7/3/24

The Daily Buzz For Jul 4☕šŸ“°☕

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!

#FASHIONFAB: Lacoste Blends Old & New In Olympic Paris 1924 Collection
Lacoste’s latest offering, the Olympic “Heritage Paris 1924” capsule collection, channels the spirit of the 1924 Paris Games with a blend of contemporary fashion and vintage charm. The range encompasses eight distinct pieces that celebrate both the legacy of the Olympics and Lacoste’s enduring style.
The Heritage Paris 1924 capsule is a sporty journey back in time, celebrating the City of Light’s heyday as a hub of athletic excellence and chic sophistication. Lacoste’s classic polo shirts, caps, and waterproof jackets capture the spirit of a bygone era while still maintaining a modern appeal.

This collection embodies a timeless athletic style. Infused with the spirit of the Olympic games and Lacoste’s legendary sportswear heritage, it features a palette of blue and beige hues and includes a variety of essentials such as t-shirts, piquĆ© polos, tanks, sweatshirts, shorts, caps, and a sleek sports bag.


#RHOA: ShereƩ Whitfield Hints at RHOA Return if Big Money Is Paid
After declining ratings for the last few seasons, Real Housewives of Atlanta underwent a soft reboot. One star who departed ahead of Season 16 was OG ShereƩ Whitfield. And now, with Kenya Moore dipping out, what can be done to salvage the season? Well, ShereƩ has some ideas.

Besides ShereƩ, Kandi Burruss, Marlo Hampton, and Sanya Richards-Ross all departed the franchise. But in the win column, Porsha Williams returned. However, Kenya was suspended for allegedly displaying posters with sexual content of Brittany Eady at her hair spa opening. Afterward, Kenya twirled off the show. It seems like RHOA producers may have a problem creating the epic Season 16 that fans deserve.

Cue ShereĆ©! “My God, I hate to see my girl Kenya go out like that. But as an OG, it’s kind of hard to sit back and watch the show kind of slowly sink the way it is. So, I’m not happy,” she told TMZ.

When asked if she would consider grabbing a peach again, ShereĆ© had some specific terms. “I always feel like an OG’s presence is always welcome or needed on the series no matter what capacity. So, I never say never,” she stated. “If the coin is right, I just might.”

When ShereĆ© was asked just what that figure might be, she played coy. “The money. The money. She’s all about her money. Paper,” the RHOA alum replied. And as for why ShereĆ© left the show? “Why did I leave? Because the coin wasn’t right,” she stated.

Still, executive producer Andy Cohen has seemingly left the door open for ShereĆ©. “I always have hope that we will get a little ShereĆ© coming back. I think that ShereĆ© is one of the cornerstones of that show,” Andy said. He added, “She’s one of my personal favorites.”

So, if Bravo busts open their checkbook, maybe fans will see the OG bone collector on RHOA again. And it couldn’t come at a better time.
Previous seasons of Real Housewives of Atlanta are streaming on Peacock.


#MusicNews: Syleena Johnson Announces New Album ‘Legacy,’ Shares Release Date

Syleena Johnson has a new album coming this summer. The Grammy-nominated singer has announced her 12th album, Legacy, will release Aug. 30 via SJ Entertainment.
Legacy will include the already shared singles “Monsters in the Closet” and “Black Balloon.”
“I felt like it was time for ‘Monsters in the Closet’ because we are suffering a mental health crisis in this world right before our eyes,” Johnson told Rated R&B.

“As creatives and artists/entertainers, we can no longer be excused from activism through our art. We have to be bold with our lyrics to help to promote healing.”

“Black Balloon,” which samples her late father Syl Johnson‘s “Black Balloons,” earned Syleena her first entry on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart in a decade.
Legacy, which is dedicated to Johnson’s father, is the follow-up to Johnson’s 2021 album, The Makings of a Woman (The Deluxe Edition), an expanded version of her 2020 LP, Woman.

“I wanted to create something that focused on us and our heart and how we feel,” Johnson told Rated R&B about Woman.
The original album included features from Raheem DeVaughn and Q Parker.
Before Legacy releases, Johnson will perform in several U.S. cities, including Memphis, Chicago, and Baltimore.

In other news, Johnson recently announced that she is a member of the R&B supergroup The Chi with Carl Thomas and Dave Hollister.


#HipHopNews: B.G. Will Have To Turn Over All New Lyrics To Probation Officer
B.G.‘s probation officer will now be reviewing all of the rapper’s song lyrics before they’re recorded as part of his supervised release.
The former Hot Boys rapper was released from prison late last year following a conviction in 2012 for firearms possession and obstruction of justice. In March, the U.S. government accused him of glorifying a life of crime in the songs he has released since getting out, which they felt was a violation of his probation terms. They also said recording songs with convicted felons Boosie Badazz and Gucci Mane was a violation.

Now in a new filing on Tuesday (July 2), the court ruled he did not violate his probation with any of the aforementioned actions, but he now must get written approval from his probation officer before working with convicted felons.
United States District Judge Susie Morgan called the government’s attempt to censor B.G.’s lyrics “unconstitutional” – but she did grant the government the right to look at his lyrics in advance. The judge said that if the state had any objections, prosecutors could attempt legal action.

“To address the legitimate concerns expressed by the Government, the Court will impose a special condition that the Defendant provide the United States Probation Office with a copy of the lyrics of any song he writes, in advance of his production or promotion of such song, and that those lyrics be shared with the Government,” the court document reads.

“At that time, the Government may, if it deems necessary and appropriate, file another motion for leave to file a rule to show cause why the Defendant’s conditions of supervised release should not be modified because the Defendant’s conduct is inconsistent with the goals of rehabilitation.”

In a statement about the ruling, B.G.’s attorney David Z Chesnoff told XXL: “Mr. Dorsey [B.G.] is pleased the that Honorable Court found he did not violate the terms of his supervision and would not restrict his artistic work by ordering his lyrics be controlled by the Government. He intends on resuming his career consistent with the court order,” the attorney said in a statement.

Despite his legal issues once again piling up, B.G. recently sounded optimistic about a tour and releasing more music.
“I ran into a hiccup with my little situation,” he said on Instagram Live, referencing his recent probation issues. “I’ma get past it. I need y’all to know that I definitely didn’t jump out there and do nothing that I ain’t have permission to do. It was just a lapse in communication.”

He added: “We got this tour coming up, this reunion tour. It’s definitely on the way. [Mannie] Fresh, Suga Slim and Weezy.”


Keith Lee Addresses Deleted Video Of Him Throwing Rose From Taraji P. Henson On The Floor

Keith Lee speaks out after he posted and deleted a video of him dropping his rose on the floor following Taraji P. Henson's mix-up at the 2024 BET Awards. In a TikTok video on Monday, July 1, the online personality denied having ill feelings towards the actress despite the mishap.

"I am not upset at Taraji P. Henson by any stretch of the imagination," Keith explained while inside a car. "And not only that, in my opinion, she smoked it last night."
The popular food critic went on to share, "The reason I did this had nothing to do with Taraji P. Henson. The reason I did this is that I wholeheartedly believe it wasn't my rose, it wasn't my moment. It was given to me, but it wasn't mine. I always say, I don't want nothing that wasn't mine."
The 27-year-old later added, "I am forever thankful for every room that I'm in. I was more than thankful and more than grateful to just sit there and enjoy the show." He also blamed the show's producers on the embarrassing mishap as he felt that the entire segment "felt extremely unprepared and unprofessional."

The former MMA fighter also claimed that he's personally a fan of Taraji. Further gushing over "The Color Purple" star, he said, "I've been for years, and I always will be. I love to see her get the recognition that she deserves."
The post came after Keith was seen dropping the rose that he got from the "Power" star to the ground in a now-deleted TikTok video. "Our name will be known in every room it's supposed to be, when it's supposed to be, how it's supposed, with no confusion. God is amazing," he wrote over the video.

Prior to that, Taraji, who served as the host at the 2024 BET Awards, mistook Keith for Jordan Howlett, another TikTok influencer. As she went around the audience seats to give "people their flowers," she approached Jordan and said, "Mr. Keith Lee, I know what you're thinking right now, this is about a 10.9 outta 10?"
Jordan looked confused before he pointed to Keith who was sitting on the other side of him. After noticing her mistake, Taraji quickly apologized to Keith. "I got caught up in my own inner monologue, I'm so sorry." she said, "You fine, too. So call me. Give him his flower.


Yung Joc Issues Apology To Megan Thee Stallion For Siding With Tory Lanez In Their Shooting Case
Yung Joc has regretted not siding with Megan Thee Stallion in the 2020 July shooting case involving Tory Lanez. The Atlanta emcee publicly apologized to the Houston Hottie for supporting the now-incarcerated rapper instead.
"Since Shannon Sharpe made his apology to Meg Thee Stallion, I'ma make my apology to Meg Thee Stallion, too," the 43-year-old began on "Young Joc & the Streetz Morning Takeover". He added, "I apologize for not supporting you in your moment and believing in the whole situation with you and Tory Lanez."

"I still have questions, 'cause I'm human," the artist, born Jasiel Amon Robinson, further explained. "I think that the moment when I made the bet-although we did it in a fun kinda way-maybe, just maybe, I was out of line for doing that."
Joc went on to admit, "I lost the bet, and somewhere in there, we may have been a little buffoonish. 'Cause I really made a bet that this man was gon' get off, and he didn't. And I lost my hair." He then emphasized, "I'm sorry, Meg."

The "It's Goin' Down" rapper declared the said bet when sitting down with VladTV. "I'ma just say this, okay? I made a bet with Shyneka and Shawty Shawty on my morning show that if Tory is found guilty, I'll shave my head," he stated at that time.
"I'll shave my whole head bald. I told Shyneka if Tory [is] innocent, she gotta come to work with the braids that be under the weave," he continued. "Can't get 'em fresh, I need the weave patted down braids, the [Beyonce Knowles] pat my weave braids. She gotta come to work like that."

"I can't wait to see how this video turns out," the rhymer noted. "Either way, this is a very unfortunate situation. Just through the eyes of watching it, I don't ever want anyone to feel like I'm making fun of their situation, 'cause it's very unfortunate and it's very bad for our culture, but I pray that this plays out fair."

After Tory was found guilty in December 2022, Joc proved that he's a man of his word by telling his co-host to shave his hair. "This [is] for Meg thee Stallion. This [is] for Meg and Roc Nation," his co-host exclaimed in a video shared on Instagram.


Diddy Plans To Sell His Los Angeles Home For $70 Million Following The Federal Raid

Sean “Diddy” Combs is reportedly preparing for a change. TMZ reported that the Bad Boy Records founder is looking to sell his Los Angeles mansion for $70 million. The outlet shared that the home is currently off-market and the price tag is $30 million more than what Diddy originally paid for it back in 2014. However, the New York native is allegedly not seeking to buy additional property in L.A., with TMZ claiming that he’s “done for good.”

The abrupt move comes just a few months after Homeland Security raided Diddy’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami. This took place as part of the ongoing sex trafficking investigation.
Homeland Security expert Hal Kempfer told Fox 11 that the evidence gathered included “laptops, flash drives, and anything that would connect Combs with the allegations.”

Both Justin Combs and Christian “King” Combs were detained at the time of the raid. Justin’s mother, Misa Hylton, reacted to the alleged use of “excessive force” in a since-deleted Instagram post. The 51-year-old wrote, “The over zealous and overtly militarized force used against my sons Justin and Christian is deplorable. If these were the sons of a non-Black celebrity, they would not have been handled with the same aggression. The attempt to humiliate and terrorize these innocent young BLACK MEN is despicable!”

In spite of all the legal troubles, Diddy has been busying himself by clearing out his Instagram and going whitewater rafting.
After video footage surfaced corroborating Cassie’s claims against him, Diddy was dethroned in his hometown, by his alma mater Howard University, and in Miami.

The Miami Beach commission voted to revoke and abolish “Sean Diddy Combs Day” in the 305. Mayor Eric Adams asked him to return the key to the city whereas Howard University revoked his honorary doctorate and withdrew “all honors and privileges” associated with it including invitations to select HU events.


BeyoncĆ© Co-Signs Teyana Taylor And Victoria MonĆ©t’s “Bad Girl” Homage From BET Awards
BeyoncĆ© has given the ultimate stamp of approval to Teyana Taylor and Victoria MonĆ©t after their dynamic performance from the 2024 BET Awards. On Sunday (June 30), the women recreated Bey and Usher‘s 2004 “Bad Girl” number from his Truth Tour and it’s all anyone has been talking about since.

On Tuesday (July 2), the COWBOY CARTER singer reposted the entire tribute on her Instagram stories and naturally had both MonƩt and Taylor floored.

“OOOOH MYYYY GOD!!!!! na I AM SCREAMING!! WHATTTT!! CAN NOT GRASP AIR I AM UNWELL HOLY S**T I did not expect to pass out today! GAGGEDD…completely,” MonĆ©t replied. “@beyonce WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!! THE ORIGINAL BAD GYAL I will forever honor you.” She later tagged Taylor, adding, “WTFFFF PINCH ME.”
The Harlem native responded, “Yes everything she saiddddd!!! Bihhhhh I’m speechless.” Earlier, she commented on the repost with “& DATS ON QUEEN BEYYYYYYYYYYYY” and “I’m GAGGGGINGGGGGGGI!!!! @victoriamonet get in here neowwwwwww!!!!!”

Taylor and MonĆ©t’s recreation was choreographed by Aisha Francis and Sean Bankhead.
Admittedly, everyone involved is still in shock that they managed to pull this off in less than 48 hours.
The confession was made by the KTSE singer who shared, “Listennnnnnn Lindaaaaa honeyyyyy lol Idk how me and @victoriamonet pulled this off in under 48 hours with our crazy schedules but we did & we don’t regret one moment of it knowing that we had an assignment that needed to be OVERstood for one of the GOATS and believe me when I tell you we’d do it all over again & wouldn’t change a thing!”

The JAGUAR II star praised Taylor for coming to rehearsal from Paris, jet-lagged with her two daughters in tow and putting in the work to make this magic happen. “For the first time ever, there were TWO bad girls!!” MonĆ©t gushed. “We had each other’s backs the whole time and managed to laugh deliriously through the lack of sleep lmao! A true ROSE! We did that. YOU did that. I thank you.”

The full tribute also included Chlƶe, Coco Jones, Keke Palmer, and more


Ne’Keshia “Keke” Dawson Jabbar, of the reality show “Love & Marriage: Huntsville,” has died  at 42!

Ne’Keshia “Keke” Dawson Jabbar, one of the stars of the reality show “Love & Marriage: Huntsville,” died Tuesday, according to a statement from her family.
TMZ reported Jabbar was 42. A cause of death was not immediately known.
“It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Keke. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love,” the statement read.

“She was a mom, a sister, a great friend full of life, love and laughter. She will sorely be missed. At this time, we are asking for respect and privacy in our moment of grief while we process this great loss,” the statement continued. It was signed “the Jabbar/Scott Family.”
Jabbar was featured in the most recent seasons of the Oprah Winfrey Network show, which premiered in January 2019 and showcases the lives of prominent Black families in Huntsville.

Jabbar was the cousin of LaTisha Scott, who is featured prominently in the series along with her husband, Marsau Scott.
“At this time we are asking for RESPECT, and PRIVACY in our moment of grief, while we process this great loss!This is hard for our Family!!!!!” LaTisha Scott posted Tuesday to her Instagram account:

According to her social media profiles, Jabbar was also a writer, editor, author and professor of English at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville.
Charlotte Teague, chairwoman of the university’s English Department, said Jabbar was an instructor in the department several years ago and had not worked for the department in more than five years.
“I am sad to hear of her passing,” Teague said.


Paramount Reportedly in Talks to Sell BET for $1.6 Billion in Buyout Led by CEO Scott Mills
Paramount Global’s trio of co-CEOs have publicly said they’ve hired bankers to evaluate the sale of certain assets. Industry speculation has swirled around BET, which has been the target of acquisition offers in the past.

Now Paramount Global is engaged in exclusive discussions to sell BET in a deal valued at $1.6 billion-$1.7 billion to “buyers that include” BET CEO Scott Mills and Chinh Chu, founder of private-equity firm CC Capital, Bloomberg reported, citing anonymous sources. The BET Media Group comprises the BET cable channel, VH1 and other networks; the BET+ streaming service; and BET Studios.

Reps for Paramount Global and CC Capital declined to comment. Shares of Paramount Global rose on the report of the renewed BET sale talks, closing up 5.7% for the day to $10.72/share.
The latest reported price range for BET is less than half the $3.5 billion that media mogul Byron Allen extended to Paramount Global in late 2023. That came after Paramount Global earlier in the year had been exploring the sale of a majority stake in BET, with bidders said to include Allen, Tyler Perry and Sean “Diddy” Combs.

In August 2023, Paramount called off the bidding process for BET because “a sale wouldn’t result in any meaningful deleveraging of its balance sheet,” according to a report by the Wall Street Journal at the time.

But that, apparently, was then.
The three execs running Paramount Global have outlined a three-pronged strategy of job cuts, asset sales and streaming partnerships to right the ship. The company is going solo, for now, after controlling shareholder Shari Redstone nixed M&A talks with Skydance Media as those came down to the wire. The leadership trio — George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS; Chris McCarthy, president and CEO, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks; and Brian Robbins, president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon — were installed as co-CEOs after Bob Bakish’s dismissal in late April.

Another prime asset Paramount Global is expected to shop around: The Paramount Pictures Studio lot at 5555 Melrose Ave. in L.A., which spans roughly 62 acres of land.
Speaking at the June 25 employee town hall, CBS’s Cheeks said the Paramount co-CEOs are “looking at selling certain Paramount-owned assets” and said, “in fact, we’ve already hired bankers to assist us in this process — and we’ll use the proceeds to help pay down debt and strengthen our balance sheet.” He didn’t discuss specific assets that are in play.

Mills has led BET since January 2018, adding CEO to his title in 2021. He first joined BET in 1997 as senior VP of business development and rose through the ranks over the years to various senior roles. As COO of BET, he led the launch of its Centric channel and as president of digital media launched BET Mobile and BET’s digital video distribution operations. As EVP and COO of BET Interactive, he oversaw the launch of bet.com in the early 2000s.

Under Bakish, the company did shed some assets to shore up the balance sheet — however, Paramount also passed up the chance to sell Showtime for as much as $6 billion. In 2021, the company sold the skyscraper known as BlackRock, CBS’ New York headquarters, for $760 million, as well as the CBS Studio Center lot (aka CBS Radford) for $1.85 billion. Last October, Paramount Global closed the $1.62 billion sale of Simon & Schuster to private equity firm KKR.


Caitlin Clark concerned about teaming with Angel Reese for All-Star game

WNBA standout Caitlin Clark expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the league’s All-Star
Clark set a record for the number of fan votes for the mid-season classic that features the best and most popular players in the world.
This year, the WNBA — or the “W” as it’s often called — is pairing the players with the most votes against the women chosen to play in the Paris Olympics. Since neither Clark nor Reese were chosen for the Olympic squad, which is being called Team USA, they will both be on Team WNBA.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been [Reese’s] teammate before, even at USA Basketball,” Clark said July 2 after her Indiana Fever were roundly defeated by the two-time defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, 88-69.
Clark said she has reservations about playing on the same team as her collegiate rival Reese.

“I know people will be really excited about it, but I hope it doesn’t take away from everyone else,” Clark said during the postgame press conference, according to the Daily Mail. “This is a huge accomplishment for everybody on Team USA and everyone on Team WNBA. They all deserve the same praise. I don’t want it to take away from any of that and be the focal point of All-Star weekend because that’s not fair to them.”

Clark was the leading vote recipient with 700,735 while her Indiana Fever teammate Aliyah Boston came in second with 72,000 fewer votes. A’ja Wilson, universally considered the WNBA’s best player, was third behind Boston. Reese was fifth with 381,518 votes.

For perhaps the first time, Clark exhibited embarrassment publicly about the excessive amount of praise she’s being showered with in a league where there are many talented, and superior, players.
“Obviously, this is something that’s really hard to accomplish, so the best we can celebrate all of them will be great and just gonna obviously soak in the experience ’cause, like, you never know if you’re ever gonna be able to get back there and it’ll be fun for all of us,” Clark said.


Son of ex-NFL star Daniel Muir is missing after saying father beat him 
Indiana authorities have issued a “Silver Alert” for the son of former NFL player Daniel Muir, who reportedly went missing after he accused his father of brutally beating him.

On June 16, Bryson Muir was last seen at his grandmother’s home in Garfield Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.
The grandmother, Cheryl Wright, called the police when she saw her grandson Bryson with a black eye, busted lip, and swollen face. The 14-year-old boy admitted to Wright that his father was the one who beat him.
“He just said that his dad did it… But he wasn’t angry at his father. He told me that he deserved it and it was OK,” Wright said, according to Cleveland’s WKYC Channel 3. “So I told him that it wasn’t and that nobody should beat their children like that, not if they love them.”

Wright also explained to NBC affiliate WTHR of Indianapolis that Bryson’s mother, Kristen Muir, picked up Bryce days later in a white 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. However, when police pulled Kristen Muir over a short time later, Bryson was not in the vehicle.

The Cass County Department of Child Services in Logansport, Indiana — about 90 miles north of Indianapolis — has opened a domestic battery investigation due to the very conspicuous injuries on Bryce’s face.
The police reportedly tried to contact the family at their home but were unsuccessful

Silver Alert issued for Daniel Muir’s son Bryce
A Silver Alert was issued for the whereabouts of Bryce on Friday, June 28, when Daniel and Kristen Muir were scheduled to bring Bryson in to meet with county investigators. When the parents failed to appear or notify the county, they declared the parents a no-show and said that they had stopped cooperating.
The county then sent out the alert, including a photo of Bryson’s injury. The grandmother told the media she believes Bryce’s parents are hiding their son so people can’t see his wounds.

Daniel Muir played for the Indianapolis Colts for four years, between 2007 and 2014. After he hung up his football cleats, Daniel transitioned into motivational speaking and reportedly became a pastor.
 

Lupita Nyong’o Says Cancer Storyline in ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Was “Therapeutic” After Chadwick Boseman’s Death

Lupita Nyong’o is opening up about playing a woman with cancer in A Quiet Place: Day One and why it was a personal and “therapeutic” experience for her.
In the Michael Sarnoski-written and directed film, the Oscar-winning actress portrays Sam, a poet who is not only battling terminal cancer, but also aliens hunting humans based on sound.

Nyong’o recently told People magazine that it was “scary to have to go there” for a role that sees her character “really facing their mortality, even before this apocalypse takes place and whose life is slipping between her fingers.”
“That was daunting to have to go there, psychologically and emotionally,” she added.
But the role was notably personal because her close friend and Black Panther co-star Chadwick Boseman died at 43 following a private battle with colon cancer in August 2020.

“In the end, it was actually very therapeutic because I had just experienced not too many years ago the death of Chadwick Boseman, which shook me to my core,” Nyong’o explained. “I definitely was thinking about that a lot.”
“What I came to realize is that it’s really important to be reminded of our mortality because then we live life just a little more intentionally,” the Us actress continued. “When we think we have all the time in the world, we can really take people for granted and experiences for granted.”

Shortly after Boseman’s death, Nyong’o paid tribute in a lengthy Instagram post, writing in part at the time, “When we came together to make Black Panther, I remember being struck by his quiet, powerful presence. He had no airs about him, but there was a higher frequency that he seemed to operate from. You got the sense that he was fully present and also somehow fully aware of things in the distant future. As a result, I noticed that Chadwick never seemed rushed! He commanded his time with ease…and he put in the work with all of us.”

The Quiet Place prequel, currently playing in theaters, also stars Joseph Quinn and is set in New York City during the early stages of an alien invasion.


Jayson Tatum Signs $314M Supermax Extension with Celtics – Largest Contract in League
*Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has secured the most lucrative contract in NBA history, according to multiple reports from The Athletic’s Shams Charania and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Tatum and the Celtics have agreed to a five-year, supermax contract extension worth $314 million, set to keep him with the team through the 2029-30 season.

This historic contract surpasses the previous record held by Tatum’s teammate Jaylen Brown, who signed a five-year, $304 million supermax extension last year. With Tatum’s new deal, the Celtics have solidified their commitment to maintaining a championship-caliber team.

Tatum’s Championship Triumph
Last month, Tatum, 26, and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics to their NBA-record 18th title, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five games. Tatum’s performance was instrumental, averaging 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game throughout the series. His stellar play earned him accolades and further cemented his status as one of the league’s elite players.

Drafted third overall in 2017, Tatum has become a cornerstone of the Celtics franchise. He is a five-time All-Star and a four-time All-NBA selection. Tatum is also set to compete for a second Olympic gold medal in Paris, joining a star-studded US team aiming for its fifth consecutive men’s title.

Stability for the Celtics
According to ESPN, the Celtics now have every member of their starting lineup under contract through at least the 2025-26 season. This strategic move ensures stability and continuity for the team, positioning them for continued success in the coming years.

Ownership Group Announces Sale
In a surprising development, the Celtics’ ownership group, led by Wyc Grousbeck, announced on Monday that they are putting the franchise up for sale, just weeks after securing their 18th championship. In a statement, the Celtics revealed that they expect to sell a majority interest either this year or early next, with the remaining shares to be sold by 2028.

Grousbeck, who spearheaded the purchase of the team in 2002, will continue to serve as Governor until the final closing in 2028. Forbes recently valued the Celtics franchise at $4.7 billion, reflecting its significant market presence and historical success.

Looking Ahead
The combination of Tatum’s record-breaking contract and the impending sale of the franchise marks a transformative period for the Celtics. With Tatum at the helm on the court and new ownership on the horizon, the Celtics are poised for an exciting future. Celtics fans can look forward to continued excellence and a strong foundation as the team builds on its storied legacy.


Luther Vandross’s Niece Reveals Why He Kept His Personal Life Private

*Luther Vandross’s niece revealed the inspiration behind some of the late singer’s biggest hits in a new interview.
Her insights coincide with the new re-release of Luther’s second album, “This Close To You,” on vinyl, CD, and digital. His first album, “Luther,” was re-released in April, PEOPLE reports.

“I know that he wanted to be known as a premier singer of his time and he accomplished that no question,” Seveda Williams told PEOPLE.
“They don’t make them like him anymore. He was the last, in my opinion, true king of romance. He had a magnificent voice, but he also wrote the lyrics, these heartfelt lyrics,” Luther’s niece continued.
Williams explained that the R&B singer’s inspiration came from Vandross’s personal life but not his love life, which he kept private.

“I think his depth of love came from his own situations and when you’re young, he was writing before he was even in any type of relationship or anything. So he was not always singing about romantic love,” she said.
“Most people assume it, but if you look at the lyrics of his songs, everything is not romantic. So it’s about loving yourself, loving your mom, loving a situation that you’re in. Everything’s not autobiographical.”

Vandross’s life and career are chronicled in “Never Too Much,” a highly anticipated documentary set for release in January 2025.
We reported earlier that the Jamie Foxx-produced project was acquired by CNN Films in partnership with the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

Dawn Porter directed and executive produced the documentary film, which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and will debut next year on CNN and OWN before streaming on Max, IndieWire reports.
“I wanted him to be able to tell you his story as much as possible, so how do you do that with someone who’s not with us?” Porter told The Hollywood Reporter. “A lot of that was thinking about the lyrics. [On] ‘Any Love,’ he was just endlessly frustrated with the absence of a romantic partner in his life,” she explained. “So through his lyrics, I think you get to know a little bit more about him.”

“Luther: Never Too Much” explores Vandross’ musical legacy and influence. His former label, Sony, is on board with the project and some of the “Stop to Love” hitmaker’s former bandmates and collaborators. Those interviewed for the doc are Vandross’s musical partner Marcus Miller, Mariah Carey, Nile Rodgers, Clive Davis, Valerie Simpson, Richard Marx, and Jamie Foxx.
The film also dissects questions surrounding the singer’s sexuality.

“What we tried to do was balance, here’s how Luther handled those questions in his life,” Porter told InsideWire. “But it was really, really important to me and I hope the viewer senses, I’m trying to honor how he lived, because it’s important to not out people when they do not want to be outed and when they did not choose that…I’m going to let him have the last word.

Williams told People she watched the documentary more than once and “enjoyed it a lot.”
“I’m willing to stand behind it,” Williams said. “It’s not going to be for everybody. I think it is very inclusive of everything and you’ll get to see it and come up with your opinion. It doesn’t hide anything. It hits many layers of who he is or was and how he got there and what happened for or to him.”


Marlon Wayans Is Pleading For Peace Following The Rick Ross Canada Fight

Marlon Wayans is calling for peace following the viral Rick Ross brawl.
The comedian dropped by the Baller Alert comment section to share his thoughts on the fight and how tensions seem to be escalating within the rap community. According to Wayans, “It’s all fun and games until people start getting hurt,” referencing the infamous Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. rift and ultimate deaths.

“I knew Tupac, I knew Biggie. I partied with them, hung out with them, saw them both 20 minutes before they got shot. Violence is real. Everyone can be touched. Don’t entertain the devil,” he wrote.
His remarks arrive just days after Ross and his camp were attacked in Canada following his performance at the Ignite Festival in Vancouver. Some reports claim the fight spawned from Ross playing Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which angered the locals. The Miami star has shared several Instagram Story posts letting fans know he and the MMG crew are okay after the incident. However, many believe this was a direct result of his beef with Drake. Wayans believes it’s time for Ross, Drizzy, Lamar, and even The Game—all of whom he tagged in his comment—to move past the drama. The “White Chicks” actor even encouraged them all to choose serenity, the way J. Cole did early in the beef with Lamar.

“Walk away from the bullsh*t. With peace, with love, with positivity. Life is short…even shorter if you spend your energy on breaking each other down instead of building each other up. Hate seeing our kings at war. We are too few. STOP! And I say this with love,” he added.

Rozay and the other rappers mentioned have not responded to Wayans’ kind words, though it’s unlikely the rivalries will cease anytime soon.


Grenada Faces “Unimaginable” Devastation as Hurricane Beryl Charges Through Caribbean
Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm, is making its way toward Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, leaving a trail of devastation in Grenada. The Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, described the destruction on Carriacou and Petite Martinique islands as “unimaginable” and “total.”
“We have to rebuild from the ground up,” said Prime Minister Mitchell after visiting the ravaged islands. Around 98 percent of the buildings, including Carriacou’s Princess Royal Hospital, the airport, and marinas, have been damaged or destroyed. The islands are without electricity and communications, and fallen trees and utility poles litter the streets.

The natural environment also suffered greatly. “There is literally no vegetation left anywhere on the island of Carriacou, the mangroves are totally destroyed,” Mitchell noted.
Despite the severe damage, the death toll remains relatively low, with three deaths reported in Grenada, two on Carriacou. Additionally, there was one death in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and three in northern Venezuela, as reported by President NicolƔs Maduro.

Beryl, which peaked as a Category 5 storm, is expected to remain a major hurricane as it approaches Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has imposed a 12-hour curfew starting at 6 a.m. and issued evacuation orders for low-lying areas. In the Cayman Islands, residents are preparing for the storm, with hardware stores rationing sandbags and businesses like Cayman Cabana in George Town taking measures to protect their properties. Hurricane warnings are also in effect for parts of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, including Costa Maya, Tulum, Cozumel and CancĆŗn.

Grenada’s main island also experienced significant damage, though the destruction on Carriacou and Petite Martinique is far worse. Officials are still assessing the extent of the damage to the power grid and water supply. Grenada relies heavily on rainwater harvesting for drinking water, and many households have been using desalination plants due to a recent dry spell. These plants may have been affected by the hurricane.

UNICEF Eastern Caribbean video showed a storm surge affecting the southern coast of Barbados, alongside potent winds hitting St. Lucia. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in Barbados has reported power outages and flooding in various areas.

To aid in Grenada’s recovery efforts, Prime Minister Mitchell shared an Instagram post detailing wire transaction instructions for the Government of Grenada Natural Disaster Fund. This fund is for relief assistance for Petite Martinique, Carriacou, and Grenada following the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl. Please refer to the flyer for detailed information on USD, CAD, and GBP/EUR transactions.


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
These Were The Tallest Heels They

These are easily the tallest pair of heels that we’ve ever seen. What’s even more surprising than the heels themselves, is the fact that this person decided to wear them to Walmart,


HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY ALL!!!
EFREM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Followers