#MAGFAB: Nelly Furtado for Fashion Magazine - November 2023!
Nice! The article is HERE
#RHOA:OH? NeNe Leakes Talks Exploring Open Marriage Concept?
NeNe Leakes is contemplating an unconventional path after losing her husband, Gregg Leakes.
Known for her outspoken personality and willingness to share her life with the world, the vibrant personality from "Real Housewives of Atlanta" opened up about a personal topic — the possibility of an open marriage. This unexpected revelation is shedding light on a side of the reality TV star that fans have never seen before.
NeNe Leakes Considering Open Marriage Experience After Husband's Death
Dealing with the loss of her husband has not come easy for the star and has left her seeking connection and support. In a candid and emotional episode of her "#LifeofNeNe" YouTube series," the mother-of-two shared a vulnerable glimpse into her thoughts on relationships after an encounter in the hospital.
During the episode, the TV personality recounted a doctor's appointment that prompted her to provide an emergency contact. As her voice trembled with emotion, she explained:
"I was filling out the information, and they asked for my emergency contact, and I got really emotional. It came out of nowhere because I was literally looking at the paper like, 'Who is it that I would want somebody to call in case something happens.'"
Although she ended up putting her son down as her emergency contact, it got her thinking about possibly marrying someone, even if the spark of romantic love was not present. "Maybe I should marry, whether I'm 100% happy with the person or not. Maybe I should marry just so I have a partner, a partner for life." she pondered.
Her rationale? — The prospect of having a lifelong partner by her side, someone who would be there through thick and thin. The 55-year-old acknowledged that this person may not be the perfect match for her but emphasized the importance of having someone in her corner. In her words:
"Maybe we will have an agreement that this person would be there for me, and I would be there for them during hard times or medical times or something like that."
Taking her contemplation further, she mused about setting clear terms in such an arrangement, allowing both partners to explore connections outside the marriage. "He will see whoever he wants to see. I will see whoever I want to see," Leakes mused, acknowledging the complexities of an open relationship, recognizing that it might involve other people in each other's lives.
However, the "Glee" star ultimately determined that an open relationship does not align with her core values. She expressed a desire for a partner who wholeheartedly loved her, stating:
"I considered it, but I know that it's not who I am as a person. I really would want to be with somebody that really loves me and really wanted to be there for me."
#MusicNews: Madonna’s Celebration Tour: Opening Night in London
After the opening night of The Celebration Tour in London on Saturday (Oct. 14) night at the O2 Arena, the verdict is in: Madonna is back.
Despite a brush with death, the Queen of Pop delivered a two-hour-plus show full of smash hits, killer deep cuts and a surprise or two (or three). Candid as ever, Madonna didn’t shy away from addressing her hospital stay in June due to a “serious bacterial infection” that caused her Celebration Tour’s opening to be pushed back by three months.
“I didn’t think I was going to make it,” she stated bluntly at one point in the evening. “I forgot five days of my life — or death, I didn’t really know where I was.” Madonna said it was her family, ultimately, who pulled her through. “My children were there — and my children always save me every time.” Calling it her “secret” to survival, Madonna said she simply tells herself, “I have got to be there for my children – I have to survive for them.” Five of her children were on stage with her during the tour opener in London: Mercy James, David Banda, Lourdes, Estere and Stella. And it seems that moving forward, at least four of her kids will be joining her on stage each night as performers.
Joining her throughout the tour, too, is Bob the Drag Queen, a RuPaul’s Drag Race winner and LGBTQ comedy legend in the making. Recounting Madonna’s arrival at LaGuardia airport in the late ‘70s to take on New York City with nothing but $35, Bob tossed a wad of cash into the crowd at the top of the show and drily offered, “Use this and become a star.”
#HipHopNews: Offset Unleashes His Sophomore Studio Album 'SET IT OFF'
Offset dropped his sophomore album, SET IT OFF. This release marks a significant milestone for the artist, as it’s his first solo project in four years.
The 21-song effort includes collaborations with several prominent artists like Cardi B, Future, Travis Scott, Latto, Don Toliver, Young Nudy, Chlöe, and more. The tracklist was revealed earlier this month.
In anticipation of the LP’s debut, Offset treated fans to two singles: “JEALOUSY” with Cardi and “FAN.” The latter boasted cameos from AMP House members Kai Cenat and Fanum. It also paid homage to Michael Jackson with several wardrobe looks inspired by the late singer’s iconic moments.
In a recent interview with Apple Music, Offset shared, “Even on my own journey, I still feel [Takeoff’s] presence and his energy like, ‘Bro, we got to go hard. We got to win. We got to win. This ain’t the end of it. We got to win.’ So that’s another thing that pushed me through is my boy, Take, man. He didn’t care that he didn’t care about the numbers, nothing. He like, ‘Bro, y’all s**t hard.’ He’s just very supportive in that. I just keep that in the back of my mind and just keep pushing.”
“Take had that… He just had good character. He just was like, ‘I make music with people that love my music, and I love everybody.’ He’s a loving person, man,” the rapper told Zane Lowe. “It was just a tragedy my boy had to go like that, man. But I’m pushing for him too. Legacy, the group thing is it can’t be a group because our main member is missing.”
STREAM HERE
This release follows the Atlanta native’s debut solo album, FATHER OF 4, which contained the multiplatinum hit “Clout.” The 2019 project also boasted guest appearances from Gunna, 21 Savage, CeeLo Green, J. Cole, and more.
#RIP: Suzanne Somers, star of 'Three's Company,' dies at 76
Suzanne Somers is dead at 76, according to her longtime publicist R. Couri Hay.
The “Three’s Company” actress died in her home while surrounded by her family in the early hours of Sunday, which was the eve of her 77th birthday.
“Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly,” Hay said in a statement on behalf of Somers’ family.
It wasn't immediately clear how Somers passed, but Hay said the actress "survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years."
Somers will be buried in a private ceremony sometime this week and a memorial will follow next month, according to Hay.
Chris Rock 'Hates' He Keeps Being Dragged Into Jada Pinkett And Will Smith's Scandals
Chris Rock doesn't like to find himself being entangled in another drama with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. More than a year since the Oscar winner slapped him because he made a joke about Jada, the comedian reportedly "hates" that she keeps dragging him into her and her estranged husband's scandals.
As she has been promoting her upcoming memoir "Worthy", Jada has done a number of interviews. In one instance, she claimed the Chris once asked her out on a date as he mistakenly thought that she had separated from Will due to their divorce rumors.
Her comment reportedly frustrated Chris, who wants Jada to "keep his name out of her mouth." A source tells Daily Mail, "Chris hates that she keeps bringing it up and bringing up the other revelations about Chris asking her on a date and all of that."
"Chris has said his piece on the entire Will Smith slap, but now with these new revelations from Jada that her and Will have been living separate lives it is just another WTF moment in the whole saga from these past few years between Chris, her, and Will," the source adds.
The informant says of the comedian, "He is a relatively private person and was just getting to a point where people may have started to move on, but now it is back in the limelight, and it's just frustrating that everything is coming back to the forefront." The so-called insider adds, "Chris is over it and would actually love for her to keep his name out of her damn mouth."
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Jada said, "I think every summer all the reports would come out that me and Will were getting a divorce. And this particular summer, Chris, he thought that we were getting a divorce."
The mother of two recalled, "So he called me and basically he was like, 'I'd love to take you out.' And I was like, 'What do you mean?' He was like, 'Well, aren't you and Will getting a divorce?' I was like, 'No. Chris, those are just rumors.' He was appalled. And he profusely apologized and that was that."
In the same interview, the "Gotham" alum also revealed that she hasn't talked to Chris since Will slapped him at the 2022 Academy Awards and explained what she thinks might be the roots of the misunderstanding between them.
In another interview, Jada claimed that Will hadn't called her his "wife" before the Oscars incident. Speaking to NBC's Hoda Kotb, she expressed her confusion when her estranged husband defended her against Chris' joke, "What is going on? Now, first of all, I'm really shocked. 'Cause, mind you, I'm not there. We haven't called each other husband or wife in a long time."
"I'm like, 'What is going on right now?' " Jada continued. " 'Keep my wife's name out of your mouth,' right? And now I'm really worried for Will, because I don't know what's going on."
Legendary Oscar-nominated Actress Piper Laurie, dies at 91
Piper Laurie, the celebrated actress known for her chilling portrayal of the overbearingly religious mother in “Carrie” and for playing Paul Newman’s down-in-the-dumps girlfriend in “The Hustler,” has died at 91, her manager said.
Turner Classic Movies, which, like CNN, is part of Warner Brothers Discovery, called Laurie “one of the most celebrated and formidable actresses of the last half-century.” The network praised her “full-blooded performances as flawed, often ferocious women.”
Though she began as a teen starlet in the 1950s, Laurie took a prolonged hiatus from Hollywood after becoming disillusioned by the industry’s treatment of her as a young actress and the flatness of the female roles she was offered. When she reemerged more than a decade later, she quickly reestablished herself through striking embodiments of complex – and sometimes tormented – women.
Critics and colleagues took note: Laurie received Oscar nominations for her riveting performances in “The Hustler” (1961) and “Carrie” (1976). Her third nomination was for her portrayal of a remorseful mother in “Children of a Lesser God” (1986).
She was awarded a Golden Globe for her performance as a vengeful mill owner in television’s “Twin Peaks,” in addition to two Emmy nominations.
Born as Rosetta Jacobs in Detroit in 1932, she assumed the name Piper Laurie at the urging of a manager when she began professionally acting, she wrote in her memoir, “Learning to Live Out Loud.”
After signing a contract with Universal-International (now Universal Studios) at age 17, Laurie starred opposite actors including Newman, Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis and Ronald Reagan.
“It would be a very long time before life would teach me that it was okay to fight for what I wanted. At seventeen, I still thought that being a good person and working hard were enough,” she wrote in her memoir.
The disillusionment set in almost immediately, she recalled.
In her first role, as the teenage daughter of Reagan’s character in “Louisa” (1950), Laurie wrote that “every line and moment for the girl seemed like a cartoon.” She added, “I kept trying to think of ways to make her real for myself, but it was a constant struggle on the set.”
“Every role I played was the same girl, no matter whether my co-star was Rock Hudson or Tony Curtis or Rory Calhoun,” Laurie told The New York Times in 1977, referring to the films she made under the contract. “She was innocent, sexual, simple — the less intelligent, the better, and complexity was forbidden – and always slender.”
In the mid-1950s, Laurie broke her contract with Universal, only to struggle to get the Hollywood roles she wanted. Instead, she turned to television movies and series.
“It was one thing to finally break free from the studio that had owned me since I was seventeen. It was another thing entirely to put the image Universal had created behind me,” she wrote in the memoir.
She returned briefly to the silver screen in 1961 with “The Hustler” before stepping back from Hollywood films for more than a decade, finally returning in 1976 with her tormenting portrayal of Margaret White, the fanatically evangelical mother in “Carrie.”
Laurie said that filming “Carrie” was the first time she had felt she would actually have fun on a movie set.
“It was a very sweet and sentimental time for me. I felt so welcomed by the crew, a few of whom I had known before. I felt embraced by everyone and especially free to do the work,” Laurie wrote in her memoir.
Laurie married film critic Joe Morgenstern in the early 1960s and the couple later divorced. They share a daughter.
T.J. Holmes Settles Divorce From Ex-Wife As Amy Robach Romance Heats Up
Less than a year after his affair with Amy Robach was made public, T.J. Holmes' marriage to Marilee Fiebig is officially settled.
On Wednesday, the former couple's attorneys filed their settlement paperwork. Amidst the affair and divorce news, Fiebig has said her focus remains on their daughter, Sabine.
As for Robach finalized her divorce from actor Andrew Shue in March of this year. The couple had a peaceful divorce process, during which Shue stayed silent publicly to avoid the drama. Robach and Holmes seem very happy together and are planning their future, including their next TV gigs.
After a lengthy process, T.J. Holmes and Marilee Fiebig have finally settled their divorce. The conclusion of the couple's separation comes less than a year after his affair with former "Good Morning America" co-host Amy Robach was revealed to the world.
According to reports, Holmes and Fieig's attorneys finalized and filed the paperwork for their settlement on Wednesday. Digital records confirmed that a certificate of dissolution is being processed at the New York County Supreme Court. The final settlement and divorce judgment have also been filed but are still pending.
About two months ago, a source confirmed that Holmes and Fiebig were close to finalizing their divorce settlement. Aside from their joint assets from over a decade of marriage, the duo share a 10-year-old daughter, Sabine. The details of their custody arrangement have not been made public.
Holmes officially filed for divorce in December 2022, shortly after the intimate photos of him and Robach hit social media. Days after his filing, Fiebig took to social media to address the affair and their divorce. A lawyer released a statement to Us Weekly in January 2023, about the situation.
The statement read, "Marilee's sole focus has remained on the overall best interest of her daughter. To that end, T.J.'s lawyer and I have been working together to move their divorce forward privately, expeditiously, and as amicably as possible."
In the statement, Lehman also emphasized how "disappointed" she and Fiebig are by Holmes' behavior since the scandal began. She said, "We continue to be disappointed by T.J.'s lack of discretion, respect, and sensitivity toward Marilee and the party's daughter. Marilee has been touched by the outpouring of support and looks forward to a new beginning in this new year."
For her part, Robach also ended her marriage to former "Melrose Place" actor Andrew Shue. The news of their divorce settlement broke in March this year, just four months after the affair was made public. According to Page Six, Robach and Shue underwent mediation and settled their divorce amicably. The former couple reportedly decided to share equal custody of their dog, Brody.
Robach herself filed for divorce in December 2022, shortly after the affair scandal began. Amid all the drama, Shue has stayed out of the public eye and reportedly "doesn't want to be a part of this." A source told the news outlet that the actor is "very classy" and not interested in Holmes and Robach's public mess.
Despite the intense public backlash from their romance, Holmes and Robach have stayed together and seem happier. Multiple sources have revealed they're committed to the relationship and are planning their future together. The couple even have plans to find their own apartment, move in together, and possibly get engaged.
About nine months after the scandal began, Holmes and Robach finally returned to their social media accounts with a matching couple post. The duo posted a photo of their running shoes, with a pose hinting that they're going for a run together. The post was likely a reference to how they grew closer by training for the New York marathon.
In March this year, The New York Post reported that Holmes and Robach are desperate for new TV gigs. There have been rumors that Robach got a new solo show at NewsNation (without Holmes); this has since been shot down as false. Sources told NYP the couple has been pitching a joint talk show ideas and wants to work together.
Man arrested, park evacuated after 3 people shot at State Fair of Texas
A suspect is in custody after three people were shot and injured at the State Fair of Texas, according to Dallas police.
The incident happened around 7:45 p.m., Saturday, at the state fairgrounds.
Police said they received a report of an active shooter in the food court area of the tower building, prompting an evacuation of fair visitors.
A man pulled a gun and shot at another man, Dallas police told WFAA. Three people were hit by the gunfire. Their injuries were non-life-threatening.
The shooter ran from police but was soon taken into custody, WFAA reports. His identity hasn’t been released.
Authorities said the gun involved in the shooting has also been recovered.
The Isley Brothers' Rudolph Isley dies at the age of 84
Rudolph Isley, a founding member of The Isley Brothers, died at the age of 84 in Illinois on Wednesday (Oct. 11). The cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
According to TMZ, a source close to the late singer believed he suffered from a heart attack.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 1, 1939, Rudolph started The Isley Brothers in the late 1950s with his siblings O’Kelly, Vernon, and Ronald Isley. The group gained mainstream recognition during the 1970s with their first No. 1 album, The Heat Is On. They spawned hits like “Twist and Shout,” later covered by The Beatles, “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You),” and “It’s Your Thing.”
In 1989, Rudolph left the limelight of the music industry to become a Christian minister. Fortunately, his career shift didn’t diminish the band’s impact as The Isley Brothers were later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
After headlines broke of Rudolph’s passing, Ronald announced the cancellation of his liquor company, Liquid Gold’s, launch party in Atlanta, which was initially slated to take place on Oct. 18.
Rudolph resurfaced in the news earlier this year due to legal battles with Ronald. According to a lawsuit filed in Chicago Federal Court obtained by Billboard, the late musician claimed that his sibling “improperly registered the ‘The Isley Brothers’ trademark as a sole individual,” thereby legally excluding him from shared ownership.
The complaint read, “Counsel for defendant Ronald Isley has asserted in correspondence that defendant alone has exclusive ownership of the [trademark]. These assertions … are false.”
Counterarguments from Ronald’s legal team maintained that the trademark rightfully belonged to the person actually using the name. They stated that any profits generated should belong solely to the lead singer, as Rudolph had not performed with the ensemble since 1986.
In March, The Isley Brothers appeared on “Drink Champs” to discuss their group’s legacy. Regarding his collaboration with Beyoncé on “Make Me Say It Again, Girl,” Ronald said, “We’ve been charted all the way up right now for eight decades. Our album right now has been on the charts for five weeks — it was No. 1 — and for 30 weeks, it’s been in the top 10. It’s No. 6 now with Beyoncé.”
SAG-AFTRA members continue to strike as latest contract negotiations break down
As writers in America return to work, actors remain on strike. On Wednesday (Oct. 11), the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) negotiating committee sent out a message to union members announcing that ongoing negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have once again broken down.
“It is with profound disappointment that we report the industry CEOs have walked away from the bargaining table after refusing to counter our latest offer,” the letter read. “We have negotiated with them in good faith, despite the fact that last week they presented an offer that was, shockingly, worth less than they proposed before the strike began.”
It then mentioned that artificial intelligence and wage increases continue to be issues that the AMPTP refused to budge on. The committee also revealed counteroffers that were made on behalf of SAG-AFTRA, which included “transforming our revenue share proposal.”
“Instead, they use bully tactics. They intentionally misrepresented to the press,” the message added. “They have done the same with AI, claiming to protect performer consent, but continuing to demand ‘consent’ on the first day of employment for use of a performer’s digital replica for an entire cinematic universe (or any franchise project).”
At the same time, AMPTP responded with an official statement that provided a rebuttal of their own. “SAG-AFTRA’s current offer included what it characterized as a viewership bonus that, by itself, would cost more than $800 million per year – which would create an untenable economic burden. SAG-AFTRA presented few, if any, moves on the numerous remaining open items.” The producers union also felt that “common issues… such as general wage increases, high-budget SVOD residuals, and viewership bonuses” were offered on the same terms that were ratified by the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and Writers Guild of America (WGA).
#BOXOFFICENEWS: ‘Taylor Swift: Eras Tour’ Enchants With $95M-$97M Box Office Opening in North America
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour may have fallen just short of an expected $100 million debut at the domestic box office, but it still did enchanting business. The female-fueled concert film opened to an estimated $95 million to $97 million from 3,850 theaters, thanks to the superstar’s powerful fandom. AMC Theatres, which is distributing the movie, is breaking from the norm and not giving a weekend estimate that is usually provided by Hollywood studios on Sunday morning. Instead, it will wait until Monday morning to declare an official gross.
Swift’s movie has much to celebrate in already becoming the top-grossing concert film of all time in North America in its first weekend, as well as possibly beating Joker ($96.2 million) to serve up the biggest October opening of all time, not adjusted for inflation.
In an unprecedented move, Swift’s team bypassed Hollywood studios and chose AMC Theatres, the world’s biggest cinema circuit, to bring Eras tour to the big screen. In turn, AMC made the pic available to other circuits.
Heading into the weekend, AMC pegged Eras Tour‘s projected opening at $100 million domestically, while others thought it could open to between $100 million and $125 million, considering that global presales stood at more than $100 million a week before Eras was set to open. AMC has been predicting that Eras Tour would open to $50 million overseas from its first 95 countries for a worldwide start of $150 million.
Box office pundits are already speculating that the fact that Eras fell short of $100 million domestically was because there was virtually no walk-up business.
Very few films can match Eras Tour in terms of its standing with both audiences and reviewers. Eras Tour was graced with a coveted A+ CinemaScore by moviegoers and boasts a rare 100 percent fresh critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes. (One qualifier: There are only 25 reviews. Usually, there are 200 or more.)
The power of female moviegoers was underscored once again in the wake of summer juggernaut Barbie. Females made up a whopping 82 percent of Eras ticket buyers. In terms of overall demo stats, 63 percent of ticket buyers were between 18 and 34. The largest group was those between 25 and 34 (32 percent). As expected, teenagers also turned out in force (17 percent).
“We are grateful to Taylor Swift for allowing us to make Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour concert film accessible to millions of fans in movie theaters around the world. Her spectacular performance delighted fans, who dressed up and danced through the film,” said AMC’s executive vp of worldwide programming and chief content officer.
Before the release of Swift’s concert film, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never held the record domestically with a lifetime total of $73 million, not adjusted for inflation. It earned another $26 million overseas for a global total of $99 million. Michael Jackson’s 2009 posthumous documentary/concert film This Is It earned $72.1 million in North America and $181.9 million globally.
Elsewhere, Universal and Blumhouse’s The Exorcist: Believer placed No. 2 in its sophomore outing with $11 million from 3,684 cinemas for a domestic tally of $44.9 million.
Paramount’s family film Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie celebrated jumping the $100 million mark in its third weekend. In North America, it earned another $7 million for a domestic cume of $49.9 million to finish Sunday with an estimated worldwide tally of $126.3 million. The success of the sequel is a win for Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon chief Brian Robbins.
Lionsgate’s Saw X placed No. 4 with $5.7 million from 3,058 theaters for a domestic tally of $41.1 million through its third weekend.
New Regency and Disney’s The Creator, likewise in its third outing, rounded out the top five with $4.3 million from 2,690 locations for a domestic cume of $32.4 million and a disappointing $89.1 million globally.
A 17-year-old Has Been Arrested in Connection with That Mass Shooting At Morgan State University
Police have arrested a 17-year-old in connection with the mass shooting at Morgan State University in Baltimore on October 3 that injured five people, the Baltimore Police Department said in a news release Friday.
He was taken into custody without incident Thursday, and faces charges of multiple counts of attempted murder, police said.
Police said a warrant has been issued for another suspect, Jovan Williams, 18, in connection to the shooting. He remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.
The shooters were identified from surveillance video obtained from the shooting, police said.
“BPD has been working tirelessly on the investigation into this incident and are grateful for the many partners that assisted us in identifying and capturing one of our suspects,” said Commissioner Richard Worley said in the release. “We will not rest until Williams is in custody. While this arrest cannot undo the damage and trauma caused that day, it is my hope that it can bring some peace and justice to the victims, the Morgan community and our city.”
The shooting happened as a popular homecoming week event was letting out. It was among at least 543 mass shootings with at least four victims so far this year in the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive, and one of at least 17 shootings this year at a US college or university, including in North Carolina, Oklahoma and Michigan.
Students and teachers were ordered to shelter in place for hours as a SWAT team combed the campus dormitories at the school where 9,000 students enrolled last fall.
The mayor has said he does not believe the shooting was racially motivated, noting the investigation is ongoing.
The 2023 Miss Universe Pageant Competition Will Include Two Transgender Contestants For The First Time
The upcoming Miss Universe competition will mark a historic moment as it includes a minimum of two transgender contestants for the very first time.
Last week, 23-year-old flight attendant Marina Machete was crowned Miss Portugal. Additionally, Rikkie Kollé made history in July by becoming the first transgender winner of Miss Netherlands. Machete and Rikkie Kollé will both be competing for the coveted title at the 72nd Miss Universe event, scheduled to take place in El Salvador this November.
In a video shared on the Portuguese pageant’s YouTube channel before the competition, Machete discussed trans rights as a central part of her platform. She expressed concern about the increasing levels of “transphobia and intolerance” on a global scale. She also found it “heartwarming” to witness the Miss Universe Organization’s commitment to inclusivity and its willingness to “break boundaries” by changing its rules to allow transgender contestants back in 2012.
“Trans women are women, full stop,” the organization said. “We are here to celebrate women, full stop. This has been true for more than a decade. We’re proud to have made this change very early on, compared to other programs.”
Should either of these candidates win, they will make history as the first transgender women to wear the coveted tiara. It’s worth noting that in 2018, Spain’s Ángela Ponce made strides as the pageant’s first transgender contestant. However, she did not progress to the finals.
The organization reversed its ban on transgender contestants following an incident involving Jenna Talackova, a transgender competitor in the Miss Universe Canada national pageant. Organizers had initially informed her that she would be disqualified due to her gender-affirming surgery, which did not meet the pageant’s requirements. At that time, Miss Universe officials said the change was not a response to legal action threatened by Talackova’s attorney.
#RHOA:OH? NeNe Leakes Talks Exploring Open Marriage Concept?
NeNe Leakes is contemplating an unconventional path after losing her husband, Gregg Leakes.
Known for her outspoken personality and willingness to share her life with the world, the vibrant personality from "Real Housewives of Atlanta" opened up about a personal topic — the possibility of an open marriage. This unexpected revelation is shedding light on a side of the reality TV star that fans have never seen before.
NeNe Leakes Considering Open Marriage Experience After Husband's Death
Dealing with the loss of her husband has not come easy for the star and has left her seeking connection and support. In a candid and emotional episode of her "#LifeofNeNe" YouTube series," the mother-of-two shared a vulnerable glimpse into her thoughts on relationships after an encounter in the hospital.
During the episode, the TV personality recounted a doctor's appointment that prompted her to provide an emergency contact. As her voice trembled with emotion, she explained:
"I was filling out the information, and they asked for my emergency contact, and I got really emotional. It came out of nowhere because I was literally looking at the paper like, 'Who is it that I would want somebody to call in case something happens.'"
Although she ended up putting her son down as her emergency contact, it got her thinking about possibly marrying someone, even if the spark of romantic love was not present. "Maybe I should marry, whether I'm 100% happy with the person or not. Maybe I should marry just so I have a partner, a partner for life." she pondered.
Her rationale? — The prospect of having a lifelong partner by her side, someone who would be there through thick and thin. The 55-year-old acknowledged that this person may not be the perfect match for her but emphasized the importance of having someone in her corner. In her words:
"Maybe we will have an agreement that this person would be there for me, and I would be there for them during hard times or medical times or something like that."
Taking her contemplation further, she mused about setting clear terms in such an arrangement, allowing both partners to explore connections outside the marriage. "He will see whoever he wants to see. I will see whoever I want to see," Leakes mused, acknowledging the complexities of an open relationship, recognizing that it might involve other people in each other's lives.
However, the "Glee" star ultimately determined that an open relationship does not align with her core values. She expressed a desire for a partner who wholeheartedly loved her, stating:
"I considered it, but I know that it's not who I am as a person. I really would want to be with somebody that really loves me and really wanted to be there for me."
#MusicNews: Madonna’s Celebration Tour: Opening Night in London
After the opening night of The Celebration Tour in London on Saturday (Oct. 14) night at the O2 Arena, the verdict is in: Madonna is back.
Despite a brush with death, the Queen of Pop delivered a two-hour-plus show full of smash hits, killer deep cuts and a surprise or two (or three). Candid as ever, Madonna didn’t shy away from addressing her hospital stay in June due to a “serious bacterial infection” that caused her Celebration Tour’s opening to be pushed back by three months.
“I didn’t think I was going to make it,” she stated bluntly at one point in the evening. “I forgot five days of my life — or death, I didn’t really know where I was.” Madonna said it was her family, ultimately, who pulled her through. “My children were there — and my children always save me every time.” Calling it her “secret” to survival, Madonna said she simply tells herself, “I have got to be there for my children – I have to survive for them.” Five of her children were on stage with her during the tour opener in London: Mercy James, David Banda, Lourdes, Estere and Stella. And it seems that moving forward, at least four of her kids will be joining her on stage each night as performers.
#HipHopNews: Offset Unleashes His Sophomore Studio Album 'SET IT OFF'
The 21-song effort includes collaborations with several prominent artists like Cardi B, Future, Travis Scott, Latto, Don Toliver, Young Nudy, Chlöe, and more. The tracklist was revealed earlier this month.
In anticipation of the LP’s debut, Offset treated fans to two singles: “JEALOUSY” with Cardi and “FAN.” The latter boasted cameos from AMP House members Kai Cenat and Fanum. It also paid homage to Michael Jackson with several wardrobe looks inspired by the late singer’s iconic moments.
In a recent interview with Apple Music, Offset shared, “Even on my own journey, I still feel [Takeoff’s] presence and his energy like, ‘Bro, we got to go hard. We got to win. We got to win. This ain’t the end of it. We got to win.’ So that’s another thing that pushed me through is my boy, Take, man. He didn’t care that he didn’t care about the numbers, nothing. He like, ‘Bro, y’all s**t hard.’ He’s just very supportive in that. I just keep that in the back of my mind and just keep pushing.”
“Take had that… He just had good character. He just was like, ‘I make music with people that love my music, and I love everybody.’ He’s a loving person, man,” the rapper told Zane Lowe. “It was just a tragedy my boy had to go like that, man. But I’m pushing for him too. Legacy, the group thing is it can’t be a group because our main member is missing.”
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This release follows the Atlanta native’s debut solo album, FATHER OF 4, which contained the multiplatinum hit “Clout.” The 2019 project also boasted guest appearances from Gunna, 21 Savage, CeeLo Green, J. Cole, and more.
#RIP: Suzanne Somers, star of 'Three's Company,' dies at 76
Suzanne Somers is dead at 76, according to her longtime publicist R. Couri Hay.
The “Three’s Company” actress died in her home while surrounded by her family in the early hours of Sunday, which was the eve of her 77th birthday.
“Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly,” Hay said in a statement on behalf of Somers’ family.
It wasn't immediately clear how Somers passed, but Hay said the actress "survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years."
Somers will be buried in a private ceremony sometime this week and a memorial will follow next month, according to Hay.
Chris Rock 'Hates' He Keeps Being Dragged Into Jada Pinkett And Will Smith's Scandals
Chris Rock doesn't like to find himself being entangled in another drama with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. More than a year since the Oscar winner slapped him because he made a joke about Jada, the comedian reportedly "hates" that she keeps dragging him into her and her estranged husband's scandals.
As she has been promoting her upcoming memoir "Worthy", Jada has done a number of interviews. In one instance, she claimed the Chris once asked her out on a date as he mistakenly thought that she had separated from Will due to their divorce rumors.
Her comment reportedly frustrated Chris, who wants Jada to "keep his name out of her mouth." A source tells Daily Mail, "Chris hates that she keeps bringing it up and bringing up the other revelations about Chris asking her on a date and all of that."
"Chris has said his piece on the entire Will Smith slap, but now with these new revelations from Jada that her and Will have been living separate lives it is just another WTF moment in the whole saga from these past few years between Chris, her, and Will," the source adds.
The informant says of the comedian, "He is a relatively private person and was just getting to a point where people may have started to move on, but now it is back in the limelight, and it's just frustrating that everything is coming back to the forefront." The so-called insider adds, "Chris is over it and would actually love for her to keep his name out of her damn mouth."
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Jada said, "I think every summer all the reports would come out that me and Will were getting a divorce. And this particular summer, Chris, he thought that we were getting a divorce."
The mother of two recalled, "So he called me and basically he was like, 'I'd love to take you out.' And I was like, 'What do you mean?' He was like, 'Well, aren't you and Will getting a divorce?' I was like, 'No. Chris, those are just rumors.' He was appalled. And he profusely apologized and that was that."
In the same interview, the "Gotham" alum also revealed that she hasn't talked to Chris since Will slapped him at the 2022 Academy Awards and explained what she thinks might be the roots of the misunderstanding between them.
In another interview, Jada claimed that Will hadn't called her his "wife" before the Oscars incident. Speaking to NBC's Hoda Kotb, she expressed her confusion when her estranged husband defended her against Chris' joke, "What is going on? Now, first of all, I'm really shocked. 'Cause, mind you, I'm not there. We haven't called each other husband or wife in a long time."
"I'm like, 'What is going on right now?' " Jada continued. " 'Keep my wife's name out of your mouth,' right? And now I'm really worried for Will, because I don't know what's going on."
Legendary Oscar-nominated Actress Piper Laurie, dies at 91
Turner Classic Movies, which, like CNN, is part of Warner Brothers Discovery, called Laurie “one of the most celebrated and formidable actresses of the last half-century.” The network praised her “full-blooded performances as flawed, often ferocious women.”
Though she began as a teen starlet in the 1950s, Laurie took a prolonged hiatus from Hollywood after becoming disillusioned by the industry’s treatment of her as a young actress and the flatness of the female roles she was offered. When she reemerged more than a decade later, she quickly reestablished herself through striking embodiments of complex – and sometimes tormented – women.
Critics and colleagues took note: Laurie received Oscar nominations for her riveting performances in “The Hustler” (1961) and “Carrie” (1976). Her third nomination was for her portrayal of a remorseful mother in “Children of a Lesser God” (1986).
She was awarded a Golden Globe for her performance as a vengeful mill owner in television’s “Twin Peaks,” in addition to two Emmy nominations.
Born as Rosetta Jacobs in Detroit in 1932, she assumed the name Piper Laurie at the urging of a manager when she began professionally acting, she wrote in her memoir, “Learning to Live Out Loud.”
After signing a contract with Universal-International (now Universal Studios) at age 17, Laurie starred opposite actors including Newman, Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis and Ronald Reagan.
“It would be a very long time before life would teach me that it was okay to fight for what I wanted. At seventeen, I still thought that being a good person and working hard were enough,” she wrote in her memoir.
The disillusionment set in almost immediately, she recalled.
In her first role, as the teenage daughter of Reagan’s character in “Louisa” (1950), Laurie wrote that “every line and moment for the girl seemed like a cartoon.” She added, “I kept trying to think of ways to make her real for myself, but it was a constant struggle on the set.”
“Every role I played was the same girl, no matter whether my co-star was Rock Hudson or Tony Curtis or Rory Calhoun,” Laurie told The New York Times in 1977, referring to the films she made under the contract. “She was innocent, sexual, simple — the less intelligent, the better, and complexity was forbidden – and always slender.”
In the mid-1950s, Laurie broke her contract with Universal, only to struggle to get the Hollywood roles she wanted. Instead, she turned to television movies and series.
“It was one thing to finally break free from the studio that had owned me since I was seventeen. It was another thing entirely to put the image Universal had created behind me,” she wrote in the memoir.
She returned briefly to the silver screen in 1961 with “The Hustler” before stepping back from Hollywood films for more than a decade, finally returning in 1976 with her tormenting portrayal of Margaret White, the fanatically evangelical mother in “Carrie.”
Laurie said that filming “Carrie” was the first time she had felt she would actually have fun on a movie set.
“It was a very sweet and sentimental time for me. I felt so welcomed by the crew, a few of whom I had known before. I felt embraced by everyone and especially free to do the work,” Laurie wrote in her memoir.
Laurie married film critic Joe Morgenstern in the early 1960s and the couple later divorced. They share a daughter.
T.J. Holmes Settles Divorce From Ex-Wife As Amy Robach Romance Heats Up
Less than a year after his affair with Amy Robach was made public, T.J. Holmes' marriage to Marilee Fiebig is officially settled.
On Wednesday, the former couple's attorneys filed their settlement paperwork. Amidst the affair and divorce news, Fiebig has said her focus remains on their daughter, Sabine.
As for Robach finalized her divorce from actor Andrew Shue in March of this year. The couple had a peaceful divorce process, during which Shue stayed silent publicly to avoid the drama. Robach and Holmes seem very happy together and are planning their future, including their next TV gigs.
After a lengthy process, T.J. Holmes and Marilee Fiebig have finally settled their divorce. The conclusion of the couple's separation comes less than a year after his affair with former "Good Morning America" co-host Amy Robach was revealed to the world.
According to reports, Holmes and Fieig's attorneys finalized and filed the paperwork for their settlement on Wednesday. Digital records confirmed that a certificate of dissolution is being processed at the New York County Supreme Court. The final settlement and divorce judgment have also been filed but are still pending.
About two months ago, a source confirmed that Holmes and Fiebig were close to finalizing their divorce settlement. Aside from their joint assets from over a decade of marriage, the duo share a 10-year-old daughter, Sabine. The details of their custody arrangement have not been made public.
Holmes officially filed for divorce in December 2022, shortly after the intimate photos of him and Robach hit social media. Days after his filing, Fiebig took to social media to address the affair and their divorce. A lawyer released a statement to Us Weekly in January 2023, about the situation.
The statement read, "Marilee's sole focus has remained on the overall best interest of her daughter. To that end, T.J.'s lawyer and I have been working together to move their divorce forward privately, expeditiously, and as amicably as possible."
In the statement, Lehman also emphasized how "disappointed" she and Fiebig are by Holmes' behavior since the scandal began. She said, "We continue to be disappointed by T.J.'s lack of discretion, respect, and sensitivity toward Marilee and the party's daughter. Marilee has been touched by the outpouring of support and looks forward to a new beginning in this new year."
For her part, Robach also ended her marriage to former "Melrose Place" actor Andrew Shue. The news of their divorce settlement broke in March this year, just four months after the affair was made public. According to Page Six, Robach and Shue underwent mediation and settled their divorce amicably. The former couple reportedly decided to share equal custody of their dog, Brody.
Robach herself filed for divorce in December 2022, shortly after the affair scandal began. Amid all the drama, Shue has stayed out of the public eye and reportedly "doesn't want to be a part of this." A source told the news outlet that the actor is "very classy" and not interested in Holmes and Robach's public mess.
Despite the intense public backlash from their romance, Holmes and Robach have stayed together and seem happier. Multiple sources have revealed they're committed to the relationship and are planning their future together. The couple even have plans to find their own apartment, move in together, and possibly get engaged.
About nine months after the scandal began, Holmes and Robach finally returned to their social media accounts with a matching couple post. The duo posted a photo of their running shoes, with a pose hinting that they're going for a run together. The post was likely a reference to how they grew closer by training for the New York marathon.
In March this year, The New York Post reported that Holmes and Robach are desperate for new TV gigs. There have been rumors that Robach got a new solo show at NewsNation (without Holmes); this has since been shot down as false. Sources told NYP the couple has been pitching a joint talk show ideas and wants to work together.
Man arrested, park evacuated after 3 people shot at State Fair of Texas
The incident happened around 7:45 p.m., Saturday, at the state fairgrounds.
Police said they received a report of an active shooter in the food court area of the tower building, prompting an evacuation of fair visitors.
A man pulled a gun and shot at another man, Dallas police told WFAA. Three people were hit by the gunfire. Their injuries were non-life-threatening.
The shooter ran from police but was soon taken into custody, WFAA reports. His identity hasn’t been released.
Authorities said the gun involved in the shooting has also been recovered.
The Isley Brothers' Rudolph Isley dies at the age of 84
Rudolph Isley, a founding member of The Isley Brothers, died at the age of 84 in Illinois on Wednesday (Oct. 11). The cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
According to TMZ, a source close to the late singer believed he suffered from a heart attack.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 1, 1939, Rudolph started The Isley Brothers in the late 1950s with his siblings O’Kelly, Vernon, and Ronald Isley. The group gained mainstream recognition during the 1970s with their first No. 1 album, The Heat Is On. They spawned hits like “Twist and Shout,” later covered by The Beatles, “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You),” and “It’s Your Thing.”
In 1989, Rudolph left the limelight of the music industry to become a Christian minister. Fortunately, his career shift didn’t diminish the band’s impact as The Isley Brothers were later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
After headlines broke of Rudolph’s passing, Ronald announced the cancellation of his liquor company, Liquid Gold’s, launch party in Atlanta, which was initially slated to take place on Oct. 18.
Rudolph resurfaced in the news earlier this year due to legal battles with Ronald. According to a lawsuit filed in Chicago Federal Court obtained by Billboard, the late musician claimed that his sibling “improperly registered the ‘The Isley Brothers’ trademark as a sole individual,” thereby legally excluding him from shared ownership.
The complaint read, “Counsel for defendant Ronald Isley has asserted in correspondence that defendant alone has exclusive ownership of the [trademark]. These assertions … are false.”
Counterarguments from Ronald’s legal team maintained that the trademark rightfully belonged to the person actually using the name. They stated that any profits generated should belong solely to the lead singer, as Rudolph had not performed with the ensemble since 1986.
In March, The Isley Brothers appeared on “Drink Champs” to discuss their group’s legacy. Regarding his collaboration with Beyoncé on “Make Me Say It Again, Girl,” Ronald said, “We’ve been charted all the way up right now for eight decades. Our album right now has been on the charts for five weeks — it was No. 1 — and for 30 weeks, it’s been in the top 10. It’s No. 6 now with Beyoncé.”
SAG-AFTRA members continue to strike as latest contract negotiations break down
“It is with profound disappointment that we report the industry CEOs have walked away from the bargaining table after refusing to counter our latest offer,” the letter read. “We have negotiated with them in good faith, despite the fact that last week they presented an offer that was, shockingly, worth less than they proposed before the strike began.”
It then mentioned that artificial intelligence and wage increases continue to be issues that the AMPTP refused to budge on. The committee also revealed counteroffers that were made on behalf of SAG-AFTRA, which included “transforming our revenue share proposal.”
“Instead, they use bully tactics. They intentionally misrepresented to the press,” the message added. “They have done the same with AI, claiming to protect performer consent, but continuing to demand ‘consent’ on the first day of employment for use of a performer’s digital replica for an entire cinematic universe (or any franchise project).”
At the same time, AMPTP responded with an official statement that provided a rebuttal of their own. “SAG-AFTRA’s current offer included what it characterized as a viewership bonus that, by itself, would cost more than $800 million per year – which would create an untenable economic burden. SAG-AFTRA presented few, if any, moves on the numerous remaining open items.” The producers union also felt that “common issues… such as general wage increases, high-budget SVOD residuals, and viewership bonuses” were offered on the same terms that were ratified by the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and Writers Guild of America (WGA).
#BOXOFFICENEWS: ‘Taylor Swift: Eras Tour’ Enchants With $95M-$97M Box Office Opening in North America
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour may have fallen just short of an expected $100 million debut at the domestic box office, but it still did enchanting business. The female-fueled concert film opened to an estimated $95 million to $97 million from 3,850 theaters, thanks to the superstar’s powerful fandom. AMC Theatres, which is distributing the movie, is breaking from the norm and not giving a weekend estimate that is usually provided by Hollywood studios on Sunday morning. Instead, it will wait until Monday morning to declare an official gross.
Swift’s movie has much to celebrate in already becoming the top-grossing concert film of all time in North America in its first weekend, as well as possibly beating Joker ($96.2 million) to serve up the biggest October opening of all time, not adjusted for inflation.
In an unprecedented move, Swift’s team bypassed Hollywood studios and chose AMC Theatres, the world’s biggest cinema circuit, to bring Eras tour to the big screen. In turn, AMC made the pic available to other circuits.
Heading into the weekend, AMC pegged Eras Tour‘s projected opening at $100 million domestically, while others thought it could open to between $100 million and $125 million, considering that global presales stood at more than $100 million a week before Eras was set to open. AMC has been predicting that Eras Tour would open to $50 million overseas from its first 95 countries for a worldwide start of $150 million.
Box office pundits are already speculating that the fact that Eras fell short of $100 million domestically was because there was virtually no walk-up business.
Very few films can match Eras Tour in terms of its standing with both audiences and reviewers. Eras Tour was graced with a coveted A+ CinemaScore by moviegoers and boasts a rare 100 percent fresh critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes. (One qualifier: There are only 25 reviews. Usually, there are 200 or more.)
The power of female moviegoers was underscored once again in the wake of summer juggernaut Barbie. Females made up a whopping 82 percent of Eras ticket buyers. In terms of overall demo stats, 63 percent of ticket buyers were between 18 and 34. The largest group was those between 25 and 34 (32 percent). As expected, teenagers also turned out in force (17 percent).
“We are grateful to Taylor Swift for allowing us to make Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour concert film accessible to millions of fans in movie theaters around the world. Her spectacular performance delighted fans, who dressed up and danced through the film,” said AMC’s executive vp of worldwide programming and chief content officer.
Before the release of Swift’s concert film, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never held the record domestically with a lifetime total of $73 million, not adjusted for inflation. It earned another $26 million overseas for a global total of $99 million. Michael Jackson’s 2009 posthumous documentary/concert film This Is It earned $72.1 million in North America and $181.9 million globally.
Elsewhere, Universal and Blumhouse’s The Exorcist: Believer placed No. 2 in its sophomore outing with $11 million from 3,684 cinemas for a domestic tally of $44.9 million.
Paramount’s family film Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie celebrated jumping the $100 million mark in its third weekend. In North America, it earned another $7 million for a domestic cume of $49.9 million to finish Sunday with an estimated worldwide tally of $126.3 million. The success of the sequel is a win for Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon chief Brian Robbins.
Lionsgate’s Saw X placed No. 4 with $5.7 million from 3,058 theaters for a domestic tally of $41.1 million through its third weekend.
New Regency and Disney’s The Creator, likewise in its third outing, rounded out the top five with $4.3 million from 2,690 locations for a domestic cume of $32.4 million and a disappointing $89.1 million globally.
A 17-year-old Has Been Arrested in Connection with That Mass Shooting At Morgan State University
He was taken into custody without incident Thursday, and faces charges of multiple counts of attempted murder, police said.
Police said a warrant has been issued for another suspect, Jovan Williams, 18, in connection to the shooting. He remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.
The shooters were identified from surveillance video obtained from the shooting, police said.
“BPD has been working tirelessly on the investigation into this incident and are grateful for the many partners that assisted us in identifying and capturing one of our suspects,” said Commissioner Richard Worley said in the release. “We will not rest until Williams is in custody. While this arrest cannot undo the damage and trauma caused that day, it is my hope that it can bring some peace and justice to the victims, the Morgan community and our city.”
The shooting happened as a popular homecoming week event was letting out. It was among at least 543 mass shootings with at least four victims so far this year in the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive, and one of at least 17 shootings this year at a US college or university, including in North Carolina, Oklahoma and Michigan.
Students and teachers were ordered to shelter in place for hours as a SWAT team combed the campus dormitories at the school where 9,000 students enrolled last fall.
The mayor has said he does not believe the shooting was racially motivated, noting the investigation is ongoing.
The 2023 Miss Universe Pageant Competition Will Include Two Transgender Contestants For The First Time
The upcoming Miss Universe competition will mark a historic moment as it includes a minimum of two transgender contestants for the very first time.
Last week, 23-year-old flight attendant Marina Machete was crowned Miss Portugal. Additionally, Rikkie Kollé made history in July by becoming the first transgender winner of Miss Netherlands. Machete and Rikkie Kollé will both be competing for the coveted title at the 72nd Miss Universe event, scheduled to take place in El Salvador this November.
In a video shared on the Portuguese pageant’s YouTube channel before the competition, Machete discussed trans rights as a central part of her platform. She expressed concern about the increasing levels of “transphobia and intolerance” on a global scale. She also found it “heartwarming” to witness the Miss Universe Organization’s commitment to inclusivity and its willingness to “break boundaries” by changing its rules to allow transgender contestants back in 2012.
“Trans women are women, full stop,” the organization said. “We are here to celebrate women, full stop. This has been true for more than a decade. We’re proud to have made this change very early on, compared to other programs.”
Should either of these candidates win, they will make history as the first transgender women to wear the coveted tiara. It’s worth noting that in 2018, Spain’s Ángela Ponce made strides as the pageant’s first transgender contestant. However, she did not progress to the finals.
The organization reversed its ban on transgender contestants following an incident involving Jenna Talackova, a transgender competitor in the Miss Universe Canada national pageant. Organizers had initially informed her that she would be disqualified due to her gender-affirming surgery, which did not meet the pageant’s requirements. At that time, Miss Universe officials said the change was not a response to legal action threatened by Talackova’s attorney.
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