#MAGFAB: Precious Lee for Elle U.K., October 2024
Precious Lee is part of a wave of women who are owning their power and redefining what it means to be a supermodel, says Naomi Pike.
BY NAOMI PIKEPUBLISHED For Elle UK
It takes me two weeks to pin down Precious Lee for this interview. She’s travelling, she’s shooting, she’s on set with ELLE. To put it plainly, she is ‘booked and busy’. As I align diaries with her people, nerves set in and I worry that, when we finally sit down, I might encounter a diva with somewhere else to be who rushes through answers. What I find is the opposite. Chatting with Lee feels like talking with an old friend. She’s the wise one, with encouraging words and advice to remember.
Lee breaks the ice by bringing up astrology. She’s a Virgo (‘like Beyoncé’), and wears all the attributes assigned to the zodiac’s most logical, practical and high-achieving sign on her sleeve.
She’s a life-long perfectionist, a very Virgo trait, and one she’s had since her childhood in Atlanta, where she balanced competitive cheerleading, Girl Scouts and dance team with debate club. She dreamt of becoming a lawyer.
Today, that capacity to juggle, while maintaining an attention to detail, defines Lee’s professional life. Whether she’s on set for her ELLE cover shoot, modelling in campaigns for Miu Miu, Calvin Klein and Fenty, or walking runways for the likes of Fendi and Versace, she demands the best from herself. ‘I want to get an amazing, one-of-a-kind, never-before-seen image,’ she shares, dialling in from her adopted city of New York. ‘I want to make it hard for the photographer to select, because I want them all to be good.’
It frustrates Lee that people assume modelling is just standing there in front of the camera. ‘Sometimes people think because you’re beautiful the photo is going to be beautiful, but that literally could not be more different from the truth,’ she says.
One of the striking things about Lee’s career is that she’s been able to move through the industry’s binary categories with ease and success; from the worlds of commercial ad campaigns to high-fashion runways, and back again. A new season of shows looms as we talk. At the autumn/winter 2024 presentations, there was a clear regression of diversity on the catwalk; ‘the return of size zero’ was a dominant talking point on the front row and beyond.
Lee’s presence at shows including Conner Ives, Ahluwalia and 16Arlington was a rare moment of size diversity, an all-too-rare representation of the vast majority of women. But she refuses to be boxed in by any single narrative, especially the ones about her body, or reduced to a type. ‘From the start of my career, I thought it was all kind of silly [that models were divided into categories], because I think a great model is a model that can do it all,’ she says.
A decade into her career, Precious has joined the illustrious pantheon of Supers who are known for their character, opinions and values, rather than just their look or ability to wear clothes – she’s a model in the spirit of Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista; women who paved the way for covergirls to become bona fide celebrities in their own right.
Within the industry, there’s been a slowly building feeling of change, where a new generation of supermodels who come without pre-assigned celebrity are achieving a hard-earned fame. Precious Lee, Paloma Elsesser, Vittoria Ceretti, Selena Forrest, Adut Akech, Mona Tougaard – women who are on the road to becoming mononyms, developing a sense of self on the world stage and revealing personas beyond the day job that require them to act in character.
‘All my life, every model that I have loved is able to be a trans- former,’ she says. ‘If you can’t transform on different sets or in different clothes or different locations behind different lenses, I think that it just means you have more work to do,’ she adds.
One model who has inspired her is Naomi Campbell. A serendipitous meeting in a lift in 2018 turned Lee’s one-time idol into a long-term mentor. ‘The reason why I’ve always admired Naomi, and why she was so powerful for me to witness when I was a little girl, was because she held this space with so much confidence,’ Lee says. ‘It’s what drew me to her. Now, I am just really grateful that we met. She’s always encouraging and checks in on me. There’s something so cool about having someone that you admire support you.’
Precious exudes a similar self-possession to that which she admires in Naomi. Some might call it a thick skin; the modelling industry remains a challenging place for women – and especially women of colour.
Yet Lee says her conviction has always been a part of her. It was instilled by her mother Anita, a teacher with an unwavering commitment to her daughter’s successes. A strong work ethic runs through her family; Precious’s father Rudy is an entrepreneur who owns a series of hair salons. She lost her older sister Charisma when she was still in primary school. ‘It’s a testament to my ancestors and my family. I had a laser vision. We should all have that and protect it. You should have that too,’ she tells me.
Lee says the longer she stays in the industry, the harder she must work to hold on to her sense of self-belief. ‘The confidence that I came into this industry with was indestructible,’ she says of her transition from Atlanta to New York immediately after graduation, adding, ‘I knew I was a model that the industry had never seen before.’ But with time, ‘I’ve realised it is really difficult to maintain that level of mental power. You can physically push yourself to do it, but you have to grow yourself emotionally and spiritually, as you also grow your career.’
Lee’s modelling aspirations began as a university student at the historically Black university Clark Atlanta, where she planned to study law. Her freshman year, she attended a local agency’s open call, a decision that set her on her way. A string of jobs eventually led her to New York, where she signed with Ford Models, but is now with IMG. ‘I think about it now and I crack up, remembering what I would wear to those first castings. I would be pumping around New York, going to castings with a red lip and a shirt tied up. That was just “no” – that’s not necessarily the protocol.’
Now, she says she’s a woman in transition, exploring who she wants to be. ‘I want to shift my personal and professional style this season,’ Lee says. She’s keen to move beyond the ‘super-glam’ personality she embodies on red carpets. ‘I guess perhaps my model style is snatched-corset-siren girl. But deep down, I’m the T-shirt girl. I want to show more of my versatility. This is my personal style. For example, yesterday, I wore a Bottega Veneta tennis dress that I got in Tokyo with Margiela shoes. My hair was in a bun. I just think it’s about sharing that chill side more,’ she says.
She’d like to see the fashion industry recover its joy, in a climate that has been challenging politically, economically and environmentally. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I love those serious runway moments that make you cry. But we have an opportunity right now to deliver a sense of joy. I’m excited to see if we can counter this moment in history and push things to a more positive place.’
Precious Lee is represented by IMG Models.
BY NAOMI PIKEPUBLISHED For Elle UK
It takes me two weeks to pin down Precious Lee for this interview. She’s travelling, she’s shooting, she’s on set with ELLE. To put it plainly, she is ‘booked and busy’. As I align diaries with her people, nerves set in and I worry that, when we finally sit down, I might encounter a diva with somewhere else to be who rushes through answers. What I find is the opposite. Chatting with Lee feels like talking with an old friend. She’s the wise one, with encouraging words and advice to remember.
Lee breaks the ice by bringing up astrology. She’s a Virgo (‘like Beyoncé’), and wears all the attributes assigned to the zodiac’s most logical, practical and high-achieving sign on her sleeve.
She’s a life-long perfectionist, a very Virgo trait, and one she’s had since her childhood in Atlanta, where she balanced competitive cheerleading, Girl Scouts and dance team with debate club. She dreamt of becoming a lawyer.
Today, that capacity to juggle, while maintaining an attention to detail, defines Lee’s professional life. Whether she’s on set for her ELLE cover shoot, modelling in campaigns for Miu Miu, Calvin Klein and Fenty, or walking runways for the likes of Fendi and Versace, she demands the best from herself. ‘I want to get an amazing, one-of-a-kind, never-before-seen image,’ she shares, dialling in from her adopted city of New York. ‘I want to make it hard for the photographer to select, because I want them all to be good.’
One of the striking things about Lee’s career is that she’s been able to move through the industry’s binary categories with ease and success; from the worlds of commercial ad campaigns to high-fashion runways, and back again. A new season of shows looms as we talk. At the autumn/winter 2024 presentations, there was a clear regression of diversity on the catwalk; ‘the return of size zero’ was a dominant talking point on the front row and beyond.
Lee’s presence at shows including Conner Ives, Ahluwalia and 16Arlington was a rare moment of size diversity, an all-too-rare representation of the vast majority of women. But she refuses to be boxed in by any single narrative, especially the ones about her body, or reduced to a type. ‘From the start of my career, I thought it was all kind of silly [that models were divided into categories], because I think a great model is a model that can do it all,’ she says.
A decade into her career, Precious has joined the illustrious pantheon of Supers who are known for their character, opinions and values, rather than just their look or ability to wear clothes – she’s a model in the spirit of Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista; women who paved the way for covergirls to become bona fide celebrities in their own right.
Within the industry, there’s been a slowly building feeling of change, where a new generation of supermodels who come without pre-assigned celebrity are achieving a hard-earned fame. Precious Lee, Paloma Elsesser, Vittoria Ceretti, Selena Forrest, Adut Akech, Mona Tougaard – women who are on the road to becoming mononyms, developing a sense of self on the world stage and revealing personas beyond the day job that require them to act in character.
‘All my life, every model that I have loved is able to be a trans- former,’ she says. ‘If you can’t transform on different sets or in different clothes or different locations behind different lenses, I think that it just means you have more work to do,’ she adds.
One model who has inspired her is Naomi Campbell. A serendipitous meeting in a lift in 2018 turned Lee’s one-time idol into a long-term mentor. ‘The reason why I’ve always admired Naomi, and why she was so powerful for me to witness when I was a little girl, was because she held this space with so much confidence,’ Lee says. ‘It’s what drew me to her. Now, I am just really grateful that we met. She’s always encouraging and checks in on me. There’s something so cool about having someone that you admire support you.’
Precious exudes a similar self-possession to that which she admires in Naomi. Some might call it a thick skin; the modelling industry remains a challenging place for women – and especially women of colour.
Yet Lee says her conviction has always been a part of her. It was instilled by her mother Anita, a teacher with an unwavering commitment to her daughter’s successes. A strong work ethic runs through her family; Precious’s father Rudy is an entrepreneur who owns a series of hair salons. She lost her older sister Charisma when she was still in primary school. ‘It’s a testament to my ancestors and my family. I had a laser vision. We should all have that and protect it. You should have that too,’ she tells me.
Lee says the longer she stays in the industry, the harder she must work to hold on to her sense of self-belief. ‘The confidence that I came into this industry with was indestructible,’ she says of her transition from Atlanta to New York immediately after graduation, adding, ‘I knew I was a model that the industry had never seen before.’ But with time, ‘I’ve realised it is really difficult to maintain that level of mental power. You can physically push yourself to do it, but you have to grow yourself emotionally and spiritually, as you also grow your career.’
Lee’s modelling aspirations began as a university student at the historically Black university Clark Atlanta, where she planned to study law. Her freshman year, she attended a local agency’s open call, a decision that set her on her way. A string of jobs eventually led her to New York, where she signed with Ford Models, but is now with IMG. ‘I think about it now and I crack up, remembering what I would wear to those first castings. I would be pumping around New York, going to castings with a red lip and a shirt tied up. That was just “no” – that’s not necessarily the protocol.’
Now, she says she’s a woman in transition, exploring who she wants to be. ‘I want to shift my personal and professional style this season,’ Lee says. She’s keen to move beyond the ‘super-glam’ personality she embodies on red carpets. ‘I guess perhaps my model style is snatched-corset-siren girl. But deep down, I’m the T-shirt girl. I want to show more of my versatility. This is my personal style. For example, yesterday, I wore a Bottega Veneta tennis dress that I got in Tokyo with Margiela shoes. My hair was in a bun. I just think it’s about sharing that chill side more,’ she says.
She’d like to see the fashion industry recover its joy, in a climate that has been challenging politically, economically and environmentally. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I love those serious runway moments that make you cry. But we have an opportunity right now to deliver a sense of joy. I’m excited to see if we can counter this moment in history and push things to a more positive place.’
Precious Lee is represented by IMG Models.
RHOA: Drew Sidora Reveals She Misses LaToya Howard On ‘RHOA’
In a recent interview with iHeartRadio’s Tyrik Wynn, the 39-year-old actress expressed her desire to see LaToya Howard, also known as LaToya Forever, return to the RHOA cast.
Drew Sidora said: “I actually miss Latoya. At the time we were bumping heads, but… it was fun, it was funny. It was just an interesting dynamic that I miss.” She’s grown so much. She’s had a beautiful baby. Our children are friends and they play a lot. I would love to see where she is now in her life. She’s funny and I enjoyed filming with her.”
Drew and LaToya’s relationship was notably contentious, with their on-screen drama escalating to a near physical altercation during season 13. The conflict began when LaToya made a derogatory remark about Drew’s wig, calling it a “pet wig” and naming it “Drewisha.” Later, Drew exposed LaToya for allegedly having relations with her prophet friend.
Despite their initial struggles, the two have since reconciled and now maintain a friendly relationship, with their children having regular playdates.
Do you miss Latoya?
#NewMusic from Tyrese “Beautiful Pain”
R&B superstar Tyrese is back with the brand new album “Beautiful Pain”. Although the singer had famously retired from new music following the release of his last album “Black Rose” in 2015, he keeps it going.
This is the seventh solo album overall from Tyrese, and the seventeen track project spans nearly an hour and half.
Guests featured on the project include Lenny Kravitz, Le’Andria Johnson, El DeBarge, October London, Tamar Braxton, Kenny G., and Eric Dawkins.
R&B superstar Tyrese is back with the brand new album “Beautiful Pain”. Although the singer had famously retired from new music following the release of his last album “Black Rose” in 2015, he keeps it going.
This is the seventh solo album overall from Tyrese, and the seventeen track project spans nearly an hour and half.
Guests featured on the project include Lenny Kravitz, Le’Andria Johnson, El DeBarge, October London, Tamar Braxton, Kenny G., and Eric Dawkins.
STREAM HERE:
The project includes the previously released singles “Love Transaction”, “Wildflower”, and “Don’t Think You Ever Loved Me”.
Currently, Tyrese has been on tour doing shows alongside his group TGT.
Currently, Tyrese has been on tour doing shows alongside his group TGT.
#HipHopNews: Lil Wayne, Juvenile, Turk, and B.G. to reunite as Hot Boys for 2024 Lil’ WeezyAna Fest
Lil Wayne announced the seventh annual Lil' WeezyAna Fest, which will see appearances from Rob49, Mannie Fresh, and more. In addition to headlining, the Young Money head honcho is bringing Juvenile, Turk, and B.G. to the big stage for a long-awaited Hot Boys reunion.
“Lil Wayne embodies the spirit of New Orleans, and Lil’ WeezyAna Fest is a stellar showcase of the city's dynamic and flourishing music scene,” said Live Nation Urban Vice President of Business Development and Operations Brandon Pankey in a press release. “Live Nation Urban celebrates this amazing event and is proud to continue to partner and cultivate the growth of this festival for years to come.”
Back in July, fans were hoping for a Hot Boys reunion during the ESSENCE Festival of Culture. While Birdman, Fresh, Juvenile, and B.G. did perform together, Wayne only appeared after those artists left for a solo set of his own.
In an interview with Geedy P, Birdman shot down rumors of any conflict with the “Lollipop” talent. “N**gas was talking about, ‘Wayne won’t do this and do that,’” the Cash Money CEO said during the livestream conversation. “Wayne wasn’t going to even do ESSENCE. I called my son and asked him to do it because I was doing ‘Birdman and Friends,’ and he did it. I asked him to do it right.”
He continued, “So we always knew that Wayne was going to have his own set because me and Juvie, Geezy, and Fresh, we rehearsed together every day, and we had our own set together. But we all knew that Wayne was going to have his own set because Wayne was only a surprise guest.”
Lil' WeezyAna Fest takes place in New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center on Nov. 2. Tickets and additional information can be found on the event's official website.
“Lil Wayne embodies the spirit of New Orleans, and Lil’ WeezyAna Fest is a stellar showcase of the city's dynamic and flourishing music scene,” said Live Nation Urban Vice President of Business Development and Operations Brandon Pankey in a press release. “Live Nation Urban celebrates this amazing event and is proud to continue to partner and cultivate the growth of this festival for years to come.”
Back in July, fans were hoping for a Hot Boys reunion during the ESSENCE Festival of Culture. While Birdman, Fresh, Juvenile, and B.G. did perform together, Wayne only appeared after those artists left for a solo set of his own.
In an interview with Geedy P, Birdman shot down rumors of any conflict with the “Lollipop” talent. “N**gas was talking about, ‘Wayne won’t do this and do that,’” the Cash Money CEO said during the livestream conversation. “Wayne wasn’t going to even do ESSENCE. I called my son and asked him to do it because I was doing ‘Birdman and Friends,’ and he did it. I asked him to do it right.”
He continued, “So we always knew that Wayne was going to have his own set because me and Juvie, Geezy, and Fresh, we rehearsed together every day, and we had our own set together. But we all knew that Wayne was going to have his own set because Wayne was only a surprise guest.”
Lil' WeezyAna Fest takes place in New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center on Nov. 2. Tickets and additional information can be found on the event's official website.
Tamar Braxton And Jessica Betts Honored During Atlanta Black Pride Weekend
Atlanta Black Pride Weekend and Global Black Pride concluded their historic collaboration by hosting the first-ever Global Black Pride in Atlanta over the 2024 Labor Day weekend with multiple events across the city.
During the 12th annual Pure Heat Community Festival, GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter, Tamar Braxton received the ICON Award, while R&B star Jessica Betts received the Trailblazer Award – presented by special guests Betts’ wife, Niecy Nash-Betts, and friends Da Brat and Jesseca Harris-Dupart. Additionally, Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Nik Harris (VP, Strategic Outreach & Engagement) received the annual Humanitarian Award with additional honorees including The Impulse Group; and a special voting call-to-action delivered from Miss Peppermint of Ru Paul’s Drag Race.
The weekend also featured the third annual Black Excellence Influencer’s Dinner, hosted by Gary With Da Tea RockStars Production and Traxx Girls at the Starling Hotel. The event served as a Fundraiser benefitting Global Black Pride Weekend and presented a unique opportunity for trailblazers, leaders, and influencers to celebrate accomplishments while highlighting individuals and organizations who significantly impact and contribute to the LGBTQIA+ community. The 2024 honorees included: Rashad Burgess, Lisa Cunningham, Funky Dineva, Judge Pierce Hand Seitz, Derek Ford, Devin Barrington, Adrienne Gates, Congress Woman Barbara Lee, and Earl D. Fowkles Jr.
Additional highlights from the nearly week-long affair include performances from Billy Porter, Saucy Santana, and more with special appearances from Arrington Foster, Bishop OC Allen III, Rashad Burgess, and Melissa “DJ M” Scott.
During the 12th annual Pure Heat Community Festival, GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter, Tamar Braxton received the ICON Award, while R&B star Jessica Betts received the Trailblazer Award – presented by special guests Betts’ wife, Niecy Nash-Betts, and friends Da Brat and Jesseca Harris-Dupart. Additionally, Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Nik Harris (VP, Strategic Outreach & Engagement) received the annual Humanitarian Award with additional honorees including The Impulse Group; and a special voting call-to-action delivered from Miss Peppermint of Ru Paul’s Drag Race.
The weekend also featured the third annual Black Excellence Influencer’s Dinner, hosted by Gary With Da Tea RockStars Production and Traxx Girls at the Starling Hotel. The event served as a Fundraiser benefitting Global Black Pride Weekend and presented a unique opportunity for trailblazers, leaders, and influencers to celebrate accomplishments while highlighting individuals and organizations who significantly impact and contribute to the LGBTQIA+ community. The 2024 honorees included: Rashad Burgess, Lisa Cunningham, Funky Dineva, Judge Pierce Hand Seitz, Derek Ford, Devin Barrington, Adrienne Gates, Congress Woman Barbara Lee, and Earl D. Fowkles Jr.
Additional highlights from the nearly week-long affair include performances from Billy Porter, Saucy Santana, and more with special appearances from Arrington Foster, Bishop OC Allen III, Rashad Burgess, and Melissa “DJ M” Scott.
Will Smith Has been Named In $1 Million Infringement Lawsuit Over The 2019 Film ‘Gemini Man’
Movie star Will Smith and a few of his associates were recently hit with a million-dollar lawsuit.
An author accused the actor, in collaboration with numerous production studios, of stealing the plot for the 2019 movie Gemini Man from a novel he wrote.
According to documents obtained by In Touch, the complaint was filed by a man named Kissinger Sibanda. The plaintiff, who identified himself as an attorney and science fiction writer, named Will Smith, 55, Skydance Productions, Gemini Pictures, Paramount Pictures, David Ellison and others as defendants in the suit. Kissinger Sibanda alleged that the movie’s creators ripped off its concept from a book he released in 2011 titled The Return to Gibraltar.
Describing his novel, Sibanda wrote in the suit:“The book details an African American who is cloned and used in a time traveling program without his permission. In marketing the book, plaintiff Sibanda asserted that it would be a good fit for Will Smith as the lead. In 2019, Defendants released Gemini Man, directed by Ang Lee and starring Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, and Benedict Wong. The [film] follows a former hitman who is targeted by a younger clone of himself while on the run from the government…The defendants struggled to make the movie until plaintiff released his book in 2011, thereafter they changed the film’s marketing strategy – taking themes, plots, characterizations, context and cultural subtexts from the book to create their movie, Gemini Man.”
As you may recall, the Smith-led project was released to an underwhelming box office performance, only bringing in $173 million worldwide from a budget of $138 million (before marketing). Smith stars in the movie as a 51-year-old professional assassin named Henry Brogan, who’s planning for retirement before getting hunted down by a younger, faster, cloned version of himself.
Before Smith signed on to star in the movie, Gemini Man was reportedly in production for over 20 years with several A-list celebs attached to it at various times. The original screenplay was reportedly written by a man named Darren Lemke in 1997, though – as Sibanda noted in the suit – production companies struggled to complete the project, allegedly due to plot holes. Sibanda went on in the complaint to double down on his copyright infringement claim, alleging that the movie only made it to completion after all that time because of his novel, writing:
“The publication of The Return to Gibraltar, provided a fee meal for the defendants; not only did the book detail the cultural importance of the protagonist as a black person in a cinematic form but it explained cloning and its science in the context of a complete story; not just “ideas and facts” but a complete narrative pace and climax, In addition to the literary tool of deception in a cloned army used against the protagonist. Interesting enough, the protagonist in The Return to Gibraltar is a Harvard man, similarly to the younger version of the Will Smith cloned in Gemini Man.”
Sibanda is seeking $1.7 million in damages.
Movie star Will Smith and a few of his associates were recently hit with a million-dollar lawsuit.
An author accused the actor, in collaboration with numerous production studios, of stealing the plot for the 2019 movie Gemini Man from a novel he wrote.
According to documents obtained by In Touch, the complaint was filed by a man named Kissinger Sibanda. The plaintiff, who identified himself as an attorney and science fiction writer, named Will Smith, 55, Skydance Productions, Gemini Pictures, Paramount Pictures, David Ellison and others as defendants in the suit. Kissinger Sibanda alleged that the movie’s creators ripped off its concept from a book he released in 2011 titled The Return to Gibraltar.
Describing his novel, Sibanda wrote in the suit:“The book details an African American who is cloned and used in a time traveling program without his permission. In marketing the book, plaintiff Sibanda asserted that it would be a good fit for Will Smith as the lead. In 2019, Defendants released Gemini Man, directed by Ang Lee and starring Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, and Benedict Wong. The [film] follows a former hitman who is targeted by a younger clone of himself while on the run from the government…The defendants struggled to make the movie until plaintiff released his book in 2011, thereafter they changed the film’s marketing strategy – taking themes, plots, characterizations, context and cultural subtexts from the book to create their movie, Gemini Man.”
As you may recall, the Smith-led project was released to an underwhelming box office performance, only bringing in $173 million worldwide from a budget of $138 million (before marketing). Smith stars in the movie as a 51-year-old professional assassin named Henry Brogan, who’s planning for retirement before getting hunted down by a younger, faster, cloned version of himself.
Before Smith signed on to star in the movie, Gemini Man was reportedly in production for over 20 years with several A-list celebs attached to it at various times. The original screenplay was reportedly written by a man named Darren Lemke in 1997, though – as Sibanda noted in the suit – production companies struggled to complete the project, allegedly due to plot holes. Sibanda went on in the complaint to double down on his copyright infringement claim, alleging that the movie only made it to completion after all that time because of his novel, writing:
“The publication of The Return to Gibraltar, provided a fee meal for the defendants; not only did the book detail the cultural importance of the protagonist as a black person in a cinematic form but it explained cloning and its science in the context of a complete story; not just “ideas and facts” but a complete narrative pace and climax, In addition to the literary tool of deception in a cloned army used against the protagonist. Interesting enough, the protagonist in The Return to Gibraltar is a Harvard man, similarly to the younger version of the Will Smith cloned in Gemini Man.”
Sibanda is seeking $1.7 million in damages.
'1,000-lb Sisters' star arrested at Tennessee zoo on drug possession, child endangerment charges
Reality TV star Amy Slaton Halterman was arrested on Labor Day at a Tennessee zoo on drug and child endangerment charges.
Halterman, 36, who stars along with her sister in TLC’s “1,000-lb Sisters,” was charged with illegal possession of Schedule I, illegal possession of Schedule VI, and two counts of child endangerment on Monday, the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department said.
Deputies had responded to a call regarding a guest allegedly bitten by a camel at Tennessee Safari Park, a drive and walk through zoo, in Alamo.
When deputies arrived they were “immediately overtaken by suspicious odors coming from the guest’s vehicle,” the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities did not disclose what the cause of the smell was, but said Halterman and Brian Scott Lovvorn were in the vehicle and both were hit with the same charges.
They were booked into the Crockett County Jail. A judge on Tuesday set bond at $10,000 for each of them.
Halterman has two kids, Gage Deon Halterman, 4, and Glenn Allen Halterman, 2, with Michael Halterman, who filed for divorce in March 2023, People Magazine reports.
It’s not clear who was bitten by the camel or if Halterman's children were with her at the time of the incident.
“1,000-lb Sisters” first aired on TLC in 2020 and follows the story of two Kentucky sisters — Halterman and her elder sister Tammy — on their weight loss journeys.
Halterman, 36, who stars along with her sister in TLC’s “1,000-lb Sisters,” was charged with illegal possession of Schedule I, illegal possession of Schedule VI, and two counts of child endangerment on Monday, the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department said.
Deputies had responded to a call regarding a guest allegedly bitten by a camel at Tennessee Safari Park, a drive and walk through zoo, in Alamo.
When deputies arrived they were “immediately overtaken by suspicious odors coming from the guest’s vehicle,” the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities did not disclose what the cause of the smell was, but said Halterman and Brian Scott Lovvorn were in the vehicle and both were hit with the same charges.
They were booked into the Crockett County Jail. A judge on Tuesday set bond at $10,000 for each of them.
Halterman has two kids, Gage Deon Halterman, 4, and Glenn Allen Halterman, 2, with Michael Halterman, who filed for divorce in March 2023, People Magazine reports.
It’s not clear who was bitten by the camel or if Halterman's children were with her at the time of the incident.
“1,000-lb Sisters” first aired on TLC in 2020 and follows the story of two Kentucky sisters — Halterman and her elder sister Tammy — on their weight loss journeys.
Olympic Runner Rebecca Cheptegei In Critical Condition After Set Ablaze By BF In Horrific Gasoline Attack
Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, who finished 44th in the women's marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is fighting for her life as she sustained burns over 75 percent of her body after her boyfriend Dickson Ndiema allegedly doused her in gasoline and set her ablaze. The attack took place at her home in Trans Nzoia County, western Kenya, during a dispute on Sunday, September 1.
According to Trans Nzoia County Police Commander, Jeremiah ole Kosiom, the incident happened during a quarrel between Cheptegei and Ndiema over the land on which her home was built. "The couple were heard quarreling outside their house," Kosiom told journalists, per BBC. "During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her."
Ndiema also sustained serious burns in the fire, and both were rescued by neighbors and transported to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret for treatment. Police have collected a five-liter jerrican and a burned mobile phone for forensic analysis as part of their ongoing investigation.
Cheptegei's parents revealed that their daughter had purchased land in Trans Nzoia to be near its athletic training centers, an indication of her commitment to her sport.
Disturbingly, this is not the first time violence has struck the African athletic community. In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner Benjamin Kiplagat was found dead with stab wounds, and in 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee was found dead due to strangulation.
Rebecca Cheptegei's athletic career began in 2010, and she has since made significant accomplishments, including winning the Padova Marathon in April 2022 and securing second place in the women's 10,000-meter run at the Ugandan Championships in Kampala. The sports world now holds its breath, hoping for her recovery and seeking justice for this brutal act.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
According to Trans Nzoia County Police Commander, Jeremiah ole Kosiom, the incident happened during a quarrel between Cheptegei and Ndiema over the land on which her home was built. "The couple were heard quarreling outside their house," Kosiom told journalists, per BBC. "During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her."
Ndiema also sustained serious burns in the fire, and both were rescued by neighbors and transported to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret for treatment. Police have collected a five-liter jerrican and a burned mobile phone for forensic analysis as part of their ongoing investigation.
Cheptegei's parents revealed that their daughter had purchased land in Trans Nzoia to be near its athletic training centers, an indication of her commitment to her sport.
Disturbingly, this is not the first time violence has struck the African athletic community. In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner Benjamin Kiplagat was found dead with stab wounds, and in 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee was found dead due to strangulation.
Rebecca Cheptegei's athletic career began in 2010, and she has since made significant accomplishments, including winning the Padova Marathon in April 2022 and securing second place in the women's 10,000-meter run at the Ugandan Championships in Kampala. The sports world now holds its breath, hoping for her recovery and seeking justice for this brutal act.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
Drake Blocks Model Rebecca J, For Getting 'Presumptuous' About His Motive
Drake may be a certified lover boy, but that doesn't mean he always takes sexual advantage of every woman he knows. The Canadian superstar allegedly once got angry at a model for getting presumptuous about his motive after he slid into her DMs.
On a podcast episode, Jessenia Rebecca, better known as Rebecca J, and Amanda Nicole played "smash or pass" with rappers. After dismissing 6ix9ine, they got around to the subject of Drake. Amanda said she has been on a couple of dates with him. And although she called him "really cute" for his "dorky past," she noted that nothing happened.
Rebecca, on the other hand, never got a chance to know Drake personally despite him allegedly asking her out. "So Drake actually slid into my DMs," Rebecca claimed. "Girl, he blocked me after!" she said with a laugh. "Drake, you better not block this girl because of me."
Rebecca then admitted that she made Drizzy mad because she presumed he would want something sexual. "Basically, he wanted to take me out. And just because my Instagram is so overly sexual, I was just like, 'You know, I'll go out with you, but I'm just kind of establishing the boundary. Like, just so you know, I'm not that type of girl,' " she recalled.
"And he got so pissed, girl," Rebecca continued. "He sent me a freaking paragraph this long. Like, 'I can't believe you think I'm that type of guy, you're so presumptuous for thinking that. You've listed all these great qualities in a woman and you don't...' Like, just this whole rattle. Girl, [he] hammered in on me."
Apparently feeling offended by Rebecca's assumption, Drake went as far as blocking her. "He just started un-sending the messages and then blocked me. I was like, this guy's incredible. Anyways, moving on...," she said. They then asked again whether the "No Face" MC was a "smash or pass," and Rebecca answered with "I guess we'll never know."
On a podcast episode, Jessenia Rebecca, better known as Rebecca J, and Amanda Nicole played "smash or pass" with rappers. After dismissing 6ix9ine, they got around to the subject of Drake. Amanda said she has been on a couple of dates with him. And although she called him "really cute" for his "dorky past," she noted that nothing happened.
Rebecca, on the other hand, never got a chance to know Drake personally despite him allegedly asking her out. "So Drake actually slid into my DMs," Rebecca claimed. "Girl, he blocked me after!" she said with a laugh. "Drake, you better not block this girl because of me."
Rebecca then admitted that she made Drizzy mad because she presumed he would want something sexual. "Basically, he wanted to take me out. And just because my Instagram is so overly sexual, I was just like, 'You know, I'll go out with you, but I'm just kind of establishing the boundary. Like, just so you know, I'm not that type of girl,' " she recalled.
"And he got so pissed, girl," Rebecca continued. "He sent me a freaking paragraph this long. Like, 'I can't believe you think I'm that type of guy, you're so presumptuous for thinking that. You've listed all these great qualities in a woman and you don't...' Like, just this whole rattle. Girl, [he] hammered in on me."
Apparently feeling offended by Rebecca's assumption, Drake went as far as blocking her. "He just started un-sending the messages and then blocked me. I was like, this guy's incredible. Anyways, moving on...," she said. They then asked again whether the "No Face" MC was a "smash or pass," and Rebecca answered with "I guess we'll never know."
South Carolina basketball star Ashlyn Watkins reportedly arrested on assault, kidnapping charges
South Carolina women’s basketball star Ashlyn Watkins was arrested on kidnapping and assault charges on Saturday in Columbia, South Carolina, according to The Post and Courier.
Though specifics of the incident aren’t clear, Watkins reportedly “forcefully” grabbed the victim’s face, pulled her arms and pushed her at a student housing center on South Carolina’s campus. She also allegedly "grabbed the victim's head and forced her to walk down the hall, thus controlling her movement while preventing her from leaving," according to a warrant obtained by WLTX19.
The woman then escaped and pulled a fire alarm, per the report, and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Watkins was charged with first-degree assault and battery, and kidnapping after the incident. She was released on bond and is due in court in October. South Carolina reportedly said it was aware of the arrest and was gathering information, but had not released a formal statement.
Watkins is entering her third season with the Gamecocks. She averaged 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game last season as a sophomore while helping the program to a national championship. South Carolina went 38-0 and beat Iowa in the national championship game to claim its second title in the past three seasons.
The Gamecocks are set to open their season Nov. 10 against North Carolina State.
South Carolina women’s basketball star Ashlyn Watkins was arrested on kidnapping and assault charges on Saturday in Columbia, South Carolina, according to The Post and Courier.
Though specifics of the incident aren’t clear, Watkins reportedly “forcefully” grabbed the victim’s face, pulled her arms and pushed her at a student housing center on South Carolina’s campus. She also allegedly "grabbed the victim's head and forced her to walk down the hall, thus controlling her movement while preventing her from leaving," according to a warrant obtained by WLTX19.
The woman then escaped and pulled a fire alarm, per the report, and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Watkins was charged with first-degree assault and battery, and kidnapping after the incident. She was released on bond and is due in court in October. South Carolina reportedly said it was aware of the arrest and was gathering information, but had not released a formal statement.
Watkins is entering her third season with the Gamecocks. She averaged 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game last season as a sophomore while helping the program to a national championship. South Carolina went 38-0 and beat Iowa in the national championship game to claim its second title in the past three seasons.
The Gamecocks are set to open their season Nov. 10 against North Carolina State.
R&B Legendary Singer Freddie Jackson Has been diagnosed with Kidney Disease Diagnosis
Veteran R&B crooner Freddie Jackson took to social media on Tuesday to reveal that he has been diagnosed with kidney disease.
In a video posted on his Instagram page, the “You Are My Lady” singer shared that he has partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness and support others facing the same condition.
In the caption of the post, Freddie wrote:
Hey everyone! Freddie Jackson here with a very personal and important announcement. It is with an open heart that I share some personal news: I have been diagnosed with kidney disease.
This journey has been challenging, but I am not facing it alone. My close friends, my manager and music family, and all of you are here with me, keeping me going.
I am also proud to announce my partnership with the @nationalkidneyfoundation to raise awareness and support for others affected by this condition.
Your love and support mean the world to me as I take this step forward for my health and well-being.
Together, we can make a difference. I love you and blessings to you all! 💜 #KidneyAwareness #StayStrong #nationalkidneyfoundation”
In a video posted on his Instagram page, the “You Are My Lady” singer shared that he has partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness and support others facing the same condition.
In the caption of the post, Freddie wrote:
Hey everyone! Freddie Jackson here with a very personal and important announcement. It is with an open heart that I share some personal news: I have been diagnosed with kidney disease.
This journey has been challenging, but I am not facing it alone. My close friends, my manager and music family, and all of you are here with me, keeping me going.
I am also proud to announce my partnership with the @nationalkidneyfoundation to raise awareness and support for others affected by this condition.
Your love and support mean the world to me as I take this step forward for my health and well-being.
Together, we can make a difference. I love you and blessings to you all! 💜 #KidneyAwareness #StayStrong #nationalkidneyfoundation”
Mase Has unveiled His 70-Pound Weight Loss
Harlem rapper turned talk-show host Mase kicked off season five of his “What It Is” show with a viral freestyle and a youthful new look after reportedly losing 70lbs.
During the Monday (September 2) premiere of the online sports talk show, co-host Cam’ron kicked off the show by showering Mase with praise, especially noting how sharp the 49-year-old rapper looked, from his fresh haircut to his impressive 70-pound weight loss.
Killa Cam didn’t hesitate to dig for details on how his co-host managed to shed the pounds—and whether he might have had a little extra help.
“You took the needle,” Cam'ron teased, referring to the popular weight loss drug Ozempic. "Nah," Mase replied with a grin, "That's the hate I want. That's the hate I needed."
However, the “Feel So Good” emcee quickly shared that his transformation was due to a change in his diet. “I signed up with this coach named Ricky Moore, that's a professional bodybuilder, and he just put me on the alkaline diet,” Mase explained. “I’m only eating fruit, vegetables, and water for now.”
During the episode, Mase proved that his rap skills are just as fresh as his youthful appearance, delivering a 2-minute freestyle over Common and Kanye West’s 2005 track, “The Corner.”
Harlem rapper turned talk-show host Mase kicked off season five of his “What It Is” show with a viral freestyle and a youthful new look after reportedly losing 70lbs.
During the Monday (September 2) premiere of the online sports talk show, co-host Cam’ron kicked off the show by showering Mase with praise, especially noting how sharp the 49-year-old rapper looked, from his fresh haircut to his impressive 70-pound weight loss.
Killa Cam didn’t hesitate to dig for details on how his co-host managed to shed the pounds—and whether he might have had a little extra help.
“You took the needle,” Cam'ron teased, referring to the popular weight loss drug Ozempic. "Nah," Mase replied with a grin, "That's the hate I want. That's the hate I needed."
However, the “Feel So Good” emcee quickly shared that his transformation was due to a change in his diet. “I signed up with this coach named Ricky Moore, that's a professional bodybuilder, and he just put me on the alkaline diet,” Mase explained. “I’m only eating fruit, vegetables, and water for now.”
During the episode, Mase proved that his rap skills are just as fresh as his youthful appearance, delivering a 2-minute freestyle over Common and Kanye West’s 2005 track, “The Corner.”
Lil Nas X’s Hilarious Take On Gay Rapper Struggles: Calls For More “Homosexual Vixens”
Lil Nas X joked about being a gay rapper, complaining about the lack of “known homosexual vixens” in Hip-Hop.
Lil Nas X shared his hilarious take on the struggles of being a gay rapper, complaining about a lack of homosexual vixens in the Hip-Hop community.
He took to social media on Sunday night (September 1), joking about his gripe. “Being a gay rapper is hard,” he began. According to Lil Nas, the gay Hip-Hop community is lacking personalities like Lori Harvey and the Clermont Twins.
“Straight n##### got all the baddies,” he added. “We need more known homosexual vixens! where are our clermont twins, where is OUR lori harvey, we deserve a brittany renner too!”
Meanwhile, in other Lil Nas X news, the polarizing artist recently shared some advice about starting over, urging people to take the next step to improve their lives. He posted a video message on social media encouraging fans to keep going.
“Starting over is embarrassing and you just have to do it anyway,” he began. “People are going to tell you how good things used to be and how great you were and how the past was so much better than right now.”
He continued, saying you must start wherever you are and stand on your dreams and ideas. “Stop trying to cling on to what was so that you can become that next version of you,” he added. “I haven’t even had my next big things yet, but I know it’s coming. It can feel embarrassing having all these eyes on you while you start something new. You have to let them watch. Enjoy the f###### show.”
Lil Nas X shared his hilarious take on the struggles of being a gay rapper, complaining about a lack of homosexual vixens in the Hip-Hop community.
He took to social media on Sunday night (September 1), joking about his gripe. “Being a gay rapper is hard,” he began. According to Lil Nas, the gay Hip-Hop community is lacking personalities like Lori Harvey and the Clermont Twins.
“Straight n##### got all the baddies,” he added. “We need more known homosexual vixens! where are our clermont twins, where is OUR lori harvey, we deserve a brittany renner too!”
Meanwhile, in other Lil Nas X news, the polarizing artist recently shared some advice about starting over, urging people to take the next step to improve their lives. He posted a video message on social media encouraging fans to keep going.
“Starting over is embarrassing and you just have to do it anyway,” he began. “People are going to tell you how good things used to be and how great you were and how the past was so much better than right now.”
He continued, saying you must start wherever you are and stand on your dreams and ideas. “Stop trying to cling on to what was so that you can become that next version of you,” he added. “I haven’t even had my next big things yet, but I know it’s coming. It can feel embarrassing having all these eyes on you while you start something new. You have to let them watch. Enjoy the f###### show.”
Kelly Rowland stuns at the 2024 amfAR gala in Venice
Kelly Rowland is at it again. The style chameleon shut down the red carpet at the 2024 amfAR gala in Venice, Italy, on Sept. 1. Draped in an intricate white couture gown, the “Motivation” singer embodied elegance, modern flair and high-fashion vibes. Rowland’s look was everything we expect from the fashionista — plus more.
Futuristic couture vibes
Rowland, who is currently taping Netflix’s “Building the Band,” arrived at the swanky event looking fabulous. Dripping in diamonds from head to toe, she owned the carpet, commanding the cameras like the posh powerhouse she is.
All eyes were on Rowland’s gown. Her dress, from Cheney Chan’s Fall-Winter 2024 couture collection, blended avant-garde design with classic elegance. Every inch of her dress was carefully crafted, and Rowland’s fit figure looked amazing in it. The gown featured layered fabric in a dramatic sculpted silhouette, with a structured bodice that cinched Rowland’s waist and flared into a cone-like hip design. This hip detail oozed futuristic fashion with a touch of old Hollywood glam.
Accessorizing the look
Styled by Wilford Lenov, Rowland complemented her glamorous, futuristic look with white platform pumps and serious bling. From her ears and neck to her wrists and waist, the Texas native dripped in diamonds. Her hair and makeup were equally a vibe, featuring her signature platinum blonde bob with dark roots and soft, wavy curls. Her makeup was luminous, dewy and natural, with a smoky eye and nude, glossy lips completing the look.
Performance highlights
As if her red carpet slay wasn’t enough, Rowland also performed at the annual event. According to social media, the starlet switched into a green sequin ensemble for her night set, showcasing her versatility. Rowland regularly supports and attends the amfAR gala, which builds awareness and raises funds for HIV and AIDS.
Futuristic couture vibes
Rowland, who is currently taping Netflix’s “Building the Band,” arrived at the swanky event looking fabulous. Dripping in diamonds from head to toe, she owned the carpet, commanding the cameras like the posh powerhouse she is.
All eyes were on Rowland’s gown. Her dress, from Cheney Chan’s Fall-Winter 2024 couture collection, blended avant-garde design with classic elegance. Every inch of her dress was carefully crafted, and Rowland’s fit figure looked amazing in it. The gown featured layered fabric in a dramatic sculpted silhouette, with a structured bodice that cinched Rowland’s waist and flared into a cone-like hip design. This hip detail oozed futuristic fashion with a touch of old Hollywood glam.
Accessorizing the look
Styled by Wilford Lenov, Rowland complemented her glamorous, futuristic look with white platform pumps and serious bling. From her ears and neck to her wrists and waist, the Texas native dripped in diamonds. Her hair and makeup were equally a vibe, featuring her signature platinum blonde bob with dark roots and soft, wavy curls. Her makeup was luminous, dewy and natural, with a smoky eye and nude, glossy lips completing the look.
Performance highlights
As if her red carpet slay wasn’t enough, Rowland also performed at the annual event. According to social media, the starlet switched into a green sequin ensemble for her night set, showcasing her versatility. Rowland regularly supports and attends the amfAR gala, which builds awareness and raises funds for HIV and AIDS.
Cardi B responds to controversy over maternity shoot graffiti
Cardi B recently found herself at the center of controversy after sharing maternity shoot photos that some fans interpreted as a subtle jab at fellow rapper Nicki Minaj. The photos, which feature Cardi sitting on a motorbike in front of a store in New York City, include graffiti that reads “homesick pedophile.” This sparked speculation about whether Cardi was throwing shade at Minaj.
In response to the backlash, Cardi defended her choice of location on X, stating, “First of all we literally picked a random street because paparazzi was hounding us everywhere.” She explained that the shoot was rushed due to leaks about her pregnancy, and she did not have time to review every detail of the background. Cardi emphasized, “I’m ALWAYS with the s—s but I’m not using MY MATERNITY shoot to be funny. Are you dumb?” This statement was made in response to a fan who suggested that the graffiti was inappropriate for a maternity shoot.
Some fans speculated that the choice of words was intentional rather than a mere coincidence.
The graffiti reference also ties into a larger narrative surrounding Nicki Minaj’s family. Her brother, Jelani Maraj, was convicted of predatory sexual assault in 2017 and sentenced to 25 years to life in 2020. Additionally, her husband, Kenneth Petty, faced legal issues for failing to register as a sex offender, stemming from a 1995 attempted rape conviction.
These legal troubles have been a topic of discussion in the hip-hop community, especially after Megan Thee Stallion referenced Megan’s Law in her diss track “Hiss,” which calls for public disclosure of registered sex offenders.
As the drama unfolds, it highlights the complexities of celebrity culture and the scrutiny that comes with it. Cardi B’s maternity shoot, meant to celebrate her pregnancy, became a focal point for discussions about personal history and public perception.
In response to the backlash, Cardi defended her choice of location on X, stating, “First of all we literally picked a random street because paparazzi was hounding us everywhere.” She explained that the shoot was rushed due to leaks about her pregnancy, and she did not have time to review every detail of the background. Cardi emphasized, “I’m ALWAYS with the s—s but I’m not using MY MATERNITY shoot to be funny. Are you dumb?” This statement was made in response to a fan who suggested that the graffiti was inappropriate for a maternity shoot.
Some fans speculated that the choice of words was intentional rather than a mere coincidence.
The graffiti reference also ties into a larger narrative surrounding Nicki Minaj’s family. Her brother, Jelani Maraj, was convicted of predatory sexual assault in 2017 and sentenced to 25 years to life in 2020. Additionally, her husband, Kenneth Petty, faced legal issues for failing to register as a sex offender, stemming from a 1995 attempted rape conviction.
These legal troubles have been a topic of discussion in the hip-hop community, especially after Megan Thee Stallion referenced Megan’s Law in her diss track “Hiss,” which calls for public disclosure of registered sex offenders.
As the drama unfolds, it highlights the complexities of celebrity culture and the scrutiny that comes with it. Cardi B’s maternity shoot, meant to celebrate her pregnancy, became a focal point for discussions about personal history and public perception.
Giannis Antetokounmpo And Mariah Riddlesprigger Say 'I Do'!
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and longtime girlfriend Mariah Riddlesprigger tied the knot quietly over the weekend.
According to media reports, the couple had a private three-day event that included a Nigerian-themed party and a White Party at the Costa Navarino resort near Pylos in the Peloponnese.
The NBA star and his longtime love said, "I do" at a "hybrid" Greek Orthodox and Catholic ceremony in Greece over the weekend. The Proto Thema newspaper reported that the couple wanted their wedding to be private with zero media coverage.
"The demands for privacy were extremely high, with measures ensuring that no one could approach, except the guests and staff of the reception, while reportedly the only way to approach someone was through... drone," the newspaper reported.
"Remarkably, everyone working on the wedding has signed a confidentiality agreement to ensure the couple's complete privacy."
Bucks forward Khris Middleton, who has been Antetokounmpo's teammate since 2013, served as best man. Also in attendance were LeBron James, Serena Williams, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Jrue Holiday, and the Bucks' owners, among around 200 others.
Photos shared on social media earlier this year had some people wondering if the couple already tied the knot or were maybe just celebrating their engagement.
Riddlesprigger shared photos from her sister's Instagram page that show her wearing a diamond ring and a white dress looking into a mirror that had "It's a Forever Kind of Thing" and "M|G" written on it.
Another Instagram Story shared by Riddlesprigger shows champagne glasses under white balloons and the words, "Mrs. Antetokounmpo."
Antetokounmpo and Riddlesprigger met and began dating in 2014. They are now parents to three children, sons Liam, 4, and Maverick, 3, and daughter Eva, born in September 2023.
Last October, during an Instagram Live, Riddlesprigger revealed that Antetokounmpo wants more kids...many more kids!
"We want a large family. I don't think we're done," Riddlesprigger said. "We're definitely not done."
She also made it a point to reveal how many kids Antetokounmpo hopes to have.
"Giannis would have 10 if he could," she said. "But I think five or six the most." Antetokounmpo then yelled from the other room, "Five? You said seven!
During the Instagram Live, Riddlesprigger shared the two sides of Antetokounmpo - the basketball side and the non-basketball side.
"The basketball Giannis, we know his routines and follow his routine and I try to make his life easier. And with the boys and Eva just trying to surround him with as much love when he's not on the court because he has so much stress and everything going on there," Riddlesprigger said.
"And then on the other side is fun Giannis, which people get glimpses of here and there. It's really awesome both ways. The season is a little more stressful, a bit more organized. We have our routines; we have our days. Then the off-season, when he does have breaks, it's just a really good time. We have a really good time together. It's just so much fun. He's really funny, so it's a good time."
Riddlesprigger started an annual drive after they welcomed their second son in 2021. The driving force was realizing how expensive it is to have two children in diapers at the same time. To celebrate Maverick's arrival into the world, the couple held Maverick's Diaper Mission in collaboration with Milwaukee Diaper Mission.
Since then, the event has become the annual BIG Give Back, and they both help out with the cause each year.
"There's no way I can help the whole world, but you can start somewhere," Riddlesprigger said at a news conference, according to Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "I think this is where we start and we continue to build and help as many people as we possibly can."
Antetokounmpo added, "There's a lot of families out there that are in need of diapers. My family was one of them. It was hard. Growing up, I didn't understand all the sacrifices people have to make in order for them to raise their kids."
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and longtime girlfriend Mariah Riddlesprigger tied the knot quietly over the weekend.
According to media reports, the couple had a private three-day event that included a Nigerian-themed party and a White Party at the Costa Navarino resort near Pylos in the Peloponnese.
The NBA star and his longtime love said, "I do" at a "hybrid" Greek Orthodox and Catholic ceremony in Greece over the weekend. The Proto Thema newspaper reported that the couple wanted their wedding to be private with zero media coverage.
"The demands for privacy were extremely high, with measures ensuring that no one could approach, except the guests and staff of the reception, while reportedly the only way to approach someone was through... drone," the newspaper reported.
"Remarkably, everyone working on the wedding has signed a confidentiality agreement to ensure the couple's complete privacy."
Bucks forward Khris Middleton, who has been Antetokounmpo's teammate since 2013, served as best man. Also in attendance were LeBron James, Serena Williams, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Jrue Holiday, and the Bucks' owners, among around 200 others.
Photos shared on social media earlier this year had some people wondering if the couple already tied the knot or were maybe just celebrating their engagement.
Riddlesprigger shared photos from her sister's Instagram page that show her wearing a diamond ring and a white dress looking into a mirror that had "It's a Forever Kind of Thing" and "M|G" written on it.
Another Instagram Story shared by Riddlesprigger shows champagne glasses under white balloons and the words, "Mrs. Antetokounmpo."
Antetokounmpo and Riddlesprigger met and began dating in 2014. They are now parents to three children, sons Liam, 4, and Maverick, 3, and daughter Eva, born in September 2023.
Last October, during an Instagram Live, Riddlesprigger revealed that Antetokounmpo wants more kids...many more kids!
"We want a large family. I don't think we're done," Riddlesprigger said. "We're definitely not done."
She also made it a point to reveal how many kids Antetokounmpo hopes to have.
"Giannis would have 10 if he could," she said. "But I think five or six the most." Antetokounmpo then yelled from the other room, "Five? You said seven!
During the Instagram Live, Riddlesprigger shared the two sides of Antetokounmpo - the basketball side and the non-basketball side.
"The basketball Giannis, we know his routines and follow his routine and I try to make his life easier. And with the boys and Eva just trying to surround him with as much love when he's not on the court because he has so much stress and everything going on there," Riddlesprigger said.
"And then on the other side is fun Giannis, which people get glimpses of here and there. It's really awesome both ways. The season is a little more stressful, a bit more organized. We have our routines; we have our days. Then the off-season, when he does have breaks, it's just a really good time. We have a really good time together. It's just so much fun. He's really funny, so it's a good time."
Riddlesprigger started an annual drive after they welcomed their second son in 2021. The driving force was realizing how expensive it is to have two children in diapers at the same time. To celebrate Maverick's arrival into the world, the couple held Maverick's Diaper Mission in collaboration with Milwaukee Diaper Mission.
Since then, the event has become the annual BIG Give Back, and they both help out with the cause each year.
"There's no way I can help the whole world, but you can start somewhere," Riddlesprigger said at a news conference, according to Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "I think this is where we start and we continue to build and help as many people as we possibly can."
Antetokounmpo added, "There's a lot of families out there that are in need of diapers. My family was one of them. It was hard. Growing up, I didn't understand all the sacrifices people have to make in order for them to raise their kids."
Elon Musk Stirs Controversy with AI-Generated Image of Kamala Harris as a Communist Dictator
Elon Musk is once again at the center of a social media firestorm, this time for sharing an AI-generated image of Vice President Kamala Harris dressed as a communist dictator. The billionaire CEO of X (formerly Twitter) posted the image in response to a September 1st post from Harris, where she shared a poster featuring Donald Trump with the caption: “Donald Trump vows to be a dictator on day one.”
“We won’t let him,” Harris wrote defiantly.
Musk was quick to respond, initially accusing Harris of dishonesty by replying, “You’re lying.” But he didn’t stop there. Later, Musk escalated the exchange by posting an AI-generated image of Harris in a red communist uniform, accompanied by the caption: “Kamala vows to be a communist dictator on day one. Can you believe she wears that outfit!?”
The post quickly sparked backlash across the platform, with X users criticizing Musk for using AI to depict Harris in such a provocative manner. Many users began to counter Musk’s post with AI-generated images of their own, turning the tables on the tech mogul.
“We won’t let him,” Harris wrote defiantly.
Musk was quick to respond, initially accusing Harris of dishonesty by replying, “You’re lying.” But he didn’t stop there. Later, Musk escalated the exchange by posting an AI-generated image of Harris in a red communist uniform, accompanied by the caption: “Kamala vows to be a communist dictator on day one. Can you believe she wears that outfit!?”
The post quickly sparked backlash across the platform, with X users criticizing Musk for using AI to depict Harris in such a provocative manner. Many users began to counter Musk’s post with AI-generated images of their own, turning the tables on the tech mogul.
Marlon Wayans on Losing Out on Robin Role in 'Batman Returns': 'I Was Hurt'
Marlon Wayans has opened up about losing the role of Robin in the 1992 film Batman Returns and how that turned his career around for the better.
During his appearance on The School of Greatness, Wayans discussed how people can take lessons from losses and opened up about his own experiences. One of those experiences was when he was cast as Robin in Tim Burton's Batman Returns but ended up losing the role as producers wrote the character out of the script.
According to the 52-year-old, he was initially upset that the role was axed but later understood the lessons that came from it and opened up a new path to take his career to the next level.
"When I was 19, I got Batman," said Wayans. "I was going to be the first Black person besides Billy D [Williams] to be in one of these big movies. [It] was with Tim Burton, and I was going to be Robin, and I got a phone call from Tim Burton and Denise Denovi in a letter saying that I wasn't."
He continued, "I was going to be off to the races. Batman [and] Robin, you know what my career would have been? But it didn't happen, and immediately, I was like I was hurt. But I said no, I'm going to start writing these movies. I'm going to start creating my own show. I'm going to start doing things that that I know put the ball in my own hand. Had that Robin happened, I would have had a different career."
When asked where he thought his career would be now if the role wasn't removed from the script, Wayans stated he probably would've wasted his life away as he wouldn't know what to do with all the success and money that would've come from the film. He also stated that God placed him on a journey to create independently, and he had to learn things the longer way instead of taking shortcuts.
Even though producers took Robin out of the Batman Returns script, Wayans claimed he was paid for the role and still receives residual checks. In 2009, Wayans revealed Burton wanted him to have the role in the threequel film Batman Forever, but the director was replaced by Joel Schumacher, which changed the whole direction of the film.
Losing Robin's role led Wayans to make a name for himself and create his show with his brother Shawn, titled The Wayans Bros., which ran from 1995 to 1999. He also had a hand in writing several cult films such as Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, the first two Scary Movie films, White Chicks, and more.
Marlon Wayans has opened up about losing the role of Robin in the 1992 film Batman Returns and how that turned his career around for the better.
During his appearance on The School of Greatness, Wayans discussed how people can take lessons from losses and opened up about his own experiences. One of those experiences was when he was cast as Robin in Tim Burton's Batman Returns but ended up losing the role as producers wrote the character out of the script.
According to the 52-year-old, he was initially upset that the role was axed but later understood the lessons that came from it and opened up a new path to take his career to the next level.
"When I was 19, I got Batman," said Wayans. "I was going to be the first Black person besides Billy D [Williams] to be in one of these big movies. [It] was with Tim Burton, and I was going to be Robin, and I got a phone call from Tim Burton and Denise Denovi in a letter saying that I wasn't."
He continued, "I was going to be off to the races. Batman [and] Robin, you know what my career would have been? But it didn't happen, and immediately, I was like I was hurt. But I said no, I'm going to start writing these movies. I'm going to start creating my own show. I'm going to start doing things that that I know put the ball in my own hand. Had that Robin happened, I would have had a different career."
When asked where he thought his career would be now if the role wasn't removed from the script, Wayans stated he probably would've wasted his life away as he wouldn't know what to do with all the success and money that would've come from the film. He also stated that God placed him on a journey to create independently, and he had to learn things the longer way instead of taking shortcuts.
Even though producers took Robin out of the Batman Returns script, Wayans claimed he was paid for the role and still receives residual checks. In 2009, Wayans revealed Burton wanted him to have the role in the threequel film Batman Forever, but the director was replaced by Joel Schumacher, which changed the whole direction of the film.
Losing Robin's role led Wayans to make a name for himself and create his show with his brother Shawn, titled The Wayans Bros., which ran from 1995 to 1999. He also had a hand in writing several cult films such as Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, the first two Scary Movie films, White Chicks, and more.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
I love you, you love me
Pink Dino!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
No comments:
Post a Comment