#MAGFAB: Sarah Jessica Parker graces Vogue's digital cover
Twenty-five years ago this month, a fictional columnist named Carrie Bradshaw introduced us to her corner of New York with “Sex and the City”—a swirl of reality and fantasy so delicious that even after six seasons, two feature films, and a prequel, we still wanted more. Now, for Vogue’s new digital cover—arriving just in time for season two of “And Just Like That,” the reboot that reunited Carrie, her friends, and her city in 2021—@SarahJessicaParker stars in the ultimate #SATC tribute video: a visual homage to the show, the star, the mythology, the fashion, and New York, with all its possibilities and personalities.
#RHOA: Drew Sidora Admits She 'Can't Even Get out of the Bed' Some Days amid Divorce
Drew Sidora is trying to move on — but some moments are harder than others
The 38-year-old Real Housewives of Atlanta exclusively opened up to PEOPLE about she’s been navigating life after filing for divorce from Ralph Pittman, her husband of nearly nine years.
“Well, it's one day at a time,” admits the "Already Know" singer. “Some days are good. I'm in a good place. I'm able to laugh, able to accomplish my day. And other days I just can't even get out of the bed really. And it's just one of those times. And I'm learning to just be present and take it how it comes.”
The singer and actress adds, “And if I'm having a rough day, I just kind of take my moment and try to process it all and just emotionally heal. That's really the only thing I can do.”
Though the process is “still kind of unreal,” the Step Up star says it’s been helpful to focus on her career and on what's coming up for her next.
“I just finished my fifth movie this year,” Sidora explained. “At the same time as difficult and challenging as it is, God is definitely knowing what to do and keeping me busy and just showing me blessings and things and reasons to celebrate."
"Love is a beautiful thing," he wrote at the time. "Unfortunately we have made the difficult decision to move on to our next chapters, independent of each other. Drew and I have decided to file for divorce. We have three amazing young children, and their mindset and growth is what is most important. As we navigate this difficult time, I ask that you please respect our privacy."
Sidora issued in her own statement, "After eight years of wholeheartedly fighting for my marriage, I have made the agonizing decision to release my husband with love. Although Ralph and I have decided to move forward separately, the hope is to remain friends so that we can co-parent responsibly. In spite of our very public life, I am asking for privacy during this difficult time as my children and I learn how to navigate through our new beginnings."
A few days later, Sidora lodged an explosive set of allegations against her estranged partner, including claims he was a "serial cheater and adulterer" who abused her both mentally and financially and even got "physically aggressive" with her at one point.
Among her claims, Sidora alleged that Pittman committed "repeated uncondoned adultery during the marriage" and even "allowed his multiple paramours to have direct contact" with her so that they could "flaunt" their relationships with him.
On Friday, Pittman issued a statement to PEOPLE in response to his ex's comments about hitting her "breaking point" in the marriage.
"I love my wife with all my heart," he said. "It is no secret that marriage is a challenging journey, one that is not for the faint of heart. My family means the world to me and I've dedicated myself to providing support, encouragement and acting as a pillar of strength for my wife and children."
The statement continued, "Although we know the real reason that ultimately led to my request for divorce, I'm taking this time to be more introspective and working to become the best version of myself. I stand by my response to the petition however I sincerely apologize for my part in the deterioration of our relationship. As seasons change, I'm hopeful and optimistic for brighter days ahead."
The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
#MusicNews: Angie Stone Releases Video For “Love The Feeling”
R&B legend Angie Stone has just released the visual for her latest single “Love the Feeling”.
The song was included on her recently released 10th studio album “Love Language”.
The visuals to the fun and season-appropriate song were directed by Charles West. Angie adds:
“This video was inspired by the infectious nature of two-step dancing and how we express love for one another through movement. Two-step dancing has made its way around the globe and is a sign of happiness and love. My hope is that you’ll be inspired to move and step during your home cookouts, house parties, and grown folks’ outings.”
WATCH HERE
“Love Language” came out last month
#HipHopNews: Young Thug Releases New Album 'BUSINESS IS BUSINESS'
At midnight (June 23), fans of Young Thug were treated to his long-anticipated third studio album, BUSINESS IS BUSINESS. Serving as the first since the artist was incarcerated on gang-related charges, this release arrived in the form of 15 songs.
Buzz around the project was ignited by a cryptic QR code shared by Metro Boomin and Thug himself, pointing to a countdown page. This subtle hint was soon echoed across social media by Hip Hop heavyweights such as Drake, 21 Savage, G Herbo, Coi Leray, and Chance the Rapper, among many others.
While the Atlanta rapper kept his cards close to his chest by withholding explicit details, some fans correctly speculated that fresh music was imminent. Their suspicions were validated on Thursday afternoon (June 22) when the rapper revealed the release date and black-and-white cover art. The imagery, resonant with Thug’s recent legal experiences, depicts him seated in a courtroom alongside his co-defendants.
In a poignant Instagram post heralding the album drop, the artist wrote, “BUSINESS IS BUSINESS TONIGHT… Let’s go,” tagging Metro, his long-standing collaborator, who swiftly reposted the announcement.
Just hours before the launch, Drake also fueled speculation about his participation in the project, commenting, “You owe me this time… Midnight.” Thug replied cryptically, “[You] will be paid.”
Ramping up the anticipation, Thug shared the star-studded tracklist mere moments before the album’s debut, revealing guest appearances from former collaborators Drake, Future, Travis Scott, and Lil Uzi Vert. Gunna, who doesn’t surface on the release, also shared the LP’s tracklist.
BUSINESS IS BUSINESS delivers a potent mix of rap royalty, led by Young Thug and engineered by Metro Boomin. The latter’s role as executive producer, combined with additional contributions from Southside, FNZ, Dr. Luke, and others, serves as the backdrop to the album. Moreover, the compilation includes guest spots from 21 Savage, Lil Gotit, Yak Gotti, BSlime, and Nate Ruess from Fun, and The Format.
Now available on all streaming platforms, listen to BUSINESS IS BUSINESS HERE
R. Kelly Says He’s “Scared For His Life” Amid Claims Of Negligence By Prison Staff
R. Kelly has expressed that he’s in fear of losing his life due to alleged negligence on the part of prison medical staff after undergoing an operation to treat blood clots.
The singer, who is currently serving 30 years in prison after being convicted of sex trafficking, was heard on audio obtained by RapHouseTV claiming that animals receive better treatment that he’s been afforded while behind bars. Accusing the medical staff at Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center of botching the procedure, Kelly said he doesn’t “deserve to die” and that “somebody miscommunicated or somebody took a guess at what’s going on with my leg.” He continued, adding “I’m not supposed to die this way. You’re not even supposed to take a chance on that.”
The infamous vocalist pleaded with those who may be tuning in to the interview to consider how they would react if it was one of their family members in his position. “If it was your child, if it was your father, if it was your mother, somebody you loved, you would’ve said, ‘Go to the doctor. We need to get that checked out. We need to look at that. We need to X-ray that.’”
He then voiced that his statements were attributed to fear while further alluding to the inhumane treatment he’s claimed to have received. “They didn’t even X-ray. And that’s why I’m speaking out on this, because I’m scared for my life in that area. And who wouldn’t be. They treat animals better than that.”
In March, Kelly’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, blasted the medical staff at Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center for their negligent care of her client, stating that the MCC’s lack of medical assistance to inmates is unacceptable. “It’s not just because it’s R. Kelly,” Bonjean told ABC7 at the time. “Every prison deserves medical attention, medical care. The MCC is required to address these things in a competent fashion.”
Deion Sanders undergoes successful blood clot surgery to improve foot circulation
Deion Sanders underwent successful surgery Friday night to fix a blood clot issue that had affected circulation in his foot. His girlfriend, Tracey Edmonds posted an update on Instagram after the surgery.
Sanders, who became the head coach at Colorado earlier this year, has dealt with health issues stemming from poor blood flow recently. He had this surgery in order to stave off potentially needing to amputate his foot. Sanders had two toes amputated during his time at Jackson State after blood clot issues.
Now it appears as though Sanders will soon be fully recovered for his first season with the Buffaloes — one that will begin with a fair share of hype and criticisms after he left HBCU Jackson State with a 27-6 record. Nearly 20 players left Colorado for the transfer portal after Sanders effectively told them to earlier this year while around 45,000 spectators attended the Buffaloes' spring game. Colorado will also get a lot of national attention on television as well in Sanders' first season at the helm.
Lizzo partners with University of Houston to create $50,000 scholarship
Singer-songwriter and Houston's own Lizzo announced Friday that she has partnered with the University of Houston to create a scholarship that will be awarded to a music student at the university.
“Me and the University of Houston have come together to create the ‘Sasha Be Flooting Music Scholarship,'" she announced on her Instagram page. "It is for any young, Black student from Houston, Texas who has applied to go to the University of Houston to study at the Moore School of Music."
The scholarship amounts to $50,000. The details of it are still being finalized but the school released a statement saying:
“We are excited to be working with Lizzo and her team to establish the Sasha Be Flooting Music Scholarship within the UH Alumni Association Foundation. We are deeply grateful to Lizzo for her generosity and commitment to supporting the next generation of music students. This scholarship will be life-changing for one young artist—it will create opportunities and open doors that will make a lasting impact on the student and their journey towards a music career. The details are still being finalized and we hope to share more about the scholarship soon.”
Jussie Smollett is directing a new film amid appealing his hate crime hoax conviction
Jussie Smollett is not letting his ongoing legal problems get in the way of his craft. In new photos obtained by TMZ on Friday (June 23), the former child actor was spotted on the set of his new project, a film called The Lost Holiday, in Orange County, California.
Smollett serves as the flick’s director and stars Vivica A. Fox, his former “Empire” co-star. In one of the images online, he is shown with a camera in his hand while speaking with Fox. In another, he is all smiles while standing alongside members of the production crew. He made his directorial debut last year with the film B-Boy Blues.
As most people know, The Mighty Ducks actor has been facing a legal battle since 2019, when he claimed to have been attacked by two MAGA supporters in Chicago. He claimed that a noose was placed around his neck, bleach was poured on him, and he was struck multiple times as the men yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him during the alleged hate crime. An investigation into his claims uncovered that he orchestrated the incident and enlisted the help of two acquaintances, brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo.
In early December 2021, a jury found Smollett guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct for falsifying police reports. In March 2022, he was sentenced to 30 months of felony probation, to spend 150 days in jail, and to pay more than $120,000 in restitution to the Chicago Police Department and a $25,000 fine. Last year, he served six of his 150-day sentence before being released. His legal team has since filed an appeal to overturn the conviction in an attempt to keep him out of jail. He was granted five extensions before the March 2023 filing.
Fox has been a supporter of the actor since he made headlines over the hate crime hoax. After becoming embroiled in the controversy, Smollett was written out of the final season of “Empire.” “That was tough. He’s family; he’s always gonna be family,” Fox said when she appeared on an episode of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” in 2019. “I love him to death,” she added. The show’s co-lead Taraji P. Henson has also expressed public support for her TV son.
Rihanna steps down as CEO of Savage X Fenty
Rihanna has stepped down as CEO of her lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty.
On Friday (23 June), the billionaire beauty mogul appointed Hillary Super, the former CEO of Anthropologie Group, to take her place as CEO. Rihanna has held the position since she founded Savage X Fenty in 2018.
Rihanna, who will remain in a leadership role as executive chair, said in a statement: “It’s been beautiful to see our vision for Savage X Fenty impact the industry at such an incredible magnitude over the last five years. This is just the beginning for us, and we’re going to continue to expand in ways that always connect with the consumer.”
“I’m so grateful and excited to welcome Hillary Super as our new CEO – she is a strong leader and is focused on taking the business to an even higher level.”
Hillary Super was CEO at Anthropologie Group for four years, and previously held leadership positions at Guess, American Eagle, Gap, and Old Navy.
“I’m thrilled to join the Savage X Fenty family,” Super said. “The brand is a major powerhouse in the lingerie and apparel industry, and its unwavering commitment to celebrating inclusivity and fearlessness is inspiring.”
Erykah Badu Calls Out Fans Leaving Mid Concert as She Continues Singing Onstage
Erykah Badu said she is not here for any disrespect, especially when it comes to her concerts. The Grammy Award-winning artist is currently touring for her “Unfollow Me” tour with Yasiin Bey, otherwise known as lyricist Mos Def.
As shown through a viral video circulating on social media, a few concertgoers rudely walked out in the middle of her set in Sacramento, California, on June 20.
In the short clip, Badu can be seen standing in the middle of the stage singing her 1997 hit “Tyrone” when she abruptly stopped the concert to speak to the people leaving while she performed.
“Hold on. Stop. Stop,” she said in the video originally shared by HipHopDX. She used hands to get fans’ attention, yelling, “Hold on. Where y’all goin’?”
“Excuse me, where y’all goin’?” Badu continued. “Wait a minute. I’m not, I’m… this is rude. Motherf—ka, I’m singin’. Where are you goin’?”
She then jumped right back into singing as her band followed suit.
Fans on Twitter had mixed feelings about the singer’s rant on stage. Some applauded her band for jumping back into the song so quickly, while others expressed their suspicions that she was late.
“It’s a bit, y’all. Notice how she goes right back into the song and the band continues in perfect timing.”
“She’s always late, but not ya’ll leaving while she’s performing Tyrone.”
In her defense, two others said, “She sensitive about her art!” and “Don’t ever walk out on the legend.”
The video made its way to Instagram, thanks to The Neighborhood Talk, whose comments section was flooded with critics who speculated why audience members walked out during Badu’s performance in the first place.
“Auntie want if they had to use the bathroom,” said one fan, while another added, ” Heard she was 3 hours late SHE should’ve called Tyrone atp.”
One concertgoer who seemingly attend Badu’s concert wrote, “I left too. The concert was horrible. I love her but the remix of every song made it impossible to catch a vibe. The sound was horrible. I left too.”
Similar to Lauryn Hill, the “Lowkey” singer has a loyal fanbase who will sometimes wait hours for her to appear. Both ladies have quite the reputation for showing up late or starting their shows late, which some critics view as an inconvenience to their fans.
Badu was reportedly several hours late for a performance at Radio Music Hall in New York City in 2021. Badu was also nearly two hours late to her birthday concert in Dallas, Texas, in 2017.
Her 25-date “Unfollow Me” tour is still going, and ends with a show in Dallas on July 23.
Daytime TV Icon Maury Launches ‘The Results Are In’ Paternity Test Company
Maury Povich’s legendary daytime talk show is over, but there are families worldwide that need to know who the true father is. According to TMZ, Maury has a solution, launching an at-home DNA paternity testing company named The Results Are In.
The new test kits will include instructions on how to administer a DNA sample, which will be sent to a Diagnostics Center for processing.
“I’ve seen firsthand how DNA testing can change lives and bring families together,” Povich, age 84, said. “With ‘The Results Are In,’ we’re making it easier and more affordable than ever before for people to get the answers they need.”
over 30 seasons on the air, NBCUniversal has canceled Maury. The cancellation happened in March 2022.
The show was hosted and executive produced by Maury Povich. New episodes will air this September, then reruns will air through syndication. The show was launched in 1991 by Paramount Domestic Television. According to Deadline, the decision to cancel was mutual between the studio and Maury Povich.
“Maury and I decided two years ago that this season would be the farewell season for the show, and while his retirement is bittersweet, we are so happy for him to be able to spend more time on the golf course,” Tracie Wilson, EVP, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios, said in a statement to Deadline. “Maury is a television icon, a pop culture legend and we couldn’t be more proud to have been a part of his incredible career.”
Maury added, “Six years ago when I was ready to retire, my the NBCUniversal family asked me to continue the show. Even though I told them I was ready for assisted living, out of loyalty to NBCUniversal and my more than 100 staff and crew members, Tracie Wilson and I agreed to one more deal. I’m so proud of my relationship with NBCUniversal and all those who worked on the Maury show but as I occasionally tell my guests on Maury, ‘Enough, already!’”
Back in November 2021, Maury had a special guest in Lil Nas X. The 22-year-old “Industry Baby” artist’ appeared on the November 17th episode to confront his now ex-boyfriend, Yai Ariza. In the episode, Nas finds out Yai was married while they dated.
OceanGate Faces Significant Backlash For Submersible Pilot Job Listing While Titan Submersible Was Missing
OceanGate Expeditions, the company behind the ill-fated submersible that claimed the lives of five people, is facing more backlash after it was discovered the company listed a job for a submersible pilot.
The job listing was still visible on the company’s website while the search and rescue mission was ongoing for the Titan submersible. The craft lost communication with its host ship shortly after beginning its descent to the Titanic wreckage site. It is believed that the craft imploded, and all five people aboard Titan are presumed dead.
The now-deleted listing was for a “Submersible Pilot/Marine Technician” to “manage and operate our fleet of manned submersibles and support vessels.” In a screenshot posted by TMZ, the ad states OceanGate is looking for “a combination of strong mechanical and interpersonal skills” to operate and maintain the equipment.
The company said the position was an “excellent opportunity for a high-energy professional” looking for something long-term.
The outlet reports that although the listing was removed, it was active from Monday to Thursday. That time period falls just after the submersible was reported missing. It’s more likely the job posting was published before the submersible went missing, but social media users questioned the timing of the listing.
OceanGate’s CEO, Stockton Rush, was among the five people that perished onboard Titan. British billionaire Hamish Harding, one of Pakistan’s wealthiest men, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood, and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeole were the other victims that lost their lives in the catastrophe.
The company has faced a significant amount of backlash, including from director James Cameron, over significant operational and design flaws.
Louisiana Pastor Shoots Wife and Himself In Front Their Three Children After Facebook Post, “I May Not Be A Perfect Man, But I’ll Always Be A Family Man”
A Louisiana pastor reportedly shot his wife before turning the gun on himself inside a Mississippi hotel on Wednesday. The shocking incident occurred in front of the couple’s three children, according to the McComb Police Department.
Chief Juan Cloy identified the victims as Danny Prenell Jr., 25, and his wife, Gabby Prenell, 27. The Prenells were taken to an area hospital; their condition is unknown.
The children are in the custody of child protective services.
Photos published by The Enterprise-Journal show blood covering a hallway floor near elevators in the hotel’s lobby. The area is blocked off by yellow crime scene tape, and there appears to be a pillow and bedding strewn about the floor.
Shortly before the shooting, Prenell posted a photo of his wife and kids to his Facebook page from the Hampton Inn Motel. “I may not be a perfect man, but I’ll always be a family man,” he captioned the post.
Prenell is the pastor of Bright Star Missionary Baptist Church. He is facing an aggravated assault charge, according to WAPT.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
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