#MAGFAB: Ugbad Abdi Is a True 'Female Force' in Family Focus Story for Vogue Netherlands December
Somali-American model Ugbad Abdi covers the December 2024 issue of Vogue Netherlands. In a rare and unique, large photoshoot, Ugbad introduces us to her siblings — not for the first time — but rare nevertheless.
They include her sister Hani Abdi — with whom she modeled in Vogue Arabia’s 2022 Ramadan issue. Ugbad’s other siblings include Mushin Abdi, Naimo Abdi and Suwayda Abdi. Sonny Groo [IG] styled the 30-page presentation with images by fellow Brooklynite creator and photographer Wikkie Hermkens [IG].
On a special note, AOC is organizing our extensive writing on Ugbad, to pull out and highlight the ones most focused about her own and her family’s journey in English. Or where I’ve already done my homework, which is the case with Ugbad Abdi. We have robust archives on her.
Going to the beginning of her archives on Models.com, AOC notes that her first ‘portraits’ were by Hermkens and Groo. No wonder they are so over the moon with this most well-done, large and family-focused fashion story on Vogue Netherlands. Additionally, it’s their first Vogue story that they’ve created as a team.
Our global holiday spirit of ‘ubuntu for all’ is running wild in this major statement by Vogue Netherlands. This American woman is very grateful for their timely investment in the world’s better angels. The more I read about the creative effort, the more synchronicity I find vibrating in these images.
Ugbad appeared in i-D Magazine’s spring 2019 issue styled by Carlos Nazario and lensed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch with five other models. Next stop Valentino Couture. And then she was off to the Valentino I was looking for: Moncler 1 Pierpaolo Piccioli F/W 19 Presentation. We’ll add all these links, as a ‘life of Ugbad Abdi’ overview.
On a personal note, I’ve always been so very impressed with Ugbad’s grace in getting her point across. She’s not quick to condemn the industry, unlike other models — mostly wanna-be models— that come to mind.
Ugbad feels that successfully wearing her hijab for the world’s most luxurious brands has given her a very strong voice — even in Paris where niqãbs and burquas are banned in public places. Hijabs, which do not cover one’s face, are not banned.
In her own words, the girl from Des Moines, IA [Anne country] sees herself as a light of conviction and promise:
"I get a lot of satisfaction from knowing that young girls dare to pursue their dreams, because I am proof that they can come true. I know like no one else how important it is to feel like there's a place for you in the world. "
Somali-American model Ugbad Abdi covers the December 2024 issue of Vogue Netherlands. In a rare and unique, large photoshoot, Ugbad introduces us to her siblings — not for the first time — but rare nevertheless.
On a special note, AOC is organizing our extensive writing on Ugbad, to pull out and highlight the ones most focused about her own and her family’s journey in English. Or where I’ve already done my homework, which is the case with Ugbad Abdi. We have robust archives on her.
Going to the beginning of her archives on Models.com, AOC notes that her first ‘portraits’ were by Hermkens and Groo. No wonder they are so over the moon with this most well-done, large and family-focused fashion story on Vogue Netherlands. Additionally, it’s their first Vogue story that they’ve created as a team.
Our global holiday spirit of ‘ubuntu for all’ is running wild in this major statement by Vogue Netherlands. This American woman is very grateful for their timely investment in the world’s better angels. The more I read about the creative effort, the more synchronicity I find vibrating in these images.
Ugbad appeared in i-D Magazine’s spring 2019 issue styled by Carlos Nazario and lensed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch with five other models. Next stop Valentino Couture. And then she was off to the Valentino I was looking for: Moncler 1 Pierpaolo Piccioli F/W 19 Presentation. We’ll add all these links, as a ‘life of Ugbad Abdi’ overview.
On a personal note, I’ve always been so very impressed with Ugbad’s grace in getting her point across. She’s not quick to condemn the industry, unlike other models — mostly wanna-be models— that come to mind.
Ugbad feels that successfully wearing her hijab for the world’s most luxurious brands has given her a very strong voice — even in Paris where niqãbs and burquas are banned in public places. Hijabs, which do not cover one’s face, are not banned.
In her own words, the girl from Des Moines, IA [Anne country] sees herself as a light of conviction and promise:
"I get a lot of satisfaction from knowing that young girls dare to pursue their dreams, because I am proof that they can come true. I know like no one else how important it is to feel like there's a place for you in the world. "
Nice!
#RHOA: Housewives Alum Falynn Pina Marries Jaylan Banks and Reveals She's Pregnant!
Falynn Pina is having a double celebration! The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum, 35, revealed on Instagram that she tied the knot with Jaylan Banks in Atlanta on Friday, Dec. 6. The couple also took the opportunity to share another major milestone — they are expecting their second baby together (and Pina’s fifth).
“Yesterday was a dream come true,” Pina wrote in the caption of her Dec. 7 post, alongside a photo of the couple posing in their wedding attire while holding hands on the steps outside of their venue.
“I finally got to marry my best friend," she continued. "In front of our closest friends and family, we shared our forever nuptials where there was endless laughter and tears of joy as we danced the night away.”
Pina, who wore a chic flared column gown with sheer lace sleeves and a lace veil, added to her new husband: “Here’s to the beginning of forever with you @itsjaylanbanks. I love you.”
In a second Instagram post on Saturday, Pina shared a photo of herself and Banks posing together in an elevator. The bride can be seen cradling her baby bump while her husband embraces her from behind.
“Mommy and Daddy can’t wait to meet you, little one," she captioned the photo.
Pina and Banks already share 3-year-old daughter Emma, while she is also mom to three older sons — Troy, Dylan and Liam — from a past relationship.
Pina and Banks previously experienced a pregnancy loss in January 2023. She shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram at the time, writing, "Last night, the Lord called our baby home. Though we understand that God has a plan, our home is filled with tears and broken hearts."
Alongside her message, she posted an image from the hospital of her hand resting on her lap.
"Rest in heaven, Jean Pina👼🏾. Mommy and Daddy love you so very much❤️," she added
Porsha Williams 'Never Had Any Communication' with Falynn Pina Since Romance with Simon Guobadia
Jaylan Banks, Falynn Pina and kids.
The couple shed some light on their reunion, marriage and baby news in a YouTube video shared on Sunday, Dec. 8. When asked whether the wedding was "rushed," Pina explained the reasons why the pair decided to make things official.
“It wasn’t that it was rushed,” she said. “To be honest with you, it felt that way because no one knew what was going on behind closed doors. And then two, we do have a lot projects coming up in 2025 and leading into 2026. There was no point in time on our schedule where we felt like we could fit in a wedding and a drawn-out thing.”
As for the future of their family, Pina said she told her new husband that after this baby, “No more.”
“Yesterday was a dream come true,” Pina wrote in the caption of her Dec. 7 post, alongside a photo of the couple posing in their wedding attire while holding hands on the steps outside of their venue.
“I finally got to marry my best friend," she continued. "In front of our closest friends and family, we shared our forever nuptials where there was endless laughter and tears of joy as we danced the night away.”
Pina, who wore a chic flared column gown with sheer lace sleeves and a lace veil, added to her new husband: “Here’s to the beginning of forever with you @itsjaylanbanks. I love you.”
In a second Instagram post on Saturday, Pina shared a photo of herself and Banks posing together in an elevator. The bride can be seen cradling her baby bump while her husband embraces her from behind.
“Mommy and Daddy can’t wait to meet you, little one," she captioned the photo.
Pina and Banks already share 3-year-old daughter Emma, while she is also mom to three older sons — Troy, Dylan and Liam — from a past relationship.
Pina and Banks previously experienced a pregnancy loss in January 2023. She shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram at the time, writing, "Last night, the Lord called our baby home. Though we understand that God has a plan, our home is filled with tears and broken hearts."
Alongside her message, she posted an image from the hospital of her hand resting on her lap.
"Rest in heaven, Jean Pina👼🏾. Mommy and Daddy love you so very much❤️," she added
Porsha Williams 'Never Had Any Communication' with Falynn Pina Since Romance with Simon Guobadia
Jaylan Banks, Falynn Pina and kids.
The couple shed some light on their reunion, marriage and baby news in a YouTube video shared on Sunday, Dec. 8. When asked whether the wedding was "rushed," Pina explained the reasons why the pair decided to make things official.
“It wasn’t that it was rushed,” she said. “To be honest with you, it felt that way because no one knew what was going on behind closed doors. And then two, we do have a lot projects coming up in 2025 and leading into 2026. There was no point in time on our schedule where we felt like we could fit in a wedding and a drawn-out thing.”
As for the future of their family, Pina said she told her new husband that after this baby, “No more.”
#NewMusic from The Shindellas “Christmas Chills”
The Shindellas check in for the holiday season with the release of their new single “Christmas Chills”. The song was produced by duo Louis York
This reimagined holiday masterpiece transforms one of the trio’s earliest hits, “Chills,” from their debut EP Genesis, into a festive anthem designed to warm hearts.
“Christmas Chills” takes everything fans loved about the original track and wraps it in a holiday bow, complete with shimmering melodies, lush harmonies, and a touch of seasonal magic. They add:
“This song is our love letter to the holiday season. When we first created ‘Chills,’ it was about the feeling of love that takes over your soul. For ‘Christmas Chills,’ we wanted to capture that same energy but amplify it with the wonder and warmth of the holidays—family, togetherness, and the magic of this time of year.”
The Shindellas check in for the holiday season with the release of their new single “Christmas Chills”. The song was produced by duo Louis York
This reimagined holiday masterpiece transforms one of the trio’s earliest hits, “Chills,” from their debut EP Genesis, into a festive anthem designed to warm hearts.
“Christmas Chills” takes everything fans loved about the original track and wraps it in a holiday bow, complete with shimmering melodies, lush harmonies, and a touch of seasonal magic. They add:
“This song is our love letter to the holiday season. When we first created ‘Chills,’ it was about the feeling of love that takes over your soul. For ‘Christmas Chills,’ we wanted to capture that same energy but amplify it with the wonder and warmth of the holidays—family, togetherness, and the magic of this time of year.”
LISTEN HERE:
Celebrate the season with some help from The Shindellas.
Celebrate the season with some help from The Shindellas.
#HipHopNews: J.Cole Releases 8 New Bonus Songs For ‘2014 Forest Hills Drive’ 10th Anniversary
The “10 Year Anniversary Edition” of 2014 Forest Hills Drive, with all the bonus cuts, is available only on Cole’s Inevitablewebstore — the same place his career-recapping audio seriesInevitable can be found.
Cole explained the history of the bonus tracks in an Instagram post.
“Forest Hills Drive was a double album at one point in time during the finishing process,” he wrote. “This anniversary edition contains 8 of the songs that were included in that version.”
The existence of the bonus tracks was first revealed late last month, when the Dreamville rapper announced that to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his blockbuster third album, he’s rereleasing it on physical formats, complete with a slew of previously unreleased bonus songs from that era.
The reissue is available in two variants. A “10 Year Anniversary Edition” includes a blue-hued version of the original cover and four additional songs: “Home Soon,” “Die Together,” “Judgement Day” and “Winter Wonderland.”
An “Alternate Cover” edition features brand new artwork as well as a different batch of bonus tracks: “Keep Heaven Dancing,” “Miles,” “Black Man In Hollywood” and “Obviously.”
Only 2,014 copies of the “Alternate Cover” vinyl are available.
The digital edition of the record contains all eight of the aforementioned bonus cuts.
All the 2014 Forest Hills Drive news comes shortly after J. Cole released three fan-favorite mixtapes on streaming services for the first time: The Come Up, The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights.
The last of these is particularly near and dear to the North Carolina native’s heart, as he explained on social media: “This is a very special moment for me. Been waiting patiently for this day, like a lot of yall have.
“I wanna say Thank you to everybody out there that kept these projects alive, even during all the years they were not on streaming services, especially this project right here. Friday Nights Lights finally available now on all platforms.”
He added: “To have a full idea of what this means for me personally, you would have to know the whooole journey. This Inevitable series we doing, is that.”
The rereleases coincide with the launch of Inevitable, which finds him looking back on his decorated career, project by project, alongside longtime manager Ibrahim “Ib” Hamad and frequent collaborator Scott Lazer.
Jay-Z Responds To Allegation He Raped 13-Year-Old Girl With Diddy In Bombshell Lawsuit
JAY-Z has vehemently denied claims in a lawsuit that he raped a 13-year-old girl with Diddy back in 2000.
In the lawsuit, filed by high-profile lawyer Tony Buzbee on behalf of an anonymous client, Hov is accused of sexually assaulting the teenager at an afterparty following the MTV Video Music Awards which were held in New York City.
The lawsuit was originally filed in October with Diddy as a defendant and JAY-Z referred to anonymously as “Celebrity A.”
The suit was refiled on Sunday (December 8) and named Jay (born Shawn Carter) as a defendant, according to court documents
The alleged victim claims that she was invited to an afterparty by one of Diddy’s drivers after being told she “fit what Diddy was looking for.”
After being dropped off at “a large white residence with a gated U-shaped driveway,” the girl was allegedly given a drink that soon made her “feel woozy and lightheaded, making her need to lie down.”
She claims that she found an empty bedroom to lie down in and later awoke to Diddy and JAY-Z entering the room along with an unnamed female celebrity.
JAY-Z then allegedly removed her clothes and held her down as he raped her while Diddy and the unidentified woman watched.
The suit claims that Diddy then raped the girl as Jay and the woman watched.
The girl eventually managed to escape by “hitting [Diddy] in the neck” when he tried to force her to perform oral sex on him, fleeing the party and reaching a nearby gas station where she was picked up by her father, according to the filing.
In a rare public statement issued by Roc Nation, JAY-Z blasted the allegations as well as Buzbee, who he called a “fraud” and claimed had tried to “blackmail” him.
“These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?” the rap legend wrote.
“These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.”
The statement also mentioned the impact that the lawsuit would have on Jay’s notoriously private family life: “My only heartbreak is for my family. My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence.”
Hov further slammed Buzbee’s legal conduct by saying: “My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.”
Buzbee responded to JAY-Z’s statement on X, writing: “Regarding the Jay Z case and his efforts to silence my clients: Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm.
“He filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym. What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation.”
He added: “Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. I’m very proud of her resolve.
“As far as the allegations in the complaint filed, we will let the filing speak for itself and will litigate the facts in court, not in the media.”
The attorney was recently accused of extortion in a filing made by an anonymous male celebrity who now appears to be JAY-Z.
The suit alleges Buzbee is “shamelessly attempting to extort exorbitant sums from him” with the threat of litigation containing “entirely fabricated and malicious allegations of sexual assault.”
Buzbee denied the claims and said the suit was an attempt to “silence” him.
For his part, Diddy previously denied the claims in the initial lawsuit, with his attorney saying: “Mr Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts, their legal defences, and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone – adult or minor, man or woman.”
JAY-Z has vehemently denied claims in a lawsuit that he raped a 13-year-old girl with Diddy back in 2000.
In the lawsuit, filed by high-profile lawyer Tony Buzbee on behalf of an anonymous client, Hov is accused of sexually assaulting the teenager at an afterparty following the MTV Video Music Awards which were held in New York City.
The lawsuit was originally filed in October with Diddy as a defendant and JAY-Z referred to anonymously as “Celebrity A.”
The suit was refiled on Sunday (December 8) and named Jay (born Shawn Carter) as a defendant, according to court documents
The alleged victim claims that she was invited to an afterparty by one of Diddy’s drivers after being told she “fit what Diddy was looking for.”
After being dropped off at “a large white residence with a gated U-shaped driveway,” the girl was allegedly given a drink that soon made her “feel woozy and lightheaded, making her need to lie down.”
She claims that she found an empty bedroom to lie down in and later awoke to Diddy and JAY-Z entering the room along with an unnamed female celebrity.
JAY-Z then allegedly removed her clothes and held her down as he raped her while Diddy and the unidentified woman watched.
The suit claims that Diddy then raped the girl as Jay and the woman watched.
The girl eventually managed to escape by “hitting [Diddy] in the neck” when he tried to force her to perform oral sex on him, fleeing the party and reaching a nearby gas station where she was picked up by her father, according to the filing.
In a rare public statement issued by Roc Nation, JAY-Z blasted the allegations as well as Buzbee, who he called a “fraud” and claimed had tried to “blackmail” him.
“These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?” the rap legend wrote.
“These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.”
The statement also mentioned the impact that the lawsuit would have on Jay’s notoriously private family life: “My only heartbreak is for my family. My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence.”
Hov further slammed Buzbee’s legal conduct by saying: “My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.”
Buzbee responded to JAY-Z’s statement on X, writing: “Regarding the Jay Z case and his efforts to silence my clients: Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm.
“He filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym. What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation.”
He added: “Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. I’m very proud of her resolve.
“As far as the allegations in the complaint filed, we will let the filing speak for itself and will litigate the facts in court, not in the media.”
The attorney was recently accused of extortion in a filing made by an anonymous male celebrity who now appears to be JAY-Z.
The suit alleges Buzbee is “shamelessly attempting to extort exorbitant sums from him” with the threat of litigation containing “entirely fabricated and malicious allegations of sexual assault.”
Buzbee denied the claims and said the suit was an attempt to “silence” him.
For his part, Diddy previously denied the claims in the initial lawsuit, with his attorney saying: “Mr Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts, their legal defences, and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone – adult or minor, man or woman.”
#BoxOfficeNews: ‘Moana 2’ cruises to another record weekend!
The Walt Disney Co.'s animated film “Moana 2” remained at the top of the box office in its second weekend in theaters as it brought in another record haul.
The film added $52 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. That brings its domestic total to $300 million, surpassing the original, and its global tally to a staggering $600 million.
The amount set a record gross for a movie on the weekend following Thanksgiving weekend, unseating “Frozen II,” which earned $35.2 million in the same time frame in 2019. The numbers are not adjusted for inflation. Originally conceived as a Disney+ series, “Moana 2” has already broken into the top five highest grossing releases of the year. Its performance means Disney has three films in this year’s top five, including “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine.” The studio also has another big movie on the way before the year ends: Barry Jenkins’ “Mufasa,” out Dec. 20.
The weekend also showcased several new releases, including A24’s horror comedy “Y2K” and the Jude Law crime thriller “The Order.” But nothing was ever going to present significant competition to the enticing Thanksgiving leftovers, “Moana 2,” “Wicked” and “Gladiator II.”
Second place at the box office was occupied by “Wicked,” which added $34.9 million, bringing its domestic total to $320.5 million in three weeks. Globally, the musical adaptation released by Universal is at $455.6 million. “Gladiator II” followed in third place with $12.5 million, while “Red One” came in fourth with $7 million.
“These holdovers are going to create the momentum that’s going to put an $8.5 billion-plus box office year on the horizon,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore.
Pre-pandemic, $11 billion had become the annual norm for the movie business. Since then, the closest the industry has gotten to that number was last year, which cracked $9 billion. This year started off slow and up to a few months ago, Dergarabedian said, even hitting $8 billion for the year was in doubt. But in the two weeks since Thanksgiving, the deficit from last year has narrowed by over 5%.
The newcomers struggled to make a significant impact. Even the 10th anniversary rerelease of Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar,” which played in only 165 theaters, did better than “Y2K” ($2.1 million) and “The Order” ($878,000) combined. Paramount reported that the science fiction epic starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway brought in an estimated $4.4 million. IMAX also noted that all the 70mm IMAX presentations of “Interstellar” were sold out through the weekend.
“I was thrilled so many moviegoers took advantage of the original IMAX experience of ‘Interstellar’ this weekend,” Nolan said in a statement.
The biggest of the many newcomers was the Indian action pic “Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2,” which earned $4.9 million. Sony and Crunchyroll’s anime release, “Solo Leveling – ReAwakening,” made $2.4 million. Fathom also released pop duo for KING + COUNTRY’s “A Drummer Boy Christmas” concert in theaters where it made $2.1 million.
“It’s a really diverse marketplace,” Dergarabedian said. “There’s event cinema, international cinema, a re-release of a 10-year-old film. It’s easily one of the most eclectic and interesting lineups I’ve ever seen.”
Next weekend theaters are in for another influx of bigger movies, with both Sony’s comic book film “Kraven the Hunter” and the animated “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” opening in wide release. Awards contenders “Nickel Boys” and “September 5” will also open in a limited number of theaters.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “Moana 2,” $52 million.
2. “Wicked,” $34.9 million.
3. “Gladiator II,” $12.5 million
4. “Red One,” $7 million.
5. “Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2,” $4.9 million.
6. “Interstellar” re-release, $4.4 million.
7. “Solo Leveling – ReAwakening,” $2.4 million.
8. “Y2K,” $2.1 million.
9. “for KING + COUNTRY’S: A Drummer Boy Christmas,” $2.1 million.
10. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” $1.5 million.
The film added $52 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. That brings its domestic total to $300 million, surpassing the original, and its global tally to a staggering $600 million.
The amount set a record gross for a movie on the weekend following Thanksgiving weekend, unseating “Frozen II,” which earned $35.2 million in the same time frame in 2019. The numbers are not adjusted for inflation. Originally conceived as a Disney+ series, “Moana 2” has already broken into the top five highest grossing releases of the year. Its performance means Disney has three films in this year’s top five, including “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine.” The studio also has another big movie on the way before the year ends: Barry Jenkins’ “Mufasa,” out Dec. 20.
The weekend also showcased several new releases, including A24’s horror comedy “Y2K” and the Jude Law crime thriller “The Order.” But nothing was ever going to present significant competition to the enticing Thanksgiving leftovers, “Moana 2,” “Wicked” and “Gladiator II.”
Second place at the box office was occupied by “Wicked,” which added $34.9 million, bringing its domestic total to $320.5 million in three weeks. Globally, the musical adaptation released by Universal is at $455.6 million. “Gladiator II” followed in third place with $12.5 million, while “Red One” came in fourth with $7 million.
“These holdovers are going to create the momentum that’s going to put an $8.5 billion-plus box office year on the horizon,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore.
Pre-pandemic, $11 billion had become the annual norm for the movie business. Since then, the closest the industry has gotten to that number was last year, which cracked $9 billion. This year started off slow and up to a few months ago, Dergarabedian said, even hitting $8 billion for the year was in doubt. But in the two weeks since Thanksgiving, the deficit from last year has narrowed by over 5%.
The newcomers struggled to make a significant impact. Even the 10th anniversary rerelease of Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar,” which played in only 165 theaters, did better than “Y2K” ($2.1 million) and “The Order” ($878,000) combined. Paramount reported that the science fiction epic starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway brought in an estimated $4.4 million. IMAX also noted that all the 70mm IMAX presentations of “Interstellar” were sold out through the weekend.
“I was thrilled so many moviegoers took advantage of the original IMAX experience of ‘Interstellar’ this weekend,” Nolan said in a statement.
The biggest of the many newcomers was the Indian action pic “Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2,” which earned $4.9 million. Sony and Crunchyroll’s anime release, “Solo Leveling – ReAwakening,” made $2.4 million. Fathom also released pop duo for KING + COUNTRY’s “A Drummer Boy Christmas” concert in theaters where it made $2.1 million.
“It’s a really diverse marketplace,” Dergarabedian said. “There’s event cinema, international cinema, a re-release of a 10-year-old film. It’s easily one of the most eclectic and interesting lineups I’ve ever seen.”
Next weekend theaters are in for another influx of bigger movies, with both Sony’s comic book film “Kraven the Hunter” and the animated “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” opening in wide release. Awards contenders “Nickel Boys” and “September 5” will also open in a limited number of theaters.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “Moana 2,” $52 million.
2. “Wicked,” $34.9 million.
3. “Gladiator II,” $12.5 million
4. “Red One,” $7 million.
5. “Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2,” $4.9 million.
6. “Interstellar” re-release, $4.4 million.
7. “Solo Leveling – ReAwakening,” $2.4 million.
8. “Y2K,” $2.1 million.
9. “for KING + COUNTRY’S: A Drummer Boy Christmas,” $2.1 million.
10. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” $1.5 million.
The Golden Globes 2025 Who's in See who the Nominees Are
The nominees for the 82nd Golden Globe Awards included some former child superstars, along with some surprises.
Actors Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut announced the 2025 slate of nominees which was led by the musical “Emilia Pérez” with 10 nominations.
Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez, former child stars of Nickelodeon and Disney respectively, both scored nods - Grande for “Wicked” and Gomez for both the film “Emilia Pérez” and her Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building.”
The surprises included Pamela Anderson’s nomination in the best actress in a drama category for her performance in “The Last Showgirl.” In recent years, fans have been vocal in their desire to see Anderson receive more respect for her acting career amid complaints that she’s been objectified and overlooked earlier in her career.
Another was the nomination of Jamie Foxx in the best performance in a stand up category for his special “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was,” which debuts on Netflix on Tuesday.
Foxx faces competition in the category from Nikki Glaser, who will host the Golden Globes ceremony.
Hollywood veteran Viola Davis and three-time Golden Globe winner Ted Danson will be the recipients of Cecil B. DeMille Award and the Carol Burnett Award, respectively.
The 2025 Golden Globes will take place on January 5 and air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
A full list of nominees follows below.
TELEVISION
Best performance by a male actor in a television series – musical or comedy
Jeremy Allen White as Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto in "The Bear." Chuck Hodes/FX
Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”
Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside”
Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”
Jason Segel, “Shrinking”
Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”
Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”
The nominees for the 82nd Golden Globe Awards included some former child superstars, along with some surprises.
Actors Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut announced the 2025 slate of nominees which was led by the musical “Emilia Pérez” with 10 nominations.
Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez, former child stars of Nickelodeon and Disney respectively, both scored nods - Grande for “Wicked” and Gomez for both the film “Emilia Pérez” and her Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building.”
The surprises included Pamela Anderson’s nomination in the best actress in a drama category for her performance in “The Last Showgirl.” In recent years, fans have been vocal in their desire to see Anderson receive more respect for her acting career amid complaints that she’s been objectified and overlooked earlier in her career.
Another was the nomination of Jamie Foxx in the best performance in a stand up category for his special “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was,” which debuts on Netflix on Tuesday.
Foxx faces competition in the category from Nikki Glaser, who will host the Golden Globes ceremony.
Hollywood veteran Viola Davis and three-time Golden Globe winner Ted Danson will be the recipients of Cecil B. DeMille Award and the Carol Burnett Award, respectively.
The 2025 Golden Globes will take place on January 5 and air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
A full list of nominees follows below.
TELEVISION
Best performance by a male actor in a television series – musical or comedy
Jeremy Allen White as Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto in "The Bear." Chuck Hodes/FX
Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”
Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside”
Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”
Jason Segel, “Shrinking”
Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”
Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”
Best performance by a female actor in a television series – musical or comedy
Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”
Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”
Kathryn Hahn, “Agatha All Along”
Jean Smart, “Hacks”
Best performance by a male actor in a television series – drama
Donald Glover, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”
Jake Gyllenhaal, “Presumed Innocent”
Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”
Eddie Redmayne, “The Day of the Jackal”
Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shōgun”
Billy Bob Thornton, “Landman”
Best performance by a female actor in a television series – drama
Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." David Lee/Prime Video
Kathy Bates, “Matlock”
Emma D’Arcy, “House of the Dragon”
Maya Erskine, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”
Keira Knightley, “Black Doves”
Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”
Anna Sawai, “Shōgun”
Best performance by a male actor in a limited series, anthology series, or a motion picture made for television
Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”
Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”
Kevin Kline, “Disclaimer”
Cooper Koch, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
Ewan McGregor, “A Gentleman in Moscow”
Andrew Scott, “Ripley”
Best performance by a female actor in a limited series, anthology series, or a motion picture made for television
Cate Blanchett, “Disclaimer”
Jodie Foster, “True Detective: Night Country”
Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin”
Sofía Vergara, “Griselda”
Naomi Watts, “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”
Kate Winslet, “The Regime”
Best television series – drama
Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada in "Shogun." Katie Yu/FX
“The Day of the Jackal”
“The Diplomat”
“Mr. and Mrs. Smith”
“Shōgun”
“Slow Horses”
“Squid Game”
Best television series – musical or comedy
“Abbott Elementary”
“The Bear”
“The Gentlemen”
“Hacks”
“Nobody Wants This”
“Only Murders in the Building”
Best television limited series, anthology series, or motion picture made for television
Jodie Foster, Kali Reis in "True Detective Night Country." Michele K. Short/HBO
“Baby Reindeer”
“Disclaimer”
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
The Penguin”
“Ripley”
“True Detective: Night Country”
Best performance by a female actor in a supporting role on television
Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”
Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”
Dakota Fanning, “Ripley”
Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”
Allison Janney, “The Diplomat”
Kali Reis, “True Detective: Night Country”
Best performance by a male actor in a supporting role on television
Chloë Sevigny and MJavier Bardem in "Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story." Courtesy Netflix
Tadanobu Asano, “Shōgun“
Javier Bardem, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
Harrison Ford, “Shrinking”
Jack Lowden, “Slow Horses”
Diego Luna, “La Maquina”
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear”
Best performance in stand-up comedy on television
Jamie Foxx, “What Had Happened Was”
Nikki Glaser, “Someday You’ll Die”
Seth Meyers, “Dad Man Walking”
Adam Sandler, “Love You”
Ali Wong, “Single Lady”
Ramy Youssef, “More Feelings”
FILM
Best motion picture – musical or comedy
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in "Wicked." Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures
“Anora”
“Challengers”
“Emilia Pérez”
“A Real Pain”
“The Substance”
“Wicked”
Best motion picture – drama
“The Brutalist”
“A Complete Unknown”
“Conclave”
“Dune: Part Two”
“Nickel Boys”
“September 5”
Best motion picture – non-english language
“All We Imagine as Light”
“Emilia Pérez”
“The Girl With the Needle”
“I’m Still Here”
“The Seed of the Sacred Fig”
“Vermiglio”
Best screenplay – motion picture
Mikey Madison in “Anora.” NEON
“Emilia Pérez”
“Anora”
“The Brutalist”
“A Real Pain”
“The Substance”
“Conclave”
Best original song – motion picture
“Beautiful That Way” from “The Last Showgirl,” by Miley Cyrus, Lykke Li, and Andrew Wyatt
“Compress/Repress” from “Challengers”
“El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez” by Clément Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard
“Better Man” from “Forbidden Road” by Robbie Williams, Freddy Wexler & Sacha Skarbek
“Kiss the Sky” from “The Wild Robot”
“Mi Camino” from “Emilia Pérez” by Clément Ducol and Camille
Best performance by a male actor in a supporting role in any motion picture
Yura Borisov, “Anora”
Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”
Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”
Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”
Jeremy Strong, “The Apprentice”
Denzel Washington, “Gladiator II”
Best performance by a female actor in a supporting role in any motion picture
Zoe Saldaña as Rita Moro Castro in "Emilia Pérez." Shanna Besson/Page 114/Why Not Productions/Pathé Films/France 2 Cinéma
Selena Gomez, “Emilia Pérez”
Ariana Grande, “Wicked”
Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”
Margaret Qualley, “The Substance”
Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave”
Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”
Best performance by a male actor in a motion picture – musical or comedy
Jesse Eisenberg - “A Real Pain”
Hugh Grant - “Heretic”
Gabriel LaBelle - “Saturday Night”
Jesse Plemons - “Kinds of Kindness”
Glen Powell - “Hit Man”
Sebastian Stan - “A Different Man”
Best performance by a female actor in a motion picture – musical or comedy
Amy Adams, “Nightbitch”
Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”
Karla Sofía Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”
Mikey Madison, “Anora”
Demi Moore, “The Substance”
Zendaya, “Challengers”
Best performance by a male actor in a motion picture – drama
Ralph Fiennes in "Conclave." Courtesy of Focus Features
Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown”
Daniel Craig, “Queer”
Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”
Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”
Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice”
Best performance by a female actor in a motion picture – drama
Pamela Anderson, “The Last Showgirl”
Angelina Jolie, “Maria”
Nicole Kidman, “Babygirl”
Tilda Swinton, “The Room Next Door”
Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”
Kate Winslet, “Lee”
Best director – motion picture
Jacques Audiard - “Emilia Pérez”
Sean Baker - “Anora”
Edward Berger - “Conclave”
Brady Corbet - “The Brutalist”
Coralie Fargeat - “The Substance”
Payal Kapadia - “All We Imagine as Light”
Best original score – motion picture cinematic and box office achievement
“Alien: Romulus”
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”
“Deadpool & Wolverine”
“Gladiator 2”
“Inside Out 2”
“Twisters”
“Wicked”
“The Wild Robot”
Best motion picture – animated
"The Wild Robot." Courtesy Universal Pictures
“Flow”
“Inside Out 2”
“Memoir of a Snail”
“Moana 2”
“Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”
“The Wild Robot”
Best Original Score
“Conclave”
“The Brutalist”
“The Wild Robot”
“Emilia Pérez”
“Challengers”
“Dune: Part Two”
Good Luck to all the Nominees!
Daniel Penny found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in Jordan Neely's death
Daniel Penny has been found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in Jordan Neely's subway chokehold death.
The jury deliberated for more than 24 hours across five days before reaching the verdict.
The courtroom broke out in a mix of cheers, clapping, and jeers as soon as the verdict was read.
Neely's father cursed in anger shortly after the verdict and was forcibly removed from the courtroom by a court officer. Others in the gallery shouted, and one woman broke down to tears.
Lauren Glassberg has the latest details and reactions as Daniel Penny jury returns a verdict.
Penny, walking out of the courtroom, flashed a brief smile before returning to his stoneface demeanor. His lawyers embraced one another while seated at counsel table.
Neely's father, Andre Zachary, filed a lawsuit against Penny last week. He stood alongside supporters on Monday morning and criticized the jury's verdict.
"I just want to say, I miss my son, my son didn't have to go through this, I didn't have to go through this either, it hurts, really really hurts, what are we going to do people? What's going to happen to us now?" Zachary said.
As he spoke, protesters chanted "Say his name - Jordan Neely" and "No justice, no peace." Police broke up the crowd of protesters as the press conference continued.
Zachary's attorney expressed optimism that Neely's family will still get justice through a civil lawsuit against Penny.
"I promised this family justice - we are still going to do that," said Donte Mills. "The district attorney did a good job, but the jury in this case let us down."
Eric Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, whose son was killed by a NYPD officer who placed him in a chokehold - criticized Neely's death as a history repeating itself.
"No one deserves to be choked," she said. "You know, we're in that courtroom, and people are cheering for the verdict."
"It's two justice systems, and we have to stop this, and the only way that we can stop it is to stand together," she said. "We can't let this happen. If the police can't do it, the civilians can't do it either, and I just want you to stand with this family."
In a statement, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg thanked the jury and vowed to respect their verdict.
"The jury has now spoken. At the Manhattan D.A.'s Office we deeply respect the jury process and we respect their verdict," he said.
The jury deliberated for more than 24 hours across five days before reaching the verdict.
The courtroom broke out in a mix of cheers, clapping, and jeers as soon as the verdict was read.
Neely's father cursed in anger shortly after the verdict and was forcibly removed from the courtroom by a court officer. Others in the gallery shouted, and one woman broke down to tears.
Lauren Glassberg has the latest details and reactions as Daniel Penny jury returns a verdict.
Penny, walking out of the courtroom, flashed a brief smile before returning to his stoneface demeanor. His lawyers embraced one another while seated at counsel table.
Neely's father, Andre Zachary, filed a lawsuit against Penny last week. He stood alongside supporters on Monday morning and criticized the jury's verdict.
"I just want to say, I miss my son, my son didn't have to go through this, I didn't have to go through this either, it hurts, really really hurts, what are we going to do people? What's going to happen to us now?" Zachary said.
As he spoke, protesters chanted "Say his name - Jordan Neely" and "No justice, no peace." Police broke up the crowd of protesters as the press conference continued.
Zachary's attorney expressed optimism that Neely's family will still get justice through a civil lawsuit against Penny.
"I promised this family justice - we are still going to do that," said Donte Mills. "The district attorney did a good job, but the jury in this case let us down."
Eric Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, whose son was killed by a NYPD officer who placed him in a chokehold - criticized Neely's death as a history repeating itself.
"No one deserves to be choked," she said. "You know, we're in that courtroom, and people are cheering for the verdict."
"It's two justice systems, and we have to stop this, and the only way that we can stop it is to stand together," she said. "We can't let this happen. If the police can't do it, the civilians can't do it either, and I just want you to stand with this family."
In a statement, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg thanked the jury and vowed to respect their verdict.
"The jury has now spoken. At the Manhattan D.A.'s Office we deeply respect the jury process and we respect their verdict," he said.
Bragg said that the length of the deliberation "underscored why this case was put in front of a jury of Mr. Penny's peers" and thanked his prosecutors for their work, noting that many of them received hate and threats.
"Unfortunately, over the duration of this trial, talented career prosecutors and their family members were besieged with hate and threats - on social media, by phone and over email. Simply put, this is unacceptable, and everyone, no matter your opinion on this case, should condemn it," he said.
The law firm that represented Penny issued a statement Monday afternoon following his acquittal, saying "New Yorkers can take some comfort in knowing that we can continue to stand up for one another without sacrificing our rights or our freedoms."
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a statement he is grateful that Penny was acquitted:
"I was confident from day one Daniel Penny was a hero, not a villain, and I am extremely grateful that a Manhattan jury saw through all the political nonsense and determined Daniel Penny had no culpability in the death of Jordan Neely."
Last week, the jury spent more than 23 hours across four days deliberating whether Penny, a 26-year-old Marine veteran and architecture student, committed second degree manslaughter before repeatedly signaling that they could not reach a unanimous verdict
Judge Maxwell Wiley ultimately granted prosecutors' request to dismiss the first count while Penny's defense attorneys unsuccessfully pushed for a mistrial, arguing that continued deliberations could lead to a "coercive or a compromised verdict" by "elbowing" jurors to convict on the lesser charge.
Manslaughter would have required proving that Penny acted recklessly and grossly deviated from how a reasonable person would behave, while proving criminally negligent homicide requires the jury be convinced that Penny engaged in "blameworthy conduct" that he did not consider would lead to the risk of death.
Data shows the number of justified killings by civilians climbed 65% from 2010 to 2023.
By 2019, the number of justifiable homicides committed by civilians actually surpassed those done by law enforcement officers.
BeBe Winans acting debut inspired by Denzel Washington
Gospel legend BeBe Winans transitions from music to movies in the new holiday film “We Three Kings,” crediting Academy Award winner Denzel Washington for encouraging his acting aspirations decades ago.
Winans revealed on “The Tamron Hall Show” that Washington first recognized his acting potential while directing his 1997 music video “In Harms Way.” The accomplished actor pulled Winans aside after filming to praise his natural talent.
“You’ve got some acting chops. You know how to act,” Washington told Winans, who initially struggled to accept the compliment from the Hollywood icon.
“We Three Kings” features Winans as Lincoln, a father working to reunite his estranged daughters for their first Christmas since their mother’s death. The role draws inspiration from Winans’ relationship with his own father.
The production maintains family ties with niece Deborah Joy Winans appearing as Genelle, a family friend. The casting choice adds authenticity to the film’s themes of family bonds and reconciliation.
Winans contributes musically as well, performing his original song “Wishing You a Merry Christmas” during his Tamron Hall appearance. The track’s uplifting message reinforces the film’s focus on love and family connection during the holiday season.
The six-time Grammy winner’s venture into acting represents significant professional growth since that early encouragement from Washington. Industry observers note the rarity of successful transitions between music and dramatic acting.
“This role allows Winans to showcase both his musical talent and newfound acting skills,” said entertainment analyst Marcus Chen. “The holiday film genre provides an ideal platform for artists exploring dramatic work.”
The movie explores grief, reconciliation and hope through its holiday narrative. Winans’ performance demonstrates the emotional depth Washington recognized years ago.
“We Three Kings” joins a growing category of faith-based holiday films targeting family audiences. The genre consistently draws viewers seeking uplifting seasonal content.
Gospel legend BeBe Winans transitions from music to movies in the new holiday film “We Three Kings,” crediting Academy Award winner Denzel Washington for encouraging his acting aspirations decades ago.
Winans revealed on “The Tamron Hall Show” that Washington first recognized his acting potential while directing his 1997 music video “In Harms Way.” The accomplished actor pulled Winans aside after filming to praise his natural talent.
“You’ve got some acting chops. You know how to act,” Washington told Winans, who initially struggled to accept the compliment from the Hollywood icon.
“We Three Kings” features Winans as Lincoln, a father working to reunite his estranged daughters for their first Christmas since their mother’s death. The role draws inspiration from Winans’ relationship with his own father.
The production maintains family ties with niece Deborah Joy Winans appearing as Genelle, a family friend. The casting choice adds authenticity to the film’s themes of family bonds and reconciliation.
Winans contributes musically as well, performing his original song “Wishing You a Merry Christmas” during his Tamron Hall appearance. The track’s uplifting message reinforces the film’s focus on love and family connection during the holiday season.
The six-time Grammy winner’s venture into acting represents significant professional growth since that early encouragement from Washington. Industry observers note the rarity of successful transitions between music and dramatic acting.
“This role allows Winans to showcase both his musical talent and newfound acting skills,” said entertainment analyst Marcus Chen. “The holiday film genre provides an ideal platform for artists exploring dramatic work.”
The movie explores grief, reconciliation and hope through its holiday narrative. Winans’ performance demonstrates the emotional depth Washington recognized years ago.
“We Three Kings” joins a growing category of faith-based holiday films targeting family audiences. The genre consistently draws viewers seeking uplifting seasonal content.
Juan Soto Signs a monster $765M deal with The NY Mets
It's Juan Soto to the New York Mets via the richest known deal in the history of sports.
The former New York Yankees slugger received the most anticipated payday of the offseason on Sunday, agreeing to a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets, according to multiple reporters, including MLB Network's Jon Heyman and ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Shohei Ohtani's 10-year, $700 million deal shattered all conceptualizations of how much a player can make last offseason, but his record stood for only one year. He will make more than Soto on an average annual value basis, but not if you account for the heavy deferrals in Ohtani's contract. After accounting for inflation, MLB sees the Ohtani deal as a 10-year, $460 million contract in its CBT calculations.
Per Passan, Soto's deal includes no deferred money and has escalators that can inflate the contract's value to $800 million. The deal also has an opt-out for Soto after five years. Per multiple reports, the Mets can void the opt-out by escalating the average annual value of the contract from $51 million to $55 million over the last 10 years of the deal.
Soto's is also the longest contract in MLB history, passing Fernando Tatis' 14-year, $340 million contract with the San Diego Padres. By most standards, Soto is the new high point of MLB contracts.
Soto has been expected to reach a new level of riches since before he could legally drink in the U.S., and those expectations only increased as he developed over the past seven seasons into one of the most productive young hitters the sport has ever seen.
By every objective metric, Soto projects to be not just a Hall of Famer but also an inner-circle one. Players such as that rarely hit free agency — and almost never do so at Soto's age of 26 years old. Hence the hundreds of millions of dollars now awaiting the Santo Domingo native.
Soto joins a Mets team that rallied late in the season to make the postseason as a wild card and advanced to the NLCS against the future World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. In signing Soto, the Mets won a reported bidding war with the crosstown rival Yankees, who lose Soto's services after a single season in the Bronx that ended with a trip to the World Series
The former New York Yankees slugger received the most anticipated payday of the offseason on Sunday, agreeing to a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets, according to multiple reporters, including MLB Network's Jon Heyman and ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Shohei Ohtani's 10-year, $700 million deal shattered all conceptualizations of how much a player can make last offseason, but his record stood for only one year. He will make more than Soto on an average annual value basis, but not if you account for the heavy deferrals in Ohtani's contract. After accounting for inflation, MLB sees the Ohtani deal as a 10-year, $460 million contract in its CBT calculations.
Per Passan, Soto's deal includes no deferred money and has escalators that can inflate the contract's value to $800 million. The deal also has an opt-out for Soto after five years. Per multiple reports, the Mets can void the opt-out by escalating the average annual value of the contract from $51 million to $55 million over the last 10 years of the deal.
Soto's is also the longest contract in MLB history, passing Fernando Tatis' 14-year, $340 million contract with the San Diego Padres. By most standards, Soto is the new high point of MLB contracts.
Soto has been expected to reach a new level of riches since before he could legally drink in the U.S., and those expectations only increased as he developed over the past seven seasons into one of the most productive young hitters the sport has ever seen.
By every objective metric, Soto projects to be not just a Hall of Famer but also an inner-circle one. Players such as that rarely hit free agency — and almost never do so at Soto's age of 26 years old. Hence the hundreds of millions of dollars now awaiting the Santo Domingo native.
Soto joins a Mets team that rallied late in the season to make the postseason as a wild card and advanced to the NLCS against the future World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. In signing Soto, the Mets won a reported bidding war with the crosstown rival Yankees, who lose Soto's services after a single season in the Bronx that ended with a trip to the World Series
There is no shortage of numbers that can be used to make Soto look like a future Hall of Famer. He has the best eye for balls and strikes that MLB has seen since, arguably, Ted Williams and has tortured pitchers since he was a teenager. Every metric that captures overall offensive production, especially those that reward walks, shows him to be elite.
Soto also plays the game with a unique flair and seems to enjoy the higher-pressure moments, from his rookie year to the 2024 World Series, in which he hit .313/.522/.563.
Soto entered MLB as a top, but not necessarily elite, prospect for the Washington Nationals in 2018. There was no question that the 19-year-old kid could hit, but he was pushed into the majors earlier than expected due to a glut of injuries in D.C.
At that point, Soto had played only eight games above High-A ball. Yet he was an advanced hitter from Day 1, hitting .292/.406/.517 that season and finishing as runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award. He got even better in his sophomore year in 2019, which culminated in a World Series title for the Nationals.
One of the highlights of that series: Soto hitting a fastball from future teammate Gerrit Cole to the train tracks of Minute Maid Park.
By that point, Soto was a polished, productive hitter with impeccable postseason bona fides. Teams rarely let those slip away, but the Nationals, by no fault of Soto's, proceeded to become bad enough that they either needed to sign him to a long-term extension or trade him away before losing him for nothing.
Washington tried the former, offering him a reported 15-year, $440 million deal, but Soto turned it down (a decision that has since been vindicated). A trade to the San Diego Padres followed in 2022.
Soto joined a talented team in San Diego midseason, and they proceeded to reach the NLCS, but a frustrating 2023 and the death of high-spending Padres owner Peter Seidler led to another trade last winter. Again, it was no fault on Soto's part beyond the fact that he wouldn't sign a contract extension.
The Yankees knew it was a risk to acquire Soto with only one year left before his free agency, but they took it anyway. The result was their first trip to the World Series since 2009, with Soto forming a devastating 1-2 punch with Aaron Judge.
Could Juan Soto's contract turn bad?
There's always anxiety created when a team promises a significant chunk of its finances to a single mortal. There's no such thing as a sure bet, but Soto is uniquely equipped to be the exception to those worries.
It all starts with his age. Because he made his MLB debut at 19, Soto hit the free market shortly after turning 26, which is almost unheard of among position players. The only good hitter to reach free agency at that age this century was Bryce Harper, and a) Soto has been consistently better than Harper was before his 13-year, $330 million contract and b) you would be hard-pressed to find someone in Philadelphia who regrets that contract.
Whereas most teams hope their free agents can continue to replicate their success into their 30s, Soto has nearly half his 20s still in front of him. And he projects to age well, considering that plate discipline and exit velocities, the two areas Soto particularly excels, tend to stay with a player late into his career.
Of course, that's not to say Soto is infallible. He is not a good baserunner, and his defense is already rough enough that he might spend most of his time at DH in the later years of this contract. His game is notably one-dimensional; his one dimension — hitting — just happens to be the most important one in the game.
All indications still point to Soto being a future Hall of Famer with many of his prime years still ahead of him, though, and that's why he ended up being worth so much money.
Taylor Swift Gives $197 Million In Bonuses To Team On Her Eras Tour
Taylor Swift has once again showed her generosity by awarding $197 million in bonuses to the team behind her record-breaking Eras Tour. This gesture represents nearly 10% of the tour's total gross revenue, which reportedly totaled $2 billion, and highlights Swift's appreciation for the hard work and dedication of her employees.
Everyone who contributed to the tour's success, from truck drivers and caterers to lighting and sound technicians, production staff, dancers, band members, and even physical therapists, received a share of the bonuses.
This is not the first time Swift has shown her appreciation for her team through financial bonuses. In August 2023, Swift wrapped up the first American leg of the tour and distributed $55 million in bonuses.
The 149-date stadium tour culminated in Vancouver, British Columbia, on December 8. Swift expressed her gratitude to her team on stage, embracing them in a group hug during the "Karma" outro and giving individual hugs to her dancers and backup singers.
Taylor Swift's commercial success continues even after the end of the Eras Tour. Her album "The Tortured Poets Department" remains the year's most successful release, returning to number one on the Billboard 200. The Eras Tour book also sold over 800,000 copies in its first week at Target stores.
Everyone who contributed to the tour's success, from truck drivers and caterers to lighting and sound technicians, production staff, dancers, band members, and even physical therapists, received a share of the bonuses.
This is not the first time Swift has shown her appreciation for her team through financial bonuses. In August 2023, Swift wrapped up the first American leg of the tour and distributed $55 million in bonuses.
The 149-date stadium tour culminated in Vancouver, British Columbia, on December 8. Swift expressed her gratitude to her team on stage, embracing them in a group hug during the "Karma" outro and giving individual hugs to her dancers and backup singers.
Taylor Swift's commercial success continues even after the end of the Eras Tour. Her album "The Tortured Poets Department" remains the year's most successful release, returning to number one on the Billboard 200. The Eras Tour book also sold over 800,000 copies in its first week at Target stores.
Ray J Shuts Down Wild Rumors About Wife-Swapping With T.I. And Tiny
Ray J has finally addressed wild claims involving T.I. and his wife Tiny (Tameka Cottle). During her appearance on "Clubhouse", the R&B singer was grilled by Wack 100 over rumors that T.I. once wanted him to have sex with his wife Tiny.
"We know T.I. and Tiny be in some kind of lifestyle," the controversial music manager said in the episode. He added, "They had charges brought up, I believe they beat those charges, but the rumor mill always circulates."
Wack then asked Ray J, "Do you remember that conversation? He said, 'I want you to hit my b***h’ […] You remember that, bro? 'Let's party. You hit my girl and I hit yours.' "
The "One Wish" hitmaker appeared to be not happy with the question. He hit back at Wack 100, "My momma managed Tiny and this is not okay. Wack, this is not appropriate. You gotta tone down the disrespect for women, for T.I., for Tiny."
Prior to this, T.I. and Tiny were previously accused of sexual assault over a 2005 incident. A woman claimed in a lawsuit that the Atlanta rap icon and former Xscape singer met up with a woman at a nightclub in Los Angeles.
The said woman accused Tiny of tampering with one of her drinks and she eventually left the club with T.I. She added that she, alongside two other girls, ended up at a hotel room with the couple.
She alleged that T.I. penetrated her vagina with his toe even though she was against it. After she vomited in the bathroom, Tip allegedly asked her, "Are you alright? Looks like you in last place.
The case was eventually dismissed by a judge as T.I. and Tiny dubbed the lawsuit an extortion attempt.
"We know T.I. and Tiny be in some kind of lifestyle," the controversial music manager said in the episode. He added, "They had charges brought up, I believe they beat those charges, but the rumor mill always circulates."
Wack then asked Ray J, "Do you remember that conversation? He said, 'I want you to hit my b***h’ […] You remember that, bro? 'Let's party. You hit my girl and I hit yours.' "
The "One Wish" hitmaker appeared to be not happy with the question. He hit back at Wack 100, "My momma managed Tiny and this is not okay. Wack, this is not appropriate. You gotta tone down the disrespect for women, for T.I., for Tiny."
Prior to this, T.I. and Tiny were previously accused of sexual assault over a 2005 incident. A woman claimed in a lawsuit that the Atlanta rap icon and former Xscape singer met up with a woman at a nightclub in Los Angeles.
The said woman accused Tiny of tampering with one of her drinks and she eventually left the club with T.I. She added that she, alongside two other girls, ended up at a hotel room with the couple.
She alleged that T.I. penetrated her vagina with his toe even though she was against it. After she vomited in the bathroom, Tip allegedly asked her, "Are you alright? Looks like you in last place.
The case was eventually dismissed by a judge as T.I. and Tiny dubbed the lawsuit an extortion attempt.
UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting latest: Person of interest Luigi Mangione under arrest
Luigi Mangione was arrested on gun charges by Altoona police on Monday.
Police are questioning the 26-year-old in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week, according to multiple law enforcement officials.
Mangione, a 26-year-old from Maryland, has been arrested by Altoona police on unrelated gun charges, according to authorities.
He was on a Greyhound bus traveling through Altoona on Monday morning, sources said, when he got off and walked into a McDonald's where a witness recognized him from the images of the suspect circulated by police.
Police officers were dispatched to a McDonald’s Restaurant for reports of a male matching the description of the United Healthcare CEO murder suspect, in Altoona, Pa., Dec. 9, 2024.
WJAC
Mangione was sitting and eating when a McDonald’s employee reported him, and "because of that, we believe we have a strong person of interest," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference Monday.
"He matches the description of the person we are looking for," Adams said.
Mangione had a ghost gun capable of firing a 9 mm round and a suppressor, police said. The gun and suppressor were "consistent with the weapon used in the murder," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. The gun "may have been made on a 3D printer," police said.
Mangione also had a three-page handwritten document "that speaks to his motivation and mindset," Tisch said.
"It does seem that he had some ill will toward corporate America," police said.
Authorities are going through his writings more thoroughly to understand his motive.
Mangione also had multiple fake IDs with him, including a fake New Jersey ID matching the ID the suspect used to check into a hostel in New York City before the shooting, Tisch said.
An image of the fake ID used by the Midtown Manhattan shooting suspect to check into an Upper West Side hostel.
ABC News
Police also recovered clothes, including a mask, "consistent with those worn by our wanted individual," Tisch said.
Police said it appears Mangione acted alone and they did not have his name before now.
Authorities said they're working to trace his movements from New York City to Pennsylvania.
A UnitedHealth Group spokesperson said in a statement Monday, "Our hope is that today's apprehension brings some relief to Brian's family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy. We thank law enforcement and will continue to work with them on this investigation."
Mangione attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in computer science and received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in engineering, according to the university.
On Wednesday morning, the masked gunman shot Thompson at point-blank range outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson's company was holding an investors conference.
Tisch described the attack as "brazen" and "targeted."
Right after the shooting, the suspect fled by bike through Central Park to the Upper West Side. He then took a taxi to the Port Authority bus facility at 178th Street and boarded a bus out of New York City, according to police.
An "enormous amount of forensic evidence" has been recovered, as well as "hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours" of video, police said Monday.
On Sunday, members of the New York Police Department's dive team searched underwater in Central Park near the Bethesda Fountain. Nothing was found, police said.
The suspect's backpack -- with a jacket and Monopoly money inside -- was found nearby in Central Park.
Luigi Mangione was arrested on gun charges by Altoona police on Monday.
Police are questioning the 26-year-old in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week, according to multiple law enforcement officials.
Mangione, a 26-year-old from Maryland, has been arrested by Altoona police on unrelated gun charges, according to authorities.
He was on a Greyhound bus traveling through Altoona on Monday morning, sources said, when he got off and walked into a McDonald's where a witness recognized him from the images of the suspect circulated by police.
Police officers were dispatched to a McDonald’s Restaurant for reports of a male matching the description of the United Healthcare CEO murder suspect, in Altoona, Pa., Dec. 9, 2024.
WJAC
Mangione was sitting and eating when a McDonald’s employee reported him, and "because of that, we believe we have a strong person of interest," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference Monday.
"He matches the description of the person we are looking for," Adams said.
Mangione had a ghost gun capable of firing a 9 mm round and a suppressor, police said. The gun and suppressor were "consistent with the weapon used in the murder," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. The gun "may have been made on a 3D printer," police said.
Mangione also had a three-page handwritten document "that speaks to his motivation and mindset," Tisch said.
"It does seem that he had some ill will toward corporate America," police said.
Authorities are going through his writings more thoroughly to understand his motive.
Mangione also had multiple fake IDs with him, including a fake New Jersey ID matching the ID the suspect used to check into a hostel in New York City before the shooting, Tisch said.
An image of the fake ID used by the Midtown Manhattan shooting suspect to check into an Upper West Side hostel.
ABC News
Police also recovered clothes, including a mask, "consistent with those worn by our wanted individual," Tisch said.
Police said it appears Mangione acted alone and they did not have his name before now.
Authorities said they're working to trace his movements from New York City to Pennsylvania.
A UnitedHealth Group spokesperson said in a statement Monday, "Our hope is that today's apprehension brings some relief to Brian's family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy. We thank law enforcement and will continue to work with them on this investigation."
Mangione attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in computer science and received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in engineering, according to the university.
On Wednesday morning, the masked gunman shot Thompson at point-blank range outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson's company was holding an investors conference.
Tisch described the attack as "brazen" and "targeted."
Right after the shooting, the suspect fled by bike through Central Park to the Upper West Side. He then took a taxi to the Port Authority bus facility at 178th Street and boarded a bus out of New York City, according to police.
An "enormous amount of forensic evidence" has been recovered, as well as "hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours" of video, police said Monday.
On Sunday, members of the New York Police Department's dive team searched underwater in Central Park near the Bethesda Fountain. Nothing was found, police said.
The suspect's backpack -- with a jacket and Monopoly money inside -- was found nearby in Central Park.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signs Freedom to Read Act to prevent book bans
On Monday (Dec. 9), New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed the Freedom to Read Act. Under the new law, public schools and libraries are prohibited from arbitrarily banning age-appropriate books.
“The Freedom to Read Act cements New Jersey’s role on the forefront of preventing book bans and protecting the intellectual freedom of our educators and students,” Murphy shared via a press release. “Across the nation, we have seen attempts to suppress and censor the stories and experiences of others. I’m proud to amplify the voices of our past and present, as there is no better way for our children to prepare for the future than to read freely.”
With the Freedom to Read Act, New Jersey became the third state to ban book censorship statewide, joining Illinois and Minnesota. The law will bar school and library boards from banning books based on an author’s background, the material’s origin, or its viewpoint.
“This law ensures all communities, including immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color, can see themselves in literature, safeguarding an honest account of our shared history for generations to come,” SWEEP NJ’s Rosalie M. Wong and Louise Walpin stated. The pair also cited school librarian Martha Hickson, who organized an effort to keep books on shelves at North Hunterdon High School in Annandale, NJ.
According to American Library Association data, over 17 states, including Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida, attempted to censor more than 100 books each in 2023. Of the 4,240 titles challenged that year, 47 percent centered around or were written by LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC voices.
New Jersey Senator Andrew Zwicker said, “Public and school libraries have come under attack by a small number of individuals hoping to erase diverse materials from bookshelves, usually targeting works focused on race and LGBTQ+ themes. Today, New Jersey stands firmly in defense of the freedom to read and the importance of inclusive educational spaces.”
“The Freedom to Read Act cements New Jersey’s role on the forefront of preventing book bans and protecting the intellectual freedom of our educators and students,” Murphy shared via a press release. “Across the nation, we have seen attempts to suppress and censor the stories and experiences of others. I’m proud to amplify the voices of our past and present, as there is no better way for our children to prepare for the future than to read freely.”
With the Freedom to Read Act, New Jersey became the third state to ban book censorship statewide, joining Illinois and Minnesota. The law will bar school and library boards from banning books based on an author’s background, the material’s origin, or its viewpoint.
“This law ensures all communities, including immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color, can see themselves in literature, safeguarding an honest account of our shared history for generations to come,” SWEEP NJ’s Rosalie M. Wong and Louise Walpin stated. The pair also cited school librarian Martha Hickson, who organized an effort to keep books on shelves at North Hunterdon High School in Annandale, NJ.
According to American Library Association data, over 17 states, including Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida, attempted to censor more than 100 books each in 2023. Of the 4,240 titles challenged that year, 47 percent centered around or were written by LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC voices.
New Jersey Senator Andrew Zwicker said, “Public and school libraries have come under attack by a small number of individuals hoping to erase diverse materials from bookshelves, usually targeting works focused on race and LGBTQ+ themes. Today, New Jersey stands firmly in defense of the freedom to read and the importance of inclusive educational spaces.”
LA Radio Host Robin Ayers Dead at 44
The Los Angeles radio community is mourning the loss of one of their own.
KBLA 1580 Talk Radio’s Robin Ayers died on Dec. 6, her KBLA radio colleague Tavis Smiley confirmed. She was 44.
“On behalf of her precious family, it is with profound sadness that KBLA Talk 1580 announces the passing of our beloved colleague Robin Ayers on Thursday, December 05,” Tavis wrote on X (formally known as Twitter) Dec. 6. “Robin was a bright light. You could see her radiant smile through the radio. We all respected her immense talent, loved her jovial spirit, celebrated her love of family, and honored her faith in God.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Robin’s entire family,” the statement continued. “Most especially, her husband Rob and her twin daughters Brooklyn and Madison. We ask that you join us in praying for the Ayers family as they navigate the difficult days ahead.”
Robin joined KBLA in 2022, and hosted a daily show called The RA Report with Robin Ayers, where she interviewed celebrity guests and reported on entertainment news. Robin also worked at EURweb, and contributed to TheJasmineBrand, BET, OWN Network and Fox.
A cause of death has not been shared at the time, however according to EURweb, Robin will be remembered in a memorial service held by KBLA.
After the news of her death, Robin was mourned by a host of friends and colleagues on social media.
Saturday Night Live alum Jay Pharoh took to the comments of Robin’s final post writing, “Heart broken, I pray to see you again one day in the kingdom my sister, Rest peacefully.”
Tabitha Brown remembered her friend via an Instagram tribute writing, “You were so focused on being the best version of yourself…I thought you had more time sis, but your assignment was done. Rest Well @robinayers. Thank you for everything.”
Robin’s friend and Basketball Wives star Laura Govan wrote via Instagram Stories alongside a picture of her with the radio personality, “One thing I'm NOT good with is Death! Especially when it's near and dear I'm having a hard time with this one I LOVE U. I'll Miss You Friend.”
The Los Angeles radio community is mourning the loss of one of their own.
KBLA 1580 Talk Radio’s Robin Ayers died on Dec. 6, her KBLA radio colleague Tavis Smiley confirmed. She was 44.
“On behalf of her precious family, it is with profound sadness that KBLA Talk 1580 announces the passing of our beloved colleague Robin Ayers on Thursday, December 05,” Tavis wrote on X (formally known as Twitter) Dec. 6. “Robin was a bright light. You could see her radiant smile through the radio. We all respected her immense talent, loved her jovial spirit, celebrated her love of family, and honored her faith in God.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Robin’s entire family,” the statement continued. “Most especially, her husband Rob and her twin daughters Brooklyn and Madison. We ask that you join us in praying for the Ayers family as they navigate the difficult days ahead.”
Robin joined KBLA in 2022, and hosted a daily show called The RA Report with Robin Ayers, where she interviewed celebrity guests and reported on entertainment news. Robin also worked at EURweb, and contributed to TheJasmineBrand, BET, OWN Network and Fox.
A cause of death has not been shared at the time, however according to EURweb, Robin will be remembered in a memorial service held by KBLA.
After the news of her death, Robin was mourned by a host of friends and colleagues on social media.
Saturday Night Live alum Jay Pharoh took to the comments of Robin’s final post writing, “Heart broken, I pray to see you again one day in the kingdom my sister, Rest peacefully.”
Tabitha Brown remembered her friend via an Instagram tribute writing, “You were so focused on being the best version of yourself…I thought you had more time sis, but your assignment was done. Rest Well @robinayers. Thank you for everything.”
Robin’s friend and Basketball Wives star Laura Govan wrote via Instagram Stories alongside a picture of her with the radio personality, “One thing I'm NOT good with is Death! Especially when it's near and dear I'm having a hard time with this one I LOVE U. I'll Miss You Friend.”
Chris Rock Reportedly 'Stormed Out' During Comedy Set At Billionaire's Holiday Party After Getting 'Upset'
Chris Rock shocked attendees at billionaire Anthony Pratt's exclusive holiday party when he abruptly ended his comedy set and "angrily" stormed off stage.
Rock was reportedly joking about the country's political state when he "saw something the audience did not," which prompted him to take off without explanation.
This incident comes after Chris Rock came under scrutiny when a chilling joke he made about Sean "Diddy" Combs teaching kids "wrong from wronger" resurfaced online.
Rock reportedly got annoyed about an incident and "angrily" stormed off stage while performing at Anthony Pratt's party.
Pratt, executive chairman of Pratt Industries, had invited the comedian to perform at the VIP-studded soiree for his Christmas party in Australia but had to see him perform a "very short set" in protest to being recorded on tape.
According to the New York Post's Gossip columnist Cindy Adams, Rock "saw something the audience did not" and that whatever he saw "upset him."
"Like he went momentarily ape and shouted something like he wasn't supposed to be taped, videoed, reported or whatever else wasn't supposed to happen," the news outlet reported.
Rock allegedly "didn't complain, didn't explain, didn't do one more minute" before leaving and was said to have been "barrelling quickly, forcefully, through people to the exit doors."
"He kept b-tching loudly and, without a second's hesitation, stormed out — never to return," Adams wrote
In a 2020 conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Rock admitted that he has never really "dealt" with his childhood trauma.
"I'm not belittling today's youth, but I wish somebody had sent me a bad text when I was a kid. These motherf-ckers were trying to kill me," he recounted. "I thought I was actually dealing with it, and the reality is I never dealt with it."
Rock added, "The reality was the pain and the fear that brought me, I was experiencing it every day."
Rock was reportedly joking about the country's political state when he "saw something the audience did not," which prompted him to take off without explanation.
This incident comes after Chris Rock came under scrutiny when a chilling joke he made about Sean "Diddy" Combs teaching kids "wrong from wronger" resurfaced online.
Rock reportedly got annoyed about an incident and "angrily" stormed off stage while performing at Anthony Pratt's party.
Pratt, executive chairman of Pratt Industries, had invited the comedian to perform at the VIP-studded soiree for his Christmas party in Australia but had to see him perform a "very short set" in protest to being recorded on tape.
According to the New York Post's Gossip columnist Cindy Adams, Rock "saw something the audience did not" and that whatever he saw "upset him."
"Like he went momentarily ape and shouted something like he wasn't supposed to be taped, videoed, reported or whatever else wasn't supposed to happen," the news outlet reported.
Rock allegedly "didn't complain, didn't explain, didn't do one more minute" before leaving and was said to have been "barrelling quickly, forcefully, through people to the exit doors."
"He kept b-tching loudly and, without a second's hesitation, stormed out — never to return," Adams wrote
In a 2020 conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Rock admitted that he has never really "dealt" with his childhood trauma.
"I'm not belittling today's youth, but I wish somebody had sent me a bad text when I was a kid. These motherf-ckers were trying to kill me," he recounted. "I thought I was actually dealing with it, and the reality is I never dealt with it."
Rock added, "The reality was the pain and the fear that brought me, I was experiencing it every day."
Sha’Carri Richardson Reportedly Boo’d Up with Track Star Christian Coleman
*Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson has been dating fellow track star Christian Coleman, according to Media Take Out.
Rumors about their relationship surfaced in the spring when they were spotted together at a track meet in Jamaica. They were later seen leaving a men’s basketball game at the Olympics. Richard and Coleman recently posted a photo together on social media (see above), possibly making their relationship Instagram official.
Before dating Christian, Sha’Carri identified as gay and had exclusively dated women. In 2022, the superstar athlete said she was “healing” after breaking up with Jamaican hurdler Janeek Brown.
“I was in a relationship with a Jamaican athlete that never cared about me from jump,” Richardson wrote in a post on social media.
“I was abused and stole from yet protected her from the judgment of her country & family while they dragged me. I had to deal with homophobic [sic] and so much more that I’m still healing from,” Richardson added, noting that Brown’s family disapproved of their same-sex relationship.
Sha’Carri first revealed her sexuality in 2021 after her victory in the U.S. Olympic trials. At the time, she credited her then-girlfriend with helping pick the bright orange wig she wore when she won a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.
“She said it just spoke to her, the fact that it was just so loud and vibrant,” Richardson said of her hair color in an interview with USA Today.
“She felt like [orange] was loud and encouraging and, honestly, dangerous… That’s who I am. She just wanted me to be able to make a statement — let’s continue to show the world I’m a force to be reckoned with,” she added.
*Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson has been dating fellow track star Christian Coleman, according to Media Take Out.
Rumors about their relationship surfaced in the spring when they were spotted together at a track meet in Jamaica. They were later seen leaving a men’s basketball game at the Olympics. Richard and Coleman recently posted a photo together on social media (see above), possibly making their relationship Instagram official.
Before dating Christian, Sha’Carri identified as gay and had exclusively dated women. In 2022, the superstar athlete said she was “healing” after breaking up with Jamaican hurdler Janeek Brown.
“I was in a relationship with a Jamaican athlete that never cared about me from jump,” Richardson wrote in a post on social media.
“I was abused and stole from yet protected her from the judgment of her country & family while they dragged me. I had to deal with homophobic [sic] and so much more that I’m still healing from,” Richardson added, noting that Brown’s family disapproved of their same-sex relationship.
Sha’Carri first revealed her sexuality in 2021 after her victory in the U.S. Olympic trials. At the time, she credited her then-girlfriend with helping pick the bright orange wig she wore when she won a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.
“She said it just spoke to her, the fact that it was just so loud and vibrant,” Richardson said of her hair color in an interview with USA Today.
“She felt like [orange] was loud and encouraging and, honestly, dangerous… That’s who I am. She just wanted me to be able to make a statement — let’s continue to show the world I’m a force to be reckoned with,” she added.
Florida Prosecutor to Clear Records for Broward County Felons Charged with Buying Police-Made Crack in the 1980s and Early 90s
A Florida prosecutor announced plans to vacate as many as 2,600 convictions of people who were arrested for buying crack cocaine produced by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office over thirty years ago.
This practice, which took place from 1988 to 1990, was declared “outrageous” by the Florida state Supreme Court in a 1993 ruling, stating that it violated individuals’ rights to due process. Shockingly, a recent audit uncovered hundreds of those arrests and convictions still on people’s criminal records more than three decades later.
State Attorney Harold Pryor announced his office’s plan to rectify this gross injustice, declaring, “It’s never too late to do the right thing.” He emphasized the lasting damage these convictions have caused to countless lives, from employment opportunities to housing and beyond. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, many of these cases were never vacated, leaving them to linger and unfairly affect individuals’ futures.
“These matters were well before our tenures. However, I am of the opinion that the State has an ethical duty and obligation to correct this injustice before destruction [of old records] is initiated,” Pryor wrote in a letter to Sheriff Gregory Tony on Thursday.
Tony supports the State Attorney’s efforts to vacate these outdated judgments and sentences, acknowledging the ethical duty to address this historical wrongdoing. The disturbing discovery reveals that these records, some now slated for possible destruction, were never meant to be kept this long under the law.
Defense lawyer Ed Hoeg says the people who were jailed in this sting were battling addiction. Hoeg was a public defender who played a role in the Supreme Court outlawing the practice.
“They were arresting people not for selling, but for purchasing,” Hoeg told the Sun Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale. “They had detention deputies posing as dealers. They would sell it, and these poor people who were addicts were buying it. And they were selling it within 1,000 feet of schools, so the penalties would be greater.”
This practice, which took place from 1988 to 1990, was declared “outrageous” by the Florida state Supreme Court in a 1993 ruling, stating that it violated individuals’ rights to due process. Shockingly, a recent audit uncovered hundreds of those arrests and convictions still on people’s criminal records more than three decades later.
State Attorney Harold Pryor announced his office’s plan to rectify this gross injustice, declaring, “It’s never too late to do the right thing.” He emphasized the lasting damage these convictions have caused to countless lives, from employment opportunities to housing and beyond. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, many of these cases were never vacated, leaving them to linger and unfairly affect individuals’ futures.
“These matters were well before our tenures. However, I am of the opinion that the State has an ethical duty and obligation to correct this injustice before destruction [of old records] is initiated,” Pryor wrote in a letter to Sheriff Gregory Tony on Thursday.
Tony supports the State Attorney’s efforts to vacate these outdated judgments and sentences, acknowledging the ethical duty to address this historical wrongdoing. The disturbing discovery reveals that these records, some now slated for possible destruction, were never meant to be kept this long under the law.
Defense lawyer Ed Hoeg says the people who were jailed in this sting were battling addiction. Hoeg was a public defender who played a role in the Supreme Court outlawing the practice.
“They were arresting people not for selling, but for purchasing,” Hoeg told the Sun Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale. “They had detention deputies posing as dealers. They would sell it, and these poor people who were addicts were buying it. And they were selling it within 1,000 feet of schools, so the penalties would be greater.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Regrets are Instant
My mother always told me to wear clean underwear in case this happened.
EVENING GOODIES: Meet GUILHERME
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