THIS IS THE CHRONICLES OF EFREM: The Daily Buzz For April 29☕📰☕

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#MAGFAB: Vanessa Williams Is Stunning For Photobook Magazine

Photobook Magazine’s co-owner and creative director, Mike Ruiz, captured the strength and timeless beauty of Vanessa Williams for the cover of the magazine’s May issue, being released April 25th pegged to the release of Vanessa Williams’ new music single “Legs” and its video, directed by Ruiz.
“For the cover of the magazine, hair stylist to the stars, Chuckie Amos, and I wanted to draw on cultural elements and bring them to life,” explains Ruiz. “The images inside of the magazine were intended to show a range of looks and characters that Vanessa can effortlessly embody.”

“This next wave of Vanessa Williams promises to be the best of her career: physically, creatively and professionally,” Ruiz continues. He calls her new music single “an uplifting dance track that will have pop cultural relevance for a long time to come.”
We’re super excited for Vanessa Williams’ latest chapter — especially since this album is coming out on her very own label Mellian Music. Talk about talented. She’s a boss and a triple threat.

She also sweetly sang Mike Ruiz’s praises about their latest collaboration.
“The insanely talented Mike Ruiz has not only been a dear friend for years but his talented creations have been evident in much of my career,” says Ms. Williams. “Mike shot my book cover for You Have No Idea, plus publicity shots, magazine features, directed videos and most importantly, he has directed my latest single video, ‘Legs’. So proud that we still are going strong together!”

The pair met in 2008 when Ruiz was commissioned to shoot the celebrated singer, actress, model, producer, and dancer for the cover of USA Weekend.
“I was so nervous because not only is Vanessa Williams a legend and an icon but I couldn’t get Wilhelmina Slater (Williams’ character in the TV series, Ugly Betty) out of my head,” Ruiz, whose own list of credits is impressive, explains.
In addition to heading Photobook Magazine, Ruiz is the creative director and principal photographer for multiple versions of L’Officiel Fashion Book. His celebrity photo clients include Anne Hathaway, Jared Leto, Kelly Clarkson, Kim Kardashian West and Nicki Minaj among others.

Vanessa Williams’ “Legs” releases April 26. It is available for pre-order now at https://lnk.to/veXK . Mike Ruiz’s varied and colorful portfolio of celebrity and fashion photography can be viewed at www.mikeruiz.com

#RHOA: Phaedra Parks reveals possibility of returning to 'RHOA' following 2017 exit
Phaedra Parks opened up about possibility of returning to 'Real Housewives of Atlanta'
Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Phaedra Parks recently opened up about the possibility of making a return to the show.
Speaking exclusively to Entertainment Tonight about shooting another installment of Bravo’s Married to Medicine, the reality TV star said: “I don’t know if that puts all the rumours to rest. Because I’m a multi-faceted type of girl."

The seasoned star, who left the series midway in 2017, explained that “the door has always been somewhat open” for her.
Parks talked about grabbing the “right” opportunity, focusing to “do what’s best for me and my family.”
However, in order to be effective, “it’s got to be with the right cast-mates,” she added.
The seasoned reality TV star confirmed that she’s “really excited” for Porsha Williams, who is among the only two cast members locked in for Season 16.

Speaking on the subject, she expressed her excitement: “I love Porsha and, you know, we’ve been talking, and hopefully we can work something out.”
For the unversed, Kandi Burruss, Marlo Hampton, and Sanya Richards-Ross have announced their exits from the show, confirming the rumours of a cast shake-up.

#NewMusic from Vanessa Williams Releases 'Legs (Keep Dancing)' Music Video

The actress and singer has debuted her first new music in 15 years -- proving she's absolutely ageless.
More than 30 years after her first music release, Vanessa Williams remains iconic!
The 61-year-old actress and singer proves without a doubt that she hasn't missed a step in her new pop-dance track, "Legs (Keep Dancing)" -- poking fun at her age in the lyrics while inciting the envy of decades-younger viewers by flaunting her ageless gams and on-point dance moves in the accompanying music video.

"They say the legs are the last to go / I'mma keep dancing," Williams croons in the new track, her first original music since 2009. "I've got work left to do, and I'm not close to through / Not while I've still got these legs!"
The instantly-viral track had social media in a spiral, with fans posting, "Vanessa Williams just dropped a new song and video!!!!!! 61 y’all oh you pop girls are in danger."

Another wrote, "I listened to this all morning. This is a bump of Kylie, and a shot of Donna Summer. Vanessa Williams the queen that you are!"
Williams announced "Legs" earlier this month, sharing on Instagram, "Finally my new music is coming out! Been 15 years since the last album but the time is right... Called my old team up who've been creating with me for years. Still here, still standing , still kicking in fact …about to give em Hell again ✨."

In a press release about the single, Williams noted that the title was inspired by her late co-star, Diahann Carroll, whose 2008 memoir was titled The Legs Are The Last To Go.
"Diahann played my mother in a movie I produced, The Courage to Love, and has always been a huge inspiration for me," she noted. "I remember seeing her talking to Oprah about her autobiography. She spoke so beautifully and confidently about her age and power and the fact that beauty fades but your legs give you strength and are the last to go."

Additionally, the longtime performer is taking the reins behind the scenes this time around, with her own recording label, Mellian Music.
"What a joy it is to be making new music behind the [mic] again with old friends," Williams shared at the launch of her new projects. "There's a certain comfort in creating new works in the studio while reminiscing about how so many years in this business have brought successes, excitement, and lasting memories. Always moving forward is what drives me. Every challenge is exciting. And more new music to share with my fans is the fuel that lights my fire."

#HipHopNews: Travis Scott To Face Jury Trial In Astroworld Tragedy Lawsuits

Travis Scott is set to face a civil trial over the Astroworld Festival tragedy after a Houston judge rejected his bid for dismissal from several lawsuits, as reported by Billboard
In March, Scott’s legal team argued that his role as an entertainer didn’t include responsibility for crowd safety. They stated, “Performing artists, even those who engage in certain promotional activities, have no inherent expertise or specialized knowledge in concert safety measures, venue security protocols, or site design.”

Despite the musician’s arguments, Judge Kristen Hawkins decided to keep Scott among the defendants in the upcoming trial. Unlike the Cactus Jack Records founder, Astroworld surprise guest Drake was successfully dismissed from the cases earlier this month.
The wrongful death lawsuit, initiated by the family of victim Madison Dubiski, is scheduled to begin on May 6. Scott — along with Live Nation and others — could face billions in damages if found liable. Fortunately, the “MY EYES” artist was cleared of criminal charges by a Houston grand jury in June 2023.

Court documents recently uncovered by Houston Landing highlighted organizers’ concerns about venue capacity and safety measures. They revealed worries about accommodating 50,000 attendees at the outdoor event near NRG Park, along with other issues that contributed to the deadly crowd conditions, such as obscured sightlines and gate-crashers.
“Biggest concern that night: Safety of the kids up against the barricade at the stage,” Houston Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite said in 2019. “Need more ways to get to the middle of the crowd and get to the kids that have trouble in the middle of the crowd. There were kids who were up against the barricade who were experiencing crowd crush and turning blue.”

Scott’s “UTOPIA: CIRCUS MAXIMUS TOUR” marked his first trek since the Astroworld incident. It arrived in promotion of his fourth studio album, UTOPIA, which came out in July 2023.

Beyoncé’s Country Doc Reveals Racial Slurs Were Overheard During Her 2016 CMAs Performance

In Beyoncé‘s CNN documentary Call Me Country: Beyoncé & Nashville’s Renaissance (streaming now on Max), a clip revealed that during the icon’s 2016 Country Music Awards performance of “Daddy Lessons” with The Dixie Chicks, racial slurs were hurled her way.

“An audience member in front of me proceeds to say, ‘Get that Black bi**h off the stage right now,’” shared Tanner Davenport, an actual attendee who attended the event that year. “I remember instantly kind of being taken back to reality in that moment — to realize that there’s, like, a threat of Black people being in this genre for some reason.”
Following Bey’s performance, she received backlash from the country music community and even was rejected for Grammy consideration over her Lemonade single. The latter was her first foray into the genre that originally began with Black musicians many moons ago.

Currently, Bey is toting her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, which was “born out of” her unfavorable experience at the 2016 CMA’s.
“It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed… and it was very clear that I wasn’t,” she wrote in an open letter on Instagram last March. “Because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of country music and studied our rich musical archive.”

She added, “It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.”
Cowboy Carter, which is the second installment of the three-act Renaissance series, features country icons Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Linda Martell. Paul McCartney has also given it his blessing.

Bey also made history as the first Black woman to top the Country music charts, debuting at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums list.
Viewers can stream Call Me Country: Beyoncé & Nashville’s Renaissance now on Max.

Simone Biles Tells Critics To Zip It Amid Backlash After Hubby Bragged About Being 'The Catch'
Olympic champion Simone Biles has found herself at the center of a social media storm not for her gymnastics achievements, but for her marriage to NFL player Jonathan Owens.

The couple, who tied the knot in a romantic ceremony after three years of dating, have been the subject of intense online scrutiny following Owens' remarks on a podcast, where he referred to himself as "the catch" of the relationship. This comment sparked a wave of backlash and a deeper conversation about the dynamics of their high-profile relationship.
Biles, always a force on the gymnastics floor, showed that strength extends beyond the physical realm when she decided to publicly support her husband amidst the backlash. The 27-year-old gymnast took to TikTok, posting a video that hit back at the critics with a clear message: mind your own business.

The video sees Biles miming along to a sassy audio clip while a series of negative comments about her marriage, seen by her followers, scrolls above her head. She ripped off a tape while telling haters, "This is for your mouth. Let me know if you need a bigger piece."
Both Biles and Owens previously clarified that the exchange was in jest as Owens' comments were taken out of context. Biles later expressed her frustrations on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, emphasizing that Owens never meant to minimize her achievements or their love for each other.

"He praises the ground that I walk on. Truly, I've never met a man like him," Biles reflected, pointing out the importance of their relationship over public opinion.
The situation took a toll on Biles' mental health, revealing in an emotional moment that the online hate directed towards Owens hurt her deeply. "That really hurt that they were talking about my husband like that. For me, it's like, talk about me all you want, but don't come for my family, never," the gymnast shared as she recalled how she "broke down" due to the trolling.

Biles' plea is a reminder of the human aspect often forgotten in the whirlwind of social media criticism.
Amidst the chaos, Biles is not only preparing for a potential return to the Olympics but also planning to attend the event with Owens by her side. "I'm excited for him to see the Olympics because football's not in the Olympics," she said.

The couple's mutual support for each other's careers amidst public scrutiny showcases their strong bond and offers an insightful look into handling relationships in the public eye.
Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens' story is more than a tale of love in the limelight; it's a testament to standing united in the face of adversity. As Biles puts it, enduring the online storm has only made their bond stronger, proving that love triumphs over all, even in the age of social media.

O.J. Simpson's Official Cause Of Death Unveiled

O.J. Simpson's cause of death has officially been revealed. According to the death certificate obtained by the athlete's attorney, Malcolm LaVergne, he died at the age of 76 from metastatic prostate cancer.

O.J's passing was confirmed by his family last earlier this month. "On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer," the family's statement read. "He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace."
On April 17, Malcolm divulged that O.J. had been cremated in Las Vegas and no public memorial was planned. "I am able to verify that O.J. Simpson was cremated today," he said. "Others were present, but I'm not disclosing who."

Malcolm, who's handling O.J.'s trust and estate in Nevada state court, went on to disclose that the cremains would be given to his children "to do with as they please, according to the wishes of their father."
"You have to remember that they've shared O.J. with the world their entire lives," the attorney said one day prior to the cremation of O.J.'s surviving adult children. O.J. had Arnelle Simpson, 55, and Jason Simpson, 53, from his first marriage and Sydney Simpson, 38, and Justin Simpson, 35, shared with ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson before she was killed in 1994.

O.J. was a star football player who won the Heisman Trophy while at USC and played professionally for the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills. After his football career, he transitioned to acting and appeared in films such as "The Klansman," "The Cassandra Crossing," and "The Towering Inferno".
In 1994, O.J. became the subject of a sensational trial after he was accused of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. Despite a not guilty verdict in the criminal trial, O.J. was later found liable for wrongful death and battery in a civil suit brought by the victims' families. He was ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages.

O.J. was later arrested and served almost nine years in prison for robbery, kidnapping, and other counts in a Las Vegas sports memorabilia scheme. He was released from prison in 2017.

Second Paramedic Involved In Elijah Mcclain’s Death Sentenced To Probation, Work Release And Community Service
Jeremy Cooper, a former paramedic in Aurora, Colorado, was sentenced to four years probation, 14 months of work release and 100 hours of community service on Friday.
Cooper and another paramedic, Peter Cichuniec, were found guilty of criminally negligent homicide in December in the death of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, who was subdued by police and injected with ketamine on August 24, 2019.

Both paramedics had pleaded not guilty to the felony charges. Cichuniec was sentenced last month in a Colorado courtroom to five years in prison, the minimum.

Prosecutors had argued the paramedics acted recklessly in administering a large amount of the powerful sedative ketamine to McClain, who had been violently subdued by police after they said McClain was in a state of “excited delirium.”
A revised autopsy report released in 2022 listed McClain’s cause of death as “complications of ketamine administration following forcible restraint.”

Cooper’s sentencing brings the case to a close, but at the hearing, McClain’s mother, Sheneen, urged the judge to hold Cooper accountable.
Speaking of Cooper, she said, “You cannot evoke my son’s name to absolve yourself of your own sinful nature.” And referring to Cooper and the other paramedics and police at the scene, she added, “They all failed the city of Aurora.”

Before the sentencing, both Cooper and his wife, Tarrah Cooper, and nearly a dozen others addressed the court on his behalf.
Tarrah said she wanted to offer “heartfelt condolences” to McClain’s mother, Sheneen McClain, and that her “heart aches for her.” Tarrah told the court “part of Jeremy’s soul died” when he learned he would no longer be a firefighter, and asked for leniency in his sentence.

Jeremy Cooper started his remarks by saying “what I would like to do now is talk to Elijah.” McClain’s mother stood up and left the courtroom at that point, along with two other women. Cooper said he wished McClain was still here and able to hug his mother, and expressed a desire to “bring our communities together.”
Sheneen McClain returned to the courtroom once Cooper and his attorney finished speaking. She said the “lack of humanity in their comments is not a surprise.”

“He did what he felt was best? He did nothing,” she said of Cooper’s actions during his encounter with McClain. “There’s nothing Jeremy Cooper can say to remove my son’s blood from his hands.”
In his final comments before Judge Warner handed down the sentence, Senior Assistant Attorney General Jason Slothouber said Cooper was singularly most responsible for McClain’s death, as the person who ordered and injected the ketamine. Slothouber said hearing the stories about Cooper’s past firefighting and paramedic service “makes it all the more tragic that the hero of another story is the villain of Elijah McClain’s.”

The paramedics had testified during the trial they were following their training for treating patients experiencing “excited delirium,” a controversial term describing extreme agitation generally applied to people being subdued by police. The term is not recognized as a diagnosis by major medical associations, including the American Medical Association.

Paramedics rarely face charges in such cases as they are typically considered local government agents protected by statutory immunities where injury and death can occur even when they abide by their medical training.

The criminal trial against the two paramedics was unparalleled, CNN previously reported.
McClain’s case received renewed scrutiny following the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others that led to massive protests across the country.

And after a social media outcry demanding an independent investigation into McClain’s death, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced in June 2020 his administration would reexamine the case, answering a call the victim’s family had been making for almost a year.
The charges against the five first responders stemmed from McClain’s arrest, when Aurora, Colorado, police officers responded to a call about a “suspicious person” wearing a ski mask, according to the indictment. McClain, a massage therapist and musician, was walking home from a convenience store carrying a plastic bag with iced tea, when the officers confronted him, wrestled him to the ground and placed him in a carotid hold, cutting off the blood flow to his brain and rendering him unconscious.

Paramedics were called to the scene and injected McClain with a dose of the powerful sedative ketamine appropriate for a 200-pound person, even though he weighed just 143 pounds. McClain suffered a heart attack on the way to a hospital and was pronounced dead three days later.

During the trial, both paramedics admitted to administering a large amount of ketamine to McClain based on an inaccurate overestimation of his weight. Additionally, Cichuniec told prosecutors he made the decision to administer the 500-milligram dosage without asking McClain for his height or weight because he was experiencing “excited delirium.”
The three Aurora police officers who subdued McClain, officers Randy Roedema, Jason Rosenblatt and Nathan Woodyard, also faced trial for their involvement in the incident.

“By the time he was placed on the gurney, Mr. McClain appeared unconscious, had no muscle tone, was limp, and had visible vomit coming from his nose and mouth,” the indictment said. “(Officer) Roedema said he heard Mr. McClain snoring, which can be a sign of a ketamine overdose.”

Roedema was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and assault and was sentenced to 14 months in prison, while Rosenblatt and Woodyard were acquitted of all charges.
Dr. Stephen Cina, the pathologist who signed the autopsy report, wrote he saw no evidence injuries inflicted by police contributed to McClain’s death, and McClain “would most likely be alive but for the administration of ketamine.”

The use of ketamine by emergency responders to tranquilize people against their will is controversial and has triggered investigations in multiple states.

Angela Bassett Set to Deliver Keynote at Spelman College Graduation

Spelman College is gearing up for its 137th Commencement Ceremony on May 19 at the Georgia International Convention Center, with a lineup of notable figures set to grace the event. Leading the charge is acclaimed actress Angela Bassett, who will deliver the keynote address and also receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. Bassett, renowned for her roles in groundbreaking films like “Malcolm X,” “Waiting to Exhale,” and as Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” will share her insights and experiences with the Class of 2024.

Joining her in receiving honors is Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of her illustrious legal career and commitment to justice and equality. Also being recognized is journalist Rose Scott, set to receive the National Community Service Award for her extensive public service through Atlanta’s NPR station, 90.1 FM – WABE.

The festivities will commence on May 18 with the Baccalaureate Ceremony, featuring Reverend Dr. Yvette Flunder, a respected social justice advocate and leader in the faith community, as the speaker.
Dr. Helene D. Gayle, President of Spelman College, expressed her enthusiasm about the distinguished guests, noting, “We are honored to have Angela Bassett bring words of inspiration to our graduates. Her impactful work resonates profoundly with our commitment to leadership and excellence.” The ceremony will not only celebrate the achievements of the 504 graduates, comprising 325 Bachelor of Arts and 179 Bachelor of Science degree recipients but will also highlight the ongoing legacy of excellence at Spelman College.

Kanye West Sued for Racial Discrimination, Harassment by Ex-Staffer: ‘Screamed at and Berated Black Employees’
Kanye West has been sued by yet another ex-employee: Benjamin Deshon Provo, formerly of fashion brand Yeezy and Donda Academy, said he was fired after blowing the whistle about labor code violations.
In a lawsuit filed Friday morning in Los Angeles, Provo claims that he “suffered severe discrimination, harassment and retaliation by Kanye West” during the time he served as a security guard at the now-closed Donda Academy.

In the document, which was obtained by TheWrap, Provo states, “Kanye frequently screamed at and berated Black employees, while in contrast, he never so much as raised his tone of voice toward white staff.”
Provo also alleges that he was discriminated against because he is Muslim and was ordered to cut his dreadlocks or be fired.

The lawsuit goes on to state, “during Plaintiff’s employment, Kanye openly expressed his displeasure with Black authors. Specifically, in or around mid-2023, Kanye required that anyone associated with Donda dispose of books related to Martin Luthar King, Jr., Malcolm X, and other prominent figures in the Black community.”
The rapper is also said to have “expressed negative beliefs associated with prominent Black leaders that advocated for or sought to advance the Black community. Such offensive opinions were particularly troubling to Plaintiff, who is unapologetically Black.”

The lawsuit also alleges that West engaged in whistleblowing retaliation, wrongful termination and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Provo is asking for a jury trial and a settlement of more than $35,000.

He also asks for the injunction against all Defendants, prohibiting them from owning and operating any type of educational school for minor children under the age of 18 years in the state of California.”
Donda Academy was closed abruptly in October 2022 after West made several antisemitic comments in interviews and on social media. Several of his clients and sponsors stopped doing business with him in the wake of that scandal.

A lawsuit filed earlier this month an ex-employee at Donda Academy alleged that the rapper wanted to shave students’ heads and lock them in cages.
Another filed in 2023 by two former teachers at the private acadamy aallege that the rapper enabled “unsafe and illegal” conditions, including locking students in classrooms.

Tiffany Haddish Reveals Having Eight Miscarriages While Battling Endometriosis

On May 7, Tiffany Haddish will unveil her new book, "I Curse You With Joy," which publisher Diversion Books described as a collection of essays that “lay it all bare, bringing readers into Tiffany’s inner circle where joy, honesty, humor, and heart are the order of the day." Ahead of the release, she spoke about a personal battle in an interview with PEOPLE that was published earlier

Recently, the comedian learned that she's been suffering from endometriosis, a disease in which tissue grows outside the uterus. "I'm pretty sure the devil is real because the first day of my period, no matter what, the devil goes into overdrive," Haddish said. "I feel like my life gets turned upside down."

The Haunted Mansion star told the publication that she found herself making a doctor's visit in November 2023 due to fainting. "She gave me something because I kept passing out," Haddish explained. "I don't talk about it, but people just think I'm sleep everywhere, but I'm passing out because I'll be in so much pain. The pain is crazy. It feels like somebody is kicking me in my back."

Previously, Haddish was told that she had "a dent in my uterus." "It turns out it's not a dent they saw on the ultrasound. It was endo that was hanging down,” she stated. “It looked like a dent, but it was just extra layers."
Haddish revealed that she's suffered eight miscarriages due to the affliction, the most recent of which happened in 2023. "Every time I find out I'm pregnant, I’m like, ‘Don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t do nothin'.’ Even if I don’t really want [the baby], I still try to give it a chance," the Los Angeles, CA native admitted. "It's like, I won't know why there's so much blood. And then I go to the doctor and they're like, 'Oh, you're miscarrying right now.'"

These days, Haddish is feeling better thanks to hormone medication, which makes her “feel drowsy.” “But I've been working out even more,” she said. “And I've gone from 11 days [on my period] to four or five, which is kind of normal, so that's nice."

Rihanna Wears Strapless Corset Dress to Fenty Beauty Launch in Los Angeles

On Friday night, Rihanna attended a Fenty Beauty brand event for the launch of her new Soft’Lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation in Los Angeles. She was wearing a stunningly hot strapless dress with a corset-style bodice that showed off her incredible figure. The pale yellow dress had a V neckline and a midi length skirt, revealing her heeled sandals with thin laces wrapped up her calf.

She accessorized with a silver anklet and several gold bangles. Her blonde hair was down and straight with a side part. For makeup, the ANTI singer wore a glowing bronze palette and a dark pink lip.

Earlier this week, Fenty promoted the new Puma collaboration, introducing the Creeper Phatty Earth Tone sneaker. The star attended that event in a baggy layered look in earthy gray and brown tones, including a massive oversized blazer.
Her original Creeper shoe launched in September of 2015, offering a platform version of the shoe company’s suede sneaker. This new edition was first released in Totally Taupe, but Green Fog and Warm White went on sale on April 25.

Keke Palmer & SZA To Star In Issa Rae-Produced Buddy Comedy

Keke Palmer and SZA are joining forces for an upcoming buddy comedy film under TriStar Pictures, with Issa Rae stepping in as producer.
Following their successful team-up on “Saturday Night Live,” where Keke hosted and SZA was the musical guest, the duo is poised to bring their dynamic energy to the big screen.
Directed by Lawrence Lamont, known for his work on “Rap Sh!t,” and penned by Syreeta Singleton, the film’s plot details are currently shrouded in mystery.

However, with a powerhouse team behind the scenes, including producers Rae, Sara Diya Rastogi, Deniese Davis, and Macro Film Studios’ Charles D. King, James Lopez, and Poppy Hanks, anticipation is running high for this exciting project.
The collaboration marks a significant milestone for SZA, who will be making her acting debut in the film.

With her impressive musical career and accolades, including four Grammy wins and an Oscar nomination for her collaboration on “All the Stars” from Black Panther, SZA’s foray into acting promises to be nothing short of captivating.
Meanwhile, Palmer, a versatile actress known for her roles in Akeelah and the Bee, Hustlers, and “Scream Queens,” continues to make waves across both film and television.

Her recent endeavors include launching her podcast, “Baby, This is Keke Palmer“, and founding her digital network, KeyTV, showcasing her multifaceted talents as a creator and storyteller.

The project’s inception stems from the CoCre lab at Sony Pictures, a collaborative initiative between ColorCreative and Columbia Pictures aimed at nurturing emerging, diverse screenwriters.
Through this partnership, Keke Palmer and SZA’s on-screen reunion was born, showcasing the power of fostering new talent and fostering creative collaborations.

With Lamont at the helm, whose music video work has earned him accolades and recognition in the industry, and Singleton’s track record of success, the untitled buddy comedy film is poised to be a must-watch cinematic experience.

Doja Cat Tells Fans Not to Bring Their Kids to Her Shows: ‘I Don’t Make Music for Children’
Doja Cat isn’t here to run a day-care center or host your family outings. The Scarlet rapper discussed the explicit nature of her music on X Friday (April 26), and pointed out that the lyrics she writes aren’t necessarily for children’s ears.

“idk what the f–k you think this is but i don’t make music for children so leave your kids at home motherf–ker,” she wrote without indicating what led her to share her thoughts on the matter.
The 28-year-old, who is gearing up for the overseas leg of her Scarlet Tour, then addressed some of the raunchy lyrics in her songs that don’t make sense to have kids singing along to. “Im rapping about c– why are you bringing your offspring to my show,” Doja Cat continued. “Rappin about eatin d–k and pissin on his v-cut, leave your mistake at home*”

Doja Cat was one of the standout acts at Coachella 2024, rocking scanty attire and lingerie throughout her set while performing her hedonistic anthems. (She also recently launched a limited-edition Funko Pop! figurine modeled after her Coachella look.)

The “Say So” artist will headline a couple of radio concerts, including Hot 97’s Summer Jam event, before heading to Europe for a handful of shows and festival sets in England, Amsterdam, Italy and more.
On Scarlet‘s “F–k the Girls (FTG),” Doja Cat addressed how she shouldn’t be looked at as a role model for kids. “Since when was y’all my bastard children/ Go ahead and raise y’all self/ Come get ya bada–kids, no need to mention,” she raps.

Scarlet debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in October with 72,000 album units sold in the first week.

Ginuwine Fans Left ‘Scared’ By Lovers & Friends Festival Announcement That Left Them Thinking ‘Singer Had Died’

A MUSIC festival announcement left many Ginuwine fans fearing the worst when they thought it was actually an announcement of the singer's sudden death.
On Wednesday, the Pony singer posted a concert flyer promoting the Lovers & Friends event on Instagram.
The flyer featured a heavenly theme that showed Ginuwine, 53, clad in a leather jacket, in front of a blue background covered with white clouds.

And while the text on the poster promoted the Lovers & Friends Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada, fans thought the flyer's design looked more like a memorial tribute than a promo poster.
Ginuwine captioned the post, "Sometimes you know what you know, the people love what they love and your legacy is never in Question.
"See y’all there Vegas you already know …..sooner or later ima get my residency and it will be monumental trust and blv but for now let’s GO!!!!! Lovers n Friends!!!! 27 years I’m in and still going."

"Me toooooo omg," agreed another.
A third person commented, "I thought I was seeing an obituary for a second"
"This is great news!! (This photo scared me!! lol)," added a fourth.
Ginuwine's music is famous for setting the mood but the singer recently told TMZ he doesn't listen to his own music when getting intimate.

Reporter Shirley Ju asked, "Do you make love to your own music?" the hitmaker laughingly responded, "No. Absolutely not."
Instead, Ginuwine revealed what's on his playlist for when things start to heat up.
"I like old-school stuff. Marvin Gaye, ‘What’s Going On,'" the singer said before adding, "I play Jodeci too."

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Seeks to Toss Portion of Sexual Assault and ‘Revenge Porn’ Civil Suit
Attorneys for embattled musician and producer Sean “Diddy” Combs are asking a New York court to throw out portions of a civil suit accusing the rapper and mogul of sexual assault and revenge porn.

In a motion filed Friday in the State of New York courts, Combs’ attorneys raised procedural issues with a suit filed last year against the artist and his company Bad Boy Records by Joi Dickerson-Neal, who said she was “intentionally drugged” by Combs and sexually assaulted when she was a college student in 1991. Around the time, she had appeared with Combs in a music video, per the suit.

The lawsuit also alleged Combs had filmed the sexual assault and shown it to others, claiming that days after the alleged assault, a male friend revealed to Dickerson he had viewed video of it.
In response to the initial suit, a spokesperson for Combs said the allegations are “made up and not credible,” discrediting the accusations as “purely a money grab.”

In their motion filed Friday, attorneys for Combs doubled down on their denial, calling Dickerson-Neal’s allegations “false, offensive, and salacious,” and asked a judge to dismiss portions of the suit, claiming certain allegations against Combs “were brought under statutes that did not exist at the time the alleged misconduct occurred.” They also wrote that allegations against Combs’ company should be dismissed as the company did not exist at the time of the alleged incident.
Since November, Combs has faced six separate civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault or other allegations – with one lawsuit since settled. Combs has denied any wrongdoing.

Last month, federal agents in Los Angeles and Miami executed search warrants at properties owned by Combs, who is the target of a federal criminal probe, a law enforcement source told CNN. A separate law enforcement source said the searches were part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation. Combs’ attorney, Aaron Dyer, criticized the searches as “a gross overuse of military-level force.”

Representatives for Combs had no additional comment on this latest motion when reached by CNN.

Yvette Nicole Brown Sees Her Engagement at 52 as Inspiration for Other Women

*Yvette Nicole Brown is speaking out about finding love and getting engaged at age 52.
In a new interview, the actress explained that she hopes other women don’t feel compelled to accept situations (and relationships) they are not entirely content with simply because of their age, PEOPLE reports.

Brown and her fiancé, Anthony Davis, discussed their upcoming nuptials on Getting Grilled with Curtis Stone.
“To be my age, to be single as long as I was single and to have waited — you know, I didn’t just grab a guy, I waited until I found the guy my heart loves, that’s a testimony and that’s also aspirational and inspirational to women that are in my position,” Brown shared.

“I would love for a 40-something or a 50-something woman to see this story and go, ‘Okay, it’s right for me to wait for the right one, or to not just marry whoever asks me first if I don’t feel it.’ It is still possible,” Brown continued.

“So now I’m trying to thread the needle about how much do I share to encourage people without giving away what is special and important to me?” Brown added.
Davis noted that his relationship with Brown “happened organically.”

Brown was guest-hosting “The View” in December 2023 when she announced her engagement.
“I have some news, and I heard that The View is the place to announce things like this. I’m engaged,” Brown said while Davis watched from the audience, PEOPLE reported.
Brown explained that she first met Davis in her 20s, and he was married then. They reconnected in 2021 after her mother passed away.

“We’ve known each other since we were in our 20s. We were in an acting class together at church years ago,” the Emmy-nominated actress said on “The View.”
“He’s an amazing actor, by the way. Anthony Davis, everybody. He was married at the time, and we were platonic friends, and then we lost touch for a few years,” Brown continued.
Brown and Davis’ reunion occurred after his divorce.

Davis described his lady love as the “most beautiful person in the world.”
“In life sometimes things happen and you think, ‘Okay, I’m done with dating. I’m not gonna deal with this anymore,’ and then in comes somebody who’s pumping your heart, helping you breathe and you don’t even realize it,” Davis said on Getting Grilled with Curtis Stone.

As for their wedding plans, Brown said, “I’m of a certain age, and had stopped dreaming of weddings and you know, I’m not one of those girls who has a vision board of, ‘This is my dress.’ I did that in my 20s, it didn’t happen. I was done. It’s been 30 years since I dreamed about a wedding or where I was gonna hold it or whatever, so I’m clueless.”

Ellen DeGeneres Says She “Hated the Way” Her Talk Show Ended
Ellen DeGeneres took a moment to acknowledge the controversy that surrounded her talk show, Ellen, when it concluded in May 2022.
She is currently on a comedy tour called Ellen’s Last Stand … Up. During her stop in Los Angeles on Wednesday, DeGeneres joked that she was “kicked out of show business” for being “mean,” according to People.

Her comments referenced the public allegations of a toxic workplace that came out ahead of the talk show’s end. She continued in her comedy routine that she became the “most hated person in America,” following the countless headlines that came out about her when the story broke.

“The hate went on for a long time, and I would try to avoid looking at the news,” she recalled, per People, noting that she used to end her talk show each day by saying, “Be kind to one another.” “The ‘be kind’ girl wasn’t kind,” she added in her routine. “That was the headline.”
By prompting people to be nice to one another, DeGeneres joked that it became a “problem” since people began to think of her as a “one-dimensional character who gave stuff away and danced up steps.”

After her set ended, she held a Q&A session for fans in the audience. One of the attendees asked her if she continued to “dance” during the tough times following the allegations, and she said she wasn’t able to because she was so hurt over the claims.
“No … It’s hard to dance when you’re crying,” she said, adding that she “had a hard time” with everything and “didn’t get out” as the scandal was happening. She also noted that she was “in a funk” that started affecting her wife, Portia de Rossi. “She was watching it happen to me … she went through it with me,” she said of de Rossi.

At the time, DeGeneres said she laid low and became “persona non grata” for the second time since she came out as gay in 1997. Since then, however, with the help of her wife, she has started to dance again.
“I’m making jokes about what happened to me, but it was devastating,” she said. “It took a long time for me to want to do anything again,” noting that she “hated the way the show ended” because she “loved that show so much.” She also added that she didn’t want her time on the show to be tainted by the public’s negative perception of her.

The Emmy-winning host concluded by sharing with the crowd that she was happy to be back onstage and providing some “joy” during “a scary time” to live. “I think that we need more laughter and less drama,” she said.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter after she had wrapped production on the final Ellen episode, DeGeneres explained that she had to “trust that whatever happened during that time, which was obviously very, very difficult, happened for a reason.
“I think that I learned a lot, and there were some things that came up that I was shocked and surprised by. It was eye-opening,” she said, adding, “but I just trust that that had to happen.”

Kevin Spacey Documentary Lands at Max, ID for U.S. Release

Max and ID have acquired U.S. rights to a Channel 4 documentary about Kevin Spacey.
The two-part doc, titled Spacey Unmasked, is billed as a “forensic look” at Spacey’s career and the allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct against him. Spacey was acquitted in July 2023 of nine charges in a U.K. criminal case.

The documentary will also include interviews with “multiple men unconnected to that case about their experiences with Kevin Spacey, almost all of whom have never spoken before,” along with other previously unseen archival footage and interviews with the actor.
Spacey, a two-time Oscar winner, faced nine criminal charges from four different men in his U.K. trial, ranging from unwanted touching to, according to testimony from one man, performing oral sex on the man while he was asleep. The charges stemmed from alleged acts that occurred from 2001 to 2013; Spacey was artistic director of London’s Old Vic Theatre from 2004-15.

Spacey Unmasked is set to air on Channel 4 in the U.K. on May 6 and 7. Premiere dates for the U.S. and other territories haven’t been announced yet. All3Media International is handling international sales of the documentary and struck a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery for rights to the United States (where it will stream on Max and air on ID’s cable channel) and several other countries.

Katherine Haywood directed and produced Spacey Unmasked. Dorothy Byrne and Mike Lerner are executive producers. Roast Beef Productions (Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer) produces in association with All3 Media International.