10/20/24

The Daily Buzz For Oct 21☕📰

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#MAGFAB: Serena Williams is one of Glamour magazine's 2024 Global Women of the Year

She's a cover girl, honey! Serena Williams has been named one of two Global Women of the Year this year by Glamour magazine along with actress Pamela Anderson.

"The GOAT may be done with tennis, but she has her sights set on a new kind of international domination," writes the magazine to kick off a profile story written by Mattie Kahn in announcing Williams' honor, which graces Glamour's latest cover. In a wide-ranging interview, the 23-time Grand Slam champion discusses everything from her postpartum struggles and getting parenting advice from Selena Gomez's mom, to her happily "codependent" relationship with her sister Venus.
Williams was photographed by Josefina Santos for the cover shoot and styled by Christine Nicholson. Wearing clothes from luxe outfits like Loewe and Stella McCartney, she accessorizes with fine details including Christian Louboutin shoes, Tiffany & Co. jewelry, and her trademark Audemars Piguet watch.

Since retiring from tennis two years ago, Williams has made entrepreneurship her focus, both her own and others. She discusses the expansion of her beauty line, Wyn Beauty, in the interview, and that her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, has invested in more than 85 companies. Fourteen of them are currently valued at $1 billion or more.

Releasing herself from the perfectionism that made her one of the world's greatest athletes, in any sport, has also been crucial to Williams' post-retirement life, particularly as a mother. She shares a candid anecdote that she experienced postpartum depression after the birth of her first daughter, Olympia, now 7, and that similar hormonal experiences ravaged her after her second daughter Adira was born last year.

“You never know when it can happen,” she says. “It could be a month; it could be a week. It could take a year for things to settle down a lot. We are the vessels of increasing the population, literally. It’s really just keeping a positive environment and giving yourself grace and understanding.”


#RHOA: Kandi Burruss on Leaving ‘RHOA’ and Landing a Role on ‘Reasonable Doubt’
Kandi Burruss is in the midst of another career renaissance. After rising to fame as one-fourth of the ‘90s R&B girl group Xscape, Burruss’ next turn in the spotlight came as a cast member of the longstanding Real Housewives of Atlanta reality series, on which she starred from 2009-2023.

In March, Burruss announced she was departing the Bravo franchise after a whopping 14 seasons, a decision she says was borne out of her desire to seriously pursue an acting career.
“I no longer wanted to just be able to be a guest star,” Burruss tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I wanted to be able to audition for a role that’s more substantial on whatever project it may be. So I decided that I was going to go ahead and step out on faith, because this was my contract year. It was my year that I could actually make the decision for myself.”

Though Burruss already had other irons in the fire at the time — Xscape’s The Queens of R&B Tour with SWV this past summer and her role as a producer on the upcoming Broadway play Othello, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal — it’s portraying the character of Eboni Phillips on season two of Hulu’s Reasonable Doubt that has been most affirming for Burruss at this point in her acting career.

“It was another tap on my window to say, ‘you did the right thing.’” she says.
Below, Burruss chats with THR about getting into character for the dramatic role on the legal drama and why she doesn’t believe her departure from RHOA marks the end of the franchise.

How did the role of Eboni Phillips come to you?
I feel like it was meant to be. I just happened to be on the same flight with Raamla [Mohamed], the creator of Reasonable Doubt, and we exchanged information. She actually was coming to Atlanta to do this season and in my mind, I thought they had already figured out who they were using for everything. But I still reached out because I wanted to get to know her for future projects. And she was like, “Hey, what type of stuff would you want to do? What type of role would you really love to play?” And I was telling her how I would love to have a role where I could really show my acting chops, where I could really dig deep, it wasn’t something just funny or easy. I wanted to show people I really do this. I thought we were just having regular conversation. I didn’t think anything was gonna happen so soon, but maybe a week or so after we talked, my team hit me and they were like, “They want to see you for this role.” So I was excited, especially once I got a chance to find out who Eboni was. She’s everything we talked about.

What did getting into the headspace of Eboni look like?

The thing about Eboni is that she’s a woman who’s dealt with substance abuse issues. She was in an abusive relationship with a man who was successful, powerful and he took her kid away. It was so many different things. But I had a lot of people I could pull from, and other stories I could tap into. I’ve had family growing up who were dealing with substance abuse, so I saw that all the time. I actually dated somebody who had issues with prescription medicine. Sometimes we would have conversations and then he’d just [doze off], and I didn’t understand it at the time, but that was something I pulled from for Eboni.

Then before I started working on the show, I saw something on social media about this girl who had dated an athlete and they had some issues, and he took her kid away and got full custody. She didn’t even have visitation; she’s a real-life Eboni. And when I saw the story, I felt for her then because I was like, “Dang everybody’s talking junk about her, but that has to be tough for somebody to be able to take your kid and they’ve got all the money in the world to keep fighting you and you don’t have it like that.” So I pulled a little bit from all these different places and it came together.

Did you know your character would have a multi-episode arc?

I knew I was going to be on more than one [episode], I just didn’t know how many. I was excited about that, because you never want your story to just end and [the audience] doesn’t really know how, what came up, where did she go? There’s hope for Eboni. It’s open-ended, right? You don’t know what could happen. But in any show that is as great as this one, you always hope it’s a way they can bring you back.

Have you had that conversation yet with Raamla?

No, we didn’t have that conversation at all. But I have to say that it was one of the best sets that I’ve been on. I don’t know if I can say this, but they do fun stuff. They have an ice cream day. They have all kinds of cute things that they do for their cast. I’m like, “Hey, y’all have fun over here. I like it.” I feel like anytime you do a show where it continues the cast and the crew, they do become like family. But I feel like Raamla and the team that runs it, they definitely go out their way to make everybody feel special.

How does it feel to have this role under your belt now after also joining The Chi a few seasons back and, what prompted you to take acting more seriously?

A lot of people don’t really know as a kid that I was in performing arts school for drama. A lot of us in Atlanta — Xscape, OutKast — we all went to the same high school. Yes, I did sing. I met my group members there, but I was in the program for the theater part. I also was in the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta at the same time, so it’s always been a dream of mine to be an actress. It’s just that my music career jumped off first, so that’s what I put all my energy into.

But a lot of my friends and people that I was in the program with, they started to be on major TV shows, they were on Broadway, there are multiple people who I was grew up with who had success that I felt like, dang, we were acting together and y’all went and did this. It’s not that I haven’t been able to be successful in my own right, but my heart was into one day being an actress and I never really went after it like I felt I should have. So in my late 30s, I geared everything towards that. I was like, I’m going to do this because I feel like it’s never too late to go after something that was a dream.

I had changed agencies at the time, and I told them what I wanted to do. Shortly thereafter I got the audition to do Broadway. I was Mama Morton in Chicago. I had a couple other smaller movies that I was in. And actually, McKinley [Freeman] was in one of those with me, so it made me feel good that it was a familiar face [on set] even though we didn’t have any scenes together. But The Chi and now Reasonable Doubt, those are the first major shows that I’ve been able to show: Okay, she’s not playing.

Did that desire to act play into your decision to step away from the Real Housewives of Atlanta?

Yeah, definitely a small part of that. What people don’t understand is that I was on Housewives for 14 seasons and I had multiple spinoffs, and when you’re under contract, they have what they call first position. So if I audition for other things I have to ask them for permission, and if the scheduling conflicts then they can tell me, “no you can’t.” And if you’re gonna audition or you get a major role on another show, then that network wants first position. I no longer wanted to just be able to be a guest star. I wanted to be able to audition for a role that’s more substantial on whatever project it may be. So I decided that I was going to go ahead and step out on faith, because this was my contract year. It was my year that I could actually make the decision for myself instead of in the past they were able to just say, “Oh, we have another option, so you’ve got to come back.”

This year I was able to make the choice. And I’m not gonna lie, I already knew I had a lot of great opportunities coming up. I had announced at the top of year I wasn’t coming back, but my group, we had already been in talks about doing a tour this summer. I had already been in conversations and I’m a producer now on Othello, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, coming to Broadway. I knew those things were already happening, so it was a little bit easier stepping out on faith when you already know you’re going to be moving and shaking. But when I was blessed with the opportunity to do Reasonable Doubt, it came after the announcement, so it was another tap on my window to say, “You did the right thing.”

Fans and critics have suggested that your departure, as well as Kenya Moore’s, could signal the end of the Real Housewives of Atlanta. What do you foresee for the future of the franchise?

I don’t think it has to be the end. I think that show can keep going and going and going, because it’s an audience for somebody. Now, maybe it may not be the same fans. Maybe some people might fall off, but I’ve seen it happen multiple times. When we first lost Kim Zolciak people were like, “Oh, nobody’s gonna watch the show,” and the ratings went up. Then the first time Nene [Leakes] left people were like, “Ohhh,” and the ratings were still good. I would say it wasn’t until the last four years that it was kind of [iffy], but reality TV as a whole has been dropping. But the streaming has still been huge. So it really hasn’t changed. People think it’s changed just because the regular TV numbers aren’t the same, they don’t get the streaming part of it. I think as long as they have good people that they’ve brought on — and I’ve still got friends over there, so from what I’m hearing, it’s still gonna be good. We’re gonna have some good stories, some wild stuff to happen. It’s just gonna be different than what you’re used to.

Going back to The Chi, there’s a lot of online conversation about the series being overlooked in terms of critical recognition, especially given how long it’s been running. Why do you think that is?

I think people sleep on how huge of a following The Chi has. We’re in season seven and I think we are [one of] the longest-running Black dramas. I’m not talking about comedy, there are sitcoms that have been on a little bit longer, but as far as a drama series with an all-Black cast, and that is huge for any show. The way that they’ve been able to change the storylines and how the story unfolds each year and who becomes more important this season and then it changes to this person, they are doing a hell of a job. Shout out to my birthday twin Lena Waithe. We go hard or we go home on everything we do. So, no, we don’t get the recognition that we probably deserve but it’s still going so it’s still an opportunity.


#NewMusic from Jennifer Hudson Releases Holiday Album ‘The Gift of Love’

Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson kicks off the holiday season with her first Christmas album, The Gift Of Love. 
The 15-track album, available via Interscope Records, includes Hudson’s take on classics such as “O Holy Night” and “Winter Wonderland” and originals like the Common-assisted “Almost Christmas.” 

“I have been dreaming of this moment for as long as I can remember. As a holiday fanatic, I could not be more excited to give you all this early Christmas gift,” Hudson wrote on social media. “My love for this album runs deep. I am beyond grateful for all the amazing people that helped me bring it to life. It has truly been a labor of love!”
She continued, “To my family, friends and fans… I hope this collection of songs will be a gift that keeps on giving year after year after year, and that it becomes part of your holiday tradition. My prayer for each of you is that you would find the love! Most of all, I want to thank God for giving us HIS Gift of Love on that holy night when Christ was born.”

The Gift of Love is executive produced by Ryan Tedder, with additional production by David Foster, Kirk Franklin, James Poyser, Greg Phillinganes, Fede Vindver, and Peer Åström.
Not only is The Gift of Love on all streaming services, but it’s also available on vinyl (in gold and in red) and on CD.
On Nov. 24, Hudson will launch The Gift of Love: An Intimate Tour Experience at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. Her five-date tour will make additional stops in Chicago and Los Angeles, before concluding Dec. 22 in Las Vegas. Tickets are on sale at jenniferhudson.world.

In other holiday news, Hudson partnered with Hallmark to help celebrate the 15th anniversary of its Countdown to Christmas programming event and its Joy to Your World holiday campaign with an original song, “Let There Be Joy.” Songs from Hudson’s holiday album will also appear in upcoming Hallmark holiday programming.

Speaking on her collaboration, Hudson said, “No one does the holidays quite like my friends at Hallmark, so I couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate the season together with my new song ‘Let There Be Joy,’ as we Countdown to Christmas.”
She added, “Music and movies have always been a favorite holiday tradition for me and my family, so I hope this song can become the same tradition for everyone on Santa’s list this year!”

Stream Jennifer Hudson’s album The Gift Of Love The Gift Of Love 
The Gift of Love is the follow-up to Hudson’s Respect soundtrack, which was released in 2021 to coincide with the film in which she starred as Aretha Franklin. 
The album included Hudson’s rendition of Aretha Franklin‘s classics, as well as the original track “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home),” which she co-wrote with Carol King and Jamie Hartman.


#HipHopNews: Tyler, The Creator Announces Lineup for 2024 Camp Flog Gnaw Festival
Tyler, The Creator is back with another legendary Camp Flog Gnaw lineup. This year, Playboi Carti, Erykah Badu, Earl Sweatshirt and more will headline the festival which will take place on Nov. 16 and 17 in Los Angeles, California. Tyler, The Creator will be dropping his new album, Chromakopia, Tuesday, Oct. 22.

The Flower Boy emcee has found a way to consistently reinvent himself since he started his career as teenager. Much like his musical idols, Pharrell Williams and Kanye West, Tyler knows how to seamlessly maneuver between music, fashion and other entrepreneurial endeavors. His festival has been graced by legends such as Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Lil Uzi Vert and many more.

This year, rising artists like Jordan Ward, Laila! and Tommy Richman, among others, will be able to perform alongside established stars like Playboi Carti, Erykah Badu, Kaytranada, Sexyy Red, ScHoolboy Q and many more.

Tyler, The Creator has been making the internet shake since he announced his forthcoming album will be releasing on a Tuesday as opposed to the industry standard of a Friday release date. In an interview with Nardwaur he expressed, “I think it’s a lot of passive listening [on the weekend]... If you put it out during the week, that commute to work or that commute to school, you really have that hour or 30 minutes to really ‘dive in’ and really listen.”

Now, he has finally stood by his statement by sharing his new project on a Tuesday. This has not been done since the physical CD era. Tyler joins artists like Drake, EARTHGANG, Lamar and J. Cole, as other popular acts who are going against the grain by releasing off-cycle or on other platforms outside of DSPs.
J. Cole’s newest drop “Port Antonio” has yet to be released on DSPs and a few of the diss tracks between Lamar and Drake were solely on YouTube and Instagram. The tides are changing in the music industry and fans are noticing.


#ALCS Yankees advance to first World Series since 2009 after defeating the Guardians in Game 5

The New York Yankees are going to the World Series after beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday.
It’s a return to baseball’s biggest stage for the Yankees, who have not played in the World Series since winning it in 2009. While the 15-year drought does not seem very long, it tied the franchise’s record for the largest gap between pennants.

This team was propelled to the Fall Classic by timely hitting from the top of its lineup, particularly designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, and a nearly perfect bullpen aside from a collapse in Game 3 against the Guardians.
The Yankees trailed the Guardians 0-2 until Stanton hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth, tying the game and sending it to extra innings.
In the top of the 10th, Juan Soto sealed the deal for the Yankees, smashing a three-run homer with two outs on the board.

The Guardians couldn’t answer. After the win, Soto said his team “did a really good job here.”
“We were grinding. We were working hard. Now we are the best team in the American League,” he said.
Soto called the Yankees “the best in the game” and said the chance to bring your team to the World Series is “the best feeling.”

“We have all the talent we need to go all the way,” Soto said, adding that “we’re really sticking together.”
“We’re pushing each other. ... We’re feeling really good,” he said. “We have a World Series to win.”
While the Yankees have been absent from the World Series, they have been in the playoffs nearly every season and have reached five championship series (2010, 2012, 2017, 2019, 2022).

The Yankees’ three most recent losses in the championship series were at the hands of the Houston Astros, who have been the most dominant team in the American League for nearly a decade.
General Manager Brian Cashman said “any chance you get a chance to play in the World Series its awesome,” adding: “We’re right where we belong.”
He said he was “was thanking God” when Soto scored in the top of the 10th.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone congratulated the Guardians for putting up a tough fight in the ALCS but said the Yankees were “a little more grittier in the end.”
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge said the team has “something special.”
“That’s what it’s all about. That’s what you grind all season for,” Judge said. “For moments like this.”


Dionne Warwick Speaks At Cissy Houston’s Funeral: “You Gave Us Your Heart And Soul”
Cissy Houston was laid to rest on Thursday (Oct. 17) in her hometown of Newark, NJ. The Celebration of Life was held at New Hope Baptist Church where Houston was a member and led the choir for decades, according to the Associated Press. It is also the same church that housed the funeral for her daughter Whitney Houston in 2012.

Attendees included Dionne Warwick, BeBe Winans, Darlene Love, Valerie Simpson, Monifah Carter, producer Debra Martin Chase, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. When speaking, Warwick, Houston’s niece, reflected on their time spent together.

“She gave so much. She gave me the right to be me,” remembered Warwick from the podium, per AP. “Cissy, I’m going to miss you.” 
“While each one of us are born with a voice, only a select few of us are endowed with a voice that is powerful enough to reach into the hearts of millions and millions of listeners around the world, a voice that is powerful enough to soothe the pain of heartbreak or to carry the euphoria of falling in love,” expressed Gov. Murphy.

Cissy Houston passed away earlier this month at age 91 in her New Jersey home surrounded by family. The two-time Grammy-winning singer had been in hospice for Alzheimer’s disease. She was preceded in death by her siblings, parents, ex-husband John, daughter Whitney, and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina.
“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We los[t] the matriarch of our family,” read a statement on behalf of the family at the time.

“Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts. We are touched by your generous support, and your outpouring of love during our profound time of grief. We respectfully request our privacy during this difficult time.”


Rapper Lil' Kim Settles Massive 6-Figure Tax Lien Six Years After Bankruptcy Filing

Rapper Lil' Kim's card did not decline as she settled off a six-figure debt to the United States federal government.
The New York born rapper has now paid off a substantial federal tax lien from the Internal Revenue Service filed against her back in May.
The recent tax lien is not Lil' Kim's (real name Kimberly Denise Jones) first rodeo with the federal government over her failure to pay her tax bills for several years.

The 49-year-old rapper reportedly owed the United States government $150,775 in taxes for 2022. The lien she just settled came two years after the Internal Revenue Service released multiple separate liens against her amounting to $1 million.
According to the IRS, the rap icon failed to pay her tax bill for several years, including $232,000 in 2003, $58,000 in 2005, $188,000 in 2006, $124,000 in 2007, $397,148 in 2008, and $211,000 in 2016.
A separate lien of about $126,000 in taxes owed between 2010-2013 was also released by the IRS in 2022. As of 2012, the female MC was already $1 million in federal tax debt.

Lil' Kim decided to hire a professional attorney to handle the debt issue, and according to her rep in a statement to In Touch, she "along with her team of legal experts, are working cooperatively and diligently with the IRS and federal tax authorities" to resolve the situation amicably.


Paul Mescal Joins Co-Stars Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, & Fred Hechinger at 'Gladiator II' Screening
The stars of the Gladiator sequel are stepping out to promote their new movie!
Paul Mescal joined co-stars Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Fred Hechinger at a special screening of Gladiator II on Friday evening (October 18) held at Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles.

Other stars in attendance included Saoirse Ronan, Casey Affleck and girlfriend Caylee Cowan, Bill Newman, Malin Akerman, Patrick Stewart, Minka Kelly and boyfriend Dan Reynolds, Sasha Pieterse, Sofia Boutella, Debbie Allen, Rebel Wilson, Tony Revolori, and Christina Milian.

From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Gladiator II, which also stars Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn, hits theaters on November 22.


Rosie O'Donnell Breaks Silence After Daughter Chelsea Was Arrested For Child Neglect
Last month, Rosie O'Donnell's 27-year-old daughter Chelsea was arrested in Wisconsin after a search warrant was executed at her home. Caught in the throes of drug addiction, she was initially booked into jail in Marinette County and later transferred to Oconto County Jail, where she remains in custody.

Chelsea's 11-month-old son was found in a horrific environment in the house she shared with boyfriend. She faces multiple felony charges, including child neglect, possession of methamphetamine, possession of narcotic drugs, drug trafficking, resisting or obstructing an officer, and rail jumping.

She is also charged with several misdemeanors, such as possession of THC, drug paraphernalia, illegally obtained prescription drugs, and disorderly conduct.
Rosie shared a statement on Instagram, saying, "Chelsea is in the news today - this is a photo from a better time." She also released a statement from the O'Donnell family, which read, "Sadly, this is not new for our family. Chelsea has struggled with drug addiction for a decade - we are all hopeful she will find her way out of this deadly disease."

Chelsea and Rosie have had a tumultuous relationship, with periods of estrangement. In 2015, Rosie reported Chelsea missing from their New York home. Chelsea was found a week later and moved to Wisconsin to live with her birth mother. The two reconnected in 2018 after the birth of Chelsea's first child.
Chelsea is a mother to four children: Skylar Rose (born 2018), Riley (born 2021), Avery Lynn (born 2022), and Atlas (born 2023). Rosie has five children: Parker (29), Chelsea, Blake (24), Vivienne (21), and Dakota (11).


Lashana Lynch Expecting Her First Child, Debuting Baby Bump On Red Carpet
Lashana Lynch announced her pregnancy during the New York premiere of her latest television series, "The Day of the Jackal". Wearing a striking bodycon Ottolinger dress, Lynch proudly showcased her baby bump alongside husband Zackary Momoh. The couple shared their joy with the media and fans, creating a memorable moment in the bustling city that never sleeps.

Lynch's dress, a blend of contemporary minimalism and bold prints, featured a shirt and tie print on the top half and animal-print details on the bottom. Her ensemble was complemented by simple gold hoop earrings and Louboutin shoes, making a statement that was both chic and powerful.

"I wanted to keep the look really simple, poignant, and effective," the 36-year-old British actress told Vogue. "I feel comfortable and at ease, but also in charge of myself. Some red carpet gowns, although beautiful and stunning, feel like you're putting on a different part of yourself, whereas here I feel like I'm celebrating the female figure."
The "Matilda" actress's announcement comes at a high point in her career. Recently, Lynch starred as Rita Marley in the biopic "One Love", a role deeply personal to her. Speaking with PEOPLE, she reflected on her parents' emotional reaction to her portrayal of the iconic figure.

"It's my culture and I love it. But the fact that I was at the forefront and playing someone that my parents watched growing up, that's a part of the fabric of who they are is wild," Lynch revealed.
Lynch's personal and professional milestones are often intertwined with her heritage and family. "When I've asked my parents questions, they still don't really know how to articulate it, which I love watching," she added. "Now she's an actor and she may or may not be successful. Oh, actually no, she's going to play Rita Marley. Literally, that's not a brainwave."

Though Lynch and Momoh prefer to keep their relationship out of the public eye, their occasional red carpet appearances capture the bond they share. The couple's baby is expected soon, though the exact due date remains private.
As Lynch continues to make strides in her career and prepares for motherhood, her journey remains an inspiration to many. Don't miss the premiere of "The Day of the Jackal" on Peacock on November 14 to witness her remarkable talent firsthand.


Rihanna and Naomi Campbell clear the air on alleged feud
In the world of celebrity, rumors can spread like wildfire, especially when it comes to two iconic figures like Rihanna and Naomi Campbell. Recently, social media was abuzz with speculation about a potential rift between the two fashionistas. However, it seems that any talk of beef has been put to rest as the two were recently spotted together, looking friendly and engaging in conversation.
The drama began back in September when Rihanna attended the Alaïa fashion show. Eyewitnesses noted that she walked past Campbell and renowned stylist Law Roach without acknowledging them, leading to rampant speculation about a feud. Social media users quickly jumped on the narrative, suggesting that there was tension between the two women.

Naomi Campbell responds
In the wake of the rumors, Campbell took to the press to address the situation. In an interview with The New York Times, she firmly denied any animosity, stating, “I’m not about to let the world pitch two Black women against each other. We are two women with two children, mothers.” This powerful statement highlighted the importance of solidarity among women, especially in the public eye.

Reunion at recent event
Fast forward to a recent event hosted by Michéle Lamy, wife of designer Rick Owens, where Rihanna and Campbell were spotted chatting amicably. A video captured the moment, showing the two women laughing and enjoying each other’s company, which further dispelled any lingering rumors of discord. Rihanna dazzled in a striking red ensemble, while Campbell looked elegant in a dark silk dress, proving that both women continue to shine in their respective careers.

Social media reactions
As expected, social media users had plenty to say about the reunion. Many commenters expressed skepticism about the initial rumors, suggesting that there was likely never any real beef between the two. One Instagram user humorously remarked, “Now why y’all made them have a public convo just to appease y’all 😭,” while another noted the playful nature of both women, hinting that they could still be feuding despite their friendly appearance.

A lesson in unity
The recent interactions between Rihanna and Campbell serve as a reminder of the importance of unity among women, particularly in the entertainment industry. Instead of allowing the media to pit them against each other, both women have chosen to rise above the negativity and support one another. As they continue to break barriers and redefine beauty standards, their friendship stands as a testament to the power of collaboration over competition.


Keke Palmer On Why She Still Lives Below Her Means After Going Bankrupt At 18: “I Got A Toyota Right Now In My Driveway”

Keke Palmer may not miss a bag, but you won’t see her flaunting her wealth too much.
She recently made an appearance at the Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow Financial Empowerment Summit and opened up about her own money journey, including going bankrupt at 18.

“I was so spooked. I was like ‘What went wrong?’”
The experience was a lesson learned for Keke Palmer, who added that she now lives way below her means.
“If I got $10,000 in the bank, then my house would be $500 a month. That’s how under I mean, because I can probably afford something $2,500 maybe, but I’m going way under. You know why? Because I wanna invest in my business. So if I wanna invest in my business, then the material things that I’m having currently might have to take a short back. Instead of wearing Gucci, I’m wearing Zara. I live in a good place. I drive a cool car, ’cause my money is going elsewhere… I got a Toyota right now in my driveway.”


P!nk Postpones Next Four Concerts, Citing ‘Reasons Beyond My Control’
P!nk has called off four upcoming concert dates on her Summer Carnival Tour.
“Due to reasons beyond my control, we need to postpone our next four shows in Lincoln, Sioux Falls, Milwaukee, and Des Moines,” the pop star wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday (Oct. 19).

She did not elaborate on what the reasons were, but expressed remorse in having to make the announcement. P!nk previously canceled a tour date on doctor’s orders in July due to an unspecified health issue.
“I’m so disappointed to share this news, but we are working on rescheduling each of these shows as soon as we can. Your tickets will still be valid for the new dates. Please keep an eye out for updates — we’ll have more info soon,” said P!nk of the Oct. 20, 21, 23 and 24 shows that are now postponed.

“Thank you for understanding,” she wrote to her fans. “I’m looking forward to seeing you all very, very soon. Sending love and health to you all.”
Her next scheduled concert is on Nov. 3 in Austin, Texas. The tour is currently set to run through Nov. 20, wrapping in Columbia, South Carolina.

P!nk’s update can be found on Instagram, but not X (formerly Twitter), as she no longer uses her account; last month she said she’d cleared out all of her X posts back in February. On Sept. 26, she responded to theories that her tweet purge had just happened that week in a post on Instagram: “I don’t know why I became a headline this week, but I wiped my Twitter account on February 6!!!”

See P!nk’s update below and all tour dates on her official website 
P!NK | Official Website 


Nicki Minaj Set To Be Deposed By Her Late Father's Hit-And-Run Driver In $150 Million Lawsuit.

Looks like Nicki Minaj will be playing a significant role in the trial for her dad, Robert Maraj's death.
The rapper's father's killer has been granted permission to have a sit down with the celebrity amid ongoing trial for his involvement in Robert's death.

Robert Maraj died hours at the hospital after the hit-and-run driver, identified as Charles Polevich, allegedly fatally struck him three years ago.
A New York judge has granted Polevich's plea to get Minaj to sit for a deposition about her childhood in the $150 million wrongful death lawsuit.
The motion to issue an open commission to take the out-of-state deposition was granted at an October 8 hearing. This will allow Polevich to get the rapper to appear in California for the process.

In his deposition request, Chavez claimed he wanted to ask the rapper questions about her childhood and her relationship with her father, whom she accused of domestic violence in her songs.
The rapper's mother sued Polevich over the death of Robert. She accused him of hitting Robert as he crossed the street in Long Island. Carol Maraj added that Polevich fled the scene of the accident and drove his Volvo 1992 Station Wagon home and covered it with a tarp.

Per In Touch, the police eventually tracked him down through security footage, and he was charged with tampering with physical evidence and leaving the accident scene. Polevich was sentenced to one year in jail in 2022.
The rapper's mother tried her best to stop the process as soon as Polevich's intentions were known.
Through her attorney, Carol argued that Nicki is not a party to the lawsuit "and to have her testify as to musical lyrics, which could be completely made up, false, and taken out of context, was a waste of time and borderline harassment for the family."

The rapper's mother and businesswoman continued in her motion that "a majority of if not all of the lyrics contained in the millions of songs produced yearly are made up, false, fabricated and do not actually contain true facts."
However, Carol's petition did not fly with the judge, who ruled that her lyrics were relevant to the case. Polevich explained that he requested the rapper to show up but never heard back.

Dealing with the loss of her father was profound for the rapper, and three years down the line, she could still vividly remember their final conversation over the phone before getting the devastating call about his accident.
According to PEOPLE, the mom of one explained that she felt the strong urge to pick up her father's call while she was spending quality time with her newborn son, who she welcomed with her husband, Kenneth Petty, in September 2020.

"So right after I had the baby, and it was during corona, and nobody knew what was going on…I normally would not have picked up because I don't like to be on the phone with the baby there. I would've called him back. Something said, 'Pick up the phone,'" she noted.
The rapper continued that her dad expressed his intention to come to California and help look after her son, which she obliged.

Unfortunately, the "Barbie Dangerous" rapper noted that her mom Carol called a few hours later, "telling me that my father was in an accident and that she didn't know what was going to happen, and she would call me back. And then, everything started spinning." 
Minaj explained could not believe what had just happened as she recalled that her father sounded happy to join her on the phone just a few hours before the news of his death got out.
Although the star was vocal about her strained relationship with her father in the past, accusing him of being abusive towards her mother and battling with drug addiction, she opened up in recent interviews that they were gradually moving towards completely repairing the relationship.

Since his passing, the rapper has admitted after a sober reflection that Robert was also a victim when it came to his struggles with addiction.
"I think about watching my father go back and forth [with addiction], and I just wish that at the time I understood that he wasn't doing it because he wanted to," she noted in her interview with Vogue in 2023.
Minaj dedicated a few tracks on her album "Pink Friday" to her father's memory, seemingly rapping about their last few interactions before he tragically passed away.


OWN Unveils ‘For the Holidays’ Event with Three New Festive Films Premiering in December

*OWN’s “For the Holidays” event will feature three new holiday movies — ”A Season to Remember,” “Mistletoe & Matrimony,” and “24-Karat Christmas.” These films, highlighting the importance of love, friendship, and family during the festive season, will premiere on consecutive Saturdays starting in December.
“OWN has long been a pioneer in creating original holiday movies that resonate deeply with Black audiences, showcasing diverse talent at the forefront of our storytelling and bringing families together during this special time of year,” said Tina Perry, President, of OWN.

“We are truly honored to celebrate the season once again with three new films that encapsulate the warmth, joy, and love that our viewers eagerly anticipate year after year,” Perry added.  
Per the press release, the movies are all produced by FOX Entertainment Studios’ MarVista Entertainment with Megan Ellstrom, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer, and Fernando Szew as Executive Producers. 

Check out the breakdown of each title along with premiere dates 
“A Season to Remember” premieres Saturday, December 7 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT   

Starring Michele Weaver (“Love Is”) and Nathan Owens (“9-1-1”)  
SYNOPSIS: Sports reporter Symone Gibson (Michele Weaver) is ambitious and good at her job, but often has to navigate being a woman in a male-dominated field. She gets a crash course in how to be more assertive after teaming with freelance sports photographer Iggy Love (Nathan Owens), who knows a thing or two about going after what’s really important in life. She has just a week before Christmas to find an attention-grabbing story that could take her career to the next level. With Iggy’s assistance, Symone chases down a story and finds romance, courage and a new sense of direction along the way. 

“Mistletoe & Matrimony” premieres Saturday, December 14 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT   
Starring Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut (“Chicago Med,” “Star Trek: Picard”) and Etienne Maurice (“Scream Queens”)  
SYNOPSIS: Olivia Morris (Ashlei Sharpe) is a successful wedding planner who plays it safe in life and love. She is forced to reckon with her timid tendencies when she’s unwillingly tasked with planning her vivacious younger sister’s Christmas Eve wedding. Things get even more complicated when Olivia’s ex-boyfriend, Isaiah (Etienne Maurice), returns from overseas to help with the wedding. When sparks fly with her former flame amidst unfolding family drama, Olivia contemplates if she is finally ready to live life on her own terms this holiday season.  

“24-Karat Christmas” premieres Saturday, December 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT  
Starring Samantha Marie Ware (“All Rise,” “Glee”) and Curtis Hamilton (“The Kings of Napa,” “Insecure”) 
SYNOPSIS: When Trish (Samantha Marie Ware), an unlucky-in-love jewelry designer, accidentally sends a set of Christmas wedding bands off with the wrong person, she and the charming best man, Book Mosely (Curtis Hamilton), must work together to track them down and get them to the wedding on Christmas Eve – in the process learning that you can’t wait for love to find you, you have to go out and find it.

Watch the trailer below for OWN’s “For the Holidays” event. HERE 
'Tis the Season to Celebrate, with Three Original Movies! | OWN for the Holidays | OWN 

Angel Reese ‘Hopeful’ That She’ll Be Teammates w/ Caitlin Clark In The Future

Angel Reese wants to team up with fellow WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark.
During a recent cover interview with WSJ, the rookie basketball star opened up about the impact she and Caitlin Clark have had on the league and where she hopes their careers will lead in the future.

She stated: “Me and Caitlin have been playing against each other since we were kids. It’s just a full circle moment of how women are viewed when it comes to trash talking and it’s okay, in men’s sport. So we’re going to normalize that in women’s sports as well. It’s just super competitive. I think we’re two great competitors. We brought a lot of fans to this league, and I thought, we’re going to continue to do that and one day, hopefully we can be teammates.”

As you may know, both Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark were propelled into the spotlight during their college careers as they faced off in the championship series, playing at LSU and the University of Iowa, respectively.
The two have since gone on to continue impacting the game as professional league players. Earlier this month, Caitlin Clark was named the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year.


VP Harris joins forces with Usher on campaign trail in Georgia
Vice President Harris was joined by singer Usher on the campaign trail in Atlanta on Saturday as she continued her swing across the battleground states nearly two weeks out from Election Day. 
Usher, who spent part of his childhood in Atlanta, spoke to the crowd prior to Harris taking the stage and encouraged the audience to vote early.
“It’s just 17 days away from a very important election,” the singer said. “And we have the opportunity to choose a new generation of leadership for our country.” 

At one point a fan yelled “We love you, Usher,” to which the singer replied, “I love you more, but I love Kamala Harris even more.” 
Usher was the second artist to join Harris on the trail on Saturday. Earlier in the day, Harris was joined by singer Lizzo in Detroit. Harris continued her campaign’s strategy of attacking Trump’s physical fitness for office, painting a picture of a fatigued former president. 

“Now he is ducking debates and dodging interviews because of exhaustion,” she said, noting that Trump often rambles and “cannot finish a thought.” Harris slammed former President Trump on a number of issues at the rally, including abortion. There is currently a six week ban on the procedure in the state, which Harris referred to as a “Trump abortion ban.”
The vice president specifically brought up the death of Amber Thurman, a 28-year-old woman who died from an infection following a rare complication from taking medication abortion. According to Pro-Publica, Thurman waited 20 hours in an Atlanta-area hospital after seeking medical care due to an incomplete abortion before doctors tried to give her a needed treatment.

Harris showed a clip of Trump at a Fox News town hall aimed at women voters earlier this week in which he was asked about Thurman’s family doing a press call as part of a “prebuttal” to Trump’s town hall on the network. 
“That’s nice. We’ll get better ratings, I promise,” Trump said. 
Harris called the comment “cruel.” 
“A grieving family sharing the memory of their daughter with our nation. Where is the compassion?” Harris said. “He belittles their sorrow, making it about himself and his television ratings. It is cruel.” 

Harris encouraged the crowd to vote early and invoked former President Jimmy Carter voting for her early just weeks after his 100th birthday. 
“If Jimmy Carter can vote early, you can too,” Harris said. 
As of Friday, over 1 million votes were cast in Georgia, accounting for 14 percent of active voters in the state. 
During a press conference earlier in the day in Detroit, Mich., Harris said she was encouraged by early voting numbers out of Georgia and North Carolina. Harris was asked about Republicans also taking part in early voting and whether she was concerned. 

“I don’t yet have enough data to tell you who’s voting for who and or how they’re leaning, but I think it’s great that people are turning out and voting and being active,” Harris told reporters. 
Trump was also on the campaign trail on Saturday, holding a rally outside of Pittsburgh in Latrobe, Pa. 


Dr. Dre Criticizes Rappers For Using Multiple Different Producers In One Album
Dr. Dre, a titan in the world of hip-hop, has made his stance clear: the trend of using multiple producers on a single album is diluting the genre's authenticity. In a recent interview with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, Dre, joined by his long-time collaborator Snoop Dogg, shared his concerns about the current state of hip-hop.
"Be original," Snoop emphasized. "Right now there's so much copycatting, mimicking, sounding alike, and imitation. Find your production, your sound, find your ear for who you are, and be original even if it ain't hitting. Stay you."

Dre echoed this sentiment but took a step further by addressing the production aspect, "Find your collaborators. I don't like the fact that there are nine different producers on one album. I like the idea of one producer on an album. Continuity is everything."
For Dre, the key to a compelling album lies in its coherence, a trait he believes is compromised when too many hands are in the pot. When pressed by Smith about the origins of this trend, Dre admitted, "I don't know. But I don't like it."

The rapper-producer's remarks have sparked a spirited debate on social media. Some users voiced their agreement with Dre, noting the success of albums that followed a single-producer model, but many others disagreed.
"The blueprint had 6/7, thriller had 1 - a great album is a great album but I understand Dre's point," one user commented. Another user offered a differing perspective, "I don't like artist that use the same producers it all sounds the same."

While opinions vary, the essence of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's argument is clear: originality and continuity are paramount in creating music that withstands the test of time. As the landscape of hip-hop evolves, their call to action serves as a reminder for artists to stay true to their unique sounds and to be deliberate in their creative choices. Whether or not the industry heeds their advice, Dre's comments have undoubtedly reignited a crucial conversation about the core values of musical production.


Charges Dropped Against Deaf Man Tyron McAlpin Who Was Attacked by Police Following False Report
All charges against Tyron McAlpin have been officially dropped, a decision that marks an end to his ongoing legal spat.
McAlpin, a Black 34-year-old deaf man with cerebral palsy, was facing multiple counts after police in Phoenix, Arizona, brutally beat and tased him for not complying with their orders. In reality, McAlpin couldn’t hear their commands. This did not stop them from violently assaulting him after a white man falsely accused McAlpin of assaulting him. Officers involved in the attack reportedly failed to note McAlpin was deaf despite being made aware at the scene by a bystander. The arrest occurred in August, and up until early October, he faced charges of aggravated assault on an officer and resisting arrest.

McAlpin maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, asserting that the police had misinterpreted the situation. Supporters rallied behind him, calling for accountability within the justice system. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell decided to drop McAlpin’s pending case after meeting with local activists.

“Last Friday, a leader of the local chapter of the NAACP shared his concern with me regarding the prosecution of Mr. Tyron McAlpin. I promised I would personally review the case, including a large volume of video recordings, police reports, and other materials that have been forwarded to my office. On Tuesday of this week, I also convened a large gathering of senior attorneys and members of the community to hear their opinions as they pertain to this case,” she stated.  “I have now completed my review and have made the decision to dismiss all remaining charges against Mr. McAlpin.”


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
I’m trying to figure out who this is
Who is it?


EVENING GOODIES: Meet Mr. Noboots
Meet Mr. Noboots! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember to exercise CAUTION AT WORK!

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Enjoy!


HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM

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