#MAGFAB: Rosario Dawson for Emmy Magazine - August 2023
Nice pics. The article is HERE
#RHOA: fans demand NeNe Leakes and Porsha Williams return to show after ratings drop over 50% from show’s glory
Nice pics. The article is HERE
#RHOA: fans demand NeNe Leakes and Porsha Williams return to show after ratings drop over 50% from show’s glory
REAL Housewives of Atlanta fans have demanded Nene Leakes and Porsha Williams return to the show after a significant drop in the ratings.
Currently in its 15th season, RHOA has seen some of the lowest ratings this season compared to previous years.
Real Housewives of Atlanta fans demanded NeNe Leakes return to the show after ratings have plummeted
Fans are blaming the ratings drop on the casting this season - which is the same from last season - and not having OG NeNe, 55, and fan favorite Porsha, 42.
This season includes stars Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, ShereΓ© Whitfield, Drew Sidora, Marlo Hampton and Sanya Richards-Ross.
The last episode's ratings for RHOA, which aired on August 6, was 777,000 viewers and drew a 0.28 rating in the key 18-49 demographic.
The season premiered on May 7 with 834,000 viewers and reached an all-time low on May 28 with 657,000 viewers.
In comparison, when NeNe was on the show - she last appeared in season 12 - her season hit a high of 2,008,000 viewers and a 0.73 demo rating.
When Porsha was still a full-time cast member on the show in season 13, the season hit of high of 1,434,000 million viewers in February 2021.
Last season, RHOA only saw over one million viewers in eight of the 20 episodes that aired in 2022.
Porsha made the "difficult decision" to leave the Bravo show after 10 years in September 2021.
She told her fans it was "finally time to begin my next chapter" as she was planning her wedding to Simon Guobadia.
Prior to this, NeNe called it quits in September 2020 after 12 years on the show due to "tearful and emotional" contract negotiations.
Fans voiced their opinions about the current cast and demanded producer Andy Cohen bring back NeNe and Porsha.
One person tweeted: "Nene and Porsha will bring the ratings all the way up."
Another wrote: "The RHOA is boring! So it’s obvious who the queen OG Nene is and Andy knows it too. That franchise needs a clean out and recast."
"I need Kenya and Porsha back together on our TV ASAP as a dynamic duo with their baby girls," someone else commented.
A fourth Twitter user said: "RHOA is a nostalgic show, we don't want newbies. We want all the OGs and veterans from season 7 that brought in millions of viewers. I don't know why they ever touched that cast."
Finally, a fifth user shared: "I know it won't happen... but the only way to save RHOA ratings is to bring back Nene, Phaedra [Parks], & Porsha. They can't be replaced."
NENE SPEAKS OUT
NeNe addressed speculation she would return to the show after believing the franchise is "tumbling down."
During an interview on Carlos King's podcast Reality with the King earlier this month, NeNe told the reality TV producer: "If I had to go back it will be 100 percent for the fans.
"The check is not a bad check although I think my check should be bigger."
In early July, she gave a similar answer when asked by TMZ.
"I would come back for the fans because the fans are the ones that love me, love to see me in that position. I would do anything for them," she revealed at the time.
The OG had previously sued Bravo and Andy in April 2022 after accusing the network of "ignoring" alleged racism
However, in August of that year, The U.S. Sun broke the news that NeNe dropped the lawsuit after exclusively obtaining court documents.
NeNe and Bravo had filed a joint dismissal without prejudice, meaning she can re-open the case in the future.
UNEXPECTED GUEST APPEARANCES
Throughout this season, fans watched as Kim Zolciak and Cynthia Bailey made unexpected appearances in separate episodes.
Kim - who filed to divorce her husband Kroy in May and then called it off - is "not in talks with Bravo for a comeback," a source told The U.S. Sun.
Cynthia, for her part, also is "not interested in returning as a housewife at this time."
She told The U.S. Sun exclusively last month: "That's just not where my focus is. I just feel like I've done it consistently for 11 years and I keep saying, when asked, I just feel like it's time for me."
She added: "It was just time for me to go and I feel like I've given two marriages, I've given two divorces.
"I've just given a lot on the show, and I wouldn't do it any other way."
The actress also weighed in on NeNe and Porsha returning to RHOA.
"Look, NeNe was a great housewife. Like, nobody can ever take that from her and if they could work it out between her and the network, then God bless," Cynthia told The U.S. Sun.
"I mean, you know, she's definitely great TV, 100 percent."
She continued: "Porsha, I definitely, 100 percent, think should go back. I know her fans wanna see her new life as Mrs. Guobadia.
#NewMusicVideo: Tori Kelly Releases Video For Latest Single “cut”
Tori Kelly continues the promotion of her latest EP with the release of a visual for latest single “cut”.
The show stopping and slick visual for “cut” matches the uncontainable and undeniable energy of the track. As hummable acoustic guitar gives way to a fast-paced beat, the clip follows her from a parking lot to inside of a Chinese restaurant to the aisles of a convenience store and finally to the club where she turns up surrounded by friends.
WATCH HERE
The song was included on the singer/songwriter’s latest EP “Tori” which released last month via Epic Records.
#HipHopNews: Bun B Speaks Out In Support Of Megan Thee Stallion Amidst Tory Lanez Sentencing
The recent 10-year prison sentence for rapper Tory Lanez, who was found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020, has stirred various emotions and opinions. Among those commenting on the matter is Houston’s own Bun B.
“I think it’s a wake-up call for violence against women,” Bun B, the 50-year-old rapper and Trill Burgers owner, told TMZ on Thursday (Aug. 10). He quickly emphasized that this issue is bigger than the realm of hip hop. “If there were nobody in hip hop involved in this, this would still not be a good thing for us to see in this world right now.”
Bun’s stance on Lanez has seemingly softened since his vehement criticism in 2020. “Look, man, just keep your head up, you know?” he said, offering a seasoned perspective. “Obviously, Tory might not be the biggest fan of mine, but I don’t wish prison on anybody, and I hope he comes home safe.”
His tone was much more abrasive last year, right after the shooting incident. “I tried to be impartial and cool about this — man, f**k that! F**k Tory Lanez,” he had exclaimed in a video. “I’m from Houston, and if somebody would have done something to Meg in this city, we would have rode.”
His concern for Megan’s well-being was evident, especially given her losses, leaving her isolated in Los Angeles. The Houston native expressed responsibility for her, affirming: “So as the OG in Houston, I’m standing up. Tory Lanez did some h**-a** s**t, period.”
Lanez responded to Bun’s condemnation with a track on his September 2020 album, Daystar. The song’s lyrics seem to reflect his frustration and confusion, particularly regarding Bun’s criticism in the context of Black Lives Matter.
Bun’s recent, less harsh comments still carry the weight of a serious issue that reaches far beyond the music industry. His wake-up call to the world and his willingness to share his thoughts openly add to the ongoing dialogue surrounding violence against women.
Lil Tay confirms she is not dead, says her IG was hacked
On Wednesday (Aug. 9), an announcement appeared on Lil Tay‘s Instagram page that appeared to confirm her and her brother’s passing. “It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing. We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain,” the message read.
TMZ is now reporting that the social media star is very much still breathing. “I want to make it clear that my brother and I are safe and alive, but I’m completely heartbroken, and struggling to even find the right words to say,” Tay’s new statement to the outlet said. “It’s been a very traumatizing 24 hours. All day yesterday, I was bombarded with endless heartbreaking and tearful phone calls from loved ones, all while trying to sort out this mess… My Instagram account was compromised by a third party and used to spread jarring misinformation and rumors regarding me, to the point that even my name was wrong. My legal name is Tay Tian, not ‘Claire Hope.'”
Following the initial account of Tay’s death, her former manager, Harry Tsang, revealed that he was unable to properly confirm any news. “Given the complexities of the current circumstances, I am at a point where I cannot definitively confirm or dismiss the legitimacy of the statement issued by the family,” Tsang wrote to Insider. “This situation calls for cautious consideration and respect for the sensitivities involved. My commitment remains focused on delivering updates that are both reliable and appropriately timed.” Tay’s father, Christopher Hope, declined to react to the initial IG post about his daughter’s death, nor did he confirm whether or not she transitioned. The Los Angeles medical examiner had no information on the matter, and authorities in both Los Angeles and Tay’s hometown of Vancouver, CA confirmed that there wasn’t an active investigation at that time.
Death toll from Maui wildfire reaches 89, making it the deadliest in the US in more than 100 years
A raging wildfire that swept through a picturesque town on the Hawaiian island of Maui this week has killed at least 89 people, authorities said Saturday, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire of the past century.
The new death toll Saturday came as federal emergency workers with axes and cadaver dogs picked through the aftermath of the blaze, marking the ruins of homes with a bright orange X for an initial search and HR when they found human remains.
Dogs worked the rubble, and their occasional bark — used to alert their handlers to a possible corpse — echoed over the hot and colorless landscape.
The inferno that swept through the centuries-old town of Lahaina on Maui’s west coast four days earlier torched hundreds of homes and turned a lush, tropical area into a moonscape of ash. The state’s governor predicted more bodies will be found.
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said two of the 89 victims have been identified so far, adding that identifying the dead is extremely challenging because “we pick up the remains and they fall apart.”
“When we find our family and our friends, the remains that we’re finding is through a fire that melted metal. We have to do rapid DNA to identify them. Every one of these 89 are John and Jane Does,” he said. “We know we’ve got to go quick, but we’ve got to do it right,”
At least 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed in West Maui, Green said, of which 86% were residential. Across the island, he added, damage was estimated at close to $6 billion. He said it would take “an incredible amount of time” to recover.”
At least two other fires have been burning in Maui, with no fatalities reported thus far: in south Maui’s Kihei area and in the mountainous, inland communities known as Upcountry. A fourth broke out Friday evening in Kaanapali, a coastal community in West Maui north of Lahaina, but crews were able to extinguish it, authorities said.
Green said the Upcountry fire had affected 544 structures, of which 96% were residential.
Emergency managers in Maui were searching for places to house people displaced from their homes. As many as 4,500 people are in need of shelter, county officials said on Facebook early Saturday, citing figures from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Pacific Disaster Center.
Those who escaped counted their blessings, thankful to be alive as they mourned those who didn’t make it.
Retired fire captain Geoff Bogar and his friend of 35 years, Franklin Trejos, initially stayed behind to help others in Lahaina and save Bogar’s house. But as the flames moved closer and closer Tuesday afternoon, they knew they had to get out. Each escaped to his own car. When Bogar’s wouldn’t start, he broke through a window to get out, then crawled on the ground until a police patrol found him and brought him to a hospital.
Trejos wasn’t as lucky. When Bogar returned the next day, he found the bones of his 68-year-old friend in the back seat of his car, lying on top of the remains of the Bogars’ beloved 3-year-old golden retriever Sam, whom he had tried to protect.
Trejos, a native of Costa Rica, had lived for years with Bogar and his wife, Shannon Weber-Bogar, helping her with her seizures when her husband couldn’t. He filled their lives with love and laughter.
“God took a really good man,” Weber-Bogar said.
Bill Wyland, who lives on the island of Oahu but owns an art gallery on Lahaina’s historic Front Street, fled on his Harley Davidson, whipping the motorcycle onto empty sidewalks Tuesday to avoid traffic-jammed roads as embers burned the hair off the back of his neck.
Riding in winds he estimated to be at least 70 miles per hour (112 kilometers per hour), he passed a man on a bicycle who was pedaling for his life.
“It’s something you’d see in a Twilight Zone, horror movie or something,” Wyland said.
The newly released death toll surpassed the toll of the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California, which left 85 dead and destroyed the town of Paradise. A century earlier, the 1918 Cloquet Fire broke out in drought-stricken northern Minnesota and raced through a number of rural communities, destroying thousands of homes and killing hundreds.
The wildfires are the state’s deadliest natural disaster in decades, surpassing a 1960 tsunami that killed 61 people. An even deadlier tsunami in 1946, which killed more than 150 on the Big Island, prompted development of a territory-wide emergency alert system with sirens that are tested monthly.
Hawaii emergency management records do not indicate the warning sirens sounded before fire hit the town. Officials sent alerts to mobile phones, televisions and radio stations, but widespread power and cellular outages may have limited their reach.
Fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane, the wildfires on Maui raced through parched brush covering the island.
The most serious blaze swept into Lahaina on Tuesday and destroyed nearly every building in the town of 13,000, leaving a grid of gray rubble wedged between the blue ocean and lush green slopes.
Front Street, the heart of the historic downtown and Maui’s economic hub, was nearly empty of life Saturday morning. An Associated Press journalist encountered one barefoot resident carrying a laptop and a passport, who asked where the nearest shelter was. Another, riding a bicycle, took stock of the damage at the harbor, where he said his boat caught fire and sank.
Maui water officials warned Lahaina and Kula residents not to drink running water, which may be contaminated even after boiling, and to only take short, lukewarm showers in well-ventilated rooms to avoid possible chemical vapor exposure.
The danger on Maui was well known. Maui County’s hazard mitigation plan updated in 2020 identified Lahaina and other West Maui communities as having frequent wildfires and several buildings at risk. The report also noted West Maui had the island’s second-highest rate of households without a vehicle and the highest rate of non-English speakers.
“This may limit the population’s ability to receive, understand and take expedient action during hazard events,” the plan stated.
Maui’s firefighting efforts may have been hampered by limited staff and equipment.
Bobby Lee, president of the Hawaii Firefighters Association, said there are a maximum of 65 county firefighters working at any given time, who are responsible for three islands: Maui, Molokai and Lanai.
Green said officials will review policies and procedures to improve safety.
“People have asked why we are reviewing what’s going on and it’s because the world has changed. A storm now can be a hurricane-fire or a fire-hurricane,” he said. “That’s what we experienced, that’s why we’re looking into these policies, to find out how we can best protect our people.”
Riley Curran said he fled his Front Street home after climbing up a neighboring building to get a better look. He doubts county officials could have done more, given the speed of the onrushing flames.
“It’s not that people didn’t try to do anything,” Curran said. “The fire went from zero to 100.”
Curran said he had seen horrendous wildfires growing up in California.
But, he added, “I’ve never seen one eat an entire town in four hours.”
Rihanna Hopes Her Inclusive Maternity Line Will Help Fellow Moms Feel Sexy And Confident
Rihanna has unleashed a new Savage x Fenty maternity capsule collection for "moms and moms-to-be" of every size. The heavily pregnant "Umbrella" singer, 35, is due to welcome her upcoming arrival any day after she had her 15-month-old son RZA with "L$D" rapper A$AP Rocky, 34, in May 2022, and has announced her latest clothing line features three new bralette styles and an oversized graphic T-shirt that reads, "Make More Babies."
According to Vogue, the inclusively-sized collection features sizes from XXS to 4X, and the prices range from $35 to $60. "The new maternity capsule is about bringing that confidence and comfort to moms at every stage of their journeys. I want to remind people that you can still channel sexiness and feel good while being a parent," Rihanna told the magazine.
Rihanna has spent the last few months on social media promoting new fashion ranges. She recently posed on Instagram in peach-coloured underwear at a fabric store to promote a new collection from her Savage x Fenty lingerie line. Rihanna captioned the carousel of images, "New fav's ….sheer x group dropping rn! Head over to savageX.com."
Rihanna and A$AP have also been living it up in her native Barbados over the last few days and she has shared photographs displaying her huge baby bump. The couple sparked marriage rumours when they were at the 2023 Cannes Lions Festival on June 21 as A$AP referred to Rihanna as his "wife" during his Spotify concert. He said as Rihanna grinned in the crowd, "I'd like to dedicate this song to my beautiful wife in the motherf****** building!"
But the pair have stayed silent on whether they secretly got hitched. Rihanna also recently modelled a cheeky top from her Savage x Fenty range with the message, "Use a Condom." She captioned images of the top - one of which showed her cradling her baby bump and which appeared to have been taken in an alley-style hallway, "This shirt is old… ."
Rihanna and A$AP started dating in 2020 after having been linked professionally as early as 2013. Their boy's name is a tribute to producer and rapper RZA, 54, leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, whose real name is Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, as well as being a nod to A$AP's middle name.
Wheel of Fortune Temporarily Replaces Vanna White Amid Tense Contract Negotiations
For the first time in more than three decades, Vanna White will be temporarily M.I.A. at Wheel of Fortune.
The iconic letter turner reportedly contracted COVID in late July while Wheel was filming its annual “Teachers Week” block, slated to air in October. In her absence, Puck News reports that producers tapped California-based “Teacher of the Year” recipient Bridgette Donald-Blue to stand at the letter board for the week’s worth of episodes. (Season 41 premieres Monday, Sept. 11.)
Currently in its 15th season, RHOA has seen some of the lowest ratings this season compared to previous years.
Real Housewives of Atlanta fans demanded NeNe Leakes return to the show after ratings have plummeted
Fans are blaming the ratings drop on the casting this season - which is the same from last season - and not having OG NeNe, 55, and fan favorite Porsha, 42.
This season includes stars Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, ShereΓ© Whitfield, Drew Sidora, Marlo Hampton and Sanya Richards-Ross.
The last episode's ratings for RHOA, which aired on August 6, was 777,000 viewers and drew a 0.28 rating in the key 18-49 demographic.
The season premiered on May 7 with 834,000 viewers and reached an all-time low on May 28 with 657,000 viewers.
In comparison, when NeNe was on the show - she last appeared in season 12 - her season hit a high of 2,008,000 viewers and a 0.73 demo rating.
When Porsha was still a full-time cast member on the show in season 13, the season hit of high of 1,434,000 million viewers in February 2021.
Last season, RHOA only saw over one million viewers in eight of the 20 episodes that aired in 2022.
Porsha made the "difficult decision" to leave the Bravo show after 10 years in September 2021.
She told her fans it was "finally time to begin my next chapter" as she was planning her wedding to Simon Guobadia.
Prior to this, NeNe called it quits in September 2020 after 12 years on the show due to "tearful and emotional" contract negotiations.
Fans voiced their opinions about the current cast and demanded producer Andy Cohen bring back NeNe and Porsha.
One person tweeted: "Nene and Porsha will bring the ratings all the way up."
Another wrote: "The RHOA is boring! So it’s obvious who the queen OG Nene is and Andy knows it too. That franchise needs a clean out and recast."
"I need Kenya and Porsha back together on our TV ASAP as a dynamic duo with their baby girls," someone else commented.
A fourth Twitter user said: "RHOA is a nostalgic show, we don't want newbies. We want all the OGs and veterans from season 7 that brought in millions of viewers. I don't know why they ever touched that cast."
Finally, a fifth user shared: "I know it won't happen... but the only way to save RHOA ratings is to bring back Nene, Phaedra [Parks], & Porsha. They can't be replaced."
NENE SPEAKS OUT
NeNe addressed speculation she would return to the show after believing the franchise is "tumbling down."
During an interview on Carlos King's podcast Reality with the King earlier this month, NeNe told the reality TV producer: "If I had to go back it will be 100 percent for the fans.
"The check is not a bad check although I think my check should be bigger."
In early July, she gave a similar answer when asked by TMZ.
"I would come back for the fans because the fans are the ones that love me, love to see me in that position. I would do anything for them," she revealed at the time.
The OG had previously sued Bravo and Andy in April 2022 after accusing the network of "ignoring" alleged racism
However, in August of that year, The U.S. Sun broke the news that NeNe dropped the lawsuit after exclusively obtaining court documents.
NeNe and Bravo had filed a joint dismissal without prejudice, meaning she can re-open the case in the future.
UNEXPECTED GUEST APPEARANCES
Throughout this season, fans watched as Kim Zolciak and Cynthia Bailey made unexpected appearances in separate episodes.
Kim - who filed to divorce her husband Kroy in May and then called it off - is "not in talks with Bravo for a comeback," a source told The U.S. Sun.
Cynthia, for her part, also is "not interested in returning as a housewife at this time."
She told The U.S. Sun exclusively last month: "That's just not where my focus is. I just feel like I've done it consistently for 11 years and I keep saying, when asked, I just feel like it's time for me."
She added: "It was just time for me to go and I feel like I've given two marriages, I've given two divorces.
"I've just given a lot on the show, and I wouldn't do it any other way."
The actress also weighed in on NeNe and Porsha returning to RHOA.
"Look, NeNe was a great housewife. Like, nobody can ever take that from her and if they could work it out between her and the network, then God bless," Cynthia told The U.S. Sun.
"I mean, you know, she's definitely great TV, 100 percent."
She continued: "Porsha, I definitely, 100 percent, think should go back. I know her fans wanna see her new life as Mrs. Guobadia.
#NewMusicVideo: Tori Kelly Releases Video For Latest Single “cut”
Tori Kelly continues the promotion of her latest EP with the release of a visual for latest single “cut”.
The show stopping and slick visual for “cut” matches the uncontainable and undeniable energy of the track. As hummable acoustic guitar gives way to a fast-paced beat, the clip follows her from a parking lot to inside of a Chinese restaurant to the aisles of a convenience store and finally to the club where she turns up surrounded by friends.
WATCH HERE
The song was included on the singer/songwriter’s latest EP “Tori” which released last month via Epic Records.
#HipHopNews: Bun B Speaks Out In Support Of Megan Thee Stallion Amidst Tory Lanez Sentencing
The recent 10-year prison sentence for rapper Tory Lanez, who was found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020, has stirred various emotions and opinions. Among those commenting on the matter is Houston’s own Bun B.
“I think it’s a wake-up call for violence against women,” Bun B, the 50-year-old rapper and Trill Burgers owner, told TMZ on Thursday (Aug. 10). He quickly emphasized that this issue is bigger than the realm of hip hop. “If there were nobody in hip hop involved in this, this would still not be a good thing for us to see in this world right now.”
Bun’s stance on Lanez has seemingly softened since his vehement criticism in 2020. “Look, man, just keep your head up, you know?” he said, offering a seasoned perspective. “Obviously, Tory might not be the biggest fan of mine, but I don’t wish prison on anybody, and I hope he comes home safe.”
His tone was much more abrasive last year, right after the shooting incident. “I tried to be impartial and cool about this — man, f**k that! F**k Tory Lanez,” he had exclaimed in a video. “I’m from Houston, and if somebody would have done something to Meg in this city, we would have rode.”
His concern for Megan’s well-being was evident, especially given her losses, leaving her isolated in Los Angeles. The Houston native expressed responsibility for her, affirming: “So as the OG in Houston, I’m standing up. Tory Lanez did some h**-a** s**t, period.”
Lanez responded to Bun’s condemnation with a track on his September 2020 album, Daystar. The song’s lyrics seem to reflect his frustration and confusion, particularly regarding Bun’s criticism in the context of Black Lives Matter.
Bun’s recent, less harsh comments still carry the weight of a serious issue that reaches far beyond the music industry. His wake-up call to the world and his willingness to share his thoughts openly add to the ongoing dialogue surrounding violence against women.
Lil Tay confirms she is not dead, says her IG was hacked
On Wednesday (Aug. 9), an announcement appeared on Lil Tay‘s Instagram page that appeared to confirm her and her brother’s passing. “It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing. We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain,” the message read.
TMZ is now reporting that the social media star is very much still breathing. “I want to make it clear that my brother and I are safe and alive, but I’m completely heartbroken, and struggling to even find the right words to say,” Tay’s new statement to the outlet said. “It’s been a very traumatizing 24 hours. All day yesterday, I was bombarded with endless heartbreaking and tearful phone calls from loved ones, all while trying to sort out this mess… My Instagram account was compromised by a third party and used to spread jarring misinformation and rumors regarding me, to the point that even my name was wrong. My legal name is Tay Tian, not ‘Claire Hope.'”
Following the initial account of Tay’s death, her former manager, Harry Tsang, revealed that he was unable to properly confirm any news. “Given the complexities of the current circumstances, I am at a point where I cannot definitively confirm or dismiss the legitimacy of the statement issued by the family,” Tsang wrote to Insider. “This situation calls for cautious consideration and respect for the sensitivities involved. My commitment remains focused on delivering updates that are both reliable and appropriately timed.” Tay’s father, Christopher Hope, declined to react to the initial IG post about his daughter’s death, nor did he confirm whether or not she transitioned. The Los Angeles medical examiner had no information on the matter, and authorities in both Los Angeles and Tay’s hometown of Vancouver, CA confirmed that there wasn’t an active investigation at that time.
Death toll from Maui wildfire reaches 89, making it the deadliest in the US in more than 100 years
A raging wildfire that swept through a picturesque town on the Hawaiian island of Maui this week has killed at least 89 people, authorities said Saturday, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire of the past century.
The new death toll Saturday came as federal emergency workers with axes and cadaver dogs picked through the aftermath of the blaze, marking the ruins of homes with a bright orange X for an initial search and HR when they found human remains.
Dogs worked the rubble, and their occasional bark — used to alert their handlers to a possible corpse — echoed over the hot and colorless landscape.
The inferno that swept through the centuries-old town of Lahaina on Maui’s west coast four days earlier torched hundreds of homes and turned a lush, tropical area into a moonscape of ash. The state’s governor predicted more bodies will be found.
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said two of the 89 victims have been identified so far, adding that identifying the dead is extremely challenging because “we pick up the remains and they fall apart.”
“When we find our family and our friends, the remains that we’re finding is through a fire that melted metal. We have to do rapid DNA to identify them. Every one of these 89 are John and Jane Does,” he said. “We know we’ve got to go quick, but we’ve got to do it right,”
At least 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed in West Maui, Green said, of which 86% were residential. Across the island, he added, damage was estimated at close to $6 billion. He said it would take “an incredible amount of time” to recover.”
At least two other fires have been burning in Maui, with no fatalities reported thus far: in south Maui’s Kihei area and in the mountainous, inland communities known as Upcountry. A fourth broke out Friday evening in Kaanapali, a coastal community in West Maui north of Lahaina, but crews were able to extinguish it, authorities said.
Green said the Upcountry fire had affected 544 structures, of which 96% were residential.
Emergency managers in Maui were searching for places to house people displaced from their homes. As many as 4,500 people are in need of shelter, county officials said on Facebook early Saturday, citing figures from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Pacific Disaster Center.
Those who escaped counted their blessings, thankful to be alive as they mourned those who didn’t make it.
Retired fire captain Geoff Bogar and his friend of 35 years, Franklin Trejos, initially stayed behind to help others in Lahaina and save Bogar’s house. But as the flames moved closer and closer Tuesday afternoon, they knew they had to get out. Each escaped to his own car. When Bogar’s wouldn’t start, he broke through a window to get out, then crawled on the ground until a police patrol found him and brought him to a hospital.
Trejos wasn’t as lucky. When Bogar returned the next day, he found the bones of his 68-year-old friend in the back seat of his car, lying on top of the remains of the Bogars’ beloved 3-year-old golden retriever Sam, whom he had tried to protect.
Trejos, a native of Costa Rica, had lived for years with Bogar and his wife, Shannon Weber-Bogar, helping her with her seizures when her husband couldn’t. He filled their lives with love and laughter.
“God took a really good man,” Weber-Bogar said.
Bill Wyland, who lives on the island of Oahu but owns an art gallery on Lahaina’s historic Front Street, fled on his Harley Davidson, whipping the motorcycle onto empty sidewalks Tuesday to avoid traffic-jammed roads as embers burned the hair off the back of his neck.
Riding in winds he estimated to be at least 70 miles per hour (112 kilometers per hour), he passed a man on a bicycle who was pedaling for his life.
“It’s something you’d see in a Twilight Zone, horror movie or something,” Wyland said.
The newly released death toll surpassed the toll of the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California, which left 85 dead and destroyed the town of Paradise. A century earlier, the 1918 Cloquet Fire broke out in drought-stricken northern Minnesota and raced through a number of rural communities, destroying thousands of homes and killing hundreds.
The wildfires are the state’s deadliest natural disaster in decades, surpassing a 1960 tsunami that killed 61 people. An even deadlier tsunami in 1946, which killed more than 150 on the Big Island, prompted development of a territory-wide emergency alert system with sirens that are tested monthly.
Hawaii emergency management records do not indicate the warning sirens sounded before fire hit the town. Officials sent alerts to mobile phones, televisions and radio stations, but widespread power and cellular outages may have limited their reach.
Fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane, the wildfires on Maui raced through parched brush covering the island.
The most serious blaze swept into Lahaina on Tuesday and destroyed nearly every building in the town of 13,000, leaving a grid of gray rubble wedged between the blue ocean and lush green slopes.
Front Street, the heart of the historic downtown and Maui’s economic hub, was nearly empty of life Saturday morning. An Associated Press journalist encountered one barefoot resident carrying a laptop and a passport, who asked where the nearest shelter was. Another, riding a bicycle, took stock of the damage at the harbor, where he said his boat caught fire and sank.
Maui water officials warned Lahaina and Kula residents not to drink running water, which may be contaminated even after boiling, and to only take short, lukewarm showers in well-ventilated rooms to avoid possible chemical vapor exposure.
The danger on Maui was well known. Maui County’s hazard mitigation plan updated in 2020 identified Lahaina and other West Maui communities as having frequent wildfires and several buildings at risk. The report also noted West Maui had the island’s second-highest rate of households without a vehicle and the highest rate of non-English speakers.
“This may limit the population’s ability to receive, understand and take expedient action during hazard events,” the plan stated.
Maui’s firefighting efforts may have been hampered by limited staff and equipment.
Bobby Lee, president of the Hawaii Firefighters Association, said there are a maximum of 65 county firefighters working at any given time, who are responsible for three islands: Maui, Molokai and Lanai.
Green said officials will review policies and procedures to improve safety.
“People have asked why we are reviewing what’s going on and it’s because the world has changed. A storm now can be a hurricane-fire or a fire-hurricane,” he said. “That’s what we experienced, that’s why we’re looking into these policies, to find out how we can best protect our people.”
Riley Curran said he fled his Front Street home after climbing up a neighboring building to get a better look. He doubts county officials could have done more, given the speed of the onrushing flames.
“It’s not that people didn’t try to do anything,” Curran said. “The fire went from zero to 100.”
Curran said he had seen horrendous wildfires growing up in California.
But, he added, “I’ve never seen one eat an entire town in four hours.”
Rihanna Hopes Her Inclusive Maternity Line Will Help Fellow Moms Feel Sexy And Confident
Rihanna has unleashed a new Savage x Fenty maternity capsule collection for "moms and moms-to-be" of every size. The heavily pregnant "Umbrella" singer, 35, is due to welcome her upcoming arrival any day after she had her 15-month-old son RZA with "L$D" rapper A$AP Rocky, 34, in May 2022, and has announced her latest clothing line features three new bralette styles and an oversized graphic T-shirt that reads, "Make More Babies."
According to Vogue, the inclusively-sized collection features sizes from XXS to 4X, and the prices range from $35 to $60. "The new maternity capsule is about bringing that confidence and comfort to moms at every stage of their journeys. I want to remind people that you can still channel sexiness and feel good while being a parent," Rihanna told the magazine.
Rihanna has spent the last few months on social media promoting new fashion ranges. She recently posed on Instagram in peach-coloured underwear at a fabric store to promote a new collection from her Savage x Fenty lingerie line. Rihanna captioned the carousel of images, "New fav's ….sheer x group dropping rn! Head over to savageX.com."
Rihanna and A$AP have also been living it up in her native Barbados over the last few days and she has shared photographs displaying her huge baby bump. The couple sparked marriage rumours when they were at the 2023 Cannes Lions Festival on June 21 as A$AP referred to Rihanna as his "wife" during his Spotify concert. He said as Rihanna grinned in the crowd, "I'd like to dedicate this song to my beautiful wife in the motherf****** building!"
But the pair have stayed silent on whether they secretly got hitched. Rihanna also recently modelled a cheeky top from her Savage x Fenty range with the message, "Use a Condom." She captioned images of the top - one of which showed her cradling her baby bump and which appeared to have been taken in an alley-style hallway, "This shirt is old… ."
Rihanna and A$AP started dating in 2020 after having been linked professionally as early as 2013. Their boy's name is a tribute to producer and rapper RZA, 54, leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, whose real name is Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, as well as being a nod to A$AP's middle name.
Wheel of Fortune Temporarily Replaces Vanna White Amid Tense Contract Negotiations
For the first time in more than three decades, Vanna White will be temporarily M.I.A. at Wheel of Fortune.
The iconic letter turner reportedly contracted COVID in late July while Wheel was filming its annual “Teachers Week” block, slated to air in October. In her absence, Puck News reports that producers tapped California-based “Teacher of the Year” recipient Bridgette Donald-Blue to stand at the letter board for the week’s worth of episodes. (Season 41 premieres Monday, Sept. 11.)
This may seem like a natural fix on the surface, but the switch comes during tense contract negotiations for White, who is seeking her first salary bump in 18 years. Puck News’ Matthew Belloni suggests that this could either be seen as a “smart producing move, or a veiled message sent to White’s aggressive lawyers: Go ahead, push us harder.”
White has only been absent from the show on three previous occasions: predecessor Susan Stafford returned while White grieved boyfriend John Gibson following his 1986 plane crash; Tricia Gist filled in during White’s two-week honeymoon with George San Pietro in 1991; and Gist came back for another week that same year when White came down with a cold.
Pat Sajak’s daughter Maggie has twice filled in for White at the letter board — first in 2019 while her father recovered from surgery, and again in 2023 for ABC’s primetime Celebrity edition of Wheel — but White was still a major part of the broadcast in both of those instances, hosting in 2019 and competing in 2023.
As previously reported, Sajak is stepping down from his longtime position as Wheel host at the end of Season 41. Episodes featuring Ryan Seacrest as the new host will begin airing in September 2024.
Laverne Cox thrilled as BeyoncΓ© champions "Trans Is Beautiful" slogan
BeyoncΓ© made Laverne Cox very happy by calling out a popular phrase of support for the trans community during a “Renaissance World Tour” show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Long known as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, the megastar again showed her support in a very public way.
Cox posted to Instagram sharing a video taken by Boston-based trans drag performer Candace Persuasion as the superstar neared the end of the show. In the clip, BeyoncΓ© is floating above the crowd thanking her fans as her song “Summer Renaissance” is playing.
As the icon looks down at the audience, she notices Persuasion holding up a sign and reads it out loud, calling out, “Trans is beautiful!” Persuasion then turns to the camera, showing the sign and smiling broadly.
In the post, the transgender actress and activist reminisced about her own journey with the slogan, writing: “I started the hashing #TransIsBeautiful in 2015 to empower trans and nonbinary people to see our beauty beyond cisnormative beauty standards. This wasn’t about me. This was and is for the people. Seeing it empower trans folks globally to embrace our special, anointed beauty lights me up on the inside.”
Cox’s post continued on to say: “But hearing BeyoncΓ© proclaim this trans-affirming message, I don’t have words. I may have cried a little. Thank you, candacepersuasian, for evoking this beautiful moment with your sign. Trans is indeed so beautiful.”
BeyoncΓ©’s outspoken support of the LGBTQ+ community has led to many becoming die-hard fans of the star. Her allyship has been acknowledged with GLAAD’s Vanguard Award, which was given to her and husband JAY-Z in 2019. In her acceptance speech, Bey declared, “LGBTQI rights are human rights. To choose who you love is your human right. How you identify and see yourself is your human right.”
Maluma broke the internet once again with a thirst trap photo of himself in his underwear.
The 29-year-old Don Juan hitmaker hopped on Instagram on Saturday (August 12) to check in from his bed.
His latest update comes just a few days after he sent fans across the world into an uproar by stripping down and showing off his toned abs and more in a very revealing thirst trap.
All Maluma is wearing in the titillating pic is a pair of black Nike boxer briefs, which hug his body tightly. He’s got a cheeky grin on his face and looks so happy.
His latest thirst traps come just a few months after the musician showed off a dramatic body transformation that had him packing on muscles. Of course, he’s no stranger to internet-breaking photos.
Earlier this year, he spawned so many memes after going totally naked in a photo of himself skinny dipping, which was seemingly taken by Maluma‘s girlfriend Susana Gomez.
Gabrielle Union & the Rest of the Family Support Dwyane Wade as He Enters Basketball Hall of Fame
Dwyane Wade had the support of his entire family, especially wife Gabrielle Union, when he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday (August 12) in Springfield, Mass.
The 41-year-old NBA star stood out in a vibrant red suit while posing outside the event at Symphony Hall.
Gabrielle delivered classic glamor in a stunning black dress with a bold neckline. She wore her hair in waves and accessorized with diamonds.
Dwyane‘s children Zaya Wade and Zaire Wade from previous relationships were on hand to support their dad. As was Kaavia James, his daughter with Gabrielle. The only child missing was Xavier Wade.
His nephew Dahveon Morris and mom Jolinda was also there! We’ve got photos of everyone in the gallery.
Gabrielle was on hand to support Dwyane at another event related to the induction earlier this week.
Damar Hamlin Plays in First Football Game Months After Cardiac Arrest
Damar Hamlin is back on the field! The 25-year-old football player played in his first NFL game on Saturday (August 12) more than seven months after he suffered cardiac arrest during the middle of a game back on January 2.
Damar joined his Buffalo Bills teammates for their preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
He didn’t start the game, but he took to the field after several minutes where he took part in 24 snaps and three tackles.
The Bills ended up defeating the Colts 23-19.
Damar was officially cleared to play again back in April. At the time, Damar opened up about the “life-changing event.”
“They almost lost me. Like I died on national TV, you know what I mean?” Damar said. “So that right there is the biggest blessing of it all, for me to still have my people, and my people still have me.”
As of right now, Damar is set to return to the field for the Bills first official game of the season on September 11 against the New York Jets.
Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor says new cancer medicine will extend his life by 5 years
Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor has announced that he is currently undergoing a new cancer treatment that will help him live for another five years.
The musician said the Cancer Awareness Trust cofounder Prof. Sir Chris Evans contacted him shortly after his bandmate Simon Le Bon revealed that Taylor had been privately battling stage four prostate cancer during the group's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction last year.
"The great irony is I missed the biggest night of my life and within a week I was in touch with an amazing fellow called Sir Chris Evans, who is the most incredible scientist," he told BBC Breakfast. "He did my genomics, looked at it, and said, 'There's a treatment that can save you.'"
Before Evans reached out, Taylor considered himself on "the blacklist" in terms of his health. "Now this treatment, which is a nuclear medicine, Lutetium-177, is targeted so it only sees cancer cells. It can't see healthy cells," he said. "I had my first round of it six weeks ago — I'm in next week for another round — and it kills stage four cancer in your bones, and what it's effectively done is extend my life for five years."
The guitarist also explained why, despite his best efforts and heartache, he was unable to attend Duran Duran's Hall of Fame induction ceremony. "I've had stage four prostate cancer for around eight years, and it caught up with me quite badly around about last September," he said. "When you do something like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — which is basically like getting knighted for a guitar player — you've kinda got to be on 11. You can't saunter in, and a few days before I couldn't really stand up and play. I had to deal with the denial, but it was sad."
On top of that, Taylor noted, none of his bandmates had known about his diagnosis until he wrote them a letter shortly before the ceremony, which Le Bon read on stage at the event. It was later posted on the band's website.
"No one really knew. Just the family and a few friends," Taylor said. "I just sort of kept it because once it goes public, I knew it would be sort of extensive. I could've picked a quieter moment for it to go public, but I didn't want to make a fool of the band and just be on half and not be able to do this. It's quite an intense three days."
The band, he said, responded in a very "dignified" way, with frontman Le Bon asking if he could read the letter in Taylor's stead. He added, "He did it with real dignity. He's a very classy fellow, Simon. I love him dearly."
In order to receive the treatment, Taylor said he had to get into "very good health," but soon after he asked if it was possible to return to making music. He is set to release a new solo album, Man's a Wolf to Man, on Sept. 8, and news broke in March that he is also working on new music with Duran Duran.
"After the first round of treatment I said, 'If I'm okay, and you guys say I'm okay, and do your blood tests, is it okay to start work again — light work — and get out?'" Taylor recalled. "I don't want to be a patient stuck here. I want to be a working patient, a little beacon of hope, because this stuff — cancer — just drags you and your family down in the darkness."
Remarking on his recent health struggles, Taylor concluded, "It's been a hell of a journey."
Taylor joined Duran Duran in 1980 and is featured on some of the band's biggest hits, including "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Rio," and "Girls on Film." Although he departed the new-wave band six years later, Taylor reunited with them and they released new music for another five-year stint between 2001 and 2006. Their most recent album, Future Past, came out in October 2021.
Duran Duran announced in March that they will hold a benefit concert in honor of Taylor, with proceeds going to the Cancer Awareness Trust, in Menlo Park, Calif., on Aug. 19.
Billy Porter Explains Why He Dragged Harry Styles For Vogue Cover
Years after the original controversy, Billy Porter is finally speaking out about why he was so angry with pop star Harry Styles after he was featured on the cover of Vogue wearing a dress.
In 2020, the “Watermelon Sugar” singer appeared on the cover of the fashion magazine wearing a lace-trimmed dress with a black blazer over the top, making him the first man to ever appear solo on a Vogue cover.
Styles was praised both by fans and the media for breaking traditional gender norms in fashion, but Porter was less than pleased.
At the time the Pose star felt that Styles was getting credit for taking a radical stance by wearing a dress when the previous year Porter had stunned on the Oscars red carpet by wearing a voluminous black velvet tuxedo gown designed by Christian Siriano.
“I created the conversation and yet Vogue still put Harry Styles, a straight white man, in a dress on their cover for the first time,” he told The Sunday Times in October 2021.
Porter went on to say that he wasn’t “dragging Harry Styles,” but expressed concern that the singer was being used to “represent the conversation.” He added, “He doesn’t care, he’s just doing it because it’s the thing to do. This is politics for me. This is my life. I had to fight my entire life to get to the place where I could wear a dress to the Oscars and not be gunned down. All he has to do is be white and straight.”
Porter’s comments were met with fierce criticism from fans of the former-One Direction member, as well as critiques in the media, and condemnation from people who felt he was taking credit for genderfluid fashion even though he’s a cisgender man.
“Billy Porter thinking he, a cisgender male, created the conversation about non-binary fashion is BIPOC trans erasure at its finest,” someone on social media commented at the time, as reported by The Pink News.
Now three years later, Porter finally opened up his frustration with Styles in an interview today with the British newspaper The Telegraph. He explained that months before the release of the magazine cover Vogue editor Ann Wintour had asked him how the magazine could “do better.”
“That b***h said to me at the end, ‘How can we do better?’ And I was so taken off guard that I didn’t say what I should have said,” he said.
If he had not been so caught off guard by the question, Porter revealed that he would have asked the famed editor to “uplift the voices of the leaders of this de-gendering fashion movement.”
“It’s not Harry Styles’s fault that he happens to be white and cute and straight and fit into the infrastructure that way,” Porter explained. “That’s why he’s on the cover. Non-binary blah blah blah blah. No. It doesn’t feel good to me. You’re using my community – or your people are using my community – to elevate you. You haven’t had to sacrifice anything.”
Lizzo Denies Claims Of Her Splitting From Boyfriend Myke Wright
In the midst of ongoing sexual harassment allegations, Lizzo has found herself facing yet another rumor – a split from her long-term boyfriend, Myke Wright. However, the singer has swiftly denied these claims, putting an end to the speculation surrounding her relationship status. Despite deleting all traces of Myke from her Instagram, Lizzo insists that they are still together, according to the Daily Mail. This denial comes at a time when the relationship has reportedly been strained due to the sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Lizzo by her dancers.
The allegations have not only seemingly affected her personal life but have also had a significant impact on her career. Lizzo’s reputation has taken a hit, and she has been dropped as a contender for the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show. Adding to the turmoil, Lizzo is now facing accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior from six more individuals, with lawyers representing the lawsuit reviewing claims of a sexually charged environment and failure to pay employees. Despite these challenges, Lizzo remains steadfast in her denial of the split with Myke Wright.
The news of Lizzo’s alleged split from Myke has undoubtedly added another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous situation. It is important to note that the allegations of sexual harassment and abuse should be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. While the status of Lizzo’s relationship may be of interest to fans and followers, it is crucial to focus on the more significant issue at hand – addressing the allegations and ensuring justice is served.
In light of these allegations, it is worth mentioning that Myke Wright’s ex-girlfriend has come forward with claims that he left her for Lizzo and may have cheated on her. She reveals feeling alienated in Lizzo’s presence and remaining silent about her experiences. These additional details shed light on the dynamics surrounding Lizzo’s personal life and add another layer of complexity to the situation.
Amidst all the controversy and speculation, it is crucial to remember that these are serious allegations that should not be taken lightly. It is essential for a thorough investigation to take place to determine the truth behind the claims. Both Lizzo and Myke Wright deserve a fair assessment of their involvement in the alleged incidents.
As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how this situation will impact Lizzo’s career and personal life in the long run. For now, she continues to deny any split from Myke Wright, emphasizing her commitment to their relationship despite the challenges they face. As fans wait for further developments, it is important to approach this sensitive topic with empathy and respect for all parties involved.
Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers Become First Mother-Daughter Duo To Fly To Space
A teenager and her mother have become the first mother-and-daughter team to travel to space, and they did it for free.
Ana Mayers, 18, and her mother, Keisha Schahaff, 46, were among the travelers of the first tourist Virgin Galactic flight. The pair were gifted tickets on the once-in-a-lifetime trip through a fundraising contest hosted by the non-profit Space for Humanity. Additionally, Mayers is now the second-youngest person to go to space. Both mother and daughter have also become the first women from the Caribbean to see the galaxy firsthand, hailing from Antigua, though Mayers is a philosophy and physics student at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, BBC reports.
Founded in 2004 by Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic has worked for years ahead of Thursday’s successful tour to bring paying clients to space commercially. Although Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin was the first to conduct commercial space excursions, Branson shed tears after his ship finished the trip, which took just a little over an hour to complete.
Alongside Schahaff and Mayers, Jon Goodwin became the first Olympian and the first individual with Parkinson’s Disease to travel to space. The 80-year-old competed in the canoeing competition at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Germany. He has been waiting 18 years to take the flight after purchasing his ticket for $250,000 in 2005.
“I’m hoping that I instill in other people around the world, as well as people with Parkinson’s, that it doesn’t stop you doing things that’s out of the normal if you’ve got some illness,” he shared after the voyage.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
'A Little Too Ripped?'
Tore Up!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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