6/30/24

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#MAGFAB: Ncuti Gatwa for Attitude Magazine UK June 2024!

Doctor Who’s Ncuti Gatwa on embracing his identity to find pride and joy
This interview is taken from the new May/June issue of Attitude,

The first full outing of Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who has yet to drop, and cast and crew are already in full swing shooting the follow-up season. If ever there was a vote of confidence by a major broadcaster in the success of a return/revamp/re-tweak of a long-running franchise, this is it. As if the return of Russell T Davies as showrunner and scriptwriter wasn’t enough to create a buzz among the Whovians (as the committed Doctor Who fans are called), the epic series that celebrated its 60th anniversary last year is back and more relevant — and perhaps more needed — than ever before. 
It’s relevant because the title role is being played by one of the most exciting British actors of his generation, a Black and queer man from Rwanda, making this incarnation of the Doctor — the 15th — a casting that is more reflective of the world around it. And it’s needed because, to quote two-time Doctor David Tennant, the world absolutely needs more kindness than ever before. “The Doctor is constantly fighting for every life, even his villains,” says Gatwa when we meet for his interview in a posh London hotel. “He shows mercy and compassion to all because he understands that there’s a need for everything, and that we need each other. It’s really nice to have a show like Doctor Who running after all these years in this era that we are in now.”

A breakout role in Sex Education as Eric would go on to make Gatwa more than just a global star. With his many intersectional identities, it helped him find balance and acceptance. As he shares in this interview, it was a gift that was more than just a job; it helped him find inner peace. As Sex Education wrapped, he found himself in a supporting role in Barbie, arguably the film of 2023, before taking ownership of the Tardis in its Christmas Day special.

Even after season two of Doctor Who wraps, Gatwa is not ready to slow down. His energy is in abundance as he vogues, poses, leaps, dances and shakes his tushy on set for his Attitude cover shoot. “I think this year my break will be to do something different creatively in between. Or another project, just, like, another character,” he teases. “That will be my mental break in between. But I dunno. We’ll see. We’ll see whether I work or take a holiday.” 

His enthusiasm is infectious. As we speak, Gatwa gesticulates wildly, his eyes widen, whether it’s to denounce the current government’s scapegoating of minorities to distract from its abysmal performance in power or to regale me with stories about his Oscar-worthy Academy Award performance. He also speaks freely about how therapy has helped him deal with internalised homophobia — an issue he didn’t realise he carried with him until Eric came along to show him otherwise — and even offers up the information that he’s currently happily dating a muggle — aka, a regular civilian and not a celebrity.

Are you still mid-shoot on Doctor Who? 
Yeah, midway through season two at the moment. We’ve just finished episode five, [I] want to say? Yeah, we’ve got three more to go. So, it is going quickly.

And then you can have a holiday? 
And then I can have a holiday. [But] maybe this other project’s building, so I might end up working all the way through. 

Get more at Attitude UK 
 

#RHOA: Cynthia Bailey Shares New Looks at Her Serene and Stunning House, Lake Bailey!
The Real Housewives of Atlanta friend celebrated her "happy place" with a series of peaceful snaps.
On June 20, The Real Housewives of Atlanta friend hopped on her Instagram to share a view of her "happy place," as noted in several hashtags to describe her stunning, serene home in Georgia she's lovingly dubbed "Lake Bailey" (take a full tour in the video above).

In the photos, Cynthia first showed off a sunny selfie in which she rocked gorgeous "faux locs" via Atlanta stylist Junise Walker and a beautiful, simple smile.
Elsewhere in her carousel of images were several looks around Lake Bailey, including a peek at her living room with a cozy blue sofa against floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass coffee table with stones showcased in the middle, and a large bowl on top for several books and magazines.

WATCH HERE 
Cynthia showed off other elements of the space, including a stylish checkerboard next to a window and the book she was reading at the moment: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Perhaps Cynthia's favorite element of her Lake Bailey getaway? The lush nature and animals surrounding the property, including several geese, birds nesting in trees and areas of the home's exterior, and, of course, that glowing, glimmering lake.
"So, I just came outside and this little guy here was sitting right outside my front door," the Atlanta mom said in a video that showed the turtle in front of her home. Cynthia noted in the caption of the post that turtles were a sign of "wisdom [and] knowledge," along with "patience" and "protection."

"My favorite thing about Lake Bailey is being surrounded by nature. Was curious to see what turtles symbolize after this little fellow showed up," Cynthia added in the caption of the Instagram. "This is what I found, so interesting."
Further in the carousel of images and videos, Cynthia revealed how her good friend redirected the "little guy" back to the water. "Thank you [Chandler Butler] for putting big boy back in the lake for me," Cynthia concluded in her caption.


#MusicNews: Eric Benét Releases New Single “Something We Can Make Love To” Featuring Tamar Braxton

Legendary singer Eric Benét makes his much anticipated return with the brand new single “Something We Can Make Love To” featuring Tamar Braxton.

The new song was produced by Laney Stewart and features smooth and passionate vocals from both singers set to an intimate and romantic mood.
To coincide with the release of the new single, the Michael Rainin directed video is also out now. Benét adds about the release:

“I’ve been friends with Tamar for quite a while and after years of running into each other saying ‘we got to get into the studio’ it finally happened- and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the result. I’m so honored that my single off my new album is not only with an incredible vocalist; but with a good friend.”

The single comes ahead of Benét’s EP and album “Duets”, which will be released later this year through his company, JBR Creative Group. This will be his first new album in nearly eight years, since he released his self titled project in 2016. 


#HipHopNews: Megan Thee Stallion Is Reborn With Her Third Studio Album ‘Megan’
Hot Girl Summer has officially began now that Megan Thee Stallion has dropped her long-anticipated third studio album, Megan.
At midnight (June 28), the Grammy-winning rapper dropped the 16-track LP with musical assistance from Victoria Monét, GloRilla, UGK, Big K.R.I.T., Buddah Bless, Yuki Chiba, and Kyle Ricch. The album follows her collaborative track, “Wanna Be” with GloRilla, and snake-themed album singles, “Cobra,” “Hiss,” and “Boa.”

“MEGAN THEE ALBUM IS OUT NOW EVERYWHERE [egg emojis],” she announced via Instagram showing a cover art of her emerging from a very sticky egg.

Megan is considered the 29-year-old’s “rebirth,” according to an interview she did with L’Officiel last month.
“This is music I would like if I wasn’t Megan Thee Stallion,” she admitted. “I don’t want to say I’m tapping into other genres. I’m just tapping into other sounds. But it’s still very much Megan Thee Stallion. It won’t feel like I went so left. It’ll feel true to me. You’ll almost be like, ‘I wouldn’t have thought she would’ve rapped over that, but this sounds great.’”

Speaking to the different moods found on the project (due to the many emotions she’s felt since her last album) Meg declared, “I’m really not focused on the negativity on my album. I have a lot of different songs on the album because my emotion doesn’t stop at anger. My emotion doesn’t stop at sadness, because I did grow and I did start feeling more things. I started feeling really happy. So you have songs on the album that are about the positive times that I’m starting to have. You get a little bit of everything.”

Megan follows the now-indie artist’s last and final release under music labels 1501 and 300 Entertainment, Traumazine. At the time of moving on from the labels, she told Adweek, “It feels so great. It feels so empowering. I hope that a lot of artists see it doesn’t matter how many no’s, how many obstacles, how many terrible experiences that you may have in this [business] – you shouldn’t give up. Because there is a light on the other side.”

She added, “It doesn’t matter how you get there, as long as you take the journey, and you don’t quit. Because if I would’ve quit, I would’ve never made it here.”
To further promote her latest drop, Meg continues her Hot Girl Summer Tour trek with GloRilla in Atlanta on July 2 and in Charlotte the following day, before heading overseas. The Hot Girl coach will return to the U.S. to conclude her headlining tour on July 27 for Broccoli City Festival and August 1 for Lollapalooza in Chicago.


Eddie Murphy Slams 'SNL' Bosses For Allowing David Spade's 'Racist' Joke
Eddie Murphy, the iconic comedian and actor, hasn't always had it smooth. Reflecting on a particularly rough episode during his career, Murphy recalls a 1995 incident on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) that struck a personal chord.
In a New York Times interview, Murphy recounted a painful jab from David Spade during the "Weekend Update" segment. As a photo of Murphy was displayed, Spade quipped, "Look children, it's a falling star. Make a wish." At that time, Murphy was dealing with the box office failure of his film, "Vampire in Brooklyn".

The joke, he felt, hit below the belt. "Most people that get off that show, they don't go on and have these amazing careers. It was personal," Murphy reflected, expressing his disappointment.
For Murphy, who had been a lifeline for "SNL" during its early years from 1980 to 1984, the joke wasn't just hurtful - it felt racially charged. "It was like, 'Yo, how could you do that?' My career? Really? A joke about my career? So I thought that was a cheap shot. And it was kind of, I thought - I felt it was racist."

Even more troubling for Murphy was the realization that the joke had passed through multiple layers of approval. "The show would have been off the air if I didn't go back on the show, and now you got somebody from the cast making a crack about my career? And I know that he can't just say that," he added.

"A joke has to go through these channels. So the producers thought it was OK to say that. And all the people that have been on that show, you've never heard nobody make no joke about anybody's career."
The aftermath of the joke led to a phone call between Spade and Murphy. Spade, who later admitted in his book that he "took [his] beating," expressed his regret. The incident did not mark the end of Murphy's association with "SNL". In fact, Murphy returned triumphantly in 2019 to host the show, showcasing his legendary comedic talents once again.

"In the long run, it's all good," Murphy shared, highlighting his capacity for forgiveness. "Worked out great. I'm cool with David Spade. Cool with Lorne Michaels. I went back to 'SNL.' I'm cool with everybody. It's all love."
Eddie Murphy's journey through this ordeal is a testament to his resilience and ability to forgive. It's a narrative that resonates deeply, reminding us all that, despite setbacks and hurtful moments, it's possible to rise above and keep shining.


Marlon Wayans Announces ‘Wild Child’ Stand-Up Comedy Tour
Marlon Wayans is coming to a city near you this fall with his “Wild Child” stand-up comedy tour.
The comedian and actor will embark on a 16-date tour kicking off at the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, September 14, 2024, and the tour (unless additional dates are added) will wrap on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

See the full list of dates below.

Marlon Wayans ‘Wild Child’ Tour Dates
Saturday, September 14, 2024 – Red Rock Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Thursday, September 19, 2024 – Adler Theatre, Davenport, IA
Friday, September 20, 2024 – Grossinger Motors Arena, Bloomington, IL
Saturday, September 21, 2024 – The Genesee, Waukegan, IL
Sunday, September 22, 2024 – Rialto Theatre, Joliet, IL
Thursday, September 26, 2024 – Florida Theatre, Jacksonville, FL
Friday, September 27, 2024 – Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL
Saturday, September 28, 2024 – Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Ft Myers, FL
Friday, October 4, 2024 – Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC
Thursday, October 10, 2024 – Fallsview Casino Resort, Niagara Falls, Ontario
Saturday, October 19, 2024 – Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem, PA
Friday, November 1, 2024 – Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella, CA
Friday, November 8, 2024 – Tulsa Theater, Tulsa, OK
Saturday, November 16, 2024 – DPAC, Durham, NC
Sunday, November 17, 2024 – Carpenter Theatre, Richmond, VA
Thursday, November 21, 2024 – DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids, MI

Do you plan to pull up to see Marlon Wayans live?


Serena Williams Blasted Over Unrecognizable Look Allegedly Due To Plastic Surgery

Serena Williams has sparked chatter over her unrecognizable look. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion found herself in hot water for allegedly trying to look white with plastic surgery.

Recently, the 42-year-old athlete treated social media users to a video from her trip to Paris, France. In the short clip, it could be seen that she was strolling around the City of Love. She was filming herself while showing off the buildings around her.
Serena was sporting a black top under a matching hoodie. She looked stunning with her natural makeup, including magenta matte lipstick and matching blush on her cheeks. In addition, her long honey blonde hair was styled in a simple straight hairdo, let loose and parted in the middle. She appeared to have bleached her eyebrows to match her tresses.

The footage was later shared by a blog via Instagram. Its users quickly noticed Serena's different look, with some of them suggesting that she looked unrecognizable in the video. Moreover, a few of them assumed that she intentionally altered her look by going under the knife.

In the comments section of the post, one in particular wrote, "I LOVE Serena! But It's like she took a copy of 'White Chicks' to her doctor and told them to do their thing !" Making a reference to her husband Alexis Ohanian, another chimed in, "Damn...I thought that was Marlon Wayans in White chicks! Serena girl, that white man married you the way you 'were'!"
A third stated, "She's looking like that Cat Lady who had multiple surgeries." A fourth argued, "She don't even look the same. She really need to call Fantasia MUA to get her face & hair right." A fifth, in the meantime, asked, "Wonder what made her bleach her skin and wear a blond wig?? It's really sending a self hate vibes!"

Serena has been flaunting her honey blonde hair during her European trip. On Thursday, June 20, she showcased the long bleached tresses, which were parted to the side, when she stepped out in Paris. At that time, she opted to wear a sporty ensemble and embraced her makeup-free face.


Lady Gaga played no role in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' getting dumped by NYC law firm: Team asserts
Music mogul Diddy was dropped from his longtime legal team, sparking rumours that Lady Gaga influenced the split. Firm denies claims of Gaga's involvement.
A recent high-profile split rocked Tinseltown. Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs and his longtime legal team, the NYC powerhouse Grubman, Shire, Meiselas & Sacks, went their separate ways. Reports say that Diddy was dropped by the law firm known for handling A-list titans of music, which is true. However, soon after, rumours erupted that the split was sparked by none other than pop queen Lady Gaga, another client of the firm. This claim was strongly denied by her legal team, who alleged her no involvement in the case.

Lady Gaga seemingly calls the shots by giving powerhouse NYC law firm an ultimatum about dropping Diddy.
“The decision to part ways with Mr. Combs was proactively made by the partners in the firm a number of months ago as they felt it was the right thing to do,” a spokesperson of the law firm told Page Six on Saturday. The statement comes after initial reports linked Diddy’s dramatic exit from his longtime legal firm to Gaga, who is also a client at the firm, issuing an ultimatum.

After a series of bombshell accusations against the now disgraced artist Diddy, who faces over five cases including sexual assault, battery, harassment, and trafficking among other charges, many music A-listers such as The Weeknd, Usher, Drake, Kevin Hart, and others have severed ties with him. Reports indicate that Combs was dropped by his law firm at least eight weeks ago due to the severity and volume of these allegations.

The first report suggested the influence of the "Poker Face" singer considered 'too big to risk losing'. NewsNation reported on Friday that the firm parted ways with Combs under pressure from Gaga, who allegedly indicated she would leave if they did not drop Diddy from their roster.

Concerned about losing their top-tier clients, the New York City law firm eventually chose to dissolve their relationship with Combs, who had been their go-to client for more than two decades. This choice was probably made out of worry that Gaga’s exit could tarnish their well-deserved standing in the legal field.

Moreover, the renowned attorney Allen Grubman was said to have had a strong bond with the notorious musician. On the other hand Combs has stayed off the radar following the searches of his homes in Miami and Los Angeles, which were linked to accusations of involvement in sex trafficking.

“The report that the decision was the result of client pressure just isn’t true,” the spokesperson of the firm said addressing the report. The source also alleged that the claim where Gaga threatened to leave the firm, “That convo never happened.”
This isn't the first time companies have cut ties with the Bad Boy record producer. Recently, a leaked CNN tape showed him physically assaulting his former partner Cassie Ventura, who accused him of sexual harassment last November. Since then, Diddy has lost numerous major brand ambassador roles and studio affiliations. Earlier this month, New York Mayor Eric Adams requested that the controversial artist return the City's key as result of viral clip


Primetime Ratings at CNN Reach 33-Year Low as Insiders Brace for 'Bloodbath' of Staff Cuts

Less than an average of 80,000 people aged 25 to 54 tuned into CNN last week during its primetime line-up — a ratings low that dated back all the way to 1991.
Ratings data from Nielsen that shows CNN averaged just 77,000 viewers in the coveted 25-54 demographic, a benchmark considered in television to lure advertising dollars.

The challenge puts significant pressure on CNN’s high-priced superstar anchors.
The challenge puts significant pressure on CNN’s high-priced superstar anchors including Erin Burnett, Anderson Cooper, and Kaitlin Collins who are at the epicenter of the network’s struggle to compete with MSNBC and Fox News.

As this site previously reported, Collins and Abby Phillip, who fronts the hour after The Source with Kaitlan Collins, have been called "uncomfortable anchors" who are increasingly seen across the industry as an "irreparable failure."
One high-level talent agent was even overheard referring to Phillip as “Ambien Phillip” because she is so staid and lifeless as an anchor.

CNN’s ongoing woes will doubtless lead to a “bloodbath” of staff firings expected to come from new chief executive officer Mark Thompson, according to a network insider who spoke to RadarOnline.com.
CNN’s ongoing woes will doubtless lead to a “bloodbath” of staff firings expected to come from new chief executive officer Mark Thompson.

“The CNN business model is dead and that means hundreds of jobs are on the line and most of them are going to come from the high-priced side of the business: creating television,” the source told RadarOnline.com.
“What is the point of creating expensive television if no-one is watching? Everyone is bracing for impact. It is going to be a bloodbath.”

CNN has been at the center of controversy for years — going from one boss to another — ever since RadarOnline.com revealed one-time leader Jeff Zucker had engaged in a scandalous affair with the network’s public relations chief.
Zucker was forced to resign in the wake of the scandal, leading to the ill-fated Chris Licht era which also saw the demise of one-time popular host Don Lemon after a series of behind-the-scenes problems.

The supposed most trusted name in news is also facing a billion-dollar defamation lawsuit from a decorated U.S. Navy veteran who was slandered in secret, internal correspondences, as we revealed.
Network stars Jake Tapper and Alex Marquardt linked Zachary Young to black market operations and the exploitation of individuals trapped in Afghanistan through charging exorbitant prices for their liberation.
But prior to the broadcast, Young — who served four years in the Navy — informed CNN’s Marquardt his proposed segment was full of inaccuracies.

Marquardt and Tapper aired it regardless, after it received approval from the network’s top brass of senior, upper-level executives and internal monitors, whose approval was required for stories of a potentially damaging nature.

CNN is also facing a billion-dollar defamation lawsuit from a U.S. Navy veteran who was slandered in secret correspondences between Jake Tapper and Alex Marquardt.
As this publication first detailed, internal communications exposed in the Florida case revealed how CNN staffers believed the report was “very much not ready for prime time” and was “full of holes like Swiss cheese” — but nevertheless broadcast it in a supposed “rush."

While the network will see record numbers when it broadcasts the first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the viewership windfall will be short-lived, most predict.

“Thompson and his digital growth chief Alex MacCallum are mere weeks away from unveiling their plan to transform the network into a multi-platform business,” said media watcher Dylan Byers, a correspondent at Puck News and former CNN staffer.
“That plan will require implementing a new round of staff cuts across the organization. These layoffs, which will be announced in July, will certainly be far more strategic than the hundreds of exits that Chris Licht implemented in late 2022—and, uncomfortable as they may be, they represent meaningful forward momentum. But they’ll still be substantial, and painful.”

Beyers said CNN would inevitably return to the “exact same circumstances in which it finds itself today” after the debate: averaging half a million total viewers on any given night, and “struggling to assert its value in a crowded news environment.”
 

Morgan Freeman Criticizes “Scam” Using AI Version of His Voice
Morgan Freeman is the latest star to speak publicly about alleged attempts to replicate celebrities’ voices using AI.
The Oscar-winning actor, who is known for his voiceover work, took to social media Friday to express his appreciation for fans who have notified him about AI-generated imitations of his voice.

“Thank you to my incredible fans for your vigilance and support in calling out the unauthorized use of an A.I. voice imitating me,” Freeman posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Friday. “Your dedication helps authenticity and integrity remain paramount. Grateful.” Hashtags on his post included “scam” and “IdentityProtection.”

According to media reports, a TikTok user describing herself as Freeman’s niece had recently posted videos to the platform that allegedly feature narration from an AI-generated version of the actor’s voice.
Freeman’s legitimate voice work includes narrating the film March of the Penguins and the Netflix series Life on Our Planet, in addition to serving as the voice of CBS News.

Freeman’s post follows Scarlett Johansson having threatened legal action last month against OpenAI for allegedly copying and imitating her voice after she declined to license it to the company. In a statement at the time, Johansson said that after she turned down OpenAI’s request to be a voice called “Sky” for its AI system, the company founded by Sam Altman then mimicked her voice.

“When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference,” her statement read.
 

Taraji P. Henson Teases She'll Be 'Showcasing Yet Another' of Her Talents as 2024 BET Awards Host

Viewers may not be ready for what they're about to see from Taraji P. Henson. Before the 53-year-old Oscar-nominated actress takes the stage as host of the 2024 BET Awards for the third time on June 30, she's opening up about her plans for the annual ceremony — which include something unexpected

"I'm showcasing yet another talent that a lot of you don't know that I can do. Some of you know, but not all of you," Henson tells PEOPLE, adding that she's been wanting to display the talent for quite some time. "I just haven't had the stage. I have, actually, once. But everybody didn't see it. This is culture's biggest night. The world will know."
Even after two times hosting the show, the Color Purple star still gets jitters before the event kicks off — but she likes it that way.

"I love nerves. I still get nervous. I get nervous on the first day of shooting. It's a live show. Anything can go right or wrong, you know, but that's what's so exciting," says Henson. "That's what I love about live theater. It keeps you on your toes."
"It's the not knowing that drives my adrenaline through the roof, but nerves are good. It just means you're alive," she continues. "If I'm not nervous, I would be nervous."

Henson hasn't been to the BET Awards since she last emceed in 2022, but she would've served as host last year if 2023 panned out differently for actors.
"I was ready last year to host and then we had the [SAG and WGA] strike. So, I'm really excited this year. It's gonna be an incredible show," she says. "It's culture's biggest night. The performances are gonna blow us all away. We got Will Smith, guys. I am so excited to see what he has up his sleeve."

In addition to Smith, whose new song "You Can Make It" is out now, performers at the 2024 BET Awards will also include GloRilla, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Victoria Monét, Lauryn Hill, YG Marley, Ice Spice, Tanner Adell, Tyla, Megan Thee Stallion, Chlöe, Childish Gambino (a.k.a. Donald Glover), Keke Palmer, Summer Walker, Marsha Ambrosius and Coco Jones.
Drake led this year's nominations with seven, followed by Nicki Minaj with six, while J. Cole, Sexyy Red, SZA, and Monét each earned five, and 21 Savage, Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Megan, Tyla and Usher each received four.

"Usher is getting his flowers, and I'm so honored to host the show where he's receiving his flowers. I'm just proud of him," continues Henson of the R&B icon, who will take home the lifetime achievement award at the show. "It's a proud moment for the culture."

The 2024 BET Awards will air live on BET at 8 p.m. ET from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 30.


Is Riley Burruss Ava Dash & Ming Lee Simmons Filming a Reality TV Show?
Xscaper singer Kandi Burruss & Block Entertainment founder Russell 'Big Block' Spencer's daughter Riley, Damon Dash & Rachel Roy's daughter, Ava, and Russell & Kimora Lee Simmons' daughter Ming Lee have been spotted out and about in Manhattan being trailed by reality TV cameras...According Shae from the Bay…Look below

Are y’all feeling this?


Anika Noni Rose Dreams of Bruno Mars Remix for “Special Spice” in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
“Special Spice,” a soulful song set to enchant visitors in the highly anticipated Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, blends the vibrant spirit of New Orleans with the beloved characters from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. This track, composed and written by Grammy Award-winning artist PJ Morton, captures the essence of community, individuality, and celebration. The song is performed by Anika Noni Rose, who reprises her role as Princess Tiana.

“Special Spice” stands out as a pivotal element of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, set to open soon at Walt Disney World and later this year at Disneyland Resort. The song is not only performed by Anika but also by members of a jazz band at the ride’s conclusion, featuring characters like Louis, Ray, and Mama Odie. This lively performance promises to be a joyous finale to the magical journey.
During our conversation at the preview event, Anika Noni Rose expressed her excitement about the song and the ride. When asked who she would love to see on a remix of “Special Spice,” she enthusiastically replied, “Ummm, I’d say Bruno Mars—I know he would put some stank on it.” The idea of a collaboration with Bruno Mars adds an extra layer of excitement to the already captivating track.

Anika also shared what constitutes the “special spice” in her life, helping her prepare for new challenges. “Oh, I think that the special spice in my life may be nothing more exciting than determination. It’s just continuing, just getting up every day and doing whatever it is again and again and again. In spite of the no’s or the may-says.”
The lyrics of “Special Spice” beautifully encapsulate the core themes of The Princess and the Frog, reflecting resilience and celebration. This message of persistence mirrors the journey of Princess Tiana herself, making the song an anthem of hope and joy.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, with “Special Spice” at its heart, is set to become a must-visit attraction for Disney fans and music lovers alike. The soundtrack is available now on Walt Disney Records across all streaming platforms, allowing everyone to experience the magic of New Orleans and the spirit of Tiana’s journey.

Prepare to be captivated by “Special Spice” and the enchanting experience of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World, opening today, and at Disneyland Resort, opening later this year. The song, and the dream of a Bruno Mars remix, promise to keep the magic alive both in the parks and beyond.


Legendary and Iconic Model and Former Soap Opera Star Renauld White Dies at 80

Trailblazing model Renauld White, who led the way for greater diversity in magazines and on designers’ runways, died June 26 at the age of 80.

White was under hospice care at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan at the time of his death, according to his friend Jeffrey Banks, the fashion designer. The cause of death was not immediately known.
White’s funeral will be held on July 12 at 11 a.m. at the Whigham Funeral Home in his hometown of Newark, N.J.

Throughout his career, White called for greater representation in the fashion industry. In November 1979, White became the second Black model to appear on the cover of GQ. Contrary to other media reports, the first Black model to have had that honor was Urs Althaus in November 1977. And 10 years earlier the musician Sammy Davis Jr. had become the first Black man to land a cover on the Conde Nast-owned men’s magazine.

White helped forge greater diversity on designer runways by modeling for leading ones like Bill Blass in 1969, as well as shows for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan. White also was said to have done work for Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Charles de Castelbajac, Versace, Armani and Cerutti. White came out of retirement in 2023 to appear in an ad campaign for Dolce & Gabbana that was shot by Steven Meisel.

Banks said Saturday that White “was a groundbreaker. There were very few Black models at the time. He really broke barriers. When they had a party for him in Newark for his 50-year anniversary in the fashion industry, he was very proud of the progress and how he opened the doors for other people.”

White, who was said to have attended Rutgers University for a stint, started modeling in the 1960s. Banks remembered how as a teenager he had seen a 1969 Look magazine feature about the fashion designer Stephen Burrows that included a photograph of White, Pat Cleveland and a few others. Two years later, while working for Ralph Lauren as his second assistant, Banks first met White at a fitting. The model had been booked for a fashion show that Lauren was staging at the 21 Club.

White came of age along with models Denis LaMarsh, Rob Yoh,  Kalani Durdan, Bob Clement, Joe McDonald and Bob Menna. Recalling how White was a pioneer for other models, Banks said others like Charles Williamson and Althaus benefited. In addition to breaking down barriers in the industry, White took pride in his lengthy career, which extended “way beyond” when many people would have stopped modeling, Banks said.

In a 2011 interview, White said he had called on agents at Wilhemina models to allow more people of color to compete in the industry. He said, “I wanted to bring about change. I really confronted the Establishment about why there were not more Black male images. At first, I thought I was going to get thrown in jail and beaten up because of my approach. But then they realized that they were wrong and that they were behind society and behind the times, and that they had to listen to me.”

In that interview, White said he was offered a modeling contract because they thought that he would fail. But he proved himself eventually – modeling in campaigns for Black Tie cologne, Macy’s, Vitalis, and Arrow Shirts.  Throughout his career, White was fastidious about staying physically fit and maintaining his appearance. With a black belt in karate, White worked out every day – frequenting the YMCA near his Upper West Side apartment and also toning up with at-home exercise equipment. Aside from his dark hair turning a little salt and pepper, White showed no signs of his age and used to appear in ads with models who were half his age, according to Banks.

Another pioneering model, Bethann Hardison, described White as “a great male model of the late Seventies and Eighties.” Having met White, who was a friend of her cousin, in the late Sixties, Hardison recalled Saturday, “We all used to dance at the Latin club the Palladium on Broadway in our late teens and early 20s.  He was a nice and charming guy.”

As an early successful Black male model, White was protective of his legacy, Hardison said. “He worked for all the men’s designer brands, doing lots of advertising, catalogs, editorials and landing a beautiful GQ cover as well [in 1979].”
Some soap opera fans know White from his two-year run on CBS’ “The Guiding Light” in the mid-Eighties. Knowing that models often have a limited shelf life, White’s goal was to transition into acting, according to Banks. He did performances at La MaMa Experimental Theater in downtown Manhattan, and appeared in other plays. The musician Aretha Franklin would occasionally call White to escort her to events in New York City, Banks said.

David Neeman of the Loyalty Foundation, an organization that helps underserved communities, described White, a former advisory board member, as “an extraordinary man, so kind, so patient, so thoughtful and a tremendous mentor.”

Neeman “vividly remembered” the story White told children in the Open Minds Mentorship Program in 2019 about “bursting into Wilhelmina, demanding to be seen, then getting an appointment the next day and how being booked changed his life,” Neeman said. “He is an absolute legend and pioneer and not just in fashion.”

White once said in an interview that he talked to as many young people as he could, encouraging them to follow their dreams and to aspire to greater things beyond modeling. “Modeling is only a bridge. What are you going to do after modeling is over?” White said, “I had a 30-plus year career. They don’t make those anymore. I encourage them to do amazing things. Take the money, go to school, open up a business, be an entrepreneur, and be self-reliant.”

“He was the perfect gentleman. He was kind and he was helpful. I think that’s why his death has been such a shock to people, because he was such a good person,” said Banks.

RIP Sir!


New Baby Alert? Is Cardi B Is Expecting Baby No. 3
Cardi B took the stage Friday night for the BET Experience, and fans are convinced she may be expecting her third child with husband Offset.

The “Bodak Yellow” star wore a black sequin jersey with the number 11 stitched in silver. Oversized clothing has become synonymous with celebrity pregnancies, and social media now believes Cardi is using this style strategy to conceal her growing belly. Pregnancy whispers began to swirl in May when she performed at Madison Square Garden with Megan Thee Stallion and GloRilla. However, following her BET show, the chatter is much louder online, with mixed reactions from fans and critics alike.

Whether Cardi and Offset are expecting or not, the status of her highly anticipated sophomore album remains unknown. She has long been teasing the album, even suggesting an announcement might arrive soon. For now, her well-being is at the forefront, and if she is preparing for a new baby, a safe and healthy delivery will surely take precedence over the project.


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Disappearing Act
But this mom might have not noticed that the goods in her cart were beginning to make her child disappear.


HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM

6/27/24

The Daily Buzz For Jun 28 ☕📰☕

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!

#MAGFAB: Ebony Mag June 2024 Digital Cover Experience: Preserving Our Legacy
To kick off the start of Summer, EBONY is celebrating FREEDOM all month long.
From Black Music Month, Major League Baseball’s first professional game at Rickwood Field, to Pride Month and Juneteenth — June is all about our right to live and celebrate the Black expression in all its amazing forms.

This month's cover is bursting with easter eggs that explore how Black culture has manifested vehicles for liberation.

For our skateboard-loving cover stars—Satya Satyavati (age 10) and Narayan Hari (age 8)— being able to hit the concrete represents freedom and artistic expression in its most purest form.

We begin our Freedom thread by exploring Juneteenth and how it’s being celebrated across the country.
Next, we focus on how Black music has powered and influenced popular culture through generations with artists who have left their stamp on the auditory landscape. We're honoring those artists with our "Freedom in the Present" list which was curated by Jaconna Jacobs.

EBONY is expanding its sports coverage in Birmingham, AL by covering MLB's first-ever tribute game at the historic Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S. The game will celebrate the rich history of the Negro Leagues with a special tribute to Hall of Famer Willie Mays and other former Negro Leagues players.

This month we'll also talk to a gun violence activist and dive into stories highlighting National Men's Health Month.
Additionally, we’ll travel to Paris to cover the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Members of the Grammy award-winning St. Augustine Marching 100 band were selected to represent the U.S. in a Freedom celebration for nine days traveling through Europe from Normandy to Paris.

Lastly, what does FREEDOM mean to the LGBTQ+ community? To the global community in 2024? We will feature stories on the importance of Pride Month and its continued influence of Queer language in today’s culture to a personal look into the ballroom community.

Go to Ebony.com for more!


#RHOA: Kandi Burruss stopped taking Ozempic after it failed to curb her appetite!
Kandi Burruss stopped using Ozempic after the trendy weight-loss drug failed to garner results.
“Last year, I tried it,” the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum, 48, exclusively tells Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast while promoting her partnership with Hydroxycut.

“I saw so many people who were trying it and losing weight,” adds Burruss, noting that she knew a “ton” of women — including former “RHOA” castmate Marlo Hampton — who had success with the medication.
“So I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to try this.’ And I didn’t lose any weight.”

“Last year, I tried it,” the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum exclusively tells Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast while promoting her partnership with Hydroxycut.

The “Don’t Think I’m Not” singer says that those in her social circle opined that “something must be wrong” or that she simply needed to take a “higher dosage” to shed pounds.
Even the doctor who prescribed the medication to Burruss was confounded by her body’s response.

“My doctor was like, ‘I don’t know what the problem is, I’m not seeing this in other people,’” she recalls.
Ozempic, an FDA-approved prescription drug originally designed for Type II diabetes patients, is one of the brand names for semaglutide — which impacts the brain to maintain satiety and suppress one’s appetite.
“I saw so many people who were trying it and losing weight,” adds Burruss, noting that she knew a “ton” of women — including former “RHOA” castmate Marlo Hampton — who had success with the medication.

“So I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to try this.’ And I didn’t lose any weight,” she shares.
But Burruss says her hunger wasn’t deterred in the least.
“It didn’t curb my appetite. I know some people are like, ‘Oh, I can’t eat.’ Not me! I was eating appetizers, a regular meal and dessert, OK?” she explains. “It didn’t stop anything for me.”

A succession of public figures — including Oprah Winfrey and Kelly Clarkson, plus “Real Housewives of New Jersey” vets Dolores Catania and Margaret Josephs, among other newly svelte stars — have admitted to taking versions of semaglutide for its slimming effect.
Burruss tells “Virtual Reali-Tea” that her body’s opposite reaction to the drug made her sad.
The “Don’t Think I’m Not” singer says that those in her social circle opined that “something must
“I know some people are like, ‘Oh, I can’t eat.’ Not me! I was eating appetizers, a regular meal and dessert, OK?” she explains. “It didn’t stop anything for me.”

“When you see it worked for other people and it doesn’t work for you, it makes you depressed,” she shares. “Realistically, it makes you feel like, ‘What is wrong? Why is it not working for me?’”


#NewMusicVideo from Ariana Grande Releases “The Boy Is Mine” Remix With Brandy & Monica!

In a very exciting and unexpected collaboration, musical superstar Ariana Grande has created a remix to “The Boy Is Mine” featuring the song’s original singers Brandy & Monica.
The original version of the song came out in 1998 and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and topped the Billboard Hot 100 at #1 for 13 weeks, becoming the best-selling song of the year and the best-selling female duet of all time.

Ariana has also premiered the official music video for “the boy is mine”, directed by Christian Breslauer, starring Penn Badgley with special appearances from Brandy and Monica.

WATCH HERE 

“the boy is mine” is featured on Ariana Grande’s latest album “eternal sunshine”.


#HipHopNews: Megan Thee Stallion Joins Lineup Of Performers For 2024 BET Awards!
Adding to an already spectacular lineup of performers, Megan Thee Stallion is set to open the 2024 BET Awards. The ceremony is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on Sunday (June 30).
The Houston talent’s appearance coincides with the release of her new album, MEGAN, which is set to debut just two days earlier on June 28. The 18-track project will contain collaborations with artists like UGK, GloRilla and Victoria Monét. It’s also confirmed to include previous hits like “Cobra,” “BOA” and the chart-topping “HISS.”

“I don’t want to say I’m tapping into other genres. I’m just tapping into other sounds, but it’s still very much Megan Thee Stallion,” the rapper said in a conversation with L’Officiel in May. “It won’t feel like I went so left. It’ll feel true to me. You’ll almost be like, I wouldn’t have thought she would’ve rapped over that, but this sounds great.”

It’s worth mentioning that Megan is currently on her global “Hot Girl Summer Tour” with GloRilla. As it neared the end of its U.S. leg, the Grammy Award-winning artist extended it with additional dates, including performances at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on July 2 and the PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 3. Tickets went live at 12 p.m. local time on Wednesday (June 26).

Will Smith, GloRilla, Ice Spice, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Tyla and Monét are also among the names expected to take the stage at the BET Awards. Taraji P. Henson will return as host, while Usher is slated to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“From his chart-topping hits and electrifying performances to his unforgettable vocals and signature moves, Usher continues to set new standards for the music industry and Black excellence,” BET’s Executive Vice President of Specials, Music Programming, and Music Strategy, Constance M. Orlando, said regarding the “Yeah!” singer. “We look forward to creating an amazing lineup to pay tribute to our global icon.”


Killer Mike Escapes Prosecution For Grammy Arrest

Killer Mike, whose real name is Michael Santiago Render, has officially avoided further legal trouble following his arrest at the 2024 Grammy Awards. According to a report from TMZ, prosecutors from the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office have decided not to file charges against the Atlanta-based rapper. This conclusion comes after Render successfully completed a hearing process which included a community service requirement.

The incident occurred on February 4, right after Killer Mike had taken home three Grammy Awards for his work on the album "MICHAEL," winning Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Album. The altercation ensued when a security guard at the Crypto.com Arena refused to let Mike and his team enter due to credential confusion. Mike, who had just moved from the adjacent Peacock Theater where the pre-telecast was held, was booked for misdemeanor battery but was released without bail.

Mike addressed the situation in a statement released shortly after his arrest, citing "an over-zealous security guard" and expressing confidence that he would be cleared of all wrongdoing. "As you can imagine, there was a lot going and there was some confusion around which door my team and I should enter. We experienced an over-zealous security guard, but my team and I have the upmost confidence that I will ultimately be cleared of all wrongdoing," Mike said.

Days later, during a February 12 appearance on "The View", Mike reiterated his stance, placing the incident in a broader context. "Backstage was overcrowded, the winners were exuberant, and I think security got a little overzealous. It's water under the bridge for me," he said. "All of my heroes have been in handcuffs - Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Medgar Evers. I walked out with the same dignity and respect that I walked in with, and I would implore people to just take that from it. Don't dwell on the bad stuff."

With the case closed, Killer Mike can put the episode behind him and focus on his ongoing contributions to the world of hip-hop and beyond. The saga serves as a reminder of how misunderstandings in high-pressure environments can escalate but also resolve when handled with integrity.


Former WNBA Star Swin Cash Named Senior Vice President Of New Orleans Pelicans Basketball
Former WNBA star and Naismith Hall of Famer Swin Cash has been named Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations of the New Orleans Pelicans, one of the highest-ranking front-office roles for a woman in NBA history.
Cash, 44, previously served as New Orleans’ VP of basketball operations and team development since joining the organization in June 2019. The news of Cash’s promotion was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic and is the latest milestone in what has proved to be a groundbreaking career, on and off the court.

A Pennsylvania native, Cash attended the University of Connecticut following a standout prep career, where the forward became one of the Huskie’s star players, helping lead the team to two national championships and an undefeated season during her career.

Cash was drafted No. 2 overall by the Detroit Shock in the 2002 WNBA Draft, where she won two WNBA titles before earning her third and final championship with the Seattle Storm. Cash also led the USA Basketball Women’s National Team to gold medal victories in the 2004 and 2012 Olympic Games and was a WNBA four-time All-Star and two-time WNBA All-Star Game MVP during her 15 seasons in the league.

Retiring from the WNBA in 2016, Cash stepped into a front-office role with the New York Liberty in 2017 as the teams director of franchise development. She has also worked as an analyst on NBA TV, providing insights on various ongoings around the league.
Cash was selected as member of the WNBA’s 20th and 25th anniversary teams and inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.


Eddie Murphy Doubles Down On Martin Lawrence Footing The Bill If Their Kids Get Married

The two actor’s children, Eric Murphy, 34, and Jasmin Lawrence, 28, have been dating for at least three years. The couple made their relationship Instagram official in June 2021. Eddie and his longtime friend and collaborator have both been asked about the potential of wedding bells one day ringing in the future, and their responses have been nothing short of comical.

“They cute, they’re an adorable couple,” Eddie told “Entertainment Tonight” on the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” When asked about whether he should shell out the big bucks for what could be a lavish ceremony, he said that based on tradition, it is the bride’s father who foots the bill for a wedding.

He then noted that “it shouldn’t be an issue. You know, ‘Bad Boys’ was out the park and Martin has lots and lots of money, so he should be able to pay for a splendid wedding.”
The “Blue Streak” star teamed up with Will Smith for the fourth installment of the franchise, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” which debuted at the top of the box office on June 7. The film has gone on to make more than $227 million, surpassing its $100 million budget. In total, the four-movie collection has amassed more than $1 billion.

With more than 30 years in the entertainment business, the cult classic series “Martin,” and several successful films, the Detroit native has accumulated wealth to the tune of a net worth estimated to be more than $110 million. Eric and Jasmin attended the premieres as a couple in support of their respective fathers’ projects.
Eddie cut his teeth in comedy like most by hitting the stand-up circuit before becoming one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood at the peak of his career in the mid-1990s. Like his possible in-law, he too has a couple of movie franchises on his résumé, from “Beverly Hills Cop” to “Shrek.” Throughout his 40-year career, he has amassed an estimated net worth of $200 million.

In 2022, Martin joked, “I’m gonna try to get Eddie to pay for it,” when he was asked about a hypothetical exchange of vows. Eddie wasn’t having any parts of the attempt to rewrite tradition. “That’s not how it goes,” he told “Etalk,” a Canadian entertainment-news program.
“My daughter just got married, and I had to pay — really had to pay,” he said, referring to daughter Bria Murphy’s dreamy Beverly Hills wedding. “You have to do the same, Martin,” he said, adding “Don’t try to switch it up — don’t try to change no s—t, do no Hollywood switch. You’re paying for the wedding. If it goes down, Martin is paying. And the wedding better be wonderful.”

One fan suggested that the expense did not have to fall on just one person. “Why can’t you two just go 50/50 or 60/40,” read one comment. The prospects of the “Life” and “Boomerang” co-stars becoming family also prompted fans to wish for another on-screen reunion. “I’d watch an in laws movie with Martin and Eddie so fast,” wrote a fan on Instagram. Someone else proposed, “Father of the bride remake!! Lol”

While at the premiere, Eddie disclosed that he wants to team up with Martin and several other comedy greats from the past three decades for a remake of sorts of the MGM 1963 comedy all-star flick “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World.” According to the Hollywood veteran, the screenplay will be ready any day now.


Old Gossip Columnist Cindy Adams Says Patti Labelle’s Cooking Left an Entire Hotel Floor ‘Reeking’ of Liver and Onions

There are two things that Patti LaBelle knows how to do: sing and cook. Artists from Wyclef Jean in the 2000s to the Rolling Stones in the late ’60s have tasted the Philly native’s cuisine. The beloved singer carries her pots, pans, cooking utilities, spice, and hotplates with her wherever she goes and cooks it up in her dressing room, her hotel room, or any place, for that matter, especially when the diva is on the road.

Despite her being renowned for throwing down in the kitchen, not everyone likes her cooking.
Recently, in commemoration of Auntie Patti’s 80th birthday, New York Post gossip columnist Cindy Adams wrote about an encounter she had with the dramatic soprano.

“Girl, on the road I cook my butt off. Once I came out with chicken in my teeth. Listen, I cook better than I sing,” LaBelle purportedly said.
According to Adams, LaBelle’s food stank, smelling up the hotel they were in.
“The whole floor of this high-class hotel had the aroma of a White Tower,” Adams described, referencing a White Castle knockoff chain of restaurants that was known for cheap burgers.

She recounted an interview from back in the day for the Post, writing, “From the elevator her fourth floor smelled. Forget perfume. The entire floor reeked so strongly of liver and onions you could’ve sniffed it in Colorado.”
Adams, who did not state when the interview took place, said she noticed a few things about LaBelle immediately, including that “she lived good” and owned 3,000 pairs of six-inch heels.

However, the first thing that caught her attention, outside of the alleged smell of what she thought to be not-so-comfort food, was the “Lady Marmalade” singer’s greetings.
“Her hello to me? ‘Room service is dinky. Not like down-home food. A picky eater who hates throwing money around, I like to see my food. Room service sends up hamburger that tastes like s - - t and charges you $100. Patti LaBelle don’t eat s - - t! On the road I cook myself,’” she recalled.

She claims the “On My Own” vocalist said, “I travel with one whole suitcase that’s my kitchen. Pots, pans, spices, dishes, hotplate, electric fry pan, two burner stove, everything. Last night I made shrimp and rice. 3 a.m. for Wyclef Jean I cooked fries, burgers and onion rings.”

Locked in on the warbler’s ability to cook wherever she is without a second thought, she highlighted that LaBelle has made veal backstage and reportedly got a piece of chicken stuck in her teeth moments before stepping onto the stage.
“Girl, on the road I cook my butt off,” she quoted LaBelle as saying. “Listen, I cook better than I sing.”
This was not the first time Adams told the story.

LaBelle and many other artists have spoken at length about cooking on the road in their early careers. For many Black artists, who were relegated to touring on the “Chitlin Circuit,” they had to face restaurants and hotels would not accommodate them and thus they had to make their way, which included cooking for themselves.

The Chitlin Circuit’s venues ranged from juke joints in small country towns, theaters in larger predominately Black cities like Atlanta’s Royal Peacock, Baltimore’s Royal Theater, Chicago’s Regal Theater, Detroit’s Paradise Theatre, Harlem’s Apollo Theater, and Washington, D.C.’s Howard, Lincoln Theaters or Philadelphia’s Uptown Theater or Showboat.
LaBelle called those early days as “hard times,” stating that back then she earned $9 a week by singing at churches and run-down establishments.

She said, “It wasn’t even the Chitlin’ Circuit. It was sardine houses.”
Eventually, times got better and LaBelle was able to move up in the game, but she did not stop cooking — and, surprisingly, some of rock ’n’ roll’s biggest stars fell in love with her food.
Now known for her food products in grocery stores like Walmart, LaBelle once cooked for a young Elton John in the 1960s. She also prepared a full spread of brisket, short ribs, fresh corn, and cabbage for Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones before a show in Philadelphia.

While they paid her back in compliments (Elton John would later give her a diamond ring for her kindness), it was one of her friends from America that showered her with the biggest gifts for feeding her.
In an interview with Medium, LaBelle shared that she toured with Richard Pryor, who appreciated her cooking so much that he later repaid her with gifts.

He bought me a sauna, diamond bracelets, and a car,” LaBelle said. “I said, ‘Richard, why are you buying me this?’ He said, ‘Because I don’t think anybody could [ever] pay you enough money.’”
She said she has cooked liver and onions for Arsenio Hall and oxtails for the members of TLC.

In the ’80s, the “On My Own” chart-topper was invited to cook for Prince at his Paisley Park home.
“He took me to his house to cook for him, and he was shooting pool as I was cooking, and when everything was done, I said, ‘Dinner’s ready!’ He said, ‘Oh, I just want a roll,'” the Grammy winner recalled.

In is unclear if Prince’s peculiar nature was at play or if he really just didn’t want to eat her food — just as it is if there is truth to Adams’ story.
Still, most people seem to love her cooking, and the list goes on about the many she has cooked for. On Juneteenth, she appeared on “The View” to share more of her cooking, and before host Whoopi Goldberg and the chef could share what was on the table, Joy Behar blurts out, “The greens are good.”
Adams might be the only one with anything negative to say about Patti’s cooking, considering Patti’s Pies and other items still selling in retail and grocery stores.


Lupita Nyong'o Shimmers in Black at 'A Quiet Place: Day One' Premiere in NYC Alongside Co-Star Joseph Quinn
Lupita Nyong’o is stepping out for the premiere of her new thriller flick!
The 41-year-old Oscar-winning actress shimmered in a black outfit alongside co-stars Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou, and Alex Wolff at the premiere of A Quiet Place: Day One on Wednesday (June 26) held at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City.

Director Michael Sarnoski along with producers John Krasinski, Michael Bay, Andrew Form, and Brad Fuller were also in attendance at the premiere.

The film is a prequel to the original A Quiet Place film, starring John Krasinski and his wife Emily Blunt, which was released back in 2018.
A Quiet Place: Day One is set to hit theaters on Friday, June 28


#RIP: Bill Cobbs, The Legendary and Prolific Actor, Dies At 90
NEW YORK (AP) — Bill Cobbs, the veteran character actor who became a ubiquitous and sage screen presence as an older man, has died. He was 90.
Cobbs died Tuesday at his home in the Inland Empire, California, surrounded by family and friends, his publicist Chuck I. Jones said. Natural causes is the likely cause of death, Jones said.

A Cleveland native, Cobbs acted in such films as “The Hudsucker Proxy,” “The Bodyguard” and “Night at the Museum.” He made his first big-screen appearance in a fleeting role in 1974′s “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.” He became a lifelong actor with some 200 film and TV credits. The lion share of those came in his 50s, 60s, and 70s, as filmmakers and TV producers turned to him again and again to imbue small but pivotal parts with a wizened and worn soulfulness.

Cobbs appeared on television shows including “The Sopranos,” “The West Wing,” “Sesame Street” and “Good Times.” He was Whitney Houston’s manager in “The Bodyguard” (1992), the mystical clock man of the Coen brothers’ “The Hudsucker Proxy” (1994) and the doctor of John Sayles’ “Sunshine State” (2002). He played the coach in “Air Bud” (1997), the security guard in “Night at the Museum” (2006) and the father on “The Gregory Hines Show.”

Cobbs rarely got the kinds of major parts that stand out and win awards. Instead, Cobbs was an familiar and memorable everyman who left an impression on audiences, regardless of screen time. He won a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding limited performance in a daytime program for the series “Dino Dana” in 2020.

Wendell Pierce, who acted alongside Cobbs in “I’ll Fly Away” and “The Gregory Hines Show,” remembered Cobbs as “a father figure, a griot, an iconic artist that me by the way he led his life as an actor,” he wrote on the social media platform X.
Wilbert Francisco Cobbs, born June 16, 1934, served eight years in the U.S. Air Force after graduating high school in Cleveland. In the years after his service, Cobbs sold cars. One day, a customer asked him if he wanted to act in a play. Cobbs first appeared on stage in 1969. He began to act in Cleveland theater and later moved to New York where he joined the Negro Ensemble Company, acting alongside Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.

Cobbs later said acting resonated with him as a way to express the human condition, in particular during the Civil Rights Movement in the late ’60s.
“To be an artist, you have to have a sense of giving,” Cobbs said in a 2004 interview. “Art is somewhat of a prayer, isn’t it? We respond to what we see around us and what we feel and how things affect us mentally and spiritually.”


NBA Draft Night 1: French Players Taken Top 2, Bronny Undrafted in First Round
The 2024 NBA Draft picked up where it left off with Wemby last year, showing love to French players out the gate. Three of the first six picks hailing from over the pond in France.

The European trend didn’t stop there. Pllayers from Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland were also selected alongside additional French talents.
French star Zaccharie Risacher, a 19-year-old, 6-foot-9 forward, was chosen as the No. 1 pick by the Atlanta Hawks.
Following him was 7-foot Alex Sarr, a standout from Australia’s Perth Wildcats, who was picked second by the Washington Wizards.
The third pick was guard Reed Sheppard from Kentucky, a 6-foot-2 shooter.

But the million dollar question of the night was whether Bronny James, son of LeBron James, would make it into the first round. He didn’t. This is not so surprising. Depending on what sources or scouts you listened to, his combine and workouts were more than decent but perhaps not quite worthy of taking a first round spot.
Not hearing Bronny’s name, left the James family to wait for the second round on Friday, with the Lakers holding the 55th pick.

Gotta root for the kid, right? The pressure. The heavy weight on his shoulders to make to the association in the shadow of arguably the greatest of all time. Has to be tough.
Get this, ESPN faced an awkward moment when they mistakenly identified Tidjane Salaün of France, who was picked sixth by the Charlotte Hornets, as Dalton Knecht, who is actually the Lakers’ selection.


NYC Sneaker Dealer “Upscale Cracc” Shot And Killed In SoHo Robbery

According to several news reports, a man was mugged by a group of men before he was shot and killed in SoHo Wednesday morning.
Javier Osorio-Mejia, otherwise known in the sneaker reselling world as “Upscale Cracc” ,was killed in an apparent robbery ths morning near the corner of Grand and Greene Street. According to the NYPD, the Bayonne resident was just passing through the area about 5:30 am coming from Queens when he was targeted by his assailants and shot in the mugging

Osorio-Mejia was shot in the leg, but the wound ended up being fatal, killing Osorio-Mejia.
There are very little details available about the deadly shooting, but the police re actively searching for the person responsible for Osorio-Mejia’s killer.


André 3000 Announces New North American Tour Dates
André 3000 is taking his instrumental album “New Blue Sun” on tour again this fall.
We reported earlier that the project from the hip-hop star and one-half of the legendary group OutKast features eight instrumental tracks performed on flutes. This is André’s first full-length solo album and first musical effort in 17 years since OutKast’s sixth album “Idlewild.” Fans, however, slammed the effort upon its release late last year. Many turned to social media to express outrage that the album offers zero rapping or singing.

André responded to the criticism during a 2023 interview with CBS Mornings.
“Even on the artwork it says, ‘No bars,’ so if you’re disappointed, man, I don’t know what else I could do. I don’t like that people are upset a little bit about it,” he said, Hip Hop DX reported.

“If I were waiting for a thing for 17 years, a certain thing that I’m looking for and, something else shows up, I’d probably be upset too. To be a rapper, you gotta be rapping. I haven’t been rapping, like I don’t hang around the studio,” the musician continued.
Meanwhile, if you missed André 3000’s recent tour dates to support his all-flute album, you can catch him during his new North American tour later this year.

Complex reports that tickets go on sale Friday, June 28, at 10 a.m. local time. Click here for more information.‌

Below is the list of tour dates:
September 19 – New Orleans, LA – Orpheum Theater
September 21 – Dallas, TX – AT&T PAC – Winspear Opera House
September 22 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater
September 25 – Houston, TX – The Hobby Center For The Performing Arts
September 27 – Albuquerque, NM – Kiva Auditorium
September 28 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Arts Center
October 1 – San Diego, CA – Humphreys By The Bay
October 2 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
October 4 – Santa Barbara, CA – Arlington Theatre
October 5 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
October 9 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theater
October 11 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
October 14 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
October 16 – Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater
October 17 – Denver, CO – Ellie Caulkins Opera House
October 19 – Minneapolis, MN – Northrop
October 21 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
October 22 – Detroit, MI – Masonic Cathedral Theatre
October 25 – Brooklyn, NY – BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
October 30 – Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre
November 1 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
November 2 – Akron, OH – Akron Civic Theatre
November 8 – Richmond, VA – Altria Theater
November 9 – Washington, DC – The Kennedy Center
November 12 – Durham, NC – DPAC
November 14 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre


Get your tickets!


Document Indicates Supreme Court Will Punt Idaho Emergency Abortion Case For Now

A document inadvertently uploaded to the U.S. Supreme Court’s website on Wednesday appears to indicate the court will send a case regarding emergency abortion care in Idaho back to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rather than make a decision, according to reporting from Bloomberg Law.

Rather than rule on the merits, the unofficial opinion, as cited by Bloomberg, essentially says the court took the case too soon in the process. The court acknowledged the document was accidentally uploaded for a short period of time on Wednesday, and told Bloomberg an official opinion will be released “in due course.”

According to the unofficial opinion, the decision is 6-3, with Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas dissenting.
The opinion, if it holds true, would reinstate the lower court’s injunction that blocked enforcement of the law as it relates to Idaho’s emergency room physicians who might need to perform an abortion when a pregnant patient is at risk of potentially serious health problems. The U.S. Justice Department sued Idaho over its near-total abortion ban in 2022 and said prosecuting physicians under those circumstances would violate the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, which requires Medicare-funded hospitals to treat patients who come to an emergency room regardless of their ability to pay.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals had scheduled an “en banc” hearing for the case in January, but after attorneys for the state of Idaho and religious conservative law firm Alliance Defending Freedom asked the Supreme Court to hear the case, the Ninth Circuit hearing was vacated and so was the injunction.

Without the injunction, ER doctors are subject to the full extent of Idaho’s abortion ban, which carries penalties of jail time, fines and the loss of a medical license. Those doctors are also subject to Idaho’s civil law that allows immediate and extended family members to sue for up to $20,000 over an abortion procedure.

Idaho’s ban contains only an exception to save the pregnant patient’s life, not to prevent detrimental health outcomes, including the loss of future fertility, which is a risk with severe infection or bleeding. Without further clarity written into the law, doctors in Idaho have said they can’t confidently assess when to safely intervene to save someone’s life and avoid losing their medical license or face between two and five years in prison. Rather than gamble with someone’s life, States Newsroom reported high-risk obstetric specialists have airlifted patients to facilities out of state that can freely perform the procedure before it’s too late. In 2023, such transfers happened once, but occurred six times between January and April, according to the chief medical officer of one of Idaho’s largest health systems.

Those transfers were cited by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson as reasons for their decision to send the case back to the Ninth Circuit.
“As a practical matter, this Court’s intervention meant that Idaho physicians were forced to step back and watch as their patients suffered, or arrange for their patients to be airlifted out of ldaho,” Brown Jackson wrote in the unofficial opinion.

At a scheduled event in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said it was important to wait and not speculate about the opinion until it was official. But if true, Becerra said it affirmed the government’s position that anyone in America who is at risk of health problems or death should be able to seek care in an emergency room.

“Whether the care that a professional says you need to stabilize your health or to save your life is an abortion or not, the bottom line is none of us wants to be denied access to an emergency room when we need it,” Becerra said. “And (it’s) why I continue to say when Roe v. Wade was struck down, it impacted more than just abortion care — it impacted access to care, period.”

Dr. Loren Colson, a family physician in Idaho, said at the event that if the opinion holds true, it is only a small comfort to doctors in the state
“This teeny tiny little carveout allows us as physicians in very specific scenarios to provide the care and hopefully not Life Flight people out of the state so they can go somewhere else to get the care that we can easily provide here, but it does not fix our problem here,” Colson said. “We still have a huge problem when it comes to being able to access abortion.”

The court is scheduled to release more opinions Thursday and Friday morning, and the official ruling could come on either of those days.


Giancarlo Esposito Teases Mystery Role in 'Captain America: Brave New World'
Giancarlo Esposito is sharing some insight into his role in Captain America 4!
Last month, the 66-year-old actor, who is best known for playing Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, joined the cast of Captain America: Brave New World.

The Marvel movie will be the first to feature Anthony Mackie wielding Captain America’s iconic shield after taking over the role in 2021′s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

While attending the premiere of his new movie MaXXXine on Monday (June 24), Giancarlo teased his role in the upcoming Captain America movie.
“In my other life, I’m a real badass, and you’ve seen me play a little bit of that intellectually as Gus Fring, but when you see me in the MCU, you’re going to see a badass, and I’m excited for that,” Giancarlo told Deadline.
He continued, “Acting is using every part of your body, your emotions, your senses, your feelings, to portray something. But you haven’t seen me use my body in a way that I’ll be using it. The MCU’s exciting; I can’t tell you who I’m playing, but you’re going to be excited when you see.”

The movie has been compared to 2014′s Captain America: The Winter Soldier in terms of its tone. A teaser aired at CinemaCon revealed that Harrison Ford will be playing Thaddeus Ross and attempting to recruit Sam Wilson (Mackie) to rebuild the Avengers after Endgame.

Captain America: Brave New World arrives in theaters on February 14, 2025.


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
​No Matter What, Always Look Your Best

Some people out there always dress to impress, no matter who they are with or where they are going. And we feel like this guy is one of the best examples of this.


HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM

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