1/11/24

The Daily Buzz For Jan 12 ☕📰☕

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#MAGFAB: Linda Evangelista Covers V Magazine’s New Spring Preview Issue

After her nearly five-year hiatus from the industry, fashion’s ultimate “chameleon” returns to the pages of V as she reunites with renowned photographer Steven Klein for their first photo shoot in over a decade. Taking her transforming abilities to new levels like never before with the enchanting stylings of Patti Wilson, Linda is proving she is back and bolder than ever—reminding us all of exactly what we’ve been missing since the last time V saw her.
V146 starring Linda Evangelista is now available for pre-order on shop.vmagazine.com and will hit global newsstands beginning January 12th.


#RHOBH: Garcelle Calls Out Dorit for ‘Karen Behavior’!
RHOBH’s Garcelle Beauvais calls out co-star Dorit Kemsley for “unconscious Karen behavior” following their spat over her word choice.
During an awkward and tense dinner, Garcelle Beauvais confronted Dorit Kemsley over her using the word “attacked” towards her during a spat at Crystal Minkoff‘s party.

“The other night, the word attack just hit me in the wrong place,” Garcelle explained. “There are certain words when you point them at me, it has a complete different impact. There are three words you don’t say to Black women. You don’t say aggressive, you don’t say attack, and you don’t say angry because that’s labeling us.”

The RHOBH star continued, “What I feel is there’s a pattern with you that I don’t know whether you’re aware of or not, but I’m just going to be completely blunt: it feels like an unconscious Karen behavior with you.”
In her RHOBH confessional interview, a shocked Dorit said, “This is a very, very serious, dangerous accusation. It’s hurtful, and that accusation holds a lot of implications, and I’m not feeling comfortable with this at all.”

Dorit asked Garcelle for an example of how she had behaved that way in the past, to which Garcelle happily obliged.
The actress-turned-RHOH star recalled an instance two years prior when Dorit explained how she and her husband, Paul ‘PK’ Kemsley, hired several multicultural people to work in their home in order to expose their children to people from all around the world.

“We’ve had a lot of people that have worked for us who are very multicultural,” Dorit said in flashback footage from season 11 of RHOBH. “I’ve had a lot of Black and Hispanic and Filipino.” 
“But are there brown people only helping at your house?” asked Garcelle, to which Dorit replied, “No, in fact, my mother’s best friend is Black.”
“Awesome, I just wanted to clarify that,” responded Garcelle.
Switching back to the present day, Gacelle asked Dorit, “Has there been growth since the last time you were like, ‘People of color have worked for you?’ ”
“I don’t know why you keep raising this,” Dorit fired back in hopes of getting Garcelle to drop this conversation. 

However, Garcelle continued, “Because it feels like to me … I don’t know.”
“What does it feel like?” Dorit asked. “That I’m racist?”
Dorit added: “There is an implication here.”
“I’m not labeling you,” Garcelle insisted before adding: “You know what, if there’s a racist undertone, that’s not my fault. I’m not calling you anything.”

 “If it’s simply about me using a word that triggered you, if that’s what this is about, then I’m apologizing, but it sounds like there is something more,” Dorit noted.
Garcelle then admitted that Dorit has “been getting under my skin.”

She then told her RHOBH co-star: “I think with the things you say and how you say them and the last straw was you saying that I attacked you. I don’t know how we’re going to move forward but I’m going to try because I don’t hate you, I just feel like I needed to say what happened the other day really triggered me and it really bothered me.“

Dorit apologized and insisted that she’d never want to hurt Garcelle or anyone else.
“I’m very sorry that it triggered you and it hurt you. And I mean that genuinely. And I would never want to hurt anyone intentionally,” she said.
“I believe that,” said Garcelle. “I just think the choice of words was horrible.”
In her RHOBH confessional, Dorit then admitted: “This was a learning lesson for me. I was unaware, and I know now I need to be more aware of what I’m saying and who I’m saying it to.”

On the December 20 episode of RHOBH, Dorit said that she felt Garcelle “attacked” her after Garcelle accused Dorit of trying to embarrass Sutton Stracke by telling the group that she made out with her driver.
Garcelle said, “Dorit lives in a bit of a bubble, just triggers me. We live in a world now where we’re woke, whatever you want to say, and I feel like she’s not in that world.”

“Just for the record, I didn’t attack you; we were having a conversation,” Garcelle then told a baffled Dorit, who asked, “What’s a good word? What’s a better word?”
“I don’t know what a good word is, but I feel like for you and your privilege, I can’t,” Garcelle quipped. A shocked Dorit asked: “What does that mean?”
Erika Jayne quickly interjected, telling Dorit: “It means you’re White and the words are different. They have different connotations, they have different meanings.”

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
Thoughts on this RHOBH drama? Whose side are you on – Dorit or Garcelle?


#NewMusic from Raheem DeVaughn ‘Let’s Fall In Love’!

Raheem DeVaughn was deep in his bag and heavy in the studio in 2023. The consistent and prolific artist outdid himself last year, releasing three new projects – Love Euphoria, The Summer Of Love and Fall In Love. As their titles suggest, the trio of releases are all about love and lovemaking, which are topics that The Love King takes great pleasure in covering. The lead single from his latest album Fall In Love is actually a cover of The Isley Brothers’ classic “Let’s Fall In Love,” and it’s the latest to receive a music video.

The visual goes back in time to show a love that stands the test of time. The clip begins in 1999, and we see the moment that Raheem spots a cutie with her camera through the window of a diner. As he sips his coffee, he fantasizes about spending his life with this mystery woman. His visions take him from ’99 to the present day and chronicle their entire romance through the years. He quickly snaps back to reality and rushes out of the diner to introduce himself to his destiny and begin their love story for real.

WATCH HERE:

DeVaughn’s remake of “Let’s Fall In Love” sticks close to the source material from The Isley’s 1979 album Winner Takes All. He collaborates with H.M.P. and guitarist Kenny Allen, and they collectively channel the legendary group. Raheem croons like Ronald Isley while Kenny plays like Ernie Isley, and they both replicate the tenderness of the original for this version.
Raheem’s excellent rendition of “Let’s Fall In Love” has us wanting to hear him cover more of The Isley Brothers’ songbook. While we add that to our musical wishlist, watch Raheem DeVaughn fall in love right before your eyes in the visual for “Let’s Fall In Love” right here.


#HipHopNews: Turk Weighs In On B.G.’S Lil Wayne Diss: ‘I Don’t Feel That Was Needed’
Turk has made it clear just days after B.G. took aim at Lil Wayne on a new song that he does not endorse any tension between his former Hot Boys teammates.
In an interview clip with Big High TV that went live on Tuesday (January 9), the Cash Money veteran addressed his fellow New Orleans rapper going at Weezy, clarifying that the diss wasn’t necessary even though he liked the joint it was on.

“I think that song is a great song,” he said. “Everything, man, is cool until the diss come on, y’know what I’m saying? Like me, personally, I don’t feel that was needed, but like B.G. said, we do have a certain way that we talk, and he did came and he cleared it out like a man.”
The 42-year-old went to explain that fans and listeners get to determine how to relationship between his ex-groupmates turns out in the public eye, comparing their chemistry to “a reality TV show that’s not being produced or scripted.”

B.G. and Lil Wayne have known each other since they were both teenagers, though their issues began after the former left Cash Money Records in the early 2000s to start his own record label.
Last week, the “Bling Bling” hitmaker teamed up with Finesse2Tymes on a song called “Gangstafied,” on which he reignited the feud by rapping: “My n-gga Boosie went home and my dawg was steady blowing/ My n-gga Weezy steady touring but he’s a bitch and it’s showing/ I’m still a living legend, don’t act like you didn’t know it.”

Soon after its release, he addressed the above bars in a video posted online, setting the record straight regarding his relationship with Tunechi, who he referred to as his “little brother.”
“Y’all don’t understand what the fuck be going on, you know what I’m saying?” he said. “I tell a n-gga I love him and call him a bitch all in the same sentence. It’s family business, man.

“Shout out to my little brother, Weezy. I spoke to my little brother last night. Shout out to shorty, man. Still my little bro. Love my little bro. This shit be complicated.”
 

The 2024 SAG Awards nominations: See the full list!

Leonardo DiCaprio and Fantasia Barrino were also shockingly snubbed for nominations as the Screen Actors Guild announced its annual nominees.
It's time for another round of Hollywood actors recognizing each other with awards for excellence in film and TV, as the 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards have been revealed.

At a key moment heading into Oscar nominations on Jan. 23, Barbie and Oppenheimer scored the most nominations from the guild, with four each — including for Motion Picture ensemble and individual performances by Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., and Emily Blunt.

Surprising nominations and omissions among the film nominees included Killers of the Flower Moon 's Leonardo DiCaprio sitting out the leading actor set, as did Fantasia Barrino among leading ladies for her work in The Color Purple, despite the musical receiving a nod for its overall cast. Penélope Cruz's work in Ferrari also appeared as a surprise nominee for her supporting performance in the film.

On the TV side, the final season of HBO's Succession scored five overall nominations, with other major nominees being Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey from The Last of Us, Quinta Brunson of Abbott Elementary, and several stars of Ted Lasso.
Barbie star Issa Rae — who became a double nominee for her work as part of the Barbie and American Fiction ensembles — and Welcome to Chippendale's actor Kumail Nanjiani announced the nominees via Instagram Live, with this year's SAG Awards nominations falling after a monumental year for the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the industry's largest union, which went on strike for four months from July to November, until a new deal was secured with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

Fran Drescher, who helped lead the guild through the strike, also delivered remarks during the announcement.
For the first time in recent years, SAG's nominations crossed over with Emmys season, as the strike prompted the TV Academy to move its ceremony back from September 2023 to January 2024. Both entities tend to honor similar series and performances on TV, with past honorees and winners including casts for Orange Is the New Black, The White Lotus, Succession, and more.

Wednesday's SAG Awards nominations also marked the first of Hollywood's three most influential guilds that bestow annual awards leading up to the Oscars race. Following SAG's announcement, the Directors Guild of America is set to unveil its film nominees, while the Producers Guild of America will announce its slate on Friday.

The SAG Awards are a key stepping stone on the road to Oscars glory, with the guild sharing heavy crossover with the Academy's largest voting branch that eventually determines nominees for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Picture — the last category of which the entire Academy votes on.

Last year, SAG's winners lined up perfectly with the Academy's, with Jamie Lee Curtis, Ke Huy Quan, Michelle Yeoh, and Brendan Fraser all winning both the SAG Award and the Oscar for their respective performances, while Everything Everywhere All at Once won the SAG Ensemble prize before winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

As previously announced, Barbra Streisand will receive the 2024 SAG Life Achievement Award at the Feb. 24 SAG Awards ceremony, which will stream live for the first time on Netflix's platform.

See the full list of 2024 SAG Awards nominations below.

FILM NOMINEES
Motion Picture cast
American Fiction
Barbie
The Color Purple
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer

Male Actor in a Leading Role — Motion Picture
Bradley Cooper, Maestro
Colman Domingo, Rustin
Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction

Female Actor in a Leading Role — Motion Picture
Annette Bening, Nyad
Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon
Carey Mulligan, Maestro
Margot Robbie, Barbie
Emma Stone, Poor Things

Male Actor in a Supporting Role — Motion Picture
Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction
Willem Dafoe, Poor Things
Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon
Robert Downey, Jr., Oppenheimer
Ryan Gosling, Barbie

Female Actor in a Supporting Role — Motion Picture
Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
Penélope Cruz, Ferrari
Jodie Foster, Nyad
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers

Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Barbie
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
John Wick: Chapter 4
Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning, Part One

TELEVISION NOMINEES
Drama Series Ensemble
The Crown
The Gilded Age
The Last of Us
The Morning Show
Succession

Comedy Series Ensemble
Abbott Elementary
Barry
The Bear
Only Murders in the Building
Ted Lasso

Male Actor in a TV movie or Miniseries
Matt Bomer, Fellow Travelers
Jon Hamm, Fargo
David Oyelowo, Lawmen: Bass Reeves
Tony Shalhoub, Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie
Steven Yeun, Beef

Female Actor in a TV movie or Miniseries
Uzo Aduba, Painkiller
Kathryn Hahn, Tiny Beautiful Things
Brie Larson, Lessons in Chemistry
Bel Powley, A Small Light
Ali Wong, Beef

Male Actor in a Drama Series
Brian Cox, Succession
Billy Crudup, The Morning Show
Kieran Culkin, Succession
Matthew Macfadyen, Succession
Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us

Female Actor in a Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown
Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us
Keri Russell, The Diplomat
Sarah Snook, Succession

Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso
Bill Hader, Barry
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
Jeremy Allen White, The Bear

Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Ayo Edebiri, The Bear
Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso

Stunt Ensemble in a TV Series
Ahsoka
Barry
Beef
The Last of Us
The Mandalorian


Good Luck to Al!
 

Kelly Price’s Foul-Mouth Tirade Leads to Explosive Allegations About ‘Sunday Best’ Judges ‘Fornicating’ and Other Alleged Scandalous Behavior
Before claiming various gospel singers and preachers she has worked with are leading sinful and secular lives, including some trying to get in bed with her, Kelly Price commented on her stint as a host on BET’s “Sunday Best” show.
Kelly Price calls out well-known Gospel artists and preachers who allegedly tried to sleep with her.

Price appeared as a judge on BET’s award-winning gospel competition show for 12 episodes from 2019 to 2020, alongside celebrity judges Erica Campbell, Jonathan McReynolds, Keyla Richardson, and host Kirk Franklin.

However, according to Price, she was the only judge or mentor working on the series who wasn’t engaging in illicit sexual activity.
She dropped the bombshell while calling out Meta for pulling down something she posted on their platform.
In reply to a person named @classy_queen_5 who cracked a remark about her dropping a dime on the ills of the church entertainment industry, the former Def Jam singer clapped back with the wrath of the rapture.

“Lord deliver us from pastor h—s and pedophiles,” she wrote. “Deliver us from self righteous congregants who send their money to liars and pimps in plain sight. Then come deliver me.”

Sunday school was open as she continued to “let have,” writing, “The nerve you have. I was the only artist/Judge on Sunday Best that wasn’t f—king someone else’s spouse, fornicating or messing with kids and boys but you have smoke for me? FOH you ignorant church going brain dead a—hole.”

Many questioned her fit in the Gospel show when she was cast because she was a recognized R&B/pop singer. However, the “Sunday Best” producers and her colleagues recognized her deep roots in the church and thought she would be a good addition.
However, her tenure was short-lived, and she abruptly left the program after the second episode of season 10 auditions. She has never spoken about why she left or her feelings about the show and the other judges until now.

Price, who was the last person to sing with Whitney Houston before her tragic death by overdose, continued to blast Classy Queen T, “I’m a child of a preacher 3+ generations and I have NO desire to be named among the gospel community. Wonder why? You don’t. Cuz you already know what it is.”
She later warned the person to get off her page before she tears the person a “new one.”
The original thread has been deleted, but screenshot by The North Carolina Beat IG page.
One person wrote, “Let me find out the Kelly Price is the new Katt Williams.”

The pettiness did not stop there. Price also shared a screenshot of Queen T’s Instagram page, noting her 108 followers and her bio which features a quote that read, “Beautifully made. Always take the high road and stay classy. God is good.”

By no means was Price taking her advice.
The singer captioned, “Please like follow and share, and if you can find her music anywhere online, buy it. She’s looking for attention so let’s give her some.”
She continued in her comment section writing, “And for this person, and anyone else out there who is like her you don’t get to harass people, and when they respond in like kind, report them to have their pages struck, or their comments removed. If you a bad a— be one. And if you’re not really about that life, shut your mouth because your Twitter fingers and your Instagram attitude is gonna get you caught up in ways that you’re not ready to deal with one day.”

Fans seemed to crack up at the stunt.
“Your clapbacks have me weak! Idk why folks think this is the page to come on and get sassy unprovoked,” one person wrote.
While many enjoyed Price getting down and dirty with the social media troll, others said they were tired of this and wanted only one thing from the South Jamaica native: music. Fans want to hear that golden voice, “Now Ms. Kelley I’ve waited long enough for an album. I’m tired of waiting. Enough!”



Bill Belichick, Patriots 'part ways' after 24 seasons, 6 Super Bowl titles
The NFL doesn't offer perfect endings to many figures. Not even to a coach with more championship rings than anyone in league history, who took a New England Patriots franchise from the bottom of the NFL to one of the greatest 20-year runs in sports history.

In a headline that would have been hard to believe a few years ago, Bill Belichick is out as the Patriots' head coach. Belichick and the Patriots have decided to "part ways" after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles, the team announced Thursday.
Belichick and Robert Kraft put the official stamp on their divorce in a news conference, where they took no questions from media.

The rise of the Patriots under Belichick, with six Super Bowl titles (to go with the two he had as New York Giants defensive coordinator) will forever be part of NFL lore. The story will also include how quickly and completely it all fell apart with the Patriots after Tom Brady left the team.

Belichick has a great case as the NFL's greatest coach ever, but he's no longer the head coach of the Patriots.
Coach Bill Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl championships. (Photo by Maddie

From 2001-2019, the Patriots won 17 of 19 AFC East titles including an NFL record 11 division crowns in a row, made the AFC championship game 13 times and won nine, and went on to win six Super Bowls.
In an age of parity in the NFL, it was an unbelievable run. Then the Brady-Belichick relationship fell apart.

Whatever the root cause, the Patriots and Brady split. Brady went on to immediately win a championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which will forever help shape the debate of whether Brady or Belichick was more important to the Patriots' run.

It didn't help Belichick's case that the Patriots were unable to win a playoff game without Brady. New England missed the playoffs in the 2020 season, made it back in the 2021 season with rookie Mac Jones at quarterback but were blown out by the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round and didn't make it back to the playoffs.
The Patriots' 2023 season got off to a miserable start with the team losing five of its first six games. New England took the worst loss of Belichick's career, a 35-point defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, then followed that up with a 34-point loss to the New Orleans Saints.

There were a lot of firsts for Belichick this season and none of them were good. As the season was slipping away and the Patriots fell to the bottom of the AFC, a previously unthinkable idea started to bubble up: Could team owner Robert Kraft move on from Belichick, and perhaps do it during the season?

Belichick's run wasn't without controversy, of course. He was masterful in going all the way up to the edge of the rules. Belichick's critics will always downgrade his accomplishments due to Spygate, a sign-taping scheme that the Patriots were punished for.

Belichick's résumé is undeniable, however. He took over a Patriots franchise that had never won a Super Bowl and collected six of them. He presided over the first 16-0 regular season in NFL history with the 2007 Patriots. He became the third coach in NFL history to reach 300 regular-season wins. His time with the Patriots ended before he could pass Don Shula's record of 328 wins. His 31 postseason victories are an NFL record, however. Belichick currently has 302 victories.

Belichick's time with the Patriots didn't end in celebration, but it doesn't for most coaches and players. It ended with a horrendous season that had more losses by the end of October than New England would have in most of Belichick's seasons as coach.

The Patriots' franchise history can't be told without Belichick and the fantastic run he had. That great run ended a few years ago and as a result, the Patriots will be looking for a new coach for the first time since January of 2000.
It ends a 24-year run as head coach of the Patriots that saw New England win six Super Bowls, an unprecedented level of success.
It also ends after the worst season in Belichick's coaching career, an ugly 4-13 record in 2023, a season in which the Patriots looked nothing like the Patriots of old.

Belichick will have a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame some day, but when that day comes remains to be seen, as we don't know whether his coaching career is over. He instantly becomes a strong candidate for some of the NFL's other seven head-coaching job openings, as multiple owners will surely be interested in the possibility that Belichick could bring their teams instant credibility.

But for now, Belichick is out of work. And the Patriots are looking for a new head coach.


Selena Gomez to Play Linda Ronstadt in Upcoming Biopic

The rumors are true: Selena Gomez is set to play music icon Linda Ronstadt in a new biopic!
The rumors began when the-31-year-old actress and singer took to her social media and shared a photo of Linda‘s 2013 memoir “Simple Dreams.”

Now, it’s been confirmed.

The film is currently in pre-production. If you don’t know, Linda is known for albums including Heart Like a Wheel and Simple Dreams. In her decades-long career, she won 11 Grammys, and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy.



Alabama coach Nick Saban retires after 17 seasons with Crimson Tide

Nick Saban is calling it a career.The seven-time national champion head coach announced his retirement Wednesday. Saban spent the last 17 years of his coaching career at Alabama, and the Tide won six national titles during his time in Tuscaloosa.
"The University of Alabama has been a very special place to Terry and me," Saban said in an Alabama statement. "We have enjoyed every minute of our 17 years being the head coach at Alabama as well as becoming a part of the Tuscaloosa community. It is not just about how many games we won and lost, but it's about the legacy and how we went about it. We always tried to do it the right way. The goal was always to help players create more value for their future, be the best player they could be and be more successful in life because they were part of the program. Hopefully, we have done that, and we will always consider Alabama our home."

Saban, 72, led Alabama to three national titles in the BCS era and three in the College Football Playoff era. He led the Crimson Tide back to the playoff this year, though they fell to Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

Saban got his college coaching start at Toledo, where he spent one season in 1990. He then spent five seasons at Michigan State and another five at LSU, winning his first national championship in 2003. He briefly jumped to the NFL and led the Miami Dolphins for two seasons before he landed at Alabama ahead of the 2007 season.

In total, Saban compiled a career college record of 292-71-1. Assuming he doesn't unretire, he'll finish at No. 5 on the all-time wins list, 112 wins behind all-time leader Joe Paterno.
"Simply put, Nick Saban is one of the greatest coaches of all time, in any sport, and The University of Alabama is fortunate to have had him leading our football program for the past 17 seasons," Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said. "Throughout his career as a head coach, his teams have won seven national championships, 11 conference championships and 312 games, and he's developed an NCAA-record 49 NFL first-round draft picks and, most importantly, hundreds of college graduates. He is the consummate coach, mentor and leader, and his impact is felt far beyond the football field."

Saban's retirement is a shocker, as there were no indications that he was ready to end his coaching career so soon. His departure opens up the most coveted coaching job in college football, and Alabama will be able to pick from nearly any viable candidate it wants.

Just how much of a shocker was it? In an interview on "The Pat McAfee Show" less than a week ago, Saban didn't sound like a man who was ready for retirement anytime soon.
"Because I'm getting old, I guess," Saban said when he was asked why people ask him about retirement. "I ask everyone that asks me that question, 'Are you going to be here for four years?' Some players ask me, 'When you gonna retire?' I look at them say, 'Can you guarantee me you're going to be here for four years?' They looked at me like, 'Hell no, I'm not making that promise.' I just think it's the way of the world now."


Skepta responds to backlash over artwork for his upcoming single
Skepta unexpectedly found himself in hot water over the official artwork for his upcoming single, “Gas Me Up (Diligent).” The image, which has since been taken down, depicted a group of men with shaved heads, one of whom bore a tattoo of the song’s title. As a result, many have criticized the British talent for creating a scene that was reminiscent of the Holocaust.

In response, Skepta tweeted his remorse for using the artwork while explaining its intended meaning.
“I’ve been waiting to drop ‘Gas Me Up (Diligent)’ since teasing it April last year, [and I] worked hard getting the artwork right for my album rollout, which is about my parents coming to the U.K. in the ’80s, [skinheads], [and] football culture,” he wrote. “It has been taken offensively by many and I can promise you that was definitely not our plan, so I have removed it, and I vow to be more mindful going forward.”

Not long after, Skepta returned to Twitter with a change of heart. “I can honestly see how my single artwork without context can be deemed offensive, especially in a time like this but, again, that was not my intention,” he added. “After some thought, I don’t feel like I could continue being the artist you all know and love if my art is policed. I have to quit if I can’t express my art as I see it.” He then shared a mood board that he hopes will help his followers understand his vision — both for “Gas Me Up (Diligent)” and his forthcoming LP, Knife and Fork.

I can honestly see how my single artwork without context can be deemed offensive, especially in a time like this but again that was not my intention. But after some thought I don’t feel like I could continue being the artist you all know and love if my art is policed, I have to… pic.twitter.com/59oUOPe8Hp
— Big Smoke - (@Skepta) January 10, 2024

Outside of the music, Skepta also announced a premiere date for Tribal Mark, which is being released through his 1PLUS1 production company. As reported by Hypebeast, the film — which the Boy Better Know frontman also stars in — will be screened in select theaters from Jan. 26 to Feb. 11.


FKA Twigs Bashes Decision to Ban Calvin Klein Ad, Responds to Being Labeled 'Stereotypical Sexual Object'

FKA Twigs is taking a stand after the U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority banned a photo from her 2023 Calvin Klein ad campaign.
The 36-year-old singer was one of several stars to feature in the campaign, which also included the likes of Kendall Jenner. One of her photos featured her wearing nothing but a jacket.

In its ruling, the ASA ruled that “The ad used nudity and centered on FKA Twigs’ physical features rather than the clothing, to the extent that it presented her as a stereotypical sexual object.”
FKA Twigs took to social media to weigh in on the decision.

“i do not see the ‘stereotypical sexual object’ that they have labelled me. i see a beautiful strong woman of colour whose incredible body has overcome more pain than you can imagine,” the hitmaker wrote on Instagram, where she re-posted the controversial photo.

She continued, writing, “in light of reviewing other campaigns past and current of this nature, i can’t help but feel there are some double standards here. so to be clear… i am proud of my physicality and hold the art i create with my vessel to the standards of women like josephine baker, eartha kitt and grace jones who broke down barriers of what it looks like to be empowered and harness a unique embodied sensuality.”

“thank you to ck and mert and marcus who gave me a space to express myself exactly how i wanted to – i will not have my narrative changed,” she continued.
 

He’s Out! Chris Christie Ends 2024 Presidential Campaign
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced Wednesday that he is ending his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, marking the exit of the most outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump in the GOP primary.
“It is clear to me tonight that there isn’t a path for me to win the nomination, which is why I’m suspending my campaign tonight for President of the United States,” he said at a town hall in Windham, New Hampshire, just 10 days before the first-in-the-nation primary. He called it the “right thing for me to do” and promised that he would never “enable Donald Trump to become, to ever be president of the United States again.”

Christie’s decision comes on the heels of a new batch of disappointing poll numbers, especially in New Hampshire, where he hoped a less conservative electorate would coalesce around his sharp opposition to Trump, whom he described as “devoid of character.”
His departure could be a boon to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who has pulled to within single digits of Trump in the Granite State, according to a new CNN Poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire. The survey found that 65% of Christie supporters – 12% of the total – listed Haley as their second choice. She trailed Trump 39% to 32% among likely primary voters.

Whether Christie himself will do the same and encourage his backers to follow suit is an open question. He has no immediate plans to endorse another candidate, according to a Republican source. Before his exit, he slammed Haley repeatedly and suggested she was running to be Trump’s vice president with an eye on a promotion in 2028.
Despite ending his presidential campaign, his name will remain on the ballot in New Hampshire, where the primary will take place on January 23.

In his remarks Wednesday, Christie took several thinly veiled shots at the other Trump rivals.
“Anyone who is unwilling to say (Trump) is unfit to be president of the United States,” Christie said, “is unfit themselves to be president of the United States.”

In his remarks Wednesday, Christie took several thinly veiled shots at the other Trump rivals.Pressed by a voter on Tuesday about the urgency of anti-Trump Republicans to unite around a single opponent, Christie again questioned Haley’s intentions – and expressed anxiety over how endorsing her might reflect on him.

“Let’s say I dropped out of the race right now and I supported Nikki Haley. And then three months from now, four months from now, when you’re ready to go to the convention, she comes out as his vice president. What will I look like? What will all the people who supported her at my behest look like?” he said.

After vehemently denying Tuesday that he was considering dropping out, Christie earlier Wednesday appeared to give a hint of what would come hours later.
“I beseech you, I beg you to vote based on character. All the rest of the things can change. Character doesn’t change,” he told voters in Exeter, New Hampshire. “Frankly, doesn’t mean you have to vote for me. You might decide that there’s another person in this race of good character that you prefer.”

Christie launched his campaign for the GOP presidential nomination at a June 2023 town hall in New Hampshire, which he used to deliver a searing indictment of Trump, calling his one-time friend and close political ally a “lonely, self-consumed mirror hog” whose potential election to a second term as president represents an existential threat to American democracy.

“Beware of the leader in this country, who you have handed leadership to, who has never made a mistake, who has never done anything wrong,” Christie said. “Who when something goes wrong it’s always someone else’s fault. And who has never lost.”
His message in smaller, more conservative rooms was less colorful and more utilitarian. Trump, he said over and over again, was a radioactive general election candidate who would be defeated – and take down the rest of the GOP ticket with him.

“We keep losing and losing and losing,” Christie said at a Republican Jewish Coalition conference in 2022, just weeks after the midterm elections proved underwhelming for the GOP. “The reason we’re losing is because Donald Trump has put himself before everybody else.”
The former governor made his willingness to directly take on Trump a key feature of his campaign, repeatedly hitting the GOP front-runner over his cascading legal troubles and, in recent weeks, Trump’s increasingly bitter, hateful rhetoric.

“He’s becoming crazier,” Christie said of Trump on CNN’s “State of the Union” last month.
Asked about Trump’s remark that immigrants were “poisoning the blood of our country,” the former governor let fly.
“He’s disgusting,” Christie said. “And what he’s doing is dog-whistling to Americans who feel absolutely under stress and strain from the economy and from the conflicts around the world.”

Back in 2016, Christie endorsed Trump after dropping out of the GOP presidential primary and then advised him on his 2020 presidential campaign. But he told CNN’s Jake Tapper last year that Trump’s behavior on election night that year took his support to the breaking point, and soon beyond.

“Turns out I was wrong (about Trump). I couldn’t make him a better candidate and I couldn’t make him a better president,” Christie said. “He disappointed me.”
Christie has also said that Trump “incited” the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol “in an effort to intimidate Mike Pence and the Congress into doing exactly what he said in his own words last week: overturn the election.”

At the first Republican primary debate in Milwaukee last August, Christie called out most of his rivals onstage for raising their hands when asked if they would support Trump as the GOP nominee even if he was convicted of a crime. (Trump currently faces 91 charges across four cases, along with growing civil liabilities.)

“Someone’s got to stop normalizing this conduct,” Christie said, after shaking his head in disapproval at the six candidates who raised their hands. “Whether or not you believe that the criminal charges are right or wrong, the conduct is beneath the office of president of the United States.”
Though Christie was met with boos from the audience, he told New Hampshire voters in his first post-debate appearance, “I will never raise my hand to say it’s OK to have a convicted felon as the president of the United States.”

“So let’s establish that here on primary night in New Hampshire,” he said. “And if you do that, I’m telling you, I will win the nomination, and I will beat Joe Biden.”
Christie made his focus on the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary no secret, making regular stops in the Granite State since early September.

“Let me just tell you, if (Trump) wins here, he’s winning the nomination,” Christie said at a town hall in North Hampton, New Hampshire, on one of those swings.
In 2016, Christie had stood beside Trump and offered his support just weeks after exiting the GOP primary after coming in sixth in the New Hampshire vote.

Christie made clear that his latest presidential bid would be different. On the trail, he did not rule out voting for a third-party candidate in the general election, though he has said he wouldn’t launch an outside bid of his own, calling it a “fool’s errand.”
“If I lose in the primary, I lose,” he told New Hampshire voters in September. “What I learned eight years ago was you go home and you feel lousy for a while, but the sun comes up in the morning and you find other ways to try to contribute to your country.”


Tiffany Cross, Andrew Gillum and Angela Rye Team for New iHeart Media Political Podcast Series

*Former CNN and MSNBC contributors Tiffany Cross, Andrew Gillum, and Angela Rye are assembling to bring more diverse voices to coverage leading up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the trio will host “Native Land Pod,” the flagship show for Reasoned Choice Meda, iHeartMedia’s new political podcast network. Each episode will feature Gillum, a former politician and Tallahassee, Florida mayor; Cross, a TV personality, political analyst, and author; and Rye, a TV host, social justice advocate, lawyer, and commentator, addressing the news of the week through an unfiltered and unflinching lens.

Set to launch later this year, Reasoned Choice Media is a joint effort with iHeartMedia and founders Rye, Charlamagne Tha God, and Loud Speakers Podcast Network CEO Chris Morrow.

With announcing the arrival of “Native Land Pod,” iHeartPodcast’s president Will Pearson, voiced excitement with seeing the show empower “listeners with new knowledge and diverse perspectives.”
“As we head into an election year, we’re excited to see how Native Land Pod elevates the political discourse and empowers listeners with new knowledge and diverse perspectives,” Pearson said.

“Launching ‘Native Land Pod’ before one of the most consequential elections in our lifetime is our mandate,” said Rye. “Being able to co-host along with friends who have become family to talk about political and social issues from our perspective is an honor.”
Explaining the advantages of ‘Native Land Pod,’ Cross pointed out that, “The cable news industry has stubbornly refused to speak to the rising majority of America. That’s where we come in. … We are your relatable political group chat where news is digestible and speaks directly to you.”

“I’m excited to join Angela and Tiffany for some much-needed tough talk about our politics, our people and our collective work to reshape the way political conversations are had that ultimately inspires listeners to do the work that leads to our greater freedom and political liberation,” Gillum noted. “Listeners can [find] a home where their lived experiences are reflected and where their ideas are validated.”

“Native Land Pod” is set to launch Jan. 11, with new episodes arriving every Thursday.
In a teaser for the show’s first episode, Rye, Gillum and Cross discuss politics in this election year and navigating the cable news industry, with Rye going in on her former network.

“CNN is in an identity crisis,” Rye said. “They keep launching epic shows fails. So, I’m eager to see one succeed.”
Further in the trailer, Gillum touches on defeating a corruption case this spring
“I wasn’t guilty, but we can talk about who was — and who still is,” the former Florida gubernatorial candidate stated. “I’m prepared to unpack a lot of this.”

As for Cross, the teaser finds her addressing the sudden cancellation of her MSNBC show “The Cross Connection” in November 2022. According to the Reporter, a fierce backlash resulted from the move, which MSNBC chalked up to a change in programming strategy for weekend mornings. The network’s decision to cancel “The Cross Connection” was an unwelcome move in the eyes of black leaders who signed a letter to MSNBC president Rashida Jones in response to the cancellation.


Dwyane Wade Teams With Iheartpodcasts For ‘The Why With Dwyane Wade’ Series
iHeartPodcasts, the globally recognized No. 1 podcast publisher, has unveiled a thrilling addition to its lineup with The Why with Dwyane Wade, a new original series hosted by NBA Hall of Famer and three-time NBA Champion Dwyane Wade.
The debut two-part episode, premiering on Jan. 17, features a candid roundtable discussion with fellow Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, and Pau Gasol. Covering personal challenges, rivalry experiences, and the essence of greatness, the podcast promises an engaging exploration of the basketball legends’ journeys.

In each weekly episode, Wade will engage in intimate conversations with trailblazers in sports, fashion, music, and business, exploring their rise to success and the ongoing pursuit of innovation. Notable guests include Carmelo Anthony, Rick Ross, Pat Riley, David Grutman, Lindsey Vonn, and more.

“As someone who is always curious and wanting to learn, I am looking forward to sitting down with some of my friends, peers and people I admire most to hear more about their ‘why’ and what motivates them to get up every day to do what they do,” said Dwyane Wade. “iHeartPodcasts is a true leader in the industry and I am excited and grateful to partner with them for my first show.”
“Dwyane Wade has always been a force on and off the court, and his influence reaches fans of sports, pop culture and beyond,” said Will Pearson, President, iHeartPodcasts. “We are thrilled to welcome him to the iHeartPodcasts family, and excited for listeners to get up-close-and-personal with Dwyane and his guests.”

“The Why with Dwyane Wade” is a co-production of iHeartPodcasts and Wade’s 59th & Prairie Entertainment. The first episode will be available on the iHeartRadio app and major podcast platforms from Jan. 17, 2024, with exclusive video content on YouTube. Fans can catch a glimpse with the trailer available now.


Kanye West Sued For 2022 Assault And Battery On Autograph Seeker

Several reports have confirmed that music and fashion mogul Kanye West is facing a lawsuit for allegedly hitting a man that was trying to get an autograph in Los Angeles back in 2022.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the autograph seeker says that the assault occurred in DTLA almost two years agoand says that the video that shows ‘Ye yelling while he was on the ground semi-conscious backs up his story. The man claims that Yeezy screamed, “I’m going to make a f***ing example of you,” before hitting him with a punch to the face.
The man claims in the suit he asked West for an apology, to which he replied, “Apology for what?” … before allegedly striking him again multiple times and “severely injuring him.” He alleges that one of the people who accompanied Kanye tried to stop the attack, but he barked back, “go to the f***ing house and get my f***ing kids.”

The man is suing for damages, claiming he’s a victim of assault and battery and has suffered emotional distress.
His wife is also suing for a loss of consortium, essentially saying she lost the companionship of her husband as a result of the incident with Ye.


Sanaa Lathan To Portray Miss Cleo In Forthcoming Scripted Series
Actress Sanaa Lathan has signed on to channel her inner Miss Cleo in a forthcoming scripted drama series.
The Emmy-nominated star will not only portray the famous 90s television “psychic,” but she will also executive produce the film alongside Sharon Hall, who will also EP via her Mom de Guerre Productions, Deadline reports.

This movie follows the well-received 2022 documentary, “Call Me Miss Cleo,” which highlighted Cleo’s life and her rise to fame through her beloved catchphrase, “Call Me Now!” Cleo was the face of the Psychic Readers Network between 1997 and 2003. The doc explains how the network went under, with Cleo becoming the scapegoat. In 2002, the owners of the Psychic Readers Network faced charges from the Federal Trade Commission for engaging in deceptive advertising, billing, and collection practices. Although Harris was not indicted, the individuals responsible only had to pay $5 million to victims, though the original total was $500 million. Now, with a film based on Cleo, it seems that more could be revealed about the series of events that took place before her 2016 death.

The series has been described as a “darkly comedic drama” about the infomercial queen, whose real name was Youree Dell Harris. Legendary Entertainment is taking the lead in developing the project. As of now, it’s unknown which platform will become the home of the series. However, HBO Max could be a contender, as they were the streamers who introduced the documentary.
 

Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers Agree on a Three Year Extension

Looks like the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard have extended to a three-year extension.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Clippers has decided to extend small forward Kawhi Leonard to a three-year extension totaling $152.4 million, with a player option included for 2026-2027. An unexpected announcement that seems to be right on time as Leonard is currently in his fifth year with the organization.

Initially, Leonard was supposed to hit the free agent market in 2025. He has shut down talks about him leaving immediately by resigning.
Leonard has had his healthiest season in Los Angeles in his five year tenure and has co-stars Paul George and James Harden playing at a high level. They look like one of, if not the best team in the Western Conference to date. Leonard is averaging 23.8 points, six rebounds, three assists, and almost two steals, with a true shooting percentage of 62%.

The Clippers have their star that will break ground at their new home, the Intuit Dome. Solidifying the Clippers in their own arena, never living in the shadow of the Los Angeles Lakers again.
A win-win for both sides, Leonard only missing four games this season has shown his value has not diminished at all. He is still the high-value guy he once was when he won Finals MVP in Toronto in 2019. Leonard is securing his bag with his ups and downs on the hearthside and the Clippers getting their guy has made this a match made in heaven.

Let’s see if Leonard can lead this Clippers team to somewhere they have never been within their Franchise history since moving there.


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Front Crack

Dude has a front crack, I wonder what’s behind


HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM

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