#MAGFAB: Top Model Anok Yai Talks Knife Fights and Finding God in Africa for W Magazine #4
Returning to W Magazine’s Volume #4 2023, Mert Alas turns his lens to very top model Anok Yai. Marie Chaix styles Anok in Fendi for her cover, Alaïa, Balenciaga, Chanel, Courrèges, Dior, Ferragamo, JW Anderson, Miu Miu and more./ Hair by Benjamin Muller; makeup by Thomas de Kluyver
Maxine Wally interviews Anok Yai, who has been firing on all cylinders since 2017, when the New Hampshire student at Plymouth State University went to a homecoming weekend at Howard University in DC. A photographer posted her image on Instagram, and a few months later, she was the first Black women since Naomi Campbell in 1997 to open a Prada show.
Anok that had a major presence in the recent Ferrari Spring 2024 fashion show, and was driven around town in a red one. It suits her.
The South Sudan native is a perfectionist in all she does, and is also frank about a steep learning curve starting out in the fashion industry.
Her words confirm Anok’s formidable personality — a truism that comes through in her modeling.
“I taught myself by researching all day about the industry, about finances and marketing. I took business and economics courses online. I was a new face, but I wanted to be able to go into the rooms and know what the fuck I was talking about.”
Anok describes herself as a prolific artist, working mostly in oils but now experimenting with fire. Yes . . . fire. She has also taken up knife fighting lessons as a way of coping with restlessness. I believe she is now at a level of expertise in knife fighting, that she can land movie roles in major scenes.
“When I’m fighting, it feels like a dance that goes so fast, you have to meditate,” she says. “Because the second you lose focus, you’re hit with a knife.”
Anok references her return to Africa early this year. Checking out her IG, we wrote about her local-shopping philanthropy binge in South Sudan.
The Ferrari lover ends her W Interview on a high note — a spiritual one.
#RHOA: Shereé Whitfield Granddaughter Is a Fashion Model
It seems there’s another fashionista in the Whitfield family. Months after introducing the world to her granddaughter, Mecca Joie, Shereé Whitfield took to Instagram to provide another cute update on her family’s newest addition. Shereé reposted a photo of Mecca looking absolutely adorable in a khaki button sundress with ruffled cap sleeves, a pointed collar, and a matching belt. The ensemble was rounded out with gold bracelets on each wrist, a pair of white flower-framed sunglasses, and a black handbag with a pearl-like top handle.
“The future is so bright I have to wear shades,” read the October 11 post on Mecca’s verified Instagram.
Shereé shared the carousel on her Stories, along with the caption: “[Mecca Whitfield] going to be a fashionista like her glam-ma.”
Shereé Whitfield's granddaughter, Mecca, Models SHE by Shereé
That same day, the RHOA mom posted a photo of her granddaughter rocking a piece from SHE by Shereé, her iconic apparel, accessories, and lifestyle brand. The photo showed a smiling Mecca modeling the light blue “Child Star Hoodie” from the company's baby collection. The range also included a star-patterned sweatshirt set and a “Who Gon Check Me Boo?” graphic onesie — two standout designs the baby girl has previously worn.
Mecca, who also inherited her grandma’s affinity for “fast cars,” is the first child of Shereé’s only son, Kairo Whitfield. The Morehouse alum shares the toddler with his salon-owner girlfriend Alina Barber, who gave birth more than a year ago.
An episodic image of Sheree Whitfield and Kairo Whitfield while filming Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 15. Photo: Bravo
Mecca made her RHOA debut in Season 15 Episode 6, when Kairo and Alina stopped by Chateau Shereé to make a Christmas ornament from Mecca’s handprint. The RHOA OG gushed over the bundle of joy and recalled the exact moment she learned she would become a grandma.
“Kairo walks in and he’s just standing there, and I’m like, ‘What’s up?’ and then he finally said, ‘I have a baby on the way,’” she said in an interview. “Alina was already four months pregnant, and so I totally felt like I was behind preparing for the baby. I don’t even think it really, really resonated or hit me yet.”
Shereé went on to praise Kairo for the way he’s embraced fatherhood: “He is so hands-on and I love it that I raised him to be that type of person. Even though when he first told me, I didn’t feel like he was ready, his actions are showing me that he’s more than ready to be a dad. Kairo is doing amazing. He really is.”
#MusicNews: Mayer Hawthorne Will Hit The Road On The ‘Hawthorne Rides Again Tour’ In 2024
Mayer Hawthorne is quickly approaching the release of his next album For All Time. The collection arrives on Friday, October 27th and anticipation is high after his trio of singles “The Pool,” its title track and “Without You.” Mayer has more laid-back, throwback-sounding tracks where those came from to come as well as his Hawthorne Rides Again Tour on the horizon.
The Hawthorne Rides Again Tour will take Mayer across the United States to kick off 2024. He’ll gas up the tour bus in January and begin his journey on the left coast. The tour starts in Santa Ana, CA on January 17, 2024 before moseying across the country.
Mayer will stop in San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta, D.C., Brooklyn, Detroit, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Portland to name a few of the 20 cities he’ll visit. He’ll make his way back to Cali for a trio of shows in Sacramento, San Francisco and finally Los Angeles on February 16, 2024 to end the tour.
The complete list of dates, venues and cities for the Hawthorne Rides Again Tour can be viewed below. Tickets are on sale via Mayer’s website, and fans can purchase general tickets or VIP packages with some pretty sweet perks including priority entry, access to soundcheck and a meet and greet with him.
If you want to catch Mayer Hawthorne in concert to hear his collection of smooth grooves live, be sure to get your tickets now and not a minute later. He’s already posted a low-ticket alert for his D.C. and San Francisco shows on Instagram. So if you live in those cities and don’t have your tickets yet, it would behoove you to handle that ASAPtually.
Mayer Hawthorne Hawthorne Rides Again North America ’24 Tour dates:
Returning to W Magazine’s Volume #4 2023, Mert Alas turns his lens to very top model Anok Yai. Marie Chaix styles Anok in Fendi for her cover, Alaïa, Balenciaga, Chanel, Courrèges, Dior, Ferragamo, JW Anderson, Miu Miu and more./ Hair by Benjamin Muller; makeup by Thomas de Kluyver
Maxine Wally interviews Anok Yai, who has been firing on all cylinders since 2017, when the New Hampshire student at Plymouth State University went to a homecoming weekend at Howard University in DC. A photographer posted her image on Instagram, and a few months later, she was the first Black women since Naomi Campbell in 1997 to open a Prada show.
Anok that had a major presence in the recent Ferrari Spring 2024 fashion show, and was driven around town in a red one. It suits her.
The South Sudan native is a perfectionist in all she does, and is also frank about a steep learning curve starting out in the fashion industry.
Her words confirm Anok’s formidable personality — a truism that comes through in her modeling.
“I taught myself by researching all day about the industry, about finances and marketing. I took business and economics courses online. I was a new face, but I wanted to be able to go into the rooms and know what the fuck I was talking about.”
Anok describes herself as a prolific artist, working mostly in oils but now experimenting with fire. Yes . . . fire. She has also taken up knife fighting lessons as a way of coping with restlessness. I believe she is now at a level of expertise in knife fighting, that she can land movie roles in major scenes.
“When I’m fighting, it feels like a dance that goes so fast, you have to meditate,” she says. “Because the second you lose focus, you’re hit with a knife.”
The Ferrari lover ends her W Interview on a high note — a spiritual one.
#RHOA: Shereé Whitfield Granddaughter Is a Fashion Model
“The future is so bright I have to wear shades,” read the October 11 post on Mecca’s verified Instagram.
Shereé shared the carousel on her Stories, along with the caption: “[Mecca Whitfield] going to be a fashionista like her glam-ma.”
Shereé Whitfield's granddaughter, Mecca, Models SHE by Shereé
That same day, the RHOA mom posted a photo of her granddaughter rocking a piece from SHE by Shereé, her iconic apparel, accessories, and lifestyle brand. The photo showed a smiling Mecca modeling the light blue “Child Star Hoodie” from the company's baby collection. The range also included a star-patterned sweatshirt set and a “Who Gon Check Me Boo?” graphic onesie — two standout designs the baby girl has previously worn.
Mecca, who also inherited her grandma’s affinity for “fast cars,” is the first child of Shereé’s only son, Kairo Whitfield. The Morehouse alum shares the toddler with his salon-owner girlfriend Alina Barber, who gave birth more than a year ago.
An episodic image of Sheree Whitfield and Kairo Whitfield while filming Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 15. Photo: Bravo
Mecca made her RHOA debut in Season 15 Episode 6, when Kairo and Alina stopped by Chateau Shereé to make a Christmas ornament from Mecca’s handprint. The RHOA OG gushed over the bundle of joy and recalled the exact moment she learned she would become a grandma.
“Kairo walks in and he’s just standing there, and I’m like, ‘What’s up?’ and then he finally said, ‘I have a baby on the way,’” she said in an interview. “Alina was already four months pregnant, and so I totally felt like I was behind preparing for the baby. I don’t even think it really, really resonated or hit me yet.”
Shereé went on to praise Kairo for the way he’s embraced fatherhood: “He is so hands-on and I love it that I raised him to be that type of person. Even though when he first told me, I didn’t feel like he was ready, his actions are showing me that he’s more than ready to be a dad. Kairo is doing amazing. He really is.”
#MusicNews: Mayer Hawthorne Will Hit The Road On The ‘Hawthorne Rides Again Tour’ In 2024
The Hawthorne Rides Again Tour will take Mayer across the United States to kick off 2024. He’ll gas up the tour bus in January and begin his journey on the left coast. The tour starts in Santa Ana, CA on January 17, 2024 before moseying across the country.
Mayer will stop in San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta, D.C., Brooklyn, Detroit, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Portland to name a few of the 20 cities he’ll visit. He’ll make his way back to Cali for a trio of shows in Sacramento, San Francisco and finally Los Angeles on February 16, 2024 to end the tour.
The complete list of dates, venues and cities for the Hawthorne Rides Again Tour can be viewed below. Tickets are on sale via Mayer’s website, and fans can purchase general tickets or VIP packages with some pretty sweet perks including priority entry, access to soundcheck and a meet and greet with him.
If you want to catch Mayer Hawthorne in concert to hear his collection of smooth grooves live, be sure to get your tickets now and not a minute later. He’s already posted a low-ticket alert for his D.C. and San Francisco shows on Instagram. So if you live in those cities and don’t have your tickets yet, it would behoove you to handle that ASAPtually.
Mayer Hawthorne Hawthorne Rides Again North America ’24 Tour dates:
JAN 17, 2024 – The Observatory – Santa Ana, CA
JAN 19, 2024 – The Observatory North Park – San Diego, CA
JAN 20, 2024 – Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ
JAN 21, 2024 – Meow Wolf – Santa Fe, NM
JAN 23, 2024 – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall – Dallas, TX
JAN 24, 2024 – Mohawk – Austin, TX
JAN 26, 2024 – The Masquerade (Hell Stage) – Atlanta, GA
JAN 27, 2024 – The Underground – Charlotte, NC
JAN 28, 2024 – The Atlantis – Washington, D.C.
JAN 31, 2024 – Music Hall Of Williamsburg– Brooklyn, NY
FEB 2, 2024 – The Majestic Theatre – Detroit, MI
FEB 3, 2024 – Park West – Chicago, IL
FEB 4, 2024 – Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN
FEB 6, 2024 – Gothic Theatre – Englewood, CO
FEB 7, 2024 – Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT
FEB 9, 2024 – Neptune Theatre – Seattle, WA
FEB 10, 2024 – Star Theater – Portland, OR
FEB 12, 2024 – Harlow‘'’s – Sacramento, CA
FEB 14, 2024 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA
FEB 16, 2024 – The Bellwether – Los Angeles, CA
#HipHopNews: Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign Are Reportedly Shopping A New Album
The yet-to-be-released project has started a real conversation among record industry executives. Insiders who’ve heard the music describe it as West’s best work since 2018’s Ye. However, the timing coincides with escalating tensions in the Israel-Hamas conflict, intensified by the recent attack on the Supernova Sukkot Gathering music festival on Oct. 7.
Some label heads have shied away from the opportunity to distribute the album due to antisemitic comments West made last year. Though the album’s lyrics are not the subject of controversy, the artists’ recent history gives some executives a reason for hesitation. Conversely, smaller distributors see this project as a golden opportunity. One such contender is Too Lost, a music distribution and publishing firm that launched in 2021 and currently manages West’s YouTube rights. Too Lost CEO Gregory Hirschhorn declined to comment when reached.
The artists have a history of collaboration. Their previous works include “Junya Pt 2” on West’s 2021 album Donda, Ty Dolla $ign’s “Ego Death” in 2020, and several tracks dating back to 2014. After releasing 10 albums on Def Jam, West parted ways with the label following the release of Donda. His 2022 album, Donda 2, was exclusively available on the Stem Player.
Universal Music Group, the parent company of Def Jam, cut ties with West last year after his antisemitic remarks. A spokesperson stated, “Def Jam’s relationship with Ye as a recording artist… all ended in 2021.”
Now holding all his copyrights, West has various distribution options. He could self-publish through services like DistroKid or TuneCore for a minimal fee. However, industry insiders assume that the decorated emcee will opt for a more hands-on approach from a distribution partner.
Will Smith Goes To Sea In First Instagram Post Since Jada Pinkett Smith's Split Revelation
On Sunday, October 15, the Oscar winner posted on his feed for the first time since Jada announced that they had separated for seven years. Keeping it light, he shared a "fun fact" about himself, with a voiceover saying, "Fun fact about me: I can take a nap almost anywhere."
In the short clip, Will could be seen sleeping in the cabin of the boat, with the sound of multiple phone notifications going off simultaneously. He was then seen on the deck of the boat smiling as the vessel buzzed along at sea.
The "King Richard" star appeared carefree as he was enjoying the sea breeze while rocking a puffy black coat with black athletic pants and white-and-brown Nike sneakers. Seemingly wanting to keep his mind free of any drama, he wrote in the caption, "Notifications off :)"
The Instagram post arrived around the same time Will issued his first statement in response to Jada's split confirmation. He admitted that he had developed "emotional blindness" amid his estranged marriage to the actress.
"When you've been with someone for more than half of your life a sort of emotional blindness sets in, and you can all too easily lose your sensitivity to their hidden nuances and subtle beauties," the 55-year-old said in an email to the New York Times newspaper. He added that he has only now realized that Jada is "more resilient, clever and compassionate than he'd understood."
Jada shocked everyone as she admitted in a preview of an NBC News and "Today" show special that she and Will have been separated since 2016. When host Hoda Kotb said, "It was not a divorce on paper, but it was a divorce," the former "Red Table Talk" host agreed, adding that she and the "Emancipation" actor "live separately."
Of why she and Will have never formally announced their split, Jada explained, "I think just not being ready yet." She then noted, "Still trying to figure out between the two of us how to be in partnership, right, and in regards to how do we present that to people, you know? And we hadn't figured that out."
According to Jada, there were "a lot of things" that caused a fracture in her relationship with Will. "I think by the time we got to 2016, we were just exhausted with trying. I think we were both kind of just still stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be," she shared.
Despite this, Jada stressed that she has no plans to make their separation legal. "I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce. We will work through whatever. And I just haven't been able to break that promise," she said.
Mayte Garcia’s ‘The Most Beautiful’: My Life With Prince’ Set for Feature Film
The book, released in early 2017, offers a look at the influential rock star through his and Garcia’s relationship. She met Prince in 1990 at the age of 16 when he was 32. Following a four-year courtship, during which time Prince became the then-17-year-old’s legal guardian, they married in 1996. Tragically, their son, born Oct. 16, 1996, died six days later from Pfeiffer syndrome type 2. She later told People Magazine that it [understandably] doomed their marriage, which ended in 2000.
The memoir is titled after the song “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” which Prince wrote about her in 1994. The book chronicles how their relationship began backstage at a concert and developed into an artistic friendship and a romance. It thus offers an unusually intimate and personal look at the famously private artist who helped shape pop culture.
“Prince is one of our generation’s most electrifying, charismatic, and enigmatic personalities,” says Crazy Legs Productions CEO Tom Cappello. “We are honored that Mayte has chosen us to bring her moving, candid memoir to life and bring to the screen a rare window to an artist that changed my life and the lives of tens of millions of fans around the world. We are eager to start developing this project.”
Cappello, along with Scott Thigpen and Marie Halliday, are serving as producers for Crazy Legs. Gilbert Davison, Prince’s friend, security director, and later personal manager and president of Paisley Park, is serving as Associate Producer. Davison is now an artist business manager representing Garcia and a roster of musicians and various business clients. Crazy Legs is repped by CAA.
“Crazy Legs is a perfect partner to bring this deeply personal reflection of my life with Prince to the screen,” said Mayte Garcia. “Their diverse body of work shows an artistry and craft to tell personal stories about the most complex, most beautiful human beings. This film will provide an intimate look at the man I loved, our life together, and his lasting influence.”
Monica After She Admits She Feels Like the ‘Most Forgotten’ When It Comes to Receiving Awards
R&B singer Monica said she feels underappreciated after years of being passed over for awards and accolades over her hit songs.
During an Atlanta stop this summer of “The Shop: Uninterrupted Live Tour” sports talk show, the Grammy-winning artist shared her thoughts on the music industry, revealing that she feels like the “most forgotten” artist when it comes to awards.
Monica has four Grammy nominations and one Grammy Award for her 1999 collaboration with Brandy, “The Boy Is Mine.” The duo won in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals category but lost Record of the Year.
Monica received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album for 2011’s “Still Standing,” as well as Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for her single “Everything To Me.”
A clip of the sit-down surfaced this week on social media and showed the 42-year-old was joined by NBA player Lou Williams and Migos rapper Quavo for a discussion with hosts Maverick Carter and Paul Rivera.
She said she had no expectations going into the music industry because she was simply doing what she loved.
“I was really able to enjoy my career because I didn’t have any expectations,” Monica said at the 18:30 time mark. “I was not looking at stats, I wasn’t worried about awards. I’m actually a person that for all the records that I’ve broken, I really have never won any wards. I’m really the most forgotten if you think about it. I’m pretty much the underdog, but I sit very comfortably in it because I can still go where I want, do what I want, live how I want.”
Monica was also nominated for multiple Soul Train Awards but has never won an award. She went on to mention that she even hosted the Soul Train Awards in 19999 when she was nominated in multiple categories but didn’t take home any awards. She hosted that year with supermodel Tyra Banks and fellow singer Brian McKnight.
“But, when I say I’m often forgotten, I was hosting the Soul Train Awards Awards, was nominated for five, three of my songs in one category and still lost. But I went out to eat and kicked my regular s—t after,” she exclaimed. “I was not bothered because that’s not what I do it for. That is really my point when I say that oftentimes, I’m forgotten in those spaces.”
A clip of the video was shared by The Neighborhood Talk on Instagram, and fans weighed in on Monica’s comments.
“She is under appreciated.. and ion like data.”
“Talk your talk Monica. She’s always been very talented and one of the artist you barely hear anything about.”
“Now watch BET go and give her a lifetime achievement award next year simply because of this interview and not because of her talents. Monica deserves her flowers.”
“Give Monica her flowers!!! Her music is timeless!!! Matter of fact, @rnbmoneypodcast needs to have her as a guest. She’s definitely one of the goats.”
After seeing fans express their support, Monica wrote, “I know why I do it and who I do it for and I love those of you that love me!!! I mean that with my soul.”
“The Boy Is Mine” was a smash hit that kept Monica and Brandy on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for 13 weeks in the No. 1 spot back in 1999. The single stayed on the chart for 27 weeks. Her single “Angel Of Mine” was No. 1 on the chart for four weeks back in 1999 and remained on the chart for 30 weeks.
Celebrities React to Sad News of Suzanne Somers' Death
The actress was going to turn 77 years old on Monday (October 16).
Suzanne‘s longtime publicist R. Couri Hay confirmed the sad news, sharing that she died in the early morning, surrounded by her husband Alan, son Bruce and her immediate family.
Following the news of her passing, many fans and fellow celebs took to social media to mourn the loss of the star.
“Funny and beautiful. Rest in Peace, Suzanne Somers. I had the pleasure of meeting her several times. Her scenes in American Graffiti inspired me to get a T-Bird,” Bewitched actress Erin Murphy shared.
“Devastated to hear about the passing of Suzanne Somers. A true icon and overall amazing human being. You will be greatly missed, my friend,” comedian and radio personality Adam Carolla said.
Journalist Megyn Kelly wrote, “Oh no! So sad to see this. She loved to make people laugh. I met her once and she just beamed kindness and beauty and love. R.I.P. Suzanne Somers.”
Keep reading below to see more reactions to the loss of Suzanne Somers…
“May she RIP always a joyous person – condolences to family, fans and friends – Suzanne Somers 🙏💙🙏🏼,” actor Robert Davi said.
“How sad to hear that actress and Uber businesswoman, Suzanne Somers, has died. She was going to turn 77 tomorrow. She had fought breast cancer for more than 2 decades. Will never forget her “Chrissy” in the hit show Three’s Company,” said ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts.
“I was just watching Step by Step & I laughed the ENTIRE time. Suzanne Somers has been such a staple in my household from Threes Company to Step by Step to her thigh master, that did work! She was unproblematic. May she forever Rest In Peace 😔🙏🏾 #suzannesomers” actress Rachelle Leconte shared.
“RIP icon Suzanne Somers. She passed a day before her 77th birthday and her husband gave her an early birthday present. It was a hand written love poem wrapped in pink peonies, her favorite flowers,” actress Sarah Sansoni wrote.
Sad to learn Suzanne Somers has lost her battle with cancer, just 1 day before her 77th bday. She was an inspirational figure who battled with grace, humor and a loving spirit for decades. The inscription card she included with bracelets she gave as gifts says it all. #RIP 💔😢,” singer Lynn Carey Saylor said.
Chris Evans confirms his marriage to Alba Baptista after 2 secret wedding ceremonies
Chris Evans is enjoying life as a newlywed, and he's ready to let the world know.
On Saturday, the former Avengers star confirmed to a crowd at New York City Comic Con that he recently married his girlfriend of two years, Alba Baptista, in two secret wedding ceremonies.
"I got married," Evans announced during his panel. The news was met with a round of cheers, for which he promptly thanked the crowd, adding, "It was really really great."
Evans continued, "We kinda had two ceremonies. We had one on the east coast, and we did one in Portugal — my wife's Portuguese." He described the ceremonies as "wonderful and beautiful," but went on to say that the couple is enjoying their downtime now that wedding planning is behind them.
"Planning a wedding, it's a lot," Evans said. "For those of you who are married, you know, it takes a lot out of you, but now that we're through that, we've just kinda been enjoying life and gearing up for autumn, my favorite season. It's like the best time of year right now... Now we're just relaxing and enjoying life and reflecting."
Reps for both Evans and Baptista did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment.
Rumors of Evans marrying the Warrior Nun star emerged last month, following a PEOPLE report that the couple wed in a secret ceremony held at a private estate in Cape Cod, Mass. The rumors were heavily fueled by the presence of various MCU stars hanging around Boston that weekend, alongside some of Evans' other A-list friends.
Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan Downey, Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky, Jeremy Renner, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt were all spotted in town, presumably for the East Coast wedding that Evans alluded to.
Baptista and Evans were first linked in early 2022, but have largely kept their relationship private, including not confirming their engagement prior to tying the knot. When Evans reflected on his romantic future after being crowned PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive 2022, he said that a "wife, kids, building a family" are things he "absolutely" wanted soon.
Gail O'Neill, Supermodel and Former CBS 'Early Show' Correspondent, Dead at 61
Supermodel and TV journalist Gail O'Neill has died. She was 61.
Essence reports that her death was confirmed by her longtime agent Stephanie Grill, who was unable to confirm very many details but noted that she believed O'Neill passed away at her Atlanta home.
No cause of death has been shared yet. O'Neill was born on February 6, 1962 in Westchester County, New York. She studied to be a marketing representative at Wesleyan University and worked for Xerox shortly after graduating.
At 23 years old, the trajectory of her career changed after she was scouted by photographer Chuck Barry while arriving home from vacation at New York City's JFK Airport. She signed to Click Models soon after and, within months, became the March 1986 cover star of British Vogue.
She went on to appear on the cover of various other magazines, including Mademoiselle, Essence, Glamour, and Elle, but her most iconic cover was the 1992 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Additionally, she appeared in ads for various major brands and designers, including Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, and Calvin Klein.
O'Neill dedicated her modeling career to creating more opportunities for women of color. She was a member of the Black Girls Coalition, an advocacy group for Black models formed by Bethanny Hardison and Iman in 1988.
She made another career shift in 1999 when she became a correspondent for CBS's The Early Show. O'Neill then became a travel correspondent for CNN Saturday in 2001 and hosted TV shows Mission: Organization and Public Places, Private Spaces.
O'Neill is survived by her husband, Paul Viera, her mother, Elaine, her sister, Denise, and her brother, Randy.
Beyoncé’s Ivy Park Noir: A Final Farewell To Adidas
The press release states that the Ivy Park Noir collection represents the zenith of Adidas and Ivy Park’s creative synergy. It’s a beautiful fusion of Adidas’ athletic prowess and Ivy Park’s unapologetic emphasis on form and trend-defying innovation.
Highlights from the collection include sleek leotard bodysuits, oversized motorcycle jackets, pleated mini skirts, and long shiny pleather coats. The collection also features a variety of accessories, such as beanies, bucket hats, and sneakers.
Don’t miss out, Ivy Park Noir is sure to become a collector’s item. The collection is available in sizes XXS to 3XL, and prices go from $35 to $350. You can find the Ivy Park Noir collection online, in select Adidas stores, and in select partner stores.
Beyoncé’s Ivy Park journey began in 2016, first with Topshop and then with Adidas in 2018. We’ve witnessed captivating collections, from rodeo-themed campaigns featuring stars like Snoh Aalegra and Tobe Nwigwe, to campus-themed drops and the thrilling “Park Trail” collection with Ice Spice.
While the partnership is coming to an end in 2023, there’s a silver lining. Creative differences might have triggered this farewell, but it’s not the last we’ve heard of Ivy Park. Beyoncé is set to reclaim her brand, carve her unique path, and embrace creative freedom – a journey we’ll all be eager to witness.
Stay tuned for Beyoncé’s next creative journey!
Queen Bee Lil’ Kim Lights Up Barclays Center During WNBA Finals!
While the rapper has only performed a handful of times during 2023 so far, she gave an amazing performance to a sold-out crowd during halftime at the WNBA Finals Game 3 in Brooklyn.
With 2023 marking 50 years of hip-hop, it also marks nearly 30 years since Lil’ Kim, 49, dropped her debut album, “Hard Core.” First discovered by Notorious BIG, she’s well known by many generations and made a great addition to a wild Finals series between the the No 1 seed Las Vegas Aces and No. 2 seed New York Liberty.
Lil’ Kim’s highly anticipated performance on the Barclays Center court was excitedly welcomed by the hyped-up crowd. After an exciting first half of Game 3, fans were ready for an energetic performance by the Brooklyn native Queen Bee.
The Queen Bee brought the energy to the court with a nearly five minute long performance that included many of her hit songs. Along with her dancers and a special appearance by the Liberty’s mascot, Ellie the Elephant, Lil’ Kim had the crowd going wild.
Gearing up for her halftime performance, the rapper shared information about her Finals show on Instagram on Friday. Captioned, “NEW YORK CITY!!! Pull up to @barclayscenter this Sunday to watch our @nyliberty 🗽 🏀 in the @wnba Finals. Let’s Light IT UP 🔥 🔥 🔥,” many of her fans took to the comments to share their excitement.
Some asked about new music and others were just excited to hear about the halftime show in her hometown of Brooklyn.
“QUEEN OF HIP HOP👑❤️,” one fan wrote. Another added, “THE QUEEN 😩💙🙏WE NEED THAT ALBUM😭😭😭😭😭😭.”
6-Year-Old Boy Killed In Alleged Anti-Muslim Hate Crime
A 6-year-old boy and his mother were stabbed over a dozen times late Saturday morning in an anti-Muslim hate crime, according to police. The child, Wadea Al-Fayoume, was killed.
Landlord Joseph Czuba, 71, was charged on Sunday with murder and hate crime for allegedly stabbing Wadea and his mother, Hanaan Shahin, 32, who were his tenants in Plainfield, Illinois.
Czuba was charged with two counts of hate crime alongside first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
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