Lola Mitchell, Gangsta Boo passed away on Sunday, January 1. According to reports, the rap artist was found dead around 4:00 P.M. local time in her hometown of Memphis. In a statement, Gangsta Boo's mother, Veronica Mitchell, called her daughter's death "untimely" and requested privacy for her and her family.
"The Mitchell family would like to thank everyone for their condolences regarding the untimely death of Lola 'Gangsta Boo' Mitchell. The family is asking for your continued prayers and privacy as we process the loss of our loved one," she said.
Following her passing, fellow musicians, including 2 Chainz and Lil Jon, took to social media to pay tributes to Gangsta Boo. Also mourning her death were her former collaborator GloRilla and fellow rappers Drake and Snoop Dogg.
Big Glo referred to Gangsta Boo as the Queen of Memphis and went on to reveal some of the messages the late rapper sent her. "I normally don't post screenshots but the fact that she reached out to me before anybody else had a clue who I was she always supported me & the girls way back before we blew up A REAL LEGEND there will never be another Gangsta Boo," Glo wrote at the time. The messages date back to mid-2021 and include compliments from Gangsta Boo saying, "U smashing Glo. Fr. As a pioneer of Memphis female rap, I love to see this. No1 came since me and Chat. Go off Mane! Xo."
Grand jury indicts Daniel Penny in chokehold death of Jordan Neely
A grand jury has indicted former U.S. Marine Daniel Penny in connection with the chokehold death of Jordan Neely aboard a subway train, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
The exact charges will not be unsealed until Penny appears in court at a later date, the sources said. Penny was initially arrested on a second-degree manslaughter charge.
Video showed Penny, 24, putting Neely in a chokehold on May 1. Several witnesses observed Neely making threats, assistant district attorney Joshua Steinglass told the judge. Some witnesses told police that Neely was yelling and harassing passengers on the train, authorities said. Police sources told ABC News that Penny was not specifically being threatened by Neely when he intervened and that Neely had not become violent and had not been threatening anyone in particular.
Neely was homeless at the time of the incident.
Penny held Neely for several minutes, and at some point Neely stopped moving, but Penny continued to hold him for a period of time, Steinglass said. Penny remained on the scene to talk with police following the incident, Steinglass said.
The medical examiner determined Jordan Neely was killed by a chokehold and his death was ruled a homicide.
Steinglass said prosecutors conducted a "thorough investigation" that included interviews with eyewitnesses, 911 callers and responding officers before moving forward with the criminal charge. Penny turned himself in to police on May 12 following an announcement from the Manhattan district attorney's office regarding charges. He has not yet entered a plea.
Neely, who was homeless at the time of his death, had a documented mental health history, according to police sources. Neely had been previously arrested for several incidents on the subway, though it's unclear how many, if any, led to convictions.
Attorneys for Penny said in a past statement to ABC News that they "fully expect that Danny will be exonerated of all charges."
Penny's attorneys offered "condolences to those close to Mr. Neely" and claimed, "Mr. Neely began aggressively threatening Daniel," and that the Marine veteran and others "acted to protect themselves" in an earlier statement.
Tank Jumps into the Babyface And Anita Baker Beef
In a two-minute video shared on Instagram (below), he captioned it, “My apologies @babyface but i’m not as meek and mild mannered as you are. It is a flaw of mine, but somebody has to say something!”
The 47-year-old then declared, “I wasn’t gon’ say anything, but it’s kinda hard, really hard for me to stand by and let one of my heroes, one of the nicest human beings ever, just be attacked and be vilified for no reason. A guy by the name of Babyface.”
Tank continued, “When a man stands accused of doing something that he hasn’t done — he apologized to his fans for not being able to perform after he was told he would not be able to perform. So, somehow whatever happens after that is his fault? Now you kick him off the tour? I wanna respect my elders. I do. I wanna respect my elders and stay outta grown folks business is what they say, but somebody gotta say something.”
The singer was referring to an announcement Baker made on Tuesday (June 13) where she revealed that the Girls Night Out singer would no longer be supporting her on her Songstress Tour. She reportedly blamed the removal on being threatened and harassed by Face’s fans. Babyface later issued a statement about her decision.
“Babyface? You do this to Babyface? That don’t seem wrong to y’all?” Tank questioned. “Something don’t seem wrong about that? He didn’t do anything. He didn’t say anything. Nobody’s gonna say anything? We have to protect our Black women. I understand that, but who’s protecting our Black men? Our Black heroes.”
Tank’s statement came just hours before his enchanting Tiny Desk performance. Neither Babyface nor Anita Baker have reacted to his sentiments.
Jeezy Releasing First Book Titled ‘Adversity For Sale’
The Atlanta rapper made the announcement on Tuesday (June 13) via Instagram, saying “his is for all my day ones and everybody that’s been down with me since the beginning. This is the greatest story never told.” The Snofall rapper plans to use the highs and lows of his life to “motivate the hustlers, entrepreneurs, and believers” through this book.
“Jeezy will use parts of his story to illustrate some rules and principles he’s used to get him through his darkest days and kept him going, even when it felt impossible to go any further and the odds stacked against him felt insurmountable,” a press release for Adversity read. “Through this book, his goal is to give everyone from the block to the boardroom a message of hope to get through their days.” Adversity For Sale is available for purchase on Aug. 8 via HarperCollins Leadership and can be pre-ordered here.
Jeezy has been in a reflective state for all of 2023, evident in his Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 concert in February that featured backing from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The night, dedicated to his seminal 2005 album, also featured the “Go Crazy” rapper reconciling his differences with Quality Control founder Kevin “Coach K” Lee.
“They say for your blessings to really start, you have to have a clean slate. Tonight, two Black men settle their differences,” Coach K said on the microphone to a rousing applause from the audience before telling the story of their time working together to their eventual fallout.
Army honors Black WWI hero Sgt. William Henry Johnson with the renaming of a Louisiana base
A U.S. Army base in western Louisiana has renamed itself in honor of a World War I vet.
On Tuesday (June 13), The Associated Press reported that the change celebrated Sgt. William Henry Johnson’s legacy. He was a Black hero of WWI who received a Medal of Honor almost a century later, per the outlet.
Before being switched to Fort Johnson, the base was called Fort Polk after Leonidas Polk, a Confederate commander. The change is also a part of the nation’s military’s efforts to “address historic racial injustice.” Eight other army bases whose names honored Confederate leaders are included in the renaming endeavor. In a Twitter post, Brig. Gen. David Garner, the Joint Readiness Training Center commanding general at Fort Johnson, spoke about the vet. “Sgt. William Henry Johnson embodied the warrior spirit, and we are deeply honored to bear his name,” he tweeted.
According to the National Museum of the United States Army, Johnson fought off a German night raid near the Argonne Forest while serving on the frontline in France in 1918. He was injured 21 times as he engaged in combat and prevented a Black fellow soldier from being taken as a prisoner. When he ran out of grenades, Johnson used a knife to fatally wound two German soldiers. “His frantic attacks broke the German morale, and the enemy raiding party retreated,” his museum biography shared.
After surviving the war, Former President Theodore Roosevelt called Johnson one of the “five bravest Americans to serve in the conflict.” However, the Army did not recognize Johnson’s action, AP News mentioned. He did not receive the Purple Heart and was denied a disability allowance. He struggled upon his return to Albany, New York due to his injuries. In 1929, Johnson died at age 32 from a heart condition. In 2015, Johnson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.”
Family Asks For Public’s Help Locating Missing Philadelphia Teen Who Didn’t Show Up For Graduation
In an article published yesterday (June 13), Philadelphia news station NBC 10 spoke with Porter’s family regarding her disappearance. According to relatives, the young student did not have her cellphone with her when she went missing as they later discovered it on her bed. Their concerns reached greater heights when she did not attend her high school graduation ceremony on Friday (June 9). Her loved ones claimed this is highly unlike the teen who previously had an impeccable attendance record.
“Shalaya would have never missed her graduation. Shalaya would have never missed the opportunity to go to college. Shalaya would have never left her mom,” Porter’s aunt, Felicia Hill, said while speaking with the Philadelphia outlet. Relatives shared that the 18-year-old had plans to start at Morgan State University in the fall with a focus on architecture, design, and fashion. Yesterday, community members gathered to raise awareness and attempt to find the missing pupil with a bright future. Supporters arrived at Motivation High School on 59th Street and Baltimore Avenue around 3 p.m. and distributed nearly 3,000 flyers.
Social media users joined the search as well. “She is known to use public transportation,” one account wrote as a tip to possibly locate the missing Philadelphia teen. Another person who shared her information added, “Dear Twitter, please do your thing.” “[I] hope they find her soon, safe and sound,” one individual replied. “I love you, baby. Just please come home. We had so many plans. I’m supposed to be going to college with you,” her mother Kaleia Porter said before reporters as she fought back tears at yesterday’s gathering.
Anyone with any information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Southwest Detective Division at 215-686-3183.
Nine Women Are Suing Bill Cosby For Sexual Assault
In the latest turn of events surrounding the Bill Cosby assault allegations, nine women, including Janice Dickinson and Lili Bernard, have filed a lawsuit against the comedian, per TMZ. This comes shortly after Nevada passed a law removing the statute of limitations for civil cases, allowing these women to seek justice. The lawsuit accuses Cosby of using his power, fame, and prestige to isolate and assault each of the women. Some of them will be interviewed by NBC News, shedding light on their experiences and bringing attention to the case. Cosby’s spokesperson has dismissed the lawsuits as motivated by media attention and greed, while Cosby himself continues to deny all allegations of sexual abuse.
Janice Dickinson and Lili Bernard, two of the women involved in the lawsuit, have come forward with their own accounts of sexual assault. According to the lawsuit, Dickinson alleges that Cosby invited her to Lake Tahoe in 1982 and gave her a pill that made her groggy before raping her. Bernard claims that Cosby arranged for her to travel to Nevada in 1990 under the pretense of meeting with Hollywood producers, but instead, he invited her to his hotel suite and raped her. Both women assert that they were unable to consent or oppose the sexual acts that took place.
The accusations against Cosby span a period between 1979 and 1992, with the incidents allegedly taking place in Cosby’s suite at a Las Vegas hotel. The women involved in the lawsuit have accused Cosby of drugging and assaulting them on multiple occasions. It is important to note that some of these women have already testified against Cosby in previous cases, further bolstering their credibility and lending weight to their claims.
While Cosby was found civilly liable in 2018 for molesting Judy Huth at the Playboy Mansion in 1975, this new lawsuit opens the door for further legal action due to the recent legislation in Nevada. The removal of the statute of limitations provides an opportunity for these women to seek compensation for the emotional distress they have endured over the years. However, Cosby’s representative has questioned the motivations and funding of the alleged accusers, indicating that this legal battle is far from over.
The ongoing saga surrounding Bill Cosby continues to captivate the public’s attention as these brave women step forward to seek justice. Their courage in sharing their stories sheds light on the pervasive issue of sexual assault and highlights the need for accountability, regardless of a person’s status or fame. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how this lawsuit will impact Cosby’s legacy and whether it will bring closure and healing to the victims involved.
Gabrielle Union & Keith Powers Debut 'The Perfect Find' During Tribeca Film Festival in NYC!
The 50-year-old actress joined co-stars Keith Powers, Gina Torres, Janet Hubert, La La Anthony, Lina Green, Erica Green, Aisha Hinds, D.B. Woodside, Ts Madison, and director Numa Perrier at the event, held during the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, in New York City on Wednesday night (June 14).
Keith‘s longtime girlfriend, Ryan Destiny, was also seen on the red carpet.
Gabrielle has been promoting the Netflix film all over NYC, wearing some chic looks for a few press stops.
The Perfect Find is out on Netflix on June 23
Twitter Gets Hit With $250 Million Lawsuit Over Copyright Infringement
The social media platform was hit with legal action, according to Variety, by The National Music Publishers Association, which is acting on behalf of 17 music publishers.
According to the outlet, the lawsuit is seeking damages of $250 million for “hundreds of thousands of noticed infringements of approximately 1,700 works.”
In the complaint, the lawsuit details that Twitter’s business is “infringing copies of musical compositions, violating Publishers’ and others’ exclusive rights under copyright law.”
“While numerous Twitter competitors recognize the need for proper licenses and agreements for the use of musical compositions on their platforms, Twitter does not, and instead breeds massive copyright infringement that harms music creators,” it went on to read in the documents.
The documents continue, saying that “Twitter consistently and knowingly hosts and streams infringing copies of musical compositions…” and also “routinely continues to provide specific known repeat infringers with use of the Twitter platform, which they use for more infringement.”
The lawsuit claims that Twitter also profits from the infringment law its’ breaking.
“Twitter’s unlawful conduct has caused and continues to cause substantial and irreparable harm to Publishers, their songwriter clients, and the entire music ecosystem,” the complaint concludes.
Variety does add that the same organization has also gone after other social media platforms including TikTok, Peloton, and more.
The Stars of 'Dallas' Reunite 45 Years After the Show's Debut
Dallas stars Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray, Charlene Tilton, Audrey Landers, Steve Kanaly, Joan Van Ark, Sheree Wilson and Cathy Podewell, as well as director Michael Preece, reunited at Oscar's in Palm Springs, California, on Tuesday ahead of the show's 45th anniversary — and PEOPLE has the exclusive photos.
Speaking about the show's legacy, Gray, 82, tells PEOPLE: "I think that Dallas was like daytime soaps that were very popular and Dallas came into play and it was gigantic and it filled that same need that people love to have a recurring story, suspense and something to look forward to."
"Because the show ran for so many years, the audience got to know the characters so genuinely and they really cared for [them] and the characters all went through so much," Gray continues. "And I think the fans really loved to relate to the stories that were bigger than life. I think that they were definitely bigger than life so they could live vicariously through those characters. Dallas was so influential."
Duffy, 74, echoes his costar's sentiments, comparing Dallas to the likes of Succession and Yellowstone.
"Sometimes I watch and think we did that. If you think about basically every family drama except for Breaking Bad, we latched onto the premise that was not started with Dallas, but with Peyton Place, but then that was forgotten and Dallas took over."
"The way Dallas was written, it's standard writing template for shows that run any period of time from a few episodes onto years. But yeah, it all started with us," Duffy adds. "I really thought about it with Succession."
Says Tilton, 64: "I think it was, to the best of my knowledge, the first show that gave you characters that were truly flawed, but they were loved by the audience. And every one of us had a major flaw, but still they were human and the audience still loved them."
Dallas ran for 14 seasons from 1978 to 1991, earning four Emmys along the way. The show followed the wealthy Ewing family and the drama that surrounded their booming oil business and their entangled personal lives.
When the show celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018, Victoria Principal (who played Pamela Barnes from 1978 until 1987) told PEOPLE she found the first five years of Dallas to be “some of the best television I’ve ever seen.”
“When I went in for the part on Dallas, I had already fallen in love with the show and with the part,” said Principal, 73. “So, my feeling from the moment I read it was that it was incredibly special and that I really, really wanted to be a part of it. I could not imagine not being Pam.”
In season 10, Principal’s run as Pam came to an end when her character, who had been pregnant, died in a car accident. “I wanted an ending that was definitive,” the actress said. “And I certainly felt that being blown up was definitive.”
Sadly, after season 1 of the Dallas revival aired, Hagman died at age 81 that November.
“Larry Hagman was my best friend for 35 years. He was the Pied Piper of life and brought joy to everyone he knew,” Gray, 82, said in a statement released to PEOPLE at the time. “He was creative, generous, funny, loving and talented and I will miss him enormously. He was an original and lived life to the fullest. The world was a brighter place because of Larry.”
Much of the cast — including Hagman, Principal, Duffy, Gray, Kanaly and Tilton — reunited back in 2004 for a TV special titled Dallas Reunion: The Return to Southfork, referring to the fictional Texas land where the primetime soap opera took place.
“When I was on Dallas, it was such a whirlwind,” Tilton, 64, recalled to PEOPLE earlier this year. “At my age now, I'm more present. I don't feel the need to take every job, but I do make myself say yes to most things because I believe in saying yes, and trying new things and having opportunities."
Tilton also said she “couldn't wait to get older” during her Dallas days.
“I always saw myself as a character actress,” she said. “I really did. I just always said, "Someday I'm going to be a great character actress and I was chomping at the bit to do that."
While in Palm Springs, the cast will be appearing in a panel at Oscar's on Tuesday night. Duffy and Gray are also about to go on tour together.
All 13 original seasons of Dallas can be streamed on Amazon Freevee.
John Amos Shares Health Update Following Daughter’s Abuse Allegations
“To all of my fans, I want you to know that I am doing well. I am not in ICU, nor was I ever fighting for my life,” a representative for Amos shared with People. “First, I want the GoFundMe campaign about me to stop immediately and the funds subsequently returned to those who made donations. My son and I will reveal more information at the appropriate time.”
Amos was reportedly hospitalized last month after allegedly suffering “elder abuse and financial exploitation,” at the hands of a caregiver, according to his daughter Shannon Amos. She claims the 83-year-old was placed in intensive care but did not disclose what exactly happened to him.
“His home had been violated, stripped of anything valuable,” Shannon shared, Complex reports.
“To catch and prosecute the alleged perpetrators, we now require legal assistance, hoping they face the full weight of the law,” the campaign reads. “Meanwhile, our priority remains my father’s medical needs and providing him a safe haven. His home had been violated, stripped of anything valuable. The cruelty inflicted upon my dad leaves me questioning what kind of human could commit such acts.”
John Amos told TMZ that “the details laid out by his daughter Shannon Amos are a lie…no one is abusing him and he hasn’t been fighting for his life.”
His rep, Belinda Foster, previously said he was hospitalized “because his lower body was filling with fluid, all the way to his abdomen, and causing issues with his heart.” After having the fluid drained, Foster said her client “started to feel 100 percent.”
Whoopi Goldberg Reveals She ‘Wants’ The Wheel of Fortune Hosting Job: “I Think it’d be Lots of Fun”
Whoopi Goldberg has revealed that she would like to be the new host of the Wheel of Fortune.
During Tuesday’s episode of The View, the EGOT winner threw herself into the running as the next host after Pat Sajak announced his retirement after 41 years on the show.
The news came shortly after her co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin mentioned, “Another legendary game show host, Pat Sajak, just announced that he’s going to be retiring from Wheel of Fortune at the end of next season.”
She then questioned Ken Jennings, the host of Jeopardy!, “What’s your reaction to the news? And any ideas on who should replace him?”
Before Jennings could respond, she said with excitement, “I want that job! I think it’d be lots of fun.”
Goldberg, a familiar face to ABC, already has hosting game show experience as the center square on Hollywood Squares from 1998 to 2004.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
'A Miracle'
Ohh, so they can stand.
Ohh, so they can stand.
EVENING GOODIES: Meet KING TROY
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HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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