#MAGFAB: Daniel Kaluuya for GQ UK!
Daniel Kaluuya has said he turned down fashion campaigns because a brand wanted to team him with white actors who “had not achieved as much” as he has.
The Get Out star, 34, who won an Oscar for his role in Jesus And The Black Messiah, said he wanted to make sure he was “representing right.”
Discussing the offers from the fashion industry, he told British GQ: “I said no to them. I didn’t understand it. If it’s not a f*** yeah, it’s a no.”
He added: “They wanted to put me against two white actors that hadn’t achieved as much as me.
“And I was all, ‘I wanna be on my own. Because that’s not gonna look good’.
“I’ve done things. I just feel like I have a certain position. It’s not like, ‘Oh, I’m so cool.’ I’m just like, ‘I don’t like that.’
“It’s got to be because of what it means, because I want to be out there and make sure I’m representing right.”
Kaluuya, who makes his directorial debut with the upcoming Netflix film The Kitchen, has also been named associate artistic director of The Roundhouse in Camden.
His first act in the role was announcing the formation of a new youth theatre company that would create pathways into the industry for actors of all background and he said: “Bro, chest out. Let’s f****** do this shit.
“No one’s gonna make me feel like that. I thought, Why would I shrink myself ? My mum didn’t raise me like that. Why do I shrink myself to make people feel comfortable?
“I want to do some good, cool shit. I want to help people, and I want to bring jobs. I want everyone to grow artistically. I want to do amazing things.
“Why would I shrink? Why would I dim?”
Shortly before the global racial reckoning that came with the death of George Floyd in the US, Kaluuya said he did not get roles in England because of the colour of his skin.
Asked if things are better now, he referenced the debut films of black British directors Savanah Leaf and Raine Allen-Miller, Earth Mama and Rye Lye, saying: “I’ve seen a lot of positive change, but that’s a product of positive change behind the camera.”
The February issue of British GQ is available via digital download and on newsstands on January 30.
#RHOA: Former 'RHOA' Star Peter Thomas Arrested for DUI, Faces Multiple Charges!
Cynthia Bailey's former beau, Peter Thomas, was recently arrested on DUI charges but should have probably been booked for an extra offense — being handsome in a mugshot.
The TV personality, best known for starring on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" with his ex-wife, kept his good looks in his booking photograph. This is not Thomas's first photo op with the law, as he previously served his fresh looks in a 2019 mugshot.
The reality TV star was booked on multiple charges after authorities picked him up for driving under the influence in Cobb County, GA. The additional charges include driving without a license, not having proof of insurance, failure to maintain lane, expired/no tag, and violation of a traffic control device.
Despite the severity of the charges against him, Thomas remained composed while posing for a mugshot. The entertainer's signature silver fox looks were on full display, with his dyed beard and rugged charm easily fooling viewers into thinking this was a regular photo op.
After slaying his mugshot, Thomas was released the same day on a nearly $3,000 bail, according to his booking sheet. A judge also decreed that the 63-year-old is prohibited from drinking alcohol and ingesting marijuana.
Additionally, the entertainer must submit to random drug and alcohol testing at his own cost and cannot possess any firearms. As stated, he is no stranger to the law after previously getting arrested in 2019 on a fugitive warrant.
At the time, authorities revealed Thomas had spent the night in jail after he was arrested at Miami International Airport. He had a warrant issued from Louisiana, where he was accused of writing fraudulent checks.
In an official statement, the "RHOA" star vehemently denied the allegations, declaring he would be "acquitted from any wrongdoing." However, Thomas still had to take a mugshot per the booking procedure. Like his latest police photograph, he left no crumbs in the picture, serving a fresh face look for the camera.
#NewMusic from Eric Roberson Releases New Single “Here For You”!
Eric Roberson returns with the release of the brand new song called “Here For You”.
The veteran singer/songwriter has been releasing new songs for his fans each month, and that effort continues with the soulful new track. Roberson adds about the song:
“This was inspired by the fact that everything already exists. Nothing is new, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be authentic to us. Love is not new. The words ‘I love you’ have been said a trillion times. Yet, if our hearts are in the right place, those words can feel like they’ve never been said before. So it’s more about realizing what is authentically ‘Here For You.'”
LISTEN HERE
On February 14th, Roberson will kick-off his 30th Anniversary Tour at The Kennedy Center with an Evening Of Love.
#HipHopNews: Nicki Minaj Adds "Press Play" Featuring Future To 'Pink Friday 2'
Early Saturday (Jan. 13) morning, Nicki Minaj gifted fans a new collaboration with Future titled “Press Play.” The new bop features an upbeat hook and verse from the Atlanta rap star over a beat from ATL Jacob. Minaj utilized multiple flows to add a new banger to her 25-track LP, Pink Friday 2 (Gag City Deluxe).
On Friday (Jan. 12), Minaj got fans excited after tweeting, “Every F**king FRIDAY Will Be F**KING PINK, Now buckle up ugz!!!! 12 hours to go…” Shortly after, she teased the return of her famous alter ego, Roman, stating, “Press PLAY tonight. The barbz saw #RoadTORoman and thought that meant it’s the Roman track when I already TOLD citizens of the city we are on the ROAD TOOOOOO Roman, not on the road WITH Ro.”
She name-drops her “Feeling Myself” collaborator, Beyoncé, on the new track, rapping, “They said, ‘Why can’t you be Yoncé?’/ Daddy wasn’t no businessman, mama wasn’t no business owner/ Mm, what an idiot.” She also sent some competitive shots at other emcees stating, “You can’t be me, I’m already it/ I been saucy, they all wanna skinny dip/ I am your label’s obsession, you’s another guinea pig.”
Minaj has been riding high following the release of her new album, and from the looks of it, she’s not stopping her momentum anytime soon. Fans of the legendary Queens rapper can see her on her “Pink Friday World Tour” starting March 1.
Jonathan Majors Dropped From Dennis Rodman's Biopic '48 Hours In Vegas' After Guilty Verdict!
Jonathan Majors' guilty verdict has cost him another movie role. According to a new report, the "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" villain has been dropped from the Dennis Rodman movie, "48 Hours in Vegas".
The 34-year-old was initially set to portray the former NBA player in the latter's biopic, which documents the true story of the athlete's notorious trip to Las Vegas in the middle of the 1998 NBA finals.
Lionsgate is also no longer involved with the project. Meanwhile, Will Allegra and Dennis will executive produce. Jordan VanDina is set to write the screenplay.
Jonathan himself was dumped by Marvel after he was found guilty of harassing and assaulting his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari. Variety reported just after the finding was reached in court that a "source close to the studio" said it had "parted ways" with the actor, who had been cast to play Kang, the central antagonist in the Multiverse Saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The "Creed III" star has been convicted of two misdemeanor counts of harassment and assault of his ex-partner Grace. He was also found not guilty of one count of intentional assault in the third degree and one count of aggravated harassment in the second degree.
Of how he felt after being found guilty of assaulting Grace, Jonathan said he's blessed that he gets to know who really cares about him during the hard times.
"I was absolutely shocked and afraid," he told "ABC News Live" 's Linsey Davis. "I'm standing there and the verdict comes down. I say, 'How is that possible based off the evidence, based off the prosecution's evidence, let alone our evidence? How is that possible?' "
Jonathan, however, noted that he's "really blessed" to have been " surrounded by people who love me, who care about me." He added, But this has been very, very, very hard, and very difficult, and confusing in many ways... But I'm standing."
Mo'Nique Slams Oprah When Weighing In On Taraji P. Henson's Comments About Unfair Pay!
Mo'Nique isn't done getting things off her chest when it comes to Oprah Winfrey. When weighing in on Taraji P. Henson's comments about unfair pay for black women in the industry, the "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" star slammed the billionaire.
The 56-year-old offered her two cents in an interview with The Root. Not holding back, she said, "Everything was, 'Didn't I champion for y'all?' I was like, 'Stop it. You didn't champion for those Black women, for our sisters."
"What [she] did was, 'We can treat them like we always treat them, who gon' check me boo? I'm Oprah Winfrey,' " she added. "You know everything should have been done when you showed up…Now when you hear our beautiful sisters saying, 'yeah but it got fixed,' it's like we're making it worse."
Mo'Nique went on to note, "So, when Oprah Winfrey sits at the helm and Taraji P. Henson says, 'It's an honor that we were hand-picked for this movie.' " She further opined, "Well, if they were hand-picked for that movie, those women should have been taken care of from the moment go."
Her husband Sidney Hicks, who was present during the sit-down, chimed in, "If you look up the title of 'producer,' you'll find that what Oprah fixed should have already been prepared when they got there. You shouldn't have to fix that because it should have already been done." Mo'Nique later added, "Oprah got caught. That's what happened."
Did Zendaya & Tom Holland Break Up? His Response After She Unfollowed Him on IG!
As a notoriously private couple, Tomdaya have always kept the details of their relationship under wraps—but one social media move now has fans asking the same question: did Tom Holland and Zendaya break up?!
Tom Holland and Zendaya met in 2016 in on the set of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, where they were cast as love interests Peter Parker and Michelle “MJ” Jones. It was only a matter of time before their on-screen chemistry transcended the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sparking rumors that their connection was more than an act. In 2017, Tom openly confessed that Zendaya was his first-ever celebrity crush during a Spider-Man press junket—but it would take another few years before the pair went public with their relationship.
The romance whispers turned into headlines in July 2021 when paparazzi photos captured the pair locking lips in a car. However, the duo kept their private world tightly under wraps, choosing to reveal their relationship at their own pace. Come September 2021, the duo went Instagram official on Zendaya’s birthday in a heartfelt post shared by Tom. “My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays,” he shared, an affectionate nod to Zendaya’s on-screen persona.
Their private dynamics unfolded occasionally on social media, with Zendaya reciprocating the sweet gesture on Tom’s birthday in June 2022. “Happiest of birthdays to the one who makes me the happiest <3,” she wrote at the time.
Despite their celebrity status, the couple has maintained an air of mystery around their relationship, offering only glimpses in interviews and press junkets. According to an insider who spoke to Us Weekly in June 2023, the pair really do their best to keep their romance “under wraps.”
“Before they began seeing each other, they had both always been very private when it came to their personal lives,” the source said at the time. “It was something that bonded them in the early stages of their relationship because they were both on the same page when it came to avoiding public speculation.”
But now, the pair are sparking speculation of an entirely different kind. So, did Tom Holland and Zendaya break up? Keep on reading ahead for what we know so far.
So, did Tom Holland and Zendaya break up? The couple first sparked rumors of a split after fans noticed a surprising move on social media. In early January, the Dune actress unfollowed everyone on her Instagram — including Tom.
However, the Spider-Man actor finally addressed the swirling breakup speculations in a video obtained by TMZ on January 12. In the clip, the 27-year-old actor, who was stopped by reporters during a walk through the streets of Los Angeles, unequivocally shut down the breakup rumors: “No no no no, absolutely not,” he said, confirming that he and Zendaya are, in fact, still together. Phew!
As for Zendaya, the exact reason for why she unfollowed everyone remains unknown, but it does seem to be linked to marketing efforts for her upcoming movie, Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino. She shared a photo of the film’s poster following her social media purge, captioning the post, “Challengers April 26th,” before wishing her fans a happy new year.
Payton Gendron the Gunman in racist mass shooting in Buffalo to face death penalty
Federal prosecutors in the United States will seek the death penalty against Payton Gendron, a white supremacist who murdered 10 Black people during a livestreamed supermarket rampage in New York state.
Gendron, 20, is already serving a life sentence in prison with no chance of parole, after he pleaded guilty to state charges of murder and hate-motivated domestic terrorism in the 2022 attack in Buffalo.
In a notice announcing the decision to seek the death penalty, Trini Ross, US attorney for western New York, wrote that Gendron had selected the supermarket “in order to maximise the number of Black victims”.
The notice cited a range of factors for the decision, including the substantial planning leading to the shooting and the decision to target at least one victim who was “particularly vulnerable due to old age and infirmity”.
On May 14, 2022, the then-18-year-old Gendron, had driven from his hometown of Conklin, more than 322km (200 miles) away, wearing heavy body armour and wielding an AR-15 assault rifle.
According to prosecutors, he shot four people in the parking lot, three of them fatally, before entering the grocery store. Gendron also wore a helmet with a video camera attached and livestreamed the two-minute attack on the platform Twitch.
The dead, who ranged in age from 32 to 86, included eight customers, the store security guard and a church deacon who drove shoppers to and from the store with their groceries. Three people were wounded but survived.
On Friday, after a hearing with the federal prosecutors, relatives of the victims expressed mixed views on whether they thought the prosecutors should pursue the death penalty.
“I’m not necessarily disappointed in the decision … It would have satisfied me more knowing he would have spent the rest of his life in prison being surrounded by the population of people he tried to kill,” Mark Talley, whose 63-year-old mother Geraldine Talley was killed by Gendron, told The Associated Press.
“I would prefer he spend the rest of his life in prison suffering every day,” he added.
Several other family members of the victims left without speaking.
Kevin Hart reveals why he won't host the Oscars: "Those just aren’t comedy-friendly environments"
Kevin Hart reaffirmed his decision not to host the Oscars, emphasizing the challenging conditions for comics at award shows and other ceremonies.
In an interview with Sky News published today (Jan. 12), Hart stated, “Whatever little hope you had, I want to destroy it right now. Those gigs aren’t good gigs for comics.” He pointed out that the Oscars and similar events like the Golden Globes are no longer conducive to stand-up. According to him, “Those just aren’t comedy-friendly environments anymore.”
“I think [the Oscars] got it right one year where it was, like, just a bunch of personalities acting as the hosts, and that’s a nice thing,” the Get Hard star shared. “It’s a collaborative thing; different people get to be responsible for act one, act two, act three, but you know, the days of it being a room for [being] a comic, those days are done.”
Notably, Hart shared a similar sentiment after stepping down from the 2019 Oscars amid controversy over past homophobic comments. However, he did mention fellow comedians who have successfully entertained major award shows, citing Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Ricky Gervais.
“There’s a lot of people that understand that if you’re not an industry comic, meaning a comic that has the relationships of all, then those rooms are very cold,” he admitted. “It’s too much pressure on the idea of a comic and what’s jokes and not jokes. So, it’s tough.”
Outside of his stance on hosting awards, Hart is currently in the spotlight for his role in the Netflix film Lift, which began streaming today.
Earlier this week, his ex-wife, Torrei Hart, announced she would join Katt Williams on “The Dark Matter Tour.” Speaking to TMZ on Wednesday (Jan. 10), Kevin reacted, “I want everybody to win. I love everybody… I hope the tour is great.”
Usher unveils first official teaser for upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance
The Get Out star, 34, who won an Oscar for his role in Jesus And The Black Messiah, said he wanted to make sure he was “representing right.”
Discussing the offers from the fashion industry, he told British GQ: “I said no to them. I didn’t understand it. If it’s not a f*** yeah, it’s a no.”
He added: “They wanted to put me against two white actors that hadn’t achieved as much as me.
“And I was all, ‘I wanna be on my own. Because that’s not gonna look good’.
“I’ve done things. I just feel like I have a certain position. It’s not like, ‘Oh, I’m so cool.’ I’m just like, ‘I don’t like that.’
“It’s got to be because of what it means, because I want to be out there and make sure I’m representing right.”
Kaluuya, who makes his directorial debut with the upcoming Netflix film The Kitchen, has also been named associate artistic director of The Roundhouse in Camden.
“No one’s gonna make me feel like that. I thought, Why would I shrink myself ? My mum didn’t raise me like that. Why do I shrink myself to make people feel comfortable?
“I want to do some good, cool shit. I want to help people, and I want to bring jobs. I want everyone to grow artistically. I want to do amazing things.
“Why would I shrink? Why would I dim?”
Shortly before the global racial reckoning that came with the death of George Floyd in the US, Kaluuya said he did not get roles in England because of the colour of his skin.
Asked if things are better now, he referenced the debut films of black British directors Savanah Leaf and Raine Allen-Miller, Earth Mama and Rye Lye, saying: “I’ve seen a lot of positive change, but that’s a product of positive change behind the camera.”
The February issue of British GQ is available via digital download and on newsstands on January 30.
#RHOA: Former 'RHOA' Star Peter Thomas Arrested for DUI, Faces Multiple Charges!
The TV personality, best known for starring on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" with his ex-wife, kept his good looks in his booking photograph. This is not Thomas's first photo op with the law, as he previously served his fresh looks in a 2019 mugshot.
The reality TV star was booked on multiple charges after authorities picked him up for driving under the influence in Cobb County, GA. The additional charges include driving without a license, not having proof of insurance, failure to maintain lane, expired/no tag, and violation of a traffic control device.
Despite the severity of the charges against him, Thomas remained composed while posing for a mugshot. The entertainer's signature silver fox looks were on full display, with his dyed beard and rugged charm easily fooling viewers into thinking this was a regular photo op.
After slaying his mugshot, Thomas was released the same day on a nearly $3,000 bail, according to his booking sheet. A judge also decreed that the 63-year-old is prohibited from drinking alcohol and ingesting marijuana.
Additionally, the entertainer must submit to random drug and alcohol testing at his own cost and cannot possess any firearms. As stated, he is no stranger to the law after previously getting arrested in 2019 on a fugitive warrant.
At the time, authorities revealed Thomas had spent the night in jail after he was arrested at Miami International Airport. He had a warrant issued from Louisiana, where he was accused of writing fraudulent checks.
In an official statement, the "RHOA" star vehemently denied the allegations, declaring he would be "acquitted from any wrongdoing." However, Thomas still had to take a mugshot per the booking procedure. Like his latest police photograph, he left no crumbs in the picture, serving a fresh face look for the camera.
#NewMusic from Eric Roberson Releases New Single “Here For You”!
Eric Roberson returns with the release of the brand new song called “Here For You”.
The veteran singer/songwriter has been releasing new songs for his fans each month, and that effort continues with the soulful new track. Roberson adds about the song:
“This was inspired by the fact that everything already exists. Nothing is new, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be authentic to us. Love is not new. The words ‘I love you’ have been said a trillion times. Yet, if our hearts are in the right place, those words can feel like they’ve never been said before. So it’s more about realizing what is authentically ‘Here For You.'”
LISTEN HERE
On February 14th, Roberson will kick-off his 30th Anniversary Tour at The Kennedy Center with an Evening Of Love.
#HipHopNews: Nicki Minaj Adds "Press Play" Featuring Future To 'Pink Friday 2'
On Friday (Jan. 12), Minaj got fans excited after tweeting, “Every F**king FRIDAY Will Be F**KING PINK, Now buckle up ugz!!!! 12 hours to go…” Shortly after, she teased the return of her famous alter ego, Roman, stating, “Press PLAY tonight. The barbz saw #RoadTORoman and thought that meant it’s the Roman track when I already TOLD citizens of the city we are on the ROAD TOOOOOO Roman, not on the road WITH Ro.”
She name-drops her “Feeling Myself” collaborator, Beyoncé, on the new track, rapping, “They said, ‘Why can’t you be Yoncé?’/ Daddy wasn’t no businessman, mama wasn’t no business owner/ Mm, what an idiot.” She also sent some competitive shots at other emcees stating, “You can’t be me, I’m already it/ I been saucy, they all wanna skinny dip/ I am your label’s obsession, you’s another guinea pig.”
Minaj has been riding high following the release of her new album, and from the looks of it, she’s not stopping her momentum anytime soon. Fans of the legendary Queens rapper can see her on her “Pink Friday World Tour” starting March 1.
Jonathan Majors Dropped From Dennis Rodman's Biopic '48 Hours In Vegas' After Guilty Verdict!
Jonathan Majors' guilty verdict has cost him another movie role. According to a new report, the "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" villain has been dropped from the Dennis Rodman movie, "48 Hours in Vegas".
The 34-year-old was initially set to portray the former NBA player in the latter's biopic, which documents the true story of the athlete's notorious trip to Las Vegas in the middle of the 1998 NBA finals.
Lionsgate is also no longer involved with the project. Meanwhile, Will Allegra and Dennis will executive produce. Jordan VanDina is set to write the screenplay.
Jonathan himself was dumped by Marvel after he was found guilty of harassing and assaulting his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari. Variety reported just after the finding was reached in court that a "source close to the studio" said it had "parted ways" with the actor, who had been cast to play Kang, the central antagonist in the Multiverse Saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The "Creed III" star has been convicted of two misdemeanor counts of harassment and assault of his ex-partner Grace. He was also found not guilty of one count of intentional assault in the third degree and one count of aggravated harassment in the second degree.
Of how he felt after being found guilty of assaulting Grace, Jonathan said he's blessed that he gets to know who really cares about him during the hard times.
"I was absolutely shocked and afraid," he told "ABC News Live" 's Linsey Davis. "I'm standing there and the verdict comes down. I say, 'How is that possible based off the evidence, based off the prosecution's evidence, let alone our evidence? How is that possible?' "
Jonathan, however, noted that he's "really blessed" to have been " surrounded by people who love me, who care about me." He added, But this has been very, very, very hard, and very difficult, and confusing in many ways... But I'm standing."
Mo'Nique Slams Oprah When Weighing In On Taraji P. Henson's Comments About Unfair Pay!
The 56-year-old offered her two cents in an interview with The Root. Not holding back, she said, "Everything was, 'Didn't I champion for y'all?' I was like, 'Stop it. You didn't champion for those Black women, for our sisters."
"What [she] did was, 'We can treat them like we always treat them, who gon' check me boo? I'm Oprah Winfrey,' " she added. "You know everything should have been done when you showed up…Now when you hear our beautiful sisters saying, 'yeah but it got fixed,' it's like we're making it worse."
Mo'Nique went on to note, "So, when Oprah Winfrey sits at the helm and Taraji P. Henson says, 'It's an honor that we were hand-picked for this movie.' " She further opined, "Well, if they were hand-picked for that movie, those women should have been taken care of from the moment go."
Her husband Sidney Hicks, who was present during the sit-down, chimed in, "If you look up the title of 'producer,' you'll find that what Oprah fixed should have already been prepared when they got there. You shouldn't have to fix that because it should have already been done." Mo'Nique later added, "Oprah got caught. That's what happened."
Did Zendaya & Tom Holland Break Up? His Response After She Unfollowed Him on IG!
As a notoriously private couple, Tomdaya have always kept the details of their relationship under wraps—but one social media move now has fans asking the same question: did Tom Holland and Zendaya break up?!
Tom Holland and Zendaya met in 2016 in on the set of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, where they were cast as love interests Peter Parker and Michelle “MJ” Jones. It was only a matter of time before their on-screen chemistry transcended the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sparking rumors that their connection was more than an act. In 2017, Tom openly confessed that Zendaya was his first-ever celebrity crush during a Spider-Man press junket—but it would take another few years before the pair went public with their relationship.
The romance whispers turned into headlines in July 2021 when paparazzi photos captured the pair locking lips in a car. However, the duo kept their private world tightly under wraps, choosing to reveal their relationship at their own pace. Come September 2021, the duo went Instagram official on Zendaya’s birthday in a heartfelt post shared by Tom. “My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays,” he shared, an affectionate nod to Zendaya’s on-screen persona.
Their private dynamics unfolded occasionally on social media, with Zendaya reciprocating the sweet gesture on Tom’s birthday in June 2022. “Happiest of birthdays to the one who makes me the happiest <3,” she wrote at the time.
Despite their celebrity status, the couple has maintained an air of mystery around their relationship, offering only glimpses in interviews and press junkets. According to an insider who spoke to Us Weekly in June 2023, the pair really do their best to keep their romance “under wraps.”
“Before they began seeing each other, they had both always been very private when it came to their personal lives,” the source said at the time. “It was something that bonded them in the early stages of their relationship because they were both on the same page when it came to avoiding public speculation.”
But now, the pair are sparking speculation of an entirely different kind. So, did Tom Holland and Zendaya break up? Keep on reading ahead for what we know so far.
So, did Tom Holland and Zendaya break up? The couple first sparked rumors of a split after fans noticed a surprising move on social media. In early January, the Dune actress unfollowed everyone on her Instagram — including Tom.
However, the Spider-Man actor finally addressed the swirling breakup speculations in a video obtained by TMZ on January 12. In the clip, the 27-year-old actor, who was stopped by reporters during a walk through the streets of Los Angeles, unequivocally shut down the breakup rumors: “No no no no, absolutely not,” he said, confirming that he and Zendaya are, in fact, still together. Phew!
As for Zendaya, the exact reason for why she unfollowed everyone remains unknown, but it does seem to be linked to marketing efforts for her upcoming movie, Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino. She shared a photo of the film’s poster following her social media purge, captioning the post, “Challengers April 26th,” before wishing her fans a happy new year.
Payton Gendron the Gunman in racist mass shooting in Buffalo to face death penalty
Gendron, 20, is already serving a life sentence in prison with no chance of parole, after he pleaded guilty to state charges of murder and hate-motivated domestic terrorism in the 2022 attack in Buffalo.
In a notice announcing the decision to seek the death penalty, Trini Ross, US attorney for western New York, wrote that Gendron had selected the supermarket “in order to maximise the number of Black victims”.
The notice cited a range of factors for the decision, including the substantial planning leading to the shooting and the decision to target at least one victim who was “particularly vulnerable due to old age and infirmity”.
On May 14, 2022, the then-18-year-old Gendron, had driven from his hometown of Conklin, more than 322km (200 miles) away, wearing heavy body armour and wielding an AR-15 assault rifle.
According to prosecutors, he shot four people in the parking lot, three of them fatally, before entering the grocery store. Gendron also wore a helmet with a video camera attached and livestreamed the two-minute attack on the platform Twitch.
The dead, who ranged in age from 32 to 86, included eight customers, the store security guard and a church deacon who drove shoppers to and from the store with their groceries. Three people were wounded but survived.
On Friday, after a hearing with the federal prosecutors, relatives of the victims expressed mixed views on whether they thought the prosecutors should pursue the death penalty.
“I’m not necessarily disappointed in the decision … It would have satisfied me more knowing he would have spent the rest of his life in prison being surrounded by the population of people he tried to kill,” Mark Talley, whose 63-year-old mother Geraldine Talley was killed by Gendron, told The Associated Press.
“I would prefer he spend the rest of his life in prison suffering every day,” he added.
Several other family members of the victims left without speaking.
Kevin Hart reveals why he won't host the Oscars: "Those just aren’t comedy-friendly environments"
Kevin Hart reaffirmed his decision not to host the Oscars, emphasizing the challenging conditions for comics at award shows and other ceremonies.
In an interview with Sky News published today (Jan. 12), Hart stated, “Whatever little hope you had, I want to destroy it right now. Those gigs aren’t good gigs for comics.” He pointed out that the Oscars and similar events like the Golden Globes are no longer conducive to stand-up. According to him, “Those just aren’t comedy-friendly environments anymore.”
“I think [the Oscars] got it right one year where it was, like, just a bunch of personalities acting as the hosts, and that’s a nice thing,” the Get Hard star shared. “It’s a collaborative thing; different people get to be responsible for act one, act two, act three, but you know, the days of it being a room for [being] a comic, those days are done.”
Notably, Hart shared a similar sentiment after stepping down from the 2019 Oscars amid controversy over past homophobic comments. However, he did mention fellow comedians who have successfully entertained major award shows, citing Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Ricky Gervais.
“There’s a lot of people that understand that if you’re not an industry comic, meaning a comic that has the relationships of all, then those rooms are very cold,” he admitted. “It’s too much pressure on the idea of a comic and what’s jokes and not jokes. So, it’s tough.”
Outside of his stance on hosting awards, Hart is currently in the spotlight for his role in the Netflix film Lift, which began streaming today.
Earlier this week, his ex-wife, Torrei Hart, announced she would join Katt Williams on “The Dark Matter Tour.” Speaking to TMZ on Wednesday (Jan. 10), Kevin reacted, “I want everybody to win. I love everybody… I hope the tour is great.”
Usher unveils first official teaser for upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance
As previously reported, Usher was first revealed as Rihanna’s Super Bowl successor back in September 2023 — a move that coincided with the announcement of the Atlanta star’s ninth studio LP, Coming Home. The forthcoming effort is led by the well-received single “Good Good” with Summer Walker and 21 Savage.
“I’m very fortunate to have gotten that call from JAY-Z that it was time, and of course, I was ready, and I am ready for it,” he said in an interview with HuffPost. “I can tell you that you should expect a celebration, a celebration of life for those people who are not able to be here with me for this performance. I’m going to be celebrating for them.”
Usher continued, “We’ll be celebrating for the 30 years of a career that I stand on. I’ll be celebrating because music has been this connective tissue between me and people because for every experience that I’ve had, I put it into music and maybe that gave us something to cry to, that gave us something to be vulnerable and transparent to.”
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In December 2023, Usher closed out his critically acclaimed Las Vegas residency after performing 100 shows since July 2022, which drew out a wealth of different celebrities during its run. “God bless you, I love you,” the tearful singer reportedly told the crowd before departing the stage for the final time.
Rihanna Reveals Her Love Language & Whether She's a Top or Bottom in 'Savage Confessions'
Rihanna is spilling some tea about her love life! the 35-year-old singer and businesswoman is promoting her new Savage X Fenty Valentine’s Day lingerie collection and sharing some “savage confessions.”
In a few teaser clips, Rihanna opened up about her love language and her bedroom preferences
On Thursday (January 11), Rihanna shared confessions in videos posted to the Savage X Fenty Instagram page.
When it comes to her love language, Rihanna emphasized, “Quality time. It’s a luxury around these parts, OK? I’m busy, big Daddy (A$AP Rocky) is busy, and any time someone can carve out a little bit of time for me, I feel really special.”
She and the rapper share two children.
In another confessional clip, Rihanna responds to the question of whether she’s a top or bottom. “Bottom, of course,” she says, playfully. “DISRESPECT ME!”
'All My Children' Star Alec Musser Dies at 50
Alec Musser, an actor fans will recognize from All My Children, Grown Ups and Desperate Housewives, has sadly passed away. He was 50.
The actor and model’s fiancee Paige Press confirmed the news on social media, sharing a tribute to him on her Instagram story. She shared additional details with TMZ, confirming that Alec passed away on Friday (January 12) in Del Mar, Calif.
“RIP to the love of my life,” Paige wrote on Instagram. “My heart is so broken.”
She shared multiple photos of them together, remembering Alec as the perfect partner and a dog dad. Sharing a photo of her engagement ring taken at the beach, she vowed to never take it off.
“I love you forever,” she wrote to Alec.
At this point, a cause of death is not yet known.
Alec‘s Grown Ups costar Adam Sandler took to X (formerly Twitter) to pay tribute to him.
“I loved this guy. Cannot believe he is gone. Such a wonderful, funny good man. Thinking of him and his family and sending all my love. A true great sweetheart of a person,” he wrote.
Our thoughts go out to everyone who knew and loved Alec at this difficult time
‘Good Doctor’ to End With Season 7 at ABC
“The Good Doctor” will end its run at ABC with its upcoming Season 7. “Playing Dr. Shaun Murphy has been an immense privilege and one of the most remarkable and rewarding experiences of my life,” said series stars Freddie Highmore. “I will always be grateful to David, Liz, and Erin as well as the hugely talented – and lovely – cast, writers, and crew who made this show possible. Caring deeply is what got us here. Thank you to Sony and ABC, and to everyone who has watched along at home. With love from Vancouver… tequila, stat!”
Rihanna Reveals Her Love Language & Whether She's a Top or Bottom in 'Savage Confessions'
Rihanna is spilling some tea about her love life! the 35-year-old singer and businesswoman is promoting her new Savage X Fenty Valentine’s Day lingerie collection and sharing some “savage confessions.”
In a few teaser clips, Rihanna opened up about her love language and her bedroom preferences
On Thursday (January 11), Rihanna shared confessions in videos posted to the Savage X Fenty Instagram page.
When it comes to her love language, Rihanna emphasized, “Quality time. It’s a luxury around these parts, OK? I’m busy, big Daddy (A$AP Rocky) is busy, and any time someone can carve out a little bit of time for me, I feel really special.”
She and the rapper share two children.
In another confessional clip, Rihanna responds to the question of whether she’s a top or bottom. “Bottom, of course,” she says, playfully. “DISRESPECT ME!”
'All My Children' Star Alec Musser Dies at 50
The actor and model’s fiancee Paige Press confirmed the news on social media, sharing a tribute to him on her Instagram story. She shared additional details with TMZ, confirming that Alec passed away on Friday (January 12) in Del Mar, Calif.
“RIP to the love of my life,” Paige wrote on Instagram. “My heart is so broken.”
She shared multiple photos of them together, remembering Alec as the perfect partner and a dog dad. Sharing a photo of her engagement ring taken at the beach, she vowed to never take it off.
“I love you forever,” she wrote to Alec.
At this point, a cause of death is not yet known.
Alec‘s Grown Ups costar Adam Sandler took to X (formerly Twitter) to pay tribute to him.
“I loved this guy. Cannot believe he is gone. Such a wonderful, funny good man. Thinking of him and his family and sending all my love. A true great sweetheart of a person,” he wrote.
Our thoughts go out to everyone who knew and loved Alec at this difficult time
‘Good Doctor’ to End With Season 7 at ABC
“The Good Doctor” will end its run at ABC with its upcoming Season 7. “Playing Dr. Shaun Murphy has been an immense privilege and one of the most remarkable and rewarding experiences of my life,” said series stars Freddie Highmore. “I will always be grateful to David, Liz, and Erin as well as the hugely talented – and lovely – cast, writers, and crew who made this show possible. Caring deeply is what got us here. Thank you to Sony and ABC, and to everyone who has watched along at home. With love from Vancouver… tequila, stat!”
“The Good Doctor” originally debuted on ABC in 2017. It has proven highly popular throughout its run and ranked as the number one entertainment series in the Monday 10pm time slot last season in the adults 18-49 demographic, per ABC. As previously announced, the seventh and now final season will debut on Feb. 20.
“’The Good Doctor’ has been a once in a lifetime opportunity, but it’s time to say goodbye,” said series executive producers and showrunners David Shore and Liz Feldman along with executive producer Erin Gunn. “We are incredibly proud of the work we’ve done and the message we’ve been privileged to be a part of. We look forward to giving our fantastic fans, the truly extraordinary Freddie Highmore, the rest of our talented actors (and friends), and the best crew in the business the series ending that you all deserve. Thank you, Sony; thank you, ABC; thank you all.”
Along with Highmore, the current cast of the series includes Chuku Modu, Richard Schiff, Will Yun Lee, Fiona Gubelmann, Christina Chang, Paige Spara, Bria Samoné Henderson, and Noah Galvin. Highmore stars as Dr. Shaun Murphy, a highly-skilled surgeon with autism.
“Thanks to David Shore and Liz Friedman’s creative direction and anchored by Freddie Highmore’s performance, ‘The Good Doctor’ has captivated audiences, who have deeply connected with Dr. Shaun Murphy and the staff at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital,” said Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group. “As we prepare to finish this beloved story, words cannot express our gratitude for the incredible cast, crew and our partners at Sony and ABC Signature for the lasting impact they’ve made.”
“The Good Doctor” is executive produced and co-showrun by Shore and Friedman. Additional executive producers include Daniel Dae Kim, Gunn, Thomas L. Moran, David Hoselton, Peter Blake, Jessica Grasl, Garrett Lerner, Mike Listo, Highmore, Shawn Williamson, David Kim, and Sebastian Lee. The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television and ABC Signature
“The Good Doctor” is the latest broadcast show to announce its end with the upcoming season. Fellow ABC series “Station 19” will also end with its seventh season, while the CBS shows “Young Sheldon,” “Blue Bloods,” “Bob Hearts Abishola,” and “SWAT” are all coming to a close as well. NBC is likewise concluding the drama “La Brea” after three seasons and recently aired the final season of the “Magnum P.I.” reboot. At The CW, “Superman & Lois” will end with its fourth season.
Michael Strahan's Daughter Isabella, 19, Reveals Brain Tumor Diagnosis: 'Just Have to Keep Living Every Day'
Michael Strahan's daughter Isabella Strahan is undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a common malignant tumor that arises in the cerebellum, a part of the brain located at the base of the skull.
The college student and her dad opened up about her health news in a segment that aired on Good Morning America Thursday. She learned about her condition in late October, and underwent emergency surgery at Cedars-Sinai to remove the mass on Oct. 27, a day before her 19th birthday.
"I'm feeling good. Not too bad," said Isabella, who will start chemotherapy at Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center in Durham, North Carolina, next month. "That's my next step. I'm ready for it to start and be one day closer to being over. .... I'm very excited for this whole process to wrap. But you just have to keep living every day, I think, through the whole thing."
"I literally think that, in a lot of ways, I'm the luckiest man in the world, because I've got an amazing daughter," Michael, 52, said in the interview with his fellow GMA co-anchor Robin Roberts. "I know she's going through it, but I know that we're never given more than we can handle and that she is going to crush this."
Isabella is one of Strahan's four kids. The former NFL star has two older children — Tanita, 32, and Michael Jr., 29 — with his first wife Wanda Hutchins, before he welcomed Isabella and her twin sister Sophia with his second wife, Jean Muggli.
In her interview with GMA, Isabella said she first began experiencing symptoms of her brain tumor while beginning her freshman year at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. "I didn't notice anything was off 'til probably like Oct. 1," she said. "That's when I definitely noticed headaches, nausea, couldn't walk straight."
After Isabella originally shrugged it off as vertigo, her condition took a turn for the worse on Oct. 25, when she woke up in the early hours of the morning "throwing up blood." Her family encouraged her to seek immediate medical attention.
Explained Michael, "That was when we decided, 'You need to really go get a thorough checkup.' And thank goodness for the doctor. I feel like this doctor saved her life because she was thorough enough to say, 'Let's do the full checkup.' "
After she headed to Cedars-Sinai for a full MRI, doctors discovered Isabella had developed a fast-growing tumor in the back of her brain. It measured 4 centimeters — larger than a golf ball.
Michael was told about the news before Isabella. “It didn’t feel real,” he said. “I don't really remember much. I just remember trying to figure out how to get to [Los Angeles] ASAP.”
The father of four took off from GMA to be by his daughter’s side, ABC telling PEOPLE at the time he was “dealing with some personal family matters.”
Though medulloblastoma is common, with about 500 children a year diagnosed with it, Michael said it’s “rarely" someone her age. "It’s still scary because it's still so much to go through,” he confessed. “And the hardest thing to get over is to think that she has to go through this herself.”
Following her surgery, Isabella underwent several rounds of radiation treatment, as well as a month of rehabilitation. "I got to ring the bell yesterday," Isabella told cancer survivor Roberts, 63. "It was great. It was very exciting because it's been a long 30 sessions, six weeks."
Her twin sister Sophia was by her side, helping Isabella learn to walk again.
Isabella plans on documenting her journey in a new YouTube series to benefit Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center.
"It's been like, two months of keeping it quiet, which is definitely difficult. I don't wanna hide it anymore 'cause it's hard to always keep in," she said on GMA. "I hope to just kind of be a voice, and be [someone] who maybe [those who] are going through chemotherapy or radiation can look at."
She went on to say the experience has given her a new outlook on life. "Perspective is a big thing," she said. "I'm grateful. I am grateful just to walk or see friends or do something, 'cause when you can't do something, it really impacts you."
And Michael's also seeing life differently now. "You learn that you're probably not as strong as you thought you were when you have to really think about the real things, and I realized that I need support from everybody," he said on GMA. "You think, 'I'm the athlete, the tough guy, you know, I can come and handle, I'm the father in the family.' It is not about any of that. It doesn't matter. And it's really made me change my perspective on so many things in my life."
Lincoln University President John Moseley On Paid Leave Amid Backlash Stemming From Dr. Antoinette Bonnie Candia-Bailey’s Suicide
Lincoln University of Missouri’s President, John Moseley, is now on paid leave following the suicide of VP of Student Affairs, Dr. Antoinette Bonnie Candia-Bailey.
The leave comes after an outpouring of student, faculty, and social media cries for him to be fired. Sources told HBCU Buzz that Dr. Candia-Bailey took her own life on January 8th, 2024, after being bullied and harassed. However, it’s unclear what type of abuse was allegedly taking place. The insiders told the outlet that Dr. Candia-Bailey was left “unsupported, disregarded, and abused” after numerous attempts to speak out on the bullying and harassment she experienced under President Moseley.
The university’s Board of Curators confirmed that President Moseley went on leave voluntarily in light of a third-party review of the accusations against him. The investigation is expected to take place over several weeks. In the meantime, Dr. Stevie Lawrence II, the university’s provost and vice president of academic affairs, will take over the school president’s duties.
KRCG 13 obtained multiple emails that Dr. Candia-Bailey sent to Moseley and the Board of Curators, requesting the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This was seemingly due to her battle with depression and anxiety. However, it seems her mental health struggle is why she clashed with Moseley. When she complained about his treatment of her, which included a poor evaluation, the Board’s leader told Dr. Candia-Bailey that the group “does not engage in the management of personnel issues for Lincoln University and will not be taking further action related to this issue. “
Candia-Bailey sent a final email to Moseley on the day of her death, instructing him to stay away from her and her family, writing, “Rose Ann can speak with my family from the administration. You are not to have any contact. You’ve caused enough harm and mental damage.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
New Wheels
She must be tired.
She must be tired.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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