8/4/24

The Daily Buzz For Aug 5 ☕📰☕

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#MAGFAB: LeToya Luckett and Taleo Coles Have tied the knot and is now MARRIED!

LeToya Luckett has undergone the healing. “My soul is at ease,” she says, beaming at her husband, Taleo Coles.

On the day of their wedding, the love in the air is palpable. Inside the bridal suite, LeToya and her bridesmaids are busy preparing for the big moment, their excitement and anticipation evident as they get ready. Just a few hours from the couple tying the knot, her friends and family are overjoyed to see LeToya in this moment. “It feels like I’ve passed the baton,” says Pamela Luckett, LeToya’s mother. “It’s as if they have taken control of Thanksgiving dinner. They’ve planned everything so beautifully. I can sit back and relax because I know she’s in good hands.”

Taleo’s sister, LaToya Coles, was thrilled to see her baby brother tie the knot. “He’s always been so kind and giving. He’s the person we call when we need something,” she says. “When he wasn’t home for the holidays, that’s when I knew it was serious. I was sad to see him leave, but I’m so very happy for him at the same time.”

LeToya is sitting under the dryer, letting her platinum blonde pixie waves dry, after using an assortment of Mielle products created by her good friend Monique Rodriguez. As everyone prepped for the big day, with hair and makeup in full swing, a full-circle moment unfolded when the Destiny’s Child song “No, No, No” began to play on the television. The song, a nod to LeToya’s early career with the legendary group, echoed through the room, adding a nostalgic touch to the preparations. It was a reminder of how far she’s come from her formative years in the music industry to this sentimental celebration of love and family.

But just a few days before her wedding day, Luckett returned from New York, where she was promoting her role in the new thriller, I Thought My Husband’s Wife Was Dead. Now, back in the heart of Houston, she  radiates as we find ourselves nestled in a cozy corner of Joey Uptown, a favorite haunt in LeToya’s hometown. Despite the lowkey ambiance, LeToya is far from incognito—her presence turns heads, and fans eagerly approach her for photos. Ever gracious, she greets each request with warmth and a genuine smile. Meanwhile, Taleo, her fiance, soon to be husband, and days before their wedding sits by her side, his eyes reflecting with pride and adoration.

From her formative years in the legendary girl group Destiny’s Child to her successful solo career, LeToya has captivated audiences and commanded the spotlight for most of her life. Fans are not only eager to pose for photos with her but are also thrilled to see her in her birthplace—the city where she first made a name for herself. She’s something of a Houston treasure. While it’s not uncommon to see her around town, she remains a local icon for both her role in the girl group and her solo career. As a girl growing up in Houston, I vividly remember attending her in-person appearance at a local record store, where she was promoting a mixtape she released as a solo artist. The excitement of seeing her up close and the sense of connection felt so special back then, like a relic of a bygone era. Despite it being ages ago, she still remembers, and she smiles warmly at the memory, reflecting on how far she has come since those early days.

Even with the admiration of her fans and the constant buzz of the spotlight, LeToya remains earnest—a trait that Taleo, an entrepreneur, deeply admires. Their love story seems to have been authored by God himself, destined long before their paths officially crossed. They shared a mutual friend in Alexis “Lex” White for 20 years, however, the timing was never right to explore a deeper connection. In 2022, their lives looked much different: LeToya was coming out of a divorce and Taleo happened to be in a relationship at the time. 

As part of her healing process, on September 18, 2022, LeToya tells me she went  to God in prayer, seeking release from past issues and asking for a heart that was complete and whole. As fate would have it, she soon discovered that Taleo was single. “We were on a girls trip to Sedona, it’s one of her favorite places to go. We were there in the sauna room, and we’re having a conversation, and she said, ‘Well let me just see what he looks like,’” White recalls. It was LeToya’s response after seeing what he looks like that set everything in motion. LeToya tells White, “‘So this has been your friend all this time, he looks like this, he has all these great qualities.

Get more of her beautiful day right here from Essence! 

#RHOA: Shamea Morton Has What It Takes to Be a 'RHOA' Standout, But Will Fans Like Her?
Shamea Morton brings wealth, talent, and friendship to Real Housewives of Atlanta , setting her up for success.
Shamea fits the Bravo housewife mold with a successful African husband, a singing career, and upcoming single.
The upcoming season of RHOA will be unpredictable for fans, but Shamea's potential as a certified housewife is high.

If you were to look at the packaging Shamea Morton came to Real Housewives of Atlanta wrapped in last season, you would surely see the words RHOA accessories included, on the box. Shamea has all the pomp and circumstance required to qualify to carry the peach. Still, unfortunately for her, sometimes reality TV success is less about the qualifications and more about that "je ne sais quoi" that motivates fans to either embrace or deny new cast members. The upcoming season of RHOA is going to be a challenging one for everyone, mainly because the show has lost so much of its OG star power, with Kandi Burruss' resignation and Kenya Moore being mysteriously released from the show earlier this summer.

Kandi and Kenya's consistency was an anchor for the show, but the newbies may give RHOA's loyal fans a run for their money. Shamea is riding the line between the newbies and the returning cast because, although she's never held that precious peach in her palm during the intro, she's been a friend of the show for many years. Viewers of RHOA are familiar with Shamea's BFF friendship with Porsha Williams and have seen her face on various girls' trips over the years. The friends both share an affinity for twerking and turning up, but most importantly, always have each other's backs...well, Shamea has had Porsha's back. With Porsha's highly anticipated return, fans weren't shocked to see Shamea be promoted, but there is no guarantee they will embrace her with the same energy they show her bestie.

A reality series focusing on the personal and professional lives of several women in Atlanta's high society. The show documents their interactions, from lavish parties and business ventures to intimate moments with family and friends. The cast members navigate complex relationships, intense rivalries, and significant life events, providing a mix of drama, entertainment, and insight into the pressures and privileges of their status. Each episode highlights the evolving dynamics within the group, showcasing the highs and lows of their interconnected lives.

Shamea and her husband Gerald Mwangi have been married since 2017 after meeting at a popular nightclub in Atlanta, GA in 2014. The two later connected after one of Gerald's friends invited Shamea to his home for a barbecue. Shamea later revealed Gerald had orchestrated the BBQ at his home as an opportunity to reconnect with her and his plan worked. The two were inseparable after they met and the engagement and wedding were the talk of Atlanta's social scene. Ironically, Porsha and Shamea fell out because Porsha was suspiciously unable to attend her bestie's wedding. The two later reconnected, but most RHOA fans haven't forgotten about the brief riff.

Like Porsha, Shamea has a wealthy African husband and all the high-dollar accouterments that give women relevance on Bravo's best-selling franchise. Shamea's husband, doesn't have the sketchy past that follows Porsha's soon-to-be ex-husband, Simon Guobadia. Gerald is originally from Kenya and has several advanced degrees from East Carolina University Greenville, N.C. He worked as a project manager for CompUSA and has worked with a number of high-profile non-profits. While Gerald did gift Shamea with the expected RHOA birthday gift of a Rolls-Royce, no one questioned the car's payment schedule, bill of sale, or if it would be repossessed due to bad business deals. For all practical purposes, Shamea appears to have lucked up and found a generous, wealthy, and completely legal man, one of the few things that sets her apart from the other housewives.

Driving her Rolls-Royce and hanging out with the other housewives, Shamea fits right in with the other ladies, but there are even more things about her that fit the Bravo housewife blueprint. She has a picture-worthy lifestyle complete with a wealthy husband and a somewhat mysterious ex-husband. She is mother to two beautiful daughters, and she even used the RHOA/BRAVO factory surrogate of Shadina Blunt to bring her baby into the world. If anyone needed more proof that Shamea fit the housewife mold, hearing she has a new single impacting radio soon could convince them she belongs.

Like so many housewives before her Shamea is currently working on a new album and has a new single she is focused on promoting. She recently chatted with From Christal XO on the red carpet for newbie Brit Eady's new shapewear launch. Shamea was gracious, spending the first few minutes shouting out Brit for her new fashion endeavor. After running down all the designers she was wearing, including a Balenciaga and Gucci collaboration jacket, Yves St. Laurent boots, and Chanel earrings, Shamea shared that she'd been a dancer and entertainer since she was a child and fans would be wrong to assume she was just jumping on a bandwagon by releasing a new single.

"People have always known me to be a part of entertainment, a dancer, a host for our NBA/NFL team, but now I'm excited that they are going to see me for the artist that I've always been and that's a singer," she said. "I've always sung, and I started dancing, so my set would be entertaining. I did ballet, tap, and jazz all through college and then started dancing professionally for NBA and NFL teams. Then I got an opportunity to do it in the movie, Drumline, so I see the money coming in, but I've always been very passionate about singing."

Shamea will join Candiace Dillard, Kim Zolciak, Drew Sidora, Ashley Darby, Erica Jane, Melissa Gorga, Danielle Staub, Jo De La Rosa, Kenya Moore and even Luan de Lesseps aka the Countess as housewives with a single on iTunes. It doesn't take a music critic to tell most of these women had no business wasting time and or money in a music studio. When questioned on her favorite single by a Houswife, she was quick to name the one who is a part of music history and currently still touring, Kandi Burruss. "When you asked, the first person I thought was Kandi, but they've all contributed something musically and I love them all," Shamea said.

With the Bravo housewives starter pack in full effect, it's hard to see how Shamea could fail this initial season as a certified Atlanta housewife. Porsha is guaranteed to be the new OG on the block with Kandi and Kenya gone, so that sets Shamea up for BFF sidekick privileges. Aside from her friendship with Porsha, Shamea will be promoting her new single, parenting her two girls, and loving her wealthy husband. With a dutiful spouse, good girlfriends, and two loving daughters, Shamea's life currently resembles a "just add water" to make her one of the most envied women on Peachtree Street.


#MusicNews: K. Michelle Signs With BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville To Release Upcoming Country Album

It’s no secret that K. Michelle has wanted to release a country album for many years now.
She will finally get that opportunity, as she’s signed with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville to release this upcoming project. She shares:
“I have been ready. I am grateful for this moment. Rebels and Real Outlawz, it’s time! I am excited and want to thank my BMG Team. I am happy to finally sing the music I grew up on. I am a country girl at heart and can’t wait to share my country music with you.”

A full-circle moment, K. Michelle was featured on the acclaimed A Tribute To The Judds in 2023, singing “Love Can Build A Bridge” alongside Jelly Roll and Fisk Jubilee Singers, and performing the song live at “The 57th Annual CMA Awards” that aired live on ABC. In June, she returned to Nashville’s acclaimed CMA Fest for the second time, performing on not only the Chevy Vibes Stage but also making her Nissan Stadium debut.

Ready to kick start this next chapter, K. Michelle is actively writing and recording on her highly anticipated debut country album and finalizing its accompanying tour.


#HipHopNews: Ye & Ty Dolla Sign Officially Drop 'Vultures 2'
Ye & Ty Dolla Sign shared the second installment of their critically acclaimed album, VULTURES.
Though the Yeezy website recently announced that the highly anticipated project would be released on Friday (Aug. 2), true to Ye’s form, the project was released a few hours after midnight on Saturday (Aug. 3). Fans of the artist formerly known as Kanye West know to take his release date announcements with a grain of salt, but after a few months of patient waiting, the 16-track LP has finally arrived.

The roller coaster project enlists stars like Don Toliver, Future, Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, Playboi Carti, Young Thug, Lil Baby, 070 Shake, and many more. The album also features the first official release from him and Kim Kardashian’s child, Chicago West, alongside their oldest daughter, North West.

Once word spread online that the album was out, fans immediately pressed play and began forming their opinions on the project. “Criticize the album all you want; just don’t complain that a song sounds different than a leak that was never actually released by Ye,”one fan exclaimed.

“After one full listen, it comes off as disjointed and lacking in personality. I didn’t feel like I was listening to an album, but rather ideas, samples, and rough draft songs,” another fan said. The most notable omission from the album was “EVERYBODY,” which has been teased for months, but was presumably left off the tracklist due to issues with sample clearances.

While neither artist has officially discussed the new project, Ty Dolla Sign recently shared a flyer for two listening experiences in Taiwan and Korea in late August. While VULTURES 2 was initially scheduled for March 8, fans have finally been granted the ability to press play on the sequel HERE VULTURES 2 


Flavor Flav Pays Olympian Veronica Fraley’s Rent After She Reveals Financial Hardship

Flavor Flav stepped up to help an Olympic athlete who expressed urgent need.
Veronica Fraley, a student at Vanderbilt University who is currently competing with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, took to social media to vent her financial frustrations, leading to assistance from the Public Enemy hypeman.
“I compete in the Olympic Games TOMORROW and can’t even pay my rent,” she wrote on X Thursday (Aug 1). “My school only sent about 75% of my rent while they pay football players (who haven’t won anything) enough to buy new cars and houses,” adding several emojis through the post.

Upon seeing the message, Flavor Flav responded by offering to cover the 24-year-old’s housing costs. As the 2024 NCAA discus champion, Fraley is set to compete in the discus throw qualifications on Friday. The finals are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 5.
“I gotchu, DM me and I’ll send payment TODAY so you don’t have to worry bout it TOMORROW,” he replied. “And imma be rooting for ya tomorrow LETZ GO!!!”
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian joined in, sending the top athlete enough to pay more than one month of rent, granting her a sense of financial security. “C’mon now! I’ll split it…,” he responded to Flavor Flav, following up with a screenshot of a $7,760 payment to Fraley.

Still, Fraley launched a GoFundMe campaign to, “support my track and field journey as I start my professional athletic career and continue to represent Team USA, with a goal of $20,000.” As of Friday morning, she has raised $16,111.
“Thanks for the supporting messages but I want to clarify my irritation isn’t with the school itself,” clarified Fraley in a follow-up post on X. “Mainly the rules that bar me from making the amount I’m WORTH as a collegiate athlete such as NIL which favors popularity over performance. that’s all I’m sayin. Wish me luck tm!”

Fraley is not the only Olympic athlete to see financial support from the Hip-Hop veteran this year. Last month, the USA Water Polo team revealed the 65-year-old signed an unprecedented five-year sponsorship deal as the official hype man for the USA Water Polo Women’s and Men’s National Teams. 

As part of the sponsorship, Flavor Flav made undisclosed monetary contributions to the 2024 USA Women’s Water Polo Olympic Team.
“This is one of the biggest things that I feel that I could have ever done in life, outside of the other accomplishments that I’ve made to music,” explained the New York native, per CNBC. “By sponsoring a water polo team and helping these girls out, this is bigger than me winning a Grammy.”


Jamie Foxx Shares Emotional Birthday Tribute To Sister Who “Saved His Life”
Jamie Foxx continues to show his gratitude and love for his sister, Deidre Dixon.
On Thursday (Aug. 1), the Hollywood star wrote a heartfelt birthday tribute to his sibling, celebrating her special day and taking time to thank her again for “saving his life.”
According to Foxx, Deidre and his daughter, Corinne, were pivotal parts of his survival following his medical scare last year.
“Yooooooooooo super big big big happy happy happy happy birthday to my wonderful sister Deidra Dixon!!!!,” he wrote beneath a video montage of him and Deidre dancing, sharing drinks and more. “You are amazing you are my light you saved my life. I repeat you saved my life!!!!!! I am forever grateful for you and today.”

“I want you to turn up and enjoy. You are the best little Leo, real tears in my eyes right now I love you to the moon and back.!!! @frequency11,” he concluded with heart emojis.
Last month, Foxx finally shared more more details about his mysterious medical emergency that occurred in April 2023 amid him filming the Netflix film, Back In Action.
“Look, April 11 last year, bad headache, asked my boy for an Advil [and] I was gone for 20 days,” he explained to a group of restaurant patrons. Snapping his fingers, he added, “I don’t remember anything. I’m in Atlanta, they told me my sister and my daughter took me to the first doctor.”

“The next doctor said, ‘There’s something going on up there,’” he further explained while pointing to his head. “I won’t say it on camera… but it was,” he said.
The 56-year-old made his first public appearance in December 2023 at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema and Television, and vaguely addressed what happened to him. 
“I couldn’t do that six months ago, I couldn’t actually walk to [the stage]. And I’m not a clone, I’m not a clone. I know a lot of people saying that I was cloned out there,” he jokingly said at the time. “It feels good to be here. I cherish every single minute now, it’s different.”

He added, “I wouldn’t wish what I went though on my worst enemy because it’s tough when it’s almost over, when you see the tunnel. I saw the tunnel, I didn’t see the light. It was hot in that tunnel, too, I don’t know where I was going. ‘Sh*t, am I going to the right place?’”
Just in May of this year, Foxx accepted the Producers Award at the African American Film Critics Honors, and expressed he would explain his health scare one day, “his way.”

“Everybody wants to know what happened, and I’m going to tell you what happened, but I gotta do it my way,” he asserted to the audience. “I’m going to do it in a funny way. I’m going to be on stage. We’re going back to the stand-up sort of roots.”


Halle Berry Denied Emergency Court Order In Co-Parenting Dispute With Ex-Husband

When movie stars clash, the stakes are high - and the drama is real. Halle Berry's recent attempt to enforce co-parenting therapy with ex-husband Olivier Martinez has hit a legal roadblock, adding yet another twist to their already tumultuous split.
A Los Angeles superior court judge recently denied Halle Berry's emergency motion to enforce co-parenting therapy sessions with Olivier Martinez amid the simmering tension between the former couple to persist. Berry, 57, accused Martinez, 58, of violating their co-parenting agreement by unilaterally terminating therapy sessions that were supposed to help them better co-parent their 10-year-old son, Maceo.

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Berry claimed that Martinez abandoned the sessions for the summer without their therapist's approval. She insisted on continuing therapy immediately to meet their July 14 deadline for completing six sessions.
Her lawyer expressed frustration, stating, "It should never be necessary to seek judicial intervention solely to compel a party to comply with their agreements. A person's word -particularly those that become contractual obligations and then orders of the Court - should carry weight and have meaning."

The judge, however, ruled that there was no emergency, directing Berry to file a regular motion instead. The order read, "[Halle's] ex parte relief is denied. Lack of exigent circumstances as defined under the code. A regularly noticed request may be filed."
This is not the first legal confrontation for Berry and Martinez, who finalized their divorce in August last year after Berry initially filed for the split in 2016. They settled their divorce last year, sharing joint custody of Maceo, with Berry providing Martinez financial support.

However, their co-parenting efforts have been plagued by ongoing disputes. Berry attempted to resolve the issue directly with Martinez, but her efforts, as well as those of her lawyer Marina Beck, were reportedly ignored.
Martinez's legal team accused Berry of using her wealth and legal resources to "strong-arm" him. They argued that her emergency request was strategically filed while Martinez was on vacation and unreachable, preventing him from adequately responding. "[Halle] is constantly attempting to harass and strong-arm [Olivier] by forcing him into 'submission' using her wealth, and the legal professionals at her disposal," his team stated.

This denied motion is another episode in the protracted and bitter co-parenting battle that has seen both parties voicing allegations and counterclaims. With the judge's latest decision, the former Hollywood couple's rocky relationship appears far from reaching a resolution, and their son Maceo remains at the center of this contentious legal saga.


Don Lemon sues Elon Musk for $35 million
 
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has sued Tesla CEO and X social media platform owner Elon Musk for $35 million over a content partnership between the two that fell apart this spring.
Musk abruptly canceled the deal not long after Lemon asked the Tesla CEO about his use of drugs, including ketamine, which is relatively new on the scene and used for treating anxiety, mental health and emotional disorders.
Musk had said his ketamine use is "good for Tesla investors" because the drug puts him in a calmer state of mind, CBS reported.
Musk posted on X that he takes the drug "when my brain chemistry sometimes goes super negative."

In January, X announced that Lemon would bring his "unique and honest voice" to the platform in a partnership that was scheduled to appear as a series of three 30-minute weekly episodes.
During the initial and what turned out to be the only interview, Lemon questioned Musk on a series of topics, including his use of ketamine, for which Musk said he has a prescription, and that he is treated with it once every other week.
The maiden episode surfaced online and was slightly combative from the start. Musk is known to take issue with interviewers who ask tough or follow-up questions, or tread into subject areas Musk is uncomfortable with.

He has even been known to turn publicly on employees he once supported, such as former Twitter content moderator Yoel Roth, whom Musk initially took under his wing, but turned on after he decided to leave the company over ethical concerns.
Musk attacked and mocked Roth's sexuality and past behavior in social media posts, and at one point inferred that Roth was a pedophile. Roth said he and his partner received death threats following Musk's open attacks.
Lemon's lawsuit comes about five months after the partnership collapsed, which occurred days before the first episode was set to air on X.

Musk complained about Lemon's line of questioning, describing it as "not cogent."
Lemon's lawsuit alleges that Musk's company and associates "deliberately misrepresented what they intended to do," which it claims was to capitalize on Lemon's name and status to help resuscitate X's reputation after it lost a series of major advertisers following Musk's endorsement of an anti-Semitic post.

Lemon incurred "hundreds of thousands of dollars" in losses to create his own media company to produce the X content, he claimed.


Punkie Johnson, Molly Kearney Will now be departing 'SNL'

As the premiere of "Saturday Night Live's" 50th season draws near, at least two cast members will be missing from the lineup.
Punkie Johnson, 39, and Molly Kearney, 32, both confirmed they will not be back in Studio 8H when "SNL" returns this fall. A person who was unauthorized to speak publicly about the situation confirmed the news to USA TODAY on Friday.

"I just want to let y'all know that after four seasons I will not be returning to 'SNL' for the 50th," Johnson said in a video posted to Instagram Thursday.
Kearney, who uses they/them pronouns, announced they will not be part of the Season 50 cast in an Instagram post Friday, which included snapshots of behind-the-scenes moments on set.
"Yall that’s a wrap on my time on SNL! Reflecting on the amazing 2 seasons I got on this show, it was such a dream come true. So incredibly grateful for this period in my life," the caption read. "So much love to all my big hearted buddies behind the scenes who make the magic happen every week. So many bald caps, so little time."

They shouted out "my day 1 crew" Marcello Hernández, Devon Walker and Michael Longfellow, who were also brought on as featured players in Season 48.
Kearney, the show's first non-binary cast member, joined as a featured player in 2022, and Johnson was hired in 2020 and promoted to main cast member in 2022.

The news that she's out at "SNL" accidentally came out after she "opened up the floor to questions" at the end of a "Punkie and Friends" show the previous night, Johnson said in her video.
“Everything was going fine until somebody asked, ‘What are you looking forward to next season?'... I didn’t want to lie to my friends, so I just said, ‘Oh, I ain’t comin’ back," Johnson said. "It's no bad blood, it's no bridges burned, it's no hard feelings.
"'SNL' was a dream that I didn’t even know that I could achieve. Man, I was a part of one of the most elite institutions in comedy, and I am so grateful for it. That's still my people. I love them," she continued. "I'm going to be at the after-parties acting a plumb fool. But my time has come to an end."

"SNL" routinely cuts a few cast members each summer and holds auditions for new featured players. The show is expected to confirm its 2024-25 cast shortly before the next season, due in late September.


Pole Vaulter Anthony Ammirati's "Manhood" Knocks Him Out of Olympics
French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati's Olympic dream has ended for a NSFW reason.
At the men's qualifying event at the Paris Olympics Aug. 3, the 21-year-old missed his target height and legs and then his crotch hit the crossbar, sending it crashing down to the mat. Ammirati, who reacted by holding the sides of his head upon his own landing, ultimately placed 15th in the contest.

WATCH

“It’s a big disappointment" the first-time Olympian said in a statement posted by the French Athletics Federation. "The conditions were good. It’s the first time I’ve started a competition without any stress. As I was a total outsider, I only had one goal: to play with the audience. I was almost there."

Ammirati also reshared a tribute posted by French sports academy Envol but did not comment on the moment that helped knock him out of the competition, which went viral.
"We are proud of you @anthony_ammirati," the academy's Instagram post read in French. "Despite the last two physically disrupted weeks, you managed to be there, even if we are frustrated like you for this bar at 5m70. We wish you to live an unforgettable Olympic experience."

To advance to the men's pole vault final, competitors had to make the top 12 or vault over a bar at least 5.8 meters high to go through to the final. Ammirati scored 5.60, tying with Belgium's Ben Broeders, Norway's Simon Guttormsen, and Poland's Piotr Lisek and Robert Sobera for 15th place.

The No. 1 performing athlete, Sweden's Armand Duplantis, earned a score of 5.75.
To advance to the men's pole vault final, competitors had to make the top 12 or vault over a bar at least 5.8 meters high to go through to the final. Ammirati scored 5.60, tying with Belgium's Ben Broeders, Norway's Simon Guttormsen, and Poland's Piotr Lisek and Robert Sobera for 15th place.

The No. 1 performing athlete, Sweden's Armand Duplantis, earned a score of 5.75.


Marcus Jordan & Larsa Pippen Both Moving On After Split, Details Revealed

Marcus Jordan and Larsa Pippen are moving on after their breakup.The 33-year-old son of Michael Jordan and the 50-year-old reality star split up after more than a year of dating in February 2024. However, they sparked reunion rumors a few weeks later.

Recently, Larsa confirmed that the couple was done. Now, they are both getting flirty with other people.
Page Six obtained photos of Marcus enjoying a vacation with a model named Ashley Stevenson. While they haven’t confirmed their relationship yet, Marcus did share some footage of them together on his Instagram story.

Sources close to Larsa told TMZ that she was also getting some romantic action. The outlet reported that she is “casually dating” Zay Wilson, a country musician and reality star.
They’re reportedly not officially an item, and Larsa is “dating around.” But, they’re “spending a lot of time together.”
According to sources, Larsa and Marcus are no longer in contact.


Ben Affleck Debuts New Look, Shaves His Head Amid Relationship Questions
Ben Affleck is changing up his look amid questions about his relationship with Jennifer Lopez.
On Saturday (August 3), the 51-year-old Hollywood star was spotted out in Los Angeles, and he debuted a dramatic haircut.
People obtained the photos of Ben, which show him riding a motorcycle around Los Angeles.

The actor shaved the sides of his head down dramatically and left the top a little longer, giving him a faux-hawk.
Ben paired his edgy new look with cool sunglasses and a biker’s jacket. He wore a pair of jeans and had a backpack on.
The big change to his appearance comes amid rumors that he and Jennifer are experiencing tensions in their marriage. Just a week ago, it was reported that Ben had bought his own home in Los Angeles.

He and Jennifer are currently selling the marital home that they purchased last year and are expected to sell it at a loss.


‘RuPaul Drag Race’ Star Nicky Doll Sues Laurence Fox Over Olympics Opening Ceremony Pedophilia Comments

French celebrity drag queen and tv presenter Nicky Doll is suing Laurence Fox for defamation over pedophile comments he made about drag artists appearing in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The action comes just three months after UK actor Fox, who is now better known as a controversial political activist and TV presenter, was ordered to pay £180,000 ($220,000) in damages to former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK contestant Crystal (Colin Seymour) and charity trustee Simon Blake, after he called them “pedophiles” on social media.

Nicky Doll, whose birth name is Karl Sanchez, was among a group of drag artists appearing in a scene entitled ‘Festivity’, celebrating inclusion and diversity. It was among 12 tableaux celebrating the French spirit woven into the Olympics opening ceremony on July 26.
Fox responded to the tableau with a clip and caption which read: “No point in getting wound up when the child f**kers want to wind you up. Just laugh at the deviant little pedos. Eternity is a b***h.”

The ‘Festivity’ tableau also provoked controversy after it was erroneously suggested it was a representation of Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting The Last Supper, capturing Jesus Christ’s final meal with his apostles. The ceremony’s artistic director Thomas Jolly has since denied this suggestion, saying it was inspired by Greek mythology.
“The practice has, at the request of Mr Karl Sanchez, aka Nicky Doll, filed a defamation complaint Mr Laurence Fox and other users of the social platform X (ex-Twitter),” the artist’s lawyer Anne-Sophie Laguens said in a statement.

“Nicky Doll, who for years has received insults and hate messages, has been subjected to an unprecedented wave of hate and nastiness, going up to death threats, since her performance in the Festivity tableau,” it continued.
“These messages go beyond artistic criticism, with some of them conveying a mixture of hate and defamation, associating drag performances with pedophilia. These comparisons are serious and unacceptable.”

“This is the reason for this action. Any publication or message suggesting Nicky Doll’s performance encourage pedophile practices will be flagged.”

The defamation action follows news on Friday that the Paris Prosecutor’s Office had opened an investigation into an official police complaint by artistic director Jolly about insults and death threats he has received in the wake of the open ceremony.
French DJ Barbara Butch, who also participated in the Festivity segment, also lodged a police complaint earlier this week.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron spoke up in support of Jolly on Friday, praising the “audacity” of the show, and saying he was “scandalized” and “sad” about what the theatre director had been through.

Nicky Doll, whose stage name is a tribute to Nicki Minaj, broke out internationally in 2020 when she appeared in season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, as its first French contender.
Since 2022, Nicky Doll has been the host of Drag Race France and was recently a commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 semi-finals.


Angela Bofill’s Family Struggles to Fund Memorial, Calls Out Clive Davis
Two months ago, the world of R&B lost a shining star when Angela Bofill passed away at the age of 70. Known for her soulful voice and timeless hits, Bofill’s legacy continues to resonate with fans worldwide. However, her family now faces financial difficulties in organizing a public memorial in her honor.

Angela Bofill’s family recently expressed their frustration on her official Facebook page, revealing their struggle to raise the $25,000 needed for the planned memorial at Rose Hall in New York City, scheduled for late August. Despite their efforts to reach out to various individuals and organizations, they have not been able to gather sufficient funds.

The family’s post also singled out music industry icon Clive Davis for not responding to their calls for help. They wrote, “Unfortunately, we reached out to folks and were not able to raise the 25k needed for the Angela Bofill memorial at Rose Hall NYC., planned for late August. Saddened that Clive Davis elected not to respond. The money collected has been used to reimburse the family for substantial hospital bills. If something changes, we will post.”

The heartfelt message highlights the financial strain caused by substantial hospital bills that Bofill’s family had to cover. They also urged Bofill’s extended Facebook family and fans to lobby the Grammy Awards Foundation for a lifetime achievement award, suggesting this as a way to honor her remarkable contributions to music.

Angela Bofill, whose hits include “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter” and “I Try,” left an indelible mark on the R&B genre. As her family navigates these challenging times, her fans and supporters are encouraged to rally behind them and ensure that Bofill receives the recognition she deserves.


Cardi B Divorce Filing 'Wasn't an Easy Decision'
Cardi B's decision to file for divorce from Offset was a difficult one for her to navigate, but "a long time coming."
A source says "filing for divorce again wasn't an easy decision" for the rapper. "She has two kids already, is pregnant and is also a working mom. She’d love to have a great marriage too, but she needs to end it."
Additionally, the insider notes that people close to Cardi, 31, "support" her decision to end the marriage.

"It’s been a long time coming," they add. "It’s not just one issue. She’s matured a lot. She knows exactly what she wants her life to look like. She’s super focused on her kids and work."

Despite issues between the couple leading to them dissolving their union, the source maintains "they are still friendly and will co-parent" their children: daughter Kulture Kiari, 6, and son Wave Set, 2½. "Offset has always been supportive of Cardi and their family," says an additional source.
Cardi and her rapper husband, 32, have had an on-and-off again relationship since they first wed in September 2017, with issues often stemming from alleged instances of Offset's infidelity.

Cardi and Offset announced they were splitting in 2018, but ultimately reconciled. Cardi then formally filed for divorce in September 2020, which the pair also called off.
As for how the "Bodak Yellow" creator is dealing with the current divorce filing as a whole, the source highlights how she is "incredibly strong and driven" despite the difficult choice she had to make.

On Wednesday, July 31, Cardi filed for divorce from the Migos member after six years of marriage, a representative for the former confirmed at the time, noting, as the insider did, that the decision was "not based on cheating rumors, but rather has been a long time coming."

Only hours after the divorce news broke, Cardi B announced on Instagram on Thursday, Aug. 1, that she is pregnant with her third child.
"With every ending comes a new beginning! I am so grateful to have shared this season with you, you have brought me more love, more life and most of all renewed my power!" she captioned the post in an apparent message to her forthcoming child.


New Downtown Sculpture Honors Kobe and Gianna Bryant and Their Love of Basketball and Family 

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Bryant family have installed a new permanent fixture outside Crytpo.com Arena honoring five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Maria-Onor'e Bryant.  
Celebrating Kobe's love for his daughters, the bronze statue recognizes his unwavering pride in being a "Girl Dad" and the Bryant family's support for women and girls in sports. The tribute represents Kobe and Gianna's exceptional basketball legacy and the uplifting relationship Kobe shared with all four of his daughters. 

Speaking to an intimate group of friends and family who joined her to honor the moment, Vanessa Bryant said: 
"We merged two iconic courtside moments of Kobe and Gigi. Gianna has her gorgeous smile on her face and Kobe is kissing the top of her head while wearing the Philadelphia Eagles beanie that Gigi gifted him for Christmas. He’s also wearing a WNBA hoodie he wore courtside to the game with Gigi. Kobe was the first NBA player to wear that orange hoodie to a big game and that was to show his support for Gigi's dreams and for women across all sports. That was a moment he shared with Gigi that will always be a powerful representation of the movement towards equality that was always so important to our family."  

"We were faced with the harsh reality that no matter how great Gianna was or could be, no matter how great her daddy taught her how to play, or even if she played exactly like Kobe, she would not have had the same benefits and opportunities that her dad and young men currently have because she’s a girl. That’s when the challenge to change the perception of women’s sports started in our household. Gianna would be going into her first year of college this year. We would be watching her shine on the court. Now her spirit is shining a path she has created for young girls and for women in sports. In honor of Kobe and Gigi, I ask you this: give young girls your time. Give them your support. Tell them they can do anything any man can do and tell them they can exceed that, because they can, they have and they will. Iron sharpens iron. Reassure that confidence and see how much they thrive. Sometimes, all we need is one person to believe in us, even if that one person is ourselves. Take girls to watch women play sports. Buy those tickets to the game if you can. Watch women’s games on TV with your daughters, nieces and cousins. If young girls can see professional women play, they know they have the potential to be them. They know those ambitions aren’t just dreams but will become a reality. Let’s build up the next generation of athletes. It’s what Gigi and Kobe would want us to do.”  

“Kobe was the ultimate Girl Dad and Gigi was the ultimate Daddy’s girl.” 
Situated outside Crypto.com Arena's 11th Street Entrance near Chick Hearn Court and Georgia Street, the sculpture pays tribute to Kobe and Gianna sitting courtside at the Lakers. Originally designed by Karon Davis and created by the artists of Rotblatt Amrany Studio, the sculpture shows Kobe with his arm around Gianna and angel wings behind them. The two are surrounded by hedges and rounded symmetrical benches reflecting an Italianate Garden as a nod to Kobe’s childhood in Italy. Purple and gold flowers throughout give a wink to the iconic Lakers colors Kobe wore for 20 years. Engraved butterflies made of purple onyx and golden vein onyx border the flowers symbolizing transformation and hope. 

In the foreground of the statue is a plaque etched with "Gianna Bryant, Inspirational Icon for Girls in Sports" and "Kobe Bryant, Proud Supporter of Women in Sports" with the Mamba and Mambacita logo center. Underneath the names are words from the "Most Valuable Girl Dad" stating, "Gianna is a beast. She's better than I was at her age. She's got it. Girls are amazing. I would have five more girls if I could. I'm a girl dad."  

Today’s installation date marks special significance as 8/2/24 honors both numbers Kobe wore during his career with the Purple and Gold (8 and 24), and the number Gigi wore playing competitive youth basketball (2).  
The statue will be open and available for public viewing starting Saturday, Aug. 3, at 9 a.m. PT. 

Earlier this year, the Lakers unveiled the first Kobe Bryant statue outside the arena at Star Plaza. The 18-time NBA All-Star is the seventh Laker to be commemorated with a statue.  
The statue's creation and surrounding installation was also made possible through the Lakers partnership with Crypto.com Arena and AEG. Special thanks to Dan Beckerman, President and CEO, AEG; Lee Zeidman, President of Crypto.com Arena, Peacock Theater and L.A. Live; Ignacio Guerra, SVP Operations and Building Engineering; Armen Dembekjian, SVP Facility Projects and Event Production; Grant Higgins, Sr Director Building Engineering; Ashley Beach, Event Manager; and the entire Crypto.com Arena team. Additional thanks to Debbie Fogel and Jessica Fogel Scott from Fogel Interiors; Mike and John Steiner of Steiner Bros. Construction; Tyler Edell, General Manager of Brewster Marble and Rodney Haim from Royal Stone and for their support and expertise.


Jimmy Carter says he hopes to live long enough to vote for Kamala Harris
Former President Jimmy Carter, the oldest living president, is hoping to vote for Kamala Harris during the November elections, his grandson said.
"I'm only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris," the 99-year-old former president said, according to his grandson, Jason Carter, who relayed a conversation Carter had with his son Chip earlier this week to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Carter, who is set to turn 100 on October 1, entered hospice care in February 2023 after a series of hospital stays. Jason Carter said in May the 39th president is "coming to an end" when providing an update on his health.
Carter, a Democrat and one-term president, is a survivor of metastatic brain cancer and liver cancer and underwent abrain surgeryafter a fall in 2019. The former president is widely revered for his championing of human rights and brokering the Camp David Accords in 1978 between Egypt and Israel.

Carter, a peanut farmer and US Navy lieutenant before entering politics, served one term as governor of Georgia before becoming president.
By the former president's side was his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in November, just days after entering hospice care. The former first lady, a humanitarian and mental health advocate who was an influential figure in the White House, founded theCarter Center with her husband in his post-presidency in hopes of advancing world peace and health.


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Fishman out of the Sea

It's the reversed way.


HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM

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