5/23/24

The Daily Buzz For May 24☕📰☕

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#MAGFAB: Peter Talks About Mental Strength in Esquire AUS!

Sudanese-Australian runner Peter Bol graces the cover of Esquire Australia in a striking cover shoot captured by photographer John Tsiavis and styled by Grant Pearce. The images, set against a picturesque coastal backdrop, reflect Bol’s journey of resilience and focus, showcasing his inner strength and the serenity he has embraced amid recent challenges.
Known for his impressive 800-meter performance at the Tokyo Olympics, Australian athlete Bol recently endured a tumultuous period due to a false doping allegation involving EPO, subjecting him to months of stress and public scrutiny.
“I try to be as mentally relaxed as possible. But at the same time, I know I’ve put in all the work that’s required; I’ve put in a hundred per cent. I think one of the key things about me is I know when to switch on and I know when to switch off,” Bol reflects, sharing his approach to handling pressure.

Bol’s false doping scandal began with a positive A sample, casting doubt over his career. After six months, he was vindicated when the B sample showed an inconclusive result, and authorities admitted the A sample should never have been considered positive.
Embracing effortless style, Peter Bol dons a Commas tank and pants with adidas x Song for the Mute sneakers. 

Throughout the experience, Bol’s focus on mental strength played a crucial role: “You realise you do more damage to yourself, being resentful and angry. I can sit here today and say I’m really not angry at anyone.”
Bol continues, “If I am, I don’t even know who that would be [aimed at]. And I’m not willing to do the work to search for that person. I prefer my peace.”

Donning a Coach jacket and pants, Peter Bol also wears a Paspaley necklace.Pin
Peter Bol wears a Coach jacket and pants and a Paspaley necklace. Photo: John Tsiavis / Esquire Australia
Bol’s story is not only about overcoming adversity but also about continuous self-improvement and impact. “On top of being a great athlete, I want to be three things: I want to be physically strong, mentally strong, but I want to make an impact,” he states, outlining his broader aspirations beyond athletics.

As Bol prepares for the Paris Olympics, he carries forward the lessons of his recent past with a renewed sense of purpose. His journey encompasses his unwavering determination and ability to rise above challenges with grace and strength.
Peter Bol’s story is about athletic excellence, the power of resilience, the importance of mental fortitude, and the impact one can have by staying true to oneself. As he looks towards the future, Bol continues to inspire, embodying the spirit of perseverance and hope.


#RHOA: Porsha *and* Kenya Are Coming For Simon After He Praised Shamea: "Let Me Jump in Real Quick..."
Porsha *and* Kenya Are Coming For Simon After He Praised Shamea: "Let Me Jump in Real Quick..."
There's already drama amongst the peach holders on The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 16 — and some of it involves someone who's not part of the cast. Simon Guobadia, who is going through a divorce from Season 16 returner Porsha Williams, just took to Instagram to share a shady message and it involves newbie Shamea Morton.

After a video was posted showcasing Shamea getting a Rolls Royce car from her husband, Gerald Mwangi, Simon took to the comments section to share a jibe at his estranged wife. "Congratulations my good sis [Shamea Morton]," Simon wrote in the comments about Shamea, who is taking on a full-time spot on RHOA Season 16. "I'm so happy for you. My brother Gerald has excellent taste in fine automobile[s]. Look forward to watching the only cast member with a RR [Rolls Royce]."


Porsha clapped back at her estranged spouse with a comment of her own. "Simon, don't forget a debt-free husband..." she wrote. "My bestie is winning. Welcome to RHOA Queen Mumbi."

After Simon wrote that Shamea was the only peach holder to have a Rolls Royce, Kenya Moore stepped in as well.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta logo in front of a green and orange backdrop
"Let me jump in real quick," Kenya responded to Simon in the comments. "I have a RR [Rolls Royce], but I bought my own years ago."

Are Simon Guobadia and Porsha Williams Divorced?
Shortly after she confirmed her return to RHOA in February 2024, Porsha filed for divorce from her Nigerian businessman husband after less than two years of marriage

A source told PEOPLE at the time that the cause of the divorce was "an ongoing matter."
Simon and Porsha have yet to finalize their split.
Porsha is returning to RHOA alongside Kenya and Drew Sidora. Shamea will be appearing on Season 16, as will new 'Wives Brittany Eady, Kelli Ferrell, and Angela Oakley. Cynthia Bailey, who appeared on Seasons 3 through 13 of the show, will be back as a friend of the ladies.

Stream The Real Housewives of Atlanta on Peacock now.


#MusicNews: Luther Vandross Documentary Expected To Premiere In 2025!

A documentary on R&B singer Luther Vandross has been acquired by CNN Films and is expected to premiere in 2025, the 20th anniversary of his death.
CNN Films announced Luther: Never Too Much by award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter has been acquired in partnership with OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Porter previously worked with CNN Films on the film, John Lewis: Good Trouble.

“I’m thrilled to partner again with CNN Films and OWN to bring this film to audiences,” said Porter in a written statement. “Luther’s music is timeless, his legacy is unsurpassed, and we can’t wait for all of his fans new and old to experience his brilliance.”
The documentary will follow the balladeer throughout his career until his 2005 death at age 54 on from complications of a stroke. The film is being produced by Raindog Films and Foxxhole Productions for Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Music Publishing, in association with Trilogy Films. The documentary is slated to debut on CNN, OWN, and Max in 2025.

“CNN Films has a long history of bringing audiences intimate portraits of their favorite musicians and Dawn has crafted a beautiful tribute to Luther Vandross,” said Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent, CNN Originals, and creative development. “It is an honor to reteam with her along with our partners at OWN to celebrate Luther’s enduring legacy and his iconic songbook.”

Luther: Never Too Much will use a library of rarely seen archives and feature commentary from friends and collaborators such as Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick, Valerie Simpson, and Roberta Flack. The film will examine Vandross’ musical journey, his personal life, and his health struggles.

At its premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Never Too Much received a standing ovation and glowing reviews.


#HipHopNews: MA$E Explains Silence On Diddy Drama, Promises To Speak Out 'Soon'
Ma$e has yet to speak on the footage of his former Bad Boy boss Diddy abusing Cassie and the myriad of other lawsuits and accusations filed against him, but the time is coming.

Fans have noticed Murda’s noticeable silence on the matter since the footage leaked and shocked the world late last week. Since then, the fallout has been swift and many of the mogul’s peers have spoken out against him, but Ma$e has been silent on the matter despite his many issues with the businessman over the years.

However, he addressed his lack of commentary on Tuesday’s (May 21) episode of It Is What It Is.
“I’m saving my takes for the documentary,” he said. “If y’all wondering how I feel, it’s coming soon – pause.”
While Ma$e didn’t specify which Diddy documentary he was referring to, it might end up being the docuseries about the ordeal that 50 Cent just sold to Netflix.
According to TMZ, who recently released their own documentary about the embattled mogul on Tubi, there was a fierce bidding war for the project that is being made by G-Unit Film and Television Studios.

Whether or not the documentary was real has been unclear give Fif’s endless trolling campaign against Diddy. Furthermore, no specific details about the project have been revealed.

The Queens native himself commented on the news while also taking a shot at TMZ over the picture of him they used in their article.
“TMZ use this fat boy picture of me because their doc went to Tubi LOL it’s ok guys we’re all making good television mines just happens to be the best!” he wrote on Instagram. “NETFLIX wins the bidding war but if more victims keep coming out I’m gonna need more episodes.”

He later posted an update after the outlet changed the picture in their story: “Ok TMZ put up a 2024 picture baby, let’s work ! LOL.”
The news of the documentary being purchased by Netflix comes after another woman sued Diddy for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting her over 20 years ago.

The 54-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him, though he recently acknowledged that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend Cassie in 2016 after footage of the attack was leaked.


Beyoncé & Jay-Z Sued For Copyright Infringement Over 'Break My Soul'

Per legal documents obtained by Baller Alert on Wednesday (May 22), a group called Da Showstoppaz are alleging that the pair unlawfully used their 2002 song “Release A Wiggle” on the aforementioned blockbuster. Big Freedia has also been named in the case due to her song “Explode” being sampled on “Break My Soul” — this is where the allegedly illegal sample stems from.

The plaintiffs — Tessa Avie, Keva Bourgeois, Henri Braggs and Brian Clark — are arguing that their “unique phrases, melody, and musical arrangement” were used on the songs mentioned above. They also claim to have never approved of the sample, for which they were apparently never credited or paid.

Da Showstoppaz are seeking unspecified damages as well as royalties and proper credit for the songs.
In other news, Beyoncé has now surpassed a whopping 1 billion streams on Spotify from her Cowboy Carter album that was released in March.
Chart Data confirmed the news in a post earlier this month, writing: “@Beyonce’s ‘COWBOY CARTER’ has now surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify.”

The record has been a major success since its release. According to Billboard, it debuted atop the Billboard 200 tally with 407,000 equivalent album units in its first week. It was the biggest sales week of 2024 at the time, though it has since been one-upped by Taylor Swift’s latest effort.

23 of the album’s 27 songs also made it to the Billboard Hot 100 chart, bringing the Houston native’s career total Billboard Hot 100 songs to 106.  She is now just the 17th artist and only the third woman to score over 100 entries since the Hot 100 was launched in 1958.
Former chart-topper “Texas Hold ‘Em” lead the pack at No. 2, followed by “II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus at No. 6 and Bey’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” at No. 7.

Ten other songs from the album also cracked the Top 50, including the Post Malone collaboration “Levii’s Jeans,” “Bodyguard” and a cover of The Beatles‘ “Blackbird.”
As for Cowboy Carter’s other achievements, Beyoncé and Post Malone‘s track gave Levi Strauss & Co. a massive push. Soon after the album dropped, the American clothing company altered its Instagram name to mirror the song title.

According to CBS News, their stock spiked by 20% on April 4.


Lauryn Hill Reacts To ‘Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill’ Being Voted “Greatest Album Ever” by Apple Music's 100 Best Albums list.
Lauryn Hill‘s classic debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, has been chosen by Apple Music as the greatest record ever made.
On Tuesday evening (May 21), Hill attended an intimate dinner held in New York City by the streaming platform, during which she was surprisingly informed of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill topping Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums list as the best release of the modern era.

During the dinner, which was hosted by Ebro Darden, the New Jersey native expressed her appreciation upon hearing the news that her album was voted No. 1. “This is my award, but it’s a rich, deep narrative, and involves so many people, and so much sacrifice, and so much time, and so much collective love,” Hill, who was joined by her mother, said in a short speech. “This is as much mine as it is yours. This is all celebration.”

Recording artist Lauryn Hill pays tribute to Nina Simone during the 33rd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium on April 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Darden, who participated in a roundtable style discussion with Nile Rogers and Maggie Rogers breaking the Top 10 entries on the Best Albums list, also touched on the album’s seismic impact upon its release and throughout the years.

“I think it’s important that you know that we understand what you gave to all of us,” the host told Hill. “To music, to Hip-Hop, to culture, to Black people, it’s very important. And for people to vote for this just shows it was worth it ’cause you touched people in a real way.”
Compiled by Apple Music and a mix of industry experts, artists, songwriters, and producers, Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums List ranked The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill ahead of albums by Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Stevie Wonder, Frank Ocean, Prince, The Beatles, Michael Jackson and more.

Released in 1998, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and became the first album by a rap artist to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1999. Producing the hit singles “Doo Wop (That Thing),” “Ex-Factor,” and “Everything Is Everything,” the album has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and was added to the Library of Congress in 2015.


Graceland Foreclosure Sale Halted After Riley Keough's Lawsuit, Company Drops Claims

A Shelby County judge has halted the planned foreclosure sale of Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley. The judge found that the Presley estate had a strong case for fraud against the lending company, Naussany Investments and Private Lending.
Naussany Investments claimed that Lisa Marie Presley had used Graceland as collateral for a loan in 2018, but Riley Keough alleged that the documents presented by Naussany were fraudulent.

Later on the same day, a statement from someone who appeared to be a representative of Naussany Investments said the company would drop its claim. The statement said Naussany was withdrawing all claims with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled.
The Presley estate's attorney, Riley Keough, had filed a lawsuit last week alleging that Naussany had forged Lisa Marie Presley's signature on the loan documents. The lawsuit also claimed that the notary who allegedly witnessed Lisa Marie Presley signing the documents had never met her.

In the lawsuit, Keough sought to block Naussany from selling Graceland by requesting a temporary restraining order against the company. The judge granted the injunction, essentially keeping in place a previous restraining order issued at Keough's request.
In a statement after the hearing, Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises said that "there will be no foreclosure."

"Graceland will continue to operate as it has for the past 42 years, ensuring that Elvis fans from around the world can continue to have a best in class experience when visiting his iconic home."


Charles Barkley Slams ‘Petty’ Women Hating On Caitlin Clark: ‘Y’all Should Be Thanking That Girl
If there’s one thing Charles Barkley is known for, it’s his unfiltered honesty.
On the latest episode of TNT’s “Inside the NBA” pregame show, the Hall of Famer and professional straight shooter took a moment to heap praise on Indiana Fever’s star rookie, Caitlin Clark.

And, of course, in true Barkley fashion, he didn’t hold back on the criticism of those throwing shade her way.
The whole saga kicked off when LeBron James discussed Clark’s impact on the WNBA during the “Mind the Game” podcast.

“The criticism she’s receiving is the weirdest thing in the world,” James said, shaking his head in disbelief.
It seems King James couldn’t fathom why anyone would be anything but thrilled about Clark’s arrival in the league.

Never one to miss out on a chance to stir the pot, Charles Barkley entered the chat during “Inside the NBA“, looking straight into the camera with that classic “Chuck” intensity.
“You women out there, y’all petty, man,” he declared, seemingly addressing other WNBA players.

“LeBron, you’re 100% right on these girls hating on Caitlin Clark. Y’all petty, girls. I expect men to be petty because we’re the most insecure group in the world. Y’all should be thanking that girl for getting y’all a– private charters, all the money, and visibility she’s bringing to the WNBA.”

Clark, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft after a legendary collegiate career at Iowa, has certainly had a tumultuous start to her professional career.
Despite her undeniable talent, the Fever have struggled, losing their first four games by a combined 57 points.

However, things have been looking up in their last two outings.
The Fever were more competitive, losing 91–80 to the New York Liberty and 88–84 to the Connecticut Sun.
Clark, undeterred by the rough start, is averaging 17.0 points, 5.5 assists, and shooting 34.3% from beyond the arc
Not too shabby for a rookie finding her footing in the big leagues.

Charles Barkley’s comments come at a time when the WNBA is seeing an influx of young talent and increasing visibility, thanks in no small part to players like Caitlin Clark.
Her ability to draw attention and elevate the game has not gone unnoticed by the likes of Barkley and James, who see her as a catalyst for change in the league.

Do you agree with Charles Barkley’s notion that the other WNBA players are hating on Caitlin and should be thanking their lucky stars for her?


Lizzo Addresses Her Mental Health & Depression 2 Months After 'I Quit' Statement, Updates on New Music

Lizzo provided a positive update on her mental health and is addressing her experience with depression.
The 36-year-old “Truth Hurts” pop star took to social media on Tuesday (May 21) to share a new selfie of herself, which she paired with a reflection on how she’s feeling at the moment. The update comes just under two months after she shared a statement on social media saying that she had “quit.”

Her new statement made it clear that she’s feeling better and that new music is in the works!
“I’m the happiest I’ve been in 10 months,” Lizzo informed her fans on Instagram. “The strange thing about depression is you don’t know you’re in it until you’re out of it. I’m definitely not all the way as carefree as I used to be.. But the dark cloud that followed me every day is finally clearing up.”

She continued, writing, “My smile reaches my eyes again and that’s a win.”
Her improved mental health is leaving her very inspired, too: “I thought my album was finished.. but I gotta get some of these good vibes off in a banger real quick. Thanks for your patience ❤️”


Jennifer Lopez Questioned About Ben Affleck Marriage Troubles During 'Atlas' Press Conference
Jennifer Lopez is sharing her first comments on the rumors that she and Ben Affleck are having troubles in their marriage.
Over the past few weeks, it has been reported a lot that Jennifer, 54, and Ben, 51, are having issues in their marriage and that they’re headed towards a divorce. It was also reported that they’re living in separate homes.
On Wednesday (May 22), Jennifer joined co-star Simu Liu and director Brad Peyton at a press conference for their new movie Atlas held at the St. Regis Hotel in Mexico City, Mexico.

During the the conference, one guest asked Jennifer if the “rumors” about the marriage troubles “are true.”
The moderator of the panel quickly shut down the question, but before they moved on to the next question, Jennifer shared her disappointment about the question.

“You know better than that,” Jennifer said with a smile, as seen in a clip shared on Instagram.
Jennifer has been busy these past few days doing press for the new movie, but Ben has not joined her at any events.


Ciara Celebrates Progress in Her Weight Loss Journey to Lose 70 Lbs.: 'Scale Moved A Little'

"Scale moved a little…so I’ll call it a W!" the singer said. Ciara is celebrating the small wins throughout her weight loss journey.
On May 18, the 38-year-old singer posted a series of photos on Instagram showing off the progress she’s been making after revealing she’s trying to lose her baby weight.

“Lil Dump Goodness…Scale moved a little…so I’ll call it a W! :)” she wrote.
Alongside selfies of her and her daughter Amora Princess, the post included a photo of her scale reading 178 lbs. and a snap of her healthy breakfast meal.
The update comes after last month, the “And I” singer posted another photo as the scale read 181 lbs. At the time, she also included selfies of her at a dance studio and her holding a thumbs up next to the viral motivational gallon water bottle.

Ciara announced April 13 that she’s gearing up to hit the stage again, preparing for her first tour since welcoming her daughter with husband Russell Wilson in December.

The Grammy winner posted an Instagram photo of herself at the gym, writing that she is “trying to lose 70 lbs. post baby, prepare for a show and tour while breastfeeding, and running my businesses.”
"Shout out to all my mammas out there gettin in, I see you!” she added. “ToughSh$t. #MambaMentality🐍.”

Ciara received tons of supportive messages from fellow stars in the comments section, including Gabrielle Union, Gwen Stefani and Lisa Leslie.
“Just toured whilst breastfeeding 🫶🏽 it’s challenging but you got this ❤️” Leona Lewis wrote while  Peloton’s Ally Love commented, “Sis you’ve done it before, and you can do it again. I’m betting on YOU! 🫶🏽”

“You got this Ci! 💪🏾❤️” LeToya Luckett added.


Broadway 2023-2024 Season Box Office Hits $1.5B, Holding Steady With Post-Pandemic Era But Lagging Behind Pre-Covid Heights
Attendance for Broadway’s just-ended 2023-2024 season held roughly steady with last year even as it remains nearly 17% below pre-pandemic levels, according to box office figures released today by the Broadway League.
The year-end stats indicate that the 71 Broadway productions on the boards from May 22, 2023, to May 19, 2024, grossed a combined $1.54 billion – $1,539,278,706, to be exact- with total attendance at about 12.3 million (again, to be exact: 12,287,708).

The dollar figure represents a very small slip in box office tallies from last season – about 2% from the $1,577,586,897 in 2022-2023. Total attendance was up less than a percentage point from last season.
This year’s total attendance indicates that about 90% of all available seats were filled, compared to last year’s 88%. Average ticket price for the season just ended was $125.27, about 2% lower that last season’s $128.43.

While roughly even with post-pandemic figures, the numbers continue to indicate that Broadway has yet to make a full recovery from the 18-month Covid shutdown. Figures for the 2018-2019 season – the final full season before Covid hit – was a record-setting total gross of $1.8 billion, with attendance of 14.8 million.
In a statement, Jason Laks, Interim President of The Broadway League, said, “The 2023-2024 Broadway season was another wonderful year, with attendance of 12.3 million and Broadway shows grossing $1.54 billion dollars. Audiences are responding to the incredible variety of plays, musicals, and specials that we have on Broadway.

“Broadway,” he continued, “continues to provide a dynamic space for audiences and artists to explore diverse worlds and narratives together and remains a place where everyone can find something they will love to see.”
In all, the 2023-2024 season included 71 productions, 39 of which were new productions. Of those 39, 21 were musicals (16 original, five revivals), 16 were plays (12 original, four revivals), and two were special engagements.
During the final week of the season, the 35 shows currently on the boards grossed a weekly tally of $36,381,958, about 2% greater than the previous week and about 11% higher than last year at this time. Attendance was 292,642, with 91% of available seats filled and a jump of 6% year-over-year.

Productions grossing more that $1M for the week ending May 29 were Aladdin, An Enemy of the People, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hell’s Kitchen, Merrily We Roll Along, MJ, Moulin Rouge!, The Great Gatsby, The Lion King ($2M), The Wiz, Uncle Vanya, Water For Elephants and Wicked.

All figures courtesy of The Broadway League.


‘Diddy Do It?’: Netflix wins 50 Cent's docuseries on Sean Combs in million-dollar bidding war

Netflix wins bidding war for 50 Cent's docuseries about Diddy, focusing on sexual assault allegations. X responds with mixed reactions, trending 'Diddy Do It.'
Is the fuss about Diddy's docuseries true? It appears so. 50 Cent's project, which aims to spotlight the music mogul's sexual assault allegations, has reportedly secured a spot on an OTT platform. This development comes on the same day the rapper faced his sixth sexual assault charge from a former model who accused him of drugging and forcing her back in 2003. Securing an OTT platform was not easy, as many streaming giants competed for the digital rights to the multi-part docuseries about Diddy's various scandals, but Netflix ultimately won.

On May 21, TMZ reported that the digital rights to 50 Cent's multi-part docuseries, which he has been promoting for months, were not just rumours or a jab aimed at the Bad Boy record producer. It's an actual project, and the streaming rights have been purchased by Netflix after a massive bidding war broke out between leading streamers.
As soon as the Netflix deets surfaced online, Twitter now X erupted with comments, trending the literal title Diddy Do It on the top. “Diddy Do It sounds really ridiculous.” Another one wrote, “Totally thought he was just joking but nope he really the man you don’t wanna beef with.” “I'm not sure what puff did to 50 cent. But his retaliation is on elite. Lol.” Chimed one more.

TMZ was informed that the docuseries is apparently being produced by 50's G-Unit Film and Television Studios. Although the official release date remains under wrap, the source mentioned that it will be sooner rather than later. The docuseries potentially aims to take an unfiltered approach to Diddy's life and career, likely featuring exclusive interviews, candid moments, and perhaps even some friendly jabs from 50 Cent himself.

Diddy hits with sixth sexual assault charges
On May 21, former model Crystal McKinney sued the American rapper for sexual assault allegedly occurring back in 2003. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the incident took place when the model was invited to Diddy’s NYC studio, where he and his colleagues were drinking and smoking joints. The model, who took a puff from the joint, described it as laced with a narcotic or drug. She went on to accuse Combs of plying her with alcohol, after which he allegedly took her to the bathroom and forced her to perform oral sex on him despite her resistance. The model detailed the detrimental impact the incident left on her mentally, including attempted suicide.


A New portrait of Kate Middleton draws strong reactions From BAD to AWFUL!
A new portrait of Kate, the Princess of Wales, is drawing mixed reactions online, just one week after a portrait of her father-in-law, King Charles III, faced a similar response.
The portrait of Kate Middleton, the wife of Charles' eldest son, Prince William, was commissioned by Tatler magazine as part of a series of portraits of members of Britain's royal family. The portrait was unveiled Wednesday as the magazine's cover.

The magazine said the portrait was inspired by Kate's appearance in November 2022 at the first state banquet of Charles' reign, to which she wore a Jenny Packham gown, a bracelet belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth II, and drop earrings that belonged to the late Princess Diana.
Kate did not sit for the portrait of herself. Instead, the artist behind it, Hannah Uzor, a British-Zambian artist, sifted through over 189,000 photos of Kate to "capture her likeness," according to Tatler.

Describing her artistic process, Uzor said she tried to capture the "soul" of Kate in the painting.
"It's really important to capture the soul of the person, so I spent a lot of time looking at her and looking at her pictures, watching videos of her, seeing her with her family, seeing her in diplomatic visits, seeing her rowing or visiting children in a hospice," Uzor said in a video shared by Tatler on Instagram. "It has been really interesting for me to get a sense of who she is."

Uzor said she went through multiple sketches to correctly capture Kate's expression and chose to paint her in the Jenny Packham gown because it was "physically striking.
"[It] made her look very regal and very confident," she said.

Uzor's work, though, received mixed reactions online, with many commenters arguing the portrait does not look like Kate, who has been out of the public eye since January, when she underwent surgery and later learned she had cancer.
"The painting is beautiful but does not look like the princess," wrote one commenter on Instagram.

"I don’t understand this painting. I don’t see a resemblance to the princess in any way," wrote another.
Other commenters compared the portrait to the one of Charles released last week, with one commenter writing, "Coming after the King Charles portrait debacle/ you’d think they’d make sure it was perfect."

The portrait of Charles, which stands over 6 feet tall, features a striking red background and shows Charles wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975, according to Buckingham Palace.
Unlike the portrait of Kate, the portrait of Charles, commissioned to hang in London's Draper's Hall, was painted among four sittings with the king over the course of two years, according to the palace.

But in a similar manner, the portrait of Charles drew mixed reactions online quickly after its unveiling, at which both Charles and the artist, Jonathan Yeo, were present.
"I think this is beautiful and such a break from the traditional portraits," one commenter wrote on the palace's Instagram post about the portrait.

"I'm sorry but his portrait looks like he's in hell," wrote another commenter.
"I would have loved this if it was any other color than red," another commenter wrote. "He really captured the essence of him in the face, but the harshness of the red doesn't match the softness of his expression."


Uvalde, TX reaches settlement with families of elementary school shooting victims

The city of Uvalde, Texas reached a settlement with 19 families affected by the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting. According to CNN, officials agreed to a $2 million payment, promises to overhaul the police force, and the creation of a permanent memorial for the victims. The news arrived a couple of days before the two-year anniversary of the horrific event.

Additionally, lawyers for the families filed a new lawsuit against the Texas Department of Public Safety, accusing 92 officers of failing to quickly engage 18-year-old gunman and former student Salvador Ramos, who killed 19 children and two teachers. The new filing specifically named Pete Arredondo, the then-chief of the Uvalde public school police department, and Mandy Gutierrez, the principal at the time. The state police, along with other local and federal officers, were criticized for waiting more than an hour before breaching the classroom where the gunman was located.

“Basically, the city has said, 'Our officers did nothing wrong,” said Josh Koskoff, one of the attorneys representing the families, in a press conference. "If their officers did nothing wrong and the rest of the 376 officers did nothing wrong, then what does that say about the threat? Three hundred seventy-six officers doing their job and unable to protect these children for 77 minutes."
The city’s settlement included commitments to improve the hiring and training of police. Investigations by state and federal officials have faulted the responding officers for misclassifying the gunman as a barricaded subject rather than an active shooter, leading to a delayed response. The families’ lawyers argued that the delayed police response increased the likelihood of fatalities among the wounded. Uvalde also promised to designate May 24 as a day of remembrance, provide mental health services for all affected, and install a committee to design the permanent memorial.


McDonald’s Introduces New Grandma-Inspired McFlurry
McDonald’s has launched its Grandma-Inspired McFlurry, now available at the beloved fast-food chain nationwide.
“McDonald’s is the place where lifelong memories are made with grandma,” the brand says in a press release. “From treating us to an impromptu soft serve to letting us have dessert first — grandmas always know how to make us feel special. And now, it’s her turn.”

The new McFlurry comes with syrup and chopped pieces of candy blended into vanilla soft-serve, per the Food Network.
“The new Grandma McFlurry was created by a culinary team member who is a grandmother herself,” VP Menu Strategy Marcelo Fajnerman says in a statement. “She was relentless in perfecting a deliciously craveable treat meant to evoke special memories with grandma or the grandma-figure in your life, drawing from her own experiences.”

McDonald’s Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer Tariq Hassan explains, “Grandmas have always held a special place in our hearts, and today they’re having a major moment influencing culture – inspiring trends in fashion, decor and now, even food with our newest McFlurry.”

Hassan added, “The Grandma McFlurry tastes like a trip down memory lane, and we’re excited to give our fans that experience while honoring the grandma-figure in all our lives.”


The uncensored Sailor Moon dub is coming to Cartoon Network for the first time via Toonami Rewind

Fans of classic anime are in for a treat at the end of May 2024 as Adult Swim debuts a new Friday block of programming. Dubbed Toonami Rewind, the two-hour block of shows will feature two Shonen classics in Dragon Ball Z Kai and Naruto, but the most exciting part of the block is the triumphant return of Sailor Moon to the network. Not only is it one of the most influential anime ever, but, for the first time, Cartoon Network will be showing the uncensored Viz dub of Sailor Moon on Toonami Rewind starting May 31, 2024.

For those who aren’t hot on their anime history, the original English dub of Sailor Moon has become a punchline in the anime community due to the heavy-handed and questionable censorship the dub inflicted upon Sailor Moon. Not only were character names altered and any reference to Japanese culture scrubbed from the dialogue, but whole episodes were cut or shortened, which greatly changed the pacing of the show. The worst bit, though, was how the Sailor Moon dub handled the anime’s LGBTQ+ characters.

In the original Japanese anime, Sailor Neptune and Uranus are heavily implied to be lovers, but the dub that first appeared on American TVs changed them to cousins. This wasn’t the only effort that was made to remove any hint of LGBTQ+ material from the show. Zoisite’s gender was changed from male to female to avoid any possibility of two men being in a loving, consensual relationship because the mid-90s were a dark time. As we said, the dub of Sailor Moon that originally appeared on American TV wasn’t great or even good. Fortunately, that’s not the version coming to Cartoon Network.

For Toonami Rewind, the network is bringing us the Viz dub of Sailor Moon, which features an entirely new cast and, more importantly, no edits or censorship. It began streaming on Hulu in 2014. This is the first time that these episodes have aired on network TV in the US – previous versions that were shown as part of Toonami were the DIC/Cloverway dub. For the first time in anime history, fans will get to experience the show that spawned a million magical girl transformations the way it was meant to be seen. That alone is enough to make us cheer for the creation of Toonami Rewind on Adult Swim and Cartoon Network.

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES

Which One Doesn’t Belong Here?

Want some Chocolate covered Tide Pods?


HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM 

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