#FASHIONFAB: Emporio Armani Fall 2023 Campaign: Fashion & The City
In a grand tribute to the urban landscape, the Emporio Armani fall-winter 2023 campaign emerges, rich in visual texture and narrative complexity. Captured through the discerning lens of photographer Gregory Harris, the ad unveils a series of powerful images that blend elements of surrealism with raw, journalistic immediacy.
It’s as if the canvas of Manhattan itself has been seized and channeled into a breathtaking array of fabrics and forms. The season’s beating heart is a direct homage to the iconic visuals and progressive ethos of the Emporio Armani magazine—a game-changing publication of the 1980s that shifted the paradigm of fashion representation.
In this urban setting, we find actors Nicolas Maupas and William Franklyn center-stage. Captured against the soul-stirring backdrop of Manhattan, they embody the dynamic interplay between individual and environment.
Their portrayals go beyond mere posing; they live and breathe the campaign’s message, enacting spontaneous snapshots of city life. Together, they narrate a story of movement, energy, and shared inspiration, all in the distinct language of Armani fashion.
The sartorial architect behind this carefully constructed narrative is stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson. Her touch can be traced in the exquisitely selected pieces worn by Nicolas and William, each celebrating the collection’s unique spirit.
They sport the season’s highlights with an ease that only enhances their appeal: the ribbed sweater, evocative of textured city surfaces; the leather bomber jacket, a nod to urban toughness; an embroidered shirt, carrying the traces of individual craftsmanship; tailored trousers, epitomizing classic refinement; and chunky footwear, a grounding element amidst the city’s constant flux.
Assembled, these pieces communicate the season’s profound tribute to the vibrant energy and enduring inspiration drawn from city life.
In a grand tribute to the urban landscape, the Emporio Armani fall-winter 2023 campaign emerges, rich in visual texture and narrative complexity. Captured through the discerning lens of photographer Gregory Harris, the ad unveils a series of powerful images that blend elements of surrealism with raw, journalistic immediacy.
It’s as if the canvas of Manhattan itself has been seized and channeled into a breathtaking array of fabrics and forms. The season’s beating heart is a direct homage to the iconic visuals and progressive ethos of the Emporio Armani magazine—a game-changing publication of the 1980s that shifted the paradigm of fashion representation.
In this urban setting, we find actors Nicolas Maupas and William Franklyn center-stage. Captured against the soul-stirring backdrop of Manhattan, they embody the dynamic interplay between individual and environment.
Their portrayals go beyond mere posing; they live and breathe the campaign’s message, enacting spontaneous snapshots of city life. Together, they narrate a story of movement, energy, and shared inspiration, all in the distinct language of Armani fashion.
The sartorial architect behind this carefully constructed narrative is stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson. Her touch can be traced in the exquisitely selected pieces worn by Nicolas and William, each celebrating the collection’s unique spirit.
They sport the season’s highlights with an ease that only enhances their appeal: the ribbed sweater, evocative of textured city surfaces; the leather bomber jacket, a nod to urban toughness; an embroidered shirt, carrying the traces of individual craftsmanship; tailored trousers, epitomizing classic refinement; and chunky footwear, a grounding element amidst the city’s constant flux.
Assembled, these pieces communicate the season’s profound tribute to the vibrant energy and enduring inspiration drawn from city life.
BREAKING NEWS! Paul Reubens, actor best known as Pee-wee Herman, has died at 70
He rose to fame in the 1980s playing the whimsical, child-like character on TV and in movies.
Actor Paul Reubens, who came to fame in the 1980s as children's TV star Pee-wee Herman, has died years after a cancer diagnosis, his team said Monday. He was 70.
"Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness," according to a statement posted to his Facebook.
"Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit."
Reubens shared this final message with fans in a message posted posthumously on Instagram.
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” he wrote. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.
Actor Paul Reubens, who came to fame in the 1980s as children's TV star Pee-wee Herman, has died years after a cancer diagnosis, his team said Monday. He was 70.
"Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness," according to a statement posted to his Facebook.
"Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit."
Reubens shared this final message with fans in a message posted posthumously on Instagram.
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” he wrote. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.
Rest in Peace!
#RHOA: Who wore it better The Apple Green Dress: Sheree or Kenya?
Having an unintentional twinning moment is a familiar theme in the Real Housewives world. From Kyle Richards and Margaret Josephs rocking the same strapless red midi dress to Teresa Giudice and Tamra Judge celebrating Barbiecore in the same bright pink jumpsuit, it’s not uncommon for ’Wives to show off similar sartorial sensibilities.
One such moment occurred for The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast members Kenya Moore and Shereé Whitfield, who donned the same long-sleeved green dress on separate occasions — each putting their own unique spin on the sexy sheath, of course.
Kenya Moore and Shereé Whitfield wear the same green cutout maxi dress
We first caught a glimpse of the beautiful bright green ankle-length sheath when Shereé wore it on
Shereé gathered with Sanya Richards-Ross and Marlo Hampton, and the ladies dished on their stellar styles.
“So what are you giving, Shereé? You giving us all that body?!” Sanya quipped as she and Marlo showed their appreciation for the fashion designer’s long-sleeved lime green dress that featured a high turtleneck and a plunging front cutout that put her cleavage on display.
Shereé went on to show off a full view of the frock on her Instagram page, showing how she paired the style with long, luscious waves, white nails, and bejeweled green strappy heels.
Following the premiere of the After Show, we spotted the dress on RHOA Season 15 Episode 12 during the ladies’ trip to Portugal. Before dinner, Kenya and Drew Sidora met up with Shereé and Monyetta Shaw-Carter for some cocktails (and tea), and we immediately noticed that Kenya was wearing the same green dress.
Kenya also put her own stamp on the style, wearing a chunky blue ring, round gold earrings with colorful details, and a high, wavy ponytail.
SO WHO WORE IT BETTER?
#New Music from Beyoncé Joins Travis Scott on New Song ‘Delresto (Echoes)’
Beyoncé has teamed up with rapper and fellow Houston, Texas, native Travis Scott on his new song “DELRESTO (ECHOES).
Adaptive as ever, Beyoncé continues to evolve and embrace electro and house music in this collaboration, while Scott explores the earlier aspects of his previous works and establishes himself as one of the most captivating and innovative artists.
“It’s only echoes I escape for / Only echoes on the return / Walkin’ on the numbers / Stay the night,” Beyoncé sings.
“DELRESTO (ECHOES)” is lifted from Scott’s freshly-released album UTOPIA. The album also includes features from The Weeknd, SZA, Bad Bunny, Drake, Future, Sampha, Swae Lee and more.
Currently, Beyoncé is touring North America as part of her Renaissance World Tour. She embarked on this international tour in May to promote her seventh studio album, Renaissance, which was released on July 29, 2022, by Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records.
Listen to Travis Scott and Beyoncé’s new song “DELRESTO (ECHOES)” BELOW
#HipHopNews: Fans React To Saweetie Detailing The "Barbie World" Controversy
Saweetie recently shed light on the uproar over “Barbie World,” a track that achieved major success in the Barbie movie soundtrack, featuring Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice. When the song dropped, fans immediately drew comparisons to a popular snippet posted by the “Icy” recording artist a few months ago.
During an interview with Justin Credible of Power 106 Los Angeles, the “Icy Girl” voiced her perspective on the controversy associated with the chart-topping record. “It’s like the wild, wild West,” she explained, suggesting that the industry norm of multiple artists receiving the same song only to have their version overlooked is not uncommon.
One fan said, “Ok but we’re not about to act like they were inspired by her video… both sound nothing alike one bit. Both just involve the sample in some way.” Then another user replied to a girlsinrap post of the clip saying, “You haven’t inspired anyone sweet tea but thanks for the view the Barbz love a fan.”
Nevertheless, Saweetie expressed her relentless spirit and revealed her inspiration from this dilemma. “They look bomb as hell in the video. So, it’s like, ‘Okay, girl, I see you!’ Mine’s still coming out, though. Stay tuned,” she assured fans while teasing her upcoming version of the track.
The “My Type” creator also unveiled that her highly anticipated debut album is undergoing some major changes. Initially titled Pretty B**ch Music, Saweetie has decided to repurpose the title as a part of her brand movement, including other elements like “Icy” and “Icy University.” She further hinted at a fresh name for her debut album.
In an interesting turn of events, Compton rapper Jason Martin, formerly known as Problem, claimed his rightful credit over the song. Martin contended that a track he co-wrote with Saweetie was presented to Nicki Minaj for potential collaboration. To his surprise, instead of Saweetie featuring on the track, Minaj allegedly repurposed it for her partnership with Ice Spice. He vehemently demanded, “Y’all gon’ give me what I deserve.”
Meanwhile, Saweetie fans can catch her energetic performances during the upcoming “Str8 to the Klub Tour” this fall. Alongside Tyga and YG, Saweetie is slated to turn up the stage, starting on Sept. 21 in Sacramento and ending on Nov. 21 in Los Angeles. The exciting tour includes Kamaiyah, Wallie The Sensei, and DJ Vision as openers and promises to be an authentic West Coast experience.
Police Show Up To Nicki Minaj's Home After False Shooting Report
Nicki Minaj recently found herself in distress as an unwarranted victim of a swatting call. This annoying and often harmful hoax involves a false emergency call designed to trigger a SWAT team response. The false 911 alert alleged an unexpected shooting at the “Anaconda” rapper’s home, marking yet another episode in a series of such fake calls for the Trinidadian emcee.
Today (July 30), according to TMZ, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officers swiftly arrived at her San Fernando Valley address to assess the situation. Upon showing up, law enforcement officers interacted directly with Minaj. From the information available, the problem was swiftly defused and resolved.
Despite various efforts by law enforcement agencies to counteract these fake claims, the rising phenomenon of swatting continues to haunt celebrities, streamers, and ordinary citizens alike. It’s a peculiar situation to handle. If ignored, authorities risk missing genuine emergencies.
The situation is even more unsettling when considering Minaj’s current professional success. As of late, she’s been building significant anticipation for her next album, Pink Friday 2. She draws considerable inspiration from her family, particularly her son, whom she affectionately calls “Papa Bear.” Yesterday (July 29), the 40-year-old took to social media to update fans on her album.
Her post was captioned, “Y’all, I’m not kidding,” she shared on Twitter. “In 111 days… Pink Friday 2 is coming to save and restore hope. Barbz, I love you. I do! When you have this masterpiece, you’ll be on cloud nine. I tweeted PF2 [when I was] pregnant, right, y’all? That means Papa gave Mama the name. Blessed.”
The post gained an instant retweet from the City Girls’ JT. Her response was so strong that Minaj had to check if it was her actual account. Moreover, this distressing hoax has undeniably cast a shadow when she should be basking in the glory of her success and enjoying a peaceful private life.
Elon Musk reactivates Kanye West’s Twitter account following X rebrand
X, formerly known as Twitter, has reinstated Kanye West’s account on the social media platform. West will not be able to monetize his account, and no ads will appear next to his posts, the company told the Wall Street Journal on Saturday.
The musician’s account was suspended in December for violating the platform’s rules on inciting violence. The suspension followed multiple antisemitic comments made by West – who has legally changed his name to Ye – including a threat to “Go death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.” Those statements led to a swift disintegration of multiple business deals, including partnerships with Adidas and luxury fashion house Balenciaga.
Although CNN at the time was unable to determine which tweet had been the final straw, the day before his suspension West tweeted an altered image of the Star of David with a swastika inside.
Twitter has long been embroiled in questions surrounding moderation, with the platform’s CEO Elon Musk describing himself as a “free speech absolutist.” After agreeing to buy the company last October, he said Twitter would “be very reluctant to delete things” and “be very cautious with permanent bans.”
But after West was suspended, Musk tweeted “I tried my best. Despite that, he again violated our rule against incitement to violence.”
Elon Musk onstage during conference at Vivatech technology startups and innovation fair at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, on June 16, 2023.
Twitter's rebrand is the next stage in Elon Musk's vision for the company. But does anyone want it?
In April, Twitter’s safety team launched a new content enforcement strategy called “Freedom of Speech, Not Reach,” which focused on “restricting the reach of Tweets that violate our policies by making the content less discoverable.”
This approach, in part, requires the team to “proactively prevent ads from appearing adjacent to content” labeled as violative.
In an update earlier this month, the safety team reported that these labeled tweets “receive 81% less reach or impressions” than non-restricted ones, and that “more than 99.99% of Tweet impressions are from … content that does not violate our rules.”
Twitter’s Violent Speech Policy prohibits inciting and glorifying violence, wishing harm on other people, and threatening others. But it makes some exceptions, including for “figures of speech, satire, or artistic expression when the context is expressing a viewpoint rather than instigating actionable violence or harm.”
“We make sure to evaluate and understand the context behind the conversation before taking action,” the policy states, adding that if a user believes their account was wrongfully suspended, they can submit an appeal.
It’s not clear whether West submitted an appeal, or if something else prompted his account’s reactivation. The musician has yet to post on the platform. CNN has reached out to Twitter and a representative for West but has not received a response.
LeBron James And Son Bronny Spotted Dining After The Young Athlete's Cardiac Arrest
LeBron James enjoyed a family dinner to seemingly celebrate the recovery of son Bronny James. On Friday, July 28, the NBA player took his family to a fancy dinner at Giorgio Baldi restaurant in Santa Monica.
In pictures circulating online, the Los Angeles Lakers star was joined by his wife, Savannah, as well as his kids Bryce, Zhuri and Bronny, who was spotted for the time since he was hospitalized for cardiac arrest. The latter looked better than ever after being discharged from the hospital.
For the family outing, LeBron dressed casually in a "Midwest Kids" hoodie and olive green trousers. Bronny, meanwhile, opted for a white sweatshirt and black pants. One of the snaps saw LeBron walking arm-in-arm with the 18-year-old.
The 38-year-old basketball star further confirmed that Bronny is doing alright by giving a shout-out to Bronny in a sweet Instagram post. The next morning, LeBron shared a video of the University of Southern California student playing a piano with his siblings surrounding him.
"GRAND RISING!! God Is Great! @bronny YOU ARE AMAZING!!! Simple as that!" LeBron gushed in the caption. "Keep going Young!!! We're here right with you every step of the way! #JamesGang."
Bronny was discharged from the hospital on Friday after he was rushed to the hospital due to cardiac arrest. "Thanks to the swift and effective response by the USC athletics' medical staff, Bronny James was successfully treated for a sudden cardiac arrest," Dr. Merije Chukumerije, a cardiologist who worked on Bronny's case, said in a Thursday statement.
The cardiologist continued, "He arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center fully conscious, neurologically intact and stable. Mr. James was cared for promptly by highly-trained staff and has been discharged home, where he is resting. Although his workup will be ongoing, we are hopeful for his continued progress and are encouraged by his response, resilience, and his family and community support."
LeBron also addressed his firstborn's condition on Twitter. "I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers," he wrote via Twitter on Thursday. "We feel you and I'm so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love."
The basketball player went on to note that he will "have more to say" when their family is "ready." Despite that, he was grateful for the widespread support that Bronny has received thus far.
Bronny was practicing with his college team at the University of Southern California on Monday, July 24, when he went into cardiac arrest. The young athlete was rushed to a hospital where he was treated in an intensive care unit and eventually transported to general care. LeBron's spokesperson said in a statement a day later, "He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU."
Amanda Bynes Ditches Outpatient Care For Inpatient Treatment After 2nd Psychiatric Hold In A Year
Amanda Bynes is ditching outpatient care for inpatient treatment following her second psychiatric hold in a year. The former child actress is reportedly trying a new mental health treatment center amid ongoing struggles with her mental health.
According to TMZ, the 37-year-old checked herself into an intensive inpatient mental health treatment center in Orange County at the beginning of July, nearly a week after checking out of a Los Angeles area mental health facility where she received outpatient treatment. It was reportedly her own decision to check into the new facility because she felt she needed more help than the outpatient treatment was providing.
Sources tell the site that Amanda wanted more of a therapeutic place to live rather than living by herself at her L.A. apartment. She received a recommendation about this place from her last treatment center and she likes how she's able to be around a medical team, therapists and other patients, because it provides social interaction and company as opposed to being on her own.
The former "All That" star is said to be getting 24/7 care, while also taking part in daily therapy sessions and activities to help her develop skills to use when she leaves the center, which is a higher level of care than what she received in an outpatient setting.
It's currently unknown how long Amanda will spend time in the new facility as it depends on when she feels ready to leave and be on her own again. Her parents are allegedly aware of this and supportive of her decisions.
Amanda was placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold in March after she was seen walking around naked in Los Angeles. She was hospitalized for nearly three weeks before starting outpatient treatment.
On June 17, she called the police indicating that she had thoughts of self-harm. She was placed on a psych hold and spent time in a psychiatric facility before being released on June 30 with plans for follow-up outpatient treatment.
Fans and Hollywood peers salute Viola Davis for supporting the ongoing strike
Viola Davis is being heralded as a queen by fans and peers for standing in solidarity with writers and actors amid the ongoing strike. Davis’ upcoming film G20 is among the list of independent productions that were granted a waiver of an interim agreement from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). The waiver allows the union’s members to work on a production without being fined during the indefinite strike against studios and streaming platforms. The movie is a joint venture between Amazon Studios and JuVee Productions, the Oscar winner and her husband Julius Tennon’s production company.
“I love this movie, but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for this production to move forward during the strike,” said Davis in a statement released to The Hollywood Reporter. “I appreciate that the producers on the project agree with this decision. JuVee Productions and I stand in solidarity with actors, SAG-AFTRA and the WGA.” The Fences star’s show of support was met with praise from industry peers on social media.
“A Black Lady Sketch Show” creator and star Robin Thede got an early start ushering in the start of Sunday (July 30) when she wrote, “Happy Sunday to the queen Viola Davis and Viola Davis ONLY!” along with a retweet of a story about the actress’ stance. Gina Prince-Bythewood, who directed Davis in The Woman King, gave her colleague “props” with the crowned queen emoji.
“This energy. Thank you, Viola Davis, for being the woman you are. #UnionStrong #OpticsMatter,” tweeted actress Yvette Nicole Brown. A fan wrote, “Viola Davis is doing the right thing, and I wish others, who know their projects are going to immediately end up with the struck streamers and studios, had the courage to follow her lead.” Another person stated, “Shout out to Viola Davis. Integrity. That’s always appreciated.”
The strike, which aims to secure livable wages, job security, and agreeable terms regarding studios’ use of AI, kicked off in May with members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA). SAG-ATRA joined the fight in mid-July when its negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers hit a wall. As it stands, an end is nowhere in sight.
John Boyega Flirts With Erykah Badu On Stage After She Admits Crush On 'They Cloned Tyrone' Star
Erykah Badu was not shy about naming John Boyega as her crush during a concert over the weekend.
The 52-year-old singer was then surprised by the 31-year-old They Cloned Tyrone actor on stage, after singing her song called “Tyrone”.
The moment was shared by Netflix on Instagram, just as John stepped out on stage after Erykah confessed her crush to the audience.
Erykah had asked everyone in the Atlanta audience that should they ever run into him, to tell him that she said hi.
“It’s a lot of people in the audience — that’s why I wanted to say that,” she said. “‘Cause there’s enough of y’all for one of y’all to get the message to the man, right?”
Erykah went on, calling him “fine”.“How old is he? He under 30? Hell yeah!” she continued. “That’s what I’m talking about. Nuts still tough. You know what I’m sayin’? That’s what I be looking for,” she said, just as John arrived on stage and they shared a hug.
After the moment, Erykah then hinted to John where she’d be after the concert. “I’ma go back to the bus later on. After the show, of course. I gotta finish this,” she noted. “Then we’re gonna go back to the bus. Is that all right?”
#BoxOfficeNews: ‘Barbie’ Scores Record $93M Second Weekend in U.S. Box Office Oppenheimer is 2nd and Haunted Mansion is third
Barbie really is a pink unicorn. The movie earned an estimated $93 million in its sophomore outing at the North American box office — one of the best second weekends of all time and the best second weekend ever for Warner Bros., not adjusted for inflation.
The female-fueled Barbie, which continues to shatter any and all expectations, finished Sunday with a domestic cume of $351.4 million. Detractors had predicted it would fade away quickly after a history-making debut over the July 21-23 weekend, but that isn’t the case. The Greta Gerwig-directed film fell a scant 43 percent, a rare hold for a pic originally opening to such a big number at $162 million.
Barbie continued to paint the overseas box office pink as well. It dropped a mere 32.2 percent to $122.2 million this weekend for a foreign tally of $423.1 million and dreamy global total of $774.5 million through Sunday as speeds toward the $1 billion mark. It will be only the second pic of 2023 so far to join the box office billion-dollar club after Universal’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which topped out at $1.34 billion worldwide.
The movie has even taken on a life of its own in China, where its cume hit $25 million through Sunday after a soft $8.2 million opening. It could leg out to $40 million, far more than anyone expected, considering Barbie isn’t doing as well in Asian markets as it is elsewhere. Among all markets, the U.K. leads with $61.6 million, ahead of the final Harry Potter film’s first 10 days, while it is already the biggest Warners movie ever in Brazil with an early total of $33.5 million.
Not that Nolan needs to fret. His Universal movie Oppenheimer — the other half of the Barbenheimer effect — is also a box office force of nature that is holding up incredibly well in its sophomore outing. The three-hour biographical drama grossed an estimated $46.2 million this weekend, a mere 44 percent drop and the biggest second weekend ever for an R-rated summer pic ahead of Deadpool 2‘s $43.5 million, not adjusted for inflation.
Oppenheimer finish the weekend with an estimated global haul of $400.4 million, including $174.6 million domestically and $226.3 million at the foreign box office, to rank as the filmmaker’s sixth-biggest film of all time ahead of Tenet and Batman Begins. Overseas, it is already Nolan’s biggest film ever in 28 markets and his biggest non-superhero title in 39. The weekend’s overseas tally was another $72.4 million.
Nolan’s movie about J. Robert Oppenheimer, considered the father of the atomic bomb, is a boon for Imax (Nolan used special Imax cameras). Oppenheimer is the second-fastest film to hit $80 million in global Imax ticket sales and, on Sunday, the large-format exhibitor announced it is extending the film’s run through the weekend of Aug. 11-13. That’s not the biggest surprise after Sony delayed the nationwide release of Gran Turismo by two weeks because of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Elsewhere, Haunted Mansion was spooked in its debut in another big-budget summer miss for Disney. The live-action family pic opened to an estimated $24.2 million, one of the lowest starts ever among Disney’s live-action reimaginings of theme park attractions or classic animated films. Heading into the weekend, tracking suggested an already-subdued $30 million launch.
In addition to going up against Barbenheimer, Haunted Mansion was also challenged by mediocre reviews and the struggling family marketplace. The star-packed cast was also unable to do publicity and press in the final two weeks before the film’s launch because of the actors strike, including staying away from the movie’s Disneyland premiere on July 15.
Disney is hopeful that good audience exit scores on PostTrak and a B+ CinemaScore will make up for any deficits and provide the film with long legs, just as Pixar’s summer film Elemental has enjoyed an enviable multiple after a soft start. The problem: both films were pricey to make, putting increased pressure on their box office performance. Haunted Mansion cost at least $150 million to produce before marketing. Elemental was $200 million.
Director Justin Simien’s Haunted Mansion, which turns Disneyland’s iconic attraction into a supernatural horror-comedy, stars Rosario Dawson, LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Chase W. Dillon, Daniel Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jared Leto and Danny DeVito.
Overseas, Haunted Mansion grossed $9.1 million from 53 territories representing about 50 percent of the marketplace for a global bow of $33.3 million.
Angel Studios’ sleeper summer hit Sound of Freedom continued to hold at third place behind Barbie and Oppenheimer with another $12.4 million for a stunning domestic sum of $149 million, more than a slew of major studio summer tentpoles.
Paramount’s Tom Cruise tentpole Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One, which is losing hope of rebounding from Barbenheimer, placed fifth ahead of A24’s new specialty horror film Talk to Me with $10.7 million for a domestic total of $139.2 million. MI7 continues to hold up better overseas, where it cleared the $300 million mark over the weekend after earning another $31.7 million. The pic’s global total through Sunday is $448.5 million.
From Australian twin brothers and filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou of RackaRacka YouTube channel fame, Talk to Me opened to a better-than-expected $10 million. The indie horror film, acquired out of Sundance, had been eyeing a $4 million to $5 million start. Its early performance is another win for A24, home of Oscar winner Everything Everywhere All at Once, although opening a specialty film nationwide and sustaining momentum is always a challenge.
Pregnant Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Spend Date Night in Santa Monica Ahead of Baby No. 2's Arrival
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky enjoyed a mom-and-dad night out ahead of baby No. 2's arrival. The singer, 35, and the Testing rapper, 34, spend a night out on Friday evening at the celeb-favorite Italian restaurant Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica.
Outside the venue, Rihanna was photographed rocking a two-piece pink ensemble, which included a pink top and matching pink sweats, with her baby bump on full display. She paired the look with a mini purse and a pair of oval shades.
Rocky, meanwhile, wore a blue denim jacket and a white T-shirt, which he accessorized with a green bucket hat and shiny nails.
Rihanna previously dined at Giorgio Baldi last weekend, where she was joined by her and Rocky's one-year-old child RZA, The Daily Mail reported.
While Rocky wasn't present, Rihanna showed up in a sleek coat with $100 bills printed on it, as their son was decked out in double denim — from his jeans to his jacket.
Rocky and Rihanna, who are currently expecting their second child together, recently got the ultimate cosign on the name they chose for their firstborn from Wu Tang Clan's RZA himself.
In a conversation with CNN, the legendary beat-maker, 54, explained that their decision to name a child after him was a "great honor."
"[It's] a great honor to know that there’s another generation that’s not even of my own household that feels the strength and the inspiration of that name," RZA told the outlet.
“RZA isn't only a name, it’s a title,” he continued. “So it’s an honor and I salute her and A$AP and their family. All the blessings in the world from me."
Earlier this month, Rihanna posted a sweet snap capturing a silhouette of Rocky holding baby RZA up in the air in a pool overlooking the ocean during sunset.
“My Bajan boyz…” she captioned the photo.
When Shanice Wilson Ran Into Tracie Spencer at the Mall
*An unexpected and long overdue reunion for Shanice and Tracie Spencer, two former teen R&B stars of the 80s and 90s, happened recently, and ironically, at a venue long regarded as THE go-to teen hangout.
According to Sandra Rose, the two longtime friends recently ran into each other at the shopping mall. Shanice shared a video with Tracie on Instagram, explaining that they have been friends since childhood but lost touch with each other.
“We found each other,” said Tracie, “and we shall never let each other go.”
“Yes, yes I’m so happy, I could cry,” said Shanice. “I’m really happy to see her. We had a wonderful dinner. I love you so much and I’m so glad that you are back!”
Shanice, now 50, is best known for her 1991 hits “I Love Your Smile” and “Silent Prayer.” Tracie, now 47, is best known for her No. 1 R&B classic
“Tender Kisses,” and was also the youngest female artist to receive the ASCAP songwriter of the year award in 1992.
Shanice released her debut album, “Discovery,” on A&M Records in 1987, when she was jut 14. “I Love Your Smile” reached the top 10 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Shanice and her husband, Flex, share two children, daughter Imani Shekinah Knox, 21, and son Elijah Alexander Knox, 19.
Spencer won the $10,000 junior vocalist prize on the television show “Star Search” in 1987, when she was 11-year-old. She became the youngest artist to sign a contract with Capitol Records.
‘Bad Boys 4’ Receives Release Date For Summer 2024
Bad Boys 4 has an official release date. Sony Pictures has released its 2024 release schedule, with Bad Boys 4 set for a Father’s Day opening on June 14, 2024.
According to Variety, Bad Boys for Life (Bad Boys 3) directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah will return for the fourth film. The movie’s script is from Chris Bremner. The third edition earned $426.5 million at the worldwide box office in winter of 2020.
Additional films from Sony to come next summer will be Venom 3 on July 12, 2024. In February, Will Smith hit social media and revealed he had linked back up with Martin Lawrence and pre-production on their fourth film is underway.
Back producing are Jerry Bruckheimer, Doug Belgrad, Smith for Westbrook, and Chad Oman; executive producing are Martin Lawrence, James Lassiter, Mike Stenson, Barry Waldman, and Jon Mone.
The female-fueled Barbie, which continues to shatter any and all expectations, finished Sunday with a domestic cume of $351.4 million. Detractors had predicted it would fade away quickly after a history-making debut over the July 21-23 weekend, but that isn’t the case. The Greta Gerwig-directed film fell a scant 43 percent, a rare hold for a pic originally opening to such a big number at $162 million.
Barbie continued to paint the overseas box office pink as well. It dropped a mere 32.2 percent to $122.2 million this weekend for a foreign tally of $423.1 million and dreamy global total of $774.5 million through Sunday as speeds toward the $1 billion mark. It will be only the second pic of 2023 so far to join the box office billion-dollar club after Universal’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which topped out at $1.34 billion worldwide.
The movie has even taken on a life of its own in China, where its cume hit $25 million through Sunday after a soft $8.2 million opening. It could leg out to $40 million, far more than anyone expected, considering Barbie isn’t doing as well in Asian markets as it is elsewhere. Among all markets, the U.K. leads with $61.6 million, ahead of the final Harry Potter film’s first 10 days, while it is already the biggest Warners movie ever in Brazil with an early total of $33.5 million.
Not that Nolan needs to fret. His Universal movie Oppenheimer — the other half of the Barbenheimer effect — is also a box office force of nature that is holding up incredibly well in its sophomore outing. The three-hour biographical drama grossed an estimated $46.2 million this weekend, a mere 44 percent drop and the biggest second weekend ever for an R-rated summer pic ahead of Deadpool 2‘s $43.5 million, not adjusted for inflation.
Oppenheimer finish the weekend with an estimated global haul of $400.4 million, including $174.6 million domestically and $226.3 million at the foreign box office, to rank as the filmmaker’s sixth-biggest film of all time ahead of Tenet and Batman Begins. Overseas, it is already Nolan’s biggest film ever in 28 markets and his biggest non-superhero title in 39. The weekend’s overseas tally was another $72.4 million.
Nolan’s movie about J. Robert Oppenheimer, considered the father of the atomic bomb, is a boon for Imax (Nolan used special Imax cameras). Oppenheimer is the second-fastest film to hit $80 million in global Imax ticket sales and, on Sunday, the large-format exhibitor announced it is extending the film’s run through the weekend of Aug. 11-13. That’s not the biggest surprise after Sony delayed the nationwide release of Gran Turismo by two weeks because of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Elsewhere, Haunted Mansion was spooked in its debut in another big-budget summer miss for Disney. The live-action family pic opened to an estimated $24.2 million, one of the lowest starts ever among Disney’s live-action reimaginings of theme park attractions or classic animated films. Heading into the weekend, tracking suggested an already-subdued $30 million launch.
In addition to going up against Barbenheimer, Haunted Mansion was also challenged by mediocre reviews and the struggling family marketplace. The star-packed cast was also unable to do publicity and press in the final two weeks before the film’s launch because of the actors strike, including staying away from the movie’s Disneyland premiere on July 15.
Disney is hopeful that good audience exit scores on PostTrak and a B+ CinemaScore will make up for any deficits and provide the film with long legs, just as Pixar’s summer film Elemental has enjoyed an enviable multiple after a soft start. The problem: both films were pricey to make, putting increased pressure on their box office performance. Haunted Mansion cost at least $150 million to produce before marketing. Elemental was $200 million.
Director Justin Simien’s Haunted Mansion, which turns Disneyland’s iconic attraction into a supernatural horror-comedy, stars Rosario Dawson, LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Chase W. Dillon, Daniel Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jared Leto and Danny DeVito.
Overseas, Haunted Mansion grossed $9.1 million from 53 territories representing about 50 percent of the marketplace for a global bow of $33.3 million.
Angel Studios’ sleeper summer hit Sound of Freedom continued to hold at third place behind Barbie and Oppenheimer with another $12.4 million for a stunning domestic sum of $149 million, more than a slew of major studio summer tentpoles.
Paramount’s Tom Cruise tentpole Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One, which is losing hope of rebounding from Barbenheimer, placed fifth ahead of A24’s new specialty horror film Talk to Me with $10.7 million for a domestic total of $139.2 million. MI7 continues to hold up better overseas, where it cleared the $300 million mark over the weekend after earning another $31.7 million. The pic’s global total through Sunday is $448.5 million.
From Australian twin brothers and filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou of RackaRacka YouTube channel fame, Talk to Me opened to a better-than-expected $10 million. The indie horror film, acquired out of Sundance, had been eyeing a $4 million to $5 million start. Its early performance is another win for A24, home of Oscar winner Everything Everywhere All at Once, although opening a specialty film nationwide and sustaining momentum is always a challenge.
Pregnant Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Spend Date Night in Santa Monica Ahead of Baby No. 2's Arrival
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky enjoyed a mom-and-dad night out ahead of baby No. 2's arrival. The singer, 35, and the Testing rapper, 34, spend a night out on Friday evening at the celeb-favorite Italian restaurant Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica.
Outside the venue, Rihanna was photographed rocking a two-piece pink ensemble, which included a pink top and matching pink sweats, with her baby bump on full display. She paired the look with a mini purse and a pair of oval shades.
Rocky, meanwhile, wore a blue denim jacket and a white T-shirt, which he accessorized with a green bucket hat and shiny nails.
Rihanna previously dined at Giorgio Baldi last weekend, where she was joined by her and Rocky's one-year-old child RZA, The Daily Mail reported.
While Rocky wasn't present, Rihanna showed up in a sleek coat with $100 bills printed on it, as their son was decked out in double denim — from his jeans to his jacket.
Rocky and Rihanna, who are currently expecting their second child together, recently got the ultimate cosign on the name they chose for their firstborn from Wu Tang Clan's RZA himself.
In a conversation with CNN, the legendary beat-maker, 54, explained that their decision to name a child after him was a "great honor."
"[It's] a great honor to know that there’s another generation that’s not even of my own household that feels the strength and the inspiration of that name," RZA told the outlet.
“RZA isn't only a name, it’s a title,” he continued. “So it’s an honor and I salute her and A$AP and their family. All the blessings in the world from me."
Earlier this month, Rihanna posted a sweet snap capturing a silhouette of Rocky holding baby RZA up in the air in a pool overlooking the ocean during sunset.
“My Bajan boyz…” she captioned the photo.
When Shanice Wilson Ran Into Tracie Spencer at the Mall
*An unexpected and long overdue reunion for Shanice and Tracie Spencer, two former teen R&B stars of the 80s and 90s, happened recently, and ironically, at a venue long regarded as THE go-to teen hangout.
According to Sandra Rose, the two longtime friends recently ran into each other at the shopping mall. Shanice shared a video with Tracie on Instagram, explaining that they have been friends since childhood but lost touch with each other.
“We found each other,” said Tracie, “and we shall never let each other go.”
“Yes, yes I’m so happy, I could cry,” said Shanice. “I’m really happy to see her. We had a wonderful dinner. I love you so much and I’m so glad that you are back!”
Shanice, now 50, is best known for her 1991 hits “I Love Your Smile” and “Silent Prayer.” Tracie, now 47, is best known for her No. 1 R&B classic
“Tender Kisses,” and was also the youngest female artist to receive the ASCAP songwriter of the year award in 1992.
Shanice released her debut album, “Discovery,” on A&M Records in 1987, when she was jut 14. “I Love Your Smile” reached the top 10 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Shanice and her husband, Flex, share two children, daughter Imani Shekinah Knox, 21, and son Elijah Alexander Knox, 19.
Spencer won the $10,000 junior vocalist prize on the television show “Star Search” in 1987, when she was 11-year-old. She became the youngest artist to sign a contract with Capitol Records.
‘Bad Boys 4’ Receives Release Date For Summer 2024
Bad Boys 4 has an official release date. Sony Pictures has released its 2024 release schedule, with Bad Boys 4 set for a Father’s Day opening on June 14, 2024.
According to Variety, Bad Boys for Life (Bad Boys 3) directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah will return for the fourth film. The movie’s script is from Chris Bremner. The third edition earned $426.5 million at the worldwide box office in winter of 2020.
Additional films from Sony to come next summer will be Venom 3 on July 12, 2024. In February, Will Smith hit social media and revealed he had linked back up with Martin Lawrence and pre-production on their fourth film is underway.
Back producing are Jerry Bruckheimer, Doug Belgrad, Smith for Westbrook, and Chad Oman; executive producing are Martin Lawrence, James Lassiter, Mike Stenson, Barry Waldman, and Jon Mone.
Film Companies Paying Large Salaries For AI Jobs As Strikes Continues
With the writers and actors striking, film studios have begun filling their seats with AI-related roles. While there has been no general announcement, the Hollywood Reporter has unearthed several job listings for Disney seeking qualified candidates for positions “focused on AI and machine learning.” This is concerning, considering that both writers and on-screen talent are seeking adequate restrictions on AI, as it continues to be fine-tuned in a way that could jeopardize the roles of real actors and scriptwriters. One imaginer job posting at Disney is seeking an applicant who is capable of pushing the AI boundaries. That position pays up to $180,000 a year.
Over at Netflix, the hiring department is also willing to pay an AI professional big bucks. In fact, they are advertising a position that promises to pay up to $900,000 annually. Amazon Prime is also looking for a senior project manager who is comfortable using Generative AI. For this role, they are offering $300,000. Shelling out such significant wages for these AI-driven roles is another issue for writers and movie performers. Many actors in several large-scale productions have complained about the lack of residuals they receive. “Lizzie McGuire” actor Robert Carradine recently went viral for sharing a residual check for $0.00. Given the high salaries being given to those proficient in artificial intelligence, many would assume that the big studios would have plenty of capital to pay decent wages.
Execs have not responded to the backlash regarding these new job listings. However, several have made it clear they will hold off on negotiating with strikers for several months, even if it means the scribers and entertainers losing their livelihood.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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