#FASHIONFILES: Flower IS IN Fool Bloom with Prada AW 2023 Campaign
Flower Power Takes Charge in Prada AW 2023 Campaign by Willy Vanderperre AOC Fashion
Prada’s FW23 ad campaign “In conversation with a flower” explores the dominant relationship that humans have with flowers and with nature generally. Ferdinando Verderi provides creative direction, with styling by Olivier Rizzo.
These surreal images by Willy Vanderperre [IG]put humans and flowers on an equal footing with each other, upsizing flowers until they take on their own, otherworldly persona and emotions — leaving the entire cast of actors and flowers to deal with each other eyeball to eyeball.
These unique flowers interact with five actors - Benedict Cumberbatch, Hunter Schafer, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Letitia Wright and Li Xian - “a roster of cinematic idols reflecting Prada’s long-standing relationship with cinema as an expression of cultural ideas and ideals.”
#RHOA: Kenya Moore Reveals She Still Has Embryos with Ex Marc Daly
Kenya Moore isn't ruling out growing her family in the future. The Real Housewives of Atlanta star, 52, appears in the newly released mid-season trailer, where she tells costar Kandi Burruss and friend Shamea Morton that she still has embryos with ex Marc Daly.
"I still have embryos," she shares. "They're Marc's."
"Plot twist: you get the baby and then y'all get back together," Morton says with a smile.
Moore replies, "I don't have a problem with that," after which the scene cuts to an unsure confessional reaction from Burruss.
Prada’s FW23 ad campaign “In conversation with a flower” explores the dominant relationship that humans have with flowers and with nature generally. Ferdinando Verderi provides creative direction, with styling by Olivier Rizzo.
These surreal images by Willy Vanderperre [IG]put humans and flowers on an equal footing with each other, upsizing flowers until they take on their own, otherworldly persona and emotions — leaving the entire cast of actors and flowers to deal with each other eyeball to eyeball.
These unique flowers interact with five actors - Benedict Cumberbatch, Hunter Schafer, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Letitia Wright and Li Xian - “a roster of cinematic idols reflecting Prada’s long-standing relationship with cinema as an expression of cultural ideas and ideals.”
#RHOA: Kenya Moore Reveals She Still Has Embryos with Ex Marc Daly
Kenya Moore isn't ruling out growing her family in the future. The Real Housewives of Atlanta star, 52, appears in the newly released mid-season trailer, where she tells costar Kandi Burruss and friend Shamea Morton that she still has embryos with ex Marc Daly.
"I still have embryos," she shares. "They're Marc's."
"Plot twist: you get the baby and then y'all get back together," Morton says with a smile.
Moore replies, "I don't have a problem with that," after which the scene cuts to an unsure confessional reaction from Burruss.
In January, Moore revealed her hopes that the pair's divorce will be finalized "soon" on Watch What Happens Live.
"The world's longest divorce," Moore told host Andy Cohen about the nearly two years that had passed since her split from Daly in May 2021.
Moore and Daly first wed in June 2017. They split for the first time in September 2019. Though they seemed to briefly rekindle their romance in February 2020, Daly confirmed in January 2021 that the couple had split once again.
That May, Moore filed for divorce, with court documents stating that she had been living in a "bonafide state of separation" since September 2019 and that their marriage was "irretrievably broken."
In January, Moore shared a photo of a pink orchid that she received from her estranged husband and their 4-year-old daughter Brooklyn.
"Thank you for my flowers Brooklyn and Marc," she shared on her Instagram Story.
#MusicNews: Chaka Khan, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi & More To Welcome The Richmond Jazz And Music Festival Back For 2023
Festival organizers are making up for lost time and canceled festivals with a legendary lineup of soul, R&B, hip-hop and jazz artists this year. The talent roster boasts the Queen of Funk Chaka Khan, music royalty Lalah Hathaway, multi-hyphenate Ledisi, songbird Chante Moore, crooner Mario, hope dealer MAJOR. and It Girl Coco Jones on the soul and R&B side of things. Holding it down for hip-hop and the DMV will be rapper Wale who has been invited to rock the mic during this celebratory year for the genre.
Jazz will be well represented by a plethora of entertaining performers. Highlights include in-demand artists Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington and Kirk Whalum. There’ll be Dave Koz with a few of his friends including Candy Dulfer and Eric Darius, while the Lao Tizer Band will feature special guests Elliott Yamin and Karen Briggs. Jazz heads can expect to be wowed by Down To The Bone, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Joe Peter White and Pedrito Martinez.
After the 2023 Richmond Jazz And Music Festival and its stacked lineup of talent, Virginia may need to remix their state slogan to “Virginia is for music lovers.” We’re just saying.
Attendees not only have acclaimed singers and accomplished musicians aplenty to look forward to but there will also be numerous food vendors and local artisans selling their wares. If you’d like to be among those attendees, then you’ll need tickets, of course. Single-day and weekend passes are on sale now on the Richmond Jazz And Music Festival website.
#HipHopNews: Coolio’s collaborators announce Track List for rapper’s posthumous album, ‘Long Live Coolio’
Titled “Long Live Coolio,” the forthcoming LP is a celebration of the Grammy award-winning MC, best known for his ’90s classics “Gangsta’s Paradise” and “Fantastic Voyage.” His representatives on Friday exclusively shared with The Associated Press the 11-song track list and who will be heard on the album when it is released later this year.
“A Star Is Born”, the latest track from the release — a collaboration between Naughty By Nature’s Treach, MC Shan, and Coolio’s long time producer/collaborator DJ Wino — premiered on Friday, a track that doubles as a history lesson in Coolio’s path to superstardom. The video was filmed in Las Vegas.
“When I heard Coolio’s verse, I’m like, ‘Yo, it feels like the homie is still here,” Treach said, showing off a large portrait tattoo of his labelmate Coolio on his chest. “How do we want people to think of him? We just want them to always think of him. That’s what it’s about — keeping your homies’ names in the streets. Tupac just got a star in Hollywood. We don’t just say it when our brothers are here. We say it until we meet up with them again.”
“Went from Old Man to Boo Daddy to Coolio,” Coolio raps in “A Star is Born.” “At the age of 18 I hit the studio KDAY I’m on radio.”
“Coolio told his story in the second verse,” said DJ Wino. “This song was not meant to be posthumous.”
Coolio died in September 2022 from the effects of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office determined, ruling it an accidental death. In March 2023, Coolio’s estate announced that the hip-hop legend had been working on an album in the days leading up to his death.
DJ Wino says about 75% of the album was completed prior to Coolio’s death. “He laid it out there for us,” he said of finishing “Long Live Coolio.” “It was up to us to come through, and like good little foot soldiers we followed up.”
Coolio won a Grammy for best solo rap performance for “Gangsta’s Paradise,” the 1995 hit from the soundtrack of the Michelle Pfeiffer film “Dangerous Minds” that sampled Stevie Wonder’s 1976 song “Pastime Paradise” and was played constantly on MTV. The song hit one billion views on YouTube in 2022.
The rapper had subsequent hits with “Fantastic Voyage” in 1994, “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” in 1996 and 1997’s “C U When U Get There.” His career album sales totaled 4.8 million, with 978 million on-demand streams of his songs, according to Luminate. He was nominated for six Grammys overall.
“LONG LIVE COOLIO” TRACK LIST:
1. “Shine On Me”
2. “Got That”
3. “Notice Me” (feat. Ras Kass)
4. “Fast Pace” (feat. Kid Frost)
5. “I’m Wit That BS” (feat. J-Dee from Da Lench Mob)
6. “TAG You It” (feat. Too $hort)
7. “A Star Is Born” (feat. Treach from Naughty By Nature)
8. “Belly Of The Beast” (feat. Cejaz Negraz)
9. “Snitch’N”
10. “Stand Up Beat It Hit It” (feat. Jay Chris)
Soccer great Megan Rapinoe announces she will retire at the end of the season
US Women’s National Team star Megan Rapinoe, a two-time Women’s World Cup winner, has announced she will retire at the end of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.
Rapinoe, an Olympic gold medalist from London 2012, will play in her fourth and final World Cup this summer in Australia and New Zealand, before returning to her NWSL team OL Reign.
In addition to her many on-field achievements, Rapinoe is well-known for her work on social issues, ranging from LGBTQ+ rights to racial inequality to gender and pay equity. In 2022, Rapinoe became the first soccer player to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“I’ve been able to have such an incredible career, and this game has brought me all over the world and allowed me to meet so many amazing people,” Rapinoe told reporters at a press conference ahead of USWNT’s friendly match against Wales.
“I feel incredibly grateful to have played as long as I have, to be as successful as we’ve been, and to have been a part of a generation of players who undoubtedly left the game better than they found it. To be able to play one last World Cup and one last NWSL season and go out on my own terms is incredibly special.”
“I will forever cherish the friendships and support over the years in this game, and I am beyond excited for one last ride with the National Team and the Reign,” she added.
Since making her USWNT debut in July 2006, Rapinoe has gone on to win 199 caps for her country and was described by US Soccer as “one of the most impactful figures in the history of soccer in the United States and in the global women’s game.”
The 38-year-old has scored 63 goals and registered 73 assists for the USWNT and in 2019 won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA’s The Best award after a scintillating Women’s World Cup in which she earned the Golden Ball and Golden Boot.
In her domestic career, Rapinoe won the French league title and French Cup with Lyon in the 2012-2013 season and has won three NWSL Shields with the Seattle Reign and OL Reign.
President Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Rapinoe at the White House in July 2022. She became the first soccer player to receive the award.<br />
“Megan is a generational talent,” said USWNT general manager Kate Markgraf. “When you talk about players performing on the biggest stages, she’s right up there with the best to ever do it for the US Women’s National Team.
“And that’s just her contributions on the field. Her contributions off the field are the epitome of someone who saw that she had a large platform and used it for good.”
USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski called Rapinoe “one of the most important players in women’s soccer history and a personality like no other.”
“She has produced so many memorable moments for her team and the fans on the field that will be remembered for a very long time, but her impact on people as a human being may be even more important,” Andonovski added.
“It’s been a wonderful experience to coach her in the NWSL and for the National Team and I’m looking forward to her being an important part of our team at the World Cup.”
RZA Responds To Rihanna And ASAP Rocky Naming Their Child After Him
In an intimate sit-down with CNN, the hip hop legend revealed his sentiments about his moniker being passed on to the progeny of the Barbadian songstress and the Harlem-bred rapper. “[It’s a] 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,” he stated.
“RZA is only a name, it’s a title,” he told the cable network. “So it’s an honor, and I salute her and A$AP and their family. All the blessings in the world from me.”
The naming gossip first made headlines in May when rumors of baby RZA’s epithet surfaced after The Daily Mail allegedly obtained a copy of the infant’s birth certificate. It unveiled his full name as RZA Athelston Mayers with his birth recorded as taking place on May 13 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
When the junior RZA had his first birthday, Rocky took to Instagram to acknowledge the milestone and, for the first time, confirm his son’s identity publicly. He wrote a fitting tribute, “WU-TANG [IS] 4 [THE CHILDREN]. HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY TO MY 1st BORN. RZA.”
Naming children after renowned hip hop figures seems to run in A$AP Rocky’s family. The rapper confessed in 2012 that he was titled after the legendary artist Rakim.
Meanwhile, Rihanna recently announced stepping down from her position as CEO of Savage X Fenty. “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,” she told Vogue.
Ricky Martin And Jwan Yosef's Divorce Comes After Years Of 'Open' Marriage
Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef had apparently done experimenting in their relationship before calling it quits. The estranged spouses were reportedly in an "open" marriage for years before they decided to get a divorce.
"Like many couples, Ricky and Jwan had an open relationship for most of their marriage and this worked for them, until it didn't," a so-called pal tells Daily Mail. They eventually "fell out of love" after enjoying an "open relationship" for years, but infidelity was reportedly not a factor in their split.
"That being said, neither of them fell in love with someone else. Sex was something they engaged in together and separate with other partners," the source insists. "In the end they decided that it was best for them, their well being and for their kids if they end it amicably."
The informant goes on dishing that the couple has a "tight prenup" in place that will ensure Jwan is "taken care of forever." Of their split arrangement, the source spills, "Ricky will likely keep the house but Jwan will remain an important part of his life, and their kids lives, moving forward. He will be taken care of forever and will not have to worry about his finances, at least until their children are all adults. Ricky knows the value of him being a father in their kids lives."
Ricky and Jwan announced in a joint statement on Thursday, July 6 that they have decided to part ways, after six years of relationship. "We have decided to end our marriage with love, respect and dignity for our children and honoring what we have experienced as a couple all these wonderful years," they said in the statement.
They went on stating, "Our greatest desire now is to continue having a healthy family dynamic and a relationship centered on peace and friendship to continue the joint upbringing of our children, preserving the respect and love we have for each other." They ended the statement with a vow, "We are united in nurturing this new chapter of our lives."
Ricky and Jwan began dating in 2016. In 2018, the 51-year-old singer confirmed he had secretly married the 38-year-old artist. Ricky already had two children when he met Jwan. They then welcomed daughter Lucia in 2018 and son Renn in 2019.
No charges will be filed in Britney Spears-Victor Wembanyama incident, police say
Britney Spears and NBA rookie Victor Wembanyama have differing accounts of what happened during an unexpected encounter in Las Vegas this week, but authorities tell EW that no one will face criminal charges as a result.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement Friday that it "has concluded its investigation of the alleged battery that occurred on July 5, 2023, at 11 p.m., in the 3700 block of Las Vegas Boulevard. No charges will be filed against the person involved."
The 19-year-old, 7-foot-5 Wembanyama was the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft last month, selected by the San Antonio Spurs. The French player's impressive height — he's now the tallest player in the NBA, which is really saying something — and prodigious skills have made him the most-hyped professional basketball rookie since LeBron James. He is currently in Las Vegas for the NBA's Summer League.
Spears approached Wembanyama while he was walking through a Las Vegas casino complex Wednesday, and maintains that she attempted to congratulate him on his success. But when she tapped him on the shoulder from behind, one of his security guards brushed her off — somewhat aggressively, according to Spears.
In a statement posted to Twitter, the pop star claimed that the bodyguard "backhanded me in the face, in front of a crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses off my face." Spears also filed a police report, alleging battery.
In the police report, which EW has reviewed, detectives alleged that surveillance footage "showed Britney going to tap the Spurs player on the shoulder. When she touched the player (redacted) pushes her hand off of the player without looking which causes Britney's hand to hit herself in the face."
The report also says that in the wake of the interaction, the bodyguard in question went over to Spears' table and offered an apology, which she accepted. The security teams for both parties are said to have agreed that pushing someone off without looking "is a standard response for security/bodyguards and it would not be uncommon for them to respond this way."
Woman Traveling With Scottie Pippen Exposes Herself Inside Car
While his ex-wife, Larsa Pippen, dates Michael Jordan's son, Marcus, the legendary NBA star appears to be having some fun of his own.
Scottie Pippen was recently spotted driving a woman to Malibu, California.
During the trip, the woman, sitting in the backseat of the SUV, flashed for the cameras.
"Check out these photos, obtained by TMZ, which show Scottie driving an SUV with a woman in back as she posed for what could easily pass for a Playboy spread," TMZ Sports reported.
Scottie Pippen and his ex-wife appear to be in a battle to see who can outdo the other one.
Oklahoma judge dismisses Tulsa race massacre reparations case filed by last known survivors
The three had been locked in a yearslong court battle against the City of Tulsa and other groups and officials over the opportunities taken from them when the city’s Greenwood neighborhood was burned to the ground in 1921.
Contemporary reports of deaths began at 36, but historians now believe as many as 300 people may have died, according to the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum. Thousands were left homeless.
What Juneteenth and 'freedom' mean to an 109-year-old survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre
Lessie Benningfield Randle, 108, Viola Fletcher, 109, and her brother, Hughes Van Ellis, 102, were among the plaintiffs, CNN previously reported.
The plaintiffs had argued that the damage inflicted during the massacre was a “public nuisance” from the start and were seeking relief from that nuisance as well as to “recover for unjust enrichment” others have gained from the “exploitation of the massacre.
Cornell’s Legal Information Institute defines a public nuisance as when a person or entity “unreasonably interferes with a right that the general public shares in common.”
However, the City of Tulsa requested the lawsuit be dismissed with prejudice against refiling, arguing in part that “simply being connected to a historical event does not provide a person with unlimited rights to seek compensation from any project in any way related to that historical event.”
“If that were the case, every person connected to any historical event could make similar unjust enrichment claims against every museum or point of remembrance,” the city claimed.
Judge Caroline Wall on Friday found that “upon hearing the arguments of counsel and considering the briefs filed by counsel for plaintiffs and counsel for defendants” the plaintiffs’ Second Amendment petition “should and shall be” dismissed with prejudice, court records show.
Ike Howard, grandson of Viola Fletcher, said he was angry about the ruling,
“They were blighted and once again not made whole,” Howard said.
“We still remain blighted. We wish the D.O.J would investigate. … How can we get justice in the same city that created the nuisance? Is justice only for the rich?”
Family attorneys are expected to address the possibility of an appeal. Family members for Randle could not immediately be contacted.
Ed Mitzen, who made a private $1 million donation to the three survivors, told CNN on Saturday, “The Oklahoma State government should be ashamed of itself for not doing right by these three wonderful people, one of whom fought for this country in World War II.”
Fletcher was 7 years old when a violent White mob targeted Black residents and destroyed her community’s thriving Black economic hub.
“My life was taken from me,” Van Ellis previously said as he reflected on his family fleeing Greenwood when he was only a few months old.
He previously told CNN his family and other survivors left their homes and opportunities behind.
“I lost 102 years. I don’t want nobody else to lose that,” Van Ellis said.
Bad Bunny Laments Lack Of Privacy As He Defends Himself For Throwing Fan's Phone
Bad Bunny is worried we are in the "worst moment for the privacy of other humans." The 29-year-old rapper - born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio - went viral after a video of himself tossing a fan's phone hit internet in January, and has now hit out at the fact "everyone" is a paparazzi.
"Today, everyone's a paparazzi. We're in the worst time, the worst moment for the privacy of other humans; not just artists, but human beings. Today, no one respects the privacy or life of anyone. There could be someone in line with, I don't know, weird pants on or something, and someone is there filming them," he told Rolling Stone.
When asked what it is like to have people so invested in his personal life, the singer added, "I keep living. Fans are always going to want to know more, but I don't focus on that. I'm always going to keep living my way." He also said he swings between loving and hating the world, adding, "I love the world, but I also hate the world."
Referring to the controversy over his phone-chucking incident as "cabroneria," he said, "Before 2022 was over, I said in an interview, '2023 is going to be for me, to rest, to work on my physical health, on my mental health, to have my space, to enjoy, to be happy.' And then 2023 starts with cabroneria (meanness)."
In the viral video, a then 28-year-old Bunny is seen walking with a group of friends when a female fan approached him with her phone and began recording in selfie mode. Seconds later, he grabbed the phone and tossed it to his left.
The "Me Porto Bonito" rapper later defended his actions in a statement, saying, "The person who comes up to me to say hello, to tell me something, or just to meet me, will always receive my attention and respect. Those who come to put a phone in my face, I will consider it for what it is, a lack of respect and I will treat it like one."
Kevin Hart and Mike Epps revive BET's "ComicView" with the help of T.I. and others
The Die Hart star’s birthday is July 6. A few updates to Hart’s Instagram Story showed that he has already kicked off the fun with family, friends, and the likes of celebrities like Ludacris by his side. Variety broke the news about the comedian’s latest venture with BET, whom he previously partnered with for his hit ensemble show, “The Real Husbands of Hollywood.”
“I’m thrilled to partner with BET for the return of ‘Comic View’ as part of Hartbeat Weekend, making this can’t-miss celebration of comedy, music, and culture,” said the comedy juggernaut in a statement released on Friday (July 7). He continued, “Having hosted ‘ComicView’ in the past, I understand firsthand the incredible platform this franchise offers for comedians to showcase their talents on a national stage, and I’m excited to continue that tradition in Las Vegas.”
According to the outlet, Epps is at the helm of hosting duties. He also serves as an executive producer alongside Hart and BET executives Tiffany Williams and Angela Aguilera. The four-day lineup includes sets performed by familiar faces such as DC Young Fly, T.I., Tommy Davidson, Tacarra Williams, Tony T. Roberts, and Bresha Webb. Hitting the stage in Vegas will reportedly mark the “Big S**t Poppin’ (Do It)” rapper’s first televised stand-up appearance since the launch of his comedy career in 2022. Air dates for the episodes are forthcoming.
“ComicView” debuted in 1992 and enjoyed a successful run through 2008. It came back for a short stint with all new episodes in 2014. Aside from Hart, other hosts included D.L. Hughley, Cedric The Entertainer, Bruce Bruce, Rickey Smiley, and Sommore.
Da Brat and Jesseca Dupart are "overwhelmed with love" after welcoming a perfect baby boy
Da Brat is a mom! The rapper and her longtime partner, Jesseca Dupart, announced the birth of their first child, a son named True Legend Harris-Dupart, on Friday (July 7) in an Instagram post shared on both of their accounts.
The post gave fans an intimate look into delivery day as Da Brat lay on an operation table as medical staff prepared her for a cesarean. Jesseca was by her side throughout the procedure as she watched in awe of their son’s birth. “True Legend Harris-Dupart True Legend HD was born 7/6/23 at 8:30 p.m., coming [in] at 7 [lbs] 8 oz, 20 inches long, and as PERFECT as ever. We are overwhelmed with love [and] very appreciative for such a blessing of our bundle of joy. This journey has been more amazing than we could’ve ever imagined,” wrote the Kaleidoscope Hair Care founder and CEO.
The couple, who tied the knot in February 2022, allowed reality TV fans to join them on their fertility journey. Harris-Dupart already has three children but wanted the Da Brat to experience the joys of motherhood, too. True Legend was conceived via an IVF procedure, which used one of the entrepreneur’s eggs and sperm from a donor. As previously reported by REVOLT, the couple spoke about their struggles to find a Black donor on their hit TV show. In February, they announced they were expecting, and by March, it was revealed that they would be welcoming a baby boy.
The “Brat Loves Judy” stars gave People an exclusive interview to announce their son’s arrival. After nine months, the “Funkdafied” emcee was still in shock at the miracle. “I can’t believe he came out of me! Feels like a dream. He’s perfect in every way,” she told the publication on Friday.
Tina Knowles' Home Burglarized, Over $1 Million in Cash & Jewelry Stolen (Report)
According to the police, there was a recent break-in at her Los Angeles estate, and the entire safe is missing. It was discovered on Wednesday morning (July 5), when someone from her team stopped by the house and discovered the vault was missing.
It’s not yet clear how the burglars got into the house and removed the safe. Police are now looking for video evidence and talking to some of Tina‘s neighbors. There are reportedly no leads just yet.
The news comes at the same time as her attending Michael Rubin‘s Independence Day bash on the 4th of July with a ton of celebs.
#BoxOfficeNews: ‘Insidious: The Red Door’ Slams On ‘Indiana Jones’ With $32M+ Opening
Red Door is opening to $32.65M this weekend, the second-best start in the Insidious franchise after Chapter 2′s $40.2M, entombing Indiana Jones in second place with a $26.5M second weekend. Red Door also reps the best start in the last two years for a PG-13 horror movie. More pom-poms for Sony: their Marvel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse just outstripped Disney/Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 as the highest-grossing movie of the summer, $357.6M to $357.5M.
For Blumhouse, Red Door is its 16th title to open at No. 1. While tentpoles get all the glory in the post-Covid marketplace, Blumhouse continues to deliver.
Sony gets props here for finally getting their hands around a franchise they’ve always had a financial stake in. I hear Sony Motion Picture Group Chairman and CEO Tom Rothman selected the brilliant, daredevil release date here in between Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and ahead of the Tom Cruise summer box office cyclone, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning.
Talk about bravado: Typically studios avoid going in the wake of a big Disney movie, ala Marvel or Lucasfilm. However, rival studio brass often hear when the competition is coming up greatly short months before a pic’s opening. Either that, or box office history was telling: despite its huge $100M+ opening, the less-than-fan-fave Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull only held on to No. 1 for one weekend back in 2008, the pic unseated in weekend 2 by….Sex and the City, $57M to $44.7M.
Rothman was adamant that Red Door make its release date. Together with Sony Co-President Josh Greenstein, they knew they had a bigger hit on their hands with the latest installment of this jump scare movie than any other Insidious title.
What’s the difference between this Insidious and all others? It brings the original cast back together, including Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Leigh Whannell and Lin Shaye. Making that happen was Wilson himself, who makes his feature directorial debut here.
Sony originally bought U.S. rights on the first film out of TIFF, but ended up making a distribution deal with Film District to release in the U.S. They handled the first two pics until they were absorbed by Universal’s Focus Features. Sony had foreign (except for UK and Spain) on Insidious 2 and 3. On Insidious: The Last Key, Sony got all foreign rights, plus full ownership of the IP, too. By Red Door, they nabbed all global rights.
The Insidious franchise is as alive as other long-running horror franchises; Saw V and the fifth Scream, putting up $30M starts.
Similar to Last Key, Insidious is able to overpower lackluster critical scores (36%) and so-so audience scores (3 1/2 stars, 72% on Screen Engine/Comscore’s Postrak) to deliver at the box office. No matter what the response is here, it’s clear moviegoers are bewitched enough to get in the car and go. It’s a total jump scare movie with great set pieces.
Some 38% went to see Red Door because it’s part of a franchise they love, while another 38% went because they love horror movies. What encouraged the audience to go and see Red Door the most in the pic’s marketing campaign, more than its trailer? PostTrak audiences said it was Red Door‘s social media campaign.
Red Door‘s social media universe across TikTok, YouTube views, Facebook, IG, and Twitter is weighed at 176.9M, which is ahead of Halloween Kills (147.3M), A Quiet Place II (170M), Halloween Ends (143.1M), Scream (126.2M) and Insidious: Last Key (114.7M). “Digital social awareness stats on Insidious tracks just above normal levels for a heathy set of five horror franchises by 4% across Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok combined — including Scream, Halloween, Quiet Place, previous Insidious’ and Annabelle — with a solid social network for the movie with 4.9M fans, plus the Blumhouse effect with 2.8M fans,” reports RelishMix.
Muy bien, Sony, for opening a movie in a summer marketplace sans late night talk shows.
Red Door, like Last Key, was still female heavy at 52%, but a little less so, as the previous chapter drew 57%. The Insidious audience got a little older: 51% were under 25 vs. 68% on Last Chapter. Nonetheless, the tried-and-true 18-34 devoted moviegoing base showed up here at 67% in what was a very diverse crowd, with 41% Hispanic and Latino attending, 26% Caucasian, 16% Black, and 12% Asian.
Red Door played strongest in the South Central and West, and we hear that $1M is coming from PLFs. This despite the fact that Indy kept most of those screens and Imax. AMC Burbank is the highest-grossing theater in the U.S. for Red Door, with $44K so far.
Aretha Franklin’s Sons Are Headed To Court To Battle Over Her Estate
On Monday, an unusual trial is set to commence, raising questions about Aretha Franklin’s assets. Two handwritten wills are slated to be introduced during the trial, which, in accordance with Michigan law, may be deemed as her final directives.
Following her death in 2018, both of the wills were found in Franklin’s Detroit residence. Interestingly, the more recent will was discovered tucked away in a notebook in the couch cushions.
The ongoing dispute has created a rift between one of Franklin’s sons, Ted White II, and his siblings. Ted believes that the papers dated 2010, discovered in a cabinet, should hold significant authority over the estate. On the other hand, Kecalf Franklin and Edward Franklin are in favor of a 2014 document.
Franklin didn’t leave behind a will, which implied that her four sons would likely inherit her valuable assets, which included real estate in suburban Detroit, furs, gowns, jewelry, and future royalties from her works. To handle the estate, a niece named Sabrina Owens agreed to take on the role of personal representative or executor.
While there are disparities between the two documents, they both seem to suggest that the sons would collectively receive income from music and copyrights. In the older will, Ted and Owens are designated as co-executors, and it states that Kecalf and Edward “must take business classes and get a certificate or degree” to be eligible for estate benefits.
Contrarily, the 2014 document includes a modification where Ted’s name is crossed out as an executor and replaced by Kecalf. Notably, there is no mention of the requirement for business classes in this document. Additionally, Kecalf and the grandchildren would inherit Franklin’s Bloomfield Hills residence.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Sisters’
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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