#MAGFAB: Anne Hathaway Covers V Magazine’s latest V148 Summer Issue!
We’re thrilled to unveil the “his” & hers” issue for V MAGAZINE’s V148 Summer 2024 release, starring Anne Hathaway. The Hollywood icon and first-time V cover star poses in a gender-bending cover story, photographed by Chris Colls and styled by Gro Curtis in Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda couture collection and the viral Maison Margiela Artisanal couture collection.
We’re thrilled to unveil the “his” & hers” issue for V MAGAZINE’s V148 Summer 2024 release, starring Anne Hathaway. The Hollywood icon and first-time V cover star poses in a gender-bending cover story, photographed by Chris Colls and styled by Gro Curtis in Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda couture collection and the viral Maison Margiela Artisanal couture collection.
Interviewed by V’s contributing editor and Anne’s college bestie, Derek Blasberg, the two sat down together ahead of the premiere of the highly-anticipated Amazon Prime Video film ‘The Idea of You’ as Hathaway and Blasberg discussed their ultimate fashion obsessions, the fact that Hathaway once did a chemistry test that required her to kiss 10 guys, and the possibility of ‘Princess Diaries 3’.
On the viral Maison Margiela collection she wore on the cover of V + the concept behind the shoot: “I thought [the Maison Margiela collection] was extraordinary. I got really into the leather work, the way it created a porcelain effect, the craft of it. The production value of the show, the way they combined dancers and models, the movement, it was so beautiful—the broken umbrella! I mentioned [to Stephen Gan] how much I love menswear and how I am drawn to the visual language of masculine/feminine. And the shoot sort of grew out from there.”
On meeting Nicholas Galitzine during the casting process of The Idea of You: “We had met a number of young men already, but I remember laughing when Nick walked in because he was so ridiculously perfect for the part. I just thought, he is it. Is he gonna be able to read the lines? Read the lines, great. Okay, can you sing? Oh, my God, he can sing. Wait and he can play the guitar? Okay, and he’s just fun to be around. He’s just charming. Like, he’s just charmed this entire room.”
On the current state of Princess Diaries 3: “We’re in a good place. That’s all I can say. There’s nothing to announce yet. But we’re in a good place.”
Anne on the possibility of The Devil Wears Prada 2: “Probably not. We all love each other and if somebody could come up with a way to do it, I think we’d all be crazy not to. But there’s a huge difference in the world now with technology, and one of the things about that particular story is it was about producing a physical object. Now with so much being digital, it would just be very different. Maybe me, Stanley, Emily, Meryl, Dave Frankel, Patricia Field…we should just all do something else together. That’d be fun.”
RHOP: Keiarna Stewart To Be Upgraded to Full-Time For Season 9!
And it seems that casting doesn’t have to look too far to fill one of those spots.
RHOP friend of Keiarna Stewart is reportedly set to be upgraded to a full-time cast member for season 9.
“The viewer reaction has been very positive for Keiarna since being on the show and she is in the box seat to be casted full time next season,” a source said per The Zone on Instagram. “It makes sense to upgrade her after Season 8.”
If you recall, Keiarna got into an ugly physical altercation with Ashley Darby’s friend Deborah Williams at Zebbie’s Garden in Washington, D.C., in July 2023 while filming season 8. The knockout, drag-out drama played out in the Real Housewives of Potomac season 8 finale.
If this news is true, Bravo will still need to fill the Louboutins of two more Potomac Housewives for season 9 as TheJasmineBRAND reports that Nneka Ihim has also been let go from the hit Bravo show amid a rumored cast shake-up.
Nneka recently played coy about her future on the Potomac Housewives franchise but encouraged fans to follow her on social media and watch that space for forthcoming details.
Robyn Dixon recently confirmed that she was fired from the franchise after 8 seasons, while Candiace Dillard announced her exit from the franchise in late March after becoming pregnant with her first child.
With Robyn, Candiace, and possibly Nneka gone for season 9, the remaining RHOP cast would consist of Karen Huger, Gizelle Bryant, Mia Thornton, Ashley Darby, Wendy Osefo, and some new, fresh faces.
The Real Housewives of Potomac is expected to return for season 9 in early 2025.
#MusicNews: Six Albums of The Legendary Sade To Be Re-Released on Vinyl!
When it comes to delivering those pristine, soulful, and enchanting R&B vibes, there’s nothing better than the enchanting, velvety vocals of Sade. As a highly respected legendary vocalist and all-around beauty, she has been gracing our eyes, hearts, and souls for years. Her unique sound is timeless, and now, we’ll have the chance to own highly sought-after vinyl of her captivating discography.
Legacy Records has announced a vinyl reissuing of her six albums and diehard fans are rejoicing and celebrating. With vinyl coming back in style recently, now is the perfect chance to grab physical copies of your favorites, from Diamond Life to Lovers Rock.
Sade’s first three albums, Diamond Life, Promise, and Stronger Than Pride will be released on June 10 as the first batch of highly anticipated works by the singer. Her next three albums, Love Deluxe, Lovers Rock, and Soldier Of Love, will be released later this year on September 20.
This reissuing is a huge deal for music lovers and collectors alike, and we’re definitely more than excited to grab a few copies for ourselves. Whether you’re adding these vinyls to your personal collection or giving them as a gift, all six albums are definitely essentials for any fan of R&B and soul music. Luckily for you, we will have them available for pre-order on our very own Okayshop, so make sure to secure your copy early!
#HipHopNews: Cameraman Sues Megan Thee Stallion For Hostile Workplace, Claims That She Forced Him To Watch Her Have Sex!
Garcia began working as a personal cameraman for Pete in 2018 and left his day job to take on filming duties full-time in 2019. He continued to work for her until June 2023. In an interview with NBC News, he said he “endured a barrage of relentless sexual and fat-shaming comments plunging him into profound emotional distress.”
In the interview, Garcia described riding in an SUV with Megan and three other women in Ibiza in June 2022, during which time she allegedly began having sex with one of the women. “I felt uncomfortable,” Garcia told NBC. “I was kind of frozen, and I was shocked. At kind of just be the overall audacity to do this right, right beside me.” During the same trip, Pete allegedly called Garcia a “fat bitch” and told him, “spit your food out” and “you don’t need to be eating.” Per Garcia, “To hear someone who advocates about loving your body tell me these things, I felt degraded.”
Garcia says after the Ibiza trip his pay structure changed from a monthly flat rate to system that required him to invoice for each assignment. He says he was treated differently after Ibiza and saw a decrease in bookings from Megan until June 2023, when he was informed his services would no longer be needed. He says Pete forbade him from working for other clients but classified him as an independent contractor, which, per the lawsuit, “left him without basic insurance coverage, depriving him of essential health care.” He’s seeking more than six figures in unpaid wages, interest on the unpaid wages, unpaid overtime wages, and other employee benefits.
UPDATE: Pete is denying the allegations. The rapper’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, told Page Six, “This is an employment claim for money — with no sexual harassment claim filed and with salacious accusations to attempt to embarrass her,” he said. “We will deal with this in court.”
Stephen A. Smith Apologizes For Remarks On Black People Supporting Donald Trump
Stephen A. Smith has apologized for offending Black people with his latest Donald Trump take.
On Monday (April 22), the First Take host issued a formal apology on his YouTube channel, taking accountability for seemingly supporting Trump for President on behalf of Black folks. He asserted that the community misconstrued his words.
“I’m fully aware that I have been in the news the last few days. Paraded all over social media as well after comments I made on Fox News’ Hannity last week…A lot of folks in Black America seem pretty pissed at me right now,” he began. “Quite a few folks were offended as my words were interpreted as associating support for Trump by the Black community with all the legal issues he’s facing. For that, I sincerely apologize. I’m stating right here for the record that I was taken out of context.”
As he continued, he asserted that the way he was depicted in the news was just as offensive. He then clarified what he was trying to say during his Fox News bit.
Smith stated that he has been reading the news of major publications and it has been reported that Trump is picking up major support from Black voters. He insisted he was merely stating facts previously reported by reputable American sources like the New York Times, Axios, and more. He also pointed out that Trump has taken the lead in all five major national polls. However, he still remained apologetic in his stance.
“Why did I say all of that? Because I wanted to show you I didn’t just open my mouth. I read, I listened, and I’ve seen a momentum shift as we all have,” he added.
“Anywhere I appear, no matter my subjectivity relating to what I feel, is still going to be based on facts being presented into the stratosphere. That is who I’ve always been. It is who I’ll always continue to be. But it’s never exercised with malice on my heart and certainly never to assault or harm the Black community, my community…Just because my intent was harmless, doesn’t mean my words will harm less, and I know that.”
The talking head went viral in mid-April after his appearance on Hannity. There, he was asked about Black America’s relationship with Trump and what Black Trump supporters were feeling during his trial. Smith explained that they can relate to Trump “being discriminated against.” The comments sparked an outcry from the Black community, with the NAACP also voicing its disdain for Stephen A’s remarks.
Brittney Griner Details Inhumane Russian Prison Conditions In First Interview
“My life is over right here,” the athlete said while recalling when Russian authorities arrested her for having vape cartridges in her luggage. “I didn’t think I could get through what I needed to get through… I was just so scared for everything ’cause it was just so much unknown.”
“It was a huge knife sitting on the table, and I was just like, now this is going to be a ride. You got to do what you got to do to survive,” she added. “The mattress had a huge blood stain on it. I had no soap, no toilet paper. That was the moment where I just felt less than a human.”
The full episode is scheduled to be aired on May 1 as a special edition of ABC’s 20/20 with Robin Roberts, entitled Prisoner in Russia.
Griner also previously stated that she has plans to detail her journey in an upcoming memoir, documentary, and scripted television series.
Brittney Griner was detained in Russia and imprisoned for almost 10 months. President Joe Biden and his administration negotiated for her release with Russia, with the U.S. agreeing on an exchange for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Upon release, the athlete thanked President Biden for negotiating her freedom. In an Instagram post, she relished in her liberation and thanked those who stood by her during the hard times. Griner also called for the release of other American citizens who remained behind.
“It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my faith, and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.
“President Biden, you brought me home, and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home, too. I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you. I also encourage everyone [who] played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole.”
Jennifer Lopez Is a BADASS In Netflix's 'Atlas' Trailer
Jennifer Lopez is humanity's last hope in the first trailer of upcoming Netflix movie "Atlas". Making its way out online on Tuesday, April 23, the video introduces Lopez's titular character, who is hell-bent on ending an artificial intelligence going rogue known as Harlan, who is portrayed by "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" and "Barbie" actor Simu Liu.
"Agent Atlas Shepherd has spent years of her life hunting the artificial intelligence known as Harlan," Mark Strong's character explains to another person in the trailer. Of the AI, he says, "Originally engineered to advance humanity, he instead nearly ended it."
The footage shows massive destruction and battle ongoing at what looks like a war zone as Atlas insists, "If you wanna try to capture Harlan, you need me on that mission." They soon come under attack, forcing Atlas to get into a war machine and trust an AI to fight against the main villain, who threatens to end humanity.
WATCH HERE
"Don't worry. We're simply the better versions of you," Harlan menacingly says. "If we don't stop Harlan, all life on Earth is doomed," Atlas warns with her shaken voice.
According to the official synopsis, "Atlas Shepherd (Jennifer Lopez), a brilliant but misanthropic data analyst with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence, joins a mission to capture a renegade robot with whom she shares a mysterious past. But when plans go awry, her only hope of saving the future of humanity from AI is to trust it."
The trailer features Sterling K. Brown, with Abraham Popoola and Lana Parrilla also joining the cast. The sci-fi action thriller is directed by Brad Peyton with the script provided by Leo Sardarian and Aron Eli Coleite. The movie is scheduled to be released by Netflix on May 24.
Report: Kanye West To Launch Adult Entertainment Studio After Shocking Threesome Remark
A associate of Ye told TMZ in a report published on Tuesday, April 23 that the hip-hop star has been "kicking around" the idea of launching a porn studio for a while now. The planned studio allegedly will be part of a broader adult entertainment division at the parent Yeezy company.
The insider added that Ye seems to be determined with his plan. It was also noted that the father of four and his team are in advanced talks to make the plan happen.
According to the news outlet, Ye's team is taking advice from Stormy Daniels' ex-husband Mike Moz, who is an expert in the porn business. Mike has worked as a producer for over a decade and his credits include "Aroused", "Abigail", "Young Fantasies 7", "Vixen" and lots of other rated flicks.
Ye reportedly got Mike on board by tapping to help oversee the whole thing as the head of the new Yeezy wing. As for when the studio is seemingly ready to be officially launched, it will highly likely be launched as early as this summer.
The new report came after Ye revealed his desire to have a threesome with former First Lady Michelle Obama. During his appearance on "The Download" podcast, the "Gold Digger rapper" was asked by host Justin Laboy which famous woman he and his wife Bianca Censori would have a threesome with.
"Michelle Obama!" the 46-year-old star answered. As for the reason why, the former husband of Kim Kardashian quickly explained, "You gotta f**k the president's wife!"
WNBA Star Kelsey Plum Shares Cryptic Message After Marriage To NFLer Darren Waller Ends
Supporters of Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller’s relationship will have to find another pair to deem as their “couple’s goal.
(Apr. 23), the professional athletes filed a joint petition for divorce in Clark County, Nevada, after barely making it past their first wedding anniversary. Reportedly, they dated for a year and married on March 4, 2023. Days after tying the knot, New York Giants tight end Darren Waller shared images of their big day to his Instagram account, captioning the romantic moment,“Dawg 4L #NoPressure”
Unfortunately for the former love birds, however, things between them proved to not be “for life.” At the time of this report, the reason for the split is unclear. Darren Waller, 31, has yet to address the breakup, but Kelsey Plum, 29, did share a cryptic post across her socials alluding that things in their relationship were not as perfect as they seemed. The Las Vegas Aces player wrote,
“I’m devastated. I walked through fire for that man, but now I see it’s time to go. God has given me an incredible life, and I’m truly so grateful for the profound love from my family and friends. One day I’ll share my story, today is not that day. Thank you for the grace to process my pain, to forgive and move forward. Today and everyday I will continue to choose joy. Much love KP Philippians 1:6”
As expected with celebrity divorces, the public has started to weigh in on the matter.
Saweetie Reacts To Quavo’s Chris Brown Diss With A Screenshot Of Her DMs
In the song, the Migos rapper says, “I can take a model b— and make a Saweetie, n—.”
The “ICY” raptress didn’t take kindly to Quavo taking credit for “making” her so she dropped a screenshot of him in her DMs trying to spin the block.
The screenshot, dated January 14, offers a preview of Quavo writing, “Damn. We use to mean after to eac…”
Saweetie captioned the screenshot, “Hopefully the model he turns me into replies.”
While posting the DM was tea…some are questioning why the “Back To The Streets” rapper remained quiet after Chris Brown said he slept with her on his diss track, “Weakest Link.”
Funeral arrangements for DJ Mister Cee Have been announced.
As previously reported, Mister Cee passed away on April 10 at the age of 57. In a statement to AllHipHop, his family confirmed the cause of death to be diabetes-related coronary artery and kidney disease. “On behalf of the LeBrun, Wilson, [and] Calixte families, we want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support for our brother, uncle, [and] nephew, Calvin ‘DJ Mister Cee’ Lebrun, in the wake of his untimely passing," the statement read. "It’s a huge loss for our entire family, the borough of Brooklyn, and the entire Hip Hop Community.”
Mister Cee remains a revered figure in the culture with a career spanning multiple decades. He quickly gained recognition for his exceptional DJ skills, seamlessly blending various genres ranging from Hip Hop to reggae to create electrifying mixes that captivated audiences across the country.
Beyond the turntables, he played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of numerous rap heavyweights, including The Notorious B.I.G. and Big Daddy Kane. He became a fixture on New York City's airwaves, hosting acclaimed shows on stations like HOT 97 that showcased emerging talent and provided a platform for underground artists to gain exposure.
In 2023, Rock The Bells asked Mister Cee how he found his love for DJing. "Because of my uncle and his next-door neighbor," he told the publication. "Music was always playing in my house, and then radio in New York got popular. I started listening to The World's Famous Supreme Team, Awesome Two, Teddy Ted, and Special K. Super Rock and Mr. Magic with Marley Marl, Chuck Chillout, and Red Alert. This turned into my passion for DJing and having that dream that one day I wanted to be on the radio."
Katy Perry gets DRAGGED by fans after flaunting new Tesla Cybertruck
Singer-songwriter Katy Perry is taking flak online after promoting Tesla’s Cybertruck less than a day before the company’s Q1 earnings call. The truck has drawn numerous unflattering headlines in recent weeks, with nearly 4,000 trucks currently under recall.
Amid the flurry of negative news, it appears that Perry is on damage control duty—though her post praising the Cybertruck has garnered mostly ridicule.
“thx for the delivery,” Perry wrote on X, tagging Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of the social media platform and CEO of Tesla.
“#idol,” she added.
The recall order applies to vehicles manufactured from Nov. 13, 2023 until April 2024 due to defective accelerator pedal. Tesla is not aware of any crashes that have been caused by the defect, which causes the pedal to get stuck.
Last week’s recall comes after weeks of reports and viral videos of Tesla Cybertruck owner complaints, including one person saying it took five hours to reset his truck’s computer after going through a car wash and another person claiming he was only able to put 21 miles on his brand-new truck before it suffered numerous “critical errors.” Another person said he suffered a “catastrophic failure” with his truck’s steering and brakes—though he stated in a since-deleted post that he still loved Tesla and his truck.
While Perry’s promotion drew praise from a number of Tesla fans and Musk himself, a large portion of replies referenced the recall order and mocked the vehicle’s appearance.
“Make sure to check the gas pedal first, Katy,” quipped one person.
“Girl it’s recalled send it back!” warned someone else.
“ugliest vehicle ever,” another person wrote. “Also, if Elon is your idol, you need to re-evaluate your life choices.”
“Don’t put your kid in anything that guy sells,” wrote someone else.
“Dude how bad is this earnings call gonna be lol,” joked another user, referencing Tesla’s upcoming Q1 earnings conference call slated for after the market closes on Tuesday. Tesla’s stock has slid 42% since the beginning of this year amid issues with the Cybertruck and falling sales.
“this is the biggest sign i’ve seen yet that this thing must not be doing all that well,” concluded someone else.
Perry’s post has been viewed more than 9.3 million times thus far. Yet given Musk’s dropping popularity due to his continual flirtation with conspiracy theories and anti-Semitic content on X, it appears unlikely that any pop star will be able to reverse the company’s downward spiral.
Maya Rudolph Explains Why Having Famous Parents Didn't Boost Her Comedy Career
Maya Rudolph is latest star to weigh in on the nepo baby debate. If you didn’t know, the 51-year-old Emmy-winning actress’ famous parents are musician and songwriter Richard Rudolph and the late singer-songwriter Minnie Riperton, who was best known for her 1974 song “Lovin’ You.”
In a new interview, Maya explained why having famous parents didn’t help boost her comedy career.
“They were musicians. They weren’t actors,” Maya shared on the Armchair Podcast.
“My trajectory was, I wanted to go to New York, and I wanted to be on Saturday Night Live,” Maya explained. “I understand that drive to be somewhere else — forage in a new city and create my own path. But that’s a huge undertaking. I wasn’t like, ‘Oh my dad writes songs, that’s gonna make me a comedian.’ There was no direct line. I knew I had to get there myself.”
Also in her interview, Maya reflected on her mother’s fame, although she isn’t sure many of her peers knew who she was.
“It’s interesting because my mom was a singer that not all my friends were that aware of at the time,” Maya said, adding that many didn’t realize that Minnie was her mom until years later since they didn’t share the same last name.
“Everybody that knows who I am now knows that’s my mom. But growing up, I didn’t feel like she was a household name,” Maya said. “I felt like she was special, yeah.”
Minnie died of breast cancer in 1979 at the age of 31. Maya was only six-years-old at the time.
The Weeknd’s Postponed Stadium Tour of Australia Is Cancelled
The Weeknd’s postponed tour of Australia is now canceled and ticket owners will be refunded.
The Canadian R&B superstar had initially scheduled an 11-date stadium tour of Australia and New Zealand, winding its way across both countries last November and December.
Then, two weeks before the After Hours Til Dawn Tour was due to kick off, the trek was shelved “due to unforeseen circumstances.”
A statement issued at the time confirmed that new dates would be announced for 2024 and current tickets will be valid for those new shows.
That’s no longer the case. Though replacement dates were never announced, a statement confirms the existing 2023 tour will be cancelled, while Live Nation, which was producing the tour, continues to investigate a rescheduled trek.
“The Weeknd ‘After Hours Til Dawn Tour’ for Australia & New Zealand is still in process of being rescheduled,” reads a statement from LN, seen by Billboard. “Whilst we continue to work through the rescheduling process with the artist, tickets for the existing 2023 tour will be cancelled with all ticket holders receiving a full refund accordingly.”
Ticket holders of the The Weeknd’s ‘After Hours Til Dawn Tour’ shows who previously held on to their tickets will be able to access a priority purchase window for the new tour in Australia and New Zealand when announced, the message reads, linking to a priority waitlist. All current ticket holders will receive an automatic refund.
The tour was originally announced last August with just four shows, visiting each of Australia’s big three east coast cities — Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane — and including a single date in Auckland, NZ.
Additional dates were added last September, boosting the itinerary to 11 across both markets.
The Weeknd’s tour is scrapped as Australia’s festivals market navigates turbulent waters. In recent weeks, the 2024 editions of Splendour in the Grass, Mona Foma, and Groovin The Moo, with soft ticket sales playing a part in each story.
The inaugural Soundcheck report, published by Creative Australia, found the climate for operating a festival was a “highly complex” one, with event organizers challenged with myriad issues, from rapidly increasing costs, changing ticket buying behavior and more.
Despite the situation Down Under, The Weeknd continues to pump out the hits. In recent days, Abel Tesfaye became just the 18th artist to chart at least 100 career hits on the Hot 100, thanks to a pair of guest appearances on Future and Metro Boomin’s new Billboard 200 No. 1 album We Still Don’t Trust You: the set’s title track, which debuts at No. 22, and “All to Myself,” which starts at No. 67.
In the U.S., he has landed seven No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 and four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200.
On Australia’s ARIA Albums Chart, published last Friday, April 19, the Weeknd’s hits collection The Highlights lifts 8-4 in its 167th week on the tally. It’s triple-platinum certified in Australia.
PEN America Cancels 2024 Awards Ceremony Amid Criticism Of Org’s Response To Israel-Hamas War
Of those withdrawing are also nine out of the 10 authors nominated for the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award. The Literary Estate of Jean Stein has directed PEN America to donate the $75,000 award to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, representatives said on Monday.
The decision to cancel the awards comes in the wake of escalating upset against PEN America. A series of open letters signed by PEN nominees in recent weeks have criticized the group for allegedly choosing sides against Gaza in the war that started after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the BBC reported. According to LitHub, more than 1,000 writers and poets have signed an open letter to the organization, calling on it to “find the same zeal and passion that they have for banned books in the U.S. to speak out about actual human beings in Palestine.”
In another letter, released in March, Naomi Klein was among a prominent group of writers who announced they were pulling out of this year’s PEN World Voices Festival saying, “In the context of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, we believe that PEN America has betrayed the organization’s professed commitment to peace and equality for all, and to freedom and security for writers everywhere.
In a statement released on Monday regarding the cancelation of its awards, PEN America’s Literary Programming Chief Officer Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf said, “We greatly respect that writers have followed their consciences, whether they chose to remain as nominees in their respective categories or not. We regret that this unprecedented situation has taken away the spotlight from the extraordinary work selected by esteemed, insightful and hard-working judges across all categories. As an organization dedicated to freedom of expression and writers, our commitment to recognizing and honoring outstanding authors and the literary community is steadfast.”
Also on Monday, Katrina Vanden Heuvel, Wendy Vanden Heuvel and Bill Clegg, on behalf of the foundation and the Literary Estate of Jean Stein, provided a statement reading, “Jean Stein was a passionate advocate for Palestinian rights who published, supported, and celebrated Palestinian writers and visual artists. While she established the PEN America award in her name to bring attention to and provide meaningful support to writers of the highest literary achievement, we know she would have respected the stance and sacrifice of the writers who have withdrawn from contention this year. To honor their decision the Estate of Jean Stein has directed PEN America to donate the $75,000 award to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.”
Although there will be no ceremony this year, PEN America said it “is honored to recognize the career achievement winners including playwright Tony Kushner for the 2024 PEN/Mike Nichols Writing for Performance Award.” Rachel Zegler, who starred in the 2021 Kushner-Steven Spielberg adaptation of West Side Story, had been due to present the award during the now-canceled ceremony.
P!nk and Victoria’s Secret Sue Pharrell Williams Over Trademark Filing
Singer Pink is taking legal action against Pharrell Williams over a trademark issue.
Rolling Stone reports that the singer (born Alecia Moore) filed a lawsuit against Williams for trademarking “P.Inc” for his promotional/marketing business. The complaint claims Williams’ trademark could harm Pink’s business and confuse her fans.
Pink’s legal team urges the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office not to approve Pharrell’s trademark, arguing that it resembles her “PINK” trademark.
“[Williams’] P.INC Mark is similar to the PINK Marks in sight, sound, meaning and commercial impression,” the filing states, according to Rolling Stone. “[Williams’] and [Pink’s] goods and services are identical and/or closely related. … [Williams] is likely to market and promote its goods through the same channels of trade and to the same consumers as [Pink].”
Meanwhile, per Billboard, Williams is also facing legal action from Victoria’s Secret’s over its renowned “Pink” line. The company is keen to ensure that Pharrell’s branding does not create customer conflicts.
Hollywood, CA 11-16-13“Opposer’s use of its ‘Victoria’s Secret PINK’ and ‘PINK’ marks predates applicant’s filing date,” Victoria Secret’s attorneys wrote in a filing, per Billboard. “Applicant’s mark is highly similar to, and is the phonetic equivalent of, opposer’s ‘PINK’ marks.”
In related news, we reported earlier that Williams and producer Chad Hugo, famously known as The Neptunes, are entangled in a legal tussle over the group’s moniker. Hugo accuses Williams of attempting to seize sole control over the trademarks, branding it as “fraudulent.”
A representative for Williams responded, claiming he and his team tried to communicate with Hugo.
“We have reached out on multiple occasions to share in the ownership and administration of the trademark and will continue to make that offer,” the representative stated. “The goal here was to make sure a third party doesn’t get a hold of the trademark and to guarantee Chad and Pharrell share in ownership and administration.”
Tennessee Police Continue Investigation into Death of ‘American Idol’ Alum Mandisa
We reported earlier via CNN that Mandisa, who got her start as a contestant on “American Idol” in 2006, passed away last week at age 47, according to a statement on her verified social media.
“We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased. At this time we do not know the cause of death or any further details,” the post reads. “We ask for your prayers for her family and close knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time. Mandisa was a voice of encouragement and truth to people facing life’s challenges all around the world.”
Police in Nashville, where Mandisa resided, said, “… there is no indication the death was the result of suspicious or criminal activity.”
“The Franklin Police Department is continuing to investigate the death of a woman found inside a Beamon Dr. residence last Thursday evening,” the statement said. “Over the weekend, a medical examiner identified the deceased individual as Mandisa Hundley, 47. At this time, there is no indication the death was the result of suspicious or criminal activity.”
In a statement to PEOPLE, Paula Abdul, a judge during Mandisa’s “American Idol” season, referred to her as “a true powerhouse performer.
“Her warmth and unwavering kindness towards everyone, even in the face of harsh criticism, was truly unmatched. Not only was she a beautiful person, but she was also a true powerhouse performer,” Abdul said. “I still think of her taking the stage during American Idol to perform her rendition of Chaka Khan’s ‘I’m Every Woman’ and absolutely brought the house down. I’ll always remember her poise, grace and dignity — and how could anyone forget those incomparable vocals! Wishing her family and those closest to her healing in remembering this radiant woman.”
Per CNN, Mandisa released her debut album, “True Beauty,” in 2007. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart and earned Mandisa her first Grammy nominations. Five more albums would follow: “It’s Christmas” in 2008; “Freedom” in 2009; “What If We Were Real” in 2011; “Overcomer” in 2013; and “Out of the Dark” in 2017.
FTC Votes to Ban Most Noncompete Agreements
In a significant move that could reshape the American workforce landscape, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted 3-2 on Tuesday to prohibit most noncompete agreements, marking a pivotal moment that could dramatically alter career mobility and compensation across numerous sectors. This new rule is set to eliminate most existing noncompete clauses and prevent their future use, potentially affecting tens of millions of American workers.
Noncompete agreements, which restrict employees from joining competitors or starting similar businesses shortly after leaving a company, are said to be currently binding around 30 million people, or about 18 percent of the U.S. workforce. The FTC argues that eliminating these agreements will enhance job mobility, boost wages by an estimated $300 billion annually, and foster entrepreneurship, potentially leading to the creation of over 8,500 new businesses each year.
FTC Chair Lina Khan highlighted the broader economic benefits, stating, “Noncompete clauses keep wages low, suppress new ideas, and rob the American economy of dynamism, including from the more than 8,500 new startups that would be created a year once noncompetes are banned.”
The rule does provide a carveout, allowing noncompete agreements to remain for senior executives. Senior executives are defined as those who earn over $151,164 annually and hold a policy-making position.
The FTC’s decision has sparked considerable backlash from large business organizations. These groups argue that noncompete clauses are essential for protecting trade secrets and maintaining competitive advantages. They also contend that the FTC has exceeded its regulatory authority by implementing this ban.
While the rule is set to take effect 120 days after its publication in the Federal Register, this timeline may be extended by expected lawsuits. Legal experts, like Stefan Meisner of Crowell & Moring, suggest that companies should prepare for compliance while keeping an eye on the judicial response to the rule.
Amidst this regulatory change, Congress has seen bipartisan support for reforming noncompete agreements, with several bills like the Workforce Mobility Act and the Freedom to Compete Act introduced to limit their use. This legislative attention underscores a growing consensus on the need to balance business interests with workers’ rights to mobility and fair compensation
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
He must be really hungry
For SPAM?
For SPAM?
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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