#FASHIONFAB: Pucci Spring 2024 Campaign with Vittoria Ceretti by Mario Sorrenti
The watery effect of Pucci’s heritage Vivara print takes the stage in a new Spring 2024 campaign headlined by Vittoria Ceretti and captured by Mario Sorrenti [IG] at Villa L’Alma near Milan.
Pucci Artistic Director Camille Miceli has invited us to Rome on April 4 to view Vivara in action as "one of the house's most iconic prints, dating back to 1965 and featured in all the archives." Creative direction and production are from Al Dente. / Hair by Tomo Jidal; makeup by Lucia Pica
The creative director has another drop-dead fabulous April 4 Pucci print evolution baking in the House’s brand oven. Camille Micelli herself has extensive LVMH experience in her background, returning to Louis Vuitton in 2014 to become accessories creative director before she took the artistic director role at Pucci in 2021.
Micelli also worked in the Dior group and is championed as the best at taking runway inspiration at both Louis Vuitton and Dior, and translating it into endearing accessories. This latter category is key to creating a profitable luxury brand.
FAB!
#RHOA: Simon Guobadia Claims Porsha Williams Brought Gunman To Marital Home, Police Called To Scene
Simon Guobadia claims Porsha Williams brought gunman to marital home, police called to sceneSimon Guobadia claims Porsha Williams brought gunman to marital home, police called to scene
Simon Guobadia fired back at estranged wife Porsha Williams’ divorce filing, claiming in new court documents that the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star brought an “armed gunman” to their marital home.
In the documents, obtained by Page Six Monday, Guobadia alleges the reality star “abandoned” their house at one point, only to return with “a man visibly bearing a gun for reasons unknown to [Guobadia].”
The entrepreneur claims that Williams brought the man on two occasions.
The entrepreneur claims the “RHOA” star showed up to their marital home with an “armed gunman.”
He further alleged he had to call police to “maintain the peace.”
Guobadia alleges that during one instance, which took place on March 21, he had to call police to “maintain the peace.”
He also claims that Williams, 42, had “third parties” to call and harass Guobadia and others “in an effort to force them out.”
Guobadia alleges that on or about March 24, Williams, her mother and her mother’s boyfriend made a “forcible entry” into the marital home, disengaged security cameras and “tampered with items and evidence.”
“Since the filing of the instant divorce, Wife’s actions have been erratic, unstable, threatening, and harassing to … the house staff, and the minor children,” the documents state.
“[Williams’] behavior has caused safety concerns, especially since there are minor children —
[Guobadia’s] children — currently living in the Marital Residence.”
Guobadia, 59, is requesting a judge issue a restraining order against the Bravolebrity
Reps and attorneys for Williams did not immediately return Page Six’s requests for comment. Page Six also has reached out to the police department to confirm Guobadia’s allegations.
Williams filed for divorce from Guobadia last month after just one year of marriage and immediately requested that the businessman not “destroy” any financial records.
In his filing, however, Guobadia claims Williams took “calculated steps” to marry and divorce him shortly thereafter to “intentionally trigger” parts of their prenup for “personal financial gain and greed.”
Williams since has severed all public ties to her now-estranged husband, removing his last name from her Instagram account and deleting various photos.
Since then, Guobadia already has sparked romance rumors with a fitness trainer.
#MusicNews: Maxwell Announces ‘The Serenade Tour’ With Jazmine Sullivan
Maxwell is heading back on the road. The Grammy-winning singer has announced the dates for The Serenade Tour with special guest Jazmine Sullivan. Rising singer October London will also join them on the trek.
The Serenade Tour kicks off Sept. 14 in Hollywood, Florida, at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.
From there, the trio of singers will make stops in Tampa, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Chicago and New Orleans, among other cities.
The tour will conclude Oct. 27 in Los Angeles, California, at Kia Forum.
Tickets for The Serenade Tour go on sale Friday, March 29, at 10 a.m. local time. Exclusive meet & greet and VIP ticket packages are available for all tour dates.
The Serenade Tour is Maxwell’s first major tour since the second leg of The Night Tour in fall 2022. Earlier that spring, he embarked on the first leg with special guests Anthony Hamilton and Joe.
Since then, Maxwell has performed a Las Vegas residency, multiple symphony shows at Davies Symphony Hall in San Fransisco and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He also did a three-night run at Hollywood Bowl and hosted Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite Cruise, which featured additional performances by Musiq Soulchild, Ledisi, Gallant, Sabrina Claudio and more.
For fans wondering about Maxwell’s next album, the singer shared an update last July on X (formerly Twitter). “That_NIGHT music takes time; she dressing,” he wrote, confirming that blacksummers’NIGHT is still in the works. The long-awaited album will serve as the final installment of the trilogy, which began in 2009 with BLACKsummers’night.
As for Sullivan, who first opened for Maxwell 08 Tour, the Grammy winner headlined her Heaux Tales Tour in 2022. The tour was in support of her Grammy-winning album, Heaux Tales
See Maxwell’s tour dates below.
Maxwell's The Serenade Tour 2024 poster featuring Jazmine Sullivan and October London Tour 2024 Dates
Sep 14 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
Sep 15 – Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena
Sep 17 – Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
Sep 20 – Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum
Sep 21 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena
Sep 24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
Sep 25 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
Sep 27 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
Sep 28 – Birmingham, AL @ Legacy Arena at the BJCC
Sep 29 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
Oct 1 – Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center
Oct 3 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
Oct 4 – Washington DC @ Capital One Arena
Oct 6 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
Oct 9 – Indianapolis, IN @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Oct 10 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
Oct 11 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
Oct 13 – St. Louis, MO @ Enterprise Center
Oct 16 – Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum
Oct 18 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
Oct 19 – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center
Oct 20 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
Oct 23 – San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
Oct 25 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena
Oct 26 – Las Vegas, NV @ Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
Oct 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
Get tickets at http://www.musze.com
#HipHopNews: Diddy Caught on Video Pacing at Miami-Area Airport After Homes Raided
Following breaking news of Diddy's Los Angeles and Miami homes being raided by federal agents, the music mogul was spotted pacing back-and-forth outside of a Miami-area airport.
On Monday (March 25), TMZ obtained footage captured around 3 p.m. PST that shows the embattled music executive casually pacing outside of a Customs office at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. TMZ claims that according to an eyewitness, Puff and a few others were stopped by the feds, after which members from the Department of Homeland Security arrived. In the footage, which can be seen below, Diddy is neither in custody nor is he detained. He is merely walking by himself.
Earlier today, Diddy's residences in L.A. and Miami were both rushed by the Department of Homeland Security with guns drawn. Video footage capturing the raid at the California home showed numerous individuals being handcuffed, including Diddy's two sons, Justin and Christian "King" Combs. The raids are reportedly connected to sex trafficking allegations, and at the time, it was unclear if Diddy was on the premises. However, considering this latest news, it can be presumed that he was not.
According to ABC 7, Homeland Security released a statement shortly after the news broke, which said, "Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners. We will provide further information as it becomes available."
Diddy's sex trafficking allegations come shortly after several sexual assault accusations, including from ex-girlfriend Cassie, who accused Diddy of rape and years of sexual abuse in a lawsuit filed back in November. He was also hit with an accusation of reportedly raping a 17-year-old girl with two others.
Diddy has denied all allegations made against him.
Key Bridge collapses into Patapsco River in Baltimore after vessel hits support column; state of emergency declared
Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday after a container ship struck a support column, sending at least seven cars into the Patapsco River, launching a search-and-rescue operation and prompting Gov. Wes Moore to declare a state of emergency.
Two construction workers who were repairing potholes on the bridge at the time — one of whom was hospitalized — were rescued and, as of 10 a.m., there were six other workers unaccounted for, state Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said. Extensive rescue efforts are ongoing.
Before the collision, the ship’s crew notified authorities that the vessel had lost power. That “mayday” allowed Maryland Transportation Authority Police on the highway above to prevent many cars from driving onto the bridge just before the catastrophe.
“These people are heroes,” Gov. Wes Moore said in a news conference Tuesday morning. “They saved lives last night.”
Moore added that there was no evidence that the collision was a terrorist attack.
He vowed that the bridge will be rebuilt, although he note that it was too early to estimate when or at what cost.
In an earlier news conference, a few hours after the 1:20 a.m. collision, Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace said authorities had detected the presence of vehicles in the water by using sonar. Water in the area is about 50 feet deep.
Authorities have not determined the cause, but U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin told The Baltimore Sun in a phone interview that indications point to the vessel losing power, causing it to lose steering.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, a spokesperson for the board said.
“What’s been indicated is the vessel lost power, and when you lose power you lose steering,” Cardin said. “But they’re doing a full investigation.”
U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger said on social media that initial reports from the U.S. Coast Guard indicate a harbor pilot aboard reported “power issues, multiple alarms on the bridge, and a loss of propulsion prior to the incident.”
It’s “too early to know all the facts,” U.S. Sen Chris Van Hollen told The Sun, but added: “There is certainly a good chance the ship lost power and drifted into the bridge.”
“This is a tragedy that you could never imagine … It looked like something out of an action movie,” Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference.
Video from the incident shows the container ship, billowing smoke, colliding with the bridge support, quickly causing much of the structure to collapse. Just before the collision, the ship’s lights appear to turn on and off multiple times.
The ship, a 948-foot, Singapore-flagged cargo ship named Dali, had been traveling about 8 knots (about 9 mph). It was under the operation of a pilot, as is required by Maryland law, to guide it through the port.
All vehicle traffic has been rerouted from the 1.6-mile steel bridge, which is part of Interstate 695, a major thoroughfare and one of Baltimore’s three toll crossings. The bridge carried more than 12.4 million commercial and passenger vehicles in 2023 — roughly 34,000 a day — according to a November report.
The Port of Baltimore was still processing trucks inside of its terminals. But vessel traffic into and out of the port is suspended, Wiedefeld said. That is likely to have grave consequences on commerce in the region.
“We know that we have a long road ahead, not just in search-and-rescue, but in the fallout from this,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said at a news conference.
Priscilla Thompson, who lives on the water in Dundalk facing the Key Bridge, was awakened in the middle of the night by the horrible sound of crashing steel.
“I really thought it was an earthquake or something because it shook this house so bad,” she said. “It shook it — it really rattled it — for four or five seconds.”
“And then, it got real quiet,” she said.
Another nearby resident, John Flansburg, woke up to what sounded like a car crash.
“It’s like there was a big accident right outside my door,” he said. “Then I’ve seen all this devastation.”
The Coast Guard has deployed four boats, as well as a helicopter, to aid in the search and rescue mission. Several police helicopters were also circling the area.
Authorities said they are using sonar and underwater drones as part of the rescue efforts. Divers have battled against water temperature, tide and darkness, Wallace said. The National Data Buoy Center reported water temperatures in that area of the Patapsco were about 49 degrees at 4 a.m. The air temperature was 41 and winds were light.
The ship was built in 2015 and had arrived from Norfolk, Virginia, according to Vessel Finder, a ship tracking website. It left the Port of Baltimore around 1 a.m., according to MarineTraffic, a separate tracking website.
According to a statement from Dali’s owners and managers, all of the ship’s 22 Indian crew members and two pilots who were on board have “been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries.”
Cardin said that the immediate focus is search and rescue and added that “there weren’t too many occupied vehicles on the bridge.” He said officials were “trying to figure out how to get the port open.”
There has been no pollution, the ship’s manager, Synergy Marine Group, said. Wallace said authorities had not confirmed if any fuel spilled into the water, but said there had been an odor of “diesel fuel.”
The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center received one patient from the collapse, according to Michael Schwartzberg, a spokesman for the University of Maryland Medical Center. Schwartzberg said the patient has been discharged.
On X, the site formerly known as Twitter, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said he’d been in contact with Moore and Scott and had offered the federal agency’s “support following the vessel strike and collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge.”
The Maryland Department of Emergency Management has staff on site and is coordinating with the governor’s office, Maryland State Police and the transportation authority. Agency spokesperson Travis Brown said that the department has raised its emergency operation center status to “advanced” and the state joint operations center is “in full swing.”
The transportation authority noted on social media the interstate 95 and 895 tunnels are alternative ways to travel across the harbor. Vehicles transporting hazardous materials, however, are prohibited in tunnels and “should use the western section of I-695 around tunnels,” the authority posted.
Moore said the bridge was “fully up to code” and a Johns Hopkins professor of structural and civil engineering who reviewed video of the incident said he didn’t see anything that immediately stood out as a “red flag” in regards to the bridge’s structural integrity. The bridge had two supports holding it up. If you take one way, “it’s not a bridge anymore,” Benjamin W. Schaefer told The Sun.
“We will want to know more, the community will want to know the root of the collapse … but this seems like more of an acute event,” he said.
Sal Mercogliano, a Campbell University professor and former merchant mariner who hosts a YouTube show on shipping, said in a video Tuesday that footage of the incident appears to show an “engine problem.”
“When you lose power on a ship, it is the worst feeling the world. Everything goes quiet, goes dark,” he said.
The Key Bridge, which opened in March 1977 after five years of construction and cost an estimated $110 million, is named for the Marylander who wrote the lyrics for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Before daybreak Tuesday, 50-year-old Lupe Lucas and her son stood along the water’s edge in Dundalk, gazing at the area the Key Bridge once spanned. The center of the bridge had disappeared, save for a section collapsed on top of the large ship.
“When the sun rises, and there’s nothing there, that’s going to be heartbreaking for a lot of people,” she said.
Beyonce Rocks Patriotic Scarf After Sparking Debate Over Use Of American Flag In Album Cover
Beyonce Knowles appeared unfazed by criticisms over use of the American flag in the cover art of her upcoming album. The "Break My Soul" hitmaker, who recently sparked debate for raising the U.S. flag in the artwork of "Cowboy Carter", rocked a patriotic scarf as seen in her newly-shared photos.
On Monday, March 25, the 42-year-old superstar took to Instagram to upload a series of pictures, which were compiled in a short clip, highlighting her nearly all-denim outfit. She showed off her hourglass figure in a skin-tight blue denim crop top that came with two long-sleeves and a high neck design.
Queen Bey also donned a pair of long matching jeans that had a high waist design. She enhanced the look with a scarf featuring the American flag graphic and a pair of blue denim pointed-toe boots with towering heels. She kept her belongings in a small matching handbag with rainbow embroideries on one of its sides.
The "16 CARRIAGES" songstress, who put on a white cowboy hat to complete the look, accessorized herself with a huge silver necklace and covered her eyes with a pair of black sunglasses. In addition, she styled her long honey blonde hair in waves and let it loose.
Along with the photos, Beyonce reminded her followers that she will be releasing her country album very soon. In the caption of the post, she simply penned, "4 days until act ii COWBOY CARTER."
The post came a few days after Beyonce garnered mixed responses for using the American flag in the cover art of "Cowboy Carter". Making use of X, formerly known as Twitter, some social media users suggested that she should have "waved the Black American flag."
The watery effect of Pucci’s heritage Vivara print takes the stage in a new Spring 2024 campaign headlined by Vittoria Ceretti and captured by Mario Sorrenti [IG] at Villa L’Alma near Milan.
Pucci Artistic Director Camille Miceli has invited us to Rome on April 4 to view Vivara in action as "one of the house's most iconic prints, dating back to 1965 and featured in all the archives." Creative direction and production are from Al Dente. / Hair by Tomo Jidal; makeup by Lucia Pica
The creative director has another drop-dead fabulous April 4 Pucci print evolution baking in the House’s brand oven. Camille Micelli herself has extensive LVMH experience in her background, returning to Louis Vuitton in 2014 to become accessories creative director before she took the artistic director role at Pucci in 2021.
Micelli also worked in the Dior group and is championed as the best at taking runway inspiration at both Louis Vuitton and Dior, and translating it into endearing accessories. This latter category is key to creating a profitable luxury brand.
FAB!
#RHOA: Simon Guobadia Claims Porsha Williams Brought Gunman To Marital Home, Police Called To Scene
Simon Guobadia claims Porsha Williams brought gunman to marital home, police called to sceneSimon Guobadia claims Porsha Williams brought gunman to marital home, police called to scene
Simon Guobadia fired back at estranged wife Porsha Williams’ divorce filing, claiming in new court documents that the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star brought an “armed gunman” to their marital home.
In the documents, obtained by Page Six Monday, Guobadia alleges the reality star “abandoned” their house at one point, only to return with “a man visibly bearing a gun for reasons unknown to [Guobadia].”
The entrepreneur claims that Williams brought the man on two occasions.
The entrepreneur claims the “RHOA” star showed up to their marital home with an “armed gunman.”
He further alleged he had to call police to “maintain the peace.”
Guobadia alleges that during one instance, which took place on March 21, he had to call police to “maintain the peace.”
He also claims that Williams, 42, had “third parties” to call and harass Guobadia and others “in an effort to force them out.”
Guobadia alleges that on or about March 24, Williams, her mother and her mother’s boyfriend made a “forcible entry” into the marital home, disengaged security cameras and “tampered with items and evidence.”
“Since the filing of the instant divorce, Wife’s actions have been erratic, unstable, threatening, and harassing to … the house staff, and the minor children,” the documents state.
“[Williams’] behavior has caused safety concerns, especially since there are minor children —
[Guobadia’s] children — currently living in the Marital Residence.”
Guobadia, 59, is requesting a judge issue a restraining order against the Bravolebrity
Reps and attorneys for Williams did not immediately return Page Six’s requests for comment. Page Six also has reached out to the police department to confirm Guobadia’s allegations.
Williams filed for divorce from Guobadia last month after just one year of marriage and immediately requested that the businessman not “destroy” any financial records.
In his filing, however, Guobadia claims Williams took “calculated steps” to marry and divorce him shortly thereafter to “intentionally trigger” parts of their prenup for “personal financial gain and greed.”
Williams since has severed all public ties to her now-estranged husband, removing his last name from her Instagram account and deleting various photos.
Since then, Guobadia already has sparked romance rumors with a fitness trainer.
#MusicNews: Maxwell Announces ‘The Serenade Tour’ With Jazmine Sullivan
Maxwell is heading back on the road. The Grammy-winning singer has announced the dates for The Serenade Tour with special guest Jazmine Sullivan. Rising singer October London will also join them on the trek.
The Serenade Tour kicks off Sept. 14 in Hollywood, Florida, at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.
From there, the trio of singers will make stops in Tampa, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Chicago and New Orleans, among other cities.
The tour will conclude Oct. 27 in Los Angeles, California, at Kia Forum.
Tickets for The Serenade Tour go on sale Friday, March 29, at 10 a.m. local time. Exclusive meet & greet and VIP ticket packages are available for all tour dates.
The Serenade Tour is Maxwell’s first major tour since the second leg of The Night Tour in fall 2022. Earlier that spring, he embarked on the first leg with special guests Anthony Hamilton and Joe.
Since then, Maxwell has performed a Las Vegas residency, multiple symphony shows at Davies Symphony Hall in San Fransisco and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He also did a three-night run at Hollywood Bowl and hosted Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite Cruise, which featured additional performances by Musiq Soulchild, Ledisi, Gallant, Sabrina Claudio and more.
For fans wondering about Maxwell’s next album, the singer shared an update last July on X (formerly Twitter). “That_NIGHT music takes time; she dressing,” he wrote, confirming that blacksummers’NIGHT is still in the works. The long-awaited album will serve as the final installment of the trilogy, which began in 2009 with BLACKsummers’night.
As for Sullivan, who first opened for Maxwell 08 Tour, the Grammy winner headlined her Heaux Tales Tour in 2022. The tour was in support of her Grammy-winning album, Heaux Tales
See Maxwell’s tour dates below.
Maxwell's The Serenade Tour 2024 poster featuring Jazmine Sullivan and October London Tour 2024 Dates
Sep 14 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
Sep 15 – Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena
Sep 17 – Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
Sep 20 – Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum
Sep 21 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena
Sep 24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
Sep 25 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
Sep 27 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
Sep 28 – Birmingham, AL @ Legacy Arena at the BJCC
Sep 29 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
Oct 1 – Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center
Oct 3 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
Oct 4 – Washington DC @ Capital One Arena
Oct 6 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
Oct 9 – Indianapolis, IN @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Oct 10 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
Oct 11 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
Oct 13 – St. Louis, MO @ Enterprise Center
Oct 16 – Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum
Oct 18 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
Oct 19 – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center
Oct 20 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
Oct 23 – San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
Oct 25 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena
Oct 26 – Las Vegas, NV @ Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
Oct 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
Get tickets at http://www.musze.com
#HipHopNews: Diddy Caught on Video Pacing at Miami-Area Airport After Homes Raided
Following breaking news of Diddy's Los Angeles and Miami homes being raided by federal agents, the music mogul was spotted pacing back-and-forth outside of a Miami-area airport.
On Monday (March 25), TMZ obtained footage captured around 3 p.m. PST that shows the embattled music executive casually pacing outside of a Customs office at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. TMZ claims that according to an eyewitness, Puff and a few others were stopped by the feds, after which members from the Department of Homeland Security arrived. In the footage, which can be seen below, Diddy is neither in custody nor is he detained. He is merely walking by himself.
Earlier today, Diddy's residences in L.A. and Miami were both rushed by the Department of Homeland Security with guns drawn. Video footage capturing the raid at the California home showed numerous individuals being handcuffed, including Diddy's two sons, Justin and Christian "King" Combs. The raids are reportedly connected to sex trafficking allegations, and at the time, it was unclear if Diddy was on the premises. However, considering this latest news, it can be presumed that he was not.
According to ABC 7, Homeland Security released a statement shortly after the news broke, which said, "Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners. We will provide further information as it becomes available."
Diddy's sex trafficking allegations come shortly after several sexual assault accusations, including from ex-girlfriend Cassie, who accused Diddy of rape and years of sexual abuse in a lawsuit filed back in November. He was also hit with an accusation of reportedly raping a 17-year-old girl with two others.
Diddy has denied all allegations made against him.
Key Bridge collapses into Patapsco River in Baltimore after vessel hits support column; state of emergency declared
Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday after a container ship struck a support column, sending at least seven cars into the Patapsco River, launching a search-and-rescue operation and prompting Gov. Wes Moore to declare a state of emergency.
Two construction workers who were repairing potholes on the bridge at the time — one of whom was hospitalized — were rescued and, as of 10 a.m., there were six other workers unaccounted for, state Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said. Extensive rescue efforts are ongoing.
Before the collision, the ship’s crew notified authorities that the vessel had lost power. That “mayday” allowed Maryland Transportation Authority Police on the highway above to prevent many cars from driving onto the bridge just before the catastrophe.
“These people are heroes,” Gov. Wes Moore said in a news conference Tuesday morning. “They saved lives last night.”
Moore added that there was no evidence that the collision was a terrorist attack.
He vowed that the bridge will be rebuilt, although he note that it was too early to estimate when or at what cost.
In an earlier news conference, a few hours after the 1:20 a.m. collision, Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace said authorities had detected the presence of vehicles in the water by using sonar. Water in the area is about 50 feet deep.
Authorities have not determined the cause, but U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin told The Baltimore Sun in a phone interview that indications point to the vessel losing power, causing it to lose steering.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, a spokesperson for the board said.
“What’s been indicated is the vessel lost power, and when you lose power you lose steering,” Cardin said. “But they’re doing a full investigation.”
U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger said on social media that initial reports from the U.S. Coast Guard indicate a harbor pilot aboard reported “power issues, multiple alarms on the bridge, and a loss of propulsion prior to the incident.”
It’s “too early to know all the facts,” U.S. Sen Chris Van Hollen told The Sun, but added: “There is certainly a good chance the ship lost power and drifted into the bridge.”
“This is a tragedy that you could never imagine … It looked like something out of an action movie,” Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference.
Video from the incident shows the container ship, billowing smoke, colliding with the bridge support, quickly causing much of the structure to collapse. Just before the collision, the ship’s lights appear to turn on and off multiple times.
The ship, a 948-foot, Singapore-flagged cargo ship named Dali, had been traveling about 8 knots (about 9 mph). It was under the operation of a pilot, as is required by Maryland law, to guide it through the port.
All vehicle traffic has been rerouted from the 1.6-mile steel bridge, which is part of Interstate 695, a major thoroughfare and one of Baltimore’s three toll crossings. The bridge carried more than 12.4 million commercial and passenger vehicles in 2023 — roughly 34,000 a day — according to a November report.
The Port of Baltimore was still processing trucks inside of its terminals. But vessel traffic into and out of the port is suspended, Wiedefeld said. That is likely to have grave consequences on commerce in the region.
“We know that we have a long road ahead, not just in search-and-rescue, but in the fallout from this,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said at a news conference.
Priscilla Thompson, who lives on the water in Dundalk facing the Key Bridge, was awakened in the middle of the night by the horrible sound of crashing steel.
“I really thought it was an earthquake or something because it shook this house so bad,” she said. “It shook it — it really rattled it — for four or five seconds.”
“And then, it got real quiet,” she said.
Another nearby resident, John Flansburg, woke up to what sounded like a car crash.
“It’s like there was a big accident right outside my door,” he said. “Then I’ve seen all this devastation.”
The Coast Guard has deployed four boats, as well as a helicopter, to aid in the search and rescue mission. Several police helicopters were also circling the area.
Authorities said they are using sonar and underwater drones as part of the rescue efforts. Divers have battled against water temperature, tide and darkness, Wallace said. The National Data Buoy Center reported water temperatures in that area of the Patapsco were about 49 degrees at 4 a.m. The air temperature was 41 and winds were light.
The ship was built in 2015 and had arrived from Norfolk, Virginia, according to Vessel Finder, a ship tracking website. It left the Port of Baltimore around 1 a.m., according to MarineTraffic, a separate tracking website.
According to a statement from Dali’s owners and managers, all of the ship’s 22 Indian crew members and two pilots who were on board have “been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries.”
Cardin said that the immediate focus is search and rescue and added that “there weren’t too many occupied vehicles on the bridge.” He said officials were “trying to figure out how to get the port open.”
There has been no pollution, the ship’s manager, Synergy Marine Group, said. Wallace said authorities had not confirmed if any fuel spilled into the water, but said there had been an odor of “diesel fuel.”
The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center received one patient from the collapse, according to Michael Schwartzberg, a spokesman for the University of Maryland Medical Center. Schwartzberg said the patient has been discharged.
On X, the site formerly known as Twitter, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said he’d been in contact with Moore and Scott and had offered the federal agency’s “support following the vessel strike and collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge.”
The Maryland Department of Emergency Management has staff on site and is coordinating with the governor’s office, Maryland State Police and the transportation authority. Agency spokesperson Travis Brown said that the department has raised its emergency operation center status to “advanced” and the state joint operations center is “in full swing.”
The transportation authority noted on social media the interstate 95 and 895 tunnels are alternative ways to travel across the harbor. Vehicles transporting hazardous materials, however, are prohibited in tunnels and “should use the western section of I-695 around tunnels,” the authority posted.
Moore said the bridge was “fully up to code” and a Johns Hopkins professor of structural and civil engineering who reviewed video of the incident said he didn’t see anything that immediately stood out as a “red flag” in regards to the bridge’s structural integrity. The bridge had two supports holding it up. If you take one way, “it’s not a bridge anymore,” Benjamin W. Schaefer told The Sun.
“We will want to know more, the community will want to know the root of the collapse … but this seems like more of an acute event,” he said.
Sal Mercogliano, a Campbell University professor and former merchant mariner who hosts a YouTube show on shipping, said in a video Tuesday that footage of the incident appears to show an “engine problem.”
“When you lose power on a ship, it is the worst feeling the world. Everything goes quiet, goes dark,” he said.
The Key Bridge, which opened in March 1977 after five years of construction and cost an estimated $110 million, is named for the Marylander who wrote the lyrics for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Before daybreak Tuesday, 50-year-old Lupe Lucas and her son stood along the water’s edge in Dundalk, gazing at the area the Key Bridge once spanned. The center of the bridge had disappeared, save for a section collapsed on top of the large ship.
“When the sun rises, and there’s nothing there, that’s going to be heartbreaking for a lot of people,” she said.
Beyonce Rocks Patriotic Scarf After Sparking Debate Over Use Of American Flag In Album Cover
Beyonce Knowles appeared unfazed by criticisms over use of the American flag in the cover art of her upcoming album. The "Break My Soul" hitmaker, who recently sparked debate for raising the U.S. flag in the artwork of "Cowboy Carter", rocked a patriotic scarf as seen in her newly-shared photos.
On Monday, March 25, the 42-year-old superstar took to Instagram to upload a series of pictures, which were compiled in a short clip, highlighting her nearly all-denim outfit. She showed off her hourglass figure in a skin-tight blue denim crop top that came with two long-sleeves and a high neck design.
Queen Bey also donned a pair of long matching jeans that had a high waist design. She enhanced the look with a scarf featuring the American flag graphic and a pair of blue denim pointed-toe boots with towering heels. She kept her belongings in a small matching handbag with rainbow embroideries on one of its sides.
The "16 CARRIAGES" songstress, who put on a white cowboy hat to complete the look, accessorized herself with a huge silver necklace and covered her eyes with a pair of black sunglasses. In addition, she styled her long honey blonde hair in waves and let it loose.
Along with the photos, Beyonce reminded her followers that she will be releasing her country album very soon. In the caption of the post, she simply penned, "4 days until act ii COWBOY CARTER."
The post came a few days after Beyonce garnered mixed responses for using the American flag in the cover art of "Cowboy Carter". Making use of X, formerly known as Twitter, some social media users suggested that she should have "waved the Black American flag."
Though so, others defended Queen Bey against the critics. One in particular theorized, "This album cover means so much more. Beyonce is reclaiming what Black Americans created, the American flag falls under that as well. The hidden stars were intentional. We built this country off of our backs. She's taking the reins & makin a statement. She's redefining our history."
Sacha Baron Cohen Labels Rebel Wilson's Damning Accusations 'False Claims'!
Sacha Baron Cohen has responded to Rebel Wilson's accusations against the actor. Through his representative, Sacha, who starred alongside Rebel on "The Brothers Grimsby", dubbed the allegations nothing but "false claims."
"While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these demonstrably false claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence," the rep said on Monday, March 25, "including contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of 'The Brothers Grimsby'."
The statement arrived shortly after Rebel revealed that Sacha is the "a**hole" she writes about in her upcoming memoir, "Rebel Rising". "I will not be bullied or silenced with high priced lawyers or PR crisis managers," the "Pitch Perfect" actress wrote on Instagram Stories. "The 'a**hole' that I am talking about in ONE CHAPTER of my book is Sacha Baron Cohen."
Rebel Wilson accused Sacha Baron Cohen of being an 'a**hole.'
In a now-deleted post, the "I Feel Pretty" star added, "Now the a**hole is trying to threaten me. He's hired a crisis PR manager and lawyers. He's trying to stop press coming out about my new book."
HBO denies reports that Euphoria season 3 is canceled, remains 'committed to making an exceptional third season'
"While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these demonstrably false claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence," the rep said on Monday, March 25, "including contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of 'The Brothers Grimsby'."
The statement arrived shortly after Rebel revealed that Sacha is the "a**hole" she writes about in her upcoming memoir, "Rebel Rising". "I will not be bullied or silenced with high priced lawyers or PR crisis managers," the "Pitch Perfect" actress wrote on Instagram Stories. "The 'a**hole' that I am talking about in ONE CHAPTER of my book is Sacha Baron Cohen."
Rebel Wilson accused Sacha Baron Cohen of being an 'a**hole.'
In a now-deleted post, the "I Feel Pretty" star added, "Now the a**hole is trying to threaten me. He's hired a crisis PR manager and lawyers. He's trying to stop press coming out about my new book."
HBO denies reports that Euphoria season 3 is canceled, remains 'committed to making an exceptional third season'
Don’t believe everything you hear coming from the rumor mill: HBO has confirmed that despite gossip circulating on social media, season 3 of Euphoria is still a-go.
“HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season,” an HBO spokesperson told EW. “In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.”
The gritty high school drama about a spiraling teen addict and her equally messy classmates includes rising stars like Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer, Storm Reid, Austin Abrams, and more, who have all been booked and busy since appearing in the show.
While the coming-of-age series will indeed return to thrill and traumatize, production on the show’s third season has again been delayed.
Back in November, HBO boss Casey Bloys explained that the show’s 2025 premiere date was heavily impacted by the joint actors' and writers' strikes. Writing on the series was said to have resumed when the writers' strike came to a close on Sept. 27 (after 148 days). Filming has yet to begin, as work on the scripts continues.
Many of the show's stars have noted the elongated time between the second and third seasons. Earlier this year, Nika King, who plays Zendaya’s mother in the show, joked during a stand-up set that she needs the show to come back as soon as possible because she has bills to pay.
"Don't ask me [when season 3 is coming out]. I don't f---ing know," she said in footage from the event posted on her TikTok account. "People are like, 'We need season 3,' and I'm like, bitch, I need season 3! I haven’t paid my rent in six months."
Elordi also poked fun at the hiatus during a January appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. When the host asked him when filming would resume, he joked, “I don’t know, do you know?”
He added, “I hope it’s soon, or they’re going to have to Benjamin Button me or something. I’m going to have a bad back walking down the hallway, you know?”
The network, creator and cast have been tight-lipped about what’s to come in the story, though Levinson previously described the third season as a "film noir." He said that through Zendaya’s Rue, he plans to "explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world."
The second season came to a close in Feb. 2022 after an excruciating climax that saw Rue hitting rock bottom as she reconciled the consequences of her relapse. While the network has not confirmed which cast members will return for season 3, a few absences are already set in stone. Barbie Ferreira previously announced a "teary-eyed goodbye" to her character Kat Hernandez and the upcoming season will also grapple with the unexpected death of Angus Cloud, who played the sensitive drug dealer Fezco, and died of an accidental overdose last year.
Boeing CEO, other executives stepping down amid safety crisis!
Three senior Boeing executives including its CEO are stepping down, the company said Monday, as the company continues to deal with an ongoing scandal and federal investigation into the safety of its passenger jets.
CEO Dave Calhoun confirmed he was leaving the company by the end of the year in a statement. Stan Deal, the CEO and president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, has retired effective immediately. Larry Kellner, chair of the company's board of directors, will not stand for re-election at the next shareholders' annual meeting. Boeing board member and former Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf will succeed Kellner.
The company has been mired in a slew of negative stories since a door panel blew out on a Boeing 737 Max plane flown by Alaska Airlines in January. The fallout from that fateful flight shows no sign of stopping: The FBI informed passengers last week that they may have been the victims of a crime that the bureau is still investigating.
Despite Boeing announcing a range of measures to improve safety and committing to working with federal investigators, some passengers have spoken of feeling nervous climbing on board its aircraft.
In a letter to staff, posted on the Boeing website, Calhoun acknowledged that the Alaska Airlines incident had changed the company.
"As you all know, the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident was a watershed moment for Boeing," he wrote. "We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency. We also must inculcate a total commitment to safety and quality at every level of our company."
"The eyes of the world are on us," he said, referring to ongoing efforts to reassure both the company's airline customers and the flying public that its aircraft are safe.
In an interview with CNBC following Monday's announcement, Calhoun acknowledged the ongoing challenges at Boeing.
"We have this bad habit in our company," he said, adding production pressures continued to weigh on performance. "When you move it down the line, it sends a message to your own people that 'Wow, I guess the movement of the airplane is more important than the first time quality of the product.' And we have got to get that in way more balanced. Without a doubt."
Calhoun said in the letter to employees that the company had over the last five years faced “some of the most significant challenges our company and industry have ever faced in our 108-year history.”
Calhoun was appointed CEO in 2020 in the wake of two other air disasters that some experts blamed on failures at Boeing. The crashes of Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines in 2018 and 2019, which killed a total of 346 people, both involved the failure of a Boeing software system known as MCAS.
In an interview with the New York Times upon his appointment, Calhoun, who had served on the board of Boeing since 2009 and was appointed non-executive chairman in 2019, promised to change the internal culture at Boeing.
“It’s more than I imagined it would be, honestly,” Calhoun said at the time, describing the problems he was confronting at the plane manufacturer. “And it speaks to the weaknesses of our leadership.”
Yet in the same interview, he seemed to imply that American pilots would not have reacted to the MCAS system failures as the foreign-born ones did.
In the wake of the second crash in March 2019, the 737 Max was grounded worldwide and not re-approved for flight for nearly two years.
In 2021, Boeing agreed to pay a $2.5 billion penalty to settle criminal charges over accusations it concealed information about its 737 Max airplane, with Boeing admitting it had "deceived" the FAA about the MCAS system's reliability.
Calhoun said at the time that the settlement "appropriately acknowledges how we fell short of our values and expectations."
In an interview last week, Michael Whitaker, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, told NBC News that Boeing had no choice but to develop a plan to improve its culture and practices to meet the agency's safety standards.
Whitaker said Boeing’s priorities “have been on production and not on safety and quality.”
In a written statement in response to the leadership changes, Alaska Airlines said it has flown Boeing planes for nearly 60 years and is committed to the company.
"We share more than a hometown with Boeing; we share a passion for flying and a commitment to safety. We know the people behind the planes, who have dedicated their careers over these decades to make air travel better and safer," the statement said, adding "we will do everything we can to contribute to the critical work under way to ensure excellence in production quality and safety."
In the wake of the January Alaska Airlines incident, some Wall Street analysts said more drastic change was needed.
“How many times can ‘won’t happen again’ happen again?” Bank of America Corp. analyst Ronald Epstein wrote in a report in January.
“Both Boeing and [Boeing parts supplier] Spirit [AeroSystems] need a drastic cultural overhaul. This cultural change won’t come from FAA mandates, congressional hearings, internal memos, or one-hour all hands meetings. For culture to move from corporate jargon to being embodied in the habits and minds of both workforces, we see it as necessary for Boeing and Spirit to drastically rethink the ways they have operated.”
50 Cent Seems to Regret Flirting with Ex Vivica A. Fox in 2003: 'I Gotta Learn to Shut the F--- Up'!
50 Cent has thoughts about his fling with Vivica A. Fox. On Sunday, the hip-hop star, 48, shared an Instagram throwback video featuring him winning the award for best new artist at the 2003 BET Awards, where he flirted with the Kill Bill actress, 59, as she sat in the audience.
“I’m just happy to be present with all of these beautiful people in here… I want to thank Vivica Fox for wearing that dress too,” 50 Cent said in the clip, as the camera panned to the actress.
In the post's caption, he revealed that he wished he would have kept his mouth shut, appearing to reference the pair's short-lived relationship in 2003.
"I look back 👀at some of the s--- that I did 🤨I gotta learn to shut the f--- up. Look at that look at end that’s trouble. 😆 WTF @bransoncognac @lecheminduroi," 50 Cent wrote alongside the video.
The "In da Club" rapper's post is the latest in a series of spats over the years between him and his ex.
In 2005, Fox opened up on The Tyra Banks Show about why she felt she’d been painted in the press as the bad guy after the breakup. “No, it wasn’t the press… it was him!” she told Tyra Banks, adding that he’d been accusing her of using their relationship as a publicity stunt.
The "Candy Shop" artist appeared on Banks’ couch years later to reveal that he and Fox had resolved their issues — so much so that Fox appeared as his ex in his music video for “Do You Think About Me."
In October 2015, Fox resurrected the former couple's bad blood when she outwardly questioned his sexuality on national television. 50 Cent responded by attacking his ex via social media by sharing unflattering photos, including one of her donning a low-cut dress with the words “really bad boob job!” written over the picture.
After letting the feud go for a while, 50 Cent reignited it in September 2016 when he shared a split photo of a woman with botched plastic surgery and Fox.
By December 2016, his sexuality became a topic on Watch What Happens Live, where Andy Cohen sparked the fire by asking 50 Cent about his ex’s comments about his sexuality.
However, Fox revealed they made peace in January 2017 when they ran into each other and squashed their beef at a New York Knicks’ game.
“Someone has to be the bigger person,” the Empire star told host Wendy Williams on The Wendy Williams Show. “I hated to have beef with him, but I let nobody mess with me. I ain’t no punk. I told him, ‘I will always love you. We’re not meant to be together, but I’ll always have love for you.'”
In 2018, Fox appeared to confirm their beef was over in another appearance on The Wendy Williams Show to discuss her book Every Day, I’m Hustling, which included a section about the "21 Questions" performer.
“Last year there was definitely some misconceptions that were out about our relationship. And at the time I was writing the book, and it was before we made peace. And I just wanted to clarify,” the Two Can Play That Game actress said, referring to the duo’s feuding since they broke up.
She added, “I did not write this book to get into a feud with him. We’re good, and we always will be good.”
Fox said that she was “very much in love with him” and claimed 50 Cent felt the same toward her.
“I think the reason that it’s haunted me for such a long time is I found out later he wanted to propose to me,” she claimed, explaining that he planned to rent out a movie theater to pop the question.
Williams also brought up that Fox stated she was often the one who initiated sex, and the actress wasn’t shy about confirming it.
“I was very attracted to him, still am,” Fox admitted. “See that’s what a grown woman does — she owns it.”
50 Cent quickly responded to the interview on Instagram at the time. “What the f--- is going on here🤨man,” he captioned a photo from the show.
Playwright Jeremy O. Harris Developing Controversial New Project Based On Royal Family
With past projects including “Slave Play” and HBO’s “Euphoria,” Broadway playwright and Hollywood producer Jeremy O. Harris has certainly made it clear that he’s not afraid of a provocative concept.
Even so, one of the thespian superstar’s upcoming pieces seems likely to rattle the cutlery at dinner parties across Brooklyn.
Page Six has learned that Harris has founded a production company, and one of his first forays will be a little number called “Prince F - - - - t” (but without the dashes).
A play written by author Jordan Tannahill, it imagines “a not-very distant future in which Prince George has just come out of the closet.”
Folks have found themselves locked in the Tower of London for less!
Canadian heavy-hitter Tannahill has also penned the novel “The Listeners,” which is currently being adapted into a BBC series starring Rebecca Hall and directed by Harris collaborator Janicza Bravo.
For some reason, the imagined sexual orientation of 10-year-old Prince George of Wales — who is second in line to the British throne — has been a fascination for some time.
TV writer Gary Janetti has a long-running Instagram character based on the young prince, reimagining him as a catty, fabulous, status obsessive, which spawned its own HBO animated series, “The Prince.”
“Prince F - - - - t” is not the only project on Harris’ slate, we’re told.
A UK production of “Slave Play” will run at the Noël Coward Theatre, starring “Game of Thrones” actor Kit Harington.
Harris recently mounted an invitation-only reading of the Will Arbery play “You Hateful Things,” starring Christian Slater, Lucas Hedges, Amandla Stenberg and John Cameron Mitchell.
He also helped shepherd the recent City Center hit, “Jelly’s Last Jam,” which is rumored to be moving to Broadway.
“Jeremy is exactly the producer Broadway needs right now,” an insider told Page Six.
Halle Berry Opens Up About Mistaking Perimenopause For HerpesHalle Berry is sharing a story that can help women everywhere.The 57-year-old actress got candid about her health during a conversation with First Lady Jill Biden on Monday (March 25) at the A Day of Unreasonable Conversation summit.
Halle explained that she once mistook going into perimenopause for having herpes.
“First of all, my ego told me that I was going to skip it – I’m very safe, I’m healthy, I managed to get myself off of insulin and manage my diabetes since I’m 20 years old,” she began, per THR.
Halle then said that a doctor told her she had the worst case of herpes he had ever seen after she sought help for experiencing intense pain during sex.
Testing of her and her partner Van Hunt revealed that neither had herpes.
Halle then realized that she was experiencing symptoms of perimenopause.
“My doctor had no knowledge and didn’t prepare me, that’s when I knew, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve got to use my platform, I have to use all of who I am and I have to start making a change and a difference for other women,’” she explained.
Halle and Jill appealed to the audience to “help us change the way culture views women at this stage of our lives.”
Rebecca Hall Joins Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens & More Stars at 'Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire' World Premiere
The world premiere of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is here! On Monday (March 25), the stars of the film appeared at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, and Fala Chen were all in attendance at the premiere!
Director Adam Wingard was also present.
Per the film’s official synopsis, Gozilla x Kong: The New Empire “pits the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire delves further into the histories of these Titans and their origins, as well as the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.”
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire will open in theaters on April 12. Watch the trailer here!
Celebrity Photographer Matthew Jordan Smith Honors the Late Aretha Franklin with a New Coffee
*As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, celebrity, fashion, and beauty photographer Matthew Jordan Smith honors the late Aretha Franklin today with a new coffee table book titled, “Aretha Cool: The Intimate Portraits,” on what would have been her 82nd birthday. The beautifully crafted 256-page book takes the reader through a journey from 2005 to 2018, highlighting the unique relationship between Smith and Franklin.
The photographs illustrate not only the musical genius of The Queen of Soul but also her profound influence on culture, women’s empowerment, civil rights, and history. Aretha Cool is more than a book; it’s a celebration of a voice that resonated across generations and continents, a tribute to the emotional depth and impact of Aretha’s music.
Matthew Jordan Smith’s new book, “Aretha Cool.” As part of Franklin’s global birthday celebration, Smith joins The British Ambassador of Soul and the renowned Soul Music historian David Nathan, “In Conversation” as they reflect on their works with her and share some of their most memorable experiences on what would have been Franklin’s 82nd birthday (March 25). To view YouTube, click here. OR, watch above.
“I miss Aretha; I would always talk with her around her birthdays and holidays,” says Smith. This is one way of me connecting with her and sharing love and joy with her worldwide fans and supporters.” To view the Aretha Cool Spotlight Playlist, curated by Matthew Jordan Smith which he developed in 2004 while photographing her, click here.
Matthew Jordan Smith Presents Lecture on “Aretha Cool” at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.
Recently, Smith made a special book presentation, “A Day of Music, Legacy, and Empowerment” to observe the legacy of The Queen of Soul at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan on Friday, March 22. The event symbolized the global impact of Aretha’s music and Smith’s artistic vision, transcending borders and touching hearts worldwide.
As we continue to commemorate Women’s History Month, let’s reflect on her many contributions to the world. Her soulful melodies, powerful lyrics, and unyielding spirit continue to inspire and uplift people around the globe.
Matthew Jordan Smith was raised in New York City, and Columbia, South Carolina. He works regularly in Los Angeles, New York, and Tokyo, Japan. He is the author of Sepia Dreams: A Celebration of Black Achievement Through Words and Images (St. Martin’s Publishing Group), Lost and Found (Filipacchi Publishing), and Future American President: 50 States, 100 Families, Infinite Dreams (Goff Books). He has photographed some of the world’s most famous people, from icons such as Oprah Winfrey to Zendaya, Quincy Jones to George Lucas, Angelina Jolie to Angela Bassett, Sofia Vergara to Samuel L. Jackson, Queen Latifah to Courtney B. Vance, Tyra Banks to Britney Spears, and even Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and many others.
Aretha Cool: The Intimate Portraits (ISBN – 979-8-218-27863-2) is available on Amazon. For international (English) purchases and inquiries, please visit http://www.ArethaCool.com
Sandra Crouch: Celebration Of Life Announced, Cause of Death Revealed
Plans for a “Celebration of Life” for GRAMMY-winning Gospel icon Sandra Crouch have been revealed.
According to a release by press rep Bill Carpenter, services are scheduled for April 16-17 at New Christ Memorial Church in San Fernando, CA, where Crouch served as Senior Pastor. It begins with a viewing on April 16 at 4pm, followed by a musical tribute at 7pm.
The final homegoing service will be held on April 17 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, fans are asked to make a donation to New Christ Memorial Church on their website, www.newchristmemorial.org.
As previously reported, Crouch transitioned on March 17 at Northridge Hospital in California at the age of 81. The press release revealed that she died of complications from radiation for a non-cancerous brain lesion.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Bishop Benjamin Crouch Sr. and Catherine Crouch, older brother Benjamin Crouch Jr., and her twin brother, fellow gospel great Andraé Crouch, who passed in 2015 following a heart attack.
Florida Will Now Ban Teens Under 14 From Having Social Media
Florida has implemented restrictions that would ban children from having social media accounts.
On Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will prohibit any child under age 14 from signing up for a social media account. Children over the age of 14 and 15 can have their own profiles but must have the consent of their parents before signing up for sites such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and any other apps. The bill, known as HB 3, will also restrict adolescents from viewing pornographic websites such as PornHub, which has slammed such bills.
Measures such as these have been long in the making, though questions remained regarding how they would be implemented to keep children protected from adult content. We now know that Florida will require age verification for anyone wanting to view sex and social site websites.
Florida is now the latest state to introduce a strict ban on social media and porn. Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Ohio, and Utah have also prioritized similar bills. However, in February, a judge temporarily blocked Ohio’s law, with concerns that it could violate teens’ First Amendment rights, CNN reports. Last year, Arkansas’ bill was halted over similar concerns. Given the pushback from companies that produce explicit content, Florida is likely to face challenges in court.
Under HB3, social media platforms must delete the existing accounts of any user under the age of 14 in Florida. Those that fail to comply could face a $10,000 fine that must be paid to the minor. Additionally, companies could face another $50,000 fine for each violation. HB 3 will go into effect on January 1st, 2025.
Jontay Porter Under Investigation For Prop Betting
Jontay Porter was removed from the lineup Monday after he became the subject of an NBA gambling investigation.
ESPN’s David Purdum reported that the Raptor’s player is being investigated into some irregularities in prop betting involving him on January 26th and March 20th.
On January 26th, the Toronto Raptors and the LA Clippers played a game in which Porter only played for four minutes. He stated that he had reaggravated an eye injury. Before the game, Porter’s props were set at 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, with over/under one made three-pointer. However, he did not score in the game, grabbed three rebounds and one assist before exiting the game. As a result, all of the total bets on Porter’s unders hit across the board. The next day, DraftKings Sportsbook reported to its users that Porter’s props were the number one winner on the platform the night before.
Sports betting has become something that the Association has monitored heavily as Sports Gambling is growing and being integrated more and more into the game. Porter was finally given an NBA chance this year with the Toronto Raptors after not playing the last two years after leaving Missouri University.
After tearing his ACL and struggling to find a team that suited him, it was encouraging to see Porter perform well, averaging four points, two assists, and three rebounds in just 14 minutes per game. Unfortunately, his time in the NBA was short-lived, and it is almost certain that he will not play again unless he is able to clear his name of any wrongdoing.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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