#FASHIONFILES: The Icon Diana Ross Is The New Muse Of Saint Laurent's Spring 2024 Campaign
Every season, fashion brands work to secure familiar faces for their ad campaigns. Calvin Klein nearly broke the internet with its Jeremy Allen White spot for Spring 2024, but Saint Laurent might have it beat for most major, unexpected booking with its seasonal muse: Diana Ross.
Every season, fashion brands work to secure familiar faces for their ad campaigns. Calvin Klein nearly broke the internet with its Jeremy Allen White spot for Spring 2024, but Saint Laurent might have it beat for most major, unexpected booking with its seasonal muse: Diana Ross.
Artistic Director Anthony Vaccarello teased the campaign, which was photographed by David Sims, on his Instagram on Monday. In that first image, Ross poses glamorously in a classic black halter-neck dress, her curls wind-swept curls and her makeup minimal. The music icon brings a timeless essence to the Spring 2024 ad, perfectly matching the brand's inherently elegant nature.
Ross has been a longtime friend of the brand — and of its founder, Yves. She's worn the label since the '70s, having attended its shows in Paris and donned it on the Studio 54 dance floor.
Her campaign placement only continues to prove the unbreakable bond between Ross and the French fashion label.
#RHOSLC: Who Is Tenesha Luckett? And How Is She Blowing Up RHOSLC?
More often than not, a housewife in trouble will look at multiple ways to put out the fire around her. This often includes blaming someone else. We do know Monica and Tenesha used to be buddies. We also know they no longer have a friendship. There are many reasons why two women no longer want to be friends. But could it be that Tenesha actually had a crisis of consciousness like Heather claimed and wanted to be a better person?
Hopefully, the Season 4 reunion will explain more about the name drop as fans still try to wrap their minds around what happened with Jen Shah scandal 2.0.
Tenesha Who?
I actually feel a little bad for Tenesha. She probably had no idea what was about to descend on her when her name was revealed during the RHOSLC Season 4 finale. So, who is this woman making all the waves?
Tenesha is a talented hairstylist who now has ties to the Real Housewives through both Heather and Monica. She once spoke with Voyage Utah about her backstory, revealing how her career started in 2013 as a single mother of two. “I was doing collections and miserable,” Tenesha said. “I knew that couldn’t be mine forever…I decided I should find some sort of trade that I enjoyed, so I picked going to hair school.”
Tenesha’s career really took off during the pandemic when she was “presented with opportunities to go to LA and work on major campaign sets.” The rest, as they say, is history.
What Is Tenesha Known for in the Beauty Business?
The Utah native is a diverse and well-rounded stylist who is adept at working with multi-textured hair. She has worked with some famous names like Gabrielle Union, Pyper America, Zola Mash, and, of course, Heather Gay. Tenesha also dabbles in makeup but finds her true passion is hair, and she makes sure all her clients look their best.
How Is Tenesha Blowing Up Bravo?
As viewers learned, the Reality Von Tease account has been tormenting the RHOSLC cast for years, with many sleeping with one eye open. Most of the blame was put on Monica, who admitted to using the account to bring down Jen. However, Tenesha was name dropped when Monica revealed she was posting memes, too. Monica claimed that Tenesha was the person who originally started the account, which came as news to Heather.
Tenesha has gone on the defense and has started to post screenshots of Monica and the rest of the trolls’ group chat. She has also uploaded stories detailing what has occurred over the last few years. She even addressed the accusations made by Monica, noting her former friend “lies through her teeth.”
How Much Does Tenesha Know?
Tenesha didn’t hold back when sharing that Monica had conveniently uploaded her proof out of order and without any dates (what a noob.) The hairstylist did say she had agreed to post on the account because it was the same account she used to track her “baby daddy.” Tenesha also shared she thought she was being a ride-or-die friend by taking part in the trolling. However, she soon backed away from “that group of people…Monica” via WorldTV Media.
Tenesha claimed that Monica had two phones and a recording of Jen being abusive towards her employees. “All of a sudden, the conversation in the group chat starts changing like Jen is abusive; Jen has done these things allegedly,” Tenesha said.
Tenesha also alleged that Monica stalked each of the RHOSLC stars’ homes and even asked for Heather’s address when she found out she was Tenesha’s client. During an Instagram Story, Tenesha also shared photos of the rookie allegedly doing the drive-bys. Tenesha even revealed she filed a police report against Monica, claiming, “This woman knows no bounds.”
#MusicNews: Mary J. Blige To Receive The Entertainment Icon Award At 2024 Urban One Honors
Urban One announced that the iconic Mary J. Blige will receive the heralded Entertainment Icon Honoree at the 2024 Urban One Honors: Best in Black. This year’s two-hour ceremony premieres February 25.
Blige, the Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer, Oscar-nominated actress and Queen of Hip Hop Soul, joins previously announced esteemed honorees Dionne Warwick, recognized as the Lifetime Achievement Honoree; Chlöe, celebrated as the Generation Next Honoree; Frankie Beverly, honored as a Living Legend, and Donald Lawrence, acclaimed for his Inspirational Impact.
“Urban One is thrilled to honor the incomparable Mary J. Blige as our 2024 Entertainment Icon,” says Michelle L. Rice, President of TV One and CLEO TV. “Mary’s immeasurable talent and award-winning music has shaped our culture and has had a profound impact on artists and music across all genres, but most notably the elevation of female artists in both R&B and Hip Hop across generations. She fully personifies the ”Best in Black” theme of this year’s Urban One Honors.”
Teyana Taylor, Bebe Winans, Damon Little, Angie Stone, October London, alongside a reunion featuring KeKe Wyatt, Chanté Moore, and Nicci Gilbert round out the star-studded lineup of performers and presenters. GRAMMY Award-winning singer and actress LeToya Luckett returns to host the event’s “Backstage Pass,” featuring exclusive interviews with the show’s honorees, performers, and presenters.
The upcoming event is produced for TV One by James Seppelfrick of The Cheat Code. Marilyn Gill is the Executive Producer. Myriam Leger will serve as Director and Daniel Moore as Music Director. Kashon Powell is the Vice President of Programming for Radio One and Susan Henry is the Executive Producer in Charge of Production for TV One.
Urban On Honors premieres Sunday, February 25 at 8p/7c, on TV One and simulcast on CLEO TV.
#HipHopNews: Megan Thee Stallion, Joey Badass, Post Malone, And More Announced In Bonnaroo 2024 Lineup
Today the Houston native was announced as one of the many acts slated to hit Bonnaroo in the coming months. She’s set to perform on June 16. Other artists in the lineup include Joey Badass, Post Malone, Galantis, T-Pain, d4vd, Teezo Touchdown, Key Glock, and more.
It’s possible Megan might make a surprise cameo the day before, June 15, as her “Not My Fault” collaborator Reneé Rapp is scheduled for that evening. Check out the full festival roster below.
Also recently announced, Megan will perform at Boston Calling during Memorial Day weekend in May. She’s notably one of the only rap acts on the lineup.
Earlier this month, the “Captain Hook” hitmaker was spotted in New York with Kyle Richh. The pair teased new music in the club. So far, no release date has been hinted at.
Megan’s last album, Traumazine, came out in August 2022. The 18-song offering featured Dua Lipa, Rico Nasty, Future, Pooh Shiesty, and Latto, to mention a few. It spawned records like “Plan B,” “Ungrateful,” and “Anxiety.” Notably, the project marked her final underneath Carl Crawford’s 1501 Certified Entertainment.
“Both Megan and 1501 are pleased to put this matter behind them and move forward with the next chapter of their respective businesses,” the label announced in October 2023. Subsequently, she inked a distribution deal with Warner Music Group. The rapper is still being managed by Roc Nation.
Megan spoke to PEOPLE about her mindset and well-being ahead of 2024. “I’m always working or traveling, so I’m a big believer in setting boundaries and carving out rest days to preserve my mental health and avoid burnout,” she said.
Netflix Announces It's Upcoming Film ‘Shirley’ about Legendary Congresswomn Shirley Chisolm Starring Regina King
Netflix granted us our first look at its new movie Shirley this week. After being attached to the project since 2012 and spending over a decade trying to get it green lit, Regina King will finally get to live out one of her dreams. The Oscar Award-winning actress will play Shirley Chisholm in the upcoming feature film.
The official synopsis of the film reads: Shirley tells the story of the first black Congresswoman and political icon, Shirley Chisholm, and her trailblazing run for President of the U.S. It chronicles her audacious, boundary-breaking 1972 presidential campaign.
Chisholm’s groundbreaking run for President of the United States (which began in 1972) made her the first Black candidate to seek a major party’s nomination for the presidency. By the time the run started, she had already cemented her name in history. Chisholm became the first Black woman to be elected to the United States Congress in 1968. While continuing to climb the political ladder, she gained more and more respect from not only her constituents, but also her peers.
Alongside King, Shirley stars Lance Reddick (The Wire, John Wick franchise), Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Jumping the Broom), Christina Jackson, Michael Cherrie, Dorian Crossmond Missick (Six Degrees), Amirah Vann (How to Get Away with Murder), W. Earl Brown (There’s Something About Mary), Brad James (Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse), Reina King, André Holland (American Horror Story: Roanoke) and Terrence Howard (The Best Man franchise, Hustle & Flow).
John Ridley wrote and directed the film. He also produced the film with Regina King, her sister Reina, Anikah McLaren and Elizabeth Haggard. Jeff Skoll and Ted Gidlow served as executive producers on the film, which is set to premiere exclusively on Netflix on Friday, March 22, 2024.
Angela Bassett and others, accept honorary Oscars at Hollywood gala
Actor Angela Bassett was celebrated for a lifetime of memorable roles from Tina Turner to the queen of Wakanda as Hollywood's film academy handed out honorary Oscars on Tuesday.
Comedian Mel Brooks also received a golden statuette at the annual Governors Awards in front of a crowd of top stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper and Natalie Portman.
On stage accepting her trophy, Bassett paid tribute to the 10 Black women who have won Academy Awards - naming each one - and said she hoped the film industry would provide more opportunities for people of color.
"My prayer is that we leave this industry more enriched, forward-thinking and inclusive than we found it," Bassett, 65, said. "At the end of the day, we all just want to have the opportunity to do great, meaningful work."
Bassett was nominated for two competitive Oscars. The first was for her breakout role as Turner in 1993's "What's Love Got to Do with It," and the second for playing Queen Ramonda in 2022's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."
Bassett and other honorees were selected by the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the group that will hand out this year's Oscars in March.
Writer, director and actor Brooks, now 97, began his career writing comedy routines for Sid Caesar's TV shows in the 1950s before making films such as "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein."
He won an Oscar for writing the screenplay for 1967 film "The Producers," which later became a hit Broadway play.
After a musical introduction by "The Producers" stars Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, Brooks joked that he appreciated his new Oscar statuette because he had sold his previous trophy.
"I won't sell this one, I swear to God," he said.
The academy also honored film editor Carol Littleton and Sundance Film Festival executive Michelle Satter.
Comedian Mel Brooks also received a golden statuette at the annual Governors Awards in front of a crowd of top stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper and Natalie Portman.
On stage accepting her trophy, Bassett paid tribute to the 10 Black women who have won Academy Awards - naming each one - and said she hoped the film industry would provide more opportunities for people of color.
"My prayer is that we leave this industry more enriched, forward-thinking and inclusive than we found it," Bassett, 65, said. "At the end of the day, we all just want to have the opportunity to do great, meaningful work."
Bassett and other honorees were selected by the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the group that will hand out this year's Oscars in March.
Writer, director and actor Brooks, now 97, began his career writing comedy routines for Sid Caesar's TV shows in the 1950s before making films such as "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein."
He won an Oscar for writing the screenplay for 1967 film "The Producers," which later became a hit Broadway play.
After a musical introduction by "The Producers" stars Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, Brooks joked that he appreciated his new Oscar statuette because he had sold his previous trophy.
"I won't sell this one, I swear to God," he said.
The academy also honored film editor Carol Littleton and Sundance Film Festival executive Michelle Satter.
'Rustin' Star Colman Domingo Frustrated By The Lack Of Public's Interest In The Biopic
Colman Domingo is saddened by the lack of awards buzz for "Rustin". The 54-year-old actor stars as civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in the biopic and admits that he was left dismayed after hearing that so many people had not seen the flick despite its critical acclaim.
"Now, my question is this, Ava, because I always think, is it about the certain eyes that are able to land in our films? Because I literally went into a dinner party the other night and I was struck by the amount of people that still hadn't seen 'Rustin'," Colman said in conversation with filmmaker Ava DuVernay for Vanity Fair.
He continued, "I've seen 'Oppenheimer', I've seen 'Killers of the Flower Moon', I've seen 'Saltburn'. I've seen all these things because I think I've always been groomed knowing that I look at stories outside of my experience. But I think there's a large contingent of people who need to be told, like you're saying with marketing dollars, that, 'This has something to do with you.' "
"Rustin" is directed by George C. Wolfe and follows the charismatic activist as he organises the famous March on Washington in 1963 - although Domingo had a "crisis of faith" about the movie launching during the SAG-AFTRA strike that left him "sidelined" by being unable to publicise the work.
The "Fear the Walking Dead" actor told IndieWire, "At some point, honestly, I really did have a crisis of faith where I thought it was lasting too long, where I could not talk about the film and why I care about it and how I led it and all that stuff."
"And honestly, I got a little depressed. And I thought, 'Why me?' This is such a momentous occasion and something I care about so deeply. My first leading role in a film, and I thought, 'Well, why must I be sidelined? '"
Aaron Rodgers Breaks Silence On Jimmy Kimmel Feud, Refuses To Apologize For Epstein List Claims
Aaron Rodgers has finally addressed his controversial remarks about Jimmy Kimmel. Returning to "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday, January 9, the NFL star did not apologize to the comedian as he doubled down on his previous comments.
During his latest weekly appearance on the YouTube show, Rodgers said he never accused Kimmel of being a pedophile. "I said, that a lot of people, and I'm quoting myself here, 'a lot of people - including Jimmy Kimmel - are really hoping that [list] doesn't come out,' end quotes, that's what I said," he stressed.
The 40-year-old tried to clarify, "I was referring to the fact that if there is a list - which again, this hasn't come out yet, this was just a deposition - and there are names on it, then that would be the second time that a soft brain, junior college student, you know, wacko anti-vax, anti-Semite, purveyor, spreading misinformation, conspiracy theorists, MAGA - whatever other things have been said by him and other people in the media - would be right twice."
Rodgers acknowledged "how serious an allegation of pedophilia would be for [Kimmel] to get upset at," adding, "So, for him to be upset about that, I get it." He went on stating, "I'm not stupid enough to accuse you of that with absolutely zero evidence..."
Pivoting the issue to the actual names on the Jeffrey Epstein list, the quarterback said, "I'm glad you're not on the list because those who are on the list - and this what I think we can agree on - that at minimum there should be an inquiry into their involvement, especially if they went to the island. And at maximum, there should be an investigation."
Claiming that the media are trying to cancel him, he said, "This is the gameplan of the media, this is what they do. They try and cancel … it's not just me." He also expressed his wish to put the issue "to bed, to move forward."
Seemingly trying to call a truce with Kimmel, Rodgers said, "I wish him the best. I don't give a s**t what he says about me. As long as he understands what I actually said, that I'm not accusing him of being on a list and I'm all for moving forward." He added, "I'm glad that Jimmy is not on the list. I really am."
Agreeing with Rodgers, McAfee said of Kimmel, "Pumped you're not on that list. Because obviously, we've all been Jimmy fans since way back. Way back." However, the sports analyst insinuated that Kimmel was being too much with a lengthy rant in his Monday monologue, calling it a "diatribe."
Bernice King Says Her “Mother Wasn’t a Prop” After Jonathan Majors Compares Girlfriend to Civil Rights Icon
Bernice King took to social media after Jonathan Majors mentioned her mother’s name, Coretta Scott King, while addressing his girlfriend’s support during his recent domestic violence trial.
While she didn’t mention Majors’ name in her post, she wanted to remind people that her mother, a civil rights icon, “wasn’t a prop.”
“She was a peace advocate before she met my father and was instrumental in him speaking out against the Vietnam War,” Bernice King wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Please understand…my mama was a force.”
She also referred her followers to a story she wrote in the HuffPost in 2017, titled “A Woman Purposed To Be A King,” where she talked about her mother’s impact.
Bernice King’s statements came a day after Majors gave his first interview on ABC’s Good Morning America since being convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment in an incident involving his ex-partner Grace Jabbari
At one point during the interview, the actor explained how he wants the women in his life to be like Coretta Scott King. He also called his current partner, Meagan Good, “an angel” and said, “She’s held me down like a Coretta [Scott King]. I’m so blessed to have her.”
Bernice King’s mother’s name was also previously mentioned during the trial, in audio recordings that were played in court. The actor could be heard saying he was a “great man” and urged Jabbari to be more like Michelle Obama and Coretta Scott King.
When asked about his comments in the recordings during his GMA interview, Majors said, “It was me trying to give an analogy of what it is I’m aspiring to be. These great men, Martin, President Obama. I need her, in that case, Grace, to make the same sacrifices I am making.”
Majors is set to be sentenced on Feb. 6.
‘Love & Marriage: Huntsville’ star Martell Holt arrested on domestic violence charge.
‘Love & Marriage: Huntsville’ star Martell Holt was arrested on Tuesday afternoon. According to a spokesperson with the Huntsville Police Department, Holt was charged with domestic violence -3rd degree-harassing communications.
He was arrested and booked into the Madison County Jail just after 4 p.m. and was released just after 7 p.m.
This story will be updated once there is more information.
Kevin Hart's ex-wife announces that she's going on tour with Katt Williams!
On Monday (Jan. 8), Kevin Hart‘s ex-wife, Torrei Hart, announced that she’ll be going on tour with Katt Williams — a move that is sure to shake up the comedic world.
She shared a photo with her “good friend” Williams on Instagram, along with three dates from the Friday After Next‘s star’s ongoing “Dark Matter Tour.” “More dates coming soon,” she added in the description. Said post also included a snippet from Williams‘ viral “Club Shay Shay” sit-down, which saw him taking shots at Kevin and several others throughout. “I only put on comedians that are funnier than me. Anyone that ever told you different was a fat Faizon liar,” he stated in the clip.
Notably, Torrei is a seasoned comedian and actress in her own right, and has appeared in movies like Super Turnt, Lola 2, and Sebastian. In 2023, she made stops in several U.S. cities as part of her “Feelin’ Extra” stand-up tour. In 2022, she released a single titled “Lit,” proving that she is also talented in the recording booth.
During an interview on the “Russ Parr Morning Show,” Torrei was asked if she contributed to Kevin’s stand-up material during their marriage.
“Definitely a lot, you know… We were together almost every day. Pretty much before he started comedy, we were together, so [there] was definitely inspiration,” she said. “A lot of people don’t know I [was given the title of] ‘Class Clown’ in high school. I’ve always been in the arts. We met in the theater arts class. So it was bound to happen. That’s how God set it up.”
She continued, “I’ve always been in comedy clubs and around that setting. When we met, we just hit it off because we had similar personalities and [we] both had things in common.”
Kevin Hart, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, & More Attend 'Lift' Premiere in NYC!
The stars of Netflix‘s new heist comedy movie are hitting the red carpet! Kevin Hart and Gugu Mbatha-Raw posed for photos together while stepping out for the premiere of their new movie Lift on Monday evening (January 8) held Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Fellow cast members in attendance included Ursula Corbero, Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, Jean Reno, Sam Worthington, Paul Anderson, Viveik Kalra, Yun Jee Kim, and Burn Gorman along with director F. Gary Gray.
Here’s a brief synopsis for the new movie: “A professional thief and his expert crew attempt the ultimate heist: stealing $500 million in gold from a vault on a plane — 40,000 feet in the air.”
Lift will be available for streaming on Netflix starting on Friday, Jan. 12.
Don Lemon Plans to Launch New Show on X!
Don Lemon appears to have a sweet new deal with social-media giant X. The former CNN anchor, who parted ways with the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed news outlet last year after he was moved to duties on its morning program, said Tuesday that he had launched a new media company and would be debuting a new program via X.
The new program, “The Don Lemon Show,” will allow him to be “bigger, bolder, freer,” Lemon said in a posting. The show “will be available to everyone, easily, whenever and wherever you want it, streaming on the platforms where conversations are happening. And you’ll find it first on X, the biggest space for free speech in the world. I know now more than ever that we need a place for honest debate and discussion without the hall monitors. This is just the beginning so stay tuned.”
“Don’s new company will take his no-holds-barred approach to storytelling to the next level in this raw and authentic program,” said Oren Rosenbaum, head of audio and a partner at UTA, which represents Lemon. “Leveraging technology like AI and many decades worth of experience, Don will break news and provoke thoughtful conversation through his direct and unfiltered take on today’s most important stories.” X also plans to debut new programs from former politician Tulsi Gabbard and sportscaster Jim Rome in a bid to broaden its video offerings.
Lemon has long desired to deliver more outspoken commentary, and has made no secret of his ambitions. “I would like it to be a little bit looser. I would love it to be like HBO. I would love to be able to say those things you never say on basic cable. I would love to be able to have those conversations the way Bill Maher does,” he told Variety of his late-prime CNN program during a 2016 interview. In 2022, CNN unveiled plans for Lemon to host a weekly talk show with a live in-studio audience for CNN+, the subscription-based streaming video service that was scuttled within days of it launch by the news outlet’s corporate parent.
Talks between Lemon and X have been going on for the past six months, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The new X program is expected to debut in the next few weeks, according to a person familiar with the matter, and should give Lemon a home base of sorts to talk about subjects ranging from politics to cultural issues to human interest stories. Details about personnel Lemon might rely upon for the program or the ambitions of his new media company were not immediately available.
Lemon’s program is the latest to surface on X, which appears to be cultivating relationships with outspoken personalities. Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News opinion host, has also devised a program for the venue, though it has tapped extreme figures and unproven theories for some of its content.
The show would launch a new chapter for Lemon, who, in another era, was one of the best-known personalities at CNN. Lemon rose under the tenure of Jeff Zucker, the former CNN Worldwide president, who moved the anchor who was at the time working a weekend shift on air. Lemon immediately offered a more provocative version of the typical CNN newscast, once opening a program with the words: ““This is CNN Tonight, I’m Don Lemon. The president of the United States is racist. A lot of us already knew that.”
Warner Bros. Discovery initially tried to tamp down spirited commentary at CNN, in hopes of cultivating a new relationship with conservative viewers in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. Anchors such as Lemon, Brian Stelter and John Harwood came under new scrutiny. Lemon’s move to mornings, orchestrated by former CNN chief Chris Licht, did not gel. He clashed with colleagues such as Kaitlan Collins and found that the spicy commentary that served him well at nights was not as pleasing to A.M. audiences.
Rapper A$AP Rocky pleads not guilty to assault charges in connection with 2021 Hollywood Shooting!
A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty Monday to charges stemming from an allegation that the rapper pulled a gun on a hip hop artist during an altercation in Hollywood and then fired at him soon afterward during another confrontation just over two years ago.
The 35-year-old entertainer -- whose real name is Rakim Mayers -- is charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, along with allegations that he personally used a firearm during the pair of confrontations with Terell Ephron the evening of Nov. 6, 2021.
Mayers' attorney, Joe Tacopina, told reporters outside the downtown Los Angeles courthouse after the hearing that the defense hopes the case will go to trial by September, and said his client will be "vindicated."
"I want to get this done and over so he can start enjoying his family and move on," Tacopina said. "We're going to be quiet and we're going to try this (case) in a courtroom and when we do, facts will come out that show that he's truly innocent and he's a victim in this case."
Mayers -- who is free on bond -- was arrested in April 2022 at Los Angeles International Airport after arriving on a private plane from Barbados, where he had been on vacation with his then-pregnant girlfriend, singer Rihanna, according to media reports. The couple now has two children.
Rapper A$AP Rocky was charged with two counts of assault with a firearm stemming from an alleged run-in with a former friend in Hollywood in 2021.
Last November, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar ruled there was sufficient evidence to allow the case against Mayers to proceed to trial.
Ephron -- also is known as A$AP Relli -- testified at the hearing in November that he saw Mayers outside a parking garage in an encounter partially caught on surveillance video and that Mayers pulled a gun from his waistband, put it toward his stomach and said, I'll kill you right now.''
He said the altercation seemed like it was "forever," but was likely just seconds. He told the judge he decided to follow Mayers after seeing another man in the rapper's entourage apparently putting a pocket knife away.
Ephron -- who testified that he thought the rapper had become "big-headed" as a result of his success -- said he told Mayers he had "failed everybody" and that nobody was brave enough to tell him what they thought.
"I just wanted him to hear my side," he said, telling the judge he was never going to see him again.
Ephron said the man he knew as "Rocky" turned around and shot at him, saying he believed his left hand had been grazed by the gunfire. He said he waited until he got to New York to go to a hospital to seek medical treatment for his three injured knuckles, saying he was in pain.
Tacopina had told the judge at the hearing in November that there was insufficient evidence a shooting had even occurred, urging the judge to dismiss the charges.
But the judge said then that the evidence threshold is much lower in a preliminary hearing compared to a trial and that she was satisfied by what she saw in the videos, one of which included audio sounds of gunshots. Villar said another video showed Ephron "dance around" other individuals present to protect himself, but she questioned why he followed Mayers after the initial confrontation with the rapper
Ephron filed a civil defamation lawsuit last September against the rapper and Tacopina, alleging that they have falsely portrayed him in the media as a liar, a money grabber and a blackmailer. He also filed suit against Mayers in August 2022 stemming from the alleged shooting.
Pentagon say Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin treated for prostate cancer, severe infection
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized on Jan. 1 for complications following surgery nearly two weeks earlier to treat prostate cancer, doctors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center revealed Tuesday.
The disclosure of Austin’s diagnosis and cause of his hospitalization came amid controversy over the Pentagon’s failure for days to inform the White House or the public that the Defense secretary had been admitted to Walter Reed, where he ended up in the intensive care unit.
Pentagon officials also failed for two days last week to notify Austin’s second-in-command that he had transferred authority to her while he was in the ICU, and while she was in Puerto Rico.
President Joe Biden only learned Austin’s prostate cancer diagnosis on Tuesday morning, three days after speaking with Austin on the phone, the White House said.
Hours later Tuesday, the Walter Reed doctors issued their public statement, which is just the latest in a series of surprising disclosures about the Defense chief’s health since Friday.
Austin is sixth in the line of presidential succession and is an essential player in the United States national security apparatus. His previously secret hospitalization came as the U.S. was weighing and executing several major national security measures, including military strikes in the Middle East.
Members of Congress were stunned last Friday to learn from a public Pentagon statement that Austin had both had elective surgery, and later hospitalized on Jan. 1 without them being informed at the time. Biden was informed of the hospitalization on Thursday.
Shortly before Austin’s diagnosis was publicly released Tuesday, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Jack Reed said, “This lack of disclosure must never happen again.”
“He is taking responsibility for the situation, but this was a serious incident and there needs to be transparency and accountability from the Department,” said Reed, D-Rhode Island.
The Republican-led House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday opened a formal inquiry into Austin’s secret hospitalizations, saying it had “grave concerns about the handling of your absence and hospitalization.”
“With wars in Ukraine and Israel, the idea that the White House and even your own Deputy did not understand the nature of your condition is patently unacceptable,” committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Alabama.
The panel asked Austin for information about any medical sedation or anesthesia he received last week, any orders given to “inform or not inform any other person of your hospitalization or medical condition,” and a detailed account of his transfer of duties to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks
The statement Tuesday from Walter Reed came from Dr. John Maddox, trauma medical director, and Dr. Gregory Chesnut, director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research of the Murtha Cancer Center.
The statement said that Austin, as part of his “routinely recommended health screen, “has undergone prostate specific antigen surveillance.”
“Changes in his laboratory evaluation in early December 2023 identified prostate cancer which required treatment,” the doctors said in their statement.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in American men, occurring at a rate of 1 in every 8 men, and at a rate of 1 in every 6 Black men, the statement noted.
“On December 22, 2023, after consultation with his medical team, [Austin] was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer.”
Austin was “under general anesthesia during this procedure,” the doctors said. “Secretary Austin recovered uneventfully from his surgery and returned home the next morning. His prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent. ”
But on Jan. 1, the doctors said, Austin was re-admitted to the Bethesda, Maryland, hospital after experiencing complications from the surgery, “including nausea and severe abdominal, hip and leg pain.”
“Initial evaluation revealed a urinary tract infection,” the statement said.
On Jan. 2, Austin was transferred to Walter Reed’s ICU “for close monitoring and a higher level of care,” the doctors said.
Biden was not told that Austin was in the hospital until two days after his admission to the ICU.
After Austin’s transfer there, doctors discovered a collection of abdominal fluid was impairing the function of his small intestines.
“This resulted in the back up of his intestinal contents which was treated by placing a tube through his nose to drain his stomach,” the statement said. “The abdominal fluid collections were drained by non-surgical drain placement.”
The doctors said Austin’s condition has “progressed steadily throughout his stay” and that his infection has cleared.
“He continues to make progress and we anticipate a full recovery although this can be a slow process,” the doctors said. “During this stay, Secretary Austin never lost consciousness and never underwent general anesthesia.”
Austin is no longer in the ICU but remains at Walter Reed.
The new statement is not likely to put an end to questions about Austin’s failure to disclose his condition or hospitalization, which had led to calls for his resignation by some lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Austin and Biden so far have resisted those calls.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said that the president maintains “complete confidence” in his defense secretary.
But on Tuesday, Biden’s chief of staff Jeff Zients sent a memo to all members of the president’s Cabinet, which includes Austin, notifying them that the White House is conducting a review of protocols by departments for the delegation of authority by Cabinet members.
Zeints directed all Cabinet members to instruct their agencies to submit their existing protocols to the White House, according to the memo, which was obtained by NBC News.
In the meantime, Zients wrote, Cabinet agencies “must ensure” that they notify the White House and the chief of staff “in the event of a delegation of authority or potential delegation.”
“This notification should occur when agencies anticipate or are preparing for a delegation of authority and again when the delegation occurs,” Zients wrote.
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder at a press briefing Tuesday said, “Secretary Austin has taken responsibility for the issues with transparency, and the Department is taking immediate steps to improve our notification procedures.”
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, at a press briefing Tuesday, referred to the controversy surrounding Austin.
“We all recognize that this didn’t unfold the way it should have on so many levels,” Kirby said.
L.A. Reid Challenges Drew Dixon’s Sexual Assault Case in New Legal Move
L.A. Reid is asking a NYC judge to dismiss the various charges in Drew Dixon’s sexual assault case against him.
Dixon initially filed charges against L.A. Reid in November 2023, including sexual battery (Count I), false imprisonment (Count II), intentional infliction of emotional distress (Count III), and gender-motivated violence (Count IV).
According to AllHipHop, his attorneys, Bobbi C. Sternheim and Shawn Holley, are urging the court to dismiss Counts II and III in Dixon’s complaint. They also request the removal of certain statutory references in Count I while seeking additional relief deemed “just and proper.”
Dixon is alleging “ongoing sexual harassment and career sabotage” in two separate incidents that occurred in January 2001 and again later that same year.
By invoking the New York Adult Survivors Act (ASA) and the New York City Gender Motivated Violence Act (GMVA), she resurrects previously time-barred allegations, thereby prolonging the statute of limitations for civil actions related to specific sexual offenses.
Currently, Dixon’s sexual abuse allegations align with applicable laws, but Reid’s legal team contends that she is leveraging these laws to “springboard claims of career frustration and disappointment for which there are no timely or cognizable causes of action.”
They believe she’s taking “inappropriate advantage of specially enacted laws as ‘catch-all’ alternatives for causes of action which cannot stand on their own and are too late to assert.”
According to reports, the first alleged misconduct transpired on a flight departing from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, while the second incident occurred in a chauffeur-driven car in New York City on the way to Dixon’s home.
Reid’s attorneys argue Dixon was not forced or deceived into boarding the plane or accepting a ride. They emphasize that “she was not compelled to go along for either ride against her will.”
Due to unclear venue details regarding the alleged conduct in the Southern or Eastern District of New York, they seek dismissal of Count II.
Additionally, Reid’s attorneys seek to dismiss the claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, contending, “The allegations in the complaint, though undoubtedly unprofessional, distasteful, and improper, do not rise to the level of extreme and outrageous behavior required for an IIED claim in New York.”
According to the lawsuit, Dixon also alleges two separate occasions of “fondling… beneath… clothes” and “digital penetration of v*gina without consent.”
Reid’s attorneys assert that Dixon hasn’t established a cause of action for the 10 PL sections in Count I, noting they “contain elements not alleged in or supported by the complaint and are not applicable to a competent adult plaintiff.”
Dixon asserts that in 2001, while at Arista, L.A. Reid assaulted her twice. She is also accusing the executive of hindering her career following the assaults.
"Now, my question is this, Ava, because I always think, is it about the certain eyes that are able to land in our films? Because I literally went into a dinner party the other night and I was struck by the amount of people that still hadn't seen 'Rustin'," Colman said in conversation with filmmaker Ava DuVernay for Vanity Fair.
He continued, "I've seen 'Oppenheimer', I've seen 'Killers of the Flower Moon', I've seen 'Saltburn'. I've seen all these things because I think I've always been groomed knowing that I look at stories outside of my experience. But I think there's a large contingent of people who need to be told, like you're saying with marketing dollars, that, 'This has something to do with you.' "
"Rustin" is directed by George C. Wolfe and follows the charismatic activist as he organises the famous March on Washington in 1963 - although Domingo had a "crisis of faith" about the movie launching during the SAG-AFTRA strike that left him "sidelined" by being unable to publicise the work.
The "Fear the Walking Dead" actor told IndieWire, "At some point, honestly, I really did have a crisis of faith where I thought it was lasting too long, where I could not talk about the film and why I care about it and how I led it and all that stuff."
"And honestly, I got a little depressed. And I thought, 'Why me?' This is such a momentous occasion and something I care about so deeply. My first leading role in a film, and I thought, 'Well, why must I be sidelined? '"
Aaron Rodgers Breaks Silence On Jimmy Kimmel Feud, Refuses To Apologize For Epstein List Claims
Aaron Rodgers has finally addressed his controversial remarks about Jimmy Kimmel. Returning to "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday, January 9, the NFL star did not apologize to the comedian as he doubled down on his previous comments.
During his latest weekly appearance on the YouTube show, Rodgers said he never accused Kimmel of being a pedophile. "I said, that a lot of people, and I'm quoting myself here, 'a lot of people - including Jimmy Kimmel - are really hoping that [list] doesn't come out,' end quotes, that's what I said," he stressed.
The 40-year-old tried to clarify, "I was referring to the fact that if there is a list - which again, this hasn't come out yet, this was just a deposition - and there are names on it, then that would be the second time that a soft brain, junior college student, you know, wacko anti-vax, anti-Semite, purveyor, spreading misinformation, conspiracy theorists, MAGA - whatever other things have been said by him and other people in the media - would be right twice."
Rodgers acknowledged "how serious an allegation of pedophilia would be for [Kimmel] to get upset at," adding, "So, for him to be upset about that, I get it." He went on stating, "I'm not stupid enough to accuse you of that with absolutely zero evidence..."
Pivoting the issue to the actual names on the Jeffrey Epstein list, the quarterback said, "I'm glad you're not on the list because those who are on the list - and this what I think we can agree on - that at minimum there should be an inquiry into their involvement, especially if they went to the island. And at maximum, there should be an investigation."
Claiming that the media are trying to cancel him, he said, "This is the gameplan of the media, this is what they do. They try and cancel … it's not just me." He also expressed his wish to put the issue "to bed, to move forward."
Seemingly trying to call a truce with Kimmel, Rodgers said, "I wish him the best. I don't give a s**t what he says about me. As long as he understands what I actually said, that I'm not accusing him of being on a list and I'm all for moving forward." He added, "I'm glad that Jimmy is not on the list. I really am."
Agreeing with Rodgers, McAfee said of Kimmel, "Pumped you're not on that list. Because obviously, we've all been Jimmy fans since way back. Way back." However, the sports analyst insinuated that Kimmel was being too much with a lengthy rant in his Monday monologue, calling it a "diatribe."
Bernice King Says Her “Mother Wasn’t a Prop” After Jonathan Majors Compares Girlfriend to Civil Rights Icon
While she didn’t mention Majors’ name in her post, she wanted to remind people that her mother, a civil rights icon, “wasn’t a prop.”
“She was a peace advocate before she met my father and was instrumental in him speaking out against the Vietnam War,” Bernice King wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Please understand…my mama was a force.”
She also referred her followers to a story she wrote in the HuffPost in 2017, titled “A Woman Purposed To Be A King,” where she talked about her mother’s impact.
Bernice King’s statements came a day after Majors gave his first interview on ABC’s Good Morning America since being convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment in an incident involving his ex-partner Grace Jabbari
At one point during the interview, the actor explained how he wants the women in his life to be like Coretta Scott King. He also called his current partner, Meagan Good, “an angel” and said, “She’s held me down like a Coretta [Scott King]. I’m so blessed to have her.”
Bernice King’s mother’s name was also previously mentioned during the trial, in audio recordings that were played in court. The actor could be heard saying he was a “great man” and urged Jabbari to be more like Michelle Obama and Coretta Scott King.
When asked about his comments in the recordings during his GMA interview, Majors said, “It was me trying to give an analogy of what it is I’m aspiring to be. These great men, Martin, President Obama. I need her, in that case, Grace, to make the same sacrifices I am making.”
Majors is set to be sentenced on Feb. 6.
‘Love & Marriage: Huntsville’ star Martell Holt arrested on domestic violence charge.
‘Love & Marriage: Huntsville’ star Martell Holt was arrested on Tuesday afternoon. According to a spokesperson with the Huntsville Police Department, Holt was charged with domestic violence -3rd degree-harassing communications.
He was arrested and booked into the Madison County Jail just after 4 p.m. and was released just after 7 p.m.
This story will be updated once there is more information.
Kevin Hart's ex-wife announces that she's going on tour with Katt Williams!
She shared a photo with her “good friend” Williams on Instagram, along with three dates from the Friday After Next‘s star’s ongoing “Dark Matter Tour.” “More dates coming soon,” she added in the description. Said post also included a snippet from Williams‘ viral “Club Shay Shay” sit-down, which saw him taking shots at Kevin and several others throughout. “I only put on comedians that are funnier than me. Anyone that ever told you different was a fat Faizon liar,” he stated in the clip.
Notably, Torrei is a seasoned comedian and actress in her own right, and has appeared in movies like Super Turnt, Lola 2, and Sebastian. In 2023, she made stops in several U.S. cities as part of her “Feelin’ Extra” stand-up tour. In 2022, she released a single titled “Lit,” proving that she is also talented in the recording booth.
During an interview on the “Russ Parr Morning Show,” Torrei was asked if she contributed to Kevin’s stand-up material during their marriage.
“Definitely a lot, you know… We were together almost every day. Pretty much before he started comedy, we were together, so [there] was definitely inspiration,” she said. “A lot of people don’t know I [was given the title of] ‘Class Clown’ in high school. I’ve always been in the arts. We met in the theater arts class. So it was bound to happen. That’s how God set it up.”
She continued, “I’ve always been in comedy clubs and around that setting. When we met, we just hit it off because we had similar personalities and [we] both had things in common.”
Kevin Hart, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, & More Attend 'Lift' Premiere in NYC!
Here’s a brief synopsis for the new movie: “A professional thief and his expert crew attempt the ultimate heist: stealing $500 million in gold from a vault on a plane — 40,000 feet in the air.”
Lift will be available for streaming on Netflix starting on Friday, Jan. 12.
Don Lemon Plans to Launch New Show on X!
The new program, “The Don Lemon Show,” will allow him to be “bigger, bolder, freer,” Lemon said in a posting. The show “will be available to everyone, easily, whenever and wherever you want it, streaming on the platforms where conversations are happening. And you’ll find it first on X, the biggest space for free speech in the world. I know now more than ever that we need a place for honest debate and discussion without the hall monitors. This is just the beginning so stay tuned.”
“Don’s new company will take his no-holds-barred approach to storytelling to the next level in this raw and authentic program,” said Oren Rosenbaum, head of audio and a partner at UTA, which represents Lemon. “Leveraging technology like AI and many decades worth of experience, Don will break news and provoke thoughtful conversation through his direct and unfiltered take on today’s most important stories.” X also plans to debut new programs from former politician Tulsi Gabbard and sportscaster Jim Rome in a bid to broaden its video offerings.
Lemon has long desired to deliver more outspoken commentary, and has made no secret of his ambitions. “I would like it to be a little bit looser. I would love it to be like HBO. I would love to be able to say those things you never say on basic cable. I would love to be able to have those conversations the way Bill Maher does,” he told Variety of his late-prime CNN program during a 2016 interview. In 2022, CNN unveiled plans for Lemon to host a weekly talk show with a live in-studio audience for CNN+, the subscription-based streaming video service that was scuttled within days of it launch by the news outlet’s corporate parent.
Talks between Lemon and X have been going on for the past six months, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The new X program is expected to debut in the next few weeks, according to a person familiar with the matter, and should give Lemon a home base of sorts to talk about subjects ranging from politics to cultural issues to human interest stories. Details about personnel Lemon might rely upon for the program or the ambitions of his new media company were not immediately available.
Lemon’s program is the latest to surface on X, which appears to be cultivating relationships with outspoken personalities. Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News opinion host, has also devised a program for the venue, though it has tapped extreme figures and unproven theories for some of its content.
The show would launch a new chapter for Lemon, who, in another era, was one of the best-known personalities at CNN. Lemon rose under the tenure of Jeff Zucker, the former CNN Worldwide president, who moved the anchor who was at the time working a weekend shift on air. Lemon immediately offered a more provocative version of the typical CNN newscast, once opening a program with the words: ““This is CNN Tonight, I’m Don Lemon. The president of the United States is racist. A lot of us already knew that.”
Warner Bros. Discovery initially tried to tamp down spirited commentary at CNN, in hopes of cultivating a new relationship with conservative viewers in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. Anchors such as Lemon, Brian Stelter and John Harwood came under new scrutiny. Lemon’s move to mornings, orchestrated by former CNN chief Chris Licht, did not gel. He clashed with colleagues such as Kaitlan Collins and found that the spicy commentary that served him well at nights was not as pleasing to A.M. audiences.
Rapper A$AP Rocky pleads not guilty to assault charges in connection with 2021 Hollywood Shooting!
A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty Monday to charges stemming from an allegation that the rapper pulled a gun on a hip hop artist during an altercation in Hollywood and then fired at him soon afterward during another confrontation just over two years ago.
The 35-year-old entertainer -- whose real name is Rakim Mayers -- is charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, along with allegations that he personally used a firearm during the pair of confrontations with Terell Ephron the evening of Nov. 6, 2021.
Mayers' attorney, Joe Tacopina, told reporters outside the downtown Los Angeles courthouse after the hearing that the defense hopes the case will go to trial by September, and said his client will be "vindicated."
"I want to get this done and over so he can start enjoying his family and move on," Tacopina said. "We're going to be quiet and we're going to try this (case) in a courtroom and when we do, facts will come out that show that he's truly innocent and he's a victim in this case."
Mayers -- who is free on bond -- was arrested in April 2022 at Los Angeles International Airport after arriving on a private plane from Barbados, where he had been on vacation with his then-pregnant girlfriend, singer Rihanna, according to media reports. The couple now has two children.
Rapper A$AP Rocky was charged with two counts of assault with a firearm stemming from an alleged run-in with a former friend in Hollywood in 2021.
Last November, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar ruled there was sufficient evidence to allow the case against Mayers to proceed to trial.
Ephron -- also is known as A$AP Relli -- testified at the hearing in November that he saw Mayers outside a parking garage in an encounter partially caught on surveillance video and that Mayers pulled a gun from his waistband, put it toward his stomach and said, I'll kill you right now.''
He said the altercation seemed like it was "forever," but was likely just seconds. He told the judge he decided to follow Mayers after seeing another man in the rapper's entourage apparently putting a pocket knife away.
Ephron -- who testified that he thought the rapper had become "big-headed" as a result of his success -- said he told Mayers he had "failed everybody" and that nobody was brave enough to tell him what they thought.
"I just wanted him to hear my side," he said, telling the judge he was never going to see him again.
Ephron said the man he knew as "Rocky" turned around and shot at him, saying he believed his left hand had been grazed by the gunfire. He said he waited until he got to New York to go to a hospital to seek medical treatment for his three injured knuckles, saying he was in pain.
Tacopina had told the judge at the hearing in November that there was insufficient evidence a shooting had even occurred, urging the judge to dismiss the charges.
But the judge said then that the evidence threshold is much lower in a preliminary hearing compared to a trial and that she was satisfied by what she saw in the videos, one of which included audio sounds of gunshots. Villar said another video showed Ephron "dance around" other individuals present to protect himself, but she questioned why he followed Mayers after the initial confrontation with the rapper
Ephron filed a civil defamation lawsuit last September against the rapper and Tacopina, alleging that they have falsely portrayed him in the media as a liar, a money grabber and a blackmailer. He also filed suit against Mayers in August 2022 stemming from the alleged shooting.
Pentagon say Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin treated for prostate cancer, severe infection
The disclosure of Austin’s diagnosis and cause of his hospitalization came amid controversy over the Pentagon’s failure for days to inform the White House or the public that the Defense secretary had been admitted to Walter Reed, where he ended up in the intensive care unit.
Pentagon officials also failed for two days last week to notify Austin’s second-in-command that he had transferred authority to her while he was in the ICU, and while she was in Puerto Rico.
President Joe Biden only learned Austin’s prostate cancer diagnosis on Tuesday morning, three days after speaking with Austin on the phone, the White House said.
Hours later Tuesday, the Walter Reed doctors issued their public statement, which is just the latest in a series of surprising disclosures about the Defense chief’s health since Friday.
Austin is sixth in the line of presidential succession and is an essential player in the United States national security apparatus. His previously secret hospitalization came as the U.S. was weighing and executing several major national security measures, including military strikes in the Middle East.
Members of Congress were stunned last Friday to learn from a public Pentagon statement that Austin had both had elective surgery, and later hospitalized on Jan. 1 without them being informed at the time. Biden was informed of the hospitalization on Thursday.
Shortly before Austin’s diagnosis was publicly released Tuesday, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Jack Reed said, “This lack of disclosure must never happen again.”
“He is taking responsibility for the situation, but this was a serious incident and there needs to be transparency and accountability from the Department,” said Reed, D-Rhode Island.
The Republican-led House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday opened a formal inquiry into Austin’s secret hospitalizations, saying it had “grave concerns about the handling of your absence and hospitalization.”
“With wars in Ukraine and Israel, the idea that the White House and even your own Deputy did not understand the nature of your condition is patently unacceptable,” committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Alabama.
The panel asked Austin for information about any medical sedation or anesthesia he received last week, any orders given to “inform or not inform any other person of your hospitalization or medical condition,” and a detailed account of his transfer of duties to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks
The statement Tuesday from Walter Reed came from Dr. John Maddox, trauma medical director, and Dr. Gregory Chesnut, director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research of the Murtha Cancer Center.
The statement said that Austin, as part of his “routinely recommended health screen, “has undergone prostate specific antigen surveillance.”
“Changes in his laboratory evaluation in early December 2023 identified prostate cancer which required treatment,” the doctors said in their statement.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in American men, occurring at a rate of 1 in every 8 men, and at a rate of 1 in every 6 Black men, the statement noted.
“On December 22, 2023, after consultation with his medical team, [Austin] was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer.”
Austin was “under general anesthesia during this procedure,” the doctors said. “Secretary Austin recovered uneventfully from his surgery and returned home the next morning. His prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent. ”
But on Jan. 1, the doctors said, Austin was re-admitted to the Bethesda, Maryland, hospital after experiencing complications from the surgery, “including nausea and severe abdominal, hip and leg pain.”
“Initial evaluation revealed a urinary tract infection,” the statement said.
On Jan. 2, Austin was transferred to Walter Reed’s ICU “for close monitoring and a higher level of care,” the doctors said.
Biden was not told that Austin was in the hospital until two days after his admission to the ICU.
After Austin’s transfer there, doctors discovered a collection of abdominal fluid was impairing the function of his small intestines.
“This resulted in the back up of his intestinal contents which was treated by placing a tube through his nose to drain his stomach,” the statement said. “The abdominal fluid collections were drained by non-surgical drain placement.”
The doctors said Austin’s condition has “progressed steadily throughout his stay” and that his infection has cleared.
“He continues to make progress and we anticipate a full recovery although this can be a slow process,” the doctors said. “During this stay, Secretary Austin never lost consciousness and never underwent general anesthesia.”
Austin is no longer in the ICU but remains at Walter Reed.
The new statement is not likely to put an end to questions about Austin’s failure to disclose his condition or hospitalization, which had led to calls for his resignation by some lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Austin and Biden so far have resisted those calls.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said that the president maintains “complete confidence” in his defense secretary.
But on Tuesday, Biden’s chief of staff Jeff Zients sent a memo to all members of the president’s Cabinet, which includes Austin, notifying them that the White House is conducting a review of protocols by departments for the delegation of authority by Cabinet members.
Zeints directed all Cabinet members to instruct their agencies to submit their existing protocols to the White House, according to the memo, which was obtained by NBC News.
In the meantime, Zients wrote, Cabinet agencies “must ensure” that they notify the White House and the chief of staff “in the event of a delegation of authority or potential delegation.”
“This notification should occur when agencies anticipate or are preparing for a delegation of authority and again when the delegation occurs,” Zients wrote.
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder at a press briefing Tuesday said, “Secretary Austin has taken responsibility for the issues with transparency, and the Department is taking immediate steps to improve our notification procedures.”
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, at a press briefing Tuesday, referred to the controversy surrounding Austin.
“We all recognize that this didn’t unfold the way it should have on so many levels,” Kirby said.
L.A. Reid Challenges Drew Dixon’s Sexual Assault Case in New Legal Move
L.A. Reid is asking a NYC judge to dismiss the various charges in Drew Dixon’s sexual assault case against him.
Dixon initially filed charges against L.A. Reid in November 2023, including sexual battery (Count I), false imprisonment (Count II), intentional infliction of emotional distress (Count III), and gender-motivated violence (Count IV).
According to AllHipHop, his attorneys, Bobbi C. Sternheim and Shawn Holley, are urging the court to dismiss Counts II and III in Dixon’s complaint. They also request the removal of certain statutory references in Count I while seeking additional relief deemed “just and proper.”
Dixon is alleging “ongoing sexual harassment and career sabotage” in two separate incidents that occurred in January 2001 and again later that same year.
By invoking the New York Adult Survivors Act (ASA) and the New York City Gender Motivated Violence Act (GMVA), she resurrects previously time-barred allegations, thereby prolonging the statute of limitations for civil actions related to specific sexual offenses.
Currently, Dixon’s sexual abuse allegations align with applicable laws, but Reid’s legal team contends that she is leveraging these laws to “springboard claims of career frustration and disappointment for which there are no timely or cognizable causes of action.”
They believe she’s taking “inappropriate advantage of specially enacted laws as ‘catch-all’ alternatives for causes of action which cannot stand on their own and are too late to assert.”
According to reports, the first alleged misconduct transpired on a flight departing from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, while the second incident occurred in a chauffeur-driven car in New York City on the way to Dixon’s home.
Reid’s attorneys argue Dixon was not forced or deceived into boarding the plane or accepting a ride. They emphasize that “she was not compelled to go along for either ride against her will.”
Due to unclear venue details regarding the alleged conduct in the Southern or Eastern District of New York, they seek dismissal of Count II.
Additionally, Reid’s attorneys seek to dismiss the claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, contending, “The allegations in the complaint, though undoubtedly unprofessional, distasteful, and improper, do not rise to the level of extreme and outrageous behavior required for an IIED claim in New York.”
According to the lawsuit, Dixon also alleges two separate occasions of “fondling… beneath… clothes” and “digital penetration of v*gina without consent.”
Reid’s attorneys assert that Dixon hasn’t established a cause of action for the 10 PL sections in Count I, noting they “contain elements not alleged in or supported by the complaint and are not applicable to a competent adult plaintiff.”
Dixon asserts that in 2001, while at Arista, L.A. Reid assaulted her twice. She is also accusing the executive of hindering her career following the assaults.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
The Mascots Family
This funny family decided it would make a great picture to put all these animal heads on their heads and post it online for the world to see
This funny family decided it would make a great picture to put all these animal heads on their heads and post it online for the world to see
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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