7/18/24

The Daily Buzz For Jul 19 ☕📰☕

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#MAGFAB: WNBA Star A’ja Wilson Covers MARIE CLAIRE’s July 2024 ‘Women in Sports’ Issue
A’ja Wilson, the dynamic force of the WNBA, is not only reaching new heights but also propelling women’s basketball into an era of unprecedented popularity. Wilson, a two-time MVP and the all-time leading scorer for the Las Vegas Aces set to take the stage for the second time at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, graces the cover of MARIE CLAIRE’s July 2024 ‘Women in Sports’ Issue.
She’s been leading the WNBA for years. But now, with the sport seeing unprecedented growth, the basketball super...  
 
“When people ask me what I do and why, it’s like I’m not just living for myself, but for generations before me.”
“I try to make sure I’m the vet that I didn’t really have. The guidance is needed, particularly now, because there’s so much noise.”
“It’s very hard being a Black woman because sometimes people just don’t want you. And it’s okay because at the end of the day, I have people that do want me, who are investing in me, partnerships that are wanting me to grow and are allowing me to be me.”


BREAKING: #RIP Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee passes away at 74

The family of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee posted a statement late Friday night saying that the congresswoman has passed away. She was 74-years-old.
U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who was known by many in Houston for her hard work and public service, passed away at the age of 74.
Jackson Lee, who has represented Texas' 18th Congressional District for nearly three decades, revealed her battle with pancreatic cancer in June.

The Queens, New York native and daughter of a comic book artist attended Yale University and the University of Virginia where she obtained her law degree. 
While she was in college, she met the man who would become her husband, Elwyn Lee, in 1973. He took a job at the University of Houston as a law professor and that led the New Yorkers to travel to Houston. 

However, while in Houston, Jackson Lee had political aspirations and attempted to run for judgeships in Houston, but was unsuccessful three times. 
Then in the late 80s, Jackson Lee was appointed to a municipal judge seat by then-Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire.
However, after receiving that position, Jackson Lee had bigger political aspirations and ran for a seat on the Houston City Council in 1989, which she won.

She later set her sights on the 18th Congressional District in 1994 where she defeated Congressman Craig Washington. 
Many will remember Jackson Lee for her focus on a progressive agenda, including, but not limited to, social justice, racial issues, LGBTQ rights and immigration. 
Jackson Lee will also be remembered as she was on the scene of every major disaster from Hurricane Ike to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many were amazed with the amount of public appearances she's been able to attend while crisscrossing the country.
It was then in 2012 when Jackson Lee announced that she was a breast cancer survivor and was cancer free.

Then in 2023, Jackson Lee turned her attention back on the City of Houston to become mayor. However, she was defeated by Texas State Senator John Whitmire. 
After turning her focus back on the 18th Congressional District, she held onto her seat despite a strong challenge from Amanda Edwards.
Then shortly after that close win, Jackson Lee announced her pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Jackson Lee is survived by her husband, Elwyn Lee, and her two children, Jason Lee, a graduate of Harvard University, and Erica Lee, a graduate of Duke University, who is also a Member of the Harris County School Board in Houston. She is also survived by her two grandchildren, Ellison Bennett Carter, and Roy Lee Carter. 

Funeral arrangements are pending.


#RHOA: Andy Cohen Reveals Bravo Has Plans to 'Rebrand' The Real Housewives of New Jersey with New Faces
The Real Housewives of New Jersey may be getting a facelift.
On Monday, July 15, Andy Cohen confirmed during a live episode of Sirius XM's Andy Cohen Live that Bravo was working on revamping the long-running reality show. When a fan called in to ask a question, they admitted that the franchise could use new energy after a controversial season.

"I think it's time to do what happened with New York. Bring fresh faces in," the caller explained, referring to The Real Housewives of New York's recent casting shakeup. The fan added how new RHONJ cast members Danielle Cabral and Rachel Fuda have brought a "fresh" and "young" dynamic to the group.

"It's just, there's all the negativity," they said of the tenured Bravolebrities. "Set them free. Let them move on to the new."
The Housewives head honcho agreed with the fan's sentiments and revealed that the network had a plan in the works.
"We're gonna figure something out," Cohen shared. "We're gonna figure something out. We are all on the same page about that."

Season 14 of RHONJ saw longstanding rifts continue to drive the Housewives apart. The cast is comprised of Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, Dolores Catania, Margaret Josephs, Jennifer Aydin, Jackie Goldschneider, Jenn Fessler, Fuda and Cabral.
In June, PEOPLE broke the news that there would not be a traditional RHONJ reunion this season. It's the first time in the show's history that a reunion has been scrapped, and only the second time Bravo has done that in the history of the Real Housewives franchise.

"A reunion is meant to have resolution and it's clear in the season finale that there is no path forward in that type of setting," an insider familiar with the situation previously told PEOPLE. "So the network is figuring out a different concept to wrap up the season."
After watching the RHONJ's season finale, Cohen teased that the episode was "kind of like the reunion and the finale all in one" during an episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen with Giudice in June.

"It is," Giudice agreed, noting, "Pretty much everything I had to say, everyone's going to see it this season. ... So everyone's going to have to tune in and watch."

New episodes of The Real Housewives of New Jersey air Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.


#MusicNews: Chris Brown Has Scored his 50th Top 10 Hit on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs Chart

Chris Brown has achieved a new milestone on Billboard. The R&B mainstay has earned his 50th top 10 hit on the Hot R&B Songs chart with “Wait On It,” Jeremih’s new single that he is featured on along with Bryson Tiller. 

The newly released song debuted at No. 8 this week. According to Billboard, the Hot R&B Songs chart highlights the week’s most popular current R&B songs across all genres, ranked by streaming activity, sales, and radio airplay audience impressions.

With 50 top 10s, Brown continues his short trail behind Drake, who leads with 54. 


#HipHopNews: Donald Glover Explains Why He’s Retiring The ‘Childish Gambino’ Name
Donald Glover will be retiring his Childish Gambino moniker this month after half a dozen albums under the name.
Ahead of the release of his sixth album Bando Stone & the New World on Friday (July 19), Glover spoke to the New York Times about the LP and why his rap alter-ego will be no more.
“It really was just like, ’Oh, it’s done,’” he said of the moment he realized he no longer felt connected to the name. “It’s not fulfilling. And I just felt like I didn’t need to build in this way anymore.”

Bando Stone & The New World will serve as Glover’s second album of 2024 following Atavista, the updated version of his 2020 LP 3.15.20, which dropped in May.

Adding to his long-awaited music comeback, the multi-hyphenate is also gearing up to embark on a massive world tour that will take him across the world between August 2024 and February 2025.

He’ll be joined on the road by fellow genre-bending stars Willow Smith and Amaarae.
There will be a film of the same name to accompany the new album as well, available exclusively in IMAX theaters.
Produced by RCA and Gilga, the movie sees Glover playing a fictional famous musician named Bando Stone who must navigate a post-apocalyptic world, despite his only talent being singing.

The creepy yet comedic trailer shows Glover’s character banding together with fellow survivors to make their way to safety, only to encounter giant blood-thirsty creatures, electromagnetic traps and other surreal, potentially extraterrestrial threats.

“What are you when the world ends?” is the sobering question posed to viewers.
Bando Stone & The New World also stars English actress Jessica Allain, best known for her roles in horror thrillers Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Fear and Thriller.

On the acting side of his career, Donald Glover has said that he won’t be returning for season two of Mr. & Mrs. Smith despite the show being renewed by Amazon Prime.
Glover and his co-star Maya Erskine are not slated to lead the charge in the show’s second season, according to a report from Variety. He will still be credited as a co-creator and executive producer on the series alongside Francesca Sloane, who is set to return as showrunner.

Reps for Glover didn’t return Variety‘s request for comment, and Amazon declined to confirm or deny whether the multi-hyphenate would return to the titular role. However, it is speculated that his musical commitments may have influenced his decision not to return to the show.


D.L. Hughley Drags Amber Rose for Calling Joy Reid a ‘Race Baiter’ In Response to Criticism of RNC Speech

Television personality Amber Rose caused a stir on social media by endorsing Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention on Monday, making her the focus of an on-screen monologue by MSNBC host and commentator Joy Reid.
Her sudden and astonishing about-face on the Republican candidate comes after she slammed Trump in 2016 when she famously said, “He’s just such an idiot. He’s so weird. I really hope he’s not president.”

On Monday night, however, she appeared with a noticeably dark tan, a departure from her Scot-Irish heritage, while she was singing an entirely different tune on Trump.
“I’m no politician and I don’t want to be, but I do care about the truth, and the truth is that the media has lied to us about Donald Trump,” Rose said to wild cheers. “I know this because, for a long time, I believed those lies, so I’m here to set the record straight.”

Republicans widely praised Rose for her reversal, but Trump critics wasted no time pouncing on the contradiction.
Reid pointed out that Rose, mainly known for her romantic relationships with rappers Kayne West and Wiz Khalifa, used Black culture to propel herself to fame and is now jumping on the next viral train.

“I don’t want to say she’s Black because she has said she’s not, so I don’t want to say this Black woman,” said Reid, referring to Rose calling herself biracial in the past.

“This woman who is of whatever race that she has claimed, she’s said she’s not Black, but (the RNC) brought somebody whose whole career is based in Black culture.”
“I don’t know anyone who takes their political cues from Amber Rose, but just in case you do, you might want to duplicate doing your own research because she might not have done it thoroughly,” Reid added.
Rose took to X on Tuesday to clap back at Reid, accusing Reid of using race to instigate an attack.

“I’ve never said I wasn’t black I said I identify as biracial,” Rose wrote directly to Reid. “I’m not going to invalid my white father to make you feel more comfortable. Stop being a race baiter ur president does enough race baiting for all of us.”
Although Rose’s response led to applause from Trump supporters and Reid haters online, it did not stop others from accusing her of abusing Black culture and flip-flopping on her political views.
Rose founded the Los Angeles chapter of the SlutWalk march, an annual feminist protest that focuses on free sexual expression and woman’s rights, which contradicts Republican views on abortion and contraceptives.

Comedian D.L. Hughley also commented on Reid and Rose’s online spat and dismissed Rose’s claims about race-baiting.
“Who’s going to tell her? @joyannreid literally said what you said, that you are racially ambiguous and that she did not want to mislabel you as a Black woman because you previously stated you are not. All that energy for nothing,” Hughley wrote.
Republican Congressman John James of Michigan was among the few Black voices to kick off the convention on Monday. He also sparked a firestorm of controversy after stating, ‘If you don’t vote for Donald Trump, you ain’t Black” — parroting a crude joke made by Joe Biden during his presidential campaign four years ago.

James’ remarks came two days after former President Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during a campaign speech in Pennsylvania, where a sniper’s bullet grazed the Republican nominee’s right ear. 

However, Trump’s near-death experience was quickly overshadowed as social media users turned their wrath to the inflammatory comments by James — which referenced Biden’s tone-deaf remarks during a 2020 interview on Charlamagne Tha God’s radio show, where the Democratic front-runner quipped, “If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t Black.”

While the mostly white audience at the convention laughed and applauded James’ cheap shot, the joke fell flat on the platform X.


Terrell Davis’ Wife Tears Up as She Recalls NFL Star Being Handcuffed on Flight as Kids Watched
“I felt like my dignity was stripped from me right in front of my children and my family,” Davis said during a July 17 appearance on ‘Good Morning America'
Terrell Davis and his wife Tamiko Nash are opening up about the former Denver Broncos running back being handcuffed in front of their kids on a recent United flight.

Davis first recalled the details of the July 13 incident in a statement shared on Instagram, in which he claimed he was wrongfully removed from the airplane after a flight attendant accused the NFL star of hitting him. Davis says he lightly tapped the crew member's back to ask for a cup of ice for his son.

While Davis and his wife were discussing the incident during a July 17 appearance on Good Morning America, Nash got visibly emotional as she recalled the impact it had on their children. 
She recounts that law enforcement, including the FBI, approached her husband while he was “still seated” and immediately put handcuffs on him.

“Don’t fight it,” Terrell remembers the agent telling him. 
Nash continues, “I thought it was a joke, because what else could it be? I saw the agents come on so of course it caught my attention like everyone else. And they just walked straight up to Terell. So I jumped out of my seat and I said, ‘Wait a minute, what’s going on?’ I hopped over to the woman next to me and I said to Terrell, ‘Are you joking?’” 

She begins to choke back tears when she recalls looking over at her two sons, who are 13 and 11 years old, as they watched their dad get handcuffed in the aisle seat beside them. Their 9-year-old daughter was sitting next to Nash during the incident. 
“I’m looking at my sons who are sitting right next to him watching their dad being handcuffed. And what could we do? And I’m asking them what is going on? Why are you doing this?” she says. “No one helped me. We were just left to fend for ourselves on the flight while everyone’s staring at us.”

Davis shared that he’s speaking out on the mistreatment he experienced in order to “effect change” and push United to take responsibility for its actions. 
“Knowing what happened to me, and how I felt – I felt demoralized, I felt embarrassed, humiliated. I felt like my dignity was stripped from me right in front of my children and my family. And I want United to be held accountable,” he says.

Davis’ attorneys, Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, confirm to PEOPLE that United still hasn’t contacted Davis with a personal apology since his Good Morning America appearance. 
In Davis’ statement on July 15, the retired football star goes into detail about the flight attendant’s shocking reaction after he asked for a cup of ice for his son. Davis says the United employee did not hear his initial request, which prompted him to “lightly tap” the flight attendant on the back to get his attention. 

The crew member then allegedly shouted “don’t hit me” in response and rushed to the front of the airplane. Davis says he didn’t think much of the reaction other than believing the employee was “rude” until the flight landed at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, Calif. 

After “six FBI and law enforcement agents boarded the plane” and handcuffed him, he was then questioned and eventually released the same day. 
“It was rightfully determined by the agents that this flight attendant was inaccurate in his accusations and the agents profusely apologized even offering to support me and my family in any way possible,” Davis added in his statement.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Tuesday, July 16, a spokesperson for United said that the airline had “reached out to Mr. Davis’s team to apologize” and confirmed that the flight attendant who accused Davis of hitting him has been removed from service.


Chloe Bailey Lets Out Her 'Freak' In Eye-Popping Carnival Costume

It's Chloe Bailey's favorite time of the year and her fans have nothing to complain about it. In fact, the singer/songwriter has treated her social media followers to some stunning pictures from St. Lucia Carnival.
Joining the celebration that has become one of the highlights on the Caribbean calendar every year, the 26-year-old popped out in a striking green outfit with gold details. The former "Swarm" star flaunted her killer curves in the revealing getup that featured fishnet sleeves and stockings.

Channeling her inner "freak," the elder sister of Halle Bailey posed with the backdrop of the picturesque landscape on the tropical island. She heated up the carnival as she hit the street, showing off her twerking skills while joining a fellow carnival-goer who was dancing her ass off.
"St Lucia carnival matched my freak," the protege of Beyonce Knowles captioned the photos and videos shared on her Instagram page on Wednesday, July 17.

One day before, Chloe let out a series of photos and videos showing her wearing another carnival outfit. She popped out in the colorful getup, which came with a large headdress made from colorful feathers that formed the shape of a heart.
The "Have Mercy" songstress appeared to have a lot of fun as she joined other scantily-clad women dancing seductively on the street. "queen of hearts at carnival!!!! my favorite time of year!!!!!" she wrote in the caption.

Chloe's friends and followers have praised her carnival look. In the comments section of one of her posts, Khloe Kardashian raved over her stunning physique, "Your body is crraaaaazy!!!" The reality TV star also commented on Chloe's other carnival look, "This body!!!!!! Wow I'm not ok." Not stopping there, she gushed in a separate comment, "Wow! Wow! Wow! You look incredible!!!! Such a beautiful soul!! I literally gasped!!! You better keep shuttin it alllll down."

Latto (formerly Mulatto) joined in as saying, "Body 2 tea." Tinashe commented, "SHEEEEEESH !" and added three fire emojis. Chloe's supportive sister Halle echoed the sentiment as exclaiming, "wow!!!!!!!!"
Others left comments that read, "I think this is the flyest carnival costume I've ever seen," "Whoever was the designer for this costume did a beautifulllll job" and "It's like God sculpted her body to perfection."


Serena Williams' Childhood Home Saved From Auction After Stepmother's Debt Is Mysteriously Paid Off
Serena Williams' childhood home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has been saved from being sold at auction to pay off her stepmother's nearly half a million dollar debt. The debt was mysteriously paid off just 24 hours before the auction began, The Sun reported on Wednesday, July 17.

The four-bedroom mansion was built on a 10-acre plot purchased by Richard Williams, Serena and Venus' father, in 1995 for $355,000. His ex-wife Lakeisha Williams, who worked as a stripper before marrying Richard, allegedly forged his signature on the title deeds and took out a $279,000 loan from "hard lender" David Simon.

Lakeisha Williams failed to repay the loan, and the debt rose to nearly $620,000, including legal fees and interest. According to court documents, the amount eventually settled at $436,113, with the proceeds from the house sale to be used to pay off Simon and over 20 other creditors.

It is unknown how Lakeisha Williams managed to pay off the massive debt in the past week. A new warranty deed filed on Monday shows that the property has been transferred to a company called Hardy Firm LLC, which is registered to Darrious Christian.

Lakeisha Williams' son Chavoita LeSane has accused her of stealing vehicles, social security checks and forging documents. He threatened an elder abuse lawsuit, but told The U.S. Sun that his father did not want to pursue it.
Richard Williams and Lakeisha Williams have been embroiled in a seven-year divorce battle over the marital home. Richard has tried to maintain a good relationship with his ex-wife despite the court case. In January 2023, he accused Lakeisha of "taking everything" and blowing his cash.

However, it was revealed that Lakeisha had filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy and stalled the sale of the house. The bankruptcy case was dismissed on July 5, but she filed to have it reinstated, claiming she had found money for a repayment plan.

Lakeisha's lawyer stated that she and Richard are back in a "romantic and sexual relationship" and are raising their son together. Despite his son's claims that he will refile for divorce, Richard has called off the divorce after seven years of legal fighting.
The sale of the house will bring closure to Lakeisha's financial mess. Richard, who is now 82, has moved into a home paid for by Serena Williams, just a few miles from the childhood home.


Jagged Edge singer Brandon Casey hospitalized with broken neck, ribs, and skull.

Jagged Edge's Brandon Casey is recovering from a horrific car crash.
Casey, who fronts the R&B group with his twin brother, Brian Casey, posted on social media this week that he's recovering in the trauma center at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta after sustaining extensive injuries on Thursday.

"After bein in iCU for five days," he wrote, "I kno the legendary Grady Trauma Center is everything it's said to Be the Best in the country yall saved my life and I’m forever grateful.. I’m so Thankful to all u ladies who took care of me who have nursed me fed me encouraged me Thankyou from the bottom of my heart the most sincere Thanku I can conjure up."

Casey, 48, also detailed his condition and shared a photo of the damage.
"I kno people wanna kno so here it is," he began, "Broken neck 5 broke ribs skull fracture scalp lacerations and a bunch of pain all over my body but ima be good I promise yall God got me it’s like sumthin tryna take me off this planet and god keep tellin em nope not him not yet."

The singer posted about having survived another terrible car crash in September.
The members of Jagged Edge — the Caseys, as well as Kyle Norman and Richard Wingo — teamed up in 1995. Over the following decade, they produced chart hits such as "Let's Get Married," "Where the Party At," "Walked Outta Heaven," and "Promise."

The Grammy-nominated artists released their 10th studio album, A Jagged Love Story, in 2020, and they continue to tour.


Remy Ma Reverts to Her Maiden Name
For nearly a year there have been rumors that rappers Papoose and Remy Ma were no longer a couple. Remy just dropped the biggest hint yet that the marriage is over...
Last week Remy Ma and Fat Joe released their new single "Outta Control [click here if you missed that]."
This week fans noticed that Remy is using her maiden name in the song credits. 

A sharp contrast to the single Remy released last year, with rapper Connie Diiamond, were she is credited with her married name, Remy Mackie. 


Ozy Media Founder Carlos Watson Convicted of Fraud in New York Trial
*Ozy Media founder Carlos Watson was convicted of fraud by a Brooklyn federal jury on Tuesday. 
We reported earlier that Watson was accused of defrauding “investors of tens of millions of dollars through fraudulent misrepresentations and impersonated media company executives during negotiations,” per the United States Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of New York, TheWrap reports. 

The California-based news and entertainment company allegedly misled investors about the company’s finances and fabricated deals with Google and Oprah Winfrey, CNBC reports. Watson faced charges of securities fraud and wire fraud conspiracy. He previously said that the case was an attack against Black entrepreneurs.

“Sometimes people of color are warned not to think too big. That the color of your skin will limit what you can hope to accomplish,” Watson said in a video posted to X (formally Twitter). “Like a lot of black entrepreneurs, I had trouble often getting through the door or getting meetings that they took seriously.”

He added, “Our mistakes are being turned into crimes and we’re having people charge us in a gross and inappropriate way,” Watson added.
“And while I’m not a martyr,” Watson continued, “I do care about the next generation.”
Federal authorities arrested and indicted Watson in February on charges of securities fraud. He pleaded not guilty, with his lawyer arguing that he was unaware of the misconduct of subordinates who acted independently.

Ozy Media collapsed in 2021 after a New York Times exposé on the company prompted the feds to examine the company’s business practices. It was discovered that Watson’s former partner, Samir Rao, impersonated a YouTube executive during a fundraising call with Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Rao ultimately pleaded guilty to fraud charges. “Ozy Media ultimately collapsed under the weight of Watson’s dishonest schemes and with today’s verdict, Watson himself has been held accountable for his brazen crimes,” Brooklyn US Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement, CNN reports


Loni Love Criticizes Tyler Perry – Urges Investment in Black Writer/Director Talent 

*Comedian Loni Love criticized Tyler Perry following the poor reception of his latest movie, which earned a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 
Love accused Perry of not investing in Black writers and directors, arguing that he could create award-worthy projects if he were more generous with his resources, per The Jasmine Brand. 

“I love that Tyler is paying Black actors now I wish he would hire Black writers and directors that have experience to help him with his movies,” Loni wrote on X/Twitter.
She added, “He could improve the movies & make them award worthy if he would stop trying to save money by doing the writing and directing himself.”

Her comments are in response to the poor reception of Perry’s latest project “Divorce In The Black,” starring Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict.  The story centers on Ava, a young bank professional who is devastated when her husband Dallas abandons a marriage she is determined to fight for until fate intervenes, revealing Dallas’ wicked deeds that have trashed their marriage, and once upon a time sabotaged Ava’s destiny to be loved by her true soulmate.
The film has been panned by critics and received a rare 0%” on Rotten Tomatoes. 

In 2021, fans of the Hollywood mogul begged him to hire a team of experienced Black writers and directors after Perry admitted that doesn’t have a writer’s room and writes all of his show’s scripts himself. Perry responded to the criticism and announced plans to bring changes to his studio in Atlanta by hiring a team of writers.

“So, I don’t know if you know this, but all shows on television have a writers room,” Perry said in a video shared to Instagram at the time. “And, most of the time, there are 10 people or 12 or whatever that write on these television shows. Well, I have no writers room. Nobody writes any of my work. I write it all. Why am I telling you this? I wrote all of these scripts by myself in 2019. Work ethic!”

In an interview with men’s magazine Level, he recalled the challenges he faced hiring Black writers early in his career and how this led to his “NO WRITERS ROOM” policy.

“So, when I first started my career, I got a deal with TBS. When it was time to staff, I went to DGA, SAG, and IATSE and I told them, “TBS isn’t paying me the money upfront — I’m financing these shows myself. I’m not Sony, I’m not Disney; I need to work out a deal for pay rates,” Perry said. “They worked out great deals for me. At the time, I had a bunch of writers who were nonunion, and I was unhappy with every single script they wrote. They were not speaking to the voice. They just didn’t get it.”


OH? Antonio Brown and Lil Kim Show Major PDA During Yacht Party
Could Antonio Brown and Lil Kim be the new 'it' couple in hip-hop?
As reported by TMZ, AB and the Queen Bee were caught cozying up at a yatcht party thrown by music manager Big Fendi in New York last Saturday, July 13. At one point during the event, Lil Kim was performing Junior M.A.F.I.A. classic "Get Money," when a flirtacous AB put his head on her breast. A follow-up video from the night, shared to AB's Instagram, showed the two in what appeared to be a VIP section, and another shot was taken of the two kissing.

While Brown and Lil Kim haven't confirmed if they're official or just having some summertime fun, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers has seemingly moved on from his past girlfriends, allegedly including singer Keyshia Cole. The R&B singer, who currently dates rapper Hunxho, collaborated with Lil Kim on 2007 song "Let It Go." Back in May, Brown appeared to want a second chance with Cole, writing "Keyshia Cole Come" followed by a devil emoji and heart sign emoji on X.

Lil Kim, whose dating history features the likes of Maino, Scott Storch, and the late Biggie, shares her 10-year-old daughter, Royal Reign, with rapper Mr. Papers.


Prince’s Estate Refuses To Approve 9-Hour Netflix Documentary, Claims  Project’s Lengthy Duration Violates Original Agreement

The Prince estate inked a deal with Netflix back in 2018 and agreed that the movie would total around 6 hours of watch time. After multiple changes to production throughout the years, including the exit of the original director Ava DuVernary however, it seems the current director Ezra Edelman couldn’t tell the story in the allotted time frame. Reports state that the filmmaker’s final edits totaled around 9 hours long, which Prince’s estate claims violates their initial agreement.

Reportedly, Netflix has insisted that “a compromise can still be worked out,” though other sources claim that Ezra Edelman is “not interested in a truncated version” of the movie. Along with discrepancies about duration, the singer’s estate has also reportedly taken issue with parts of the movie they believe to be inaccuracies.

As you may recall Prince, a 7x Grammy Award winner who passed away from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2016 at the age of 57, was notoriously private, but always put maximum effort into his shows. A source close to the project alleges that both sides of his estate, which, as of 2022, consists of his family and those who manage the artist’s rights, have attempted to uphold the strength of his legacy and have been “incredibly nitpicky” about the film, adding:

“You never saw Prince release anything subpar. Everything was carefully curated and fine-tuned. The estate still holds that high standard,”
The source additionally says the current version of the film “does not accurately portray the legendary Prince.” Despite the current obstacle, they also claim that the entertainer’s estate:

“does, in fact, want to see the documentary released…when it is ready, respectfully — so that the world can celebrate his extraordinary life and work.”


Wendy Williams’ best friend questions new installment of Lifetime docuseries ‘haven’t they exploited her enough?’
Wendy Williams' best friend has been left questioning chatter around a new installment of her Lifetime docuseries, Where Is Wendy Williams?
Wendy's childhood friend, Regina Schell, pondered comments from Lifetime producers who hinted at another installment focused on the former daytime TV host in their docuseries. 

"What more could they do to the woman, haven't they exploited her enough?," the star's incredulous friend posited. 
"She would never want to be seen with her wig off on national television," Regina said referencing the concerning, rambling interaction between a wig-less Wendy and Blac Chyna seen on the Lifetime series.  
Regina said that once, during the peak of her success, Wendy was crying over a segment she had done. 

When Regina asked her friend what happened, Wendy told her it had nothing to do with her performance.
"She told me she was crying because her wig was crooked. She was upset about a crooked wig. Can you imagine her wig being completely off?," the upset friend continued. 

Furthermore, Regina took issue with other portrayals that left die-hard fans aghast during the series. 
"She was very secretive about things, like she would not have had bottles of liquor out for people to see," she said about one scene where the star's then-manager Will Selby was shaking a bottle of vodka, Wendy, in her apartment and accusing her of drinking a majority of it that morning. 

"She would not have had her blue Tiffany box open with stacks of cash out and jewelry, she would never have done that," Regina said referencing another disconcerting scene. 
"Wendy's afraid of the killer, everyone knows that, she would never provoke anybody like that."

Regina said what Lifetime sold to her to be a part of the series was not what was ultimately the product. 
"It was supposed to be a comeback kid story, not crush Wendy and make her unproducible.
"It was frustrating to watch that and think that you are going to have a whole different story," Regina concluded. 
Entertainment Tonight had interviewed Lifetime producer Mark Ford who hinted at another installment.

He claimed he's spoken to "people who are close to [Wendy], and she has seen the film, and she's fine with it, according to the people that have spoken to her."

Wendy Williams was diagnosed with alcohol-related brain damage in 2019 during a rehab stint in Florida.
An insider explained that a brain scan was done as part of Wendy's rehab stay in Delray Beach.
A neurologist sat down with the star, her son, and her then-husband, Kevin Hunter Sr.
"The doctor explained to them that Wendy was suffering from alcohol-related brain damage.
"They told her that her alcohol abuse had done permanent damage to the layers in her brain," the insider said.
"She was warned then and there that if she continued to drink, the damage would only get worse."
In that meeting, they gave Wendy a devastating prognosis.

The doctors at the rehab foretold of the eventual decline of Wendy's cognitive abilities, which have become apparent to those who have come in contact with the star in recent years.
"They told her that if she kept drinking she would continue to grow more forgetful, that she wouldn't remember people's names, and eventually, she could forget who people even were," the source said.
After a comment call was sent to Wendy's team, they released a statement saying Wendy had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia in 2023.
“The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances," the statement read.

He continued, "and the story's not over. I could say that much."
The producer added he's been in touch with Wendy's family and "they're very supportive of the project."
"I think, you know, this isn't the end of this story. There'll be more.
"I don't think the world has seen the last of Wendy Williams," he added.

WHERE IS WENDY?

Over a year ago, in May of 2023, the TV host was placed in a rehab facility and has not been seen publicly since.
During the Lifetime docuseries and interviews about the star, Wendy's family claimed they didn't know where she was and could not reach her.
“The people who love her cannot see her,” Wanda Finnie, Wendy's sister, told People.
Regina also questioned her childhood friend, who she'd speak with numerous times a day, who hasn't called her since vanishing in 2023.

"She's somewhere that she can't reach a phone because Wendy can always get to a phone, because if she could get to a phone, she'd be calling me," Regina claimed.
"Where is Wendy and why is no one asking that question? And why is no one answering that question? Why can't they produce Wendy, or an actual statement from Wendy, or a picture of Wendy? Where is Wendy?" the star's friend further pressed.

WENDY'S GUARDIANSHIP

After having been absent from The Wendy Williams Show for several months in 2022, Wendy's bank filed a petition to hold a guardianship hearing and she was locked out of her bank accounts.
Wendy's attorney had claimed Wells Fargo is in “possession of several million dollars’ worth of funds,” in a filing obtained by The U.S. Sun at the time.

The attorney for the TV host claimed that her former financial advisor advised the bank that Wendy “was of unsound mind,” and as a result, Wells Fargo had denied her access to her accounts.
In response, the bank referenced its authority to freeze the accounts to “pause or reject instructions for a proposed transaction, pending judicial or administrative remedies, should they suspect financial exploitation, dementia, or undue influence."  

Thats when Wells Fargo moved to petition the court for a guardianship hearing.
The daytime TV host was then placed in a court-appointed guardianship under attorney Sabrina Morrissey soon after.

Since being placed in a rehab facility in May of last year by the guardian, Wendy's family claims they don't know where Wendy is.
The family has alleged the only person who knows where Wendy is is her court-appointed guardian, Sabrina.


President Joe Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19

President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 after attending an event in Las Vegas, the White House announced on Wednesday. As a result, Biden canceled his planned speech at the UnidosUS convention, a Latino civil rights and advocacy group.

“He is vaccinated and boosted and is experiencing mild symptoms,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated. “He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time. The White House will provide regular updates on the President’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation.”

The White House also released a statement from the president’s doctor detailing Biden’s symptoms, which included “upper respiratory symptoms, to include rhinorrhea (runny nose) and non-productive cough, with general malaise.”

The doctor’s statement added, “He felt okay for his first event of the day, but given that he was not feeling better, point of care testing for COVID-19 was conducted, and the results were positive. Given this, the President will be self-isolating in accordance with CDC guidance for symptomatic individuals.”

“PCR confirmation testing will be pending,” the statement continued. “The President has received his first dose of Paxlovid. He will be self-isolating at his home in Rehoboth.”



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

Anybody else disappointed that she didn’t just tuck that gun up underneath her FUPA?


HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM

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