#MAGFAB: Naomi Osaka for Harper's Bazaar Australia 2025
Depression, expectations, stereotypes, stress, pressure, performance.
These are words any person can identify with, including a professional tennis player. Naomi Osaka was of the first on tour to vocalize mental health struggles, and as the new year approaches, she has a new story to tell.
As a feature in Harper’s Bazaar Australia’s January edition, Osaka details her journey from world No. 1 to four Grand Slam titles to mother of Shai. Stepping into 2025, the superstar admits to finding her own freedom.
These are words any person can identify with, including a professional tennis player. Naomi Osaka was of the first on tour to vocalize mental health struggles, and as the new year approaches, she has a new story to tell.
As a feature in Harper’s Bazaar Australia’s January edition, Osaka details her journey from world No. 1 to four Grand Slam titles to mother of Shai. Stepping into 2025, the superstar admits to finding her own freedom.
“Right now, freedom for me is being able to spend time with my daughter, to see joy in her eyes and to know that, as long as I am there for her, and a role model for her, then no other outside voice matters,” Osaka says in the interview. “In the end, I have found that after becoming a mom, my question has shifted to a really simple one, which is, win or lose, am I still really loving playing the game?
“I am still working on finding true freedom in my life, but staying true to my beliefs has definitely helped me reach some sense of personal freedom,” Osaka said. “It has also helped me to put less pressure on myself to be perfect, to bounce right back, to always agree with the group. I work really hard also to be a voice for others who may not have found their own voices yet—[and] that was me for so long.”
#RHOA: Nene Leakes’ Son Brentt Leakes Welcomes His Firstborn Into the World
Congratulations are in order for Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Nene Leakes and her family.
Recently, she took to social media to announce that her son, Brentt Leakes, had welcomed a baby into the world. Though this isn’t Nene’s first grandchild, it is her first from Brentt.
Brentt has suffered from a number of health issues in recent years. This led to him recently having a heart transplant, which he shared with the online community months after undergoing the procedure. This is Nene’s fourth grandchild, and the other three are from her son Bryson Leakes.
Recently, Nene took to her Instagram account to share the exciting news about the new baby in her family. The RHOA OG’s post reads, “Swipe: Best Christmas Gift ever….This little bundle of love and joy arrived just in time for Christmas.”
The post also confirms the baby’s name, Kynd Leakes The announcement reveals Nene is calling herself a Glam’Ma instead of a grandmother, and it contains three images. The first is of the baby girl surrounded by Christmas decorations. The second picture is of the child sleeping with angel wings. In the final photo, fans can see Kynd wrapped in a baby blanket with a crown on her head.
Naturally, there were a ton of supportive comments on the Instagram post. One came from Marysol Patton from RHOM. She said, “Congratulations Grammy.”
Cynthia Bailey also commented, “Congrats on this beautiful bundle of joy.”
RHONY alum Jill Zarin left her support by saying, “Wow! Big Mazel Tov! What a Christmas present.” Former Housewives producer Carlos King said, “Congratulations Glam-ma and Brentt.”
The post doesn’t mention the mother of the child, but we’re happy for Brentt, Nene, and the new addition to the Leakes family. Still, it’s sad that Gregg Leakes isn’t here to witness the miracle
Recently, she took to social media to announce that her son, Brentt Leakes, had welcomed a baby into the world. Though this isn’t Nene’s first grandchild, it is her first from Brentt.
Brentt has suffered from a number of health issues in recent years. This led to him recently having a heart transplant, which he shared with the online community months after undergoing the procedure. This is Nene’s fourth grandchild, and the other three are from her son Bryson Leakes.
Recently, Nene took to her Instagram account to share the exciting news about the new baby in her family. The RHOA OG’s post reads, “Swipe: Best Christmas Gift ever….This little bundle of love and joy arrived just in time for Christmas.”
The post also confirms the baby’s name, Kynd Leakes The announcement reveals Nene is calling herself a Glam’Ma instead of a grandmother, and it contains three images. The first is of the baby girl surrounded by Christmas decorations. The second picture is of the child sleeping with angel wings. In the final photo, fans can see Kynd wrapped in a baby blanket with a crown on her head.
Naturally, there were a ton of supportive comments on the Instagram post. One came from Marysol Patton from RHOM. She said, “Congratulations Grammy.”
Cynthia Bailey also commented, “Congrats on this beautiful bundle of joy.”
RHONY alum Jill Zarin left her support by saying, “Wow! Big Mazel Tov! What a Christmas present.” Former Housewives producer Carlos King said, “Congratulations Glam-ma and Brentt.”
The post doesn’t mention the mother of the child, but we’re happy for Brentt, Nene, and the new addition to the Leakes family. Still, it’s sad that Gregg Leakes isn’t here to witness the miracle
#MusicNews: Beyoncé turns NFL Christmas Halftime Show into a ‘Cowboy Carter’ Party
Hope your Santa hat was fastened, because Beyoncé gave us the ultimate “Cowboy Carter” gift this Christmas.
The superstar spread holiday cheer during Wednesday’s Halftime Show at the Christmas Day Texans-Ravens NFL game in her hometown of Houston, Texas, marking the first time Beyoncé performed songs from her hit 2024 album “Cowboy Carter” in front of a live audience.
Beyoncé began her iconic performance on horseback, literally riding in while singing “16 Carriages” in what appeared to be a pre-taped segment. After dismounting with classic cars arranged in the background, she began her cover of The Beatles’ classic hit “Blackbird,” accompanied by country singers Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts, who she collaborated on the song with.
Post Malone made a surprise cameo to perform their collaboration “Levii’s Jeans,” following Bey’s duet with country singer Shaboozey.
Backed by Texas Southern University’s 200-member Ocean of Soul Marching Band, Beyoncé also performed “Ya Ya” and was joined on the field by her daughter Blue Ivy, who danced next to her mother during the song “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
Beyoncé honored the hometown team by including the Texans Cheerleaders in the performance, in addition to featuring significant figures in rodeo culture such as Bull-riding legend Myrtis Dightman, Jr. and Ja’Dayia Kursh, the first Black Rodeo Queen in Arkansas, among others.
“Merry Christmas, god bless y’all,” Beyoncé said at the end of the set, as she was raised high above the field on a white platform.
Hope your Santa hat was fastened, because Beyoncé gave us the ultimate “Cowboy Carter” gift this Christmas.
The superstar spread holiday cheer during Wednesday’s Halftime Show at the Christmas Day Texans-Ravens NFL game in her hometown of Houston, Texas, marking the first time Beyoncé performed songs from her hit 2024 album “Cowboy Carter” in front of a live audience.
Beyoncé began her iconic performance on horseback, literally riding in while singing “16 Carriages” in what appeared to be a pre-taped segment. After dismounting with classic cars arranged in the background, she began her cover of The Beatles’ classic hit “Blackbird,” accompanied by country singers Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts, who she collaborated on the song with.
Post Malone made a surprise cameo to perform their collaboration “Levii’s Jeans,” following Bey’s duet with country singer Shaboozey.
Backed by Texas Southern University’s 200-member Ocean of Soul Marching Band, Beyoncé also performed “Ya Ya” and was joined on the field by her daughter Blue Ivy, who danced next to her mother during the song “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
Beyoncé honored the hometown team by including the Texans Cheerleaders in the performance, in addition to featuring significant figures in rodeo culture such as Bull-riding legend Myrtis Dightman, Jr. and Ja’Dayia Kursh, the first Black Rodeo Queen in Arkansas, among others.
“Merry Christmas, god bless y’all,” Beyoncé said at the end of the set, as she was raised high above the field on a white platform.
WATCH HERE
Beyoncé is no newcomer to major NFL-related events. The Grammy-winner headlined the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans and joined Coldplay and Bruno Mars on the field during the 2016 Super Bowl show.
She also used an ad spot that aired during the 2024 Super Bowl to announce “Cowboy Carter,” the highly anticipated “Act II” follow up to her 2023 album “Renaissance.”
“Cowboy Carter” was released in March and has gone on to earn 11 Grammy nods.
Queen Bey teased this week’s performance on Tuesday with a cheeky video of herself stopping a rolling football with her sky-high heels while finger-picking a banjo along to her popular song “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
The video is made to appear as though it’s buffering at one point – with a red spinning circle on Beyoncé’s nose – poking fun at Netflix’s previous lagging livestream issues that many called attention to during the slightly glitchy livestream of the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight. After the faux ‘glitch,’ Beyoncé is heard giggling and winks to the camera.
A representative for Netflix previously told CNN that they made additional optimizations of their systems to improve the viewing quality and better handle the large-scale viewership that they anticipate the Christmas Day NFL games to draw.
Netflix was the streaming host of both the Chiefs-Steelers game – which was played earlier in the day – and the Texans-Ravens game on Christmas Day.
Mariah Carey, the so-called Queen of Christmas herself, also made a splashy appearance during Netflix’s Christmas Day NFL games when she appeared in a pre-recorded video of her classic Christmas hit “All I Want For Christmas is You,” which was streamed ahead of both games.
Carey’s performance marked the song’s 30th anniversary and showcased the Grammy-winning singer performing on a rooftop in Los Angeles. Carey was surrounded by dancers and children in Christmas-themed costumes and sang amid a faux snowfall.
She also used an ad spot that aired during the 2024 Super Bowl to announce “Cowboy Carter,” the highly anticipated “Act II” follow up to her 2023 album “Renaissance.”
“Cowboy Carter” was released in March and has gone on to earn 11 Grammy nods.
Queen Bey teased this week’s performance on Tuesday with a cheeky video of herself stopping a rolling football with her sky-high heels while finger-picking a banjo along to her popular song “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
The video is made to appear as though it’s buffering at one point – with a red spinning circle on Beyoncé’s nose – poking fun at Netflix’s previous lagging livestream issues that many called attention to during the slightly glitchy livestream of the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight. After the faux ‘glitch,’ Beyoncé is heard giggling and winks to the camera.
A representative for Netflix previously told CNN that they made additional optimizations of their systems to improve the viewing quality and better handle the large-scale viewership that they anticipate the Christmas Day NFL games to draw.
Netflix was the streaming host of both the Chiefs-Steelers game – which was played earlier in the day – and the Texans-Ravens game on Christmas Day.
Mariah Carey, the so-called Queen of Christmas herself, also made a splashy appearance during Netflix’s Christmas Day NFL games when she appeared in a pre-recorded video of her classic Christmas hit “All I Want For Christmas is You,” which was streamed ahead of both games.
Carey’s performance marked the song’s 30th anniversary and showcased the Grammy-winning singer performing on a rooftop in Los Angeles. Carey was surrounded by dancers and children in Christmas-themed costumes and sang amid a faux snowfall.
#HipHopNews: Eminem says a joint album with 50 Cent is possible
Eminem has further hyped up the chances of releasing a collaborative album with longtime friend, 50 Cent.
Sitting down for a Christmas Day interview alongside his manager Paul Rosenberg on his Shade 45 radio station, Em was unusually candid about the prospect of a joint project.
Asked about the potential for a joint album, Eminem replied “That would be great. We just gotta stop bullshitting and do it. I would never say it’s not possible.”
Rosenberg then added: “I would love to hear it, so whenever you guys are ready, we’re putting it out.”
It’s not the first time Em has floated the idea of doing a full-length project with his one time Shady Records signee who has only released one album since departing the label a decade ago.
Speaking to DJ Whoo Kid earlier this year, he said: “I’m trying to get him to make a new album so bad. We need another 50 album like really bad. 50’s on a roll right now. He’s been on a roll since the tour.
“I told him whatever the fuck he needs from me, I’m here. That shit’d be crazy, though — an album with me and him.”
Though an album is still a pipe dream, Em and 50 recently hooked up on Snoop Dogg‘s latest album, Missionary, with the legendary duo providing guest verses on “Gunz N Smoke” which was produced by Dr. Dre.
The track also served as something of an homage to The Notorious B.I.G. with several references to the late rapper running throughout the song.
50 also adopts the Bad Boy MC’s cadence and spits: “Red dot ya, I got ya / B.I.G. time, who shot ya?” — just as Dre drops in a heavy-bottomed bassline that harks back to “Hypnotize.”
Snoop repurposes Big’s “you should too, if you knew” lyric from “Notorious Thugs” in his verse, while a sample of his “gunsmoke!” line from the posthumous Eminem collaboration “Dead Wrong” rings throughout.
Carrying the collab across the finish line, Eminem delivers a typically intricate and technical verse that finds him reflecting on his chaotic upbringing, past propensity for violence and maturity into middle-aged mellowness.
Sitting down for a Christmas Day interview alongside his manager Paul Rosenberg on his Shade 45 radio station, Em was unusually candid about the prospect of a joint project.
Asked about the potential for a joint album, Eminem replied “That would be great. We just gotta stop bullshitting and do it. I would never say it’s not possible.”
Rosenberg then added: “I would love to hear it, so whenever you guys are ready, we’re putting it out.”
It’s not the first time Em has floated the idea of doing a full-length project with his one time Shady Records signee who has only released one album since departing the label a decade ago.
Speaking to DJ Whoo Kid earlier this year, he said: “I’m trying to get him to make a new album so bad. We need another 50 album like really bad. 50’s on a roll right now. He’s been on a roll since the tour.
“I told him whatever the fuck he needs from me, I’m here. That shit’d be crazy, though — an album with me and him.”
Though an album is still a pipe dream, Em and 50 recently hooked up on Snoop Dogg‘s latest album, Missionary, with the legendary duo providing guest verses on “Gunz N Smoke” which was produced by Dr. Dre.
The track also served as something of an homage to The Notorious B.I.G. with several references to the late rapper running throughout the song.
50 also adopts the Bad Boy MC’s cadence and spits: “Red dot ya, I got ya / B.I.G. time, who shot ya?” — just as Dre drops in a heavy-bottomed bassline that harks back to “Hypnotize.”
Snoop repurposes Big’s “you should too, if you knew” lyric from “Notorious Thugs” in his verse, while a sample of his “gunsmoke!” line from the posthumous Eminem collaboration “Dead Wrong” rings throughout.
Carrying the collab across the finish line, Eminem delivers a typically intricate and technical verse that finds him reflecting on his chaotic upbringing, past propensity for violence and maturity into middle-aged mellowness.
SZA and manager Punch part ways
In a surprising turn of events, SZA has officially parted ways with her longtime manager, Terrence “Punch” Henderson. This announcement comes shortly after the release of her deluxe album, Lana, and has sparked conversations among fans and industry insiders alike.
The announcement
On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, SZA took to social media to confirm the split, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and understanding in professional relationships. She stated, “I love Punch deeply! NO ONE should be attacking him or being cruel on my behalf. Sometimes people grow apart and that’s okay.”
This heartfelt message highlights her appreciation for Punch’s contributions to her career while acknowledging that change is a natural part of growth.
Reflections on their journey
SZA’s relationship with Punch has been pivotal in her rise to fame. Under his management, she has released critically acclaimed albums and garnered numerous awards. However, as SZA noted, “Nothing to celebrate. The end of an era. I wish him the best whatever his choices may be.”
This sentiment resonates with many artists who find themselves at crossroads in their careers, where personal and professional paths diverge.
Fan reactions and industry impact
The announcement has elicited mixed reactions from fans. Some have expressed concern over Punch’s management style, particularly following the chaotic rollout of SZA’s recent album. Punch himself tweeted, “Change your bio and everything goes haywire. Sheesh. I’m beginning to suspect some of you guys don’t fancy me very much.”
This tweet suggests that the transition may not have been entirely smooth, as fans grapple with the implications of this change.
What’s next for SZA?
As SZA embarks on this new chapter, fans are eager to see how this decision will influence her music and career trajectory. The singer has proven herself to be a force in the industry, known for her unique sound and relatable lyrics. With her recent album, Lana, receiving positive reviews, it’s clear that SZA is on an upward trajectory.
Parting ways with a longtime manager is never easy, especially for an artist like SZA, who has built a significant part of her career with Punch by her side. However, her mature approach to the situation reflects a deep understanding of the complexities of the music industry. As she continues to evolve as an artist, fans can look forward to what she has in store next. Change can be daunting, but it often leads to new opportunities and growth.
In a surprising turn of events, SZA has officially parted ways with her longtime manager, Terrence “Punch” Henderson. This announcement comes shortly after the release of her deluxe album, Lana, and has sparked conversations among fans and industry insiders alike.
The announcement
On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, SZA took to social media to confirm the split, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and understanding in professional relationships. She stated, “I love Punch deeply! NO ONE should be attacking him or being cruel on my behalf. Sometimes people grow apart and that’s okay.”
This heartfelt message highlights her appreciation for Punch’s contributions to her career while acknowledging that change is a natural part of growth.
Reflections on their journey
SZA’s relationship with Punch has been pivotal in her rise to fame. Under his management, she has released critically acclaimed albums and garnered numerous awards. However, as SZA noted, “Nothing to celebrate. The end of an era. I wish him the best whatever his choices may be.”
This sentiment resonates with many artists who find themselves at crossroads in their careers, where personal and professional paths diverge.
Fan reactions and industry impact
The announcement has elicited mixed reactions from fans. Some have expressed concern over Punch’s management style, particularly following the chaotic rollout of SZA’s recent album. Punch himself tweeted, “Change your bio and everything goes haywire. Sheesh. I’m beginning to suspect some of you guys don’t fancy me very much.”
This tweet suggests that the transition may not have been entirely smooth, as fans grapple with the implications of this change.
What’s next for SZA?
As SZA embarks on this new chapter, fans are eager to see how this decision will influence her music and career trajectory. The singer has proven herself to be a force in the industry, known for her unique sound and relatable lyrics. With her recent album, Lana, receiving positive reviews, it’s clear that SZA is on an upward trajectory.
Parting ways with a longtime manager is never easy, especially for an artist like SZA, who has built a significant part of her career with Punch by her side. However, her mature approach to the situation reflects a deep understanding of the complexities of the music industry. As she continues to evolve as an artist, fans can look forward to what she has in store next. Change can be daunting, but it often leads to new opportunities and growth.
Wendy Williams Slams Her Caretakers For Leaving Her Stranded With The Wrong Car
Wendy William's family's concerns about her caretakers appear to have some merit based on a recent altercation.
The former broadcaster's loved ones have been vocal about how her court-appointed guardians and caretakers are detrimental to her well-being. Her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., has repeatedly criticized them for doing a lousy job protecting his famous mom.
Wendy Williams, who was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023, appeared to have similar concerns her family had about her team. She got into a heated banter with them following a rare public outing to celebrate her son's graduation from Florida International University.
Members of the "We In Miami" podcast captured Williams' heated exchange with her caretakers on video. They shared a snippet of the incident on Instagram, showing the media personality visibly upset after her son's graduation dinner in Miami last week.
The former "Wendy Williams Show" host addressed her caretakers while seated on her mobility scooter on a busy street sidewalk. She criticized them for leaving her scooter unattended and for bringing the wrong car to pick her up from the restaurant.
"They got the wrong car, so I knocked on the door, and it was totally the wrong car. They left my scooter as they walked over there," Williams explained to the podcast crew when they asked her what happened, adding:
"Leaving my most precious, most - this cost a f—ing mint motherf—er. They just left my sh-t out there."
The Former TV Host Demanded Better Care
The podcast host explained that the incident between Williams and her caretakers occurred because of her decision to walk out of the restaurant instead of using her mobility scooter.
However, her team took the scooter outside the restaurant and allegedly abandoned it on the side of the road before moving elsewhere.
The video cut back to Williams, who did not back down from berating her caretakers. She repeatedly told them to bring the right car and park it where she could easily access it. Additionally, she demanded better care from her employees, saying:
Britney Spears Shares Footage Of Reunion With Son Jayden On Christmas
The former broadcaster's loved ones have been vocal about how her court-appointed guardians and caretakers are detrimental to her well-being. Her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., has repeatedly criticized them for doing a lousy job protecting his famous mom.
Wendy Williams, who was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023, appeared to have similar concerns her family had about her team. She got into a heated banter with them following a rare public outing to celebrate her son's graduation from Florida International University.
Members of the "We In Miami" podcast captured Williams' heated exchange with her caretakers on video. They shared a snippet of the incident on Instagram, showing the media personality visibly upset after her son's graduation dinner in Miami last week.
The former "Wendy Williams Show" host addressed her caretakers while seated on her mobility scooter on a busy street sidewalk. She criticized them for leaving her scooter unattended and for bringing the wrong car to pick her up from the restaurant.
"They got the wrong car, so I knocked on the door, and it was totally the wrong car. They left my scooter as they walked over there," Williams explained to the podcast crew when they asked her what happened, adding:
"Leaving my most precious, most - this cost a f—ing mint motherf—er. They just left my sh-t out there."
The Former TV Host Demanded Better Care
The podcast host explained that the incident between Williams and her caretakers occurred because of her decision to walk out of the restaurant instead of using her mobility scooter.
However, her team took the scooter outside the restaurant and allegedly abandoned it on the side of the road before moving elsewhere.
The video cut back to Williams, who did not back down from berating her caretakers. She repeatedly told them to bring the right car and park it where she could easily access it. Additionally, she demanded better care from her employees, saying:
Britney Spears Shares Footage Of Reunion With Son Jayden On Christmas
This holiday season just got a little warmer for Britney Spears, thanks to the presence of her loved one. The pop icon got to spend Christmas with one of her sons, Jayden James Federline, following years of estrangement.
The singer took to social media on Wednesday, December 25 to share a video of their heartwarming reunion. In the clip, she introduced her younger son to her followers. "Hello!" Jayden said to the camera. Britney proudly declared, "This is my baby," before stroking her son's hair and kissing him on the head.
The video switched to show footage of the mother-and-son duo standing in front of a fireplace as music blared in the background during what looks like a Christmas celebration. They took turns to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
In the caption, Britney expressed her joy and gratitude to be reunited with her son on the special day. "Best Christmas of my life !!!" she wrote. While her elder son Sean Preston Federline wasn't seen anywhere in the clip, she added, "I haven't seen my boys in 2 years !!! Tears of joy and literally in shock everyday koo koo crazy so in love and blessed !!! I'm speechless thank you Jesus !!!"
The reunion comes after Britney was reportedly rebuilding her relationships with her mother Lynne Spears and her teenage sons ahead of the holiday season. "She and her sons are really focusing on rebuilding their bond," a source told Page Six earlier this month, adding that the so-called Princess of Pop and her two sons were on the path to being "super close" again. "These things are a process in every family dynamic," the insider added.
After patching things up with her family, Britney is ready to enter 2025 with a sobering goal. According to a new report, she is bringing in a new squad of helpers to keep her on the straight as she is determined to stay sober and get her career back on track.
"Britney seems to be very serious about getting her life together, she's really showing great signs of being on track and committed to staying healthy. But that doesn't mean it's not a 24-hour battle to keep her away from her demons," a source told In Touch.
The so-called insider explained, "The fact is, she can't afford to have even a single bad influence in her life without the risk of her getting dragged back into her old habits. That's why her whole staff is getting a reboot top to bottom and only people that can prove they're on the straight and narrow are being employed."
The source continued, "She's in the process of hiring a lot of new people with the goal of having a team of helpers around her that are not only sober but also have skills like life coaching or therapy to bring to the table. Britney's got plenty of money to spend so why not hire the best, and this way she's always got people around that are looking out for her best interest and watching for any signs that she might be veering off her path."
The singer took to social media on Wednesday, December 25 to share a video of their heartwarming reunion. In the clip, she introduced her younger son to her followers. "Hello!" Jayden said to the camera. Britney proudly declared, "This is my baby," before stroking her son's hair and kissing him on the head.
The video switched to show footage of the mother-and-son duo standing in front of a fireplace as music blared in the background during what looks like a Christmas celebration. They took turns to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
In the caption, Britney expressed her joy and gratitude to be reunited with her son on the special day. "Best Christmas of my life !!!" she wrote. While her elder son Sean Preston Federline wasn't seen anywhere in the clip, she added, "I haven't seen my boys in 2 years !!! Tears of joy and literally in shock everyday koo koo crazy so in love and blessed !!! I'm speechless thank you Jesus !!!"
The reunion comes after Britney was reportedly rebuilding her relationships with her mother Lynne Spears and her teenage sons ahead of the holiday season. "She and her sons are really focusing on rebuilding their bond," a source told Page Six earlier this month, adding that the so-called Princess of Pop and her two sons were on the path to being "super close" again. "These things are a process in every family dynamic," the insider added.
After patching things up with her family, Britney is ready to enter 2025 with a sobering goal. According to a new report, she is bringing in a new squad of helpers to keep her on the straight as she is determined to stay sober and get her career back on track.
"Britney seems to be very serious about getting her life together, she's really showing great signs of being on track and committed to staying healthy. But that doesn't mean it's not a 24-hour battle to keep her away from her demons," a source told In Touch.
The so-called insider explained, "The fact is, she can't afford to have even a single bad influence in her life without the risk of her getting dragged back into her old habits. That's why her whole staff is getting a reboot top to bottom and only people that can prove they're on the straight and narrow are being employed."
The source continued, "She's in the process of hiring a lot of new people with the goal of having a team of helpers around her that are not only sober but also have skills like life coaching or therapy to bring to the table. Britney's got plenty of money to spend so why not hire the best, and this way she's always got people around that are looking out for her best interest and watching for any signs that she might be veering off her path."
Halle Berry Shares Photos From Tropical Christmas Getaway
This Christmas, Halle Berry is turning up the heat with a series of stunning photos from a tropical getaway with her long-time boyfriend Van Hunt. The 58-year-old "Catwoman" star shared the festive snaps on Instagram to the delight of her followers.
The holiday photos included a mirror selfie of Berry in a striking black one-piece swimsuit, topped with a wide-brimmed hat that accentuated her beach-ready look. She also sported a festive oversized Grinch T-shirt, capturing the playful essence of the season.
Berry and Hunt, who have been dating since 2020, shared several moments from their vacation, from enjoying poolside meals at sunset to a mischievous animal venturing into their villa and sampling their room service. The couple's relaxed and joyful aura in the shared images resonated well with their followers, highlighting the genuine connection between them.
While enjoying the holiday spirit, Berry remains committed to advocating for a significant cause. At 58, she is fervently working to shift the narrative surrounding aging in women. In a recent interview with Glamour, Berry opened up about her experiences with menopause and the challenges she faced, including memory loss, agitation and severe sleep deprivation. Berrys candidness about her journey revealed a side of menopause that is often overlooked and misunderstood.
"Men get s**y, they get grey hair, they're silver foxes. We're just old, and we're haggard," Berry said, highlighting the disparity in societal perceptions of aging between men and women. Determined to educate and empower, Berry launched Respin, a health and wellness platform aimed at supporting women through their menopause experiences.
Her advocacy extended to the legislative sphere as she lobbied for the bipartisan Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women's Health Act. Berry's involvement in MasterClass's "The Magic of Menopause" and her collaboration with medical experts further underscore her commitment to raising awareness and providing valuable resources to women during this critical phase of life.
Despite facing skepticism and misdiagnoses, Berry's resilience led her to a profound understanding of her body and a mission to help others. As she continues to inspire with her grace and determination, Halle Berry proves that aging can be a beautiful journey when approached with knowledge, acceptance and a bit of holiday cheer.
The holiday photos included a mirror selfie of Berry in a striking black one-piece swimsuit, topped with a wide-brimmed hat that accentuated her beach-ready look. She also sported a festive oversized Grinch T-shirt, capturing the playful essence of the season.
Berry and Hunt, who have been dating since 2020, shared several moments from their vacation, from enjoying poolside meals at sunset to a mischievous animal venturing into their villa and sampling their room service. The couple's relaxed and joyful aura in the shared images resonated well with their followers, highlighting the genuine connection between them.
While enjoying the holiday spirit, Berry remains committed to advocating for a significant cause. At 58, she is fervently working to shift the narrative surrounding aging in women. In a recent interview with Glamour, Berry opened up about her experiences with menopause and the challenges she faced, including memory loss, agitation and severe sleep deprivation. Berrys candidness about her journey revealed a side of menopause that is often overlooked and misunderstood.
"Men get s**y, they get grey hair, they're silver foxes. We're just old, and we're haggard," Berry said, highlighting the disparity in societal perceptions of aging between men and women. Determined to educate and empower, Berry launched Respin, a health and wellness platform aimed at supporting women through their menopause experiences.
Her advocacy extended to the legislative sphere as she lobbied for the bipartisan Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women's Health Act. Berry's involvement in MasterClass's "The Magic of Menopause" and her collaboration with medical experts further underscore her commitment to raising awareness and providing valuable resources to women during this critical phase of life.
Despite facing skepticism and misdiagnoses, Berry's resilience led her to a profound understanding of her body and a mission to help others. As she continues to inspire with her grace and determination, Halle Berry proves that aging can be a beautiful journey when approached with knowledge, acceptance and a bit of holiday cheer.
Karen Huger Threatens Legal Action Against Jacqueline Blake After Crashing Her Party
Since her DUI arrest, Karen Huger has been under scrutiny, with her castmates discussing her drinking habits. Jacqueline Blake, a close friend of Mia Thornton, has been particularly vocal about Karen's issues, prompting a rift between them.
During the current season, Karen snubbed Jacqueline by not inviting her to her "Love Lagoon" party. However, Jacqueline crashed the event, bringing balloons that represented the eight citations Karen had received for her DUI.
Karen reacted strongly to Jacqueline's joke, kicking her out of her home. Later, on a group trip to Panama, Karen confronted Jacqueline, threatening to press charges against her.
"I take my security of my family very seriously," she declared. "I have begun the process of pressing charges against you."
Jacqueline insisted her intentions were harmless, but Karen maintained that her actions were illegal due to environmental regulations.
Despite the tension, Jacqueline eventually apologized to Karen for trespassing. "I apologize for showing up to your home," she said. "But I do not apologize for the message I was bringing."
The cast reacted with a mix of amusement and disbelief, with Mia Thornton pointing out Karen's previous involvement in releasing balloons at her parents' celebration of life.
Ashley Darby questioned Karen's focus on environmentalism given her own legal troubles, while Wendy Osefo joked about her apparent affiliation with the Environmental Protection Agency.
During the current season, Karen snubbed Jacqueline by not inviting her to her "Love Lagoon" party. However, Jacqueline crashed the event, bringing balloons that represented the eight citations Karen had received for her DUI.
Karen reacted strongly to Jacqueline's joke, kicking her out of her home. Later, on a group trip to Panama, Karen confronted Jacqueline, threatening to press charges against her.
"I take my security of my family very seriously," she declared. "I have begun the process of pressing charges against you."
Jacqueline insisted her intentions were harmless, but Karen maintained that her actions were illegal due to environmental regulations.
Despite the tension, Jacqueline eventually apologized to Karen for trespassing. "I apologize for showing up to your home," she said. "But I do not apologize for the message I was bringing."
The cast reacted with a mix of amusement and disbelief, with Mia Thornton pointing out Karen's previous involvement in releasing balloons at her parents' celebration of life.
Ashley Darby questioned Karen's focus on environmentalism given her own legal troubles, while Wendy Osefo joked about her apparent affiliation with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Drake Poses in Fur Coat Christmas Photos, Says He Hit 'Growth Spurt'
The rapper gave a sly message while showing off his new coat.
Drake gave a subtle jab while sharing pictures of his new fur coat on Christmas Day.
To kick off the holidays, on Wednesday, Dec. 25, the five-time Grammy winner shared an Instagram carousel of himself standing in front of evergreen trees outside while wearing an oversized navy and gray fur coat. Other shots showed him in a brown fleece and balaclava mask, gazing deeply into the camera à la Dark Lane Demo Tapes.
"Used to look up to some people then I hit a growth spurt…$$$🎁," the 6 God captioned the post.
The caption could be a dig at his rap nemesis Kendrick Lamar, as Drizzy trolled the Compton native about his height and shoe size on diss track "Push Ups." "How the fuck you big steppin’ with a size 7 men’s on?" Drake rapped on the song, which was released in April.
Drake gave a subtle jab while sharing pictures of his new fur coat on Christmas Day.
To kick off the holidays, on Wednesday, Dec. 25, the five-time Grammy winner shared an Instagram carousel of himself standing in front of evergreen trees outside while wearing an oversized navy and gray fur coat. Other shots showed him in a brown fleece and balaclava mask, gazing deeply into the camera à la Dark Lane Demo Tapes.
"Used to look up to some people then I hit a growth spurt…$$$🎁," the 6 God captioned the post.
The caption could be a dig at his rap nemesis Kendrick Lamar, as Drizzy trolled the Compton native about his height and shoe size on diss track "Push Ups." "How the fuck you big steppin’ with a size 7 men’s on?" Drake rapped on the song, which was released in April.
But Drake will be throwing more shots in court next month, as the rapper is suing Spotify and Universal Music Group for defamation and the alleged artificial streaming boost of Kendrick's hit single, "Not Like Us."
Erica Mena Apologizes to Nicki Minaj for Past Comments
Erica Mena has apologized to Nicki Minaj for past comments about her, blaming Safaree Samuels for manipulating her to say them.
Mena addressed the rapper on the Dumb Blonde podcast after explaining that she found out Samuels was cheating on her at massage parlors. When the podcast host mentioned that Minaj had a similar story, that’s when Mena decided to publicly address her. “I owe her the biggest apology,” said Mena, then admitting that she allowed Safaree Samuels to influence how she thought of her. “It’s funny how life comes full circle. Because the same thing he did to her, he’s doing to me years later.”
“I remember him pouring his heart out to me about all this stuff that she did to him,” Mena continued. “At the time, I didn’t think to ask what did you do to her.”
Mena’s apology comes in the midst of some very public drama she’s having with Samuels. She hopped on Instagram recently to address comments that he recently made about her publicly. “@theshaderoom the truth to one of the many lies is….. It’s actually 6 months - a half a year,” she wrote.
“Before I walk into 2025 I promise you all will know the whole truth,” Mena continued. “And it won’t be edited fabricated fake recipes either. And yall know I don’t do interviews with just anybody so just know this sit down will be explosive.”
Mena’s post followed Samuels speaking about his issue with being able to see the children he shares with her during an interview with The Shade Room. “I refuse to go to her house to pick up the kids until this thing is settled on paper and I know, ‘Ok this is my time,’” he said.
“Real life, shit it’s just a very unstable situation with her — having to have any direct dialogue with her,” he continued. “So, right now I'm just in the legal process of trying to get it to that schedule.”
In October, Samuels posted a video of Mena physically assaulting him in front of their children, captioning the video with, “I have to put myself first. Because I’m either gonna end up in jail or worse because I'm dealing with someone who’s anger management is nonexistent.”
Alicia Keys Surprises Students at Her Former NYC High School
Alicia Keys recently visited the Professional Performing Arts School in New York City, where her music career first took shape.
The trip was featured on “CBS Mornings” and highlighted the singer’s reunion with former music teacher, Linda Aziza Miller, who Keys credits for teaching her how to arrange music.
“She taught me so much about how to arrange music, how to arrange a song. Those are the things that I took, and I put into the music,” the global superstar said, CBS News reports.
Keys’ Broadway show “Hells Kitchen” includes a character named Ms. Liza Jane, who is influenced by the singer’s grandmother, and Ms. Aziza, who serves as the orchestra pianist for the musical at the Shubert Theatre.
The 16-time Grammy-winning artist, who graduated as valedictorian from Professional Performing Arts Scho, shared advice with the students in a theater class.
“I want you to always be yourself,” she said. “I want you to never forget that the more unique you are, the more you stand out.”
She also joined the students for an impromptu performance of “This Girl Is on Fire.” Check it out in the clip above.
“I’m so happy to see you guys,” Keys told them. “I’m really honored to be here, to talk to you and get a second. Just tell you that I’m proud of you and that, you know, I really recognize you.”
WATCH HERE
Earlier this year, Keys collected more than a dozen 2024 Tony Award nominations for her Broadway musical.
Vibe reported the critically acclaimed production “Hell’s Kitchen,” inspired by the “Keys’ personal coming-of-age story in New York City scored 13 nominations in all, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.
Directed by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, “Hell’s Kitchen” chronicles the journey of its lead character, Ali, whose rebellious spirit is maintained by her overprotective single mother.
“Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano,” according to a description of the play from its official website.
Vibe reported the critically acclaimed production “Hell’s Kitchen,” inspired by the “Keys’ personal coming-of-age story in New York City scored 13 nominations in all, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.
Directed by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, “Hell’s Kitchen” chronicles the journey of its lead character, Ali, whose rebellious spirit is maintained by her overprotective single mother.
“Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano,” according to a description of the play from its official website.
Mary J. Blige Says She Was 'Afraid Of Success' But Diddy Helped Her To Be Ambitious In Her Career
Over the course of three decades, Mary J. Blige has been one of the leading voices in the music industry.
With 15 studio albums in the game, the music legend continues to sit on her throne as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.
As previously reported by AfroTech, Blige’s talent and dedication to her artistry led her to build a net worth of $20 million, Celebrity Net Worth estimates.
While the quality of Blige’s discography speaks for itself along with the record charts and plaques, she has opened up about there being a time when she wasn’t prepared for all of the accolades set to come her way — until meeting the music mogul who helped shape her entry into the business.
For her debut album “What’s the 411,” released in 1992 under Uptown Records, Blige worked closely with Diddy, who was the executive producer of the album.
Nearly 30 years later, in an interview with PEOPLE, the Hip-Hop heavyweight praised Blige for being a “pioneer” and “an unstoppable force.”
“Mary J. Blige is one of the greatest storytellers in R&B history,” Diddy told PEOPLE. “She created a lane for women around the world to speak their truth to power, so nobody deserves this success more than her.”
In the same breath, Blige showed love to her close friend and even admitted he played a significant role in her facing success head-on.
“Puff was a huge inspiration for me,” she said, according to the outlet. “He wanted all of this for me more than I wanted it myself.”
“I was not as ambitious as Puff,” she continued. “When I met him, I was afraid of success, afraid to do anything that could put so much attention on me. When you come from where I come from, you’re scared to be ambitious. You’re scared to want more. And then when I met him, he was the complete opposite. He was such a good thing for me because I needed what he had, to be excited to be seen, to have the lights on him. But it took some years to grow into that.”
Since then, it’s clear that Blige has left fear in her past.
In addition to having success in music, she has an ever-expanding acting portfolio, inked endorsement deals, and has multiple business endeavors including her popular wine brand, Sun Goddess.
Over the course of three decades, Mary J. Blige has been one of the leading voices in the music industry.
With 15 studio albums in the game, the music legend continues to sit on her throne as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.
As previously reported by AfroTech, Blige’s talent and dedication to her artistry led her to build a net worth of $20 million, Celebrity Net Worth estimates.
While the quality of Blige’s discography speaks for itself along with the record charts and plaques, she has opened up about there being a time when she wasn’t prepared for all of the accolades set to come her way — until meeting the music mogul who helped shape her entry into the business.
For her debut album “What’s the 411,” released in 1992 under Uptown Records, Blige worked closely with Diddy, who was the executive producer of the album.
Nearly 30 years later, in an interview with PEOPLE, the Hip-Hop heavyweight praised Blige for being a “pioneer” and “an unstoppable force.”
“Mary J. Blige is one of the greatest storytellers in R&B history,” Diddy told PEOPLE. “She created a lane for women around the world to speak their truth to power, so nobody deserves this success more than her.”
In the same breath, Blige showed love to her close friend and even admitted he played a significant role in her facing success head-on.
“Puff was a huge inspiration for me,” she said, according to the outlet. “He wanted all of this for me more than I wanted it myself.”
“I was not as ambitious as Puff,” she continued. “When I met him, I was afraid of success, afraid to do anything that could put so much attention on me. When you come from where I come from, you’re scared to be ambitious. You’re scared to want more. And then when I met him, he was the complete opposite. He was such a good thing for me because I needed what he had, to be excited to be seen, to have the lights on him. But it took some years to grow into that.”
Since then, it’s clear that Blige has left fear in her past.
In addition to having success in music, she has an ever-expanding acting portfolio, inked endorsement deals, and has multiple business endeavors including her popular wine brand, Sun Goddess.
Gabourey Sidibe and Husband Brandon Frankel Celebrate Their First Christmas with Baby Twins in Sweet Video Montage
Gabourey Sidibe and Brandon Frankel enjoyed their first Christmas as parents, sharing a sweet video from their celebration.
On Thursday, Dec. 26, the actress, 41, posted an adorable video montage with her husband and their 8-month-old twins Cooper and Maya, as the family of four celebrated their first Christmas together. In the sweet clips, the "Sidibabies" can be seen playing with their new toys — and the boxes they came in — while matching with their parents in blue tie-dye pajamas.
"First Frankel Family Christmas for The SidiBabies was a success!" the proud mom wrote in her caption. "They really loved the boxes!"
In the comments, the proud dad shared his excitement, writing, "We did it! We won the parent “Super Bowl”! 😍🥹🤝❤️."
Frankel also shared a sentimental message on Instagram alongside some funny photos of the twins jumping on Sidibe.
"HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! We’re so thankful to have Mama back home from filming in time to celebrate as a family! I can’t tell you how badly we all missed @gabbysidibe - you’re not allowed to leave us for that long ever again," he wrote.
"Please enjoy the twins love-attacking Mama during one of their playtime windows. I just love how much they get excited when they see her. Squealing and smiles galore! These three are all the presents I need," he continued. "Hope you all get to spend this time with the people you love the most. I’ll never take any of this for granted 😭🥰."
Earlier this week, Sidibe shared another sweet video of the twins as they participated in their mom's singing lessons.
In the clip, Sidibe can be heard teaching her children how to sing as the twins babble along in their little seats with their names printed on the front. "Daily singing lessons," she captioned her post.
In the comment section, Frankel shared his love for their babies: "Those babies got that Ridley spirit in em. Yall betta sing 😍🥹," he wrote.
Frankel often shares his gratitude for Sidibe and their twins on Instagram. On Tuesday, Dec. 10, he shared a few cute photos in a gallery of Cooper and Maya.
Under the carousel post, Frankel shared that his "heart explodes" when he looks at them, because of the traits they got from their mom.
On Thursday, Dec. 26, the actress, 41, posted an adorable video montage with her husband and their 8-month-old twins Cooper and Maya, as the family of four celebrated their first Christmas together. In the sweet clips, the "Sidibabies" can be seen playing with their new toys — and the boxes they came in — while matching with their parents in blue tie-dye pajamas.
"First Frankel Family Christmas for The SidiBabies was a success!" the proud mom wrote in her caption. "They really loved the boxes!"
In the comments, the proud dad shared his excitement, writing, "We did it! We won the parent “Super Bowl”! 😍🥹🤝❤️."
Frankel also shared a sentimental message on Instagram alongside some funny photos of the twins jumping on Sidibe.
"HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! We’re so thankful to have Mama back home from filming in time to celebrate as a family! I can’t tell you how badly we all missed @gabbysidibe - you’re not allowed to leave us for that long ever again," he wrote.
"Please enjoy the twins love-attacking Mama during one of their playtime windows. I just love how much they get excited when they see her. Squealing and smiles galore! These three are all the presents I need," he continued. "Hope you all get to spend this time with the people you love the most. I’ll never take any of this for granted 😭🥰."
Earlier this week, Sidibe shared another sweet video of the twins as they participated in their mom's singing lessons.
In the clip, Sidibe can be heard teaching her children how to sing as the twins babble along in their little seats with their names printed on the front. "Daily singing lessons," she captioned her post.
In the comment section, Frankel shared his love for their babies: "Those babies got that Ridley spirit in em. Yall betta sing 😍🥹," he wrote.
Frankel often shares his gratitude for Sidibe and their twins on Instagram. On Tuesday, Dec. 10, he shared a few cute photos in a gallery of Cooper and Maya.
Under the carousel post, Frankel shared that his "heart explodes" when he looks at them, because of the traits they got from their mom.
T.J. Holmes Explains Why He's Against Proposing To Amy Robach On Christmas
One thing that Amy Robach is not getting on Christmas is T.J. Holmes' proposal. In a special Christmas Day episode of their "Amy & T.J." podcast on Wednesday, December 25, T.J. claimed he would avoid popping the question to his girlfriend during the holiday season.
In the episode, Amy revealed that she wouldn't want to get engaged on Christmas. "I learned that no one should ever congratulate the bride after a proposal or a wedding," she opined. "You should congratulate the groom because he's lucky to have her. But that is maybe old-fashioned."
T.J. fully agreed as he responded, "Lucky me, I say it every day." The former "Good Morning America 3" host later clarified, "And no there will not be, obviously, for anyone who is wondering - there won't be a Christmas Day proposal."
Elsewhere in the episode, T.J. asked Amy when she got proposed to in the past. "Random days that had zero significance," she said. Prior to dating her "GMA 3" co-anchor, Amy was married to Andrew Shue from 2010 to 2023. She was also married to Tim McIntosh from 1996 to 2008.
This wasn't the first time the couple discussed engagement. Earlier this month, Amy said, "It's not an if, it's a when. I like that. I actually appreciate that," adding that T.J. turned her down multiple times when she asked about proposing to him. "T.J., you told me that I should never propose to you."
"Remember, we were talking about women proposing to men? But I'm just saying that if I answer this, I feel like that'd be kind of in part me saying when I would like to get married," she said. "We don't have a date, obviously, and we haven't even decided what we're going to do. [But] I said I want to and I'd like to in the fall [and] that would be akin to me proposing to you."
T.J. and Amy were fired from the NBC talk show after their romance was exposed in 2022. They both filed for divorce from their respective spouses in the same year, though they insisted that their marriages were over before they started dating. In a rather surprising twist of event, Amy's ex Andrew has moved on from her by dating T.J.'s ex-wife Marilee Fiebig following his split from Amy.
In the episode, Amy revealed that she wouldn't want to get engaged on Christmas. "I learned that no one should ever congratulate the bride after a proposal or a wedding," she opined. "You should congratulate the groom because he's lucky to have her. But that is maybe old-fashioned."
T.J. fully agreed as he responded, "Lucky me, I say it every day." The former "Good Morning America 3" host later clarified, "And no there will not be, obviously, for anyone who is wondering - there won't be a Christmas Day proposal."
Elsewhere in the episode, T.J. asked Amy when she got proposed to in the past. "Random days that had zero significance," she said. Prior to dating her "GMA 3" co-anchor, Amy was married to Andrew Shue from 2010 to 2023. She was also married to Tim McIntosh from 1996 to 2008.
This wasn't the first time the couple discussed engagement. Earlier this month, Amy said, "It's not an if, it's a when. I like that. I actually appreciate that," adding that T.J. turned her down multiple times when she asked about proposing to him. "T.J., you told me that I should never propose to you."
"Remember, we were talking about women proposing to men? But I'm just saying that if I answer this, I feel like that'd be kind of in part me saying when I would like to get married," she said. "We don't have a date, obviously, and we haven't even decided what we're going to do. [But] I said I want to and I'd like to in the fall [and] that would be akin to me proposing to you."
T.J. and Amy were fired from the NBC talk show after their romance was exposed in 2022. They both filed for divorce from their respective spouses in the same year, though they insisted that their marriages were over before they started dating. In a rather surprising twist of event, Amy's ex Andrew has moved on from her by dating T.J.'s ex-wife Marilee Fiebig following his split from Amy.
Travis Scott Holds 5th Annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Giveback At TSU
On Saturday (Dec. 21), Travis Scott and his Cactus Jack Foundation held their fifth annual Winter Wonderland giveback for Houston families, in partnership with Texas Southern University (TSU), the Houston Food Bank, and the Webster family.
Hosted at the HBCU, the day was a vibrant celebration of community as Scott and his team gave out 2,000 toys and bikes to kids, along with 1,000 bags of food for families.
200 pairs of Nike Cactus Jack sneakers, as well as limited-edition merchandise from brands like Cactus Jack Nike, Fanatics, the Houston Astros, and Space Village were also distributed.
Families were treated to a magical Winter Wonderland-themed pop-up park featuring a giant inflatable bounce house and a special visit from Santa Claus. The Houston Astros also hosted a station where attendees could sign up for information on Scott’s TXRX Lab, as the Waymon Webster Program had a table providing resources for scholars interested in applying for HBCU scholarships.
Notable attendees included the Webster family, Texas Southern University Chairman Brandon L. Simmons, and City of Houston Controller Chris Hollins. Additionally, Don Toliver and Love Island season six winner Serena Page made an appearance in support of the foundation’s mission to uplift the community during the holiday season.
This year the foundation integrated the Waymon Webster Scholarship Program—named in honor of the Webster family’s HBCU legacy. According to a press release, to date, the program has awarded over $1,000,000 in scholarships to more than 100 graduating seniors.
Hosted at the HBCU, the day was a vibrant celebration of community as Scott and his team gave out 2,000 toys and bikes to kids, along with 1,000 bags of food for families.
200 pairs of Nike Cactus Jack sneakers, as well as limited-edition merchandise from brands like Cactus Jack Nike, Fanatics, the Houston Astros, and Space Village were also distributed.
Families were treated to a magical Winter Wonderland-themed pop-up park featuring a giant inflatable bounce house and a special visit from Santa Claus. The Houston Astros also hosted a station where attendees could sign up for information on Scott’s TXRX Lab, as the Waymon Webster Program had a table providing resources for scholars interested in applying for HBCU scholarships.
Notable attendees included the Webster family, Texas Southern University Chairman Brandon L. Simmons, and City of Houston Controller Chris Hollins. Additionally, Don Toliver and Love Island season six winner Serena Page made an appearance in support of the foundation’s mission to uplift the community during the holiday season.
This year the foundation integrated the Waymon Webster Scholarship Program—named in honor of the Webster family’s HBCU legacy. According to a press release, to date, the program has awarded over $1,000,000 in scholarships to more than 100 graduating seniors.
President Joe Biden signs into law The National Defense Authorization Act First federal anti-LGBTQ+ bill in decades
The National Defense Authorization Act has a provision barring the military's insurance from covering gender-affirming care for service members' children.
President Joe Biden signed an almost $900 billion defense bill even though the bill contained a provision containing restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
The National Defense Authorization Act passed both the House and Senate in recent weeks after months of negotiating between Democrats and Republicans. One issue in the bill was a measure to ban the military’s insurance Tricare from covering some gender-affirming care treatments. Other issues that were, however, struck from the final bill included restrictions on abortion access and DEI initiatives in the military.
Biden said that he and his administration “strongly opposes” restrictions on gender-affirming care for trans youth in a statement released after he signed the bill.
“By prohibiting the use of appropriated funds, the Department of Defense will be compelled to contravene clinical practice guidelines and clinical recommendations. The provision targets a group based on that group’s gender identity and interferes with parents’ roles to determine the best care for their children,” he said. "This section undermines our all-volunteer military’s ability to recruit and retain the finest fighting force the world has ever known by denying health care coverage to thousands of our service members’ children."
Biden added: "No service member should have to decide between their family’s health care access and their call to serve our Nation.
Many Democrats in the House and the Senate had condemned the language of the bill, accusing Speaker Mike Johnson of trying to shore up support for his speakership by introducing such a conservative measure. Only 10 Democratic senators voted against the bill. Most House Democrats voted against it.
Ranking House Armed Services Democrat U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, called the measure “bigoted against the trans community,” according to Politico.
LGBTQ+ advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign condemned the signing.
“Military families lay everything on the line for our country. They uproot and move at a moment’s notice, make immense personal sacrifices, and often risk their lives in defense of our freedoms. In turn, that sacrifice has been met with disrespect and the use of their children as a political bargaining chip," the group's president, Kelley Robinson, said in a press release. "For them, this law is not about politics – it’s about losing the freedom to make their own health care decisions. Congress and the White House have failed military families. This country’s first anti-LGBTQ+ federal law in almost 30 years disgraces those who have sacrificed so much.”
The National Defense Authorization Act has a provision barring the military's insurance from covering gender-affirming care for service members' children.
President Joe Biden signed an almost $900 billion defense bill even though the bill contained a provision containing restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
The National Defense Authorization Act passed both the House and Senate in recent weeks after months of negotiating between Democrats and Republicans. One issue in the bill was a measure to ban the military’s insurance Tricare from covering some gender-affirming care treatments. Other issues that were, however, struck from the final bill included restrictions on abortion access and DEI initiatives in the military.
Biden said that he and his administration “strongly opposes” restrictions on gender-affirming care for trans youth in a statement released after he signed the bill.
“By prohibiting the use of appropriated funds, the Department of Defense will be compelled to contravene clinical practice guidelines and clinical recommendations. The provision targets a group based on that group’s gender identity and interferes with parents’ roles to determine the best care for their children,” he said. "This section undermines our all-volunteer military’s ability to recruit and retain the finest fighting force the world has ever known by denying health care coverage to thousands of our service members’ children."
Biden added: "No service member should have to decide between their family’s health care access and their call to serve our Nation.
Many Democrats in the House and the Senate had condemned the language of the bill, accusing Speaker Mike Johnson of trying to shore up support for his speakership by introducing such a conservative measure. Only 10 Democratic senators voted against the bill. Most House Democrats voted against it.
Ranking House Armed Services Democrat U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, called the measure “bigoted against the trans community,” according to Politico.
LGBTQ+ advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign condemned the signing.
“Military families lay everything on the line for our country. They uproot and move at a moment’s notice, make immense personal sacrifices, and often risk their lives in defense of our freedoms. In turn, that sacrifice has been met with disrespect and the use of their children as a political bargaining chip," the group's president, Kelley Robinson, said in a press release. "For them, this law is not about politics – it’s about losing the freedom to make their own health care decisions. Congress and the White House have failed military families. This country’s first anti-LGBTQ+ federal law in almost 30 years disgraces those who have sacrificed so much.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
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