#MAGFAB: Taylor Swift named Time’s ‘Person of the Year’!
Time said Swift was selected because she found a way to give people around the world hope in some seriously dark times.
“No one else on the planet today can move so many people so well,” Time said in its profile. “Achieving this feat is something we often chalk up to the alignments of planets and fates, but giving too much credit to the stars ignores her skill and her power.”
The magazine also interviewed Swift, with the artist revealing that “this is the proudest and happiest I’ve ever felt, and the most creatively fulfilled and free I’ve ever been.”
And yes, she even talked about her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce for the first time publicly. The pair started hanging out after Kelce wore a friendship bracelet on his podcast, which Swift said was “metal as hell” and started to hang out after.
“I’m just there to support Travis,” she said about her appearances at NFL games that have given some of them a ratings boost. “I have no awareness of if I’m being shown too much and pissing off a few dads, Brads, and Chads.”
Part of Swift’s stunning year was her “Eras Tour,” which grossed about $2.2 billion in North American ticket sales alone, according to research firm QuestionPro. Also on Wednesday, StubHub released its 2023 “Year in Live Experiences” report revealing that the “Eras Tour” was StubHub’s biggest tour in the website’s history.
Swift has dominated not only Super Bowl-sized arenas, but local movie theaters as well.
In its opening weekend, the pop singer’s concert film, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” raked in about $96 million in the box office in the United States and Canada, making it the highest-grossing concert film domestically for an opening weekend, according to AMC.
Among all of that, Swift broke her own Spotify record by becoming the most-streamed artist in a single day in the streamer’s history, while “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day this year.
#RHOA: NeNe Leakes Ordered To Pay $25K After Failing To Respond to Lawsuit
It looks like NeNe Leakes has a hefty bill headed her way. Turns out ignoring a lawsuit isn’t the best idea in the world. Who knew
According to Radar Online, NeNe just got slapped with a $25,000 judgment over a lawsuit with her landlord. Remember when she had a store called Swagg Boutique? Well, one of the landlords claimed that she failed to pay the rent, and the former Real Housewives of Atlanta star allegedly blew off the lawsuit. Now, she’s being forced to pay.
Pay up, NeNe
In the lawsuit, the landlord claimed that NeNe signed her lease in 2017 and extended it by a year in 2021. She closed her store in January 2022 but never paid the $22,000 in rent that she owed. The landlord reportedly tried collecting the debt but was never able to get NeNe to pay. So, they took it to court.
Although NeNe never formally responded to the lawsuit, she tried to argue that she wasn’t responsible for the debt because the lease was under her late husband, Gregg Leakes.
“Gregg signed the lease not me! He ain’t here,” NeNe said at the time.
While NeNe publicly argued that she didn’t have to pay the debt, she never actually responded to the lawsuit. So, she automatically lost and was ordered to pay the $22,000 in unpaid rent, $2,315 in attorney fees, and an additional $400 in court costs. Yikes!
Unfortunately for NeNe, this is just the latest in a string of messy business dealings. Her restaurant and lounge recently shut down. Plus, a photographer sued her for failing to pay for photos taken inside of the now-defunct venue. She didn’t respond to that lawsuit either, so she was forced to pay $1,000 to them.
Then, NeNe sued a family friend for selling her car but not giving her the money for it. Get it together, NeNe.
#NewMusicVideo from Brandy ‘Christmas Party for Two’
Brandy has unwrapped the official video for her holiday single “Christmas Party for Two.”
Directed by Frank Gatson and Sikora, the black-and-white video, staged at a lovely home, follows a bubbly Brandy, who gets an expected visit from a well-dressed suitor.
Brandy and her friend share laughs over a glass of Smooth Black, one of three Stella Rosa® Brandy flavors supported by the R&B legend as a brand ambassador.
The Grammy winner is the sole focus of other shots in the video as she gazes into the camera.
“Christmas Party for Two” was co-produced by Theron “Neff-U” Feemster & David Williams III. The sultry love song was released as the lead single from Brandy’s album Christmas With Brandy.
Released Nov. 4, “Christmas Party for Two” has amassed nearly 489,000 streams on Spotify.
Christmas With Brandy was released on Nov. 10 via Brand Nu/Motown Records. The 12-track project includes a feature from her daughter Sy’Rai, an emerging singer.
The album features Brandy’s unique take on holiday classics, including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Someday At Christmas,” as well as original tracks like “Somebody’s Waiting.”
“I feel so blessed to be able to create an album surrounding joy, family, love and quality divine time with the ones you love,” Brandy previously shared.
Christmas With Brandy debuted at No. 29 on Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart in the week of Nov. 25. The LP also opened at No. 50 on the Top Current Album Sales chart.
Christmas With Brandy is Brandy’s first full-length offering since her 2020 album, b7. It’s also her first album since signing with Motown Records.
In recent news, Brandy stars in the new Netflix original film, Best. Christmas. Ever! The comedic movie premiered on Nov. 16 and was crowned No. 1 on Netflix’s Top 10 Movies chart.
Watch Brandy’s video for “Christmas Party for Two” HERE
#HipHopNews: Joe Budden Backtracks 'Lazy, Irresponsible' NBA Youngboy Criticism
Joe Budden has issued an apology to NBA YoungBoy and walked back his prior comments calling the younger rapper’s music “trash.”
The switch-up came on the latest episode of Joe’s eponymous podcast, released on Wednesday (December 6). Though it’s behind a paywall, TMZ got their hands on the audio and Joe admitted he needs to be more responsible with the platform he has.
“I owe NBA YoungBoy an apology too. Let’s talk accountability,” he began. “I owe him an apology. He don’t even bother nobody. And the pod was over! The pod was over. I was in my notes! My notes is for my brain. That ain’t to put out there like that and if you’re gonna have the conversation, there’s a much better way to articulate what you’re tryna say and have the conversation. That’s just lazy to do that at the end of the pod.
He continued: Voices too strong, back to that strong voice shit. You gotta be more responsible than that. That was totally wrong. Not cool. You wanna be the OG that is the bridge. They only snatch my shit when I’m kicking somebody’s backs in. I need to stop kicking peoples backs in. That’s what it says. So yeah, he didn’t need that.”
Budden joked that, out of curiosity, a rant about YoungBoy’s music had been on his bucket list of achievements for the show. But concluded that he didn’t get the pleasure he expected out of the experience.
“Yea, I didn’t like that,” he concluded. “I didn’t feel good about it. It didn’t sit well in my soul, in my spirits as I watched all the biggest blogs [cover it]. You forget this shit is on and you talk like how you talking to your friends and then you listen back and it sounds like shit.”
On an earlier episode of his show, Joe Budden initially said NBA YoungBoy’s music was trash, declaring: “He’s horrible. He is horrible. He is really, really, really, really, really bad. I don’t know him as a person; I’m only speaking about music.”
He added: “That thing happened with him where when he was out, the label pushed the button and did some YouTube shit, so then all the little kids had to come to the gathering and tell you about NBA YoungBoy’s views and how great he is. Now that the label’s backed up a bit, and now that we’ve done had about three or four projects while he’s been in Utah on house arrest.”
In response, NBA YoungBoy went off on Joe Budden in a fiery rant, calling him a “pussy ass bitch” and inviting him to pull up on him in Utah.
“The last thing I dropped was Decided 2 — my album’s still in the top 10, pussy ass n-gga!” he said. “Don’t speak on me, I don’t play that shit. Don’t rat on me neither, you pussy bitch!”
He added: “And I don’t want to argue with your bitch ass! Bitch, you do all them interviews — come on Grave Digger Mountain and talk to me n-gga. If you can’t do that, you’re bitch made, n-gga. Shut your fucking mouth!”
NBA YoungBoy’s mentor and collaborator Birdman also hit back at Joe Budden by issuing a stern warning.
“@joebudden you fukin with somethin you should leave alone,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories. “Stunna Corleone Gotti NBarg @neverbrokeagainllc.”
Despite the warnings, Joe had more to say online, claiming he’s “way bigger” than him during an X Spaces on Monday (December 4).
““I just wanna say, I’m way bigger than him. Stop this. Dawg, you young idiots get fooled by these label metrics and these digital tricks. Would you like me to read you the numbers on YoungBoy’s last six projects? Alright. I mean, I don’t want to. I didn’t think I had to do this. ‘Cause I’m sure someone here is recording.”
After running down the numbers, he added: “The point is, you doing a lot for somebody that don’t sell more than 60,000 records. Stop it. Enough of young people just saying stupid shit in Hip Hop. We get it, you like who you like, awesome. But it’s not this dominant force that you n-ggas keep tryna make it out to be.”
Forest Whitaker's ex-wife, actress Keisha Nash, dead at 51:He says she is 'The Most Beautiful Woman In The World'
Keisha Nash Whitaker, an actor and producer who was married to actor Forest Whitaker for more than 20 years, has died. She was 51.
Her 25-year-old daughter, True Whitaker, shared the news in her Instagram Story on Wednesday. She posted photos of her mother when she was younger and included the message, "Goodbye mommy. I love you 4ever and beyond."
"The most beautiful woman in the world... thank you for teaching me every single thing I know," she continued. "I'll see you in my dreams and I'll feel you in my heart."
We’ve confirmed that Forest Whitaker's verified account follows True's Instagram account and also reached out to Forest Whitaker's rep for comment.
Keisha is credited on her IMDB page with a role in the 2004 film "Proud."
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash Whitaker had two children together, True and Sonnet Whitaker, who is 27. Keisha had another daughter, Autumn, prior to her marriage to Whitaker.
The Emmy- and Academy Award-winning actor, who is also the founder and CEO of the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative, filed to divorce Keisha in 2018, citing irreconcilable differences.
The two met on the set of the 1994 film "Blown Away" and were married for 22 years.
Grammys Try to Remove Diddy From Guest List as His Sexual Assault Lawsuits Leave Show in Crisis
Sean "P. Diddy" Combs isn't the only one left worrying about his future amid sexual assault allegations against him. The lawsuits filed against the rapper by Cassie and two other women have reportedly left the Grammys scrambling to deal with the aftermath of his legal issue.
Per Mirror's report, several officials within the Academy are trying to get the Bad Boy Records founder removed from the guest list as a number of celebrities have requested to not be seated near him. A so-called music insider told the U.K. news outlet, "The formal invitations go out this month. There's conflict at the academy as several voting members do not think it would be appropriate to invite Diddy."
"Some, including several high profile African-American members, fear that inviting him sends the wrong message to audiences and the charities it supports," the informant spilled. "Several publicists have asked that their artists aren't seated by him. It's a logistical nightmare."
Diddy was slapped with a sexual assault lawsuit by his ex Cassie in November. In the suit, she accused the rapper of rape, abuse and sex trafficking during their on-off relationship from 2007 to 2018. He settled the lawsuit with the singer one day later, with his attorney insisting that the settlement was in "no way" an admission of his client's "wrongdoing."
Later, two other women filed civil cases against the "I Need a Girl" hitmaker. A woman named Joi Dickerson-Neal accused him of rape, drugging and revenge porn back in 1991. Meanwhile, a third woman, who is identified as Jane Doe, alleged that Diddy and R&B star Aaron Hall took turns raping her and her friend at an MCA Records event in New York City in the early 1990s.
Following the third lawsuit, his spokesperson said in a statement, "These are civil suits with fabricated claims of misconduct from over 30 years ago, which are nothing but a blatant money grab. Mr. Combs is being unfairly targeted by anonymous accusers who lie for financial gain. The New York Legislature never intended the Adult Survivors Act to be exploited."
The spokesperson also called the lawsuit an attempt at "money grab" and called the rapper "an easy target" due to his fame. "This is nothing but a money grab. Because of Mr. Combs' fame and success, he is an easy target for anonymous accusers who lie without conscience or consequence for financial benefit," the rep told Page Six, before warning, "The public should be skeptical and not rush to accept these bogus allegations."
Drew Carey's Ex-Fiancee Amie Harwick Killer is Sentenced To Life Prison
Drew Carey's ex-fiancee's murderer has been caged for life. The 65-year-old comic's former partner Amie Harwick, 38, was strangled before falling to her death from a third floor balcony, and her ex-boyfriend Gareth Pursehouse was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday, December 6 for her February 2020 murder.
The 45-year-old was found guilty of first-degree murder of sex therapist Amie in September after a jury deliberated for two days. Prosecutors accused him of breaking into Drew's ex-fiancee's Los Angeles home on 15 February, 2020, and waiting for her to return before he attacked her. Pursehouse then strangled the prominent marriage and sex counselor and threw her off the balcony of her third floor.
An autopsy from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office determined she died from "blunt force injuries of the head and torso" and there was evidence of "manual strangulation." During his trial, prosecutors argued Pursehouse was not able to get over his relationship with Amiem which lasted around 18 months and ended years before her murder.
The "New Sex Bible for Women" writer tried to take out two restraining orders on Pursehouse and initially got a temporary restraining order against him in 2011. But it was dismissed after she didn’t show up to a follow-up hearing in court.
Nine months later in April 2012, Amie was granted a request for protection, however, the order expired two weeks before her death. Her friend Rudy Torres told KABC in 2020, "He was a stalker. When they broke up, he didn't take it well at all. He'd do stupid stuff and say stupid stuff. You'd tell him, Move on, dude, leave her alone. And he wouldn't."
Amie was engaged to Drew in 2018 and the couple reportedly had an "amicable split." After her death, the comedian fought back tears as he paid tribute to his late ex, saying on his "Drew Carey's Friday Night Freak-Out" radio show, "She was beautiful and fun, and cared deeply about people and improving their lives and was just a joy to be around. And I was so in love with her."
Drew added Amie had been "deathly afraid" of Pursehouse, even when they were dating. He added, "I just want to say, I'm so broken up. Even after we broke up, we still loved each other very much. Even though we broke up the engagement, I was still so in love with her. And she loved me back."
The gunman in deadly UNLV shooting as 67-year-old professor Anthony Polito; has been killed by officers
The sheriff says a quick response by officers to engage and kill the suspect likely prevented more deaths
Three people were killed when a gunman opened fire on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus Wednesday, and the suspected shooter was then killed by officers, authorities said.
One additional gunshot victim was initially listed in critical condition at a local hospital and later upgraded to stable, police said.
Authorities said there is "no further threat" to the university, which has been closed for the rest of the day.
Authorities did not publicly release the name of the shooter. But multiple law enforcement sources told ABC News the deceased suspect is Anthony Polito, 67.
Polito had applied for a professor position at UNLV but was not hired, those sources told ABC. He had previously worked as a professor in North Carolina and Georgia.
Investigators were searching an apartment in Henderson, Nev. that was believed to be the shooter's home. Detectives have also obtained his phone and are searching for clues as to a motive for the attack.
Anthony Polito, 67, has been identified as the gunman who was killed by officers after fatally shooting three people on the UNLV campus on Dec. 6, 2023.
Sources indicate the victims who were killed were faculty or staff members. It's still not clear if they were intentionally targeted but the fact that the victims were not students suggests to detectives it may not have been entirely random.
Las Vegas authorities say a gunman killed three people at the UNLV campus before being fatally shot by responding officers.
"Our hearts go out to the entire UNLV community," said Sheriff Kevin McMahill with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. "No student should have to fear pursuing their dreams on a college campus. What happened today is a heinous, unforgivable crime."
In addition to those struck by gunfire, the sheriff said four others were transported to local hospitals after suffering panic attacks and two officers incurred minor injuries during the search of campus.
McMahill declined to release the name of the suspect at a 5 p.m. briefing.
The motive remains under investigation.
UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield wrote in a message to the campus community:
"Today is a tragic day for UNLV. It is with the utmost sadness and grief that I am writing to you about a shooting that took place late this morning on our campus - our home. We're all still in shock as we process the unfathomable event. Members of our community lost their lives and others were injured. My heart aches for our UNLV family. I know all of us are sending our love and support to the victims, their families, and friends during this difficult time."
Tyler Perry’s Heartfelt Tribute to Norman Lear Goes Left After Fans Accuse the Late TV Producer of Stealing ‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘Good Times’ from Eric Monte
Tyler Perry‘s heartfelt tribute to “All in the Family” show creator Norman Lear went left after fans accused the television producer of stealing from Black creators.
Lear died from natural causes on Dec. 5 in his Los Angeles home, according to People magazine. He was 101.
In honor of Lear’s passing, Perry paid tribute to the late television icon on Instagram, where he spoke of their meeting after Lear invited him to lunch.
The “Madea” creator called Lear one of his “heroes” who “brought laughter and joy” to him as a child. He also named other shows Lear is famous for creating such as “Good Times” and “Sanford and Son.”
“Not long ago I had the pleasure of meeting one of my heroes,” wrote Perry. “He invited me to lunch at his home and as we sat and talked and laughed, I got a chance to tell him how he had helped save my life. I shared with him that he taught me to dream a bigger dream by his example. He was 100 years old at the time, but sharp as ever. Full of wisdom and great advice, and I took it all in.”
The Emmy-winning filmmaker said before he left he asked Lear, ‘At 100 years old what are you looking forward to?’ Without any hesitation he said, ‘Tomorrow.'”
Perry continued, “It was such a simple but powerful lesson to live your life fully one day at a time. And One Day at a Time just happened to be the name of one of his many hit TV shows along with Maude, All in The Family, Good Times, Sanford and Son and so many other incredible shows. They were the only thing that brought laughter and joy to me as a child, who was living a daily nightmare. I’m so glad that I had the chance to say to him, thanks to his vision and his work, he gave me many ‘tomorrows’ to look forward to.”
The 54-year-old previously opened up about the abuse he endured from his stepfather, whom he believed was his biological father until a DNA test proved otherwise at age 30.
Perry also recalled Lear asking him to help him put together a salute to the surviving Redtail Tuskegee Airmen for “Good Morning America.”
But things took a turn with Perry’s post when fans in his comments section responded to the tribute by accusing Lear of stealing from Eric Monte, a prolific writer and co-creator of “Good Times.”
Monte created the series with Mike Evans, and he previously accused Lear of being a “racist,” who stole his idea for “The Jeffersons,” during a 2006 interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“I created ‘Good Times.’ I created George and Weezy Jefferson. I created What’s Happening!!” Monte said at the 27:22 time mark of the interview. “Norman Lear is a racist, a hypocrite, a thief, and a liar, Okay? Now, the LA Times wouldn’t print that, but I’ll state it emphatically, that that’s what he is. He’s a racist, he’s a hypocrite, he’s a thief and he’s a liar.”
Monte also claimed Lear stole his idea for “The Jeffersons” by signing a deal behind his back. He later sued his agent, Lear, ABC, and CBS in 1977 and accepted a $1 million dollar settlement after his lawyers threatened to quit.
Fans reacted to Perry’s tribute. While many agreed that Lear was a television icon, others shared the same sentiment as Monte’s claims.
“Norman stole the idea for ‘Sanford and Son’ from a Black Man,” replied one, prompting another to add, “That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Another fan added, “And Good Times as well as others!”
Monte added that he was blacklisted in the industry and ended up living in a homeless shelter in Bell, California, after he became addicted to drugs. The 79-year-old later got sober and moved back to his hometown of Chicago.
Harlem Renewed for Season 3
Brunch with the girls is back on! Prime Video has renewed Harlem — about four friends trying to live their best lives — for Season 3, we learned.“The only thing more fun than making Season 2 of Harlem was getting to travel across the country and watch it with our fans!” series creator and writer Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip, The Blackening) said in a statement. “Thanks to everyone who showed up to support and watched it at home! We’re so grateful for all the love and can’t wait to bring you an even juicier Season 3.”
Taylor Swift is ending her year with another accolade: The pop superstar was named Time magazine’s 2023 “Person of the Year,” beating out Barbie and King Charles III.
“While her popularity has grown across the decades, this is the year that Swift, 33, achieved a kind of nuclear fusion: shooting art and commerce together to release an energy of historic force,” the magazine said.
Time said Swift was selected because she found a way to give people around the world hope in some seriously dark times.
“No one else on the planet today can move so many people so well,” Time said in its profile. “Achieving this feat is something we often chalk up to the alignments of planets and fates, but giving too much credit to the stars ignores her skill and her power.”
The magazine also interviewed Swift, with the artist revealing that “this is the proudest and happiest I’ve ever felt, and the most creatively fulfilled and free I’ve ever been.”
And yes, she even talked about her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce for the first time publicly. The pair started hanging out after Kelce wore a friendship bracelet on his podcast, which Swift said was “metal as hell” and started to hang out after.
“I’m just there to support Travis,” she said about her appearances at NFL games that have given some of them a ratings boost. “I have no awareness of if I’m being shown too much and pissing off a few dads, Brads, and Chads.”
Part of Swift’s stunning year was her “Eras Tour,” which grossed about $2.2 billion in North American ticket sales alone, according to research firm QuestionPro. Also on Wednesday, StubHub released its 2023 “Year in Live Experiences” report revealing that the “Eras Tour” was StubHub’s biggest tour in the website’s history.
Swift has dominated not only Super Bowl-sized arenas, but local movie theaters as well.
In its opening weekend, the pop singer’s concert film, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” raked in about $96 million in the box office in the United States and Canada, making it the highest-grossing concert film domestically for an opening weekend, according to AMC.
Among all of that, Swift broke her own Spotify record by becoming the most-streamed artist in a single day in the streamer’s history, while “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day this year.
#RHOA: NeNe Leakes Ordered To Pay $25K After Failing To Respond to Lawsuit
According to Radar Online, NeNe just got slapped with a $25,000 judgment over a lawsuit with her landlord. Remember when she had a store called Swagg Boutique? Well, one of the landlords claimed that she failed to pay the rent, and the former Real Housewives of Atlanta star allegedly blew off the lawsuit. Now, she’s being forced to pay.
Pay up, NeNe
In the lawsuit, the landlord claimed that NeNe signed her lease in 2017 and extended it by a year in 2021. She closed her store in January 2022 but never paid the $22,000 in rent that she owed. The landlord reportedly tried collecting the debt but was never able to get NeNe to pay. So, they took it to court.
Although NeNe never formally responded to the lawsuit, she tried to argue that she wasn’t responsible for the debt because the lease was under her late husband, Gregg Leakes.
“Gregg signed the lease not me! He ain’t here,” NeNe said at the time.
While NeNe publicly argued that she didn’t have to pay the debt, she never actually responded to the lawsuit. So, she automatically lost and was ordered to pay the $22,000 in unpaid rent, $2,315 in attorney fees, and an additional $400 in court costs. Yikes!
Unfortunately for NeNe, this is just the latest in a string of messy business dealings. Her restaurant and lounge recently shut down. Plus, a photographer sued her for failing to pay for photos taken inside of the now-defunct venue. She didn’t respond to that lawsuit either, so she was forced to pay $1,000 to them.
Then, NeNe sued a family friend for selling her car but not giving her the money for it. Get it together, NeNe.
#NewMusicVideo from Brandy ‘Christmas Party for Two’
Brandy has unwrapped the official video for her holiday single “Christmas Party for Two.”
Directed by Frank Gatson and Sikora, the black-and-white video, staged at a lovely home, follows a bubbly Brandy, who gets an expected visit from a well-dressed suitor.
Brandy and her friend share laughs over a glass of Smooth Black, one of three Stella Rosa® Brandy flavors supported by the R&B legend as a brand ambassador.
The Grammy winner is the sole focus of other shots in the video as she gazes into the camera.
“Christmas Party for Two” was co-produced by Theron “Neff-U” Feemster & David Williams III. The sultry love song was released as the lead single from Brandy’s album Christmas With Brandy.
Released Nov. 4, “Christmas Party for Two” has amassed nearly 489,000 streams on Spotify.
Christmas With Brandy was released on Nov. 10 via Brand Nu/Motown Records. The 12-track project includes a feature from her daughter Sy’Rai, an emerging singer.
The album features Brandy’s unique take on holiday classics, including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Someday At Christmas,” as well as original tracks like “Somebody’s Waiting.”
“I feel so blessed to be able to create an album surrounding joy, family, love and quality divine time with the ones you love,” Brandy previously shared.
Christmas With Brandy debuted at No. 29 on Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart in the week of Nov. 25. The LP also opened at No. 50 on the Top Current Album Sales chart.
Christmas With Brandy is Brandy’s first full-length offering since her 2020 album, b7. It’s also her first album since signing with Motown Records.
In recent news, Brandy stars in the new Netflix original film, Best. Christmas. Ever! The comedic movie premiered on Nov. 16 and was crowned No. 1 on Netflix’s Top 10 Movies chart.
Watch Brandy’s video for “Christmas Party for Two” HERE
#HipHopNews: Joe Budden Backtracks 'Lazy, Irresponsible' NBA Youngboy Criticism
Joe Budden has issued an apology to NBA YoungBoy and walked back his prior comments calling the younger rapper’s music “trash.”
The switch-up came on the latest episode of Joe’s eponymous podcast, released on Wednesday (December 6). Though it’s behind a paywall, TMZ got their hands on the audio and Joe admitted he needs to be more responsible with the platform he has.
“I owe NBA YoungBoy an apology too. Let’s talk accountability,” he began. “I owe him an apology. He don’t even bother nobody. And the pod was over! The pod was over. I was in my notes! My notes is for my brain. That ain’t to put out there like that and if you’re gonna have the conversation, there’s a much better way to articulate what you’re tryna say and have the conversation. That’s just lazy to do that at the end of the pod.
He continued: Voices too strong, back to that strong voice shit. You gotta be more responsible than that. That was totally wrong. Not cool. You wanna be the OG that is the bridge. They only snatch my shit when I’m kicking somebody’s backs in. I need to stop kicking peoples backs in. That’s what it says. So yeah, he didn’t need that.”
Budden joked that, out of curiosity, a rant about YoungBoy’s music had been on his bucket list of achievements for the show. But concluded that he didn’t get the pleasure he expected out of the experience.
“Yea, I didn’t like that,” he concluded. “I didn’t feel good about it. It didn’t sit well in my soul, in my spirits as I watched all the biggest blogs [cover it]. You forget this shit is on and you talk like how you talking to your friends and then you listen back and it sounds like shit.”
On an earlier episode of his show, Joe Budden initially said NBA YoungBoy’s music was trash, declaring: “He’s horrible. He is horrible. He is really, really, really, really, really bad. I don’t know him as a person; I’m only speaking about music.”
He added: “That thing happened with him where when he was out, the label pushed the button and did some YouTube shit, so then all the little kids had to come to the gathering and tell you about NBA YoungBoy’s views and how great he is. Now that the label’s backed up a bit, and now that we’ve done had about three or four projects while he’s been in Utah on house arrest.”
In response, NBA YoungBoy went off on Joe Budden in a fiery rant, calling him a “pussy ass bitch” and inviting him to pull up on him in Utah.
“The last thing I dropped was Decided 2 — my album’s still in the top 10, pussy ass n-gga!” he said. “Don’t speak on me, I don’t play that shit. Don’t rat on me neither, you pussy bitch!”
He added: “And I don’t want to argue with your bitch ass! Bitch, you do all them interviews — come on Grave Digger Mountain and talk to me n-gga. If you can’t do that, you’re bitch made, n-gga. Shut your fucking mouth!”
NBA YoungBoy’s mentor and collaborator Birdman also hit back at Joe Budden by issuing a stern warning.
“@joebudden you fukin with somethin you should leave alone,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories. “Stunna Corleone Gotti NBarg @neverbrokeagainllc.”
Despite the warnings, Joe had more to say online, claiming he’s “way bigger” than him during an X Spaces on Monday (December 4).
““I just wanna say, I’m way bigger than him. Stop this. Dawg, you young idiots get fooled by these label metrics and these digital tricks. Would you like me to read you the numbers on YoungBoy’s last six projects? Alright. I mean, I don’t want to. I didn’t think I had to do this. ‘Cause I’m sure someone here is recording.”
After running down the numbers, he added: “The point is, you doing a lot for somebody that don’t sell more than 60,000 records. Stop it. Enough of young people just saying stupid shit in Hip Hop. We get it, you like who you like, awesome. But it’s not this dominant force that you n-ggas keep tryna make it out to be.”
Forest Whitaker's ex-wife, actress Keisha Nash, dead at 51:He says she is 'The Most Beautiful Woman In The World'
Keisha Nash Whitaker, an actor and producer who was married to actor Forest Whitaker for more than 20 years, has died. She was 51.
Her 25-year-old daughter, True Whitaker, shared the news in her Instagram Story on Wednesday. She posted photos of her mother when she was younger and included the message, "Goodbye mommy. I love you 4ever and beyond."
"The most beautiful woman in the world... thank you for teaching me every single thing I know," she continued. "I'll see you in my dreams and I'll feel you in my heart."
We’ve confirmed that Forest Whitaker's verified account follows True's Instagram account and also reached out to Forest Whitaker's rep for comment.
Keisha is credited on her IMDB page with a role in the 2004 film "Proud."
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash Whitaker had two children together, True and Sonnet Whitaker, who is 27. Keisha had another daughter, Autumn, prior to her marriage to Whitaker.
The Emmy- and Academy Award-winning actor, who is also the founder and CEO of the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative, filed to divorce Keisha in 2018, citing irreconcilable differences.
The two met on the set of the 1994 film "Blown Away" and were married for 22 years.
Grammys Try to Remove Diddy From Guest List as His Sexual Assault Lawsuits Leave Show in Crisis
Per Mirror's report, several officials within the Academy are trying to get the Bad Boy Records founder removed from the guest list as a number of celebrities have requested to not be seated near him. A so-called music insider told the U.K. news outlet, "The formal invitations go out this month. There's conflict at the academy as several voting members do not think it would be appropriate to invite Diddy."
"Some, including several high profile African-American members, fear that inviting him sends the wrong message to audiences and the charities it supports," the informant spilled. "Several publicists have asked that their artists aren't seated by him. It's a logistical nightmare."
Diddy was slapped with a sexual assault lawsuit by his ex Cassie in November. In the suit, she accused the rapper of rape, abuse and sex trafficking during their on-off relationship from 2007 to 2018. He settled the lawsuit with the singer one day later, with his attorney insisting that the settlement was in "no way" an admission of his client's "wrongdoing."
Later, two other women filed civil cases against the "I Need a Girl" hitmaker. A woman named Joi Dickerson-Neal accused him of rape, drugging and revenge porn back in 1991. Meanwhile, a third woman, who is identified as Jane Doe, alleged that Diddy and R&B star Aaron Hall took turns raping her and her friend at an MCA Records event in New York City in the early 1990s.
Following the third lawsuit, his spokesperson said in a statement, "These are civil suits with fabricated claims of misconduct from over 30 years ago, which are nothing but a blatant money grab. Mr. Combs is being unfairly targeted by anonymous accusers who lie for financial gain. The New York Legislature never intended the Adult Survivors Act to be exploited."
The spokesperson also called the lawsuit an attempt at "money grab" and called the rapper "an easy target" due to his fame. "This is nothing but a money grab. Because of Mr. Combs' fame and success, he is an easy target for anonymous accusers who lie without conscience or consequence for financial benefit," the rep told Page Six, before warning, "The public should be skeptical and not rush to accept these bogus allegations."
Drew Carey's Ex-Fiancee Amie Harwick Killer is Sentenced To Life Prison
Drew Carey's ex-fiancee's murderer has been caged for life. The 65-year-old comic's former partner Amie Harwick, 38, was strangled before falling to her death from a third floor balcony, and her ex-boyfriend Gareth Pursehouse was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday, December 6 for her February 2020 murder.
The 45-year-old was found guilty of first-degree murder of sex therapist Amie in September after a jury deliberated for two days. Prosecutors accused him of breaking into Drew's ex-fiancee's Los Angeles home on 15 February, 2020, and waiting for her to return before he attacked her. Pursehouse then strangled the prominent marriage and sex counselor and threw her off the balcony of her third floor.
An autopsy from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office determined she died from "blunt force injuries of the head and torso" and there was evidence of "manual strangulation." During his trial, prosecutors argued Pursehouse was not able to get over his relationship with Amiem which lasted around 18 months and ended years before her murder.
The "New Sex Bible for Women" writer tried to take out two restraining orders on Pursehouse and initially got a temporary restraining order against him in 2011. But it was dismissed after she didn’t show up to a follow-up hearing in court.
Nine months later in April 2012, Amie was granted a request for protection, however, the order expired two weeks before her death. Her friend Rudy Torres told KABC in 2020, "He was a stalker. When they broke up, he didn't take it well at all. He'd do stupid stuff and say stupid stuff. You'd tell him, Move on, dude, leave her alone. And he wouldn't."
Amie was engaged to Drew in 2018 and the couple reportedly had an "amicable split." After her death, the comedian fought back tears as he paid tribute to his late ex, saying on his "Drew Carey's Friday Night Freak-Out" radio show, "She was beautiful and fun, and cared deeply about people and improving their lives and was just a joy to be around. And I was so in love with her."
Drew added Amie had been "deathly afraid" of Pursehouse, even when they were dating. He added, "I just want to say, I'm so broken up. Even after we broke up, we still loved each other very much. Even though we broke up the engagement, I was still so in love with her. And she loved me back."
The gunman in deadly UNLV shooting as 67-year-old professor Anthony Polito; has been killed by officers
Three people were killed when a gunman opened fire on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus Wednesday, and the suspected shooter was then killed by officers, authorities said.
One additional gunshot victim was initially listed in critical condition at a local hospital and later upgraded to stable, police said.
Authorities said there is "no further threat" to the university, which has been closed for the rest of the day.
Authorities did not publicly release the name of the shooter. But multiple law enforcement sources told ABC News the deceased suspect is Anthony Polito, 67.
Polito had applied for a professor position at UNLV but was not hired, those sources told ABC. He had previously worked as a professor in North Carolina and Georgia.
Investigators were searching an apartment in Henderson, Nev. that was believed to be the shooter's home. Detectives have also obtained his phone and are searching for clues as to a motive for the attack.
Anthony Polito, 67, has been identified as the gunman who was killed by officers after fatally shooting three people on the UNLV campus on Dec. 6, 2023.
Sources indicate the victims who were killed were faculty or staff members. It's still not clear if they were intentionally targeted but the fact that the victims were not students suggests to detectives it may not have been entirely random.
Las Vegas authorities say a gunman killed three people at the UNLV campus before being fatally shot by responding officers.
"Our hearts go out to the entire UNLV community," said Sheriff Kevin McMahill with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. "No student should have to fear pursuing their dreams on a college campus. What happened today is a heinous, unforgivable crime."
In addition to those struck by gunfire, the sheriff said four others were transported to local hospitals after suffering panic attacks and two officers incurred minor injuries during the search of campus.
McMahill declined to release the name of the suspect at a 5 p.m. briefing.
The motive remains under investigation.
UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield wrote in a message to the campus community:
"Today is a tragic day for UNLV. It is with the utmost sadness and grief that I am writing to you about a shooting that took place late this morning on our campus - our home. We're all still in shock as we process the unfathomable event. Members of our community lost their lives and others were injured. My heart aches for our UNLV family. I know all of us are sending our love and support to the victims, their families, and friends during this difficult time."
Tyler Perry’s Heartfelt Tribute to Norman Lear Goes Left After Fans Accuse the Late TV Producer of Stealing ‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘Good Times’ from Eric Monte
Tyler Perry‘s heartfelt tribute to “All in the Family” show creator Norman Lear went left after fans accused the television producer of stealing from Black creators.
Lear died from natural causes on Dec. 5 in his Los Angeles home, according to People magazine. He was 101.
In honor of Lear’s passing, Perry paid tribute to the late television icon on Instagram, where he spoke of their meeting after Lear invited him to lunch.
The “Madea” creator called Lear one of his “heroes” who “brought laughter and joy” to him as a child. He also named other shows Lear is famous for creating such as “Good Times” and “Sanford and Son.”
“Not long ago I had the pleasure of meeting one of my heroes,” wrote Perry. “He invited me to lunch at his home and as we sat and talked and laughed, I got a chance to tell him how he had helped save my life. I shared with him that he taught me to dream a bigger dream by his example. He was 100 years old at the time, but sharp as ever. Full of wisdom and great advice, and I took it all in.”
The Emmy-winning filmmaker said before he left he asked Lear, ‘At 100 years old what are you looking forward to?’ Without any hesitation he said, ‘Tomorrow.'”
Perry continued, “It was such a simple but powerful lesson to live your life fully one day at a time. And One Day at a Time just happened to be the name of one of his many hit TV shows along with Maude, All in The Family, Good Times, Sanford and Son and so many other incredible shows. They were the only thing that brought laughter and joy to me as a child, who was living a daily nightmare. I’m so glad that I had the chance to say to him, thanks to his vision and his work, he gave me many ‘tomorrows’ to look forward to.”
The 54-year-old previously opened up about the abuse he endured from his stepfather, whom he believed was his biological father until a DNA test proved otherwise at age 30.
Perry also recalled Lear asking him to help him put together a salute to the surviving Redtail Tuskegee Airmen for “Good Morning America.”
But things took a turn with Perry’s post when fans in his comments section responded to the tribute by accusing Lear of stealing from Eric Monte, a prolific writer and co-creator of “Good Times.”
Monte created the series with Mike Evans, and he previously accused Lear of being a “racist,” who stole his idea for “The Jeffersons,” during a 2006 interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“I created ‘Good Times.’ I created George and Weezy Jefferson. I created What’s Happening!!” Monte said at the 27:22 time mark of the interview. “Norman Lear is a racist, a hypocrite, a thief, and a liar, Okay? Now, the LA Times wouldn’t print that, but I’ll state it emphatically, that that’s what he is. He’s a racist, he’s a hypocrite, he’s a thief and he’s a liar.”
Monte also claimed Lear stole his idea for “The Jeffersons” by signing a deal behind his back. He later sued his agent, Lear, ABC, and CBS in 1977 and accepted a $1 million dollar settlement after his lawyers threatened to quit.
Fans reacted to Perry’s tribute. While many agreed that Lear was a television icon, others shared the same sentiment as Monte’s claims.
“Norman stole the idea for ‘Sanford and Son’ from a Black Man,” replied one, prompting another to add, “That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Another fan added, “And Good Times as well as others!”
Monte added that he was blacklisted in the industry and ended up living in a homeless shelter in Bell, California, after he became addicted to drugs. The 79-year-old later got sober and moved back to his hometown of Chicago.
Harlem Renewed for Season 3
Amazon MGM Studios’ head of television Vernon Sanders added, “Harlem has continued to tell outrageously hilarious stories through the perspective of these uniquely special characters. Fans can look forward to more laughs, wit, and cultural commentary from the brilliant mind of Tracy Oliver and the amazing cast, Meagan, Grace, Jerrie, and Shoniqua… This critically acclaimed series has been embraced by so many and it is a privilege to bring season three to our global Prime Video customers.”
Set in Harlem, which is described as the “mecca of Black culture in America,” the story follows four best friends: Meagan Good as the academically talented Camille; Grace Byers as Quinn, an aspiring fashion designer who’s figuring out her sexuality; Shoniqua Shandai as Angie, an up-and-coming actress with a bombastic personality; and Jerrie Johnson as Tye, an app founder and workaholic searching for inner peace.
In Season 2, Camille was forced to put the pieces back together after blowing up her career and disrupting her love life. Meanwhile, her paramour Ian (Tyler Lepley) “tried to figure out how to make meaningful connections while navigating a nasty divorce,” per the official synopsis. “Quinn sought out balance as she rode the emotional roller coaster of life, and Angie looked for luck at every turn as she tried to find her place in the world. Together, the women continued to level up into the next phase of their careers, relationships, and big city dreams.”
Sheryl Lee Ralph Speaks Out Amid Rumors She and Her Husband Moved In Together After 18 Years of Marriage
Ralph stars in 'Abbot Elementary,' which films in L.A., while her husband, Vincent Hughes, is serving as a Pennsylvania state senator
After rumors swirled online that after 18 years of marriage, the Abbot Elementary star, 66, and her husband, Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, 67, were finally shacking up together in Philadelphia, Ralph spoke to ET to clarify their living arrangement.
"Vincent and I have been married going on 19 years," Ralph told the outlet at Elle's Women in Hollywood event in Los Angeles on Tuesday. "We've been together 21 years. Abbott is shot in Los Angeles. My husband, as a senator, is always in his capitol [Harrisburg, Penn.], so I don't know what magic people think we're gonna do."
"We see each other on the average of every two weeks," she explained. "And everybody who questions that I say, guess what? We're still married!"
The pair tied the knot in 2005. When they met, Ralph was living in L.A., while Hughes was in Philadelphia.
Senator Vincent Hughes and wife Sheryl Lee Ralph on December 20, 2022 in New York City.
The Emmy winner previously told the Philadelphia Inquirer how she heads to the City of Brotherly Love regularly.
"First of all, 20 years, keeping this marriage together, you have to be together some time," she told the outlet. "Vincent is not able to leave the state the way I can leave the state. In fact, in 20 years of our being together, I'm going to say my husband has maybe been in California, maybe, 25 times. That means I'm in Philadelphia every two weeks."
She also explained that fans often wonder why she's in Philadelphia: "It's always like, 'What are you doing there?' 'Um, I'm married to Sen. Hughes. I live here.' "
The Dreamgirls actress recently shared with AARP The Magazine that during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, they were “under the same roof.”
"We were together 24/7, and it was great, " she shared. "I thought, 'Wow, I like this man.'"
Ralph also shared how the two began their long-distance relationship, noting how she kept her children, Etienne Maurice and Ivy Coco Maurice, close to their father, her first husband Eric Maurice.
“My kids stayed close to their father, but they also had a friend they could talk to and confide in, and that was Vincent,” explained Ralph. “When we met, I had these young children, and I appreciated that he did not try to insert himself as their father. He had his own children.”
Michael Jackson’s first-ever studio recording is getting a limited digital release
Billboard reported that RECORDPOOL and blockchain-based marketplace anotherblock teamed up to give fans Michael Jackson‘s first-ever studio creation.
The song, titled “Big Boy (One-derful Version),” was recorded by the late pop star — as part of the Jackson 5 — on July 13, 1967 at Chicago’s now-defunct One-derful Records. Another version of the groovy offering was released via Steeltown Records a year later. Credit was given to journalist Jake Austen for discovering the initial recording in 2009.
The decades-old offering will be available as a digital vinyl in two packages, an open edition and a limited edition, both of which will be sold during a 48-hour period beginning on Thursday (Dec. 7). The open edition of “Big Boy” costs $25 and comes with images of the master tape and agreements, downloadable song stems, and a B-side that includes “Michael the Lover” and “My Girl.” The limited edition, which will run buyers $1,000, adds on special artwork and other tracks like “Big Boy (Steeltown Version),” “We Don’t Have to Be Over 21 (To Fall in Love),” “You’ve Changed,” “Tracks of My Tears,” and “Lonely Heart.”
“As a passionate MJ fan myself, I was instantly thrilled about introducing this significant piece of music history to the world and expanding the narrative of the Jackson 5’s early days,” said anotherblock CEO and co-founder Michel Traore. “We engaged in numerous lengthy discussions about the recording, its meaning, history, and the optimal way to tell the story. In total, it took us about six months to piece everything together.”
Traore continued, “In addition to telling the story on our platform, we have crafted an in-depth editorial piece for this release that will be available alongside the recording. It presents a deep dive into the early days of the Jackson 5, complete with original photos.”
LISTEN HERE
You can check out the packages at anotherblock’s official website. In agreement with Michael’s mother, Katherine Jackson, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Legacy Foundation.
Kid Cudi Uses 50 Cent Meme to Respond to Christian Rapper’s Stray in Lil Nas X Diss: ‘God Ain’t Have Nothing to Do With This’
Kid Cudi is responding to a Christian rapper after he was named in a song.
Bryson Gray, a Tennessee rapper previously featured on former President Donald Trump’s #MagaChallenge rap contest, took to his social media to share a track responding to Lil Nas X and his upcoming “Christian era.”
Last week, Lil Nas X shared a teaser of new music with the caption “y’all mind if I enter my christian era ?” and included lyrics such as “"Father, stretch my hands / The lonely road seems to last the longest.”
Gray, who seemingly took offense to Lil Nas X’s supposed turn in direction, blasted the openly gay rapper by calling him a “gay demon” and accused him of “pushing homosexuality” on children.
“But the kids ain’t know he was sodomite way back then / He was going school to school, had the crowds packed in / So how you a Christian rapper but don’t call out sin?” raps Gray in the nearly three-minute cypher that accuses rappers of painting their nails for more revenue.
However, Cudi caught a stray in the video when Gray rapped, “Rappers like Kid Cudi / he put on a dress just to make some wealth.” Cudi infamously wore dresses during his performance of “Sad People” on Saturday Night Live performance and then again at the 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Cudi caught wind of the bar and opted to respond to the track on X (formerly known as Twitter) with the "What you saying fuck me for" GIF of 50 Cent before writing, “😭 catchin strays. God aint have nothing to do w this 🤣”
Nas X also issued his own response to the cypher’s on his X account, writing, “I made one snippet about wanting god to give me hope a few days ago and already like 5 christian rappers have conceptualized, wrote, recorded, and shot music videos in their grandma’s basements for diss songs about me. we really back. 😭😭”
Lil Nas X and Kid Cudi aren’t the only artists Gray took issue with. Cardi B was also criticized on the song for appearing on Baby Shark. British singer Sam Smith was likened to a twin of Satan.
Taraji P. Henson & Her 'The Color Purple' Costars Keep It Chic at LA Premiere
Taraji P. Henson is looking absolutely radiant at The Color Purple premiere!
The star-studded event took place on Wednesday (December 6) at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
The 53-year-old actress, who stars as Shug Avery in the highly anticipated film, looked gorgeous in a black gown complete with a train and an elaborate white design at the top.
Taraji enjoyed the special evening alongside several of her costars, including Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, Ciara, and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi.
The premiere was really quite the fashion event – everyone in the cast who attended looked incredible, dressed in elegant suits and gowns!
The Color Purple will hit theaters on December 25, 2023.
Beyonce Reflects on 'Renaissance' Movie & Its Impact, Explains Why It Was '1 of the Hardest' Projects
Beyonce is opening up about the smash success of her new tour movie and documentary Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce.
The global icon’s movie premiered last week to rave reviews and raced to the top of the box office with solid ticket sales.
On Wednesday (December 6), she took to social media to open up about the release. She thanked so many important people and revealed why the movie was “one of the hardest things” she’d ever tackled.
She also revealed a special connection between the release date and her beloved late Uncle Johnny.
“I am so deeply thankful to AMC and every team member who worked so hard on this film,” Beyonce wrote on Instagram. “I just can’t thank all of you enough for your support. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done because of the short turn around time. I practically slept in the edit, color, and mix sessions. The race against time continued in order to get this film out so quickly. But it was so worth all the grind.”
She continued, writing, “I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from my Hive. And WOW! I am so touched and encouraged by the incredible reviews!!! I love seeing everyone all dressed up in their most opulent lewks in the theaters. The mute challenges still happening, even in the theater!! Y’all are cracking me up. Please keep that energy going. I can’t wait to see what else yall do :)”
“I also love seeing the positive take aways from people who were not my fans or didn’t yet know my story. The people who had no interest in seeing my shows who have now gained a deeper understanding and respect for all it takes to be a RENAISSANCE woman,” Beyonce wrote.
She added that she was “very proud” to release the film on World AIDS Day, a tribute to Uncle Johnny.
“I pray I continue to make something that lifts all of y’all up the way you continue to lift me up. While I’m often critical and feel my art is never finished, the pendulum swings. I feel gratitude. ‘We did it.’ We have the #1 movie in the country! And a 💯 on Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 🥹 And it’s because of you and your support! I humbly thank you,” she concluded.
Tuohy Family Claims Michael Oher Tried To Extort Them For $15 Million
The narrative that inspired the movie The Blind Side has taken a surprising turn.
In a new legal document, attorneys representing Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy submitted screenshots of text messages from Michael Oher. In these messages, Oher accused the couple of being “thieves” and demanded they send him more than $15 million. He also warned that if they didn’t meet his demands, he would reveal their dispute over the earnings from the 2009 film to the public.
The Tuohys have stated that they believe Oher’s request for a temporary injunction should be rejected. They assert that their family has already fulfilled any financial obligations to him but claim Oher has sent multiple intimidating text messages and emails demanding millions of dollars.
“If something isn’t resolved this Friday, I’m going to go ahead and tell the world. How I was robbed by my suppose to be [sic] parents. That’s the deadline,” one text from Oher read as another said, “It was 10 million now I want 15 after taxes.”
The Tuohy family did not include their responses to Oher’s messages in the screenshots presented in Monday’s filings.
“Needless to say, the menacing demands were shocking and hurtful to the Tuohys, who had always treated Mr. Oher with kindness and love,” the Tuohy family’s attorneys said.
In August, Oher revealed that he had recently discovered he was never formally adopted by the Tuohy family. He also believes the family was aware of this fact and intentionally withheld money rightfully owed to him from the film. Oher claimed he only became aware of being placed into a conservatorship with the Tuohys when he turned 18. His attorneys described this revelation as deeply distressing for Oher, who is now a father of two.
Set in Harlem, which is described as the “mecca of Black culture in America,” the story follows four best friends: Meagan Good as the academically talented Camille; Grace Byers as Quinn, an aspiring fashion designer who’s figuring out her sexuality; Shoniqua Shandai as Angie, an up-and-coming actress with a bombastic personality; and Jerrie Johnson as Tye, an app founder and workaholic searching for inner peace.
In Season 2, Camille was forced to put the pieces back together after blowing up her career and disrupting her love life. Meanwhile, her paramour Ian (Tyler Lepley) “tried to figure out how to make meaningful connections while navigating a nasty divorce,” per the official synopsis. “Quinn sought out balance as she rode the emotional roller coaster of life, and Angie looked for luck at every turn as she tried to find her place in the world. Together, the women continued to level up into the next phase of their careers, relationships, and big city dreams.”
Sheryl Lee Ralph Speaks Out Amid Rumors She and Her Husband Moved In Together After 18 Years of Marriage
Ralph stars in 'Abbot Elementary,' which films in L.A., while her husband, Vincent Hughes, is serving as a Pennsylvania state senator
After rumors swirled online that after 18 years of marriage, the Abbot Elementary star, 66, and her husband, Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, 67, were finally shacking up together in Philadelphia, Ralph spoke to ET to clarify their living arrangement.
"Vincent and I have been married going on 19 years," Ralph told the outlet at Elle's Women in Hollywood event in Los Angeles on Tuesday. "We've been together 21 years. Abbott is shot in Los Angeles. My husband, as a senator, is always in his capitol [Harrisburg, Penn.], so I don't know what magic people think we're gonna do."
"We see each other on the average of every two weeks," she explained. "And everybody who questions that I say, guess what? We're still married!"
The pair tied the knot in 2005. When they met, Ralph was living in L.A., while Hughes was in Philadelphia.
Senator Vincent Hughes and wife Sheryl Lee Ralph on December 20, 2022 in New York City.
The Emmy winner previously told the Philadelphia Inquirer how she heads to the City of Brotherly Love regularly.
"First of all, 20 years, keeping this marriage together, you have to be together some time," she told the outlet. "Vincent is not able to leave the state the way I can leave the state. In fact, in 20 years of our being together, I'm going to say my husband has maybe been in California, maybe, 25 times. That means I'm in Philadelphia every two weeks."
She also explained that fans often wonder why she's in Philadelphia: "It's always like, 'What are you doing there?' 'Um, I'm married to Sen. Hughes. I live here.' "
The Dreamgirls actress recently shared with AARP The Magazine that during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, they were “under the same roof.”
"We were together 24/7, and it was great, " she shared. "I thought, 'Wow, I like this man.'"
Ralph also shared how the two began their long-distance relationship, noting how she kept her children, Etienne Maurice and Ivy Coco Maurice, close to their father, her first husband Eric Maurice.
“My kids stayed close to their father, but they also had a friend they could talk to and confide in, and that was Vincent,” explained Ralph. “When we met, I had these young children, and I appreciated that he did not try to insert himself as their father. He had his own children.”
Michael Jackson’s first-ever studio recording is getting a limited digital release
The song, titled “Big Boy (One-derful Version),” was recorded by the late pop star — as part of the Jackson 5 — on July 13, 1967 at Chicago’s now-defunct One-derful Records. Another version of the groovy offering was released via Steeltown Records a year later. Credit was given to journalist Jake Austen for discovering the initial recording in 2009.
The decades-old offering will be available as a digital vinyl in two packages, an open edition and a limited edition, both of which will be sold during a 48-hour period beginning on Thursday (Dec. 7). The open edition of “Big Boy” costs $25 and comes with images of the master tape and agreements, downloadable song stems, and a B-side that includes “Michael the Lover” and “My Girl.” The limited edition, which will run buyers $1,000, adds on special artwork and other tracks like “Big Boy (Steeltown Version),” “We Don’t Have to Be Over 21 (To Fall in Love),” “You’ve Changed,” “Tracks of My Tears,” and “Lonely Heart.”
“As a passionate MJ fan myself, I was instantly thrilled about introducing this significant piece of music history to the world and expanding the narrative of the Jackson 5’s early days,” said anotherblock CEO and co-founder Michel Traore. “We engaged in numerous lengthy discussions about the recording, its meaning, history, and the optimal way to tell the story. In total, it took us about six months to piece everything together.”
Traore continued, “In addition to telling the story on our platform, we have crafted an in-depth editorial piece for this release that will be available alongside the recording. It presents a deep dive into the early days of the Jackson 5, complete with original photos.”
LISTEN HERE
You can check out the packages at anotherblock’s official website. In agreement with Michael’s mother, Katherine Jackson, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Legacy Foundation.
Kid Cudi Uses 50 Cent Meme to Respond to Christian Rapper’s Stray in Lil Nas X Diss: ‘God Ain’t Have Nothing to Do With This’
Kid Cudi is responding to a Christian rapper after he was named in a song.
Bryson Gray, a Tennessee rapper previously featured on former President Donald Trump’s #MagaChallenge rap contest, took to his social media to share a track responding to Lil Nas X and his upcoming “Christian era.”
Last week, Lil Nas X shared a teaser of new music with the caption “y’all mind if I enter my christian era ?” and included lyrics such as “"Father, stretch my hands / The lonely road seems to last the longest.”
Gray, who seemingly took offense to Lil Nas X’s supposed turn in direction, blasted the openly gay rapper by calling him a “gay demon” and accused him of “pushing homosexuality” on children.
“But the kids ain’t know he was sodomite way back then / He was going school to school, had the crowds packed in / So how you a Christian rapper but don’t call out sin?” raps Gray in the nearly three-minute cypher that accuses rappers of painting their nails for more revenue.
However, Cudi caught a stray in the video when Gray rapped, “Rappers like Kid Cudi / he put on a dress just to make some wealth.” Cudi infamously wore dresses during his performance of “Sad People” on Saturday Night Live performance and then again at the 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Cudi caught wind of the bar and opted to respond to the track on X (formerly known as Twitter) with the "What you saying fuck me for" GIF of 50 Cent before writing, “😭 catchin strays. God aint have nothing to do w this 🤣”
Nas X also issued his own response to the cypher’s on his X account, writing, “I made one snippet about wanting god to give me hope a few days ago and already like 5 christian rappers have conceptualized, wrote, recorded, and shot music videos in their grandma’s basements for diss songs about me. we really back. 😭😭”
Lil Nas X and Kid Cudi aren’t the only artists Gray took issue with. Cardi B was also criticized on the song for appearing on Baby Shark. British singer Sam Smith was likened to a twin of Satan.
Taraji P. Henson & Her 'The Color Purple' Costars Keep It Chic at LA Premiere
Taraji P. Henson is looking absolutely radiant at The Color Purple premiere!
The star-studded event took place on Wednesday (December 6) at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
The 53-year-old actress, who stars as Shug Avery in the highly anticipated film, looked gorgeous in a black gown complete with a train and an elaborate white design at the top.
Taraji enjoyed the special evening alongside several of her costars, including Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, Ciara, and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi.
The Color Purple will hit theaters on December 25, 2023.
Beyonce Reflects on 'Renaissance' Movie & Its Impact, Explains Why It Was '1 of the Hardest' Projects
The global icon’s movie premiered last week to rave reviews and raced to the top of the box office with solid ticket sales.
On Wednesday (December 6), she took to social media to open up about the release. She thanked so many important people and revealed why the movie was “one of the hardest things” she’d ever tackled.
She also revealed a special connection between the release date and her beloved late Uncle Johnny.
“I am so deeply thankful to AMC and every team member who worked so hard on this film,” Beyonce wrote on Instagram. “I just can’t thank all of you enough for your support. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done because of the short turn around time. I practically slept in the edit, color, and mix sessions. The race against time continued in order to get this film out so quickly. But it was so worth all the grind.”
She continued, writing, “I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from my Hive. And WOW! I am so touched and encouraged by the incredible reviews!!! I love seeing everyone all dressed up in their most opulent lewks in the theaters. The mute challenges still happening, even in the theater!! Y’all are cracking me up. Please keep that energy going. I can’t wait to see what else yall do :)”
“I also love seeing the positive take aways from people who were not my fans or didn’t yet know my story. The people who had no interest in seeing my shows who have now gained a deeper understanding and respect for all it takes to be a RENAISSANCE woman,” Beyonce wrote.
She added that she was “very proud” to release the film on World AIDS Day, a tribute to Uncle Johnny.
“I pray I continue to make something that lifts all of y’all up the way you continue to lift me up. While I’m often critical and feel my art is never finished, the pendulum swings. I feel gratitude. ‘We did it.’ We have the #1 movie in the country! And a 💯 on Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 🥹 And it’s because of you and your support! I humbly thank you,” she concluded.
Tuohy Family Claims Michael Oher Tried To Extort Them For $15 Million
The narrative that inspired the movie The Blind Side has taken a surprising turn.
In a new legal document, attorneys representing Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy submitted screenshots of text messages from Michael Oher. In these messages, Oher accused the couple of being “thieves” and demanded they send him more than $15 million. He also warned that if they didn’t meet his demands, he would reveal their dispute over the earnings from the 2009 film to the public.
The Tuohys have stated that they believe Oher’s request for a temporary injunction should be rejected. They assert that their family has already fulfilled any financial obligations to him but claim Oher has sent multiple intimidating text messages and emails demanding millions of dollars.
“If something isn’t resolved this Friday, I’m going to go ahead and tell the world. How I was robbed by my suppose to be [sic] parents. That’s the deadline,” one text from Oher read as another said, “It was 10 million now I want 15 after taxes.”
The Tuohy family did not include their responses to Oher’s messages in the screenshots presented in Monday’s filings.
“Needless to say, the menacing demands were shocking and hurtful to the Tuohys, who had always treated Mr. Oher with kindness and love,” the Tuohy family’s attorneys said.
In August, Oher revealed that he had recently discovered he was never formally adopted by the Tuohy family. He also believes the family was aware of this fact and intentionally withheld money rightfully owed to him from the film. Oher claimed he only became aware of being placed into a conservatorship with the Tuohys when he turned 18. His attorneys described this revelation as deeply distressing for Oher, who is now a father of two.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
I had to check the image twice
Walmart Zoom in to see.
Walmart Zoom in to see.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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