7/19/23

The Daily Buzz For July 20 ☕πŸ“°☕

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#MAGFAB: America Ferrera for Vogue Mexico - July 2023
Nice! The article is HERE 


#RHOA: Nene Leakes' Son Bryson Bryant Charged With Fentanyl Possession, Lying To Police
"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star NeNe Leakes' son Bryson Bryant is facing multiple charges after police say he was caught with illegal drugs and lied to officers.
According to an incident report obtained by FOX 5, Gwinnett County police officers arrested Bryant on July 3 at a home on the 2400 block of Farmington Court.

In the report, the officer says he responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle in the area and found a Bryant sitting in the grass in front of the home.

Searching Bryant's vehicle, officers say they found a "small plastic page that contained a white powdery substance" resting on the center console that the officer identified as either cocaine or fentanyl. A test revealed that the drug was fentanyl, officials say.

Officers transported Bryant to the Gwinnett County Jail without incident and charged him with possession of a Schedule II-controlled substance, loitering and prowling.

Bryant was released a short time later on bond, but that changed quickly when officials say they realized he had been lying to them.
While questioning Bryant, officers say he claimed his name was Brentt Leakes, his younger half-brother. He reportedly also gave his address as a home where the family used to live years ago.

After investigators discovered his real identity and learned he was wanted for a probation violation, Bryant was taken back into custody and charged with giving a false name to a law enforcement officer.

He remains in custody at this time.


#MusicNews: Justin Timberlake Joins Coco Jones On New “ICU” Remix

Last fall, R&B luminary Coco Jones released “ICU,” which came produced by DJ Camper and appeared as the second single on her November EP, What I Didn’t Tell You (she also released a deluxe edition in January). More recently, Jones has been teasing an “ICU” remix guest, who turned out to be none other than Justin Timberlake. Jones revealed that news during a red-carpet interview at the 2023 ESPY Awards on Wednesday, telling Entertainment Tonight: “I have a very very amazing, talented guy featured on the song.

Justin Timberlake is actually on the the ‘ICU’ remix! It was so amazing watching him just be a creative. We were collaborating on ideas, and I feel like [‘ICU’] is nostalgic … so having his voice on it, and that soul, that element he brings … it’s going to be amazing.”

That remix is now out in the world — listen to Justin Timberlake guest on Jones’ “ICU” remix HERE 



#HipHopNews: Travis Scott's Pyramids Of Giza Concert License Reportedly Gets Revoked
Travis Scott’s highly anticipated debut of his Utopia LP was set for a grand unveiling at the historic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on July 28. However, the Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions has attempted to pull the plug on the concert.

In a statement, the regulatory body for issuing permits for musical events cited that Scott’s music is inconsistent with Egyptian values and traditions. “Since the General Syndicate is part of the fabric of this beloved country, it is keen on its stability and security, and refuses to tamper with societal values, and Egyptian and Arab customs and traditions,” the body clarified.

It continued, “Based on research and documented information about strange rituals at Travis’ concerts that are inconsistent with our authentic societal values and traditions, the Board of Directors has decided to cancel the license issued to hold this type of concert that contradicts the cultural identity of the Egyptian people.”

The reference to “strange rituals” appeared to allude to the tragic crowd surge at Scott’s Astroworld Festival in 2021. The incident triggered a wave of conspiracy theories on social media, where TikTok users insinuated that the catastrophe was part of a “satanic ritual.”

Dr. Mohamed Abdullah, the representative for the Syndicate, stated that the decision to cancel the show came after considering public opinion and circulating news on social media. He said, “Regarding the concert scheduled to be held on [July 28] at the Pyramids area in Giza by American rapper Travis Scott, the Musicians Syndicate, as the entity responsible for issuing licenses for music and singing concerts in Egypt, in coordination with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture represented by the Censorship Authority for Artistic Works and the Ministry of Labor, emphasizes the necessity of considering security aspects and obtaining approvals from the relevant authorities as a top priority when organizing concerts. This is to ensure the safety and protection of the audience.”

“We have welcomed various art forms in recent months, but we remain vigilant to protect the customs and traditions inherited by the Egyptian people,” Abdullah stated.

According to HYPEBEAST, Travis Scott’s team denied that the concert was called off. However, no official statement has been released at the time of reporting.

The planned event’s reported cancellation might disappoint many, especially considering the Pyramids of Giza have frequently hosted gigs by illustrious acts. In October 2022, Russ became the first solo rapper to perform there. He shared a clip on Twitter of concertgoers singing along to his track “Losing Control.”


Police Say They Can't Verify Carlee Russell's Abduction Claim

Carlethia "Carlee" Nichole Russell, a 25-year-old nursing student who went missing for two days, told police she'd been abducted, but police have not found any evidence of a crime, officials in Alabama said Wednesday.

Investigators have not been able to verify most of Russell's statement about being captured, Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said. Police said that, prior to her disappearance, Russell made several "very strange" online searches, including whether you have to pay for Amber Alerts, how to take money from a cash register without getting caught and the movie "Taken," which is about a woman who is abducted and the ensuing quest to save her from her kidnappers.

There were also searches related to the Birmingham bus station and bus tickets from Birmingham to Nashville.
Russell vanished Thursday night after calling 911 to report spotting a toddler on an interstate in Alabama. Russell returned home two days later and the incident gained national attention. She gave a brief statement to police when she returned home, but officers did not press for details out of respect for Russell and her family.

"We've asked to interview Carlee a second time but have not been granted that request," Derzis said. "There are many questions left to be answered, but only Carlee can provide those answers."

Investigators have not found any evidence of a child on the highway, the Hoover Police Department said Wednesday. The department never received any other 911 calls about a toddler on Interstate 459, even though multiple vehicles passed through the area on Thursday night.

While she was on the phone with a dispatcher about the toddler, Russell traveled in her car about 600 yards, the distance of about six football fields, Derzis said. She told the dispatcher there was a child wearing a white shirt and a diaper on the highway. Russell said that, as best as she could tell, he was not wearing shoes.

"Six football fields, to think that a toddler, barefoot, that could be 3 or 4 years old, could travel six football fields without getting in the roadway, without crying, it's very hard for me to understand," Derzis said.

Police on Wednesday played audio from Russell's 911 call, during which she said she was in her car following the child. Russell said in the call she would keep an eye on the boy until police arrived.

She hung up with the dispatcher and got on a call with a relative. The family member "lost contact with" Russell during the call, "but the line remained open," Hoover Police Lt. Daniel Lowe said in a Friday news conference.

Russell's mother then called police and said Russell had been on the phone with a relative and that relative heard Russell scream.
Hoover officers arrived on scene within five minutes of being dispatched, police said. Russell was gone, but officers found her car, cellphone, wig and purse. Her Apple Watch was in the bag.

After returning home Saturday night, Russell spoke briefly with police, but they have not been able to interview her again in the days since.

Russell told police a man had come out of the woods and mumbled that he was checking on the child, Derzis said. She told officers the man then picked her up and forced her over a fence and into a car.

Russell said the next thing she remembers is being in the trailer of a truck with the man, who she said had orange hair, and a woman. She also said could hear a baby crying.

Russell told police she escaped, but was recaptured and put into a car and blindfolded. She said she wasn't tied up, adding that her alleged captors said they didn't want to leave impressions on her wrists.

Russell said she was then taken to a house, where she was undressed. She said she believes that photos were taken of her. The next day, she said, the woman fed her cheese crackers and played with her hair.

Russell said at some point she was put back into a vehicle. She claims she was able to escape while it was in the West Hoover area and ran through the woods to get home. When police arrived, she had a small injury to her lip and a tear in her shirt. There was more than $100 in cash in her right sock.

Derzis said he thinks Russell's parents believe what Russell has told them and that he spoke with them before Wednesday's press conference to tell them what he'd be sharing with the public.
When asked if he'd say if a crime had been committed, Derzis said no.

"I wouldn't say I'm frustrated," Derzis said. "I'm very happy Carlee's home and that's the main ingredient here."
He said there's no reason to believe there's a threat to the community.
During the search, police worked to build a timeline of events leading up to Russell's disappearance.

"We pretty much know exactly what took place from the time she left work until the 911 call," Derzis said.
She departed her workplace at a business in Birmingham, about 10 miles from Hoover, around 8:20 p.m. local time on Thursday, officials said. Surveillance video shows her leaving her workplace with a bath robe, a roll of toilet paper and other items, all of which police said she kept "concealed."

Russell then ordered food from a nearby business at The Colonnade shopping mall and picked it up. She stopped at a Target on Highway 280 to buy some granola bars and Cheez-Its. She stayed in the parking lot until 9:21 p.m.

At 9:34 p.m., she called 911 to report a toddler on the highway, saying she'd stopped to check on the boy, police said. The call ended quickly and Russell then called a relative.
Police have reviewed traffic camera footage from the area at the time of the alleged abduction.

"We don't see anybody on the interstate other than her car and then someone getting out of her driver side," Derzis said.
Police sent the video to the FBI and asked the agency for help enhancing the footage.

The snacks and the items Russell took with her when she left work were not in her car when police arrived at the scene. They were also not found anywhere in the area.
"This investigation is not over," Derzis said. "We're still working this case and we're working this case until we uncover every piece of evidence that helps us account for the 49 hours that Carlee Russell was missing."


Taylor Swift Announced As Honorary Mayor Of Santa Clara, California
Taylor Swift has been announced as an honorary mayor of Santa Clara, California. The 33-year-old pop star will stop by the US city with her 'Eras' Tour later this month and, ahead of her shows at Levi's Stadium, the city has decided to not only give her the honorary title of mayor but will also temporarily be known as Swiftie Clara, in a nod to the name given to her global fanbase.

"We're thrilled to host an artist whose devotion to music and empowerment sets such a positive example for so many people of all ages in the world and that's why we're doing this," Lisa Gillmor said at the town meeting on Tuesday, July 18 whilst rhyming off a list of song references.

"So get ready to see 'sparks fly' as 'the crowds in the stands went wild' and to 'shake it off' while being a part of an unforgettable experience at Levi's Stadium, 'Sparks Fly,' 'Long Live' and 'Shake It Off'."

The honour is just the latest in a long line for the "Anti-Hero" songstress, who had Pittsburgh renamed Swiftsburgh for her tour stops there last month and, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, announced that the city would temporarily switch up its name to Swiftieapolis as well and proclaimed her tour date there as Taylor Swift Day. He said, "We are embarking on what will be one of the most exciting weekends we have in the city of Minneapolis!"

Ahead of her stops in Kanas, the city announced that the already-existing street would be given the tagline Taylor's Version, in a nod to the Pennsylvania native's decision to re-record her albums following a dispute with her original record label. Officials said, "In honor of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Stop in Kansas City, we are excited to temporarily dedicate Swift Street as Swift Street, Taylor's Version."
 

Latoya Jackson’s Ex-fiancΓ© Demands Trial Over Allegedly 'Stolen' Michael Memorabilia Worth $1 Million Be Postponed

LaToya Jackson’s ex-fiancΓ© said he’s unprepared for the upcoming trial against Michael’s estate — and has pleaded for more time to build his defense, RadarOnline.com has learned.

According to court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, Phillips has requested the scheduled trial date of September 6, 2023, be pushed by six months. He said the estate indicated they will oppose this motion.

Phillips said he still needs to depose Michael’s 93-year-old mother Katherine along with the co-executors of the pop star’s estate, John Branca and John McClain.

In his motion, Phillips explained his lawyer informed him they would no longer be able to represent him. As a result, he hired a new lawyer that is still getting up to speed on the case but needs additional time.
Further, he said he’s working to find a co-counsel to tack on Jackson’s co-executors. Phillips even said the extra time would allow the parties to continue settlement discussions.

The judge has yet to rule.
As previously reported, the estate dragged Phillips to court last year accusing him of stealing over $1 million worth of Michael’s memorabilia.
The co-executors claimed Phillips showed up at Michael’s home on the day he died in June 2009. They accuse him of taking valuable items out of the home and placing them into a storage unit.

The items allegedly taken include a series of hard drives and laptops, that the estate believes could contain unreleased music worth millions.

Phillips has been adamant Michael’s mother told him to remove the items from the home. He claimed, “had the Estate simply asked for the property and not resorted to the premeditated set-up and bullying tactics, I would have called La Toya to inform her that the Estate was requesting the items, and the two of us would have then called her mother. If Ms. Jackson instructed me to give the property back to the Estate, I would have done so.”

Recently, Phillips demanded Katherine be deposed as part of the case. Lawyers for the estate slammed LaToya’s ex for the request claiming it would force the late pop star’s mom to relive the most painful days of her life.

The court has yet to make a decision on the deposition.


Ebro Walks Back His Comments About Drake, Who Doesn’t Need To Be ‘Some Social Activist’
After catching an enormous backlash from fans on his previous comments about Drake, Hot 97’s Ebro Darden course-corrected during his show this morning, adding some much-needed nuance to his original statements.

Fans were upset with Ebro after he pointed out the lack of social commentary in Drake’s music on the latest episode of Apple Music’s Rap Life Review show (Drake’s shot at the Supreme Court for overturning Roe V. Wade notwithstanding). During a discussion comparing Drake’s catalog to “This Is America” by Childish Gambino after Drake called it “overrated” during his tour, the outspoken radio host asserted that Drake “has never shown up to have anything to say about anything going on in society with Black folks or anything other than himself.”

But now, after being drubbed in the various comments sections of the social internet, Ebro appears to be changing his tune. On Ebro In The Morning, he elaborated, “I don’t know if I even want that. That’s not who he is. I don’t think an artist is obligated, if you have a platform… but in this context, you’re talking about a song that did… now you’re in the fray.”
“We love Drake for who Drake is,” he continued. “Drake’s talking about love, he’s very transparent personally. From what we can tell, he’s a nice person. He’s not a mean-spirited person. None of that. We don’t need him to be some social activist.”
 

Mo'Nique supports the writers and actors on strike as she opens up about her dealings with Hollywood

Award-winning talent Mo’Nique joins dozens of other celebrities in sharing their thoughts on the strike occurring in Hollywood. As REVOLT previously mentioned, The Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists has joined writers on the picket line. The announcement comes as storytellers fight for an increased wage, among other things.

After being asked about the strike, the My Name is Mo’Nique performer has given her take on the ordeal. “Hey, my sweet babies,” she captioned her Instagram post. Folks keep asking me how I feel about the strike!” The Almost Christmas actress then pointed out several clips in her post where she spoke about her experiences in the entertainment industry. “As you can see from above, I’ve been verbally striking for years,” she added. “But some of my brothers and sisters, as the video shows, have been striking me down for years. But, yes, I support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. That’s why Countess D. Vaughn and I filed a lawsuit to get our money from ‘The Parkers!’ [Vaughn], we are ‘The Parkers!’ I love us [for] real.”

In April, the 55-year-old comedian revealed she filed a suit against CBS and Paramount. In the documents, Mo’Nique alleged the companies owe her unpaid royalties from the classic sitcom. “While [‘The Parkers’] has proven to be a major financial success for its producers and distributors, the series’ talent [has] not been permitted to share in the fruits of that success,” the suit noted.

Mo’Nique made a follow-up statement on her IG page. “Actors rely on the good faith of Hollywood companies to honor their profit participation agreements,” she wrote. “To further make my point, the executive producers of ‘The Parkers’ took legal action for the same concerns that I have, and they’ve already settled. Unfortunately, all too often, talent gets kept in the dark.”


Kim Kardashian's Skims Is Now Worth $4 Billion, Up Around $1 Billion From Last Year's Evaluation!
Kim Kardashian‘s shapewear company Skims is now worth a whopping $4 billion!
The company is growing at such a fast rate – the brand has grown in value by about $1 billion since last year.

Kim‘s company recently acquired some new funding of about $270 million, which enabled the company to reach the new value, the New York Times reports.
At the beginning of 2022, the brand was valued at around $3.2 billion. A year before that, Skims was worth around $1.6 billion. So, as you can see by these numbers…it’s growing very fast monetarily!

The company was founded in 2019 by Kim. Even more impressive, the company allegedly will his $750 million in sales this year, which is up from nearly $500 million in 2022.


John Amos’ Son Arrested for Making ‘Terroristic Threats’

*John Amos’s son Kelly “K.C.” Amos was arrested Sunday and charged with “terroristic threats–threaten imminent death–purp fear,” according to the police report.

As reported by The Jasmine Brand, information on the July 16 arrest is limited at this time. His run-in with the law comes weeks after K.C. was removed as John Amos’ medical power of attorney.

As reported by The Jasmine Brand, a representative for Shannon Amos, daughter of the “Good Times” star, said K.C. was “successfully removed as John’s medical power of attorney and no longer has the authority to make medical decisions for his father who is now recovering under the care of other family members.”

Per the outlet, Shannon also served a cease and desist to her brother, demanding “that he stop making false statements on public platforms which have caused defamation to her reputation and harm to her business.”

In recent weeks, Shannon made headlines for alleging that her 83-year-old father was a victim of elder abuse, which the actor later denied.
Shannon said removing K.C. as Amos’ medical power of attorney was a necessary move, The Jasmine Brand reports.

“My priority has always been the safety, stability, and well-being of my father. Removing Mr. Kelly K.C. Amos as medical power of attorney is an important step in the healing of my father and family,” Shannon stated, according to The Jasmine Brand.

As we reported … Amos was hospitalized last month after allegedly suffering “elder abuse and financial exploitation” at the hands of a caregiver, according to Shannon. She claims the 83-year-old was placed in intensive care but did not disclose what exactly happened to him.

Shannon set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her ailing father.
“To catch and prosecute the alleged perpetrators, we now require legal assistance, hoping they face the full weight of the law,” the campaign reads. “Meanwhile, our priority remains my father’s medical needs and providing him a safe haven. His home had been violated, stripped of anything valuable. The cruelty inflicted upon my dad leaves me questioning what kind of human could commit such acts.”

John told TMZ that “the details laid out by his daughter Shannon Amos are a lie…no one is abusing him and he hasn’t been fighting for his life.”


Vegas Police Search House in Connection with Tupac Murder Investigation
*A search warrant was executed on a Las Vegas home Monday as part of the decades-long investigation into Tupac Shakur’s cold case murder.
TMZ reports that the Las Vegas Metro Police Department visited the home near Interstate 11 and Wagon Wheel Drive in Henderson. The property is allegedly connected to the rapper’s murder. No one was taken into custody.

“LVMPD can confirm a search warrant was served in Henderson, Nevada on July 17, 2023, as part of the ongoing Tupac Shakur homicide investigation. We will have no further comment at this time,” Las Vegas Police said in a statement, per ABC 7.

Meanwhile, we reported previously that Billy Garland, Tupac’s biological father, believes the hip-hop icon’s murder was set up by the U.S. government.
Garland explained in an interview with Delray Richardson for The Art of Dialogue that Pac’s killing in 1996 was arranged by the feds. He also claims the late rapper “was being tailed by the government the night of his assassination.”

“[2Pac] was being tailed by the government the night of his assassination,” Garland said, Complex reports. “He was being tailed by the government [at] Quad Studio—that’s a known fact. … I just know it looked like a setup to me.”

Orlando Anderson’s uncle Duane “Keefe D” Davis claims he witnessed Anderson allegedly shoot and kill Tupac in Las Vegas in 1996, Complex reports.

MTV reported that Anderson was shot to death in Compton in 1998 following a gun battle that left two other men dead. He was 23.
Anderson was beaten by Pac and former Death Row Records boss Suge Knight in the lobby of MGM Grand on the night Shakur was killed, according to MTV.

 “I just know it looked like a setup to me. Somebody told this guy to stand there with the Death Row thing and it pursued to what we had, but I don’t think [Orlando Anderson] had anything to do with the death of my son. … Not at all,” said Garland.


Hostess Mashed Up Its Iconic Ding Dongs And Twinkies For A New Sweet Treat
Hostess is offering a new treat. The company is blending two of its iconic snacks into one new treat.
Visualize moist, spongy cake and creamy filling from Twinkies, covered in the rich, fudgy chocolate frosting of Ding Dongs.
The new snack will have both Ding Dongs’ chocolate goodness and Twinkies’ spongecake flavor, otherwise known as Ding Dongs x Twinkies Mashups.

The company is giving fans just what their stomachs’ been waiting for, the perfect option for lovers of vanilla and chocolate, Parade reported, adding that the new dessert will come in a 10-count multi-pack and are already available at some Walmart stores nationwide.

And for those ready to take a bite, the snack is said to be a permanent addition to Hostess.
“It’s so important for us to be focused on our portfolio transformation,” Hostess CEO Andy Callahan said.

“We’re well positioned as a value product, and history has shown that we hold up well and also better than most during difficult economic times,” Callahan added.


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Too Much Skin Showing’

Slimy

HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM

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