12/6/23

The Daily Buzz For Dec 7 ☕πŸ“°☕

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#MAGFAB: People Magazine’s Digital Cover Star is Mariah Carey

From People Mag: How Mariah Carey Is Winning Christmas Again: Prayer, Baths, Writing New Music and 'Not Reading Anything About Me'
The icon is back in the holiday spirit and bringing it on a nationwide tour: "Last year wasn't my most fun version of Christmas ever, so ... come hell or high water, we're going to have fun!"
The Hollywood Bowl is an open-air venue in the hills above Los Angeles. Since 1922 the 17,500-person space has welcomed legends such as Billie Holiday, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, JAY-Z and Adele under its iconic, concentric-arched shell. There’s a little quirk about the Bowl, though. Because of its location in a residential neighborhood—from the stadium seats, concertgoers can gaze upward at cliffside mansions—the shows always start on time because the music has to stop by 11 p.m.

Mariah Carey is famously—some say fabulously—late. It’s mid-November in Los Angeles. A cold front has lent a slight chill to the air, giving just enough permission for the sold-out stadium filled with Mariah Carey’s fans, known as Lambs, to don their gay apparel. Which is to say, thousands of Lambs are bundled up in various combinations of Christmas beanies, glowing Christmas-tree-bulb necklaces, Christmas sweaters and Mariah Carey-branded sweaters and sweatshirts. (Still Christmas-themed.)

She is the Queen of Christmas, after all. For years fans have said as much. Carey proclaims, “It’s...Time!” every year on Nov. 1, turning the seasonal colors from orange and black to red and green. She then presses play on her mega hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You”—her “love song for the holiday”—placing it back in our heads as a jingly, jangly, joyful earworm. For Lambs, the holiday anthem not only feels like Christmas, it’s a call to action. It’s a hymn, really. And on this night they are here to worship.
Last year be damned. It was right around this time in 2022 that, in a move Lambs found collectively dour (one termed it more specifically a “hate crime”), the Federal Trademark Board formally denied Carey the title of Queen of Christmas. But looking out at the crowd, I am not sure even the U.S. government could deny the palpable, unanimous opinion: Mariah Carey is the Queen of this season. (Dolly Parton says so, it should be noted.) And, if not of Christmas, then perhaps, well, let’s just say Mariah Carey is the Queen of All Things Festive. Period.

She also knows how to deliver a Christmas miracle. At exactly 8:30 the lights dim. An enormous bow-wrapped package is wheeled to center stage. The opening orchestral arrangement chords of Carey’s contribution to the holiday begins.
“All I want for Christmas is you, Mariah!” a fan screamed next to me, Mariah’s wide smile and the words “It’s Time!” spread across his chest. “She saves my Christmas,” he says to his friend sitting next to him. “Every year.”

The present spins around. There she is. “I think we could all use a little joy, especially right now,” she tells the crowd, with wide eyes and a serene smile, the look on her face somewhere between archangel Gabriel and the Elf on the Shelf.

Get more at People HERE


#RHOA: Cool & Cozy At Home With Cynthia Bailey
Model, actress and TV personality, Cynthia Bailey knows leisure. She invited EBONY’s Beautiful Black Homes to tour her very discreet, yet grand sanctuary. 
With a deep exhale, I calmly strolled into Bailey’s lovely abode. The former fashion model has created a space in which whatever whimsical load you may carry must be left on the porch because it’s just too easy to be there—you immediately feel uplifted. 

Upon entry, as much as you want to take a closer look at the eccentric pieces that greet you at the foyer, including walls shrouded in a blend of unique crosses, your eyes are drawn to the sunlight that warms the back of her home. The vast horizontal windows with sliding patio doors provide a stunning view of the much-known, self-titled moniker “Lake Bailey.” 

A SPACE TO CHILL

Cynthia’s kitchen is conveniently adjacent to the living room, making it the ultimate kickback space for hosting friends with a laid-back evening and a good, hassle-free meal. “My favorite space is the living room [and it] is literally where I live my life. My couch is where I socialize with family and friends; it is where I hang out for date night. It all goes down on the blue couch…my sofa was intentional.”  colorful centerpiece on kitchen counter

INTIMATE INTENTION 

Speaking of intention, the living room is carved out for comfort and serves as the perfect place to spend quality time and share gifts for the holidays, “Christmas is the only time of year that I’m for sure in one place for at least two weeks at a time.” When asked about her creative direction, Bailey said, “I think my influence for my design is a little like my life... all over the place, like a charcuterie board of all things Cynthia. I wanted it to be a reflection of me and my travels and my world. I’ve never had an interior designer come in and put anything together. This is strictly a collection of pieces that I've had for years. I love to reinvent pieces; I don’t really throw them away unless it’s just time.”

A LAVATORY WITH ARTFUL PURPOSE

Just in time for the holiday season, the actress recalled how she is often gifted with art by supporters. And she's found the perfect space for it. “My bathroom is special. I’ve made it a ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘Black Excellence’ bathroom. I have a lot of art from Black artists, and they're all gifts from fans. I was given so many at one point, I started a collage of all these amazing [pieces] and incorporating some of my own from other people.” Bailey also has a couple of pieces she painted years ago while living in New York City as a model.”  two paintings displayed on wall

DIVINE DINING

“My kitchen is also the spot where I hang out a lot with guests when we’re cooking and sharing a meal and my dining room, I would describe as my special occasion room,” Bailey declared. “I rarely eat dinner there unless it’s something like Christmas.” The TV personality conveniently takes advantage of ordering any last-minute items if needed while she hosts, so as not to take away any one-on-one time with loved ones. 

A DELIGHTFUL DECK 

Cynthia’s deck is an expansive oasis, featuring that glorious lake. “My deck is my peaceful meditative place. I have a view of the Lake, hence Lake Bailey. The trees and nature, it’s just my favorite place to decompress and reset and reboot.” 

Dining table set up outdoors
Cynthia’s home was a breath of fresh air. Her class and elegance, which are generously displayed onscreen, translate directly into her home life.


#NewMusic from Coco Jones New Holiday Song ‘A Timeless Christmas’
Grammy-nominated singer Coco Jones has released “A Timeless Christmas.” She co-wrote the original seasonal tune with Tiyon “TC” Mack (Tamar Braxton, Brandy). “A Timeless Christmas” evokes a wintry landscape where loved ones bond over holiday traditions.

She richly sings, “There’s laughter in our hearts, a special kind / Sharing love and kindness in every rhyme / Every rhyme / We gather ’round with friends by our side / And feel all the magic in the sky / In the sky.”
“A Timeless Christmas” is Jones’ second holiday song this month, following her exclusive remake of Destiny’s Child’s “8 Days of Christmas” for Apple Music.

Her new carol comes shortly after she wrapped the second leg of her headlining tour in support of her recent project What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe).
The extended version of her 2022 debut EP is nominated for Best R&B Album at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
Jones is up for four additional awards, including Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for “ICU.” Additionally, the success of the chart-topping track, produced by Camper, put her in the Best New Artist category.

Other pending awards include six nods at the 2023 Soul Train Awards.
Jones is scheduled to perform “Spend The Night” alongside BJ The Chicago Kid at the awards show. The Keke Palmer-hosted ceremony will air Sunday, Nov. 26, at 8 p.m. EST.

Jones has also upped her profile with other collaborations. Aside from pairing with BJ The Chicago Kid, Jones is featured on the “Tummy Hurts (Remix)” by multi-hyphenate ReneΓ© Rapp. She also hopped on “Moment of Your Life” a few months earlier with Brent Faiyaz.

Listen to “A Timeless Christmas” by Coco Jones HERE 


#HipHopNews: Saucy Santana To Join Upcoming Season Of ‘Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta’

Saucy Santana has been added to the Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta lineup, so fans of the controversial rapper will be able to see him on the small screen beginning in January 2024.
The Wrap has revealed that the new season, which will drop on MTV on January 9, will follow the makeup artist and rapper in his relationship journey alongside his partner ZellSwag, who is still coming to grips with his sexuality.

Santana and ZellSwag will round out the all-star lineup that also includes Amy Luciani, Bambi, Erica Banks, Erica Dixon, Jessica White, Karlie Redd, Kendra Robinson, Khaotic, Kirk Frost, Mazi G, Mendeecees, Momma Dee, Rasheeda, Renni Rucci, Scrappy, Shekinah Jo, Sierra Gates, Spice, Yandy and Yung Joc.

Saucy Santana is proudly a part of the LBGTQ+ community, but he still has his fears about one day having a son who is also gay.
In a preview of his forthcoming interview with VH1’s For The Fellas published on Friday (December 1), the “Walk” rapper admitted that he worries about his future son receiving the same type of hate and vitriol he received for his dating preferences growing up.

“I think for me, just being honest – I’m just worried about how to raise a kid and just me being gay,” he began. “And I feel like if I have a son, I wouldn’t want my son to be gay. And not because nothing is wrong with it but because of everything I went through. I don’t look at it as self-hate because I love myself more than anybody.”
He continued: “I think that it’s just not easy. I want better and I don’t even know if better is the right word because it’s not saying… To me, nothing is wrong with being gay.”

The full interview arrives December 15.


BREAKING! Norman Lear, iconic TV sitcom and movie producer, dies at 101

Famed television producer Norman Lear, whose wildly successful TV sitcoms including “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons” fused comedy with trenchant social commentary and dominated network ratings in the 1970s, died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles, his family announced on his website. He was 101.

“Norman lived a life of curiosity, tenacity, and empathy. He deeply loved our country and spent a lifetime helping to preserve its founding ideals of justice and equality for all,” his family said. “He began his career in the earliest days of live television and discovered a passion for writing about the real lives of Americans, not a glossy ideal. At first, his ideas were met with closed doors and misunderstanding. However, he stuck to his conviction that the ‘foolishness of the human condition’ made great television, and eventually he was heard.”

Beginning with “All in the Family” in 1971, Lear’s shows tackled fraught topics of racism, feminism and social inequalities that no one had yet dared touch. The show – which won the Emmy for Outstanding New Series – focused on the white working class Bunker family and its small-minded, irascible, prejudiced and oddly likable patriarch Archie Bunker.

The hit show spurred a series of similarly popular and political spinoffs, including “Sanford and Son,” “Maude,” and “Good Times.”
He was executive producer of the cult movie classics “The Princess Bride” and “Fried Green Tomatoes” and was nominated for an Academy Award for best screenplay for “Divorce American Style.” His political advocacy led to the establishment of the liberal political organization People for the American Way.

Even in his 90s, Lear kept working. Along with Jimmy Kimmel, a 95-year-old Lear produced and hosted three episodes of “Live in Front of a Studio Audience,” which won Primetime Emmy Awards in 2019 and 2020. The series used current stars like Jamie Fox, Woody Harrelson and Viola Davis to re-create original episodes of “The Jeffersons,” “All in the Family” and “Good Times.”

In recent years, Lear and his business partner Brent Miller rebooted some of his ’70s sitcom successes, including “One Day at a Time.”
In his 2014 memoir, “Even This I Get to Experience,” Lear attributed the success of his shows to stories drawn from the real experiences of his writers that lent to the authenticity of the characters they developed.

“The audiences themselves taught me that you can get some wonderful laughs on the surface with funny performers and good jokes,” he wrote, “But if you want them laughing from the belly, you stand a better chance if you can get them caring first.”Norman Lear, iconic TV sitcom and movie producer, dies at 101

Famed television producer Norman Lear, whose wildly successful TV sitcoms including “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons” fused comedy with trenchant social commentary and dominated network ratings in the 1970s, died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles, his family announced on his website. He was 101.

“Norman lived a life of curiosity, tenacity, and empathy. He deeply loved our country and spent a lifetime helping to preserve its founding ideals of justice and equality for all,” his family said. “He began his career in the earliest days of live television and discovered a passion for writing about the real lives of Americans, not a glossy ideal. At first, his ideas were met with closed doors and misunderstanding. However, he stuck to his conviction that the ‘foolishness of the human condition’ made great television, and eventually he was heard.”

Beginning with “All in the Family” in 1971, Lear’s shows tackled fraught topics of racism, feminism and social inequalities that no one had yet dared touch. The show – which won the Emmy for Outstanding New Series – focused on the white working class Bunker family and its small-minded, irascible, prejudiced and oddly likable patriarch Archie Bunker.

The hit show spurred a series of similarly popular and political spinoffs, including “Sanford and Son,” “Maude,” and “Good Times.”
He was executive producer of the cult movie classics “The Princess Bride” and “Fried Green Tomatoes” and was nominated for an Academy Award for best screenplay for “Divorce American Style.” His political advocacy led to the establishment of the liberal political organization People for the American Way.

Even in his 90s, Lear kept working. Along with Jimmy Kimmel, a 95-year-old Lear produced and hosted three episodes of “Live in Front of a Studio Audience,” which won Primetime Emmy Awards in 2019 and 2020. The series used current stars like Jamie Fox, Woody Harrelson and Viola Davis to re-create original episodes of “The Jeffersons,” “All in the Family” and “Good Times.”

In recent years, Lear and his business partner Brent Miller rebooted some of his ’70s sitcom successes, including “One Day at a Time.”
In his 2014 memoir, “Even This I Get to Experience,” Lear attributed the success of his shows to stories drawn from the real experiences of his writers that lent to the authenticity of the characters they developed.

“The audiences themselves taught me that you can get some wonderful laughs on the surface with funny performers and good jokes,” he wrote, “But if you want them laughing from the belly, you stand a better chance if you can get them caring first.”

R.I.P


'Dancing With The Stars' Finale Recap: Find Out Season 32 Winner
"Dancing with the Stars" concluded its season 32 on Tuesday, December 5. The winner of the current season of the long-running ABC dancing competition show would be crowned at the end of the episode, which featured Alyson Hannigan, Charity Lawson, Ariana Madix, Jason Mraz and Xochitl Gomez competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

The first round of the night saw the finalists dancing the redemption dances. Kicking off the episode were Alyson and her partner Sasha Farber, who hit the floor to dance a Salsa to "Get on Your Feet" which was her Week 1 dance. Carrie Ann Inaba said it was amazing and she seemed to be a different person from the first episode. Derek Hough noticed the "insane" improvement, while Bruno Tonioli called the routine "racy, spacy and saucy." The judges gave Alyson 25 out of 30.

Later, Jason and Daniella Karagach attempted to redeem his Foxtrot dance to "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra. Bruno dubbed the performance "pure, classic, ballroom." Carrie Ann further praised the singer, saying that he should have a "Las Vegas residency." Derek agreed, calling the routine "absolutely stellar." Jason was given a perfect score, 30 out of 30.

Following it up were Ariana and Pasha Pashkov who danced a Samba to "Spice Up Your Life" for their redemption dance. Derek said that he saw so much improvement compared to the first time they did the routine. Bruno commented that Ariana worked every movement. As for Carrie Ann, she praised Ariana for the improvement but she pointed out that there were a few times she got ahead of the music. The judges gave Ariana 29 out of 30.

After Charli D'Amelio and Mark Ballas' performance, Charity and Artem Chigvintsev hit the ballroom to dance a Tango to "Libertango". Carrie Ann thought Charity's performance defined "redemption," though there was a mistake. Derek called it the best dance of the night so far. As for Bruno, he said it was powerful and impeccably elegant. Charity earned 29 out of 30.
The last dancers for the first round were Xochitl and Valentin Chmerkovskiy who danced a Foxtrot to "Unconditional" for their redemption dance. Bruno loved Xochitl's musicality and lines. Carrie Ann gushed over how the routine was "breathtakingly beautiful." Derek, meanwhile, said that the performance was the epitome of grace and fluidity. Xochitl earned a perfect score.

For the second round, where the celebrity dancers took the stage to dance a Freestyle, Charity and Artem performed first. They danced to "Lose My Breath"/"Sueltate" in the cheerleading-themed routine. Derek said it was something he's been waiting to see on the show. Bruno called it thrilling, while Carrie Ann thought that Charity gave the best example of Freestyle. Charity earned a perfect score.
Later, Jason and Daniella danced a Freestyle to "Happy". It was definitely breathtaking as the judges gave the pair a standing ovation. Bruno even yelled things and called the routine both exciting and uplifting. Carrie Ann stressed that Jason "did that," while Derek noted that he loved how Jason nailed the routine. Unsurprisingly, the judges gave Jason 30 out of 30.

Ariana and Pasha, meanwhile, opted to dance to "Run the World (Girls)"/"Level Up" for the last round of the Finale. Carrie Ann said it was off the charts, adding that Ariana looked like an empowered woman. As for Bruno, he called Ariana "hot as hell" and added that she's on top of the game. Ariana got 30 out of 30.

As for Alyson and Sasha, they hit the dance floor for a performance to "Enchanted"/"Papi". Derek applauded Alyson for giving it her all every single performance. Bruno also noted that she's the people's champion. Carrie Ann, meanwhile, said that Alyson inspired people. She got 28 out of 30.
Up next, Xochitl and Val danced to "Que Calor" where she incorporated her culture to her dance. Dubbing it outstanding, Bruno praised Xochitl for her artistry. Carrie Ann thought the dance was giving bravery and showed a different side of Xochitl. Derek commented on Xochitl and Val's undeniable connection. Xochitl got another perfect score.

It was time for the results. Alyson Hannigan finished in fifth place, while fourth place went to Charity Lawson. Ariana Madix came out as third place finisher, meaning that the winner was between Jason Mraz and Xochitl Gomez.

After a break, Jason was announced as the runner-up. So, the winner of "Dancing with the Stars" season 32 was Xochitl!


Angelina Jolie Confirms Return For 'Maleficent 3'

"Maleficent 3" is in the works with Angelina Jolie returning. More than four years since the second film was released in theaters, the actress has confirmed that she will return for an upcoming third installment of the Disney film series.
In a new profile with WSJ. Magazine, the Academy Award winner reveals her upcoming movie projects, including the third "Maleficent" movie. While she confirmed she has signed on to reprise her role as the villainous character, she did not share any details regarding the forthcoming threequel.

The "Kung Fu Panda" star also said that she has finished filming "Without Blood" and will appear in "Maria", which is directed by Pablo Larrain and will be released in 2024.
While Disney has not officially announced "Maleficent 3", fans rejoiced upon hearing the update from Jolie herself. "YESSS MALEFICENT 3 WE REALLY WON TODAY," one person reacted to the news. A hopeful fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, "I hope this is true because Maleficent is my favorite character of all time."

"Just as I type that, the universe graces us with Maleficent 3. I loved the second one and it was a vast improvement on the first. This is exciting news," an excited fan weighed in. A fourth person gushed, "Is this actually truth this time cause last time this was announced it wasnt true if it is ture then I'll be happy as heck because I love the Maleficent films to death."

Jolie first portrayed Maleficent in the 2014 film "Maleficent". She reprised the role in the 2019 sequel. Elle Fanning, who portrayed Aurora, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville also starred in both films.
Back to the interview, Jolie said that she probably wouldn't be an actress if she was just starting in the entertainment industry in this day and age. "I wouldn't be an actress today," she shared, before explaining, "When I was starting out, it wasn't as much of an expectation to be as public, to share so much."

The 48-year-old added that she may have considered acting on the stage, but not Hollywood. Claiming that she's "just been around so long, and there's been everything said" about herself in the press, she admitted she "was never very impressed with it [Hollywood]."
"I never bought into it as significant or important," the former UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador added. "Of all the places in the world, Hollywood is not a healthy place. So you seek authenticity."


Jonathan Majors' Accuser And Ex Says She 'Scared' Of His 'Violent' Rage During Relationship
Jonathan Majors ex-girlfriend broke down in tears at his abuse trial as she testified she was "scared" of the actor. The "Creed" actor, 34, started his trial over an alleged attack on his former partner Grace Jabbari on Monday, December 4 at Manhattan Criminal Court, New York, and Tuesday's hearing of the case was told he would allegedly fly into a "violent" rage during his relationship with her.

Grace told the jury about Jonathan, whom she started dating in August 2021 after they met on the set of "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania", she first became "scared" of him in December 2021 when she brought up the fact that her ex-boyfriend had a dog. She claimed the actor allegedly berated her for bringing up the ex's pet, saying that it was "embarrassing" that she had dated him, adding, "It was the first time I felt scared of him. I knew to never mention my ex again or anyone I had dated before."

In another incident that allegedly happened in England in September 2022, Grace testified she went to a bar with a female friend and later invited her back to the home she shared with Jonathan, and said he became irate with Jabbari and confronted her, allegedly stepping on her earphones and saying that she was "stupid if she didn't know what she had done." He was also accused of telling Grace to leave their house before he "ran up" to their bedroom and began breaking objects.

Jonathan was arrested on March 25 after he and Jabbari got into a domestic dispute while taking a taxi home from a bar in Brooklyn. He faces three charges of misdemeanor assault, aggravated harassment and harassment.
Jonathan pleaded not guilty and has maintained his innocence throughout this case. His attorney Priya Chaudhry has claimed Grace was the aggressor in the cab where he is alleged to have attacked her and dubbed her a scorned and "psycho" girlfriend who was jealous that the actor was texting another woman.

In October, Grace was charged with assault and criminal mischief for the incident in March, but prosecutors are expected to dismiss the charges against her. Jonathan's trial is set to run for two weeks and if convicted he faces up to a year in prison.


SAG-AFTRA ratifies new contract with studios

Members of SAG-AFTRA, the Hollywood actors union, have ratified a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents major studios and streamers, the union said on Tuesday.
SAG-AFTRA members voted to ratify the contract with about 78% in favor. The union said about 38% of members turned out to vote.

The agreement expires on June 30, 2026.“SAG-AFTRA members have remained incredibly engaged throughout this process, and I know they’ll continue their advocacy throughout our next negotiation cycle,” union president Fran Drescher said in a statement.
“The AMPTP member companies congratulate SAG-AFTRA on the ratification of its new contract, which represents historic gains and protections for performers. With this vote, the industry and the jobs it supports will be able to return in full force,” AMPTP said in a statement Tuesday.

The ratified contract caps a monthslong saga, which included a nearly four-month strike that had paralyzed the industry and raised existential questions over the future of the entertainment business. Hollywood actors and producers reached the tentative deal on November 8, after tumultuous negotiations throughout the year. Eighty-six percent of the union’s national board had voted to approve the tentative agreement.

SAG’s roughly 160,000-member body spent about three weeks voting on whether to ratify the deal.
The union was optimistic about the tentative deal. When the deal was struck, Drescher called it “historic,” and the studios said the agreement “represents a new paradigm” for Hollywood, TV and the actors.

The actors union strike ended on midnight after the deal was tentatively reached, tentatively concluding one of the most disruptive strikes in Hollywood’s history.

The terms of the tentative deal did not come without controversy. Some union members criticized parts of the deal, particularly its AI protections. Some union members posted on social media with the hashtag #SAGAFTRAVOTENO, claiming there weren’t proficient protections against the emerging technology.

In contrast, 99% of the Writers Guild of America members voted to ratify their contract.
In a statement posted on the union’s site on Dec. 2, member Bryan Cranston said he was voting “yes” on the “hard-fought contract proposal.”
“No side will EVER get everything they wanted or hoped for. That is the plain truth of every labor dispute,” he wrote.
After Thanksgiving, the union released the full, 128-page contract for members to review.

SAG-AFTRA said the deal included groundbreaking raises, benefit increases and protections around artificial intelligence in a press conference on November 10.
The contract includes $1 billion in new wages and benefit plan funding and a participation bonus for actors on successful streaming shows. Drescher said the deal has a 7% raise in most minimum payments.

For the first time, the contract includes consent and compensation guardrails for artificial intelligence. Notably, the contract also protects background performers from any use of their digital replica without their consent, SAG leadership said.
The union said there will be appropriate hair and makeup services for all performers. There will also be requirements for intimacy coordinators for scenes requiring nudity or stimulated sex.

There will also be increased pension and health caps for the union’s benefit plan and funds.


Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Thought Their Exes Dating Was a ‘Prank’: ‘They Don’t Believe It’
In the twist no one saw coming, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes’ exes – Andrew Shue and Marilee Fiebig – are dating, and the former GMA coanchors are stunned, a source exclusively tells In Touch.
“No one saw this coming, especially not Amy and T.J., who absolutely thought they were being pranked,” the source explains, calling the news of Andrew, 56, and Marilee’s relationship “an even bigger shock” than Amy, 50, and T.J.’s affair scandal.

“[Amy and T.J.] even looked around for the hidden cameras [when] they were told,” the insider says. “They still don’t believe it.”
News of Marilee, 44, and Andrew’s relationship hit the headlines on Tuesday, December 5, with sources telling Page Six that the mutually-divorced exes regrettably involved in the GMA scandal started dating six months ago.

“It turned into something else, and they’re connected over their values,” one insider told the publication. “It’s bigger than the affair now,” they continued, adding that neither Andrew or Marilee are “heartbroken and sad” over how things shook out with Amy and T.J., 46.
While the news came as a surprise, In Touch can exclusively confirm that Marilee was not the first person that Andrew went on a date with after his marriage to Amy came to an end. He went out with Steve Jobs’ widow, Lauren Powell Jobs, in the aftermath of his separation.
Viewers of Good Morning America will remember the shock that reverberated through the ABC fandom when news of Amy and T.J.’s affair came to light in November 2022. After The Daily Mail posted photos of the pair getting cozy in New York City while they were still married to their spouses, ABC went into crisis mode with multiple sources telling In Touch at the time that the network was “desperately trying to figure out how to handle” the situation.

Both Amy and T.J. were ultimately let go due from their positions to the affair, and both filed for divorce from their spouses shortly thereafter. Amy and Andrew – whose divorce was finalized in March – got married in February 2010 and have no children together. T.J. and Marilee – who became officially divorced in October – tied the knot in March 2010 and had their daughter, Sabine, in January 2013.

In the aftermath of their scandal, Amy and T.J. have brought their romance into the public eye and have even started a podcast together called “Amy and T.J.” In its debut episode on December 5, both of them maintained that they were in the process of leaving their spouses when The Daily Mail’s photographs hit the headlines.

“To be clear, we were outed as being in a relationship, but everyone else thought we were being outed as adulterers — being outed as cheating on our spouses — and it wasn’t the case because the odd thing is, the day those pictures were taken and the day that article was released, we both at that point were in divorce proceedings,” T.J. said, to which Amy recalled they had “attorneys, mediators, we were in the middle of divorces.”


Tamar Braxton's Ex JR Robinson Says They're Back Together and He's 'Committed to Loving' Her 'Forever'

Robinson previously announced that the couple called off their engagement in October after he popped the question during the season 1 finale of 'Queens Court' in July
Tamar Braxton and Jeremy “JR” Robinson have rekindled their relationship after calling off their engagement in October.

Robinson reflected on his shortcomings and the steps he’s taken to become a better partner while announcing the couple’s reconciliation in a lengthy post shared to Instagram on Monday.
"How deep is your love? How deep is the connection that God provided the way for? How do you handle adversity, heartbreak and healing?” he captioned a series of selfies with the Family Values alum. “Well, I can testify that love hurts, love is beautiful and love is God's gift to our hearts.”

The attorney continued by sharing rhetorical questions about “sacrifice” and perseverance when it comes to love. "Are we willing to set aside our own egos to protect what is still left of our love?"
"Lots of questions,” Robinson wrote. “But the answer is: I had to fight hard to push past the hurt, and past my own ego, because God kept bringing me back to how much I love @tamarbraxton - and yet, I still needed to heal to see the beauty of our love.”

When their relationship ended, he admitted he felt “angry” and “took advantage of people who were ultimately trying to take advantage of me” during their separation.
“Hurt people, hurt people," he added. “And for that, I take accountability for wanting her to feel some of my pain.”

Robinson said the person he “really just hurt” in the “long run” was himself, and he needed to heal from his past traumas. Now that he has, the Queens Court alum has no plans to “shy away” from “sharing and being accountable for my high’s and my lows.”
“While I was healing I couldn’t possibly want to be with anyone else, but I’m sure people can resonate with also not wanting to be alone,” he continued. “For anyone that I hurt, I’m sorry. I’m grateful that God saw fit to protect what was truly made for me and that we were able to find our way back to love.”

Robinson added, “I am incredibly touched by how much [Braxton] fought for me! I’m committed to loving this woman forever and I appreciate all the love and support that have come from our family, friends and supporters!”
Braxton’s rep did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.

On Oct. 2, Robinson announced that he and Braxton were no longer together after getting engaged on the first season finale of Queens Court, which aired in March.
"So many questions. So many assumptions. I want to answer all that I can with respect,” he wrote in a statement on his Instagram Story. “Yes, Tamar and I are no longer together. I ended the relationship to focus on getting back to positive energy & being a better person.”

The attorney refused to divulge details of the split, saying, “What happened and why - that's our private place.”
A source later told PEOPLE that the split was Braxton's decision.
"There’s been a lot of drama, but the hope is that the nail isn’t all the way in the coffin for them. She needs time," the source said. "The ball is in her court. She’s in a good mental state and has a great village around her and supporting her through this."


Britney Spears' father Jamie Spears had his leg amputated!
The pop icon's 71-year-old estranged dad had his leg amputated, according to sources who spoke with TMZ, after spending several weeks in the hospital due to a "terrible infection" in the limb. After undergoing five unsuccessful surgeries in an attempt to rectify the issue, to no avail, doctors proceeded with removing the body part as a "last resort," per PageSix.

This major medical development is the latest in Jamie's myriad of health issues, which began stemming from a 2000s knee replacement, and according to the tabloid, he is "not doing well."
Due to the circumstances, the "Toxic" songstress is allegedly considering making amends with her dad, after previously not being open to reaching out to him, sources claimed in August.

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After the release of her bombshell memoir, The Woman in Me, her family members caught even more heat from fans as she blasted her father for the role he played in her conservatorship, her mom, and her sister.
Recently, though, the 42-year-old reconciled with her mother Lynne Spears, as they rang in the singer's birthday together with a celebratory party. The mother-daughter duo was also joined by the Grammy winner’s older brother, Bryan Spears.

“Her mom does love her. There is no doubt about that,” a source told People in a report published Monday, Dec. 4, adding that Lynne has been “very apologetic” and “takes full blame” for their strained relationship, and is committed to “really making an effort to be in Britney’s life.”

Still, she “is still hurt because she feels her mom could have done more to help” throughout her 13-year conservatorship, the source said.
Insiders with knowledge on the familial estrangement also alleged that Britney soon plans to tie up loose ends with her sister, Jamie Lynn Spears.


Daddy Yankee retires from reggaeton to devote his life to Jesus Christ

Daddy Yankee announced that he's devoting his life to Jesus Christ during his last concert of his farewell tour, La Meta, in Puerto Rico over the weekend.
In a lengthy speech posted to his Instagram page, the 46-year-old reggaeton singer said that a part of him felt empty and had been trying to fill a void in his life for a long time that no one could fill.

"I have to confess that those days are over. Someone was able to fill that emptiness," he said. "Tonight I recognize, and I am not ashamed to tell the whole world, that Jesus lives in me and that I will live for him."
In his message, Daddy Yankee, who will now go by his birth name RamΓ³n Ayala, cited a Bible verse in Spanish.

"I was able to travel the world for years winning many awards, applause and praise, but I realized something that the Bible says, 'what good is it for a man to gain the whole world if he forfeits his soul?'"
"One story is over and a new story is going to begin, a new beginning," the Puerto Rican singer continued, at times seen holding back tears. "All the tools that I have in my possession, such as music, social networks, platforms, a microphone, everything that Jesus gave me, is now for his kingdom."

"To all the people who followed me, follow Jesus Christ, he is the way, the truth and the life," he added before dozens of drones at the concert venue lit up the sky with the message "Jesus loves you."
Other fellow artists like Luis Fonsi, who collaborated with Daddy Yankee on the hit song "Despacito," praised him for his decision.

"I owe you a lot bro, a lot! Enjoy this well-deserved break, we will continue to enjoy and celebrate your music ALWAYS," said Fonsi on X, formerly Twitter.

And while there were some skeptical fans, most responded to the singer's message positively.
"If I loved you before, now I love you even more," said one supporter.
"My favorite singer, the best of all, how great," said another.
"Now I admire you more! If before you were an example for many, now you will be the true example!" said a third.

Daddy Yankee now joins a list of other artists who have left the stage to pursue a life devoted to the Christian faith.


Jamie Foxx delivers emotional speech during Critics Choice event: "I have a new respect for life"
On Monday (Dec. 4), the Critics Choice Association held their Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements event in Los Angeles, CA’s Fairmont Century Plaza. During the evening, the organizers decided to open the ceremony by surprising Jamie Foxx with a Vanguard Award, which he accepted after walking up to the stage unassisted.

“I couldn’t do that six months ago, I couldn’t actually walk to [the stage],” he revealed to the crowd, as could be seen in fan-recorded footage. “And I’m not a clone, I’m not a clone. I know a lot of people saying that I was cloned out there. It feels good to be here. I cherish every single minute now, it’s different. I wouldn’t wish what I went though on my worst enemy because it’s tough when it’s almost over, when you see the tunnel. I saw the tunnel, I didn’t see the light. It was hot in that tunnel too, I don’t know where I was going. ‘S**t, am I going to the right place?'”

After providing plenty of laughs, Jamie turned emotional as he expressed his appreciation and “new respect for life.” “I have a new respect for my art. I watched so many movies and listened to so many songs trying to have the time go by. Don’t give up on your art, man, don’t give up on your art,” he said. “When you realize that it could be over like that… I got to tell you don’t give up on your art and don’t let them take the art from you either.”

As previously reported, Jamie was hospitalized back in April due to what his daughter, Corinne Foxx, described as “a health complication.” “Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery,” she added in a post shared on social media. “We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time.”


New Couple Alert? Joshua Jackson & Lupita Nyong'o been seen together a lot!

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In October, Joshua Jackson and Lupita Nyong’o stepped out to enjoy a Janelle MonΓ‘e concert in Los Angeles with a few other pals. At the time, Jackson had split from his wife of four years, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Nyong’o shared a cryptic Instagram message about her engagement to Selema Masekea, which seemed to indicate they had broken up due to his alleged infidelity.

Fans questioned whether the group outing was acting as a mask for Nyong’o and Jackson’s possible relationship, but a TMZ source swore that “nothing romantic” going on because “they’ve known each other for years.” Less than two months later, the paparazzi captured the duo on an outing to the social media trendy grocery store, Erewhon, in Los Angeles — and they did not look happy to see the photographer’s lens. The media outlet noted that Jackson and Nyong’o went “to great lengths to avoid being snapped together during a joint grocery run.”

A food run seems pretty casual, but also very comfortable, when two people are spending time together. If it was just a platonic friendship, then why did the Oscar winner try to hide on her way in and out of the store? She clearly didn’t want to be seen in the Dawson’s Creek star’s car. They even went into Erewhon separately, which is a smart strategy to make those paparazzi photos worth less money, but their suspicious behavior is going to start the relationship whispers.

Jackson and Nyong’o have been friends for a long time, and it’s quite possible that they are helping each other nurse their broken hearts. If that’s all it is, then they don’t need to creep around. If their relationship is something more, then they better buckle up for the bumpy ride ahead now that the paparazzi has caught wind that something is heating up between them.


Jamaican Track & Field Athlete Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Inks New Deal With Luxury Watch Maker
Star runner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has landed a prestigious partnership with Richard Mille.
The Jamaican sprinter joins the company as a brand ambassador as she gears up for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. As part of the new deal, Fraser-Pryce, who has been nicknamed the “Pocket Rocket,” will rock an RM 07-04 Automatic Sport during the Parisian games. The legendary watch company and Fraser-Pryce announced the big news via Instagram on November 29th. In her formal statement, Fraser-Pryce said she was excited to partner with Richard Mille as yet another way of her defying the odds.

“People have always told me what I could or couldn’t do; I wanted to be part of a brand that knows about timing and where age doesn’t limit your progress. At the end of the day, we have the same vision as it pertains to our legacy. What we want to achieve is timeless,” Fraser-Pryce explained.

Fraser-Pryce has achieved so much throughout her career. She has earned ten gold and four silver medals. The 36-year-old is the only sprinter to hold five world titles in the 100 meters, taking home the title in 2009, 2013, 2015, 2019 and 2022. For this reason, Brand and Partnership Director Amanda Mille feels that Fraser-Pryce is the right woman for the job.

“She is a strong woman who combines sprinting with being a mother. As if that wasn’t already enough, she finds the energy for her charity work, and this all-round commitment totally reflects our values,” Mille stated.
Fans will witness Fraser-Pryce wear the timepiece during the games, which begin July 26th, 2024, and conclude August 11th, 2024.


Philadelphia Council Votes to Ban Ski Masks in Certain Public Spaces

Philadelphia has prohibited ski masks and other facial coverings within the city due to the fact that a significant portion of the crimes in the area have been carried out by individuals wearing such disguises.
The recently enacted law makes it illegal for individuals to don ski masks in parks, schools, or while using public transportation. Those found in violation of this regulation may face a fine of $250, with a potential increase to $2,000 if they are engaged in criminal activities while wearing a ski mask. However, the law does provide certain exemptions for individuals wearing ski masks for religious reasons.

This legislation comes at a time when the sixth-largest city in the nation has been grappling with a surge in violent crime. In 2021, Philadelphia recorded a historic high in homicides, with the majority of them involving firearms. While the number decreased from 562 to 516 in 2022, it remained elevated compared to the levels before the pandemic. Major cities across the country witnessed an increase in crime as social support systems were disrupted during the pandemic. However, crime rates have started to return to levels seen prior to the pandemic.

Philadelphia’s decision to ban ski masks and facial coverings contrasts with New York City’s approach, which relaxed a long-standing law prohibiting masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, New York City repealed a law that had been in place for over a century, which had previously prohibited the wearing of face coverings in public. This change was made to allow for mask-wearing during the coronavirus pandemic. Advocates for the repeal argued that the old law had also led to police harassment of people of color and had been used to target protesters during demonstrations.


Kevin McCarthy Says He Will Retire From Congress This Month

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is leaving Congress at the end of the month, he announced Wednesday in a Wall Street Journal op-ed.
The announcement comes weeks after McCarthy was thrown out of the speakership in a historic vote led by hard-right members of his own party, abruptly ending his steady rise in the House.
“No matter the odds, or personal cost, we did the right thing. That may seem out of fashion in Washington these days, but delivering results for the American people is still celebrated across the country,” McCarthy wrote of his time in the House.

The California Republican’s most lasting legacy will likely be the political rehabilitation of former President Donald Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. At first, McCarthy blamed Trump for instigating the riot.
“The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters,” McCarthy said in a Jan. 13, 2021, floor speech. “He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding.”
Trump had summoned his supporters to Washington for a “wild” protest against his loss in the 2020 presidential election. During a speech that day, he urged the crowd to “fight like hell” and to go to the Capitol, where lawmakers were certifying the electoral college results. McCarthy spoke with Trump by phone during the riot and pleaded with him to call off his mob.

Within weeks, McCarthy changed his tune, blaming “everybody across this country” for the attack and traveling to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to stand shoulder to shoulder with him in a now-iconic photo.
McCarthy had been leader of the House Republican conference since 2019, after having served in lower-ranking GOP leadership positions under former Speakers John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). McCarthy needed support from far-right lawmakers in order to win the gavel himself, and placating Trump likely helped put him in the good graces of lawmakers like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

But he became speaker at the start of this year only by making special concessions to the right-wingers ― including a fateful decision to change House rules so that a single lawmaker could trigger a no-confidence vote in the speaker.

Hardliners used that power to oust McCarthy after he avoided a government shutdown in September by allowing the House to vote on a government funding bill without spending cuts that conservatives wanted. The measure passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, prompting Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to file the resolution that led to McCarthy’s downfall.

Gaetz reacted to McCarthy’s retirement Wednesday with a one-word statement: “McLeavin.’”
In his op-ed, McCarthy said he will resign after Christmas rather than finish the second half of his term, shrinking an already tiny Republican majority.

“I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways,” McCarthy wrote. “I know my work is only getting started.”

After weeks of chaos amid a leaderless House following McCarthy’s ouster from the speakership in October, Republicans eventually elected Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) to become the 56th leader of the chamber in late October
McCarthy’s decision to step down early will make it more difficult for Johnson to push partisan legislation through the House, since the Republican majority will shrink from 221 members to 220. With 213 Democrats, Republicans will be able to lose only three of their own members and still pass bills without Democratic votes. If a Democrat wins the February special election to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), Republicans will have a two-vote margin. And when Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) leaves for his pending university job, the margin could shrink to one.

In other words, McCarthy’s early departure will make it even harder for Johnson to deal with government funding deadlines in January and February than it was for McCarthy in September.


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
“Who Wears Shorts Shorts”

Not her apparently


HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM

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