#FASHIONFAB: The Balmain Pre-Fall 2025 Menswear Collection
Check out the full Check out the full Balmain Pre-Fall 2025 Menswear collection which showcased online below: which showcased online below:
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#RHOA: NeNe Leakes’ Oldest Son Accused of Shoplifting Amid Issue With Probation Officer
Real Housewives of Atlanta alum NeNe Leakes’ oldest son, Bryson Bryant, had his probation put on pause due to him not checking in with his probation officer — and now his other legal troubles are being exposed.
In Touch obtained a transcript from Bryson’s sentencing on May 15. The transcript was filed days after his probation officer claimed he cannot find Bryson, 34.
Bryson was ordered to serve 12 months’ probation for giving a false name to officers during questioning in July 2023. In the transcript, the prosecutors revealed that Bryson had a little bit of a criminal history.
They noted he had a 2010 misdemeanor marijuana [case] “where conditional discharge was used;” a 2011 misdemeanor shoplifting [case] and a 2023 misdemeanor shoplifting “that at the time that this file was prepared, it was still pending.”
The prosecutor said, “I don’t know if anything’s changed. That was out of Suwanee Police Department.”
The court docket does not show any charges being filed against Bryson in 2023 for shoplifting. The incident was previously unknown.
As In Touch first reported, in the probation officer’s recent petition, he claimed that Bryson had failed to report on two separate occasions, the last being on September 30. He said his calls to Bryson’s cell phone were not returned.
The judge ordered Bryson’s probation to be “tolled,” which means it is essentially put on pause until he checks in with his probation officer or the court.
As In Touch first reported, the criminal case was brought over Bryson’s arrest on July 3, 2023. Officers found a substance they believed to be Fentanyl in Bryson’s car. In addition, he told officers that his name was Brentt Leakes, who is NeNe’s younger son. Bryson was charged with giving a false name to officers and possession of a controlled substance. Bryson was locked up until October 2023 due to the arrest triggering a probation violation in a separate case. NeNe’s son was officially hit with charges over the July 2023 arrest in January.
Bryson plead not guilty to all charges before he reached a plea deal. At his sentencing, Bryson reached a deal with prosecutors where they agreed to drop the possession charge.
Per the deal, Bryson plead guilty to misdemeanor charge of Giving False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer.
The court sentenced Bryson to 12 months’ probation and ordered him to pay a $500 fine. In addition, Bryson was ordered to complete 40 hours of community service, submit to random drug tests, and undergo an evaluation and/or treatment for substance abuse.
The judge instructed Bryson to not drink or use any drugs.
Bryson’s attorney, Dominko C. Rumph, previously told In Touch, “Mr. Bryant’s criminal case was resolved in May of 2024 via a misdemeanor guilty plea to Giving a False Name.”
He continued, “After reviewing the evidence presented by the State during discovery, it was determined that police likely did not have reasonable articulable suspicion to conduct the traffic stop that is shown in the body camera footage.”
NeNe, 56, spoke out about her son’s troubles after his arrest. “He needs a lot of counseling,” she said.
The reality star continued, “Like many families out there, I have family members that are struggling with drugs and certain addictions. He has an addiction.”
NeNe added, “He’s been in rehab for a couple of times and he still has come back out and relapsed.”
“I’ve spent so much money on trying to get Bryson where he needs to be,” she said.
In Touch obtained a transcript from Bryson’s sentencing on May 15. The transcript was filed days after his probation officer claimed he cannot find Bryson, 34.
Bryson was ordered to serve 12 months’ probation for giving a false name to officers during questioning in July 2023. In the transcript, the prosecutors revealed that Bryson had a little bit of a criminal history.
They noted he had a 2010 misdemeanor marijuana [case] “where conditional discharge was used;” a 2011 misdemeanor shoplifting [case] and a 2023 misdemeanor shoplifting “that at the time that this file was prepared, it was still pending.”
The prosecutor said, “I don’t know if anything’s changed. That was out of Suwanee Police Department.”
The court docket does not show any charges being filed against Bryson in 2023 for shoplifting. The incident was previously unknown.
As In Touch first reported, in the probation officer’s recent petition, he claimed that Bryson had failed to report on two separate occasions, the last being on September 30. He said his calls to Bryson’s cell phone were not returned.
The judge ordered Bryson’s probation to be “tolled,” which means it is essentially put on pause until he checks in with his probation officer or the court.
As In Touch first reported, the criminal case was brought over Bryson’s arrest on July 3, 2023. Officers found a substance they believed to be Fentanyl in Bryson’s car. In addition, he told officers that his name was Brentt Leakes, who is NeNe’s younger son. Bryson was charged with giving a false name to officers and possession of a controlled substance. Bryson was locked up until October 2023 due to the arrest triggering a probation violation in a separate case. NeNe’s son was officially hit with charges over the July 2023 arrest in January.
Bryson plead not guilty to all charges before he reached a plea deal. At his sentencing, Bryson reached a deal with prosecutors where they agreed to drop the possession charge.
Per the deal, Bryson plead guilty to misdemeanor charge of Giving False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer.
The court sentenced Bryson to 12 months’ probation and ordered him to pay a $500 fine. In addition, Bryson was ordered to complete 40 hours of community service, submit to random drug tests, and undergo an evaluation and/or treatment for substance abuse.
The judge instructed Bryson to not drink or use any drugs.
Bryson’s attorney, Dominko C. Rumph, previously told In Touch, “Mr. Bryant’s criminal case was resolved in May of 2024 via a misdemeanor guilty plea to Giving a False Name.”
He continued, “After reviewing the evidence presented by the State during discovery, it was determined that police likely did not have reasonable articulable suspicion to conduct the traffic stop that is shown in the body camera footage.”
NeNe, 56, spoke out about her son’s troubles after his arrest. “He needs a lot of counseling,” she said.
The reality star continued, “Like many families out there, I have family members that are struggling with drugs and certain addictions. He has an addiction.”
NeNe added, “He’s been in rehab for a couple of times and he still has come back out and relapsed.”
“I’ve spent so much money on trying to get Bryson where he needs to be,” she said.
#MusicNews: Normani Reveals She's Making New Album For 2025
Normani Kordei is closing out the year in her favorite place: on stage. The R&B sensation recently performed tracks from her debut album, "Dopamine", for just the second time ever at the annual Spotify Wrapped party. The event, packed with influencers from Markell Washington to AdamTheFlop, saw Normani smiling and thriving as she delivered a choreography-rich set.
"I have so much energy that's been pent up for such a long time that I'm excited to get back on stage and feel at home again," she told Rolling Stone backstage. "That's where I thrive."
2024 has been a year of lessons for Normani. Before the release of "Dopamine", she experienced significant anxiety about her solo debut. "This year really forced me to surrender and not be so attached to the outcome," she admits. "I think being so attached to the outcome has stunted me. I've learned to move even when you're afraid."
With 2025 on the horizon, Normani teased a new album and her acting debut alongside Pedro Pascal in "Freaky Tales". "I also have a record with Khalid coming out tonight," she revealed, expressing excitement over reuniting musically with her best friend. "He's my best friend. Not just in the industry, but just in general. Working alongside somebody at the very beginning of my own solo endeavors and having a little uncertainty, he really makes me feel grounded," she shared.
#HipHopNews:Nelly, Eve & Ja Rule To Team Up For 2025 ‘where The Party At’ World Tour
Nelly is teaming up with Ja Rule, Eve, Fabolous, Jermaine Dupri, Chingy and the St. Lunatics to give millennials a solid dose of nostalgia with the 2025 Where The Party At Tour.
Kicking off down under in Australia in March, the 54-date trek will then run through Europe and Canada before wrapping up in the United States in August.
Not every artist will appear on each date, however. In Australia and New Zealand, Nelly will joined by the St. Lunatics, Chingy and Jermaine Dupri. Canada will get Chingy, JD and Ja Rule, while Europe will get Eve, Fabolous and JD.
Joining Nelly in the United States will be Ja Rule, Eve, Chingy and JD, with Loso popping in on select dates.
Check out the full list of tour dates below. Tickets go on sale Friday (December 13) at 10am local time.
Kicking off down under in Australia in March, the 54-date trek will then run through Europe and Canada before wrapping up in the United States in August.
Not every artist will appear on each date, however. In Australia and New Zealand, Nelly will joined by the St. Lunatics, Chingy and Jermaine Dupri. Canada will get Chingy, JD and Ja Rule, while Europe will get Eve, Fabolous and JD.
Joining Nelly in the United States will be Ja Rule, Eve, Chingy and JD, with Loso popping in on select dates.
Check out the full list of tour dates below. Tickets go on sale Friday (December 13) at 10am local time.
#RIP: The Iconic Trailblazer Nikki Giovanni, Revered Poet, Has died At 81
Nikki Giovanni —the bold, beloved, indelible poet, activist, author, and professor— died at age 81 on Monday (Dec. 9) in a Virginia hospital due to complications caused by lung cancer, according to her wife, Virginia C. Fowler.
Giovanni was a pioneer in the Black Arts Movement among the likes of John Oliver Killens, Amiri Baraka, Audre Lorde, Ntozake Shange and Sonia Sanchez.
Per The New York Times, she was born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr. on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tenn., to Yolande Giovanni and Jones “Gus” Giovanni. It was her older sister, Gary Ann, who nicknamed her Nikki. The family moved from Knoxville to Cincinnati not long after she was born. Gus was abusive towards her mother and that along with her mother’s acceptance of his behavior infuriated Nikki.
At age 15, she declared, “I was either going to kill him, or leave,” and later returned to Knoxville to live with her grandparents. She graduated early from Austin High School and went on to attend Fisk University. She was dismissed for often leaving campus without permission among protesting other campus rules. She ultimately graduated with honors and with a Bachelor’s degree in history in 1967 and attended graduate school at University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Work, though she dropped out. She then received a fellowship to study at Columbia University’s School of Fine Arts, but left to pursue writing full-time.
Giovanni self-published her first two books in 1968: Black Feeling Black Talk and Black Judgment. She gave birth to her son, Thomas, the following year. Of her decision, she told Ebony, “I had a baby at 25 because I wanted to have a baby and I could afford to have a baby. I didn’t get married because I didn’t want to get married and I could afford to not get married.”
She’d began lecturing and made regular appearances on Soul! from 1967 through 1972, and had published her memoir, Gemini: An Extended Autobiographical Statement on My First Twenty-Five Years of Being a Black Poet, in 1971.
One of Giovanni’s appearances was a two-hour conversation with James Baldwin that ran as a two-part special. It was described by The New Yorker as “two of the most important artist-intellectuals of the twentieth century were engaged in intimate communion on national television.”
Giovanni held teaching roles at both Rutgers and Queens College before being recruited by Fowler, who was the associate head of the English department at Virginia Tech, back in 1987. Giovanni earned her tenure and also gained a wife. They wed in 2016 and retired in 2022.
Throughout her life, Giovanni earned seven NAACP Image Awards and 31 honorary doctorates. She wrote over 30 books, mostly for children, and three became bestsellers. Her next book, The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things, will be released in 2025.
She is survived by her wife, son, and a granddaughter. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the family during this time.
Nikki Giovanni —the bold, beloved, indelible poet, activist, author, and professor— died at age 81 on Monday (Dec. 9) in a Virginia hospital due to complications caused by lung cancer, according to her wife, Virginia C. Fowler.
Giovanni was a pioneer in the Black Arts Movement among the likes of John Oliver Killens, Amiri Baraka, Audre Lorde, Ntozake Shange and Sonia Sanchez.
Per The New York Times, she was born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr. on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tenn., to Yolande Giovanni and Jones “Gus” Giovanni. It was her older sister, Gary Ann, who nicknamed her Nikki. The family moved from Knoxville to Cincinnati not long after she was born. Gus was abusive towards her mother and that along with her mother’s acceptance of his behavior infuriated Nikki.
At age 15, she declared, “I was either going to kill him, or leave,” and later returned to Knoxville to live with her grandparents. She graduated early from Austin High School and went on to attend Fisk University. She was dismissed for often leaving campus without permission among protesting other campus rules. She ultimately graduated with honors and with a Bachelor’s degree in history in 1967 and attended graduate school at University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Work, though she dropped out. She then received a fellowship to study at Columbia University’s School of Fine Arts, but left to pursue writing full-time.
Giovanni self-published her first two books in 1968: Black Feeling Black Talk and Black Judgment. She gave birth to her son, Thomas, the following year. Of her decision, she told Ebony, “I had a baby at 25 because I wanted to have a baby and I could afford to have a baby. I didn’t get married because I didn’t want to get married and I could afford to not get married.”
She’d began lecturing and made regular appearances on Soul! from 1967 through 1972, and had published her memoir, Gemini: An Extended Autobiographical Statement on My First Twenty-Five Years of Being a Black Poet, in 1971.
One of Giovanni’s appearances was a two-hour conversation with James Baldwin that ran as a two-part special. It was described by The New Yorker as “two of the most important artist-intellectuals of the twentieth century were engaged in intimate communion on national television.”
Giovanni held teaching roles at both Rutgers and Queens College before being recruited by Fowler, who was the associate head of the English department at Virginia Tech, back in 1987. Giovanni earned her tenure and also gained a wife. They wed in 2016 and retired in 2022.
Throughout her life, Giovanni earned seven NAACP Image Awards and 31 honorary doctorates. She wrote over 30 books, mostly for children, and three became bestsellers. Her next book, The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things, will be released in 2025.
She is survived by her wife, son, and a granddaughter. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the family during this time.
Jamie Foxx Tearfully Explains “Brain Bleed” Ailment That Led To Stroke
Jamie Foxx finally explains what his “mysterious” illness was. The acclaimed comedian released his highly anticipated Netflix special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was, on Tuesday (Dec. 9). Foxx insisted that what happened to him was still unknown and “we still don’t know exactly what happened to me.” However, Foxx used comedy and diagnosis from medical experts to make the best sense of his situation for his first stand-up special since 2003.
“April 11, I was having a bad headache and I asked my boy for an aspirin. And I realized quickly that when you’re in a medical emergency, your boys don’t know what the f**k to do,” he quipped. “Before I could get the aspirin, I went out. I don’t remember 20 days.”
After his sister drove him around Atlanta looking for a medical facility, they arrived at Piedmont Hospital. There, a doctor diagnosed Foxx with a brain bleed, which eventually led to his stroke. Foxx was cautioned that the condition could be fatal if they didn’t perform surgery on the legend. Doctors reassured Foxx that he would eventually recover from this ailment, “but it’s going to be the worst year of his life.”
As for why the actor suddenly disappeared from the public eye, Foxx recalled how his daughter, Corinne Foxx, did everything to help keep him away from paparazzi and fans. According to Jamie, Corinne didn’t want her father’s illness to be turned into a meme.
A month after his brain bleed, he awoke in a wheelchair, shocked at the revelation that he was unable to walk. Arrogantly, Foxx remembered saying, “Jamie Foxx don’t get strokes.” He then recalled doctors telling him at a Chicago rehab facility that he would need to put his ego behind him if he planned on recovering.
And while he did make a full recovery and wasn’t turned into a meme, he was aware of internet users trying to kill him off. He addressed the one conspiracy theory that involved Diddy poisoning Foxx, leading to his hospitalization and Puffy’s arrest. Jamie laughed at the unhinged theory and instead joked about Puffy’s parties.
“The internet was trying to kill me, though. The internet said Puffy tried to kill me. I know what you’re thinking, did he?” he joked before commenting on the mogul’s collection of baby oil. “Hell, no, I left those parties early, I was out by 9pm, because something don’t look right, it’s slippery in here.”
Jamie Foxx finally explains what his “mysterious” illness was. The acclaimed comedian released his highly anticipated Netflix special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was, on Tuesday (Dec. 9). Foxx insisted that what happened to him was still unknown and “we still don’t know exactly what happened to me.” However, Foxx used comedy and diagnosis from medical experts to make the best sense of his situation for his first stand-up special since 2003.
“April 11, I was having a bad headache and I asked my boy for an aspirin. And I realized quickly that when you’re in a medical emergency, your boys don’t know what the f**k to do,” he quipped. “Before I could get the aspirin, I went out. I don’t remember 20 days.”
After his sister drove him around Atlanta looking for a medical facility, they arrived at Piedmont Hospital. There, a doctor diagnosed Foxx with a brain bleed, which eventually led to his stroke. Foxx was cautioned that the condition could be fatal if they didn’t perform surgery on the legend. Doctors reassured Foxx that he would eventually recover from this ailment, “but it’s going to be the worst year of his life.”
As for why the actor suddenly disappeared from the public eye, Foxx recalled how his daughter, Corinne Foxx, did everything to help keep him away from paparazzi and fans. According to Jamie, Corinne didn’t want her father’s illness to be turned into a meme.
A month after his brain bleed, he awoke in a wheelchair, shocked at the revelation that he was unable to walk. Arrogantly, Foxx remembered saying, “Jamie Foxx don’t get strokes.” He then recalled doctors telling him at a Chicago rehab facility that he would need to put his ego behind him if he planned on recovering.
And while he did make a full recovery and wasn’t turned into a meme, he was aware of internet users trying to kill him off. He addressed the one conspiracy theory that involved Diddy poisoning Foxx, leading to his hospitalization and Puffy’s arrest. Jamie laughed at the unhinged theory and instead joked about Puffy’s parties.
“The internet was trying to kill me, though. The internet said Puffy tried to kill me. I know what you’re thinking, did he?” he joked before commenting on the mogul’s collection of baby oil. “Hell, no, I left those parties early, I was out by 9pm, because something don’t look right, it’s slippery in here.”
Beyoncé, JAY-Z, Blue Ivy Amongst Stars Shining At ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Premiere
The red carpet at the Mufasa: The Lion King premiere in Los Angeles glittered with star power and fashion choices worthy of double-takes. Hollywood’s elite gathered to watch Disney’s latest masterpiece on Monday evening (Dec. 9) at the Dolby Theatre.
The event welcomed a slew of celebrities, including JAY-Z, Blue Ivy Carter, Tina Knowles, and Beyoncé, who reprises her role as Nala in 2019 remake of The Lion King. Other guests in attendance included Chlöe Bailey, Jordyn and Jodie Woods, Loren Lott, Zuri Hall, Caroline Chikezie, Royalty Brown, Olivier Rousteing, Keith David, and more.
Bey’s voice will be returning in the prequel/sequel along with Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani. Mufasa also sees a new wave of talent including Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose and excitingly, The Carter’s eldest daughter, Blue Ivy Carter—debuting as lioness cub, Kiara.
The red carpet at the Mufasa: The Lion King premiere in Los Angeles glittered with star power and fashion choices worthy of double-takes. Hollywood’s elite gathered to watch Disney’s latest masterpiece on Monday evening (Dec. 9) at the Dolby Theatre.
Bey’s voice will be returning in the prequel/sequel along with Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani. Mufasa also sees a new wave of talent including Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose and excitingly, The Carter’s eldest daughter, Blue Ivy Carter—debuting as lioness cub, Kiara.
Serena Williams And Sister Venus Flaunt New Looks At Disney World
Serena Williams, the retired tennis legend, has shared an inside look at her recent family trip to Disney World, giving fans a glimpse into her family's adventure and her own striking transformation. Serena and her sister Venus Williams, the fellow tennis star, were captured together in a series of photos, and their fans couldn't help but notice their refreshed looks.
In the photos, Serena and Venus posed in front of Cinderella Castle and at the Tron Lightcycle / Run roller coaster, and their youthful appearances drew attention from followers. The sisters were joined by their mother, Oracene Price, their half-sisters, Lyndrea Price and Isha Price, and Serena's daughter Olympia Ohanian.
Fans praised Serena's refreshed look, with many commenting on her youthful appearance. Some even speculated that her fitness goals, which include training for a half-marathon by the end of 2025, may have contributed to her radiant glow.
In November, Serena revealed her intense dedication to diet and exercise since retiring from tennis, admitting that she's become more obsessed with fitness than ever before. "That's my new goal. So it's just like I have to do something competitive. I miss tennis like crazy," said Serena.
The family trip to Disney World is just one example of Serena's active lifestyle and her dedication to spending quality time with her loved ones. The photos capture the joy and togetherness that she and her family share, making them a heartwarming reminder of her journey beyond tennis.
In the photos, Serena and Venus posed in front of Cinderella Castle and at the Tron Lightcycle / Run roller coaster, and their youthful appearances drew attention from followers. The sisters were joined by their mother, Oracene Price, their half-sisters, Lyndrea Price and Isha Price, and Serena's daughter Olympia Ohanian.
Fans praised Serena's refreshed look, with many commenting on her youthful appearance. Some even speculated that her fitness goals, which include training for a half-marathon by the end of 2025, may have contributed to her radiant glow.
In November, Serena revealed her intense dedication to diet and exercise since retiring from tennis, admitting that she's become more obsessed with fitness than ever before. "That's my new goal. So it's just like I have to do something competitive. I miss tennis like crazy," said Serena.
The family trip to Disney World is just one example of Serena's active lifestyle and her dedication to spending quality time with her loved ones. The photos capture the joy and togetherness that she and her family share, making them a heartwarming reminder of her journey beyond tennis.
Big Sean And Jhene Aiko Reportedly Getting Married
Fans of Big Sean and Jhene Aiko may be finally hearing wedding bells. The rapper and the singer/songwriter are rumored to be getting married in 2025 after dating for over eight years now.
The speculation arose after Deuxmoi revealed a blind item with a subject that read, "Big rapper getting hitched." According to the report, the said rapper, who is described as being from Detroit, is currently quietly planning his wedding for next year on Cape Cod.
Without naming the rapper, an anonymous tipster wrote to the blogger, "A certain rapper, from the motor city, is currently planning a wedding for next summer on Cape Cod. He has been flying in occasionally to help work with the many vendors working to make this a hush wedding but it's a small community and people talk."
While someone guessed that the big rapper was Eminem, another begged to differ. "Cape cod wedding is Big Sean," the other informant claimed. Both Big Sean and Eminem hail from the Motor City in Michigan. Others weighed in on the report via Reddit, with many believing that the blind item refers to Big Sean.
Big Sean, whose real name is Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, has been in a longtime relationship with Jhene. They have been dating since 2016 and welcomed their first child together on November 8, 2022.
In August of this year, the "One Man Can Change the World" emcee revealed the reason why he hasn't married the "Bed Peace" singer after eight years together. "There's a lot of work that needs to be done," he told Charlamagne tha God on "Out of Context" podcast. "It's a little personal, you know what I mean?"
"But just like to be real with you, just like any people who have dealt with love, we've had our ups and downs ... And I think it's still finding the right navigation through it all," he explained. "To me, marriage symbolizes like, the best relationship."
Although he noted divorce rates are "so f**king high" right now, Big Sean said he's not completely against the idea of saying "I do" in the future. "I would like to, and I don't like putting our personal business out there like that either, but there's a lot of work that needs to be done," he admitted.
The speculation arose after Deuxmoi revealed a blind item with a subject that read, "Big rapper getting hitched." According to the report, the said rapper, who is described as being from Detroit, is currently quietly planning his wedding for next year on Cape Cod.
Without naming the rapper, an anonymous tipster wrote to the blogger, "A certain rapper, from the motor city, is currently planning a wedding for next summer on Cape Cod. He has been flying in occasionally to help work with the many vendors working to make this a hush wedding but it's a small community and people talk."
While someone guessed that the big rapper was Eminem, another begged to differ. "Cape cod wedding is Big Sean," the other informant claimed. Both Big Sean and Eminem hail from the Motor City in Michigan. Others weighed in on the report via Reddit, with many believing that the blind item refers to Big Sean.
Big Sean, whose real name is Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, has been in a longtime relationship with Jhene. They have been dating since 2016 and welcomed their first child together on November 8, 2022.
In August of this year, the "One Man Can Change the World" emcee revealed the reason why he hasn't married the "Bed Peace" singer after eight years together. "There's a lot of work that needs to be done," he told Charlamagne tha God on "Out of Context" podcast. "It's a little personal, you know what I mean?"
"But just like to be real with you, just like any people who have dealt with love, we've had our ups and downs ... And I think it's still finding the right navigation through it all," he explained. "To me, marriage symbolizes like, the best relationship."
Although he noted divorce rates are "so f**king high" right now, Big Sean said he's not completely against the idea of saying "I do" in the future. "I would like to, and I don't like putting our personal business out there like that either, but there's a lot of work that needs to be done," he admitted.
'Euphoria' Star Colman Domingo Says 'Incredible' Season 3 Is 'Well Worth The Wait'
Colman Domingo, who plays Ali Muhammed on "Euphoria", has spoken to creator Sam Levinson about the highly anticipated third season of the show. Domingo has not yet seen a script but has heard about some of the storylines and is incredibly impressed with Levinson's writing.
"It's characters that we know and we're on the journey with," Domingo said. "They're all having breakthroughs in many ways. That's what I found out."
He continued, "I think it's some of the most gorgeous writing that Sam has ever done... From what he told me, it took my breath away."
Fans have been waiting patiently for news about the show's return, as production on the third season was delayed due to COVID-19. Production is now set to begin in January 2025 and will feature a time jump, reflecting the cast's real-life aging.
Domingo's positive comments give hope to fans that the wait will be worth it. "I think it's going to be an incredible, incredible season 3, well worth the wait," he said. "We will deliver, I promise you that."
The upcoming season is expected to continue exploring the characters' struggles with addiction, love, and identity, but with a fresh perspective provided by the time jump. "Euphoria" has received critical acclaim for its raw and provocative portrayal of teenage life, and Domingo's confidence suggests that season 3 will continue to push boundaries and resonate with audiences.
"It's characters that we know and we're on the journey with," Domingo said. "They're all having breakthroughs in many ways. That's what I found out."
He continued, "I think it's some of the most gorgeous writing that Sam has ever done... From what he told me, it took my breath away."
Fans have been waiting patiently for news about the show's return, as production on the third season was delayed due to COVID-19. Production is now set to begin in January 2025 and will feature a time jump, reflecting the cast's real-life aging.
Domingo's positive comments give hope to fans that the wait will be worth it. "I think it's going to be an incredible, incredible season 3, well worth the wait," he said. "We will deliver, I promise you that."
The upcoming season is expected to continue exploring the characters' struggles with addiction, love, and identity, but with a fresh perspective provided by the time jump. "Euphoria" has received critical acclaim for its raw and provocative portrayal of teenage life, and Domingo's confidence suggests that season 3 will continue to push boundaries and resonate with audiences.
Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ Certified 16X Platinum
Mariah Carey has a million reasons to be thankful this holiday season. In fact, the Queen of Christmas has 16 million reasons according to the RIAA, which recently announced that Carey’s yuletide classic single, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” has been certified 16x Platinum.
The perennial holiday favorite — which was once again at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending Dec. 7 — has had a wild ride to its mega-platinum status. The song, which was originally released in 1994 as the lead single from the singer’s debut Christmas album, Merry Christmas, was not certified gold (500,000 copies) until December 2005.
From there, it took a decade-and-a-half for it to bump up to platinum (1 million) status in October 2019. Then the rocket ride began, with the song gaining 6x Platinum status that year, during which the track reached its highest-charting status on the Hot 100 to that point, rising to No. 3 on the chart in January 2019; by December of that year, “All I Want” hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 for the first time and to date it has spent 15 weeks atop the chart.
The song hit 8X Platinum the next December and crossed the Diamond mark (10 million) by December 2021. From there, it was off the the races for the song that has been a reliable holiday No. 1 ever since, hitting 12X Platinum in December 2022, 14X Platinum in December 2023 and 16X on Friday.
Carey will need to make room for a few other new plaques as well, as her 2005 Emancipation of Mimi single “Shake It Off” reached 2X Platinum status on December 6 and her 2009 Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel lead single “Obsessed” hit 4X Platinum last week as well, 15 years after it first reached Platinum status.
Carey is in the midst of her Christmas Time tour, which is slated to hit PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Wednesday (Dec. 11); the annual holiday outing is slated to wind down on Dec. 17 with a show at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.
Mariah Carey has a million reasons to be thankful this holiday season. In fact, the Queen of Christmas has 16 million reasons according to the RIAA, which recently announced that Carey’s yuletide classic single, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” has been certified 16x Platinum.
The perennial holiday favorite — which was once again at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending Dec. 7 — has had a wild ride to its mega-platinum status. The song, which was originally released in 1994 as the lead single from the singer’s debut Christmas album, Merry Christmas, was not certified gold (500,000 copies) until December 2005.
From there, it took a decade-and-a-half for it to bump up to platinum (1 million) status in October 2019. Then the rocket ride began, with the song gaining 6x Platinum status that year, during which the track reached its highest-charting status on the Hot 100 to that point, rising to No. 3 on the chart in January 2019; by December of that year, “All I Want” hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 for the first time and to date it has spent 15 weeks atop the chart.
The song hit 8X Platinum the next December and crossed the Diamond mark (10 million) by December 2021. From there, it was off the the races for the song that has been a reliable holiday No. 1 ever since, hitting 12X Platinum in December 2022, 14X Platinum in December 2023 and 16X on Friday.
Carey will need to make room for a few other new plaques as well, as her 2005 Emancipation of Mimi single “Shake It Off” reached 2X Platinum status on December 6 and her 2009 Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel lead single “Obsessed” hit 4X Platinum last week as well, 15 years after it first reached Platinum status.
Carey is in the midst of her Christmas Time tour, which is slated to hit PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Wednesday (Dec. 11); the annual holiday outing is slated to wind down on Dec. 17 with a show at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.
Common Addresses Marriage Comments About Girlfriend Jennifer Hudson: ‘I Was Just Being True’
Common is doubling down on those Jennifer Hudson marriage comments.
In an interview with Today on Tuesday, Dec. 10, the rapper, 52, called Hudson, 43, "an amazing human being" as Al Roker, 70, mentioned some comments he'd made about the pair potentially tying the knot in the future.
Roker said Common made the remarks while in "the hot seat" on The Jennifer Hudson Show. The musician responded, "I didn’t feel like that was the hot seat. I was just being true to who I was. It was the cool seat because it was really, just, man, I was telling my truth and that truth still is there."
"She’s just an amazing human being, beautiful person. I’m loving watching her on her talk show. I’m a fan. I watch her talk show," Common continued of his other half, whom he's been romantically linked to since August 2022.
The "Glory" hitmaker said of Hudson, "In life, for me, I look for people in my life who are uplifting, who believe in a higher power, who treat other people well."
"I like that she’s busy too. That’s good for me too," he jokingly added.
Common's comments came after he spoke about the couple's "really healthy and beautiful relationship" during a July interview with The Breakfast Club, telling the radio program of Hudson, "If I’m going to get married, it’s to her."
The rapper — who has been promoting his recent album with Pete Rock, The Auditorium Vol. 1 — then appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show in October, where Hudson jokingly confronted him about the remarks.
"I heard you’ve been even out there talking about marriage," the EGOT holder said. "What’s that about? I just happened to notice that."
Common insisted, "You know what, you told me a quote that your mother said, ‘A man knows what he wants.' I was saying my true feelings about, listen, Jennifer is the person."
"If I should be married, it will be to Jennifer Kate Hudson. I was just being honest," the actor continued.
Common and Hudson confirmed their relationship during an episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show in January, over a year after they first sparked dating rumors.
Since announcing their romance, the couple have openly praised one another in interviews. While speaking to PEOPLE in September, Hudson said activism is "definitely" something she and her beau have a shared love for as she revealed how "passionate" he is.
In an interview with Today on Tuesday, Dec. 10, the rapper, 52, called Hudson, 43, "an amazing human being" as Al Roker, 70, mentioned some comments he'd made about the pair potentially tying the knot in the future.
Roker said Common made the remarks while in "the hot seat" on The Jennifer Hudson Show. The musician responded, "I didn’t feel like that was the hot seat. I was just being true to who I was. It was the cool seat because it was really, just, man, I was telling my truth and that truth still is there."
"She’s just an amazing human being, beautiful person. I’m loving watching her on her talk show. I’m a fan. I watch her talk show," Common continued of his other half, whom he's been romantically linked to since August 2022.
The "Glory" hitmaker said of Hudson, "In life, for me, I look for people in my life who are uplifting, who believe in a higher power, who treat other people well."
"I like that she’s busy too. That’s good for me too," he jokingly added.
Common's comments came after he spoke about the couple's "really healthy and beautiful relationship" during a July interview with The Breakfast Club, telling the radio program of Hudson, "If I’m going to get married, it’s to her."
The rapper — who has been promoting his recent album with Pete Rock, The Auditorium Vol. 1 — then appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show in October, where Hudson jokingly confronted him about the remarks.
"I heard you’ve been even out there talking about marriage," the EGOT holder said. "What’s that about? I just happened to notice that."
Common insisted, "You know what, you told me a quote that your mother said, ‘A man knows what he wants.' I was saying my true feelings about, listen, Jennifer is the person."
"If I should be married, it will be to Jennifer Kate Hudson. I was just being honest," the actor continued.
Common and Hudson confirmed their relationship during an episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show in January, over a year after they first sparked dating rumors.
Since announcing their romance, the couple have openly praised one another in interviews. While speaking to PEOPLE in September, Hudson said activism is "definitely" something she and her beau have a shared love for as she revealed how "passionate" he is.
Etienne Maurice Wants to 'Forge My Own Path,' But Calls It 'a Blessing' Mom Sheryl Lee Ralph Can Help
Sheryl Lee Ralph and Etienne Maurice at the The BAFTA Tea Party on Jan. 14, 2023 in Los Angeles
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Generate Key Takeaways
Sheryl Lee Ralph's son Etienne Maurice stars as photographer Isaiah in OWN’s Mistletoe & Matrimony
Maurice tells PEOPLE he feels “so thankful” for landing the part “because now I get to show the world what I'm capable of as an artist and as an actor”
The actor got married in July to ABC News journalist Stephanie Wash and says “there were a lot of parallels” between what his Mistletoe & Matrimony character goes through and his own wedding
Etienne Maurice admits he almost quit acting before he scored the lead role in OWN’s Mistletoe & Matrimony.
“I was going to give up,” 32-year-old Maurice, who founded Black & Brown-led community wellness organization WalkGood LA, tells PEOPLE. “If being a community activist and a wellness philanthropist was going to be my life, I would've been completely fine. But when I got called to play this role, it was like an answered prayer. In many ways, God was telling me, ‘You have a lot more to do.’”
Mistletoe & Matrimony stars Maurice as a photographer hired by his ex’s sister to shoot her Christmas wedding. Maurice says his character Isaiah “is literally me” because of his commitment to art and community. “And then on top of that, Isaiah is inspired by the grief of his grandmother who passed away, and my grandmother inspired me to be the best person I can be,” he explains.
He feels “so thankful” for landing the part “because now I get to show the world what I'm capable of as an artist and as an actor,” Maurice says. “It's really beautiful that I'm getting a chance to live my life's purpose as a creator. And the fact that I'm able to use my platform with my organization and be able to highlight this movie that I was in amplifies my mission in providing equitable healing spaces for my community through the arts and wellness. It fits into my life's mission.”
One might think that the son of actress and Tony winner Sheryl Lee Ralph wouldn’t have a hard time getting roles.
But, Maurice says, “I've always wanted to create my own path," adding, “At the end of the day, my mom is not walking me into auditions. She didn't get me a manager; she didn't get me an agent. This is all things that I did on my own and because I chose to go in this direction. I didn't even tell my mom that I was doing this until after I wrapped. It's just a blessing that my mom is at the point in her career where she could further support and tell everybody that her son is in a Christmas movie on OWN and Max.”
Maurice hopes that “watching a movie that I'm leading in” will be a new holiday staple. “I pray that that's going to be a tradition in years to come, that I could continue to watch films that I'm in with my family,” he says.
The actor shares that his mom “was very adamant” about decorating for Christmas during his childhood. “Once I got older and I stopped hanging around the house as much and I wasn't helping her with the decorations, she stopped that tradition,” Maurice says. “Now I just bring the poinsettias to the house and I put them in different parts of her home — that's my contribution to the Christmas decorations in the house.”
Maurice also tries to replicate some dishes that his grandmother from Jamaica would make such as her oxtail, rice and peas, and iced tea.
Sheryl Lee Ralph and Etienne Maurice at the The BAFTA Tea Party on Jan. 14, 2023 in Los Angeles
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Generate Key Takeaways
Sheryl Lee Ralph's son Etienne Maurice stars as photographer Isaiah in OWN’s Mistletoe & Matrimony
Maurice tells PEOPLE he feels “so thankful” for landing the part “because now I get to show the world what I'm capable of as an artist and as an actor”
The actor got married in July to ABC News journalist Stephanie Wash and says “there were a lot of parallels” between what his Mistletoe & Matrimony character goes through and his own wedding
Etienne Maurice admits he almost quit acting before he scored the lead role in OWN’s Mistletoe & Matrimony.
“I was going to give up,” 32-year-old Maurice, who founded Black & Brown-led community wellness organization WalkGood LA, tells PEOPLE. “If being a community activist and a wellness philanthropist was going to be my life, I would've been completely fine. But when I got called to play this role, it was like an answered prayer. In many ways, God was telling me, ‘You have a lot more to do.’”
Mistletoe & Matrimony stars Maurice as a photographer hired by his ex’s sister to shoot her Christmas wedding. Maurice says his character Isaiah “is literally me” because of his commitment to art and community. “And then on top of that, Isaiah is inspired by the grief of his grandmother who passed away, and my grandmother inspired me to be the best person I can be,” he explains.
He feels “so thankful” for landing the part “because now I get to show the world what I'm capable of as an artist and as an actor,” Maurice says. “It's really beautiful that I'm getting a chance to live my life's purpose as a creator. And the fact that I'm able to use my platform with my organization and be able to highlight this movie that I was in amplifies my mission in providing equitable healing spaces for my community through the arts and wellness. It fits into my life's mission.”
One might think that the son of actress and Tony winner Sheryl Lee Ralph wouldn’t have a hard time getting roles.
But, Maurice says, “I've always wanted to create my own path," adding, “At the end of the day, my mom is not walking me into auditions. She didn't get me a manager; she didn't get me an agent. This is all things that I did on my own and because I chose to go in this direction. I didn't even tell my mom that I was doing this until after I wrapped. It's just a blessing that my mom is at the point in her career where she could further support and tell everybody that her son is in a Christmas movie on OWN and Max.”
Maurice hopes that “watching a movie that I'm leading in” will be a new holiday staple. “I pray that that's going to be a tradition in years to come, that I could continue to watch films that I'm in with my family,” he says.
The actor shares that his mom “was very adamant” about decorating for Christmas during his childhood. “Once I got older and I stopped hanging around the house as much and I wasn't helping her with the decorations, she stopped that tradition,” Maurice says. “Now I just bring the poinsettias to the house and I put them in different parts of her home — that's my contribution to the Christmas decorations in the house.”
Maurice also tries to replicate some dishes that his grandmother from Jamaica would make such as her oxtail, rice and peas, and iced tea.
Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell Debut New Audible Series ‘The Unusual Suspects’
*Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell are teaming up for “The Unusual Suspects,” an exclusive new Audible Original interview series premiering January 30, 2025. Produced by Audible Inc. and Khalabo Ink Society, the series will feature raw, candid conversations with some of the world’s most extraordinary individuals.
Barris, an award-winning writer and producer, and Gladwell, a bestselling author and journalist, will explore the unique and unconventional paths their guests took to achieve success in fields like entertainment, sports, business, and politics.
According to the news release, the lineup includes WNBA legend Sue Bird, former Xerox CEO Ursula Burns, renowned chef David Chang, acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay, comedian and host Jimmy Kimmel, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. By focusing on unfiltered storytelling, Barris and Gladwell aim to offer listeners an intimate look at the challenges and triumphs that define exceptional careers.
“The Unusual Suspects is about peeling back the layers and getting to the heart of what drives the most influential figures of our time,” said Barris. “Malcolm and I wanted to create a space where these icons could share the raw, unfiltered stories behind their success—the moments of doubt, resilience, and triumph that often go unheard. It’s a journey that goes beyond the surface to reveal the human side of greatness.”
“Kenya and I have relished this opportunity to delve into the minds of truly extraordinary individuals. Their stories offer an unvarnished look at the nature of achievement,” Gladwell added. “Rather than rehashing well-known success narratives, these discussions illuminate how universal qualities—persistence, adaptability, and even serendipity—can profoundly shape our individual journeys.”
“The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell” episode descriptions:
Ursula Burns – Malcolm Gladwell and Kenya Barris interview Ursula Burns, the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, serving as CEO of Xerox from 2009 to 2016. They discuss Burns’ journey from a New York City housing project to the top of corporate America, exploring her mother’s influence, career challenges, and vision for creating change through giving back.
Barris, an award-winning writer and producer, and Gladwell, a bestselling author and journalist, will explore the unique and unconventional paths their guests took to achieve success in fields like entertainment, sports, business, and politics.
According to the news release, the lineup includes WNBA legend Sue Bird, former Xerox CEO Ursula Burns, renowned chef David Chang, acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay, comedian and host Jimmy Kimmel, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. By focusing on unfiltered storytelling, Barris and Gladwell aim to offer listeners an intimate look at the challenges and triumphs that define exceptional careers.
“The Unusual Suspects is about peeling back the layers and getting to the heart of what drives the most influential figures of our time,” said Barris. “Malcolm and I wanted to create a space where these icons could share the raw, unfiltered stories behind their success—the moments of doubt, resilience, and triumph that often go unheard. It’s a journey that goes beyond the surface to reveal the human side of greatness.”
“Kenya and I have relished this opportunity to delve into the minds of truly extraordinary individuals. Their stories offer an unvarnished look at the nature of achievement,” Gladwell added. “Rather than rehashing well-known success narratives, these discussions illuminate how universal qualities—persistence, adaptability, and even serendipity—can profoundly shape our individual journeys.”
“The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell” episode descriptions:
Ursula Burns – Malcolm Gladwell and Kenya Barris interview Ursula Burns, the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, serving as CEO of Xerox from 2009 to 2016. They discuss Burns’ journey from a New York City housing project to the top of corporate America, exploring her mother’s influence, career challenges, and vision for creating change through giving back.
Jimmy Kimmel – Malcolm Gladwell and Kenya Barris turn the tables on Jimmy Kimmel, putting America’s longest-running late-night TV host in the interview seat for this conversation. They explore Kimmel’s impressive journey from a local radio personality to an Emmy Award -winning late night host, discussing his early career struggles, his approach to interviewing guests, and how he navigates comedy in the current climate. The conversation also touches on the personal experiences that have inspired him to be more vulnerable in his professional persona and fueled his personal advocacy work.
Sue Bird – Malcolm Gladwell and Kenya Barris sit down with basketball legend Sue Bird to discuss her illustrious career and the evolution of women’s sports. They explore Sue’s journey from high school phenom to WNBA superstar, delving into the cultural significance of women’s basketball and its recent surge in popularity.
Wes Moore – Malcolm Gladwell and Kenya Barris sit down with Wes Moore, the first Black governor of Maryland. They explore Moore’s journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a Rhodes Scholar, Army officer, successful author, and governor. The conversation touches on Moore’s diverse career path, from finance to media to leading a large philanthropic organization, as well as his vision for Maryland. They also discuss the influence of Moore’s Jamaican heritage and his mother’s sacrifices on his trajectory.
David Chang – Malcolm Gladwell and Kenya Barris sit down with David Chang, renowned chef and founder of the Momofuku restaurant group. They explore Chang’s journey from struggling culinary student to culinary innovator and restaurateur, discussing his battles with self-doubt, his approach to reimagining Asian cuisine, and how he navigates the worlds of food and media. The conversation also touches on Chang’s experiences as a child of immigrants and how that lens has shaped his philosophy and business.
Ava DuVernay – Malcolm Gladwell and Kenya Barris sit down with acclaimed writer, director, and producer, Ava DuVernay. They explore DuVernay’s journey from working as a publicity executive to writing and directing groundbreaking films and TV shows, discussing her approach to filmmaking, experiences navigating Hollywood, and thoughts on representation in media. The conversation also touches on DuVernay’s personal choices, perspective on relationships, and vision for creating change through her work.
Kenya Barris & Malcolm Gladwell – Malcolm Gladwell and Kenya Barris skip the guest in this episode and dive deeper into each of their respective careers and paths to success — Gladwell as a bestselling author and journalist, Barris as a TV writer and producer— sharing how they first met and what led them to this collaboration. Reflecting on the topics they’ve explored with each of this season’s guests, the duo discuss everything from their individual upbringings and perspectives on creativity, to the impact and responsibility of achieving greatness.
The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell joins an expansive collection of Audible Originals from Black creators and performers in Audible’s Listen. Black. 365. collection, which can be found HERE.
Big Sean Thanks Tyler Perry For Honoring Grandmother’s Legacy in 'The Six Triple Eight'
Big Sean has Tyler Perry to thank for closely reflecting his grandmother’s history in the new historical drama, “The Six Triple Eight.”
The film, which is currently in select theaters before its Netflix premiere on December 20, premiered at Los Angeles’ The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on December 3rd. Among those in attendance were Big Sean, his brother Brett, and their mother Myra Anderson, all of whom held framed pictures of Sean’s grandmother, Mildred V. Leonard. Leonard, who died in 2014 at 93 years old, was a member of the all-Black and all-female 6888th Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. ‘The Six Triple Eight,’ which stars Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey, and Ebony Obsidian, follows the contributions of the battalion.
Leonard was among the first Black female captains in the service and was awarded a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal in 2022. In her honor, Sean spoke to The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere, expressing appreciation to Perry for working on an important film.
"The impact, I’m just so, so thankful. I told Tyler Perry how thankful I was, because it’s such an overlooked crucial piece of American history and Black history," the Better Me Than You rapper told the outlet.
#bigsean shares with thr his personal connection to the 6888th battalion as seen in tylerperry’s thesixtripleeight: “i’m proud of them, not just my grandmother…I was so happy to be raised by such strong black women that are embedded in my dna
"The 6888th Battalion connected millions and millions [with] over 17 million pieces of mail where there was no other means of communication to families and information and just loved ones," he continued. "They were fighting their own war, being strong Black women during segregation and fighting for their country."
He concluded, "I’m just proud of them. Not just my grandmother, proud of all of them. I’m so happy to be raised by such strong Black women that are embedded in my DNA and I’m forever grateful for it. It’s a super emotional night. My grandma was incredible.”
Big Sean has Tyler Perry to thank for closely reflecting his grandmother’s history in the new historical drama, “The Six Triple Eight.”
The film, which is currently in select theaters before its Netflix premiere on December 20, premiered at Los Angeles’ The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on December 3rd. Among those in attendance were Big Sean, his brother Brett, and their mother Myra Anderson, all of whom held framed pictures of Sean’s grandmother, Mildred V. Leonard. Leonard, who died in 2014 at 93 years old, was a member of the all-Black and all-female 6888th Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. ‘The Six Triple Eight,’ which stars Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey, and Ebony Obsidian, follows the contributions of the battalion.
Leonard was among the first Black female captains in the service and was awarded a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal in 2022. In her honor, Sean spoke to The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere, expressing appreciation to Perry for working on an important film.
"The impact, I’m just so, so thankful. I told Tyler Perry how thankful I was, because it’s such an overlooked crucial piece of American history and Black history," the Better Me Than You rapper told the outlet.
#bigsean shares with thr his personal connection to the 6888th battalion as seen in tylerperry’s thesixtripleeight: “i’m proud of them, not just my grandmother…I was so happy to be raised by such strong black women that are embedded in my dna
"The 6888th Battalion connected millions and millions [with] over 17 million pieces of mail where there was no other means of communication to families and information and just loved ones," he continued. "They were fighting their own war, being strong Black women during segregation and fighting for their country."
He concluded, "I’m just proud of them. Not just my grandmother, proud of all of them. I’m so happy to be raised by such strong Black women that are embedded in my DNA and I’m forever grateful for it. It’s a super emotional night. My grandma was incredible.”
Jaleel White on 'Family Matters' Being Overlooked: 'If It’s Not a Hood Story, It’s Not a Black Story'
Jaleel White believes the beloved sitcom "Family Matters" is unfairly overlooked in rankings of the best Black TV shows. The actor, famed for his iconic portrayal of Steve Urkel, shared his perspective during a fireside chat at the Wilmington Library, coinciding with the release of his memoir, "Growing Up Urkel."
“Being a part of the ‘TGIF’ [ABC programming block] brand sometimes makes you feel like you don’t completely belong in the pantheon of Blackness,” White told moderator Randall Law around the 7:30-minute mark of the video below. “Blackness has been treated as a very monolithic experience in entertainment. 'If it’s not a hood story, it’s not a Black story.' And you know, sometimes I feel left out of that.”
“If there’s ever a poll, and they say, ‘Oh, what are your favorite black shows?’ ‘Martin’ is in there, ‘Living Single’ or any of those kinds of shows… I already know we’re coming in last," he joked. “But if there’s ever a poll and it’s just your favorite family shows, suddenly, we rank really high. So it’s kind of interesting how we look at ourselves, even as Black folks.”
But while "Family Matters," which ran for nine seasons, was mainly about the Winslow family, the examples that White listed aren’t technically ‘hood’ sitcoms. The ‘Living Single’ crew were longtime friends and business professionals based in Brooklyn, while ‘Martin’ also depicted the relationships between the radio DJ titular character, played by Martin Lawrence, his girlfriend Gina (Tisha Campbell), and their close-knit friend group in Detroit.
White, however, was able to recognize that the Urkel character made an impact on “Black male nerd culture.” “Any brother that grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s and 2000s, he was told that he looked like me," he continued. “He was called Urkel and he didn’t look anything like me, guaranteed. But still, his peers would find a way to call him Urkel, and even girls to that extent. So it’s really humbling to see how far nerd culture has come. And really it’s not nerd culture, it’s smart culture, it’s hobbyist culture, it’s skateboarders… I could never have known in a million years that I could be the face of that.”
“Being a part of the ‘TGIF’ [ABC programming block] brand sometimes makes you feel like you don’t completely belong in the pantheon of Blackness,” White told moderator Randall Law around the 7:30-minute mark of the video below. “Blackness has been treated as a very monolithic experience in entertainment. 'If it’s not a hood story, it’s not a Black story.' And you know, sometimes I feel left out of that.”
“If there’s ever a poll, and they say, ‘Oh, what are your favorite black shows?’ ‘Martin’ is in there, ‘Living Single’ or any of those kinds of shows… I already know we’re coming in last," he joked. “But if there’s ever a poll and it’s just your favorite family shows, suddenly, we rank really high. So it’s kind of interesting how we look at ourselves, even as Black folks.”
But while "Family Matters," which ran for nine seasons, was mainly about the Winslow family, the examples that White listed aren’t technically ‘hood’ sitcoms. The ‘Living Single’ crew were longtime friends and business professionals based in Brooklyn, while ‘Martin’ also depicted the relationships between the radio DJ titular character, played by Martin Lawrence, his girlfriend Gina (Tisha Campbell), and their close-knit friend group in Detroit.
White, however, was able to recognize that the Urkel character made an impact on “Black male nerd culture.” “Any brother that grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s and 2000s, he was told that he looked like me," he continued. “He was called Urkel and he didn’t look anything like me, guaranteed. But still, his peers would find a way to call him Urkel, and even girls to that extent. So it’s really humbling to see how far nerd culture has come. And really it’s not nerd culture, it’s smart culture, it’s hobbyist culture, it’s skateboarders… I could never have known in a million years that I could be the face of that.”
Charlamagne Tha God Opens First Location in Krystal Partnership, the Fourth in South Carolina
*Charlamagne Tha God and his wife, Jessica Gadsden-McKelvey, have opened a Krystal location in South Carolina as part of a 5-store partnership deal in his home state.
This is the fourth Krystal in SC but Charlamagne’s first in the area, this time in Orangeburg. According to AfroTech, the new 24/7 restaurant, located at 1486 Chestnut St., will celebrate its grand opening on December 20. The project carries personal significance for the media personality.
“Orangeburg is special to us because it’s the home of South Carolina State University, my mother’s alma mater, while my wife’s father is an alumni of Claflin University,” The Breakfast Club host said.
“I also have an honorary degree from SCSU, where I established the Ford Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, so it’s a blessing to continue this mission of providing opportunities and jobs to South Carolinians,” added Charlamagne.
The Dec. 20 grand opening of the new Krystal in Orangeburg will feature Charlamagne alongside members of the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce and other local officials. The event will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:45 a.m. ET, followed by performances from local cheer teams and marching bands.
“It’s always an amazing feeling to come back and give back,” Charlamagne said. “I hope the community will enjoy my favorite eats from Krystal for years to come!”
Krystal’s parent company SPB Hospitality CEO Josh Kern said, “Charlamagne’s cultural impact speaks for itself, and bringing his energy to Krystal’s newest location is a game-changer.”
During the 2023 Hope Global Forum, Charlamagne noted that his father inspired his entrepreneurial spirit.
“My father was always an entrepreneur who had his own businesses, and I’ve always wanted to follow that path,” he said.
*Charlamagne Tha God and his wife, Jessica Gadsden-McKelvey, have opened a Krystal location in South Carolina as part of a 5-store partnership deal in his home state.
This is the fourth Krystal in SC but Charlamagne’s first in the area, this time in Orangeburg. According to AfroTech, the new 24/7 restaurant, located at 1486 Chestnut St., will celebrate its grand opening on December 20. The project carries personal significance for the media personality.
“Orangeburg is special to us because it’s the home of South Carolina State University, my mother’s alma mater, while my wife’s father is an alumni of Claflin University,” The Breakfast Club host said.
“I also have an honorary degree from SCSU, where I established the Ford Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, so it’s a blessing to continue this mission of providing opportunities and jobs to South Carolinians,” added Charlamagne.
The Dec. 20 grand opening of the new Krystal in Orangeburg will feature Charlamagne alongside members of the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce and other local officials. The event will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:45 a.m. ET, followed by performances from local cheer teams and marching bands.
“It’s always an amazing feeling to come back and give back,” Charlamagne said. “I hope the community will enjoy my favorite eats from Krystal for years to come!”
Krystal’s parent company SPB Hospitality CEO Josh Kern said, “Charlamagne’s cultural impact speaks for itself, and bringing his energy to Krystal’s newest location is a game-changer.”
During the 2023 Hope Global Forum, Charlamagne noted that his father inspired his entrepreneurial spirit.
“My father was always an entrepreneur who had his own businesses, and I’ve always wanted to follow that path,” he said.
Verdict reached in Polo G NYC gun case
Chicago rapper Polo G announced Dec. 9 that a New York City gun possession case against him was dismissed and sealed, marking a significant legal victory amid ongoing troubles in other jurisdictions.
The artist shared text messages from attorney Stacey Richman confirming the case dismissal. “Beat my case in NYC,” he wrote, expressing gratitude to Richman for her representation.
The case stemmed from an April arrest where officers discovered a firearm and $23,000 in cash. The NYPD reported Polo G cooperated during the arrest.
New York’s strict gun laws have ensnared multiple hip-hop artists. Rapper Lil Wayne faced a year in Rikers Island after a 2009 gun possession conviction. Bobby Shmurda served seven years following 2014 weapons charges, while Kodak Black received two years for falsifying documents to obtain firearms in 2019. “New York remains particularly challenging for performers dealing with weapons charges,” said criminal defense attorney Marcus Thompson.
Legal challenges remain for Polo G, including weapons charges from an Aug. 2023 Los Angeles home raid. He also faces unresolved charges of battery on an officer from a 2021 Miami incident.
The dismissal allows Polo G to refocus on music, following his recent collaboration with Lil Tjay on “Way Out the Hood II.” Industry observers note the ruling’s timing could benefit his career momentum.
“This resolution removes a significant obstacle for touring and recording,” said entertainment lawyer James Wilson. “Artists often see creative resurgence after legal pressures lift.”
The case highlights the importance of legal representation for artists navigating fame’s pressures. Richman’s successful defense demonstrates how experienced counsel can impact outcomes for performers facing criminal charges.
Criminal justice reform advocates point to these cases as examples of overly punitive gun laws. “The system often fails to consider context and circumstances,” said civil rights attorney Sarah Chen. “Artists face unique security concerns that current laws don’t adequately address.”
Chicago rapper Polo G announced Dec. 9 that a New York City gun possession case against him was dismissed and sealed, marking a significant legal victory amid ongoing troubles in other jurisdictions.
The artist shared text messages from attorney Stacey Richman confirming the case dismissal. “Beat my case in NYC,” he wrote, expressing gratitude to Richman for her representation.
The case stemmed from an April arrest where officers discovered a firearm and $23,000 in cash. The NYPD reported Polo G cooperated during the arrest.
New York’s strict gun laws have ensnared multiple hip-hop artists. Rapper Lil Wayne faced a year in Rikers Island after a 2009 gun possession conviction. Bobby Shmurda served seven years following 2014 weapons charges, while Kodak Black received two years for falsifying documents to obtain firearms in 2019. “New York remains particularly challenging for performers dealing with weapons charges,” said criminal defense attorney Marcus Thompson.
Legal challenges remain for Polo G, including weapons charges from an Aug. 2023 Los Angeles home raid. He also faces unresolved charges of battery on an officer from a 2021 Miami incident.
The dismissal allows Polo G to refocus on music, following his recent collaboration with Lil Tjay on “Way Out the Hood II.” Industry observers note the ruling’s timing could benefit his career momentum.
“This resolution removes a significant obstacle for touring and recording,” said entertainment lawyer James Wilson. “Artists often see creative resurgence after legal pressures lift.”
The case highlights the importance of legal representation for artists navigating fame’s pressures. Richman’s successful defense demonstrates how experienced counsel can impact outcomes for performers facing criminal charges.
Criminal justice reform advocates point to these cases as examples of overly punitive gun laws. “The system often fails to consider context and circumstances,” said civil rights attorney Sarah Chen. “Artists face unique security concerns that current laws don’t adequately address.”
Megan Fox & Machine Gun Kelly Split Amid Her Pregnancy, TMZ Is Reporting
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly have reportedly split up, just one month after announcing their pregnancy.
This news has not been confirmed at this time, but TMZ is reporting that the 38-year-old actress and 34-year-old entertainer split over Thanksgiving weekend.
They were reportedly in Vail, Colorado on vacation and she “found material on MGK’s phone that was upsetting, and it made her want him to leave the trip early.”
The site reports that MGK ended up leaving the trip early, and they haven’t spoken since.
We’ve reached out to both of their reps for comment on this story. Stay tuned as we learn more.
This will be Megan‘s fourth child. She shares three kids – Noah, 11, Bodhi, 9, and Journey, 7 – with Brian Austin Green.
This news has not been confirmed at this time, but TMZ is reporting that the 38-year-old actress and 34-year-old entertainer split over Thanksgiving weekend.
They were reportedly in Vail, Colorado on vacation and she “found material on MGK’s phone that was upsetting, and it made her want him to leave the trip early.”
The site reports that MGK ended up leaving the trip early, and they haven’t spoken since.
We’ve reached out to both of their reps for comment on this story. Stay tuned as we learn more.
This will be Megan‘s fourth child. She shares three kids – Noah, 11, Bodhi, 9, and Journey, 7 – with Brian Austin Green.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Daddy Long Legs
It’s not always easiest to show off parts of ourselves that we feel proud of because we feel that we may be judged in a negative way.
It’s not always easiest to show off parts of ourselves that we feel proud of because we feel that we may be judged in a negative way.
EVENING GOODIES: Meet Henri
Meet Henri! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember to exercise CAUTION AT WORK!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
Enjoy!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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