#MAGFAB: Julia Roberts for British Vogue, February 2024
Julia Roberts has reigned in La La Land since she was 21, and now? She’s finally a British Vogue cover star, making her debut on the February 2024 issue. Impossibly famous but forever familiar, Roberts is among the most known, but least knowable, women in the world. Richard Curtis, a dear friend of the star, heads to her London hotel to reveal the many faces of a true Hollywood legend.
First, I wanted to ask: Famous Face. When you look in the mirror, do you ever see “the face of Julia Roberts” rather than your own face? Do you ever think, “Oh, that is a famous face?”
No
Next I want to talk to you about Film Face. I think one of your astonishing qualities is to be completely present in front of the camera, to reveal who you are to it. Are you aware of that when someone says, “Action”?
Well, it’s funny, because my most technical job is to forget where the camera is. It’s the camera’s responsibility to be in the right place for the scene. That’s not my job. I do think that is a thing that kind of separates actors from non-actors – being able to find the camera, but for it to have no conscious consequence. It doesn’t scare me, it doesn’t comfort me. It’s the documentarian of whatever I’m doing.
America would not have voted you their sweetheart 30 years ago if they didn’t think they were getting something special from you that they weren’t getting from other people…
I think it’s dangerous to overanalyse these things. But I will say that I think there’s something in me that’s always [let] people feel they’re comfortable, or they see something familiar. If someone sees me in a grocery store and they say, “Why did you cut your hair like that?” it’s not because they’re trying to be rude. It’s because they feel they know me, that I sit behind them in church every Sunday. It’s that sense of feeling that you understand someone that you don’t know. I guess looking relatively like myself in most parts takes me out of the character-actor lane. But I never feel like I’m playing myself.
First, I wanted to ask: Famous Face. When you look in the mirror, do you ever see “the face of Julia Roberts” rather than your own face? Do you ever think, “Oh, that is a famous face?”
No
Next I want to talk to you about Film Face. I think one of your astonishing qualities is to be completely present in front of the camera, to reveal who you are to it. Are you aware of that when someone says, “Action”?
Well, it’s funny, because my most technical job is to forget where the camera is. It’s the camera’s responsibility to be in the right place for the scene. That’s not my job. I do think that is a thing that kind of separates actors from non-actors – being able to find the camera, but for it to have no conscious consequence. It doesn’t scare me, it doesn’t comfort me. It’s the documentarian of whatever I’m doing.
America would not have voted you their sweetheart 30 years ago if they didn’t think they were getting something special from you that they weren’t getting from other people…
I think it’s dangerous to overanalyse these things. But I will say that I think there’s something in me that’s always [let] people feel they’re comfortable, or they see something familiar. If someone sees me in a grocery store and they say, “Why did you cut your hair like that?” it’s not because they’re trying to be rude. It’s because they feel they know me, that I sit behind them in church every Sunday. It’s that sense of feeling that you understand someone that you don’t know. I guess looking relatively like myself in most parts takes me out of the character-actor lane. But I never feel like I’m playing myself.
Yeah, well, I agree with that.
And honestly, one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do was your movie [NOTTING HILL, 1999], playing a movie actress. I was so uncomfortable! I mean, we’ve talked about this so many times, but I almost didn’t take the part because it just seemed – oh, it just seemed so awkward. I didn’t even know how to play that person.
Did we know that was a good line? The “I’m just a girl” line? Or do you remember thinking, “Oh, this is another line.”
I mean, it was a great scene. But who knew that that would become the line. The best thing, besides our friendship, to come out of NOTTING HILL is [director] Barry Jenkins watching it over someone’s shoulder…
Cute!
#RHOA: Ya Girl NeNe says Half the cast of RHOA needs TO GO! Do you think so?
We got the former 'RHOA' star at LAX Wednesday, and she didn't take it easy on the show that made her famous ... saying quite easily that the dip in ratings means showrunners need to blow the damn thing up!!!
NL says it's a bad look for the show to keep running out the same cast over and over, and she thinks some fresh blood might be good for the 15-year-old program.
Now, she's not talking about a total reset (a la "The Real Housewives of New York" after season 13) ... but Leakes says she thinks "at least half" the girls have to get the boot.
She's not talking about anyone in particular though -- since NeNe doesn't even watch the show anymore! Instead, Leakes says she sees the clips via social media ... adding it's simply "not the same" as it was back in the day.
NeNe adds she could definitely help with the show's ratings ... but she doesn't seem super interested in coming back -- saying she has no message for Andy Cohen or the 'Housewives' team ... remember, she's got a pretty fraught relationship with the show after accusing executives (and Kim Zolciak) of racism in 2022.
A reunion isn't the craziest idea in the world though -- NeNe's clearly gotten over her issues with KZ, talking her up a ton during the same convo with our photog ... maybe she's ready to mend a couple more fences?
Leakes' final advice to producers ... keep the fans in mind while making the show -- the biggest priority should be to please the audience.
#NewMusic From Keyon Harrold “Foreverland”
Seasoned American trumpeter Keyon Harrold cut his teeth with Chicago rapper Common at the turn of the century, joining him for his tour supporting acclaimed record Like Water For Chocolate. Performing those songs would expose Harrold to the genius of the Soulquarians, the collective comprising D’Angelo, Questlove, Erykah Badu, and J Dilla, who worked with Common on his album. A quarter of a century later, you hear the drip-down effect of that exposure, as the trumpeter’s now fully matured sound bleeds brass, beats, and ambient together in a deep, soulful transmission.
On Foreverland, his third solo album, Harrold maintains his melodious mix while drawing deeper on the fractured psyche of The United States. Title track ‘Foreverland’ feels drenched by a deluge of division, with the featuring Laura Mvula’s mezzo soprano stalked by a cloudy piano chord that’s only broken apart by Harrold’s sharp trumpet blares. ‘Pictures’ is a dirge for union, fueled by Harrold’s mournful notes that sound like one final look at a moribund love before merging with loneliness. Album standout ‘Well Walk Now (Perseverance)’ is a marathonic struggle. Like a wake, it’s pumped full of pathos and feels lighter at the end than at the beginning, simply for what it has let go.
LISTEN AND STREAM HERE
These winding and meditative tracks stacked up against the more poised numbers such as hip-hop inflected opener ‘Find Your Peace’ (which features a philosophical Common) give Foreverland a delicious depth and a very 2024 edge. Loose, tear-stained, but looking forward, Harrold’s record is a perfect entry point for those looking to enter modern jazz and a riveting listen for the already initiated.
#HipHopNews: Ice Spice Accused Of Copyright Infringement Over Her Hit Song "In Ha Mood"
The suit claimed Ice Spice’s 2023 hit “In Ha Mood” bore striking similarities to their 2022 song “In That Mood.” The 21-page complaint also detailed accusations that she and her producer, Riot, replicated the latter’s title, hook, chorus, phrasing and tempo without authorization or acknowledgment.
According to Rolling Stone, Chamberlain and Carmenate said they created “In That Mood” prior to it being teased in an Aug. 8, 2021 Instagram post by the former. The track later debuted as a single in early 2022 and was subsequently included in the rapper’s album, Boom Bap 2 Drill Rap, that same year. He asserted that the record was performed publicly over 30 times across New York and other states.
“Upon information and belief, Ice Spice, Riot, and/or members of their creative teams were present for certain public performances of ‘In That Mood’ during the relevant time period,” the lawsuit alleged. “Furthermore, Plaintiffs are well-known in the rap and Hip Hop community and share a substantial number of undeniable connections with Defendants.”
TMZ reported that Chamberlain and Carmenate seek at least half of the publishing rights, additional revenue and damages. Additionally, the complaint suggested that Ice Spice’s team might have encountered “In That Mood” either at live venues in New York or through airplay on HOT 97 radio.
In 2023, Ice Spice put out Like..?, which housed hit songs like “Princess Diana” and “Bikini Bottom.” The deluxe edition boasted a feature from Nicki Minaj in addition to “Deli” and “Butterfly Ku.” She also clinched RIAA Gold certifications, including “Munch (Feelin’ U)” and “In Ha Mood.”
The rapper is slated to release her highly anticipated debut album this year. She teased the new record via Instagram on Jan. 7.
Ron Desantis Ends His Struggling Presidential CAMPAIGN And Endorses Donald Trump
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended his Republican presidential campaign on Sunday, ending his 2024 White House bid just before the New Hampshire primary while endorsing his bitter rival Donald Trump.
The decision leaves Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley as the last major candidates remaining in the race ahead of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary. This is the scenario Trump’s foes in the GOP have long sought, raising the stakes for this week’s contest as the party’s last chance to stop the former president who has so far dominated the race.
But as some Trump critics cheered, DeSantis nodded toward Trump’s primary dominance — and attacked Haley — in an exit video he posted on social media.
“It’s clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance,” DeSantis said in the straight-to-camera video, delivered in a cheerful tone.
He continued: “I signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee and I will honor that pledge. He has my endorsement because we can’t go back to the old Republican guard of yesteryear, a repackaged form of warmed-over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents.”
Get insider access to the campaign trail, Washington and more with Ground Game, featuring exclusive reporting on politics and the 2024 race from the AP’s Meg Kinnard. Sign up here.
Haley spoke at a campaigning stop in Seabrook, New Hampshire, just as DeSantis announced his decision
“He ran a great race, he’s been a good governor, and we wish him well,” she told a room packed with supporters and media. “Having said that, it’s now one fella and one lady left.“
DeSantis’ decision, while perhaps not surprising given his 30-point blowout loss last week in Iowa, marks the end of an extraordinary decline for a high-profile governor once thought to be a legitimate threat to Trump’s supremacy in the Republican Party. After months of contentious exchanges, Trump struck a more conciliatory tone late Sunday during a rally in Rochester, New Hampshire, calling DeSantis a “really terrific person.”
Nikki Haley questions Trump’s mental fitness after he appears to confuse her for Nancy Pelosi
“I also look forward to working with Ron” to win the general election, Trump said.
His record wasn’t enough to overcome Trump
DeSantis entered the 2024 presidential contest with major advantages in his quest to take on Trump, and early primary polls suggested DeSantis was in a strong position to do just that. He and his allies amassed a political fortune well in excess of $130 million, and he boasted a significant legislative record on issues important to many conservatives, like abortion and the teaching of race and gender issues in schools.
Such advantages did not survive the reality of presidential politics in 2024. From a high-profile announcement that was plagued by technical glitches to constant upheavals to his staff and campaign strategy, DeSantis struggled to find his footing in the primary. He lost the Iowa caucuses — which he had vowed to win — by 30 percentage points to Trump.
His departure was days in the making
DeSantis’ allies said that private discussions began shortly after Iowa to decide how to bow out of the race gracefully.
The Florida governor notified top donors and supporters of his decision through a series of phone conversations and text messages between senior campaign officials to top donors and supporters on Sunday afternoon, according to two people who received such communications. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose the private conversations.
DeSantis had returned to Florida by then after a roller-coaster weekend that included stops in South Carolina ahead of an event in New Hampshire Sunday evening that was ultimately canceled. The campaign also canceled a series of national television appearances earlier in the day, blaming the cancelation on a miscommunication with DeSantis’ super PAC.
DeSantis was physically worn after spending weeks on the campaign with little, if any, time off, even as he stormed across frigid Iowa and New Hampshire, often without a winter coat.
A bitter rivalry comes to a meek end
He ultimately decided that he needed to endorse Trump given his popularity in the party despite the deeply personal feud between them.
“While I’ve had disagreements with Donald Trump, such as on the coronavirus pandemic and his elevation of Anthony Fauci, Trump is superior to the current incumbent, Joe Biden. That is clear,” said DeSantis, who is in his second and final term as Florida’s governor, which ends in January 2027.
The endorsement was a stunning tail-between-his-legs moment for DeSantis, whom Trump has mercilessly and relentlessly taunted in deeply personal terms for the better part of a year now.
Jillian Michaels Accuses Oprah Winfrey Of Getting Financial Benefits From Ozempic
Jillian Michaels has criticized Oprah Winfrey for taking a shortcut to lose weight. After the former daytime talk show queen admitted to using Ozempic to maintain her slimmed-down figure, the fitness expert has accused Oprah of getting financial benefits from the drugs.
"Oprah has a financial incentive with Ozempic," the fitness trainer said in an interview with Page Six which was published on Wednesday, January 10. She speculated that the media mogul is financially benefiting from the meds through her 10 percent stake in diet company WeightWatchers.
"Oprah, I believe, is one of the biggest shareholders of WeightWatchers, and WeightWatchers is now in the Ozempic business," Jillian elaborated. "I believe [WeightWatchers] bought a company that provides access to these drugs, now there is a financial interest in these drugs. I think it's important to put that out there right off the bat."
In another interview with Fox News Digital, Jillian warned against the use of Ozempic after several celebrities endorsed it. "If it was the easy way out, I would recommend it," she said. "I'd be like, 'Fantastic, let me get in the business. Let me get my app on board. Let me sell these drugs through my app.' Just like WeightWatchers."
"Of course, I would get in line and profit like crazy if I didn't really believe these things were bad, based on the research that's already out there," the former "The Biggest Loser" trainer continued, before calling out celebrities like Oprah and Ozzy Osbourne who have been open about using the weight loss medication, "All these celebrities are not health experts. They're not nutritionists. They're not fitness experts. And they don't spend all day talking to doctors."
Oprah came clean about her weight loss drug use in an interview with PEOPLE. She insisted her weight loss drug use is part of a balanced health and fitness regime, claiming she has been on pharmaceuticals to control her figure as she considers them a "tool" for life.
"It's everything. I know everybody thought I was on it, but I worked so damn hard. I know that if I'm not also working out and vigilant about all the other things, it doesn't work for me," she said of her slimmed-down figure. "I could eventually hike three to five miles every day and a 10-mile straight-up hike on weekends. I felt stronger, more fit and more alive than I'd felt in years."
Snoop Dogg's 24-year-old daughter Cori Broadus says she suffered a severe stroke
“I had a severe stroke this a.m. I started breaking down crying when they told me,” she wrote on her Instagram story, sharing a photo from what appeared to be a hospital bed.
“Like I’m only 24 what did I do in my past to deserve all this,” she added in a follow-up story.
It’s not clear what caused the stroke or what Broadus’ current condition is. She is the daughter of Snoop Dogg and his wife, Shante Broadus. Representatives for Snoop Dogg did not immediately respond to an NBC News request for comment.
Broadus was diagnosed with lupus — a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage the skin, joints, organs or other parts of the body —at the age of 6, she told People magazine in September.
'Emily in Paris' star Ashley Park reveals she was hospitalized for 'critical septic shock'
She said she was feeling “better than I’ve ever been” after taking an all-natural, holistic approach to her health.
“I’ve had medication since I was 6 years old, depending on these drugs all my life. So I wanted better for myself,” she told the magazine. “I wanted to change because it just became a lot. I’m only 24 years old, taking 10 to 12 pills every single day. So I kind of just went cold turkey.”
“I want to be okay,” she added in that interview. “You’re not going to always be okay, and that’s okay because we’re human, but I want to be okay overall, mentally, physically. And we’re going to get there.”
Legendary R&B Artist George Clinton receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
You've got a real type of thing going down on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
That's where revolutionary music artist George Clinton, the 82-year-old mastermind behind the Parliament-Funkadelic music collective, received the 2,769th Walk of Fame star in honor of his innovative and influential contributions to the music industry.
The unveiling ceremony was in front of the Musicians Institute at 6752 Hollywood Boulevard. Scheduled speakers included Clinton, Red Hot Chili Peppers lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis, famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump and longtime Motown songwriter Janie Bradford.
Born July 22, 1941, in Kannapolis, N.C., Clinton was raised in Plainfield, N.J., where he formed the barbershop doo-wop ensemble called The Parliaments when he was 15 years old. The group had a major hit with 1967's "(I Wanna) Testify."
When Clinton temporarily lost the rights to the name The Parliaments during a contractual dispute with Revilot Records in 1968, he formed Funkadelic, a rock group that fused acid-rock guitar, bizarre sound effects and cosmological rants with danceable beats and booming bass lines.
Funkadelic had several influential concept albums, including "Free Your Mind… and Your Ass Will Follow," released in 1970, "Maggot Brain," released in 1971, and "America Eats Its Young," released in 1972.
After regaining the rights to name "The Parliaments," Clinton formed Parliament in 1970, with the same five singers and five musicians as Funkadelic but as a smoother R&B-based funk ensemble.
Some of Clinton's most popular songs include "P-Funk (Wants to get Funked Up)," "Mothership Connection (Star Child)," "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)," "Flash Light," "One Nation Under a Groove," "(Not Just) Knee Deep," and "Aqua Boogie," eventually culminating with the 1982 solo release of "Atomic Dog."
"Atomic Dog" has been featured in the films "102 Dalmatians," "Trolls World Tour" and "Menace II Society" and sampled many times, most notably by Snoop Dogg on his smash-hit "Snoop Dogg (What's My Name Pt. 2)."
Clinton is also known for otherworldly live performances in which he would emerge from a giant spaceship, "The Mothership," at center stage as "Dr. Funkenstein.
Parliament-Funkadelic became an influential source for early rap recordings, with its beats, loops and samples appearing on albums by 2Pac, OutKast, Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, De La Soul, Ice Cube, Public Enemy and Childish Gambino.
Clinton collaborated with Kendrick Lamar on the rapper's 2015 Grammy-winning album "To Pimp a Butterfly."
Parliament-Funkadelic was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Charlie Wilson To Receive A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
The ceremony will take place on January 29th, 2024 and this is the 2,770th star overall.
Uncle Charlie will be joined by emcee Jimmy Jam Harris, President & CEO of P Music Group and manager, Michael Paran, Babyface, and Snoop Dogg.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame for the City of Los Angeles and has proudly hosted the globally iconic star ceremonies for decades. Millions of people from here and around the world have visited this cultural landmark since 1960.
As a solo artist, Wilson has topped the R&B charts with 13 number one singles, 13 Grammy nominations, a New York Times and Washington Post best-selling memoir “I Am Charlie Wilson,” a BET Lifetime Achievement Award, a Soul Train Icon Award, a Soul Train Certified Soul Award, and a NAACP Music Makes a Difference Award.
He was twice named Billboard’s Top Adult Male R&B Artist (2009, 2020) and is currently Billboard’s Top Adult R&B Male Artist with the most #1s of all time.
Max cancels Issa Rae's "Rap Sh!t" after two seasons
Issa Rae’s hit series “Rap Sh!t” has been canceled after only two seasons by MAX. While no specific reason was given, a statement on the decision was shared by the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed platform Max, which the show could be streamed from since its 2022 debut.
“We are extremely grateful to Issa Rae for creating ‘Rap Sh!t,’ a one-of-a-kind comedy with compelling social commentary that reached viewers in a way only Issa’s talents can accomplish,” wrote an official spokesperson. “A huge thank you to Issa, showrunner Syreeta Singleton, and the teams at Hoorae and 3 Arts Entertainment for introducing us to Shawna and Mia, a duo whose journey fans have been invested in and who they have continued to root for through everything. We’ll never get ‘Seduce & Scheme’ out of our heads and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Rap Sh!t” quickly garnered critical acclaim for its rags-to-riches story about two estranged high school friends from Miami who decided to form a rap group. Aida Osman and KaMillion led a well-rounded cast that included Jonica Booth, Devon Terrell, Jaboukie Young-White, and RJ Cyler. The show also boasted a regular influx of cameos from the likes of Guapdad 4000, Timbaland, Brent Faiyaz, Tobe Nwigwe and Pardison Fontaine.
As previously reported, the final season of “Rap Sh!t” was met with an unexpected delay due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, moving its original summer premiere date to November. The final episode was released on Dec. 21. “We want everyone to celebrate the new season together, including the actors, writers, creators, crew and everyone who made Season 2 possible. We promise the music is [fire] and Season 2 is worth the wait,” read a message from Hoorae Media regarding the postponement.
Spelman College receives $100 million donation, the largest in HBCU history
“As a student, I experienced the power of this historic institution and how it transforms the futures of talented young women,” she said. “And today, as board chair, I know that some of the brightest young women who dream about coming to Spelman are facing financial hardships and barriers to a higher education. What I am sharing with you today is a major step to ensure more young women can achieve their dreams at Spelman College.”
Russell continued, “Today, we are making history. Our long-serving board trustee, Ronda Stryker, and her husband, William Johnston, have decided to donate to Spelman College $100 million!” The auditorium immediately rejoiced after hearing the donation amount, of which $75 million will fund endowed scholarships for future students. The rest will go to an academic focus on democracy and public policy, dormitory renovations, and flexible funding to support other needs.
Spelman President Dr. Helene Gayle appeared on CBS News to further discuss the historic moment. “The message than it sends [to students] is, ‘They are worth it,’ and I think that that’s huge,” she told CBS News correspondent Gayle King. “I think it also says that it’s worth investing in HBCUs more broadly. Schools that have been far too underinvested in. I think this is exciting for so many reasons. For those girls who were in that room and expressed their joy and delight, who are going to create great futures. For them, for the girls who follow [and] for the future of HBCUs in general.”
Jamie Foxx Back On Set Filming 'Back In Action' Nine Months After Health Scare
Jamie Foxx is back to work on the set of his movie Back in Action. The 56-year-old actor was spotted filming again with costar Cameron Diaz on Saturday (January 20) in Atlanta, Georgia.
It marks his first time filming the movie since suffering an unknown health scare in April 2023.
Page Six obtained pics of Jamie and Cameron working together on the movie. In them, Jamie is wearing a black, long-sleeved t-shirt, navy pants and white sneakers.
Cameron paired a tan cardigan with dark cargo pants and a matching pair of shoes.
It is not clear exactly what happened to Jamie, but his daughter Corrine Foxx revealed that he had suffered “a medical complication.”
“Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery,” she assured his fans while he was hospitalized.
We’re so glad that he is doing better and wish him well as he gets back to work!
If you missed it, last month Cameron addressed rumors about Jamie and the atmosphere on set.
Kerry Washington Says She's 'Not Drawn to Political Work,' Explains Connection Between Identity & Projects
The 46-year-old Scandal star stopped by the Variety Studio at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on Friday (January 19).
She was there for the documentary Daughters, which she executive produced. The movie is about four girls in Washington D.C. and their incarcerated fathers.
“I’m not drawn to political work,” Kerry clarified. “It’s just I am a woman and I am a Black person. In this body, when I center stories about me or stories that star people that look like me, it’s considered political because the world wants to push us out into the margins and we all deserve to be at the center of our lives.”
She emphasized the importance of the story her new documentary tells.
“A story like this that centers people that society often ignores — incarcerated fathers and young Black woman — that’s so important to us,” the actress said. She wants to be “pulling people away from the margins and into the center so we know our stories matter.”
Alec Baldwin Indicted on Manslaughter Charge in ‘Rust’ Shooting
Alec Baldwin has been indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter, as prosecutors once again seek to hold the actor accountable for the on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Baldwin, 65, was initially charged in the case in January 2023. But the charges were dropped three months later, after Baldwin’s defense team raised questions about whether his Colt .45 was functioning properly when it fired.
Hutchins was preparing to film a scene with Baldwin at a ranch near Santa Fe, N.M., in October 2021 when the gun went off. Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger
If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.
“We look forward to our day in court,” said Baldwin’s attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, in a statement on Friday.
Two special prosecutors, Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, sent the gun for further forensic testing last summer. Their experts, Lucien and Michael Haag, reconstructed the gun — which had been broken during FBI testing — and concluded that it could only have been fired by a pull of the trigger.
“This fatal incident was the consequence of the hammer being manually retracted to its fully rearward and cocked position followed, at some point, by the pull or rearward depression of the trigger,” the report concluded. “Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver.”
Morrissey and Lewis said in October that they intended to take the case to a grand jury within two months, stating that “additional facts” had come to light that pointed toward Baldwin’s culpability.
At the time, Nikas said the decision was “unfortunate.”
“It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution,” Nikas said. “We will answer any charges in court.”
The film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, is set to go on trial on Feb. 21 on charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. Gutierrez Reed mistakenly loaded a live bullet into Baldwin’s gun, which was supposed to contain only dummies. It remains unclear how live rounds became mixed in with dummy rounds on the set.
Hutchins’ widower, Matthew Hutchins, filed a wrongful death lawsuit shortly after the shooting, but reached a settlement in October 2022. The settlement provided for insurance funds and a portion of the film’s profits to benefit the couple’s son, who was 9 years old when his mother was killed.
The film has since been completed with additional filming in Montana, and is awaiting distribution.
At the time of the settlement, Matthew Hutchins indicated he did not blame Baldwin for the shooting.
“I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin),” Hutchins said. “All of us believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work.”
A few months later, however, when Baldwin was first charged with manslaughter, Hutchins’ attorney said the charges were warranted.
“We support the charges, will fully cooperate with this prosecution, and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law,” said the attorney, Brian Panish, in a statement at the time.
The initial prosecutors, Mary Carmack-Altwies and Andrea Reeb, held Baldwin responsible not only for pulling the trigger, but also for a series of management lapses that led to relaxed safety standards on set. However, the New Mexico division of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded that Baldwin — though he was a producer on the film — was not in a position of management authority, and was not culpable for the lack of oversight.
The first assistant director, David Halls, pleaded no contest last March to a misdemeanor gun charge. He was given six months of unsupervised probation.
Arnold Schwarzenegger facing criminal proceedings in Germany over luxury watch
The "Terminator" actor and former California governor was stopped for a routine check on arrival Wednesday and questioned for 2½ hours before being allowed to leave, an airport customs spokesperson told NBC News.
A source close to Schwarzenegger said that the actor, 76, was detained over a luxury watch he had brought into the country while en route to a charity event in Austria, his birth country. The watch was intended to be a prize at a charity auction Thursday in aid of the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, the source said.
“He cooperated at every step even though it was an incompetent shakedown, a total comedy of errors that would make a very funny cop movie,” the source said.
“Criminal tax proceedings have been initiated by us. This will then be processed by our criminal and fines office. It’s too early to say what the outcome will be. There are many factors that have to be taken into account. It will still take some time,” said Thomas Meister, spokesman for Munich's customs office, speaking to German broadcaster RTL.
Meister explained that Schwarzenegger was asked to provide personal, financial information and had the opportunity to consult a lawyer.
"That all takes a certain amount of time. Once that's done, he can leave the customs office," he said. There has been no confirmation of what the next steps in the case might be.
The source close to Schwarzenegger said he agreed to prepay any taxes on the expensive item, but couldn't find a working credit card machine. Officers then walked him to an ATM at the airport to withdraw cash — but the withdrawal limit was too low and the bank was closed, the source said. A second credit card machine worked and the tax was paid.
"The watch will likely still be auctioned tomorrow, and the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative will properly report it, as all of Arnold’s nonprofits do," the source said Wednesday.
Schwarzenegger was due to host a dinner and charity auction Thursday night in the Austrian ski resort of Kitzbühel, part of a weekend of activities to mark an annual Alpine skiing competition. A news release from his foundation said that among the prizes is a training session with Schwarzenegger.
The proceeds will go toward environmental projects and the annual Austrian World Summit climate conference in Vienna, organized by the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative.
"'Whenever people say to me, ‘You are the perfect description of a self-made man,' I thank them, but tell them they can call me anything they want — but not self-made. I got a lot of help throughout my life and we all need help," Schwarzenegger said in the news release.
He continued: "So tonight we ask for help. We have to give back and change the world. Today we can all give back by helping to create a cleaner and healthier future."
‘1776’ Broadway Actress Zuri Washington Brings Racial Discrimination, Retaliation Lawsuit to Play Producers
*Legal trouble is presenting a new type of drama for the Broadway play “1776.” Legal documents reveal that Zuri Washington, a stage actor who played Robert Livingston, has sued producers of the production for alleged racial discrimination and retaliation. The suit details a string of events that Washington claims led to her termination from “1776.”
The entertainer, best known for her roles in Broadway’s “Bring It On: The Musical” and “Memphis,” was among the women, nonbinary, and transgender people of various races to play the Founding Fathers. Her contract was expected to run from Dec. 5, 2022, through Aug. 13, 2023.
In her lawsuit, Washington mentioned that her poor experience with production first began when her hair plan was dismissed by producers. Washington voiced her issue with production, saying she wanted to wear a wig in “1776” because she was not comfortable performing in her natural hair. The hairstyle production was interested in did not involve a wig … and Washington was allegedly told this information five days before they were set to perform, according to The Messenger.
The complaint goes on to reveal similar concerns from other black actors about their hair plans and preference for wearing a wig that was likewise kept in the dark. Further noted in the complaint was production being quick to accommodate white actors by providing them with wigs on demand.
Based on events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, “1776” centers on the efforts of John Adams to convince his colleagues to vote for the independence of America and sign the Declaration. Since premiering on Broadway in 1969, the critically acclaimed musical was adapted into a film in 1972. the 2022 Bradway revival of “1776” features a cast comprised entirely of people who identify as female, trans, and non-binary.
Although Washington expressed her concerns with Company Manager Katie Cortez, her frustrations were not revealed until a company meeting issues did not manifest until a company meeting discussing COVID-19 protocols at the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia.
“I am an assertive communicator,” Washington said while voicing what happened during the meeting in an interview with Broadway World. “I know that for some people, especially being a woman, especially being a Black woman, assertive communication can come across aggressively. But from my perspective, I was communicating clearly and assertively. What happened during that meeting is that I ended up cursing, but I cursed a lot. I cursed during this meeting as an emphasis to what I was saying. I said, ‘I don’t give a f— what Equity said.’ And we’re sitting in the house, so the chairs in front of me, I kind of like hit them for emphasis.”
Washington’s agent was called after the meeting by the “1776” general manager Madeline McCluskey. McCluskey was told her client was being “unruly and slamming chairs” at the meeting.
“Hair is so charged in general and especially for Black women,” Washington said. “I know plenty of white women that feel a lot about their hair, but for communities of color our hair is so tied to our identities and so, for me, to have been dealing with that issue for as long as I was dealing with it and then, on top of that, to now be castigated and kind of indirectly labeled as an aggressive, Black woman, I sort of browned out. I didn’t completely black out but my brain was in and out of functioning.”
After meeting with a third-party HR person, Sarah Rajtik, Washington acknowledged that she was encouraged to write a formal complaint regarding her experiences with “1776” production staff.
“‘You know what, yes, I will, because this is the only course of action available to me and I’m going to do it,'” Washington recalled saying. “‘I’ll take these f—ers down that way if I have to. I’ve taken bigger f—ers down before and I’ll do it again. So yes, I will be filing an official complaint with HR.'”
Despite her intent to file a complaint, the complaint revealed Washington was terminated for alleged “aggressive, uncontrolled behavior and threatening statement,” before doing so.
“They took [my words] as a threat as opposed to what it was, which is that I said, ‘Yes, I’m going to file a complaint and I’ll take them down by putting into HR an official claim due to my employer acting in bad faith,’” Washington said.
“I’m a self-advocate but I am a huge advocate for and of other people,” Washington also told the outlet. “I want everyone in this industry, on every level, but especially on the actor level—because that’s what I do—I want us all to know that we have power. People strip themselves of their power easily in our industry and it makes me so sad. If I do nothing else in my life, I know that the ripple effect of this, and other actions that I’ve taken in the past and will continue to take in the future, is to remind people that they have power and they can, and should, use it.”
“Race discrimination has absolutely no business on Broadway. In the theater industry where talented actors, especially actors of color, are expected to keep their heads down and voices low, our client, Zuri Washington, an incredibly talented, principled, and thoughtful Black actor, has courageously decided to tell her story and hold the producers of 1776 accountable for violating her right to work in an environment free of bias and retaliation,” he shared. “We are proud to represent Ms. Washington and look forward to vindicating her rights in front of a jury of her peers.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
A New Kind of Tango
Have you entered Walmart, saw those electric carts plugged into the wall, and just wanted to take one and have some fun around the store? These women decided to do exactly that.
Have you entered Walmart, saw those electric carts plugged into the wall, and just wanted to take one and have some fun around the store? These women decided to do exactly that.
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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