#MAGFAB: Miley Cyrus For W MAGAZINE’s Volume 3, The Pop Issue!
Miley Cyrus on finally receiving her ‘flowers’ after 20+ years: “No shade, but I’ve been doing this for 20 years, and this is my first time actually being taken seriously at the Grammys. I’ve had a hard time figuring out what the measurement is there, because if we want to talk stats and numbers, then where the fuck was I? And if you want to talk, like, impact on culture, then where the fuck was I? This is not about arrogance. I am proud of myself.”
On how she works out in high heels: “My lifestyle is extremely clean. Sobriety is a big part of it. My mantra is, like any athlete, ‘Practice how you perform.’ So that’s why I practice in my heels. The gym looks really tough, but then I’ve got my ivory Gucci slingbacks because they remind me of Marilyn Monroe. I train in heels, mostly. I’m interested in feminizing the workout space, because so much of the workout equipment is ugly.”
Explaining how “II Most Wanted” end up on COWBOY CARTER: “I wrote that song, like, two and a half years ago. My mom would always go, “I love that song so much.” So when Beyoncé reached out to me about music, I thought of it right away because it really encompasses our relationship. I told her, ‘We don’t have to get country; we are country. We’ve been country.’ I said, ‘You know, between you being from Texas and me being from Tennessee, so much of us is going to be in this song.’ Getting to write a song, not just sing, for Beyoncé was a dream come true.”
Sharing a peak into what she and Beyoncé text about: “One of the things that we text about is our relationships with our mothers. Like her mom, Ms. Tina, my mom is also an M.T.: Mama Tish. A lot of people call her Mom, in the way that Ms. Tina is almost not just a mother to Beyoncé, but to Beyoncé’s fans as well. Both of us grew up, in our own way, with moms who were everything. My mom was my makeup, hair, seamstress, styling, tour manager—like, the actual manager. The word “mother” is the most all-encompassing word. The mother can be RuPaul; the mother can be Beyoncé. Our fans call us ‘mother.’”
Miley on the way she views the world: “I have a rule that I don’t look up or don’t look down at anyone. I just look, which allows me the clarity to see the world for what it really is and people for who they really are.”
#RHOA: Kim Zolciak, Kroy Biermann reach agreement to avoid foreclosure on Milton mansion!
In what has been a contentious divorce, Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann have reached an agreement to avoid foreclosure on their Milton mansion.
PEOPLE magazine reported the former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star and the former Atlanta Falcon agreed with Truist Bank to cease foreclosure for the next 90 days, so they can try to sell their home without it being foreclosed on.
The 15,000-square-foot mansion overlooks a lake and the 18th fairway at the Manor Golf & Country Club. The home includes seven bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, and three partial bathrooms. The garage can hold up to eight cars.
Husband of ‘Steve Harvey Morning Show’ co-host indicted on RICO charges in Fulton County
Other features include a walk-in wine cellar, billiard room, arcade game room, home theater, and a gym with a private massage room. It also comes with a full in-law suite with a full kitchen and living room.
The latest foreclosure was supposed to happen on May 3, but the couple filed a motion to have it delayed.
The couple filed for divorce last May after 11 years of marriage. They initially dropped the petition in July, but Bierman refiled for divorce again in August, saying their marriage was irretrievably broken.
This is the second time the home has been put up for foreclosure.
“This matter was placed on the inactive docket on January 31, 2024. At such time, Respondent informed the Court that the foreclosure sale had been canceled and there was, therefore, no justiciable issue pending before the Court,” court documents said.
The home had been listed as for sale by Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International but has since been pulled down.
At the end of last year, the listing price for the house dropped dramatically. The original listing from October showed the estranged couple asking for $6 million. By the end of December, the listing showed an asking price of $5.5 million.
PEOPLE reports the couple now have the home listed for $4.5 million.
#MusicNews: NPR is celebrating Black Music Month with a lineup that includes Chaka Khan, SWV, Tems, Flo Milli, and Tierra Whack.
While the concert series runs all year long, there’s a special anticipation for the month of June, which brings about Black Music Month, a special celebration and tribute to the Black musicians who have helped shape the landscape of Black music today. Last year’s Black Music Month included musical offerings from acts such as Juvenile, Tank, Babyface, and Charlie Willson. The effort was spearheaded by Tiny Desk’s Series Producer and Host, Bobby Carter, who has plans for an even bigger lineup for Black Music Month this year, with a themed, “giving female musicians their flowers.”
“As the first week started to roll out last year with Charlie Wilson and Babyface, it occurred to me that we were leading with all men. And to be honest, most of the bands that I aimed for, and most of the bands and the artists that I am most excited about from the legacy side, are women. So this time last year, I knew that we wanted to bring an all female led lineup this year,” Carter tells ESSENCE. “So this sort of occurred to me this time last year like wow, it’s too many dudes and I want to really go for it this year, and really honor the women that helped shape Black music to me, which is all music. I knew this was going to be something that we would do last year.”
Anticipation has been building for Black Music Month and the exciting lineup Tiny Desk has prepared. This year’s performances promise a blend of nostalgia and innovation, featuring artists from various genres and generations, highlighting the rich diversity of Black music.
The lineup, revealed exclusively to ESSENCE, includes an eclectic collection of genre-bending female artists: Tems, Chaka Khan, Tierra Whack, Kierra Sheard, Lakecia Benjamin, Me’Shell Ndegeoccello, Brittney Spencer, SWV, and Flo Mili. Each artist brings a unique sound and story, adding to the richness and depth of Black music.
“When we do packages like this, the goal is to cover as much ground as possible to represent as many walks of life and as many generations and genres as possible within that month’s frame. So what you see in this lineup is just the best attempt possible at really casting a wide net, so if you are into a country, if you are into hip-hop if you are into new R&B, if you’re into old R&B, we’re trying to do as much as we can and represent as much as we can within the month,” Carter continues.
The North Star at Tiny Desk for Black Music Month was to represent the past, present and future of the genres we love, but also to take a deeper look at some of the women acts who haven’t gotten their just due within the industry. “So when you look at Chaka Khan to me, for as much love and as much as we praise Chaka Khan, it still isn’t enough. And SWV, which, in my opinion, is the greatest Black girl group of all time,” Carter says. “So, looking at where the Tiny Desk platform is right now, I think it’s only right to really take that big spotlight, and honor them in a way where it’s all about the music and their contributions to music. But also with a Flo Milli or a Tierra Whack which are women who are up and coming in and making their own stamp in music as well.”
Echoing his sentiments were Suraya Mohamed, the Executive Producer for NPR Music. “As executive producer, it’s my job to support everyone’s work,” she says. “When [Bobby] first came to us with this idea, we were so thrilled to be able to celebrate Black women in this way. A lot of this has to do with our audience as well—we average about 50 million views a month, and one of the things we’re really proud about is our Youtube audience. It skews higher in terms of Black audience than the average Youtube audience.” Mohamed emphasized the impact of Tiny Desk, noting that their viewership includes a robust 18 percent Black audience, surpassing the YouTube average of 14 percent in 2022.
The brand also recently celebrated two million followers on Instagram and three billion views on Youtube, which is a testament to keeping their finger on the pulse of the culture. “We’re so excited on this side, not necessarily about topping what we did last year, or the year before, but, I think the curation this year was just to me is the best. A powerful gospel voice in Kierra Sheard, it’s up-and-coming, folks, it’s Brittany Spencer. Listen, we got SWV,” Carter says with a laugh. “This is all centered around SWV in a way that last year was centered around a Juvenile. Once SWV was locked in, everything else trickled down. I’m just proud that even though it’s Black Music Month, it’s still diverse.”
Carter attributes the successful curation of the lineup to the team of Black women he works with that helped to cover all the bases to make this year’s celebration the best one yet. This all-female lineup for Black Music Month at Tiny Desk is not just a series of concerts; it is a powerful statement. It honors the legacy of Black female musicians who have often been overshadowed, celebrating their contributions and ensuring their place in music history. “I hope people realize just how much Black women have contributed and have continued to contribute to music at large, they don’t get enough credit. Like I said Chaka Khan will never get enough credit SWV will never get enough credit,” Carter explains. “So it’s a reminder like we do every year. When you looked at Juvenile last year you were reminded just how impactful his music is. Same with Usher a year before last. This month is a reminder for those who may have forgotten just how great these women are.”
#HipHopNews: Cardi B Attends Charlamagne Tha God's Daughter's Sweet 16th Birthday Party
Cardi B stopped by Charlamagne Tha God‘s daughter’s sweet 16 birthday party and offered up a performance for the birthday girl.
Charlamagne shared the clip on Instagram on Tuesday (June 4), offering a sweet message to the rap superstar.
He captioned the post: “THANK YOU To The Good Sister @iamcardib for popping out to my daughters Sweet 16 this past Sunday. Big Bardi really one of the most genuine spirits ever and I truly appreciate her.
“This moment is now a memory that will last forever in my daughter and all her friends hearts and I will forever be grateful to Bardi for making that happen. I Truly Thank GOD for it ALL!!!”
While she may be dreams come true for young women, Cardi’s been getting into spats with grown ones.
Last week, the “Bodak Yellow” rapper opened up about her issues with BIA, after the ongoing beef between the two rappers seemed to have reach a boiling point.
Still, Cardi jokingly encouraged fans to stream Bia’s music, saying that the rapper needed to recoup her publishing.
She also threatened to release their conversation, saying: “I will put the conversations up…We ended up the conversation very nicely, and you still went to the internet dissing me…After the conversation, you went and you started saying I copied your music video…Then you going around lying about my pussy to my man’s boys and shit. What?…When I called her on the phone I wanted clarity, and that’s exactly what we got…”
Rihanna Finally Announces Fenty Hair, Unveils Official Launch Date
On Tuesday (June 4), the Anti singer took to the brand’s new social media account to reveal that Fenty Hair is hitting the shelves on June 13.
“A new family is moving in! @fentyhair is pullin up and it’s time to finally have the hair experience you’ve been waiting for,” Rih wrote in the caption of the official teaser. The mother of two reflected on her hair history and confirmed that the new haircare line will help with every texture and style.
“You know how much switching my hair up matters to me. I’ve had almost every texture, color, length, from weaves to braids to natural — so I am launching a flexible line of products for not only every hair want, but every single product is designed to strengthen and repair all types of hair, which is what we truly need! It’s time to play and get stronger by the style,” she added.
In March 2021, the trademark for Fenty Hair was first filed. According to official documents, the line would include the following: “Non-medicated hair care preparations; Non-medicated dandruff shampoo; Hair styling preparations; Hair straightening preparations; Hair relaxing preparations; Hair waving preparations; Non-medicated hair restoration lotions; Hair bleaching preparations; Hair coloring preparations, and Hair glitter.”
Six months later, it expanded to “medicated hair care preparations; medicated dandruff shampoo; hair growth stimulants; medicated hair lotions; pomades for medical purposes; pharmaceutical preparations for treating dandruff; medicated shampoos; hair growth promoting pharmaceutical preparation; [and] medicinal hair growth preparations.”
By July 2022, brushes, combs, hair accessories, wigs, extensions, and even toupees were added to the list of potential Fenty Hair products.
Rih has not confirmed which products would launch during the brand’s debut, but fans can sign up to receive alerts on the Fenty Hair website to get early access on June 10.
The-Dream Calls Rape And Sex Trafficking Allegations “Untrue And Defamatory”
The-Dream has been accused of rape, sex trafficking, and sexual battery in a new lawsuit, but the famed songwriter-producer says the claims are “untrue and defamatory.”
In a statement shared with The New York Times, the “Falsetto” singer said, “I oppose all forms of harassment and have always strived to help people realize their career goals. As someone committed to making a positive impact on my fellow artists and the world at large, I am deeply offended and saddened by these accusations.”
The initial lawsuit was filed by Chanaaz Mangroe on Tuesday (June 4) under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act — which allows sexual assault cases to be filed after the expired statute of limitations. Mangroe alleges that she was forced to have sex with The-Dream on numerous occasions. She is an artist under the moniker Channii Monroe, and claims she first met The-Dream in early 2015. He reportedly promised her “Beyoncé/Rihanna-level stardom,” but their relationship became abusive.
Not only did he allegedly force her to have sex, but protection wasn’t used and the sexual assault in question was recorded on camera. He also threatened to share the footage with others.
“What Dream did to me made it impossible to live the life I envisioned for myself and pursue my goals as a singer and songwriter,” said Mangroe in a statement. “Ultimately, my silence has become too painful, and I realized that I need to tell my story to heal. I hope that doing so will also help others and prevent future horrific abuse.”
The lawyers representing Mangroe worked with Cassie on her now-settled lawsuit against Diddy and a separate lawsuit from another Diddy accuser.
This isn’t the first Dream has been accused of assault. In 2015, his ex Lydia Nam brought charges up against him, but they were ultimately dismissed by prosecutors who said the allegations could not be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Oprah Winfrey Remembers Brother Jeffrey, An AIDS Victim, In Moving Pride Month Tribute
In a video clip, Winfrey expressed her belief that her brother would have been amazed by the progress made in LGBTQ rights since his time. "35 years ago, my younger brother, Jeffrey Lee, died from AIDS," she said. "He was 29-years-old. The year was 1989, and the world was an extremely cruel place, not just for people suffering from AIDS but also for LGBTQ people in general."
Winfrey recalled her brother's struggles with internalized shame due to his sexuality. "I wish he could have lived to witness these liberated times and to be here with me tonight," she said. She recognized that Jeffrey missed out on the joys of being fully seen and accepted for who he was.
On March 14, 2024, Winfrey had received the Vanguard Award at the 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles. Established by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the award honors allies who have promoted LGBTQ acceptance.
During her GLAAD acceptance speech, Winfrey discussed her brother's influence on her work on "The Oprah Winfrey Show". "All the years of the Oprah Show, for me, were about sharing stories that helped people be their authentic selves," she said. "I know that is the truest form of what it means to be free, to have personal freedom, to be able to fully be who you are."
Winfrey has been a consistent advocate for LGBTQ inclusion and visibility. She featured Ellen DeGeneres on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 1997 following DeGeneres' public coming out. She also interviewed Elliot Page in 2021 after Page's announcement as a trans man.
In her Pride month message, Winfrey stated, "I believe that every single person has the right to love who they want to love and be the person they most want to be." She encouraged her followers to live authentic lives with the support of others. "My hope for you is that you are living a life that feels authentic to you and that you have the support around you to do so, no matter your sexuality."
'American Idol' Alum Mandisa's Autopsy Result Reveals Cause Of Death
Mandisa Lynn Hundley, the beloved Christian music singer and former "American Idol" contestant, passed away at the age of 47 on April 18. According to an autopsy report obtained by PEOPLE, her death was caused by complications from class III obesity.
Class III obesity, also known as extreme obesity, is a chronic condition in which a person has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher and experiences obesity-related health issues.
The autopsy report, which was confirmed by Mandisa's father, John Hundley, states that the singer was found dead in her Tennessee home on April 18 and was last known alive approximately three weeks earlier. No signs of foul play were found, and her death was ruled as natural.
Mandisa rose to fame after finishing in the Top 10 on season 5 of "American Idol" in 2006. She released her debut album, "True Beauty", in 2007 and won a Grammy Award in 2014 for her album "Overcomer".
In addition to her musical career, Mandisa was an advocate for mental health and sexual assault survivors. She spoke openly about the sexual abuse she endured in her youth and the struggles she faced with her mental health.
The singer's passing has been met with an outpouring of grief from friends, family and fans. "American Idol" paid tribute to her in an Instagram post and with a musical tribute by former contestants Melinda Doolittle, Colton Dixon and Danny Gokey.
Mandisa's legacy will live on through her music and the impact she made on the lives of others. She was a talented singer, a compassionate advocate and a source of inspiration for many.
Martin Lawrence Breaks Silence On Health Rumors After Sparking Concerns
During the interview, Ebro made sure to address the elephant in the room. "Is there anything you want to say to the people because they're concerned about your health?" he asked the actor/comedian.
To the said question, Martin quickly answered, "I'm fine. I'm in God's hands. I'm blessed- I'm glad to be waking up everyday and everything. No need for people to be concerned." The Marcus Burnett depicter in the "Bad Boys" film franchise went on insisting, "I'm healthy as hell," before telling fans to "stop the rumors."
Martin sparked concerns after he looked listless in an interview with Will Smith for their new movie "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" that was shared in late May. Many noticed that he was quieter and slower than his usual high-energy demeanor, leading to worries about his well-being.
Just hours after the video of the interview made the rounds on the web, Martin attended events for the movie with his co-star in Berlin. Looking upbeat, he and Will performed an impromptu goofy dance in a video shared on both actors' Instagram page.
But that did not stop the rumors. Fans became even more convinced that there's something wrong with Martin after a video showed Will appearing to help him on stage by holding his hand during the movie's premiere in Los Angeles.
"It definitely doesn't seem normal," one person commented. Another weighed in, "Man, I hope he's ok. I've been a fan since the early 90s. Praying for him." A worried fan said, "Dayuuum maaan!!! Martin ain't been right since the stroke glad to see him out."
A fourth fan claimed, "That's not good. Martin lookin a little frail. Prayers for Martin. Always liked that guy." One other echoed the sentiment as writing, "It's breaking my heart to see Martin Lawrence like that."
Lizzo Proudly Flaunts Slimmed Down Look In Skin-Tight Bodysuit In New Video
Lizzo appeared happy with her current look. The "About Damn Time" hitmaker flaunted her slimmed down look in a skin-tight bodysuit as seen in a new video, in which she discussed taking care of her mental health.
On Tuesday, June 4, the 35-year-old songstress made use of her Instagram page to upload a never-before-seen video. In the short clip, it could be seen that she was sitting down on a wooden floor in a bedroom.
The "Truth Hurts" singer was rocking a brown bodysuit that came with two straps and a very low-cut design. To keep her accessories minimal, she put on only a pair of big hoop earrings. In addition, she styled her long tresses in waves, parted them in the middle and tucked them behind her ears.
In the footage, Lizzo could be heard saying, "Let's have a nearly naked talk. The world can make you feel very small and there are some things about this world that are designed to make you feel unloved. But lately especially, I find that I can get sucked into it and fall for it."
The Grammy Award winner elaborated, "I feel like everyone hates me. I'm always screwing up, I can't do anything right. ‘Is so-and-so mad at me? Did I say the right thing? Why can't I get anything right? I'll beat myself up every single night. I'll lay down and go to bed and I'll just think about how I'm a failure and how I'm not good enough. It's a horrible spiral."
Lizzo went on to share that she always tries to wipe the negative thoughts away from her mind. She then reminded others by saying, "I have to snap out of it and realize I'm not alone. So, I'm coming on here to remind myself, as well as remind you. Everyone don't hate you. You do not screw everything up. You are doing the best you can."
"You are a human who deserves grace," she continued, before adding, "You deserve to be angry when you're angry, you deserve to be happy when you're happy. Don't let anyone ever make you feel bad, or shame you for how you feel and how you choose to live your life."
Warner Bros.' Max Streaming Service Raises Prices For Ad-Free Plans
Effective immediately for new subscribers, the monthly ad-free plan will increase by $1 to $16.99 a month while the annual ad-free plan will rise by $20 to $169.99 yearly.
The ultimate ad-free tier, which allows four concurrent streams and 4K streaming options, will increase by $1 to $20.99 a month. The corresponding yearly plan will increase by $10 to $209.99 a year.
The ad-supported plan will remain the same at $9.99 a month.
The price hikes come just over a year after the company merged its HBO Max and Discovery+ streaming services to create Max. The announcement also comes just ahead of the second season of Warner Bros.' blockbuster "Game of Thrones" prequel, "House of the Dragon," which is scheduled for release on June 16.
Streaming companies have been aggressively raising their prices in response to various profitability challenges — much to consumers' chagrin. Ad-free plans have become a primary target of these increases as platforms attempt to increase viewership and engagement on newly launched, ad-supported platforms.
Virtually all of the major streaming companies raised the cost of their respective services throughout the course of last year, a trend that has continued in 2024.
Comcast's (CMCSA) flagship streaming service, Peacock, recently announced price hikes that will come in July, just ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, after it upped prices for the first time last summer.
Diddy sells off his stake in Revolt, the media company he founded in 2013National headlines from
Sean “Diddy” Combs has sold off his stake in Revolt, the media company the rapper and entrepreneur founded over a decade ago.
Shares in Revolt held by Combs, who served as the company's chair, have been fully redeemed and retired, the Los Angeles-based company said Tuesday a statement on its website.
Revolt didn't disclose how much Combs was paid for his stake in the hip-hop news and entertainment company, which he founded in 2013.
In the statement, CEO Detavio Samuels noted that when he joined the company in 2020 he realized “our mission is bigger than any individual.”
Revolt also announced a new ownership structure that will give its employees an equity stake in the company, which streams shows online, such as “Black Girl Stuff,” and “The Life of Draco," featuring rapper Big Draco.
The move comes as Combs' reputation has been sullied following several lawsuits filed late last year that raised allegations of sexual assault and rape on the part of one of hip-hop's most recognizable performers and producers.
In November, he was sued by R&B singer Cassie, who said he subjected her to a yearslong abusive relationship that included beatings and rape. Combs settled the lawsuit with Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura, a few days after it was filed.
Lady Gaga Responds to Pregnancy Rumors After Photos Surfaced From Sister's Wedding
Well, Gaga is shooting down the rumors with a new video shared to her TikTok channel.
Gaga shared a new video that was captioned, “not pregnant – just down bad cryin at the gym.” She is seemingly quoting the song “Down Bad” from Taylor Swift‘s new album The Tortured Poets Department.
She added, “register to vote or check if you’re registered EASILY at www.headcount.org.”
In the video, Gaga lip-syncs to an audio saying, “I don’t have to find an aesthetic, I am an aesthetic. I mean, I’m sure there’s somebody out here right now who is going into Pinterest trying to type up all these adjectives to describe me.”
Glee's Chris Colfer Says He Was Told Not to Come Out as Gay Because It Would 'Ruin' His Career
Chris Colfer is looking back at publicly coming out as gay. While appearing on The View on Tuesday (June 4), the 34-year-old actor and author recalled being told not to come out as gay when he was first cast in Glee as Kurt Hummel.
“I grew up in a very conservative town where being openly gay was dangerous,” Chris explained. “I remember when I got on the show, the role was written for me, but I did not know what the role was going to be.”
“So, I opened the script and when I read the script for the first time is when I saw that it was an openly gay character,” Chris continued.
Chris admitted that he was “terrified” when he first accepted the role on Glee because he hadn’t come out yet.
When I started filming the show, I had a lot of people tell me, ‘Do not come out, whatever you do, because it will ruin your career,’” Chris recalled being told.
Chris remained in the closet for some time after that, but he started telling those who advised him to stay quiet, “I can’t hide it.”
“They said, ‘Don’t worry as long as you never address it, you’ll be rewarded for it in the end,’” Chris said.
Chris said he was eventually inspired to come out after a young fan secretly slipped him an envelope during a Glee poster signing tour.
“I opened it up and there was a little note that said, ‘Thank you’ and there was a little paperclip chain that was in the colors of the rainbow. In that moment I knew, I have to come out,” Chris recalled.
He continued, “At the time, I was thinking if I’m an openly gay actor I may never win a major award and I may never get to play a superhero, but I think being a beacon of positivity and providing comfort for people is way more important.”
Pro Wrestler Bulk Bronson Comes Out as Bisexual and Thanks Fiancée Gabby Forza for Support: 'Grateful'
Wrestler Joe Fitzpatrick, who is best known under his stage name "Dirty Bulk" Bronson, has came out as bisexual in a powerful post on social media.
Bronson, 28, initially came out on June 2 when he quoted a post on X (formerly Twitter) from his fiancée, wrestler Gabby Forza, calling for members of the LGBTQ+ community to share a photo of themself and the flag that represents their sexual orientation.
After Bronson posted a photo of himself and the bisexual pride flag, his followers celebrated the wrestler's announcement and offered words of support in the replies.
One day later, Bronson penned a thoughtful message and revealed the touching response from friends, family and fans to his coming out.
The wrestler said he's "been left speechless by the endless phone calls, texts, DM's and replies" in the last 24 hours since "openly admitting that I am bisexual."
Bronson wrote, "Between the social media response — and just now getting off a 55-minute phone call with my parents that was overflowing with so much love & uplifting support — I could run through a brick wall right now from how grateful I feel."
The All Elite Wrestling (AEW) athlete shared that he had come out to Forza when they began dating, and she has "always lifted me up and been proud of me," Bronson said.
"But [Forza] always instilled in me that if I spoke out about it openly, I'd have to do it for ME and nobody else," Bronson wrote. "With her never-ending love & acceptance, I honestly didn’t care enough to share with the world. She IS my world, so that's all that matters right?"
Bronson said he began feeling "different" lately, and it was inspiration from his fiancée, who openly expresses "how proud she is to be bi/pansexual & queer," and many of his "friends & coworkers that are out and proud" that helped him share his sexuality with the public.
"I was completely unsure of what the response would be and honestly didn’t really care," Bronson said in his post. "If nobody cared or noticed like I expected, that would be TOTALLY fine. If other wrestlers thought I had ulterior motives or thought of me coming out as a strategic move for my career, then this is for them too and I hope it pisses you off," he continued.
"All I knew in the moment was that I just felt like doing something for me," he explained of posting his photo with the bisexual pride flag, adding, "So it finally felt right."
Bronson called the response "indescribable" and said it's "taken me a bit to fully process" the reactions. "All I can think to say right now is, from the bottom of my heart — THANK YOU," he wrote.
Ultimately, Bronson said he's learned a lot about representation through the process and he's grateful if his openness helps even one person to live their truth.
"While these past 24 hours flew by so fast, I feel like I learned so much. All this time I thought 'why even say anything, who cares?', but I learned just how important representation is," Bronson wrote. "If me coming out and living my truth helps at least one other person feel more comfortable in their own skin, it makes it all worth it for me."
In a fourth slide, Bronson shared a list of interactions he's had with family and friends since the post, revealing that his brother "immediately cracked jokes before telling me how proud he is and how much he loves me," that his fiancée has "been crying while holding me tight" and his parents "wouldn't stop crying and kept calling me back to tell me how much they love me."
Kanye West slams ‘baseless’ sexual harassment allegations detailed in ex-assistant’s lawsuit
Embattled rapper Ye, formerly Kanye West, whose Donda Academy was sued in April for workplace abuses, is facing a slew of disturbing new allegations. This time the lawsuit comes from a woman claiming she was his personal assistant.
Lauren Pisciotta, an Instagram and OnlyFans model, said she worked for the “Famous” rap star, 46, from July 2021 to October 2022. She alleges she was subjected to multiple forms of sexual harassment and fleeced out of a “promised” $4-million salary for her work on various Yeezy brands, according to legal documents reviewed by The Times.
The lawsuit, filed Monday by Pisciotta’s attorney in Los Angeles County Superior Court, accuses his businesses of wrongful termination, gender discrimination, fraud and intentional infliction of emotional and physical stress, among other misconduct.
A legal representative for West told The Times in a statement that the rapper intends to filed a counterclaim against Pisciotta over her “baseless allegations.” The rep also accused Pisciotta of coercion, blackmail and extortion.
Pisciotta’s attorney did not respond immediately to The Times’ request for comment.
The complaint describes Pisciotta, 35, as a music industry veteran with more than 15 years of experience in management, A&R and marketing. Before accepting a $1-million annual salary to be Ye’s full-time personal assistant in July 2021, she worked with the rapper on his Yeezy clothing line and 2021 album “Donda.”
Pisciotta’s lawsuit accuses Ye of “masturbating in front of Plaintiff” and “over-sharing intimate sexual details, photos and videos of sex acts,” some of which allegedly involved Instagram models and “current and former Yeezy, LLC employees and various men and women.” In November 2022, a Rolling Stone report detailed similar allegations that the Grammy winner had “played pornography to Yeezy staff in meetings.”
The 25-page complaint details multiple alleged instances of “nonconsenual, offensive, unwanted, unsolicited and unwelcomed unlawful acts” by Ye, including explicit text exchanges where he discusses sexual fantasies and requests that Pisciotta obtain and carry sexual-enhancement drugs for his convenience. In one alleged exchange, Ye messaged Pisciotta to ask whether his genitals were “racist.”
“This f— racist d— of mine ... needs to be beaten till it can’t be racist no more,” read a text from Ye, the lawsuit said. “This ain’t right bro after 400 years.”
Several pages of the lawsuit also detail the sexual memes, photos of naked models, videos of women performing oral sex on Ye and videos of his sexual encounters that the rapper allegedly sent to Pisciotta. The Instagram model also alleges Ye propositioned her for sex multiple times during her tenure (she denied his advances), “would masturbate” during phone conversations she thought were business calls and was “particularly fixated on the penis size” of her current and past romantic partners.
The suit says Pisciotta did not “welcome or encourage” Ye’s “offensive, demeaning, embarrassing and abuse behavior” and was focused on carrying out her duties as a personal assistant in a manner “as professional as possible.”
The later portion of Pisciotta’s lawsuit alleges that the employees of Ye’s Yeezy brands — listed as co-defendants — “engaged in a systematic, severe and persuasive and offensive campaign of unlawful harassment based on [Pisciotta’s] sex, including sexual harassment.”
More than a year after starting as West’s personal assistant, in September 2022, Pisciotta was offered a promotion to Yeezy’s chief of staff, the lawsuit says. With that change in title also came the promise of a $3-million raise — bringing Pisciotta’s total annual salary to $4 million. After accepting the offer, Pisciotta was told in October 2022 that she would receive the $3-million raise in a lump sum, but “defendant, however, did not pay ... as promised” after multiple attempts to collect, she alleges. In late October, West and his businesses fired Pisciotta — a reason was not disclosed in the lawsuit — and she was offered $3 million in severance. Then they allegedly “reneged on their commitment to pay the severance.”
After she parted ways with the Yeezy brands, Pisciotta said West’s “obsession” with her persisted, and she alleged he moved into the building where she lived. Shortly after her termination, Pisciotta returned to West and his businesses to provide “additional services,” again with the prospect of getting paid, but allegedly never received payment.
“As a result of defendant’s breach of agreements, plaintiff has been damaged in the sum of at least $4,000,000,” the lawsuit said.
Pisciotta alleges that because of West and his business’ retaliation, she “suffered and continues to suffer damages” in the form of lost wages and employment benefits and emotional and physical distress. The lawsuit said Pisciotta filed a complaint last week with California’s Civil Rights Department accusing Yeezy brands of “discrimination, harassment, retaliation” and other employment violations. She is seeking an unspecified amount of damages, legal fees and “such other and further relief the court may deem proper.”
The statement from West’s legal representative also accused Pisciotta of stealing the rapper’s phone to “destroy phone records” in order to benefit her claims and said she was terminated for “being unqualified, demanding unreasonable sums of money (including a $4 million annual salary) and numerous documented incidents of her lascivious, unhinged conduct.”
The rapper also accused Pisciotta of sending Ye “unsolicited nude images” as sexual coercion to demand material items including a luxury bag and a Lamborghini.
“Such behavior is entirely inconsistent with someone who claims to be have been sexually harassed or experienced a hostile work environment,” the statement continued. “It is evident that Ms. Pisciotta leveraged her association with Ye and his company, and her proximity to him, to seek material gains, clout, and employment through inappropriate means.
The statement added, “Her initial attempt at a lawsuit for unlawful termination gained no media traction, leading her to fabricate headlines following threats of blackmail and extortion.”
The latest of Ye’s legal troubles comes after he quickly fell out of public favor in late 2022 for his antisemitic rants. Amid his controversial tirades, several businesses including agency CAA, Gap and Adidas cut ties with the rapper.
Netflix Drops Trailer for Shonda Rhimes’ ‘Black Barbie’ Documentary
The protect, titled “Black Barbie” spotlights the popular doll that debuted in 1980, 31 years after the original Barbie. Directed by Lagueria Davis, we reported earlier that the doc features Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins, and Stacey McBride Irby, the three Black women who advocated for the toy while working at Mattel.
“Telling Black Barbie’s story has been such a personal journey and it warms my heart to celebrate the legacy of my aunt Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins, and Stacey McBride Irby in our film,” Davis said in a statement. “We couldn’t have asked for better collaborators than Shondaland and Netflix to bring this story to the world.”
The documentary is executive produced by Shonda and Betsy Beers as part of their overall deal with Netflix. Watch the new trailer HERE
Per Netflix: “Through insider interviews and charismatic retellings of what went down at Mattel in the days leading up to Black Barbie’s debut, the documentary examines the importance of true representation — and how dolls aren’t just dolls, but childhood symbols that can be crucial to identity formation and imagination.”
In a statement, Shonda Rhimes said, “If you’ve gone your whole life and you’ve never seen anything made in your own image,” says Shonda Rhimes, perched in a striped chair at the start of the trailer for Black Barbie, “there is damage done.”
Producer Aaliyah Williams said the documentary is “really a love letter to Black women in this beautiful way, and women overall during this time.”
“Mattel Released The First Black And Hispanic Barbie Dolls, Challenging The Long-Held Perception That The Doll Represented A Singular Standard Of Beauty. The First Black Barbie Doll Wasn’t Introduced In 1980, But In 1968”
The History Of Barbie Https://T.Co/Naunhrcf1h Pic.Twitter.Com/Bb81oez2ap
— BLACK GIRL NERDS (@BLACKGIRLNERDS) JUNE 12, 2023
“Collaborating with these talented filmmakers to introduce their passion project to our global Shondaland audience was an opportunity we could not pass up,” Rhimes tells Shondaland.
“Black Barbie provides the hallmarks of storytelling that make a Shondaland project great — it provides a window into another world and holds up a mirror to our childhood experiences,” she added. “We were so proud to contribute our Shondaland reach and access to help the filmmakers enhance Black Barbie with new content while keeping its brilliant original vision.”
“Black Barbie” will debut on Netflix on June 19.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Break Job
Portable break for hire!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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