#MAGFAB: Jennifer Lopez for Vogue Mexico July 2023
Jennifer Lopez photographs well most days of the week, but her Vogue Mexico July 2023 images are particularly gorgeous. They were shot by Norman Jean Roy [IG] the day after last May’s Met Gala.
If Lopez was out partying half the night, we would never know it.
María José Gonzálvez and Angel Emmanuel Ramirez worked with Lopez’s own stylist Rob Zangardi./ Hair by Lorenzo Martin; makeup by Tanya Tello
Sofia Agostini has the interview.
It is a true statement to say that Jennifer has earned every inch of her success with merit and a backbone of steel in dealing with the reality that envelopes her then and now.
Not only did Lopez become the first actress with Latina roots to earn a million dollars with the film Selena, or the first woman to have a movie and a No. 1 album simultaneously, she is probably the first Latina woman to know what her worth is in the North American market, redefine it and reclaim it.
The Nuyorican’s [defined as the child of Puerto Rican parents born in New York], movie ‘The Mother’ was among the 10 most watched movies in English on the streaming service during its week premiere.
Kicked out of her loving home at age 18, because she quit college to pursue her dancing without consulting her parents, Lopez is definitely the captain of her own ship.
#RHOA: Nene Leakes She Reached Out To Kim Zolciak ...
NeNe Leakes and Kim Zolciak were once sworn enemies, but the two have changed their tune ... now acting as a support system for each other during really tough times.
NeNe was out shopping on Rodeo Drive in Bev Hills and told us she'd recently reached out to her fellow "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star in the midst of her messy divorce with Kroy Biermann.
NeNe tells us while the two chatted, it's still hard to tell exactly how Kim's doing behind the scenes -- every divorce is hard, especially with kids involved.
Fans of the show know NeNe and Kim haven't always seen eye to eye, but NeNe tells us Kim reached out to her during one of her low points when her husband Gregg died in 2021, so it felt right to reciprocate the love.
We've broken a bunch of stories about the huge mess between Kim and Kroy ever since she filed for divorce in May. Since then, there's been a big fight over custody of their kids, with both sides waging war ... Kroy's asking for sole legal and physical.
Kim called the police last month, -- claiming Kroy threatened to file a kidnapping report on a family friend who took their kid to a rodeo. Clearly, there's no sign of things easing up.
BTW, we didn't just talk Kim with NeNe ... asking if she'd ever consider a return to 'RHOA.' She, naturally, threw a little shade at the show's ratings before revealing one thing that MIGHT make her consider a return
#MusicNews: Beyoncé Cancels "RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR" Stop In Pittsburgh
Beyoncé’s fans faced a letdown today (June 5) as dates in the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” were rescheduled. Slated for Aug. 3, the “BREAK MY SOUL” singer’s Pittsburgh appearance has now been scratched off the list indefinitely. Meanwhile, the Kansas City show was pushed back to Oct. 1.
Acrisure Stadium chalked it up to production logistics and scheduling snafus, announcing the disappointing change in the tour’s course. While refunds are being processed, the cancellation triggered a wave of discontent among the BeyHive.
On Twitter, the venue wrote, “Due to production logistics and scheduling issues, unfortunately the August 3rd Pittsburgh stop of the ‘RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR’ will not be taking place. Refunds will automatically be issued at point of purchase. If you have any questions or issues regarding your ticket order, please contact your point of purchase.”
The “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” grabbed the limelight recently. Not only did it shatter venue records across seven European stadiums, but it also stirred up the economy in Sweden. Thus far, the expedition has taken some unusual twists with onstage baby gender reveals and marriage proposals in the crowd, which heightened the audience’s anticipation.
Luckily, fans in Pittsburgh might not need to pack away their freshly picked merchandise from the musician’s Amazon-exclusive collection. Hopes are high for a rescheduled date, which will hopefully offer a silver lining amid the disappointment.
Launched in Stockholm, Sweden, on May 10, Beyoncé’s latest tour had been setting stages ablaze across Europe. Before the North American leg, it wrapped up its European journey in Warsaw, Poland, on June 27. Named after her 2022 dance-centric album RENAISSANCE, it marks the artist’s first solo voyage in nearly seven years.
The Grammy’s most decorated artist has been in the headlines recently for more than her stellar performances. During her late June concert in Amsterdam, she visibly expressed her annoyance when a stage crew misstep delayed the removal of a set of stairs during her final act. This incident went viral on TikTok with over 275,000 likes and 9,000 shares.
#HipHopNews: India.Arie Calls Out Megan Thee Stallion For Performance At 2023 ESSENCE Festival
India.Arie recently voiced her disapproval over Megan Thee Stallion’s controversial stage act during the 2023 ESSENCE Festival. The hotly debated performance featured a “bootcamp” led by Megan — alongside Janelle Monáe — with fans chosen from the audience engaging in an onstage twerking contest.
“The issue is what is CONTEXT,” Arie began in a lengthy statement responding to ESSENCE‘s Instagram clip from the concert. Taking exception to the provocative routine, she asked, “Humanity does EVERYTHING. But does EVERYTHING BELONG [ON] A STAGE? No.”
Arie’s critique continued as she analyzed the environment of the performance by asserting, “Is everything for KIDS? No. Is everything for EVERYBODY? NO. So when we as a culture make something like this mainstream, it shows a lack of discretion [and] discernment.”
She added, “To those in the comments who laugh at anyone who wants these things for [our] culture, you certainly have that right. Just as many folks have the right to want our MAINSTREAM international export — [our] music — to show us in a respectful light. I’d like to go on the record saying: This won’t age well and that’s my issue.”
Arie’s 25-year journey in the music industry has undoubtedly given her a unique perspective. However, many seemingly don’t agree with it as evident in the comment section. Her remarks were wrapped with a stern caution for potential critics: “Don’t bother debating me,” she wrote. “I’ve been doing this for 25 years.”
The critique comes amid the growing discussion around hypersexuality and policing women’s bodies in hip hop. Many, like Arie, have raised concerns about the implications for the wider audience, particularly younger, impressionable fans.
Earlier this week, Monáe also faced criticism for her performance at the 2023 ESSENCE Festival. Her rendition of “Yoga” included the musician flashing her breast on stage during the lyric, “Get off my areola.” Subsequently, it prompted a mix of cheers and raised eyebrows from the audience as well as discourse on social media.
Philadelphia suspect Kimbrady Carriker held without bail after he allegedly killed five people and injured two children
Authorities are holding a 40-year-old Philadelphia man without bail after he reportedly killed five people and wounded two ahead of the Fourth of July.
In a Wednesday (July 5) preliminary arraignment, suspect Kimbrady Carriker appeared in court on charges concerning the July 3 shooting. According to CNN, Carriker will be arraigned on multiple murder charges. He also faces counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and simple assault, among others. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner informed the outlet that the suspect had a previous gun conviction.
On the night of the tragic incident, Carriker allegedly carried a “ghost gun.” Krasner called the shooting a “random, premeditated, deliberate killing carried out with an assault rifle. This was someone who set out to kill strangers, which of course, has become way too common in the United States.” The district attorney revealed that Carriker appeared to have no connection to his victims and vice versa.
On Monday night, authorities responded to calls and were flagged down by pedestrians in the Kingsessing area. When officers arrived at the scene, they found multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds. As police assisted the victims into patrol cars to transport them for medical attention, they heard several shots. Officers followed the sound, discovered Carriker and began chasing him on foot. Once authorities captured the suspect, they saw he had several weapons. He reportedly possessed a AR-style rifle, a 9 mm handgun, and a police scanner. Law enforcement also said they found Carriker wearing a bulletproof vest and a ski mask.
During the shooting spree, five individuals were killed: Daujan Brown, 15; Lashyd Merritt, 20; Dymir Stanton, 29; Ralph Moralis, 59; and Joseph Wamah Jr., 31. On Tuesday (July 4), Wamah’s father discovered his son’s body inside his home hours after the shooting. The suspect also shot a 2-year-old boy and a 13-year-old in the leg. They were taken to a local hospital and placed in stable condition. Authorities also shared that the boy’s twin brother and 33-year-old mother were injured by glass while in a car with him when shots were fired at them.
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chirlane McCray announce separation, but not divorce
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chirlane McCray announced Wednesday that they are separating after nearly 30 years of marriage.
McCray said the decision unfolded after the two had an "ah-ha" moment.
"We came to this decision together and I think it's the right decision for us to start this new chapter in our life," McCray said.
De Blasio, at the time the city's public advocate, entered the 2013 Democratic mayoral primary race as an underdog but came out on top, thanks partly to the sexting scandal that doomed former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner's campaign. De Blasio went on to serve two terms as mayor and was succeeded by fellow Democrat Eric Adams.
De Blasio, who is white, and McCray, who is Black, met in the early 1990s while both were working for New York City's first Black mayor, Democrat David Dinkins.
Their interracial family helped boost de Blasio's 2013 campaign, particularly after their teenage son, Dante de Blasio, starred in a TV ad promising that his father would end policies of billionaire three-term Mayor Mike Bloomberg like stop-and-frisk policing.
McCray was often by de Blasio's side during his two terms as mayor and was put in charge of a mental health initiative called ThriveNYC that was criticized for its $1 billion price tag and dearth of quantifiable results.
She joined him for the announcement of his short-lived run for the 2020 Democratic presidential campaign, although she told the Times that she had doubts about the endeavor.
The pair decided to separate, but said they will both continue to live together at their townhouse in Park Slope.
McCray said the announcement had been in the work for months, but they are still sorting things out.
"It's one thing to make a decision, it's another to figure out how it plays out and we'll be talking about it over the next months," McCray said.
McCray said de Blasio's political past, from his eight years as Mayor to his failed run for president, played a role in the decision.
"I hope we can be a model for couples how couples can communicate honesty about what their needs are and how to conduct themselves when its time to move in a different direction," McCray said. "We just want to be able to continue our lives as public people but do it in a way that shows that all we had and built doesn't go away."
Grammys CEO on new AI guidelines: Music that contains AI-created elements is eligible
Last month, the Recording Academy announced a series of changes to the Grammy Awards to better reflect an evolving music industry. Of those newly instituted guidelines, protocols involving technological advancements in machine learning sparked headlines: “Only human creators” could win the music industry’s highest honor in a decision aimed at the use of artificial intelligence in popular music.
“A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any category,” the rules read in part.
As the music industry continues to come to terms with this new technology, so too will the Grammys, says Recording Academy CEO and President Harvey Mason jr.
“Here’s the super easy, headline statement: AI, or music that contains AI-created elements is absolutely eligible for entry and for consideration for Grammy nomination. Period,” Mason told The Associated Press. “What’s not going to happen is we are not going to give a Grammy or Grammy nomination to the AI portion.”
If an AI or voice modeling program performs the lead vocal on a song, the track would be eligible in a songwriting category, for example, but not a performance category, because “what is performing is not human creation,” he explains. “Conversely, if a song was sung by an actual human in the studio, and they did all the performing, but AI wrote the lyric or the track, the song would not be eligible in a composition or a songwriting category.”
“As long as the human is contributing in a more than de minimis amount, which to us means a meaningful way, they are and will always be considered for a nomination or a win,” he continued. “We don’t want to see technology replace human creativity. We want to make sure technology is enhancing, embellishing, or additive to human creativity. So that’s why we took this particular stand in this award cycle.”
The Recording Academy has long considered setting rules related to AI following the popularity of new songs created alongside AI technology: David Guetta’s “Emin-AI-em”, the AI -compositions of TikTok user @ghostwriter977, Grimes’ voice modeling AI software.
In order to establish their AI guidelines, the Recording Academy engaged in extensive research, including holding tech summits.
“I’ve met with the copyright office. We’ve talked about the future and what that looks like on a federal level and the legislative level,” Mason said, adding that AI conversations “really came to a head in the last six months.”
The new Grammy AI protocols were announced three days after Paul McCartney shared that “the last Beatles record” had been composed using artificial intelligence to extract John Lennon’s voice from an old demo. Without knowing the extent of the technology, Mason couldn’t confirm or deny whether the song would be eligible for a Grammy nomination.
“We’ll see what it turns out to be,” he said. “But I would imagine from the early descriptions that I’ve heard there would be components of the creation that would be absolutely eligible.”
So, can Grammy viewers expect to see work at least partially created with AI nominated for an award as early as next year?
It’s impossible to predict what is submitted. But as Mason affirms, “people are using the technology. I’m imagining it’s going to be involved in a lot of records a lot of songs this year, so we’ll see if some of them get nominated or not, but I’m sure there’ll be some that will be submitted.”
The 2024 Grammy Awards will return to Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, airing live on CBS and livestreamed on Paramount+.
Billy Porter and Husband Adam Smith Break Up After 6 Years of Marriage
"They continue to love and support each other as they embark on this next chapter," Billy Porter's rep tells PEOPLE
Billy Porter and husband Adam Smith are going their separate ways, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal.
"I can confirm that Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith have made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years," says the Pose actor's rep Simon Halls.
"The decision was an amicable and mutual one and was made after much consideration. They continue to love and support each other as they embark on this next chapter," adds Halls.
"There will be no further comment from either parties and it would be appreciated if their privacy be respected."
Porter and Smith met in 2009 at a dinner party. They broke up after dating for about a year, but, five years later, they rekindled their romance. They got married on Jan. 14, 2017, two weeks after Porter proposed in London on Dec. 29, 2016.
In 2017, Porter told PEOPLE why getting married was an important milestone for him.
"We both grew up in households where who we are is labeled an 'abomination,' " the Emmy winner said at the time. "The thought of marriage, there was no context for it — there was no dreaming about it because there was no context to dream; it was unspoken and very clear that the sanctity of marriage was not for us."
"So to see that come around, to see that tide turned, it still takes my breath away; I’m still trying to find the words to describe it," he added.
"I didn’t think I needed it. I lived with this idea that it just wasn’t for us. So when we went to get our marriage license the other day, the act of that was so powerful in a way that crept up on the both of us, and it just grounded that moment."
Drena De Niro Says Her ‘Heart is Broken Forever’ in Emotional Post About Son Leandro’s Death
Drena De Niro has shared a heartbreaking post following the death of her son Leandro.
The actress — whose father is actor Robert De Niro — shared a black and white photo of Leandro, 19, laughing on Monday alongside an emotional tribute.
“I can barely type through my tears but all the love, the messages, calls, texts, emails, the friends and family that held me up these last 24 hrs I’ve not been able to respond yet but we’re grateful for the all your love and condolences,” wrote the 51-year-old.
“None of this is right or fair and my heart hurts in a way I never knew possible while still breathing and barely functioning. Leo my darling I love you today like the first day I held you in my arms.”
Drena, who confirmed her son's death on Instagram Sunday night, then revealed that the same man who drove her and Leandro home from the hospital after he was born also drove her to the funeral home “where I touched and held you for the last time.”
Admitting she is still in disbelief at her son’s death, she continued, “You were kindness acceptance and love and I can’t believe any of this is real YOU made everything bearable and every burden lighter. You didn’t deserve to die like this but I can only believe that God needed a strong powerful angel in their army.”
“I’m holding you every second of every moment I’m my heart and memories until I’m with you again. My heart is broken forever. Me daddy and your family love you, I love I love you with every beat of my crying heart 💔💔💔😭🕊️🕊️🕊️ @carlosmare,” Drena concluded her post, also tagging Leandro’s artist father Carlos Rodriguez.
Carlos also shared his grief at losing his son and posted a series of photos of Leandro, including a sweet snapshot of the pair holding hands from Leandro’s childhood.
“Thank you for your messages of support. @drenadeniro and our families are grateful. 🦁You can’t spell Love without Leo,” wrote Carlos alongside the Instagram Reel, which was set to Hollow Cove’s “Blessings”.
Carlos' emotional post also featured a statement Drena shared on Instagram Monday about their son’s tragic death.
“It is with immeasurable shock and and sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved son Leo,” the statement read. “We thank you for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we are given privacy at this time to process this inconsolable grief.
Robert De Niro said he was 'deeply distressed' at his grandson's death
Robert also shared his grief following his grandson's death. In a statement to PEOPLE on Monday, the 79-year-old said, "I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo."
"We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo," he added of the teenager.
Confirming Leandro’s death on Sunday, Drena shared a photo of her son at an event and wrote that she didn't know “how to live without you.”
“Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy,” she ended her tribute.
Drena’s loved ones were quick to offer their condolences in the comments section. Actor and musician Lenny Kravitz wrote, “Dearest Drena, sending my deepest condolences to you and the family. This is all beyond words at the moment. I love you …..”
"Drena heartbroken for you, such a Duo, i can’t imagine how you must feel," supermodel Naomi Campbell added. "May the lord cover you and hold you in his arms, at this very sad time and loss ... I love you, always here for you 🕊️💔🙏🏾."
A spokesperson for the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information told PEOPLE in a Monday statement that "an 18-year-old male was found unconscious, unresponsive and was pronounced deceased by EMS on scene," after police received a 911 at around 2:23 p.m. on Sunday.
Drena is the oldest of Robert's seven children. Her mother is his first wife, actress Diahnne Abbott.
Nelly Sells ‘Select’ Catalog Assets to HarbourView for a Reported $50 Million
HarbourView Equity Partners, the asset-management company founded by Sherrese Clarke Soares, announced today it has agreed to partner with and purchase “select” recorded-music assets of Grammy-winning rapper-singer Nelly, a rep for the company confirms to Variety.
Further terms of the deal were not disclosed, although TMZ reported that the deal was for $50 million and covered half of Nelly’s recorded-music assets.
Nelly was represented by Steven Shapiro of Davis Shapiro Lewit & Grabel LLP.
The deal includes some of Nelly’s most iconic tracks such as “Ride Wit Me,” “Dilemma” featuring Kelly Rowland, and “Hot in Herre,” both of which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for multiple weeks.
Nelly said, “As artists, we put our heart and soul into each track and there comes a time when you consider preservation of that artistry. My music is my legacy which I want to last beyond me, continuing to make my existing fans happy while reaching new generations and new audiences. I am excited to partner with HarbourView to create opportunities for discovery of my music decades from now.”
Soares added, “This catalog has made an incredible impact on generations of fans. Works such as, ‘Hot in Herre’ and ‘Shake Ya Tailfeather’ defined an era of music of a unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and country music that is undeniable. We are thrilled to add these influential pieces to our repertoire and work with the team to continue supporting the artistry within our ecosystem.”
Over the course of his two-decade-plus career, Nelly has collaborated with Janet Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Pharrell Williams, and Usher, and was among the first rappers to branchin into country. He has won three Grammy Awards and three American Music Awards. He recently released “Heartland,” his eighth studio and first fully country-inspired album, and performed at the country-themed Stagecoach festival in April.
In recent years HarbourView has acquired catalogs from artists including country stars Brad Paisley and Lady A as well as rockers Incubus.
Jennifer Lopez photographs well most days of the week, but her Vogue Mexico July 2023 images are particularly gorgeous. They were shot by Norman Jean Roy [IG] the day after last May’s Met Gala.
If Lopez was out partying half the night, we would never know it.
Sofia Agostini has the interview.
It is a true statement to say that Jennifer has earned every inch of her success with merit and a backbone of steel in dealing with the reality that envelopes her then and now.
Not only did Lopez become the first actress with Latina roots to earn a million dollars with the film Selena, or the first woman to have a movie and a No. 1 album simultaneously, she is probably the first Latina woman to know what her worth is in the North American market, redefine it and reclaim it.
Kicked out of her loving home at age 18, because she quit college to pursue her dancing without consulting her parents, Lopez is definitely the captain of her own ship.
#RHOA: Nene Leakes She Reached Out To Kim Zolciak ...
NeNe was out shopping on Rodeo Drive in Bev Hills and told us she'd recently reached out to her fellow "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star in the midst of her messy divorce with Kroy Biermann.
NeNe tells us while the two chatted, it's still hard to tell exactly how Kim's doing behind the scenes -- every divorce is hard, especially with kids involved.
Fans of the show know NeNe and Kim haven't always seen eye to eye, but NeNe tells us Kim reached out to her during one of her low points when her husband Gregg died in 2021, so it felt right to reciprocate the love.
We've broken a bunch of stories about the huge mess between Kim and Kroy ever since she filed for divorce in May. Since then, there's been a big fight over custody of their kids, with both sides waging war ... Kroy's asking for sole legal and physical.
Kim called the police last month, -- claiming Kroy threatened to file a kidnapping report on a family friend who took their kid to a rodeo. Clearly, there's no sign of things easing up.
BTW, we didn't just talk Kim with NeNe ... asking if she'd ever consider a return to 'RHOA.' She, naturally, threw a little shade at the show's ratings before revealing one thing that MIGHT make her consider a return
#MusicNews: Beyoncé Cancels "RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR" Stop In Pittsburgh
Beyoncé’s fans faced a letdown today (June 5) as dates in the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” were rescheduled. Slated for Aug. 3, the “BREAK MY SOUL” singer’s Pittsburgh appearance has now been scratched off the list indefinitely. Meanwhile, the Kansas City show was pushed back to Oct. 1.
Acrisure Stadium chalked it up to production logistics and scheduling snafus, announcing the disappointing change in the tour’s course. While refunds are being processed, the cancellation triggered a wave of discontent among the BeyHive.
On Twitter, the venue wrote, “Due to production logistics and scheduling issues, unfortunately the August 3rd Pittsburgh stop of the ‘RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR’ will not be taking place. Refunds will automatically be issued at point of purchase. If you have any questions or issues regarding your ticket order, please contact your point of purchase.”
The “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” grabbed the limelight recently. Not only did it shatter venue records across seven European stadiums, but it also stirred up the economy in Sweden. Thus far, the expedition has taken some unusual twists with onstage baby gender reveals and marriage proposals in the crowd, which heightened the audience’s anticipation.
Luckily, fans in Pittsburgh might not need to pack away their freshly picked merchandise from the musician’s Amazon-exclusive collection. Hopes are high for a rescheduled date, which will hopefully offer a silver lining amid the disappointment.
Launched in Stockholm, Sweden, on May 10, Beyoncé’s latest tour had been setting stages ablaze across Europe. Before the North American leg, it wrapped up its European journey in Warsaw, Poland, on June 27. Named after her 2022 dance-centric album RENAISSANCE, it marks the artist’s first solo voyage in nearly seven years.
The Grammy’s most decorated artist has been in the headlines recently for more than her stellar performances. During her late June concert in Amsterdam, she visibly expressed her annoyance when a stage crew misstep delayed the removal of a set of stairs during her final act. This incident went viral on TikTok with over 275,000 likes and 9,000 shares.
#HipHopNews: India.Arie Calls Out Megan Thee Stallion For Performance At 2023 ESSENCE Festival
“The issue is what is CONTEXT,” Arie began in a lengthy statement responding to ESSENCE‘s Instagram clip from the concert. Taking exception to the provocative routine, she asked, “Humanity does EVERYTHING. But does EVERYTHING BELONG [ON] A STAGE? No.”
Arie’s critique continued as she analyzed the environment of the performance by asserting, “Is everything for KIDS? No. Is everything for EVERYBODY? NO. So when we as a culture make something like this mainstream, it shows a lack of discretion [and] discernment.”
She added, “To those in the comments who laugh at anyone who wants these things for [our] culture, you certainly have that right. Just as many folks have the right to want our MAINSTREAM international export — [our] music — to show us in a respectful light. I’d like to go on the record saying: This won’t age well and that’s my issue.”
Arie’s 25-year journey in the music industry has undoubtedly given her a unique perspective. However, many seemingly don’t agree with it as evident in the comment section. Her remarks were wrapped with a stern caution for potential critics: “Don’t bother debating me,” she wrote. “I’ve been doing this for 25 years.”
The critique comes amid the growing discussion around hypersexuality and policing women’s bodies in hip hop. Many, like Arie, have raised concerns about the implications for the wider audience, particularly younger, impressionable fans.
Earlier this week, Monáe also faced criticism for her performance at the 2023 ESSENCE Festival. Her rendition of “Yoga” included the musician flashing her breast on stage during the lyric, “Get off my areola.” Subsequently, it prompted a mix of cheers and raised eyebrows from the audience as well as discourse on social media.
Philadelphia suspect Kimbrady Carriker held without bail after he allegedly killed five people and injured two children
Authorities are holding a 40-year-old Philadelphia man without bail after he reportedly killed five people and wounded two ahead of the Fourth of July.
In a Wednesday (July 5) preliminary arraignment, suspect Kimbrady Carriker appeared in court on charges concerning the July 3 shooting. According to CNN, Carriker will be arraigned on multiple murder charges. He also faces counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and simple assault, among others. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner informed the outlet that the suspect had a previous gun conviction.
On the night of the tragic incident, Carriker allegedly carried a “ghost gun.” Krasner called the shooting a “random, premeditated, deliberate killing carried out with an assault rifle. This was someone who set out to kill strangers, which of course, has become way too common in the United States.” The district attorney revealed that Carriker appeared to have no connection to his victims and vice versa.
On Monday night, authorities responded to calls and were flagged down by pedestrians in the Kingsessing area. When officers arrived at the scene, they found multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds. As police assisted the victims into patrol cars to transport them for medical attention, they heard several shots. Officers followed the sound, discovered Carriker and began chasing him on foot. Once authorities captured the suspect, they saw he had several weapons. He reportedly possessed a AR-style rifle, a 9 mm handgun, and a police scanner. Law enforcement also said they found Carriker wearing a bulletproof vest and a ski mask.
During the shooting spree, five individuals were killed: Daujan Brown, 15; Lashyd Merritt, 20; Dymir Stanton, 29; Ralph Moralis, 59; and Joseph Wamah Jr., 31. On Tuesday (July 4), Wamah’s father discovered his son’s body inside his home hours after the shooting. The suspect also shot a 2-year-old boy and a 13-year-old in the leg. They were taken to a local hospital and placed in stable condition. Authorities also shared that the boy’s twin brother and 33-year-old mother were injured by glass while in a car with him when shots were fired at them.
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chirlane McCray announce separation, but not divorce
McCray said the decision unfolded after the two had an "ah-ha" moment.
"We came to this decision together and I think it's the right decision for us to start this new chapter in our life," McCray said.
De Blasio, at the time the city's public advocate, entered the 2013 Democratic mayoral primary race as an underdog but came out on top, thanks partly to the sexting scandal that doomed former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner's campaign. De Blasio went on to serve two terms as mayor and was succeeded by fellow Democrat Eric Adams.
De Blasio, who is white, and McCray, who is Black, met in the early 1990s while both were working for New York City's first Black mayor, Democrat David Dinkins.
Their interracial family helped boost de Blasio's 2013 campaign, particularly after their teenage son, Dante de Blasio, starred in a TV ad promising that his father would end policies of billionaire three-term Mayor Mike Bloomberg like stop-and-frisk policing.
McCray was often by de Blasio's side during his two terms as mayor and was put in charge of a mental health initiative called ThriveNYC that was criticized for its $1 billion price tag and dearth of quantifiable results.
She joined him for the announcement of his short-lived run for the 2020 Democratic presidential campaign, although she told the Times that she had doubts about the endeavor.
The pair decided to separate, but said they will both continue to live together at their townhouse in Park Slope.
McCray said the announcement had been in the work for months, but they are still sorting things out.
"It's one thing to make a decision, it's another to figure out how it plays out and we'll be talking about it over the next months," McCray said.
McCray said de Blasio's political past, from his eight years as Mayor to his failed run for president, played a role in the decision.
"I hope we can be a model for couples how couples can communicate honesty about what their needs are and how to conduct themselves when its time to move in a different direction," McCray said. "We just want to be able to continue our lives as public people but do it in a way that shows that all we had and built doesn't go away."
Grammys CEO on new AI guidelines: Music that contains AI-created elements is eligible
Last month, the Recording Academy announced a series of changes to the Grammy Awards to better reflect an evolving music industry. Of those newly instituted guidelines, protocols involving technological advancements in machine learning sparked headlines: “Only human creators” could win the music industry’s highest honor in a decision aimed at the use of artificial intelligence in popular music.
“A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any category,” the rules read in part.
As the music industry continues to come to terms with this new technology, so too will the Grammys, says Recording Academy CEO and President Harvey Mason jr.
“Here’s the super easy, headline statement: AI, or music that contains AI-created elements is absolutely eligible for entry and for consideration for Grammy nomination. Period,” Mason told The Associated Press. “What’s not going to happen is we are not going to give a Grammy or Grammy nomination to the AI portion.”
If an AI or voice modeling program performs the lead vocal on a song, the track would be eligible in a songwriting category, for example, but not a performance category, because “what is performing is not human creation,” he explains. “Conversely, if a song was sung by an actual human in the studio, and they did all the performing, but AI wrote the lyric or the track, the song would not be eligible in a composition or a songwriting category.”
“As long as the human is contributing in a more than de minimis amount, which to us means a meaningful way, they are and will always be considered for a nomination or a win,” he continued. “We don’t want to see technology replace human creativity. We want to make sure technology is enhancing, embellishing, or additive to human creativity. So that’s why we took this particular stand in this award cycle.”
The Recording Academy has long considered setting rules related to AI following the popularity of new songs created alongside AI technology: David Guetta’s “Emin-AI-em”, the AI -compositions of TikTok user @ghostwriter977, Grimes’ voice modeling AI software.
In order to establish their AI guidelines, the Recording Academy engaged in extensive research, including holding tech summits.
“I’ve met with the copyright office. We’ve talked about the future and what that looks like on a federal level and the legislative level,” Mason said, adding that AI conversations “really came to a head in the last six months.”
The new Grammy AI protocols were announced three days after Paul McCartney shared that “the last Beatles record” had been composed using artificial intelligence to extract John Lennon’s voice from an old demo. Without knowing the extent of the technology, Mason couldn’t confirm or deny whether the song would be eligible for a Grammy nomination.
“We’ll see what it turns out to be,” he said. “But I would imagine from the early descriptions that I’ve heard there would be components of the creation that would be absolutely eligible.”
So, can Grammy viewers expect to see work at least partially created with AI nominated for an award as early as next year?
It’s impossible to predict what is submitted. But as Mason affirms, “people are using the technology. I’m imagining it’s going to be involved in a lot of records a lot of songs this year, so we’ll see if some of them get nominated or not, but I’m sure there’ll be some that will be submitted.”
The 2024 Grammy Awards will return to Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, airing live on CBS and livestreamed on Paramount+.
Billy Porter and Husband Adam Smith Break Up After 6 Years of Marriage
Billy Porter and husband Adam Smith are going their separate ways, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal.
"I can confirm that Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith have made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years," says the Pose actor's rep Simon Halls.
"The decision was an amicable and mutual one and was made after much consideration. They continue to love and support each other as they embark on this next chapter," adds Halls.
"There will be no further comment from either parties and it would be appreciated if their privacy be respected."
Porter and Smith met in 2009 at a dinner party. They broke up after dating for about a year, but, five years later, they rekindled their romance. They got married on Jan. 14, 2017, two weeks after Porter proposed in London on Dec. 29, 2016.
In 2017, Porter told PEOPLE why getting married was an important milestone for him.
"We both grew up in households where who we are is labeled an 'abomination,' " the Emmy winner said at the time. "The thought of marriage, there was no context for it — there was no dreaming about it because there was no context to dream; it was unspoken and very clear that the sanctity of marriage was not for us."
"So to see that come around, to see that tide turned, it still takes my breath away; I’m still trying to find the words to describe it," he added.
"I didn’t think I needed it. I lived with this idea that it just wasn’t for us. So when we went to get our marriage license the other day, the act of that was so powerful in a way that crept up on the both of us, and it just grounded that moment."
Drena De Niro Says Her ‘Heart is Broken Forever’ in Emotional Post About Son Leandro’s Death
The actress — whose father is actor Robert De Niro — shared a black and white photo of Leandro, 19, laughing on Monday alongside an emotional tribute.
“I can barely type through my tears but all the love, the messages, calls, texts, emails, the friends and family that held me up these last 24 hrs I’ve not been able to respond yet but we’re grateful for the all your love and condolences,” wrote the 51-year-old.
“None of this is right or fair and my heart hurts in a way I never knew possible while still breathing and barely functioning. Leo my darling I love you today like the first day I held you in my arms.”
Drena, who confirmed her son's death on Instagram Sunday night, then revealed that the same man who drove her and Leandro home from the hospital after he was born also drove her to the funeral home “where I touched and held you for the last time.”
Admitting she is still in disbelief at her son’s death, she continued, “You were kindness acceptance and love and I can’t believe any of this is real YOU made everything bearable and every burden lighter. You didn’t deserve to die like this but I can only believe that God needed a strong powerful angel in their army.”
“I’m holding you every second of every moment I’m my heart and memories until I’m with you again. My heart is broken forever. Me daddy and your family love you, I love I love you with every beat of my crying heart 💔💔💔😭🕊️🕊️🕊️ @carlosmare,” Drena concluded her post, also tagging Leandro’s artist father Carlos Rodriguez.
Carlos also shared his grief at losing his son and posted a series of photos of Leandro, including a sweet snapshot of the pair holding hands from Leandro’s childhood.
“Thank you for your messages of support. @drenadeniro and our families are grateful. 🦁You can’t spell Love without Leo,” wrote Carlos alongside the Instagram Reel, which was set to Hollow Cove’s “Blessings”.
Carlos' emotional post also featured a statement Drena shared on Instagram Monday about their son’s tragic death.
“It is with immeasurable shock and and sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved son Leo,” the statement read. “We thank you for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we are given privacy at this time to process this inconsolable grief.
Robert De Niro said he was 'deeply distressed' at his grandson's death
Robert also shared his grief following his grandson's death. In a statement to PEOPLE on Monday, the 79-year-old said, "I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo."
"We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo," he added of the teenager.
Confirming Leandro’s death on Sunday, Drena shared a photo of her son at an event and wrote that she didn't know “how to live without you.”
“Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy,” she ended her tribute.
Drena’s loved ones were quick to offer their condolences in the comments section. Actor and musician Lenny Kravitz wrote, “Dearest Drena, sending my deepest condolences to you and the family. This is all beyond words at the moment. I love you …..”
"Drena heartbroken for you, such a Duo, i can’t imagine how you must feel," supermodel Naomi Campbell added. "May the lord cover you and hold you in his arms, at this very sad time and loss ... I love you, always here for you 🕊️💔🙏🏾."
A spokesperson for the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information told PEOPLE in a Monday statement that "an 18-year-old male was found unconscious, unresponsive and was pronounced deceased by EMS on scene," after police received a 911 at around 2:23 p.m. on Sunday.
Drena is the oldest of Robert's seven children. Her mother is his first wife, actress Diahnne Abbott.
Nelly Sells ‘Select’ Catalog Assets to HarbourView for a Reported $50 Million
Further terms of the deal were not disclosed, although TMZ reported that the deal was for $50 million and covered half of Nelly’s recorded-music assets.
Nelly was represented by Steven Shapiro of Davis Shapiro Lewit & Grabel LLP.
The deal includes some of Nelly’s most iconic tracks such as “Ride Wit Me,” “Dilemma” featuring Kelly Rowland, and “Hot in Herre,” both of which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for multiple weeks.
Nelly said, “As artists, we put our heart and soul into each track and there comes a time when you consider preservation of that artistry. My music is my legacy which I want to last beyond me, continuing to make my existing fans happy while reaching new generations and new audiences. I am excited to partner with HarbourView to create opportunities for discovery of my music decades from now.”
Soares added, “This catalog has made an incredible impact on generations of fans. Works such as, ‘Hot in Herre’ and ‘Shake Ya Tailfeather’ defined an era of music of a unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and country music that is undeniable. We are thrilled to add these influential pieces to our repertoire and work with the team to continue supporting the artistry within our ecosystem.”
Over the course of his two-decade-plus career, Nelly has collaborated with Janet Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Pharrell Williams, and Usher, and was among the first rappers to branchin into country. He has won three Grammy Awards and three American Music Awards. He recently released “Heartland,” his eighth studio and first fully country-inspired album, and performed at the country-themed Stagecoach festival in April.
In recent years HarbourView has acquired catalogs from artists including country stars Brad Paisley and Lady A as well as rockers Incubus.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
1,000 Pound Sisters?
Tha Big gurls!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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