#MAGFAB: Brie Larson, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston, Anna Sawai, Jodie Foster, Naomi Watts and Sofia Vergara for The Hollywood Reporter
Nicole Kidman, Brie Larson, Anna Sawai and Naomi Watts weigh on everything from method acting to menopause to snorting coke (on screen).
“Idon’t know if anybody told you, but none of us knows what we’re doing,” announces two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster halfway through the Drama Actress Emmy Roundtable. She’s surrounded by two more Oscar winners — Expats’ Nicole Kidman and Lessons in Chemistry’s Brie Larson — who nod in agreement. The True Detective star continues, “and that’s the real beauty of it, having that freshness of doubting yourself.” Over the course of an hour at The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica, that trio, along with The Morning Show’s Jennifer Aniston, Shogun’s Anna Sawai, Griselda’s Sofía Vergara and Feud’s Naomi Watts, discuss everything from mentorship to menopause.
Get more at THR
#RHOA: Cynthia Bailey Teases Season 16 Cast Additions Bring ‘New Blood’
The Real Housewives of Atlanta got some much-needed “new blood” for season 16, according to returning favorite Cynthia Bailey.
“We’re on Week No. 3 and already, these girls are jumping right in getting their hands dirty,” Cynthia, 57, exclusively told Us Weekly at Gurus magazine’s #30Voices30Days launch party on Saturday, June 1. “I think you guys are in for a treat. I think three of them bring just the right amount of new blood that we needed for season sweet 16.”
She continued, “So, it’s gonna be sweet and maybe bittersweet but I think you guys will be entertained.”
While Kenya Moore, Porsha Williams and Drew Sidora will all keep hold of their peaches for season 16, a slew of fresh faces will join them. Bravo previously confirmed that Brittany Eady, Kelli Ferrell and Angela Oakley have joined the cast. Shamea Morton Mwangi, for her part, was upgraded to a full-time Housewife after previous guest appearances.
Cynthia, meanwhile, was an OG star between seasons 3 and 13, ultimately leaving the show in 2021. She will return to RHOA season 16 as a “friend.”
“Honestly, there was a little trepidation about it only because I’m just in such a small time in my life,” Cynthia told Us at the Saturday event, which was held at the Godfrey Hotel Hollywood. “I’m older and definitely one of the older ladies on the show. I just do me and choose love and peace.”
She added, “I don’t really want a lot of drama in my life. However, I do have a lot of history with some of the ladies that are still on the show and just with the show in general. So I feel like at this point, I can hopefully navigate the roads carefully. I’m just excited to see Atlanta back on top again.”
Cynthia, who has been bicoastal between Los Angeles and Atlanta, has a storied history with Kenya, 53. The two women notably feuded during Real Housewives Ultimate Girls’ Trip season 1, which aired in 2021.
“We’re good. We made it past Girls Trip,” Cynthia told Us. “We took a break from each other, a break that I definitely initiated because I was not happy after the Girls Trip. We’re good. We respect each other’s friendship boundaries. I love her always and we’re in a great space.”
“I do spend most of my time about 50-50,” she explained.
#MusicNews: Meshell Ndegeocello announces forthcoming album, No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin
Meshell Ndegeocello has announced her second Blue Note album No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin, a striking homage to the eminent writer and activist James Baldwin.
With No More Water, Ndegeocello embarks on a prophetic musical odyssey that delves headfirst into race, sexuality, religion, and other recurring themes explored in Baldwin’s canon. Following 2023’s The Omnichord Real Book, her acclaimed Blue Note debut which won the inaugural GRAMMY Award for Best Alternative Jazz Album, the multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer renders an immersive and palpable document that is as sagacious, unabashed, and introspective as Baldwin was in life.
Co-produced by Ndegeocello and guitarist Chris Bruce, No More Water features some of the bassist’s frequent collaborators including Bruce, vocalist Justin Hicks, saxophonist (and Omnichord producer) Josh Johnson, keyboardist Jebin Bruni, and drummer Abe Rounds. Also appearing on various songs are vocalist Kenita-Miller Hicks, keyboardists Jake Sherman and Julius Rodriguez, and Executive Director of the NYCPS Arts Office and trumpeter Paul Thompson. The album also showcases powerful spoken word by venerated poet Staceyann Chin and Pulitzer Prize-winning author and critic Hilton Als.
Nearly a decade in the making, the album’s origins began in 2016 during a performance at The Harlem Stage Gatehouse as part of their annual showcase honoring Baldwin. Ndegeocello had delved into Baldwin’s work the year before, including the seminal nonfiction work The Fire Next Time, which she considers “life-changing” and carries with her as a “spiritual text.” Ndegeocello says, “It was just a revelation to me, and it softened my heart in so many ways.”
No More Water marks a significant moment of self-discovery for Ndegeocello. She adds that Baldwin entered her life at precisely the right time. “It came when I was ready to look in the mirror. I’ve had to play Plantation Lullabies at a few shows. Looking back, I had an interesting perspective, but the dialogue was limited. It was more like a cathartic experience for a young person of color, whereas now I’m going, ‘How can I get us all to love each other? How can I get us all to see this for what it is?’”
#HipHopNews: Diddy Dirty Money Singer Kalenna Harper Voices Support For Bad Boy Mogul Amid Legal Troubles
Kalenna Harper, a former singer for Diddy‘s Dirty Money collective, has come out in support of her embattled Bad Boy boss, claiming that people who talk bad about him merely have an axe to grind.
In Rolling Stone‘s explosive exposé about the mogul, which dropped on Thursday (May 30), Harper’s voice was the lone voice raised in support of Diddy.
“Not everyone felt the same. Singer-songwriter Kalenna Harper says one of the highs of her life was joining Combs’ Diddy-Dirty Money group in 2009,” reads the article. “She was later invited to work with Combs on The Love Album. ‘He was fucking cool as shit,’ she says, adding that artists who blame Combs for the trajectory of their careers may suffer from “disgruntled employee syndrome.”
The story, compiled using interviews with more than 50 people connected to Diddy throughout his career, details how his alleged abusive behavior began during his time as a student at Howard University in the late 1980s.
The article describes an incident wherein he allegedly used a belt to strike a woman repeatedly, with an unnamed source saying: “[Puff] whupped her butt — like really whupped her butt.”
The report also alleges that the New York City native once beat up late Def Jam executive Shakir Stewart for dating his ex-girlfriend Kim Porter.
In that same article, Biggie‘s mother Voletta Wallace shared her thoughts on the Bad Boy Records mogul getting caught assaulting his former partner Cassie on camera while discussing the lawsuits filed against him in recent months.
“I’m sick to my stomach,” she said. “I’m praying for Cassie. I’m praying for his mother. I don’t want to believe the things that I’ve heard, but I’ve seen [the hotel video]. I pray that he apologizes to her.”
She added: “I hope that I see Sean one day and the only thing I want to do is slap the daylights out of him. And you can quote me on that. Because I liked him. I didn’t want to believe all the awful things, but I’m so ashamed and embarrassed.
“He needs to apologize to his mother. I hope to God he sits her down and spills his guts and apologize to her.”
Upon hearing the news of Ms. Wallace’s disdain for her son’s ex-boss, 50 Cent took to social media to back her up.
On Friday (May 31), the G-Unit took aim at his longtime rival via X, formerly Twitter, remarking that he’d do the same thing if he were in Ms. Wallace’s shoes.
“LOL I WANT TO SLAP THE SHIT OUT OF HIM TOO,” he said in a post that was subsequently deleted, per Complex.
#RIP: Marian Robinson, Former Forst Lady Michelle Obama’s Mother Has Died at 86
Marian Robinson, the mother of former First Lady Michelle Obama, has died at age 86. The family announced the news in a statement to NBC News on Friday.
“She passed peacefully this morning, and right now, none of us are quite sure how exactly we’ll move on without her,” the family told NBC News.
Robinson, who was born in 1937, grew up in Chicago’s south side. That’s also where she raised her children, Michelle and Craig Robinson. The Illinois native left her home in Chicago and moved to Washington D.C. when Barack Obama became president in 2009.
“I felt like this was going to be a very hard life for both of them,” Robinson told CBS Mornings in 2018 as she reflected on why she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law. “And I was worried about their safety, and I was worried about my grandkids. That’s what got me to move to D.C.”
Robinson’s loved ones expressed deep gratitude for the 86-year-old as they released their statement on Friday.
“We needed her. The girls needed her. And she ended up being our rock through it all,” the family said. “She relished her role as a grandmother. … And although she enforced whatever household rules we’d set for bedtime, watching TV, or eating candy, she made clear that she sided with her ‘grandbabies’ in thinking that their parents were too darn strict.”
In her interview with CBS This Morning, Robinson said it was a “huge adjustment” for her when she moved into the White House because she’s used to doing everything for herself. The Chicago native said she had to convince the White House residence staff to let her wash her own clothes.
In their statement on Friday, the family said their loved always stayed humble.
“Rather than hobnobbing with Oscar winners or Nobel laureates, she preferred spending her time upstairs with a TV tray, in the room outside her bedroom with big windows that looked out at the Washington Monument,” the family stated. “The only guest she made a point of asking to meet was the Pope.”
Barack Obama echoed a similar sentiment in a previous interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
“She’s down to Earth and she doesn’t understand all the fuss,” he said.
Michelle Obama often expresses her love for her mother publicly. The former First Lady recently went to social media on Mother’s Day to reveal that the family has dedicated an exhibit at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago to honor Robinson.
“In so many ways she fostered in me a deep sense of confidence in who I was and who I could be by teaching me how to think for myself, how to use my own voice, and how to understand my own worth,” the Michelle said in a video announcement. “I simply wouldn’t be who I am today without my mom.”
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour amid rumors of Ben Affleck marital strain: 'I am completely heartsick'
Jennifer Lopez has called off her This Is Me … Live Tour at the eleventh hour.
The singer wrote in her newsletter that she’s “completely heartsick and devastated” over the decision, but called it “absolutely necessary.” While she didn’t provide further detail, concert promoter Live Nation said Lopez needs time off to be with her “children, family and close friends.”
It’s unclear if this has anything to do with Lopez’s relationship status. She and her husband of less than two years, Ben Affleck, have been caught in a web of headlines after it was reported by multiple outlets that they have been living apart.
🚨 What just happened?
On May 31, Lopez shared the news from concert promoter Live Nation that the North American summer tour, set to kick off in Orlando on June 26, “is canceled” in her newsletter, On the J.Lo. “Jennifer is taking time off to be with her children, family and close friends,” the announcement read, in part.
Lopez shared her own “special message” to fans, saying, “I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down. Please know that I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t feel that it was absolutely necessary. I promise I will make it up to you and we will all be together again. I love you all so much. Until next time…”
This tour was in support of her long-delayed ninth studio album, This Is Me … Now, which came out in February. She sang about rekindling her relationship with Affleck 20 years after they called off an engagement. The reconciled pair married in July 2022. Lopez released two movies to go with the album — This Is Me…Now: A Love Story, in which Affleck appeared, as well as a doc, Greatest Love Story Never Told, about their relationship.
Lopez, who spent millions of her own money funding the movies, said Affleck wasn’t completely comfortable having their personal life be so exposed in the projects.
In February, Lopez announced a summer tour. It was later reported that ticket sales were weak, leading to Lopez rebranding the tour to include her greatest hits.
In early May, rumors began about marital trouble between Lopez and Affleck. People magazine was among the outlets to report they were living apart. The famous couple has been seen together a handful of times over the last month, including on May 30 at a party for Affleck’s daughter’s high school graduation. Neither Affleck nor Lopez have commented publicly on the rumors.
Amid the drama, Lopez had been rehearsing for her tour. Three days ago, a source close to Lopez told People, “They’re still living separately. She’s back in L.A. for tour rehearsals. She seems OK. She’s very focused on work.”
Lopez had also been traveling to promote her Netflix film Atlas, which debuted over Memorial Day weekend as the No. 1 movie on Netflix in 55 countries. Affleck, who has been filming The Accountant 2 on the West Coast, did not attend premiere events with her.
Adele Shuts Down Homophobic Heckler at Las Vegas Concert: “Are You F***king Stupid?”
Adele paused her Las Vegas show on Saturday to respond to a homophobic heckler heckler in the crowd.
Per footage on social media also obtained by SkyNews, an audience member at Adele’s June 1 show could reportedly be heard yelling, “Pride sucks!” as the singer chatted with the audience between songs. The day marked the first day of Pride Month, an annual celebration for the LGBTQ community.
“What was that? Did you just say, ‘Pride sucks?’” Adele responded. “Did you come to my fucking show and just say that Pride sucks? Are you fucking stupid? Don’t be so fucking ridiculous.”
She added, “If you got nothing nice to say, shut up, all right?”
The singer’s comments were met with cheers from the rest of the audience.
Other fans online later debated whether the heckler yelled “Pride sucks”or “work sucks.”
Adele has long been a supporter of LGBTQ and women’s rights, and last December accepted the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at The Hollywood Reporter‘s annual Women in Entertainment event.
Ahead of the award, the “Rolling In The Deep” singer told THR she does most of her charity work anonymously. “I also don’t ever want people who I’m trying to help question why I’m doing it,” she said. “I don’t want them to think that I’m doing it because it makes me look good, and my authenticity when it’s coming down to it. And I certainly wouldn’t want them ever feeling like I’m using them or anything like that. It’s a passion of mine that I do. But it is something I really want to start going into, my philanthropy phase. I definitely want to start it back home though, first.”
Adele’s Las Vegas residency, Weekends With Adele, will continue through November
Three Black men sue American Airlines for racial discrimination after allegedly being pulled off plane over body odor complaint
Three Black men filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against American Airlines, claiming they were racially discriminated against when they were allegedly pulled off a plane over a body odor complaint.
The men had boarded a New York City-bound flight in Phoenix on Jan. 5 when an American Airlines employee asked eight passengers, who were all Black men, to leave the plane, according to the lawsuit. Three of them are part of the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs — Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph and Xavier Veal — say they did not know each other and were not seated together, according to the lawsuit.
In an interview Wednesday with NBC News, Jackson and Jean-Joseph said they felt singled out for being Black and were humiliated by the episode.
“Being grouped and removed hits all these trigger points of things that I don’t think should happen to Black people anymore,” Jackson, 27, said.
Jean-Joseph said the men were made to look like criminals as they walked down the aisle of the plane. He said he has not flown since the incident and that he broke down as he relived it Wednesday, when the lawsuit was filed.
“It still affects me,” he said. “When I do get on a plane again, it’s going to be something that haunts me.”
In a statement, American Airlines said it was investigating the incident and that the “claims do not reflect our core values or our purpose of caring for people.”
“We take all claims of discrimination very seriously and want our customers to have a positive experience when they choose to fly with us,” the company said.
All eight men reboarded the flight about an hour later, after complaining about discrimination and after the airline could not book them on a later flight, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in the Eastern District of New York.
The plaintiffs are seeking awards of compensatory damages to be determined in a jury trial.
“They suffered during the entire flight home, and the entire incident was traumatic, upsetting, scary, humiliating, and degrading,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit also alleges that American Airlines has a documented history of mistreating Black passengers, citing a 2017 NAACP travel advisory warning Black passengers that their safety could be compromised if they flew American Airlines, referencing a series of “troublesome conduct” by employees at the time.
At the time, then-CEO Doug Parker said the company does not “tolerate discrimination of any kind” and said American Airlines had reached out to the NAACP to discuss concerns.
Will Smith, Martin Lawrence and the stats came out to The ‘Bad Boys: Ride Or Die’ Hollywood Red Carpet Premiere
On Thursday night (May 30), the stars of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die gathered in Hollywood to celebrate the premiere the action film ahead of its global release. Martin Lawrence and Will Smith made the red carpet event a family affair, bringing their loved ones to the occasion. BIA, Tiffany Haddish, the stars of BEL-AIR, Toni Braxton and family, Angela Simmons, and more also popped out for the premiere.
Bad Boys: Ride Or Die extends the Bad Boys franchise to four films. Due in theaters on June 7, 2024, both Smith and Lawrence are excited to continue the legacy of Detective Mike Lowery and Marcus Miles Burnett.
“It’s a popcorn movie. It’s fun, it’s exciting. You laugh, you cheer, but really at the core of it, you’re laughing but it’s some powerful concepts in there,” detailed Smith
Movie is out June 7th don’t miss it!
Florida deputy fired for use of deadly force in U.S. Airman’s death
A Florida deputy has been terminated following the conclusion of an administrative investigation into the death of U.S. Airman Roger Fortson last month. On Friday (May 31), Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden fired Deputy Eddie Duran for unjustified use of his firearm in the May 3 tragedy.
Duran was dispatched to a Fort Walton Beach apartment complex, where a possible domestic disturbance was reported. According to a building employee, a female resident claimed she overheard loud arguing that seemed to be escalating. The deputy was directed to unit 1401, where Forston lived alone with his dog. The 23-year-old was on a FaceTime call with his girlfriend when Duran knocked on his door.
The time-marked report explicitly states that Duran “listened for sounds of any disturbance inside the apartment. Hearing none, the former deputy knocked without announcing and listened for a response. When describing what he heard, the former deputy said he heard: ‘Something to the effect of ‘It’s the f**king police.’’”
Body camera footage revealed that when the active-duty senior airman opened the door, he had a gun pointed at the ground in his right hand. Duran saw the weapon and within seconds fired multiple shots, striking the young man three times as he fell onto his right side. He never once raised his weapon. Soon after, the Atlanta native was pronounced dead at an area hospital.
In a released statement, Sheriff Aden said that “Mr. Fortson did not make any hostile, attacking movements, and therefore, the former deputy’s use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable.” He further stated, "This tragic incident should have never occurred,” and that “the objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson’s actions. Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual.”
Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the victim’s family, said, “The firing of the officer who shot and killed Roger Fortson is a step forward, but it is not full justice for Roger and his family. The actions of this deputy were not just negligent, they were criminal. As we’ve stated from the beginning, and as echoed today by Sheriff Aden, Roger was an exceptional airman who did absolutely nothing to warrant being gunned down in his own home.”
Crump noted that he anticipates charges are forthcoming as footage from the incident is “damning proof that this was a brutal and senseless killing of a young man who was simply enjoying time alone with his dog while video chatting with his girlfriend.”
Fortson was remembered as intelligent, humble and a man of integrity by those who attended his funeral service on May 17 at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. Rev. Al Sharpton and Crump delivered remarks at the service. A criminal investigation into Duran’s actions with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is ongoing.
Rihanna reigns as the RIAA’s queen of diamond tracks
Rihanna is giving her lyrics “shine bright like a diamond” new meaning after reaching a celebration-worthy career milestone.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), she has the most diamond singles for a female artist with seven tracks (“Work” featuring Drake, “Needed Me,” “Stay,” “Umbrella” featuring JAY-Z, “Diamonds,” “We Found Love” featuring Calvin Harris, and “Love the Way You Lie” featuring Eminem). Her crown of jeweled records also nabbed her the most diamond certified titles for a female artist.
Rihanna reacted to being a trailblazer by reposting a Roc Nation graphic that announced the accolades. In the caption, she wrote, “Ain’t no back [and] forth,” leaving slices of humble pie for someone else to consume. Expectedly so, she was flooded with praise from longtime supporters. “Can’t spell Rihanna without RIAA,” read a tweet. Another message gave her encouragement to boost a bit louder with “Pop yo s**t, Rih.”
Her fans, however, would have been remiss had they not mentioned the lack of a new project while acknowledging her accomplishments. “Yes, because we don't have an album, we always listen to the same songs,” read a comment when she shared the feat on Instagram. Another person wrote, “No album in 917,382 years and still setting records.”
The Oscar nominated artist has not released a new album since 2016’s Anti. Ahead of her 2023 Super Bowl halftime show performance, she began to hint at music being in the works but shied away from getting hopes too high with a timeframe as to when it could arrive.
Fast-forward a year later, and her tune has not changed much. Most recently, she told Extra, "It's gonna be amazing” and that "it has to be. That is the only reason it's not out yet. If I'm not feeling it, and I am not feeling like it represents the evolution and the time I spent away, there should be a show of growth... I want to… show truly where I am at.”
Whether she drops the long-anticipated body of work this year or some other year down the line, it has already been solidified that -- as the star herself said on the song “Hard” -- “that Rihanna reign just won’t let up.”
#BoxOfficeNews: 'The Garfield Movie' Leads at the Sluggish Box Office
Garfield is at No. 1 at the box office, but it’s been a sluggish early summer.
The film brought in an additional $14 million in its latest weekend for a domestic total of $51.6 million so far, but the box office is down a whopping 67% from last year due to a lack of big event films, via THR.
Year-to-date revenue is now down as much as 26% over last year, according to the report.
Garfield cost $60 million to make, and just crossed the $100 million mark overseas for a global tally of $152.2 million.
Mad Max: Furiosa, which cost an expensive $168 million to produce, fell 59% to $10.75 million.
John Krasinki’s IF grossed another $10.8 million for a North American tally of $80.4 million.
The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes brought in another $9 million, and is the top-grossing film of the summer to date, with over $300 million globally.
Brittney Griner Shares Her Dreams For A Baby Boy Balling Like His Brit
When TMZ Sports caught up with Brittney Griner recently, they asked the million-dollar question: Will her son follow in her footsteps? Griner’s response, “Yeah, yeah. Sports, what?! C’mon now!! Of course!!” It’s clear that Griner is not just anticipating the arrival of her son but is already envisioning a future filled with athletic prowess.
As a nine-time WNBA All-Star and a powerhouse center for the Phoenix Mercury, Griner knows a thing or two about what it takes to excel in sports. She plans on being a dedicated sports mom, teaching her son the ins and outs of basketball from a young age. Talk about creating a legacy! With Griner’s experience and passion for the game, it’s no surprise she’s dreaming big for her little one.
Currently, Griner has to sit on the sidelines with a toe injury. However, she hopes to rejoin her teammates, including the legendary Diana Taurasi, on the court soon. Despite her injury, her focus is steadfastly split between her recovery and the impending arrival of her son.
As Brittney and Cherelle eagerly await the birth of their baby boy, the world watches with bated breath. The Griner family is on the brink of a beautiful new chapter, one filled with love, laughter, and undoubtedly, a lot of basketball.
Whether or not their son decides to follow in his mother’s illustrious footsteps, one thing is certain: with Brittney Griner as his mom, he’s bound to have an incredible start in life.
Snoop Dogg and Master P Sue Walmart and Post Over Alleged Snoop Cereal Sabotage
*A cereal created by Snoop Dogg and Master P is at the center of a lawsuit filed against Walmart and Post. The rappers, who are represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, accuse the companies of sabotaging Snoop Cereal by intentionally leaving the breakfast product off shelves and hiding it in stockrooms, NPR reports.
The legal action is a significant barrier to Snoop and P’s objective for Snoop Cereal to add diversity to the food industry while “inspiring and creating opportunities” for minority-owned products and brands. Snoop Cereal is part of a string of products aligned with Snoop and Master P’s company Broadus Foods, which was created in 2022.
Chronicling circumstances leading to the lawsuit, the 34-page lawsuit, filed in February, detailed initial friction when Post Consumer Brands attempted to outright buy Broadus Foods after Snoop and Master P approached the company to gain support for Snoop Cereal. how Post Consumer Brands. The attempt resulted in a thumbs down from the pair who believed accepting Post’s offer would “destroy the whole purpose of leaving the company to their families.”
A partnership promotion agreement with Broadus Foods later happened at the suggestion of Post. Under the agreement, the companies would work together to manufacture, market, distribute, and sell Snoop Cereal in December 2022.
According to the lawsuit, Post would split profits from the venture with Broadus Foods.
Master P and Snoop argue that hopes for the alliance were dashed by Post not honoring the initial agreement. In their eyes, the food manufacturer “pretended to be on board” with their goals and did not treat the cereal like “one of its own brands.”
“…Post entered a false arrangement where they could choke Broadus Foods out of the market, thereby preventing Snoop Cereal from being sold or produced by any competitor,” the lawsuit said.
Going back to 2023, the suit claimed Snoop Cereal was nowhere to be found in “many” Walmart stores across the U.S., months after its launch last July. The product’s disappearance was a stark contrast to the unchallenged availability of other Post-brand cereals.
Despite Snoop Cereal being listed as “sold out” or “out of stock,” the lawsuit alleges several boxes of the cereal were found in stockrooms by store employees. Adding further complication was claims the boxes were “coded to not be put out on the store shelves.”
As a result, Snoop and Master P say Broadus Foods suffered financial losses as well as a damaged reputation considering Walmart and Post‘s decision to halt Snoop Cereal’s availability on a wide scale to customers.
“The only reason Snoop Cereal would not sell was because Post and Walmart intentionally kept it from reaching the market,” the lawsuit said.
Responding to the claims raised by the suit, Walmart released a statement acknowledging the value of its relationships with its suppliers as well as its “strong history of supporting entrepreneurs.” In addition, the company cited customer demand, seasonality, and price among “many factors” that affect the sales of any given product.
As such, Walmart mentioned that it would “respond as appropriate with the Court once we are served with the complaint.”
A separate statement to NPR from Post Consumer Brands referenced a lack of interest from consumers in Snoop Cereal as the reason for the product’s downfall, the news outlet noted.
“Post Consumer Brands was excited to partner with Broadus Foods and we made substantial investments in the business,” Post’s statement read. “We were equally disappointed that consumer demand did not meet expectations.”
Damages exceeding $50,000 are being sought by Snoop and Master P as well as a jury trial and “further relief determined by the Court,” according to the lawsuit.
“This case shines a light on the steep challenges faced by minority-owned businesses in securing fair opportunities in the marketplace,” Crump said in a statement.
For Master P, the motivation for the lawsuit lies in minority-owned companies “getting a fair share.”
Megan Thee Stallion Lashes Out as Atlanta Cancels Her Saturday Performance Hours Before Showtime
*Oh well. The much-anticipated Hot Girl Summer Tour of Megan Thee Stallion, featuring GloRilla, was a no-go following persistent water leak issues in downtown Atlanta. According to State Farm Arena, the concert planned for Saturday night was called off.
“After speaking with the Mayor’s office regarding the continued water leak issues affecting downtown Atlanta, the City of Atlanta is unable to accommodate the Megan Thee Stallion performance scheduled for tonight,” an arena spokesperson tweeted.
The decision was highly unexpected as fans were assured of the concert’s continuance until the arena doors opened. The rapper, filming a social media update from inside the arena, expressed her frustration.
“Y’all was acting like I could perform, and now you’re telling me, ‘Oh by the way, when we was trying to fix the pipes, we found another issue, and now some more s— is going on.’ What! They’re playing with me.”
Compounding the inconvenience for the artist’s fans, the Saturday night concert cancellation came only 30 minutes before doors were set to open, intensifying the disappointment after the postponement of Friday night’s concert, which was rescheduled for Sunday.
The continued water leak issues, affecting downtown and Midtown Atlanta, have profoundly impacted residents and businesses across the metro Atlanta area. This has necessitated concert cancellations and more.
Fans of Megan Thee Stallion are being advised to check State Farm Arena’s social media pages for further updates regarding potential rescheduling.
Furthermore, those who purchased tickets for the Friday night concert via Ticketmaster are now eligible for a refund by Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 11:59 p.m., easing some of the week’s unforeseen inconveniences.
As the Hot Girl Summer Tour faces this unfortunate setback, fans remain hopeful for a soon-to-be rescheduled performance, keen to witness the iconic artist’s long-anticipated return to Atlanta.
Dutch Police Refute Nicki Minaj’s Claims of Racial Bias in Arrest
Nicki Minaj‘s assertion that her recent arrest was racially motivated has been denied by Dutch police
The NOS reported that on Friday, May 30, the police issued a statement declaring that the “Starships” rapper’s arrest was standard procedure and not influenced by her fame or race
“It’s unfortunate if she felt that way,” a spokesperson for the Amsterdam police department told the outlet. “We arrested her when we found dozens of joints in her luggage. She was released four hours later in consultation with the public prosecutor after paying a fine. I believe everything went very smoothly. It’s unfortunate that she played that card.”
A spokesperson for the Dutch police also told the BBC: “We just do our job, and it is protocol to search luggage and arrest a person when we find drugs. The arrest was around 5:30 p.m., the release at 9:30 p.m. We stand for a professional organization that treats everybody equally, no matter what.”
Nicki Minaj was detained in Amsterdam on May 25 on suspicion of “possessing soft drugs” while traveling to Manchester for her Pink Friday 2 Tour.
She livestreamed the arrest on social media, showing a member of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee informing her that she was under arrest for “carrying drugs.”
Speaking to fans on the livestream platform Stationhead, the Young Money rapper criticized the “disgusting” treatment she received during the arrest and suggested that race played a role in the incident.
“Not being able to get to Manchester, I don’t know when was the last time I felt that low,” she said, referring to her canceled show in the UK city due to her arrest.
“Not only that, but knowing that something is being done to you on purpose simply because you are a confident person of another race. There was one lady there — all the rest were men — and I could tell she had a heart. The treatment was just disgusting and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
When asked by someone on the stream if Dutch officials treated her like a “human,” she responded: “No. When they put out that press release that I was released, I was still in the building. They were maybe doing damage control, I don’t know.”
Angel Reese and Chicago Sky Fined for Violating WNBA Media Availability Rules After Loss to Fever
The WNBA announced on Sunday that Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky have been fined for failing to comply with the league’s media responsibilities following the team’s 71-70 loss to the Indiana Fever. This game marked the first professional meeting between Reese and No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark.
According to the league’s press release:
Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky has been fined $1,000 for not making herself available to the media for interviews following the game on Saturday, June 1, against Indiana.
Additionally, the Sky organization has been fined $5,000 for not ensuring that all players adhere to WNBA media policies.
The league’s media access policy for postgame availability states:
– No later than 10 minutes after the game, each head coach and two players (leading scorer and key contributor) per team must be available in separate press conference rooms for in-person and Zoom media.
– After the team’s press conferences, any players not participating at the podium may be requested for interviews by in-person media only. These “additional players” must be available in a suitable location such as the interview room or hallway outside the locker room.
– All players must remain in the building until all media obligations are met.
The Sky brought Chennedy Carter and Kamilla Cardoso to the podium, along with coach Teresa Weatherspoon. Carter did not answer questions about the third-quarter incident where she shoulder-checked Clark, a foul later upgraded to a Flagrant 1 upon league review on Sunday.
As Reese was not at the podium, she was required to be available to in-person media outside the locker room, but it is unclear why she did not speak.
Reese finished the game with eight points and 13 rebounds. She is averaging 10.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game this season. She ranks second in scoring, first in rebounding, and first in steals among rookies, and leads the league with 5.0 offensive rebounds per game.
Nicole Kidman, Brie Larson, Anna Sawai and Naomi Watts weigh on everything from method acting to menopause to snorting coke (on screen).
Get more at THR
#RHOA: Cynthia Bailey Teases Season 16 Cast Additions Bring ‘New Blood’
“We’re on Week No. 3 and already, these girls are jumping right in getting their hands dirty,” Cynthia, 57, exclusively told Us Weekly at Gurus magazine’s #30Voices30Days launch party on Saturday, June 1. “I think you guys are in for a treat. I think three of them bring just the right amount of new blood that we needed for season sweet 16.”
She continued, “So, it’s gonna be sweet and maybe bittersweet but I think you guys will be entertained.”
While Kenya Moore, Porsha Williams and Drew Sidora will all keep hold of their peaches for season 16, a slew of fresh faces will join them. Bravo previously confirmed that Brittany Eady, Kelli Ferrell and Angela Oakley have joined the cast. Shamea Morton Mwangi, for her part, was upgraded to a full-time Housewife after previous guest appearances.
Cynthia, meanwhile, was an OG star between seasons 3 and 13, ultimately leaving the show in 2021. She will return to RHOA season 16 as a “friend.”
“Honestly, there was a little trepidation about it only because I’m just in such a small time in my life,” Cynthia told Us at the Saturday event, which was held at the Godfrey Hotel Hollywood. “I’m older and definitely one of the older ladies on the show. I just do me and choose love and peace.”
She added, “I don’t really want a lot of drama in my life. However, I do have a lot of history with some of the ladies that are still on the show and just with the show in general. So I feel like at this point, I can hopefully navigate the roads carefully. I’m just excited to see Atlanta back on top again.”
Cynthia, who has been bicoastal between Los Angeles and Atlanta, has a storied history with Kenya, 53. The two women notably feuded during Real Housewives Ultimate Girls’ Trip season 1, which aired in 2021.
“We’re good. We made it past Girls Trip,” Cynthia told Us. “We took a break from each other, a break that I definitely initiated because I was not happy after the Girls Trip. We’re good. We respect each other’s friendship boundaries. I love her always and we’re in a great space.”
“I do spend most of my time about 50-50,” she explained.
#MusicNews: Meshell Ndegeocello announces forthcoming album, No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin
Meshell Ndegeocello has announced her second Blue Note album No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin, a striking homage to the eminent writer and activist James Baldwin.
With No More Water, Ndegeocello embarks on a prophetic musical odyssey that delves headfirst into race, sexuality, religion, and other recurring themes explored in Baldwin’s canon. Following 2023’s The Omnichord Real Book, her acclaimed Blue Note debut which won the inaugural GRAMMY Award for Best Alternative Jazz Album, the multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer renders an immersive and palpable document that is as sagacious, unabashed, and introspective as Baldwin was in life.
Co-produced by Ndegeocello and guitarist Chris Bruce, No More Water features some of the bassist’s frequent collaborators including Bruce, vocalist Justin Hicks, saxophonist (and Omnichord producer) Josh Johnson, keyboardist Jebin Bruni, and drummer Abe Rounds. Also appearing on various songs are vocalist Kenita-Miller Hicks, keyboardists Jake Sherman and Julius Rodriguez, and Executive Director of the NYCPS Arts Office and trumpeter Paul Thompson. The album also showcases powerful spoken word by venerated poet Staceyann Chin and Pulitzer Prize-winning author and critic Hilton Als.
Nearly a decade in the making, the album’s origins began in 2016 during a performance at The Harlem Stage Gatehouse as part of their annual showcase honoring Baldwin. Ndegeocello had delved into Baldwin’s work the year before, including the seminal nonfiction work The Fire Next Time, which she considers “life-changing” and carries with her as a “spiritual text.” Ndegeocello says, “It was just a revelation to me, and it softened my heart in so many ways.”
No More Water marks a significant moment of self-discovery for Ndegeocello. She adds that Baldwin entered her life at precisely the right time. “It came when I was ready to look in the mirror. I’ve had to play Plantation Lullabies at a few shows. Looking back, I had an interesting perspective, but the dialogue was limited. It was more like a cathartic experience for a young person of color, whereas now I’m going, ‘How can I get us all to love each other? How can I get us all to see this for what it is?’”
#HipHopNews: Diddy Dirty Money Singer Kalenna Harper Voices Support For Bad Boy Mogul Amid Legal Troubles
In Rolling Stone‘s explosive exposé about the mogul, which dropped on Thursday (May 30), Harper’s voice was the lone voice raised in support of Diddy.
“Not everyone felt the same. Singer-songwriter Kalenna Harper says one of the highs of her life was joining Combs’ Diddy-Dirty Money group in 2009,” reads the article. “She was later invited to work with Combs on The Love Album. ‘He was fucking cool as shit,’ she says, adding that artists who blame Combs for the trajectory of their careers may suffer from “disgruntled employee syndrome.”
The story, compiled using interviews with more than 50 people connected to Diddy throughout his career, details how his alleged abusive behavior began during his time as a student at Howard University in the late 1980s.
The article describes an incident wherein he allegedly used a belt to strike a woman repeatedly, with an unnamed source saying: “[Puff] whupped her butt — like really whupped her butt.”
The report also alleges that the New York City native once beat up late Def Jam executive Shakir Stewart for dating his ex-girlfriend Kim Porter.
In that same article, Biggie‘s mother Voletta Wallace shared her thoughts on the Bad Boy Records mogul getting caught assaulting his former partner Cassie on camera while discussing the lawsuits filed against him in recent months.
“I’m sick to my stomach,” she said. “I’m praying for Cassie. I’m praying for his mother. I don’t want to believe the things that I’ve heard, but I’ve seen [the hotel video]. I pray that he apologizes to her.”
She added: “I hope that I see Sean one day and the only thing I want to do is slap the daylights out of him. And you can quote me on that. Because I liked him. I didn’t want to believe all the awful things, but I’m so ashamed and embarrassed.
“He needs to apologize to his mother. I hope to God he sits her down and spills his guts and apologize to her.”
Upon hearing the news of Ms. Wallace’s disdain for her son’s ex-boss, 50 Cent took to social media to back her up.
On Friday (May 31), the G-Unit took aim at his longtime rival via X, formerly Twitter, remarking that he’d do the same thing if he were in Ms. Wallace’s shoes.
“LOL I WANT TO SLAP THE SHIT OUT OF HIM TOO,” he said in a post that was subsequently deleted, per Complex.
#RIP: Marian Robinson, Former Forst Lady Michelle Obama’s Mother Has Died at 86
Marian Robinson, the mother of former First Lady Michelle Obama, has died at age 86. The family announced the news in a statement to NBC News on Friday.
“She passed peacefully this morning, and right now, none of us are quite sure how exactly we’ll move on without her,” the family told NBC News.
Robinson, who was born in 1937, grew up in Chicago’s south side. That’s also where she raised her children, Michelle and Craig Robinson. The Illinois native left her home in Chicago and moved to Washington D.C. when Barack Obama became president in 2009.
“I felt like this was going to be a very hard life for both of them,” Robinson told CBS Mornings in 2018 as she reflected on why she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law. “And I was worried about their safety, and I was worried about my grandkids. That’s what got me to move to D.C.”
Robinson’s loved ones expressed deep gratitude for the 86-year-old as they released their statement on Friday.
“We needed her. The girls needed her. And she ended up being our rock through it all,” the family said. “She relished her role as a grandmother. … And although she enforced whatever household rules we’d set for bedtime, watching TV, or eating candy, she made clear that she sided with her ‘grandbabies’ in thinking that their parents were too darn strict.”
In her interview with CBS This Morning, Robinson said it was a “huge adjustment” for her when she moved into the White House because she’s used to doing everything for herself. The Chicago native said she had to convince the White House residence staff to let her wash her own clothes.
In their statement on Friday, the family said their loved always stayed humble.
“Rather than hobnobbing with Oscar winners or Nobel laureates, she preferred spending her time upstairs with a TV tray, in the room outside her bedroom with big windows that looked out at the Washington Monument,” the family stated. “The only guest she made a point of asking to meet was the Pope.”
Barack Obama echoed a similar sentiment in a previous interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
“She’s down to Earth and she doesn’t understand all the fuss,” he said.
Michelle Obama often expresses her love for her mother publicly. The former First Lady recently went to social media on Mother’s Day to reveal that the family has dedicated an exhibit at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago to honor Robinson.
“In so many ways she fostered in me a deep sense of confidence in who I was and who I could be by teaching me how to think for myself, how to use my own voice, and how to understand my own worth,” the Michelle said in a video announcement. “I simply wouldn’t be who I am today without my mom.”
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour amid rumors of Ben Affleck marital strain: 'I am completely heartsick'
Jennifer Lopez has called off her This Is Me … Live Tour at the eleventh hour.
The singer wrote in her newsletter that she’s “completely heartsick and devastated” over the decision, but called it “absolutely necessary.” While she didn’t provide further detail, concert promoter Live Nation said Lopez needs time off to be with her “children, family and close friends.”
It’s unclear if this has anything to do with Lopez’s relationship status. She and her husband of less than two years, Ben Affleck, have been caught in a web of headlines after it was reported by multiple outlets that they have been living apart.
🚨 What just happened?
On May 31, Lopez shared the news from concert promoter Live Nation that the North American summer tour, set to kick off in Orlando on June 26, “is canceled” in her newsletter, On the J.Lo. “Jennifer is taking time off to be with her children, family and close friends,” the announcement read, in part.
Lopez shared her own “special message” to fans, saying, “I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down. Please know that I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t feel that it was absolutely necessary. I promise I will make it up to you and we will all be together again. I love you all so much. Until next time…”
This tour was in support of her long-delayed ninth studio album, This Is Me … Now, which came out in February. She sang about rekindling her relationship with Affleck 20 years after they called off an engagement. The reconciled pair married in July 2022. Lopez released two movies to go with the album — This Is Me…Now: A Love Story, in which Affleck appeared, as well as a doc, Greatest Love Story Never Told, about their relationship.
Lopez, who spent millions of her own money funding the movies, said Affleck wasn’t completely comfortable having their personal life be so exposed in the projects.
In February, Lopez announced a summer tour. It was later reported that ticket sales were weak, leading to Lopez rebranding the tour to include her greatest hits.
In early May, rumors began about marital trouble between Lopez and Affleck. People magazine was among the outlets to report they were living apart. The famous couple has been seen together a handful of times over the last month, including on May 30 at a party for Affleck’s daughter’s high school graduation. Neither Affleck nor Lopez have commented publicly on the rumors.
Amid the drama, Lopez had been rehearsing for her tour. Three days ago, a source close to Lopez told People, “They’re still living separately. She’s back in L.A. for tour rehearsals. She seems OK. She’s very focused on work.”
Lopez had also been traveling to promote her Netflix film Atlas, which debuted over Memorial Day weekend as the No. 1 movie on Netflix in 55 countries. Affleck, who has been filming The Accountant 2 on the West Coast, did not attend premiere events with her.
Adele Shuts Down Homophobic Heckler at Las Vegas Concert: “Are You F***king Stupid?”
Per footage on social media also obtained by SkyNews, an audience member at Adele’s June 1 show could reportedly be heard yelling, “Pride sucks!” as the singer chatted with the audience between songs. The day marked the first day of Pride Month, an annual celebration for the LGBTQ community.
“What was that? Did you just say, ‘Pride sucks?’” Adele responded. “Did you come to my fucking show and just say that Pride sucks? Are you fucking stupid? Don’t be so fucking ridiculous.”
She added, “If you got nothing nice to say, shut up, all right?”
The singer’s comments were met with cheers from the rest of the audience.
Other fans online later debated whether the heckler yelled “Pride sucks”or “work sucks.”
Adele has long been a supporter of LGBTQ and women’s rights, and last December accepted the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at The Hollywood Reporter‘s annual Women in Entertainment event.
Ahead of the award, the “Rolling In The Deep” singer told THR she does most of her charity work anonymously. “I also don’t ever want people who I’m trying to help question why I’m doing it,” she said. “I don’t want them to think that I’m doing it because it makes me look good, and my authenticity when it’s coming down to it. And I certainly wouldn’t want them ever feeling like I’m using them or anything like that. It’s a passion of mine that I do. But it is something I really want to start going into, my philanthropy phase. I definitely want to start it back home though, first.”
Adele’s Las Vegas residency, Weekends With Adele, will continue through November
Three Black men sue American Airlines for racial discrimination after allegedly being pulled off plane over body odor complaint
Three Black men filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against American Airlines, claiming they were racially discriminated against when they were allegedly pulled off a plane over a body odor complaint.
The men had boarded a New York City-bound flight in Phoenix on Jan. 5 when an American Airlines employee asked eight passengers, who were all Black men, to leave the plane, according to the lawsuit. Three of them are part of the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs — Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph and Xavier Veal — say they did not know each other and were not seated together, according to the lawsuit.
In an interview Wednesday with NBC News, Jackson and Jean-Joseph said they felt singled out for being Black and were humiliated by the episode.
“Being grouped and removed hits all these trigger points of things that I don’t think should happen to Black people anymore,” Jackson, 27, said.
Jean-Joseph said the men were made to look like criminals as they walked down the aisle of the plane. He said he has not flown since the incident and that he broke down as he relived it Wednesday, when the lawsuit was filed.
“It still affects me,” he said. “When I do get on a plane again, it’s going to be something that haunts me.”
In a statement, American Airlines said it was investigating the incident and that the “claims do not reflect our core values or our purpose of caring for people.”
“We take all claims of discrimination very seriously and want our customers to have a positive experience when they choose to fly with us,” the company said.
All eight men reboarded the flight about an hour later, after complaining about discrimination and after the airline could not book them on a later flight, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in the Eastern District of New York.
The plaintiffs are seeking awards of compensatory damages to be determined in a jury trial.
“They suffered during the entire flight home, and the entire incident was traumatic, upsetting, scary, humiliating, and degrading,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit also alleges that American Airlines has a documented history of mistreating Black passengers, citing a 2017 NAACP travel advisory warning Black passengers that their safety could be compromised if they flew American Airlines, referencing a series of “troublesome conduct” by employees at the time.
At the time, then-CEO Doug Parker said the company does not “tolerate discrimination of any kind” and said American Airlines had reached out to the NAACP to discuss concerns.
Will Smith, Martin Lawrence and the stats came out to The ‘Bad Boys: Ride Or Die’ Hollywood Red Carpet Premiere
On Thursday night (May 30), the stars of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die gathered in Hollywood to celebrate the premiere the action film ahead of its global release. Martin Lawrence and Will Smith made the red carpet event a family affair, bringing their loved ones to the occasion. BIA, Tiffany Haddish, the stars of BEL-AIR, Toni Braxton and family, Angela Simmons, and more also popped out for the premiere.
“It’s a popcorn movie. It’s fun, it’s exciting. You laugh, you cheer, but really at the core of it, you’re laughing but it’s some powerful concepts in there,” detailed Smith
Movie is out June 7th don’t miss it!
Florida deputy fired for use of deadly force in U.S. Airman’s death
Duran was dispatched to a Fort Walton Beach apartment complex, where a possible domestic disturbance was reported. According to a building employee, a female resident claimed she overheard loud arguing that seemed to be escalating. The deputy was directed to unit 1401, where Forston lived alone with his dog. The 23-year-old was on a FaceTime call with his girlfriend when Duran knocked on his door.
The time-marked report explicitly states that Duran “listened for sounds of any disturbance inside the apartment. Hearing none, the former deputy knocked without announcing and listened for a response. When describing what he heard, the former deputy said he heard: ‘Something to the effect of ‘It’s the f**king police.’’”
Body camera footage revealed that when the active-duty senior airman opened the door, he had a gun pointed at the ground in his right hand. Duran saw the weapon and within seconds fired multiple shots, striking the young man three times as he fell onto his right side. He never once raised his weapon. Soon after, the Atlanta native was pronounced dead at an area hospital.
In a released statement, Sheriff Aden said that “Mr. Fortson did not make any hostile, attacking movements, and therefore, the former deputy’s use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable.” He further stated, "This tragic incident should have never occurred,” and that “the objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson’s actions. Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual.”
Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the victim’s family, said, “The firing of the officer who shot and killed Roger Fortson is a step forward, but it is not full justice for Roger and his family. The actions of this deputy were not just negligent, they were criminal. As we’ve stated from the beginning, and as echoed today by Sheriff Aden, Roger was an exceptional airman who did absolutely nothing to warrant being gunned down in his own home.”
Crump noted that he anticipates charges are forthcoming as footage from the incident is “damning proof that this was a brutal and senseless killing of a young man who was simply enjoying time alone with his dog while video chatting with his girlfriend.”
Fortson was remembered as intelligent, humble and a man of integrity by those who attended his funeral service on May 17 at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. Rev. Al Sharpton and Crump delivered remarks at the service. A criminal investigation into Duran’s actions with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is ongoing.
Rihanna reigns as the RIAA’s queen of diamond tracks
According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), she has the most diamond singles for a female artist with seven tracks (“Work” featuring Drake, “Needed Me,” “Stay,” “Umbrella” featuring JAY-Z, “Diamonds,” “We Found Love” featuring Calvin Harris, and “Love the Way You Lie” featuring Eminem). Her crown of jeweled records also nabbed her the most diamond certified titles for a female artist.
Rihanna reacted to being a trailblazer by reposting a Roc Nation graphic that announced the accolades. In the caption, she wrote, “Ain’t no back [and] forth,” leaving slices of humble pie for someone else to consume. Expectedly so, she was flooded with praise from longtime supporters. “Can’t spell Rihanna without RIAA,” read a tweet. Another message gave her encouragement to boost a bit louder with “Pop yo s**t, Rih.”
Her fans, however, would have been remiss had they not mentioned the lack of a new project while acknowledging her accomplishments. “Yes, because we don't have an album, we always listen to the same songs,” read a comment when she shared the feat on Instagram. Another person wrote, “No album in 917,382 years and still setting records.”
The Oscar nominated artist has not released a new album since 2016’s Anti. Ahead of her 2023 Super Bowl halftime show performance, she began to hint at music being in the works but shied away from getting hopes too high with a timeframe as to when it could arrive.
Fast-forward a year later, and her tune has not changed much. Most recently, she told Extra, "It's gonna be amazing” and that "it has to be. That is the only reason it's not out yet. If I'm not feeling it, and I am not feeling like it represents the evolution and the time I spent away, there should be a show of growth... I want to… show truly where I am at.”
Whether she drops the long-anticipated body of work this year or some other year down the line, it has already been solidified that -- as the star herself said on the song “Hard” -- “that Rihanna reign just won’t let up.”
#BoxOfficeNews: 'The Garfield Movie' Leads at the Sluggish Box Office
Garfield is at No. 1 at the box office, but it’s been a sluggish early summer.
The film brought in an additional $14 million in its latest weekend for a domestic total of $51.6 million so far, but the box office is down a whopping 67% from last year due to a lack of big event films, via THR.
Year-to-date revenue is now down as much as 26% over last year, according to the report.
Garfield cost $60 million to make, and just crossed the $100 million mark overseas for a global tally of $152.2 million.
Mad Max: Furiosa, which cost an expensive $168 million to produce, fell 59% to $10.75 million.
John Krasinki’s IF grossed another $10.8 million for a North American tally of $80.4 million.
The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes brought in another $9 million, and is the top-grossing film of the summer to date, with over $300 million globally.
Brittney Griner Shares Her Dreams For A Baby Boy Balling Like His Brit
As a nine-time WNBA All-Star and a powerhouse center for the Phoenix Mercury, Griner knows a thing or two about what it takes to excel in sports. She plans on being a dedicated sports mom, teaching her son the ins and outs of basketball from a young age. Talk about creating a legacy! With Griner’s experience and passion for the game, it’s no surprise she’s dreaming big for her little one.
Currently, Griner has to sit on the sidelines with a toe injury. However, she hopes to rejoin her teammates, including the legendary Diana Taurasi, on the court soon. Despite her injury, her focus is steadfastly split between her recovery and the impending arrival of her son.
As Brittney and Cherelle eagerly await the birth of their baby boy, the world watches with bated breath. The Griner family is on the brink of a beautiful new chapter, one filled with love, laughter, and undoubtedly, a lot of basketball.
Whether or not their son decides to follow in his mother’s illustrious footsteps, one thing is certain: with Brittney Griner as his mom, he’s bound to have an incredible start in life.
Snoop Dogg and Master P Sue Walmart and Post Over Alleged Snoop Cereal Sabotage
*A cereal created by Snoop Dogg and Master P is at the center of a lawsuit filed against Walmart and Post. The rappers, who are represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, accuse the companies of sabotaging Snoop Cereal by intentionally leaving the breakfast product off shelves and hiding it in stockrooms, NPR reports.
The legal action is a significant barrier to Snoop and P’s objective for Snoop Cereal to add diversity to the food industry while “inspiring and creating opportunities” for minority-owned products and brands. Snoop Cereal is part of a string of products aligned with Snoop and Master P’s company Broadus Foods, which was created in 2022.
Chronicling circumstances leading to the lawsuit, the 34-page lawsuit, filed in February, detailed initial friction when Post Consumer Brands attempted to outright buy Broadus Foods after Snoop and Master P approached the company to gain support for Snoop Cereal. how Post Consumer Brands. The attempt resulted in a thumbs down from the pair who believed accepting Post’s offer would “destroy the whole purpose of leaving the company to their families.”
A partnership promotion agreement with Broadus Foods later happened at the suggestion of Post. Under the agreement, the companies would work together to manufacture, market, distribute, and sell Snoop Cereal in December 2022.
According to the lawsuit, Post would split profits from the venture with Broadus Foods.
Master P and Snoop argue that hopes for the alliance were dashed by Post not honoring the initial agreement. In their eyes, the food manufacturer “pretended to be on board” with their goals and did not treat the cereal like “one of its own brands.”
“…Post entered a false arrangement where they could choke Broadus Foods out of the market, thereby preventing Snoop Cereal from being sold or produced by any competitor,” the lawsuit said.
Going back to 2023, the suit claimed Snoop Cereal was nowhere to be found in “many” Walmart stores across the U.S., months after its launch last July. The product’s disappearance was a stark contrast to the unchallenged availability of other Post-brand cereals.
Despite Snoop Cereal being listed as “sold out” or “out of stock,” the lawsuit alleges several boxes of the cereal were found in stockrooms by store employees. Adding further complication was claims the boxes were “coded to not be put out on the store shelves.”
As a result, Snoop and Master P say Broadus Foods suffered financial losses as well as a damaged reputation considering Walmart and Post‘s decision to halt Snoop Cereal’s availability on a wide scale to customers.
“The only reason Snoop Cereal would not sell was because Post and Walmart intentionally kept it from reaching the market,” the lawsuit said.
Responding to the claims raised by the suit, Walmart released a statement acknowledging the value of its relationships with its suppliers as well as its “strong history of supporting entrepreneurs.” In addition, the company cited customer demand, seasonality, and price among “many factors” that affect the sales of any given product.
As such, Walmart mentioned that it would “respond as appropriate with the Court once we are served with the complaint.”
A separate statement to NPR from Post Consumer Brands referenced a lack of interest from consumers in Snoop Cereal as the reason for the product’s downfall, the news outlet noted.
“Post Consumer Brands was excited to partner with Broadus Foods and we made substantial investments in the business,” Post’s statement read. “We were equally disappointed that consumer demand did not meet expectations.”
Damages exceeding $50,000 are being sought by Snoop and Master P as well as a jury trial and “further relief determined by the Court,” according to the lawsuit.
“This case shines a light on the steep challenges faced by minority-owned businesses in securing fair opportunities in the marketplace,” Crump said in a statement.
For Master P, the motivation for the lawsuit lies in minority-owned companies “getting a fair share.”
Megan Thee Stallion Lashes Out as Atlanta Cancels Her Saturday Performance Hours Before Showtime
“After speaking with the Mayor’s office regarding the continued water leak issues affecting downtown Atlanta, the City of Atlanta is unable to accommodate the Megan Thee Stallion performance scheduled for tonight,” an arena spokesperson tweeted.
The decision was highly unexpected as fans were assured of the concert’s continuance until the arena doors opened. The rapper, filming a social media update from inside the arena, expressed her frustration.
“Y’all was acting like I could perform, and now you’re telling me, ‘Oh by the way, when we was trying to fix the pipes, we found another issue, and now some more s— is going on.’ What! They’re playing with me.”
Compounding the inconvenience for the artist’s fans, the Saturday night concert cancellation came only 30 minutes before doors were set to open, intensifying the disappointment after the postponement of Friday night’s concert, which was rescheduled for Sunday.
The continued water leak issues, affecting downtown and Midtown Atlanta, have profoundly impacted residents and businesses across the metro Atlanta area. This has necessitated concert cancellations and more.
Fans of Megan Thee Stallion are being advised to check State Farm Arena’s social media pages for further updates regarding potential rescheduling.
Furthermore, those who purchased tickets for the Friday night concert via Ticketmaster are now eligible for a refund by Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 11:59 p.m., easing some of the week’s unforeseen inconveniences.
As the Hot Girl Summer Tour faces this unfortunate setback, fans remain hopeful for a soon-to-be rescheduled performance, keen to witness the iconic artist’s long-anticipated return to Atlanta.
Dutch Police Refute Nicki Minaj’s Claims of Racial Bias in Arrest
Nicki Minaj‘s assertion that her recent arrest was racially motivated has been denied by Dutch police
The NOS reported that on Friday, May 30, the police issued a statement declaring that the “Starships” rapper’s arrest was standard procedure and not influenced by her fame or race
“It’s unfortunate if she felt that way,” a spokesperson for the Amsterdam police department told the outlet. “We arrested her when we found dozens of joints in her luggage. She was released four hours later in consultation with the public prosecutor after paying a fine. I believe everything went very smoothly. It’s unfortunate that she played that card.”
A spokesperson for the Dutch police also told the BBC: “We just do our job, and it is protocol to search luggage and arrest a person when we find drugs. The arrest was around 5:30 p.m., the release at 9:30 p.m. We stand for a professional organization that treats everybody equally, no matter what.”
Nicki Minaj was detained in Amsterdam on May 25 on suspicion of “possessing soft drugs” while traveling to Manchester for her Pink Friday 2 Tour.
She livestreamed the arrest on social media, showing a member of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee informing her that she was under arrest for “carrying drugs.”
Speaking to fans on the livestream platform Stationhead, the Young Money rapper criticized the “disgusting” treatment she received during the arrest and suggested that race played a role in the incident.
“Not being able to get to Manchester, I don’t know when was the last time I felt that low,” she said, referring to her canceled show in the UK city due to her arrest.
“Not only that, but knowing that something is being done to you on purpose simply because you are a confident person of another race. There was one lady there — all the rest were men — and I could tell she had a heart. The treatment was just disgusting and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
When asked by someone on the stream if Dutch officials treated her like a “human,” she responded: “No. When they put out that press release that I was released, I was still in the building. They were maybe doing damage control, I don’t know.”
Angel Reese and Chicago Sky Fined for Violating WNBA Media Availability Rules After Loss to Fever
According to the league’s press release:
Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky has been fined $1,000 for not making herself available to the media for interviews following the game on Saturday, June 1, against Indiana.
Additionally, the Sky organization has been fined $5,000 for not ensuring that all players adhere to WNBA media policies.
The league’s media access policy for postgame availability states:
– No later than 10 minutes after the game, each head coach and two players (leading scorer and key contributor) per team must be available in separate press conference rooms for in-person and Zoom media.
– After the team’s press conferences, any players not participating at the podium may be requested for interviews by in-person media only. These “additional players” must be available in a suitable location such as the interview room or hallway outside the locker room.
– All players must remain in the building until all media obligations are met.
The Sky brought Chennedy Carter and Kamilla Cardoso to the podium, along with coach Teresa Weatherspoon. Carter did not answer questions about the third-quarter incident where she shoulder-checked Clark, a foul later upgraded to a Flagrant 1 upon league review on Sunday.
As Reese was not at the podium, she was required to be available to in-person media outside the locker room, but it is unclear why she did not speak.
Reese finished the game with eight points and 13 rebounds. She is averaging 10.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game this season. She ranks second in scoring, first in rebounding, and first in steals among rookies, and leads the league with 5.0 offensive rebounds per game.
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